Celtic vs. Boca at BMO???

According to Ticketmaster.

Wed, Sep 2, 2009 at 4:00 p.m.(!) This hasn't been announced anywhere, not is there even the hint of such a game on Celtic discussion boards. It seems a little odd since they are in the middle of their season and are scheduled to play Hibs three days earlier.

There is a 10 day break after the alleged game before Celtic's next league match.

Someone with better Spanish might be able to find out Boca's schedule.

Julian de Guzman to TFC: Stuff (for now)

I probably should address this.

So Julian de Guzman has finally said no to Toronto. After more than a week of waiting for an answer pretty much everyone knew was coming, it's kind of anticlimactic. Actually, it's a lot anticlimactic. But, it's best for everyone.

It's not time for de Guzman to come home. His heart was never really into it. It would have upset the balance of the team (although I never fully believed the rumour that Carl Robinson would have been shown the door to make room for de Guzman, the mere suggestion that he would be was likely damaging to the dressing room's moral).

Plus de Guzman is not what this team needs right now. It needs another centerback. That should be the priority of the next couple weeks. Ali Gerba has shown enough to convince me that e will get his goals. TFC still gives up way too many. That's what needs to be fixed.

Sober Second Thoughts: An ugly night

This is going to be short as I found myself in the wrong place Wednesday night and now have a broken nose and mild concussion as a result. I’m fine. Thanks for asking. My life is nothing if not interesting.

Anyway...as I sat in the ER waiting to have my head x-rayed I received a text message from a friend. He informed me that a certain internet rival of mine (no, not the grump in Columbus) was “desperate to hear my take” on Toronto’s loss to Puerto Rico in the CONCACAF Champions League. Apparently he wanted to see me (virtually) squirm or something.

So here it is:

It was a frustrating match to watch. Only the legally blind would argue that the more talented team won, but football is full of stories of less talented teams bunkering up and finding a way to win. There is a reason everyone loves the FA Cup third round. It’s romantic when the minnow wins.

Unless you support the team that the minnow just finished frustrating. Then, it’s just ugly, negative football. Boot it, (sort of) chase it and hope for 90 minutes.

The Islanders would have been happy with a 0-0 result. That was clear. They are likely ecstatic with the win. I’m not sure Stefan Frei wasn’t interfered on with the goal, but this wasn’t a game that was decided by poor refereeing (he was a bit tick-tack for my tastes, but pretty equal. And the Toronto “goal” was offside).

The game was decided by Toronto’s continued inability to break down Puerto Rico’s bunker. The Islanders packed the middle of the pitch and let TFC move the ball freely on the wings. Having two 6’2” centerbacks allow you to trust that you can handle the crosses, after all (and the corners – 11-0 Toronto for what it’s worth). Anyone who has yet to be convinced of Amado Guevara’s worth to this team should be now. The Reds needed someone to help generate through the middle and to take the pressure away from DeRo. That something would have been Amado.

All that said the tie isn’t 90 minutes long. Toronto only has win by two goals in Puerto Rico to advance (or one and win the penalties). Things are far from over.

It won’t be easy. The humidity will be insane. The crowd less friendly. But if TCF 2009 has taught us anything it’s expect nothing. Except that it will be an interesting ride.

EPL Preseason Preview - Everton and Manchester City

Everton

Coming off a strong season that saw them make it to the FA Cup Final and qualify for the Europa League, Everton will be looking to improve this season. David Moyes struggled last season with many injuries to key players, but still managed to find results when the club needed points the most. Returning this season healthy is a must for the Toffees if they are looking to improve upon last season’s finish, and Moyes, although cash strapped at times has made sure that his sides have always shown improvement.

Key Additions: Jo (returns from Manchester City on loan), Shkodran Mustafi (Hamburg)

Manchester City has allowed the Brazilian forward Jo to return to Goodison after a strong showing last season and an influx of talent at City’s forward position. This will only help to bolster the attack as Yakubu returns to the fold this season and Tim Cahill and Louis Saha have always been one to find the injury bug during the season. Moyes managed to snatch up Germany’s U-17 International Shkodran Mustafi for no transfer from Hamburg to bolster his defense for the future, although they were responsible for training fees. This acquisition can only be good for Moyes’ side as England International defender Joleon Lescott is being pursued by Manchester City, who has already snapped up many from around England’s top clubs. Everton is keen to let Lescott go, but if he is for the off, Moyes will make due as he always does.

The key for Everton this season is to stay healthy. Not having the cash to splash in the transfer market, Everton cannot afford to sustain the losses they did last season. If they manage to make another purchase it can only go to improve the side, on which hosts one of the best goalkeepers in England, or the world depending on your company, a strong defense, talented midfield, and a plethora of strong attacking options. So if Everton stays fit this season I would look for them to finish right outside the top 4 and maybe go as far as pushing a club like Arsenal out of the 4^th spot.

Manchester City

What to say about Manchester City. They have bought many and loaned out the rest. Mark Hughes has a job on his hands this season with all the money that has been spent and the results that are expected from his side. Aside from Manchester United and Chelsea, City will now bolster one of the most star studded sides in the EPL, but do stars bring you silverware? I think not, as City have had a rough preseason and will be looking to stroke the egos of many new faces this season. Hughes does not look to be quite finished yet this summer, but the high profile targets he is currently after look to be staying where they are for right now.

Key Additions: Kolo Toure (Arsenal), Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal), Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn), Carlos Tevez (Manchester United), Gareth Barry (Aston Villa), Stuart Taylor (Aston Villa)

Key Losses: Elano (to Galatasaray)

The additions of many more attacking options at the Eastlands will undoubtedly cause Hughes more trouble than he is prepared for. If he was worried about his job as manager last season being in doubt, I would not be surprised to see him gone if his new side fails to produce. This will not be the case though as so much talent will bring enough victories to keep Hughes in a job. I look for City to start out slow and improve over time, buying more star power if possible in January, but falling short of the top 4 spots this season.

While the future looks good for City, and the money does not seem to be going anywhere. It will take time to build a side of superstars who can produce the titles the ownership and fans want. The Galacticos could not do it immediately and I do not see City being able to as well. They still need support in defense, and though the addition of Kolo Toure is helpful, it is just not enough. John Terry has turned them down, but City is still showing interest in Everton’s England International Joleon Lescott. The transfer window is still open, so nothing from City from here on in would be too surprising. They have the money and love to let others know about it, but for now they will still be on the outside looking in.

Austin recieve a two-point deduction for ineligible player foul

The USL-1 first division Austin Aztex have been docked two points for fielding an ineligible player in the 2-2 draw against Montreal.

The incident, described by Austin's website as an "administrative error", circles around midfielder Mike Callahan, who recieved a yellow in a 1-0 loss to the Minnesota Thunder two weeks ago. He played against Montreal, but did not score.

The deduction puts the Aztex in danger of missing out on the playoff pack. With 11 games left to play, it puts them 8 points back of the Impact, who occupy the last playoff place, and 7 points away from the Vancouver Whitecaps, who are just behind them in 8th.

Centreback roulette: Caps sign Pozniak, release Parke

The Vancouver Whitecaps have announced that they have signed Canadian international Chris Pozniak and allowed Jeff Parke to leave. This is another move in a series of changes that centreback position has undergone this summer for the Caps; in addition to Parke, the Whitecaps recently released Wes Charles for starting fights with Parke and Charles Gbeke. Justin Thompson also left football to pursue a better payday than he could get in USL-1.

Pozniak, who was rumoured to be signing for TFC, was out of contract following the end of his year with Dundee United in Scotland, where he made 24 appearances, scoring a goal. This is Pozniak's second stint with the Whitecaps, as he arrived last summer to cover for Adrian Cann's departure with an eye to getting some playing time to attract European interest. He played nine games, scoring once. The 28-year-old has recieved 24 caps for Canada, recently appearing in the squad for the 2009 Gold Cup. Pozniak's deal lasts until the end of the season, and contains an option for 2010.

Parke's departure seems largely in line with his desire to seek a place in Europe. This was his motivation for signing with the Whitecaps, who offered Parke a flexible deal that allowed him to get playing time while shopping himself elsewhere. He had picked up an injury called turf toe, which is dangerous to rush, but Parke, who is 27, successfully pushed himself to match fitness in time to go on trials before the end of the transfer window in August. Parke had played his whole career for the New York/New Jersey/Red Bulls/MetroStars before being selected by the Seattle Sounders in the 2008 Expansion draft, who released him before signing him. Parke still must serve the remaining 4 games of a 10-game suspension for violating MLS drug policies the next time he plays in the league.

The Whitecaps remain thin at CB, and have been inviting several trialists in to audition for the spot. Tanzanian international Nadir Harouba and Nigerian Michael Ndubuisi Onwuatuegwu (let's call him l'M.N.O.) remain in camp, but have not signed or dressed for the Caps. According to Marc Weber, efforts are ongoing to bring a trialist in from England. In the meantime, Pozniak will travel to Rochester with the team for their match on Friday, but may not be eligible to appear until the second back-to-back game of the roadtrip at the Middlefield Cheese Stadium in Cleveland on Saturday.

Preseason Preview - Liverpool and Arsenal in 2009/2010

By: Wray from Wray on Soccer

Liverpool

After looking strong at the start of last season, Liverpool tailed off and finished short of their mark, missing out again on silverware. Finally realizing that the league is just as important as the Champions League, Coach Rafa Benitez has been pushing Liverpool’s ownership group to put forth the money to improve the side. Tom Hicks, one half of the Hicks/Gillete partnership that owns Liverpool is having financial difficulties at the moment, going as far as to sell his Major League Baseball club, the Texas Rangers. This made Liverpool’s chances of improving through the transfer window look bleak unless they were to sell off some of their talent.

New Signing: Glen Johnson (Portsmouth)

Returning: Andriy Voronin

Now with the strong attacking force Liverpool still has intact I am expecting them to push for the league again this term, but some uncertainty in the future of many players leads me to believe they will fall short yet again. Rumored to be off before the season kicks off are; Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa, Javier Mascherano, Andrea Dossena, and Fabio Aurelio. Now if half of these moves take place it could severely damage the club in the upcoming season, as it looks as if the timing would leave them too late to find quality replacements. Closing out the summer though it looks as if Alonso and Mascherano are sure bets to stay with the club, as Liverpool are asking for inflated sums to purchase the players. Avoiding the loss of players is the key for Liverpool going into the new season, and it looks like they will be fine at the start of the campaign but still fall short in the league yet again this season.

Arsenal

A club of questions is what I like to call Arsenal. Will Wenger buy? Will Wenger sell? Is Wenger going to bring in anyone who is not for the Academy? The answers have panned out for Arsenal fans this off season, but probably not in the way they would have hoped. Wenger did buy, sell, and bring in a player that was for more than the Academy, but the chances for improvement from last season do not look promising.

Key Losses: Emanuel Adebayor (Manchester City), Kolo Toure (Manchester City)

New Signing: Thomas Vermaelen (Ajax)

Returning player: Philippe Senderos

With the losses of Togo front man Adebayor and defender Toure, Arsenal’s side has just taken a knock. Arsenal supporters and Wenger have said that there is no need to replace Adebayor, but with the history of fitness among Arsenal forwards I would have to disagree. Arsenal has been looking at the Moroccan international Chamakh from Bordeaux, but has yet to make a move to land the youngster. The loss of Toure could prove greater though as Wenger will have to make a decision. Vermaelen is yet to be tested in the EPL, and while Wenger wanted to ship Senderos back out this season, it is looking more evident that he may have to stay to add depth in defense.

The key to Arsenal this season will be fitness. If the players can stay fit they should be fine and find themselves in the top 4 for yet another season. For some reason though, if they do not manage to keep their forwards fit and struggle with problems in the backline after the departure of Toure, then they could be looking at their first season in many years outside the top 4 spots. Wenger has gambled by building his side through young players, but this will be the season that tells the wale on Wenger. Are the young players able to carry on, or do they drop down the table and allow someone else to join the ranks of the Big 4? Only time will tell, and the season is now fast approaching.

A Look Ahead - Manchester United and Chelsea in 2009/2010

By: Wray from Wray on Soccer

Manchester United

Coming into the new season pundits and fans alike are speculative about United’s chances of capturing yet another League Championship. I choose to believe in Sir Alex Ferguson’s coaching and decision making ahead of the new season. There have been a few high profile departures from Old Trafford in the offseason and a few promising prospects who now don United colors going into the new season.

Key Losses: Cristiano Ronaldo (to Real Madrid), Carlos Tevez (to Manchester City)

Key Additions: Gabriel Obertan (from Bordeaux), Michael Owen (from Newcastle United), Antonio Valencia (from Wigan Athletic)

For the entirety of the summer I have heard every reason why United cannot compete for the title again this year. To that I tell you to sit back and watch. Ronaldo while a good player was a distraction at many points in time and not always a healthy one, and Carlos Tevez did not want to sit the bench anymore. So Ronaldo fills his supposed lifetime dream of playing for Madrid and Tevez joins another side filled with World Class strikers fighting for time on the pitch. Good luck to our two former players, and while we will miss you, we will move on.

Our additions have been criticized heavily as well. They say, “Valencia to replace Ronaldo?” No, Valencia will not be replacing Ronaldo, but filling a vacancy we had on the wing. Valencia is a strong young performer who will only blossom more with time and with the attacking options presented at United he cannot do anything but succeed. Gabriel Obertan, who has come to us from Bordeaux is a young French International with a promising future. While it is not clear how much of an impact Obertan will have in the first team this season, one thing is for sure, he is a big target man with a promising future. And our most highly criticized move of the offseason, Michael Owen, who is prone to injury and is aging as well. Look, Owen is a gamble, but a smart one in my opinion. He can still score and will have less pressure on him at United than he ever faced at Newcastle. He has something to prove to his critics this season, and I think in a limited role this season we will see him regain his form and net many times for us.

We also return with a strong defense and a strong presence up top with Rooney and Berbatov. Mix in the experienced veterans and the youth of the squad and I think this side will prove many wrong. Finding their own way without Ronaldo would be tough for many, but Sir Alex Ferguson has done it before and I will not be surprised when he does it again.

Chelsea

Following another season that saw Chelsea finish behind Manchester United in the EPL standings the biggest problem facing the Blues was who would be coaching the side next season. That question has since been answered by bringing in former AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti to Stamford Bridge. How will Ancelotti do in England? From his preseason start with the Blues it looks promising, but do not hold your breath as a few seasons back Avram Grant, who was constantly criticized, managed to take the side to the Champions League final, before falling to Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United on penalties.

While not losing any integral parts of the wheel at Chelsea, a few new faces have shown up and a few old faces have reappeared.

New Signings: Carlo Ancelotti, Coach (AC Milan), Daniel Sturridge (Manchester City), Ross Turnbull (Middlesbrough), Yuri Zhirkov (CSKA Moscow)

While you look at these signings, you also have to realize a few names have come back, though it is not clear whether they will be here by the time the season starts, they are as follows.

Adriy Shevchenko, Claudio Pizzaro, and Sam Hutchinson

My thinking is that with the play Chelsea have shown during the preseason, there is not much reason to change what is not broken. I do not see Sheva and Pizzaro getting into the lineup while Drogba and Anelka keep scoring, and I would not be surprised to see a few others go out on loan before the season starts.

Chelsea will be a strong side this season, and with the coaching Ancelotti is bringing to the club, I do not think they will drop off much. They will challenge for the League Title this season and the Champions League again, but do not be surprised to see them fall a little short again. While money has bought Owner Roman Abromovich a strong side, they have yet to dominate year in and year out since Jose Mourinho left the club.

Hume's blood

It's a little hard to tell from the photo, but the player standing directly beside the word "Blood" on the above poster is Canada's own Iain Hume. Apparently Barnsley is looking to "stop living in the past" (the glory of its single season in the English top flight) and re-focus on establishing pride in the current team.

The blood is, of course, a nod to the horrific injury Hume suffered last season. Players giving it all for the colours and all that. I'm sure the idea of embracing that has offended some, but it somehow seems fitting that it's a Canuck that is featured in this way. We may not have talent (although Hume does), but damn do we have grit. Run into a brick wall for the team, we will.

No fear: TFC prepares for CCL debut

The message is the same everywhere. “You better not take Puerto Rico for granted,” fairly informed football fan tells you. “They’re a good team. They could win.”

The sage advice is usually backed up with a reminder that the Islanders went all the way to the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Champions League last year. They, not Montreal, were to true Cinderellas of the inaugural ball.

Puerto Rico also were the top USL-1 team last season, winning the regular season title. They were denied their rightful opportunity to host the USL-1 title game because the league decided that its stadium wasn’t fit. Instead Camp Nou in disguise Swangard played host (it’s a damn pretty backdrop for TV...those Mountains...). The ‘Caps used home field to its full advantage and denied the Islanders the double.

So, good team Puerto Rico. Deep CCL run, almost USL-1 champions. Fear.

Sure. DC United fans watched last night as little Firpo managed a 1-1 draw against United last night. Toronto fans remember losing twice to Vancouver in the last two years. Upsets happen. Anyone that takes any opponent lightly is being a little stupid.

But let’s look at the facts here with a re-visit of last year’s CCL run.

The big scalp along the way came in the preliminary round when the Islanders took down Costa Rican traditional power Alajuelense. A 1-1 draw in Costa Rica in the first leg was key to setting up Puerto Ricos’s bunker and wait for the Caribbean humidity to kill them strategy in game two.

Playing a second choice line-up in front of 800 fans (no, it’s not missing a 0) Osei Telesford scored in the 63rd minute to secure the draw. It was against the run. The Costa Ricans outshot the Islanders 14-4. Puerto Rico also employed a hack and slash strategy to frustrate the more talented Alajuelense. A total of 17 fouls were whistled against the USL side.

Game two was just one of those games. Alajuelense got off to a flying start, scoring in the fifth minute. They held onto that lead, which would have given them the tie, for 83 more minutes. Two goals in two minutes, in the 87th and 89th minutes, unbelievably turned the game around and started the miracle run to the semis.

It would become a pattern. Puerto Rico would be badly outplayed, but would find away to get big goals when it mattered. It was a classic underdog cup run, in other words.

In the group stage, the Islanders managed to go through with a 2-2-2 record. The stunner in that run was a 3-1 win over the enigma of Santos Laguna (who later turned it around and won 3-0 over the Islanders). After winning its first two games of the group stage, both at home, Puerto Rico limped home, only getting one point in its last four games.

Then came the quarterfinal upset of Marathon. After playing its best game of the tournament to win the opening leg 2-1, the Islanders played one of the worst games I’ve ever seen in the return leg. Except they won. After being outshot 22-6, they nicked a 90th minute goal when the Hondurans had about nine men up field desperately trying to get the goal that would have won the tie.

Another great bunker and counter home game in the semis (2-0 win over Cruz Azul) lead to another stinker on the road (shots were 18-3) and a 3-1 loss that ended the run.

All and all it was a nice string of upsets, but it was hardly a thing of beauty. The Islanders won exactly one road game in the CCL and played some of the most negative tactics you could ever imagine.

So yes TFC should respect the Islanders, but in no way should this team be feared. If the Reds can break them down early there is no reason why they can’t score multiple goals tonight. The best way to beat a bunker team, after all, is to score a goal and force them out of the bunker.

The Islanders will likely view a 1-0 loss as a win, however, so it’s likely going to take more than one goal to do that. Tonight is exactly the type of night that Ali Gerba was signed for.

The big test for Toronto will come next Tuesday in Puerto Rico. The Islanders know how to wear down more talented teams in the Caribbean heat (It’s a cool 42C down there today). But that test will be a whole lot easier if the Reds go down with a two or three goal lead.

And based on the way he Islanders play bigger clubs on the road, that’s a perfectly reasonable goal.

Damn right Martin!

"I would say the top four has become a genuine top five. (Manchester City have) even seemingly (put) it beyond the sides who would be competing within the top four."

No, that's not me on a drunken late night rant on Facebook. It's Martin O'Neill. You know, the manager at Villa. Refreshingly, he makes the suggestion without following it up with a pompous remark about how City are "ruining football" or "are actually Satan incarnate." Perhaps his position outside of the sainted big four allows him a little perspective. It's hard to say.

City winning the title. Sounds good to me. I'd take sixth, if I'm honest, but a title chase...that would be fun!

Maybe it could end with Carlos Tevez making a little back heel for a goal that wins it for City and also sends United out of the Champions League spot (It's probably a bit much to hope for United to be relegated, right?). It could happen.

Now, O'Neill is likely just playing some mind games with a club that he realistically will be fighting with for a Europa spot. Still...

A little more than two weeks to go. It's going to be a fun season.

All I am saying...is show me the games!

With news today that Disney has secured the rights to show MLS games in the UK as part of a re-launched ESPN UK, we Canadians now stare down the reality that starting on Aug 8 (when the first game is shown in the UK) you will be able to watch more out of market MLS on the tube over there than you can here.

MLS is officially recognized first division of Canada you know. Yet, other than TFC we're, for the most part, forced to watch the league on illegal web streams. A bit odd, don't you think?

When MLSE secured its licence for GolTV there were noises made about showing out-of-market MLS. Although the station has done a good job of getting more TFC focused programming on the air -- mostly soft feature programming -- we still see no sign of actual games. As the league's footprint grows in this country that needs to change.

Hopefully MLSE can at least get some playoff games on come November. We all understand that sometimes these things take time after all. But by the time next year's season rolls around...

I think it's about time Canadians are able to watch MLS games without having to seek out Spanish language internet feeds.

It's Called Football: Western Conference mid-season rewind

Even though it's actually the 2/3 mark of the season, we started our mid-season review this week on It’s Called Football. First up, the West!



Make sure to subscribe to us on iTunes! And rate us..

CCL Live blog - DC United v Firpo and Pachuca v Jalapa

Join us for a CCL marathon!

Impact- Bordeaux Live Stream tonight at 7:30pm

For anyone interested in watching the Montreal Impact get thrashed...ummm *cough* sorry, square off against Bordeaux tonight at 7:30pm, Corus Sports will be live streaming the game here.

Expect Bordeaux to field their "B" team, as coach Laurent Blanc mentioned that he will most probably select a completely different starting XI then the one we saw on Saturday, when they won the Trophée des Champions in front of 34 068 fans at the Olympic Stadium. Hopefully Yoann Gourcuff will get subbed in at some point during the 2nd half.

I'm off to the stadium....

The EPL Season is Upon Us – Get Your Predictions in Now

By: Wray from Wray on Soccer

So in covering the EPL this season, I thought it only necessary to do a preseason prediction on the outcome of the upcoming season. This is a rough estimation, but one I have spent some time with the past few weeks and see as the possible outcome. Not knowing the new teams of Burnley and Wolves as well as the others I had to do a bit of research to come to my conclusions, but this is what I foresee happening in the upcoming EPL season.

After a summer filled with rumors and blockbuster deals, the season is upon us again. Manchester City has stocked up and seems to have the most new, albeit well known faces going into the new season. Other sides have improved through summer moves and now it is time to see how they pan out. Nothing was bigger than Manchester United’s sale of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo to Spanish giants Real Madrid. Will this hurt the Red Devils going into the new season? Keep reading to find out, but I think not as Coach Alex Ferguson has sold his superstars before and never seem to have trouble bringing up another, but then again this could be the end of an era as other sides have stocked up as well.

1. Manchester United
2. Chelsea
3. Liverpool
4. Arsenal
5. Everton
6. Manchester City
7. Aston Villa
8. Fulham
9. Tottenham
10. West Ham United
11. Sunderland
12. Stoke City
13. Birmingham City
14. Bolton
15. Wolves
16. Blackburn
17. Portsmouth
18. Wigan
19. Hull
20. Burnley

Now this is my preseason predictions, and one that I hope upon reevaluation at mid-season will hold up. My plan going into the new season is to get multiple sets of articles together with information on the teams for the upcoming EPL season, outlining moves made over the summer and why I think they will finish where I have put them. This is something new for me and I hope it gives me a new insight into the teams I may not follow as often as others, while informing readers about the teams as well and what we can expect from them.
The season is upon us, and as teams finish up summer transfer moves and preseason play we all clamber for the action of the upcoming season. So stay tuned for more, as I am looking forward to the season and hope you all are as well.

MLS fans Bullish on league's chances in CCL?

It's not unique to MLS, no matter how some will try to spin it. Anywhere where a Champions League draws teams based on their performance the year before runs the risk of having a few teams in that probably don't deserve to be.

Such is the case with the New York Red Bulls. Fluke runner-ups in the 2008 MLS season (after making the playoffs as the lowest seed), the Bulls are on pace to become the worst MLS team of all time. In a league that forces parity, that's an accomplishment.

Yet here they are in the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League. It might not be pretty.

Drawn with T&T's W Connection in the preliminary round there are many people that are suggesting that NYRB will embarrass the league. Coming on the heels of last year's New England upset at the hands of Joe Public, MLS fans don't want to see another Caribbean team pull the upset. Those that want to see MLS fail -- and there are a lot who irrationally do, particularly in Latin America -- will relish in the opportunity to hold another MLS scalp up as proof of the league's inferiority. They won't care that the Red Bulls are far from representative of the best the league has to offer.

Now, there is one piece of good news here for MLS fans. The Red Bulls aren't typical bad. They are historically bad, which means that the MLS playoffs are almost literally impossible for them to reach. The CCL is all this team has left to play for.

In some ways New York's CCL run could be the ultimate measure in where MLS stands in CONCACAF. The Bulls have no excuse but to prioritize the competition. How far the league’s worst team can compete with the confederation's best clubs might be telling.

Whether it tells a good story or a bad one for MLS fans is up for debate. New York starts its run Thursday.

A new beginning - An American writer joins The 24th Minute

By: Wray from Wray on Soccer

Being a fan of football in America is not always easy. We lack coverage of many leagues we would like to follow, and find ourselves lacking more even trying to follow the sport in our own country. I jumped at the chance to present my articles to a wider audience here at The 24^th Minute, and hope I do not disappoint.

I follow one of the best teams in the world (Manchester United) and one of the worst teams in the world (FC Dallas), but you will not find me writing as a homer for either as I like to call it as I see it and will watch anyone play that I can. I do not have a background in journalism, but rather in History. The same amount of reading and writing if you ask me. From this background though I bring my own analysis and opinions to the fold, some you may not like and some you may think I am right on with, but what sparks more interest than a debate on the greatest game in the world.

My name is Wray and I sling my views at Wray on Soccer. I started my blog to capture all the posts I was making around the web and gather them in one area. This and the fact that my wife got tired of me posting match results and analysis on our family blog sped up the process. I have been asked to help out in covering the EPL and European football here and look forward to doing so. As we have one Red Devils supporter here already, I will let him have the reigns and find my own niche in the EPL. All I can hope is that football supporters and those who have not yet picked up the game will see what we are doing and help to push our cause into the mainstream. Oh what it would be like to wake up and have all the matches at our fingertips, but I would settle for better coverage of our domestic leagues to start with.

I hope you enjoy what I provide here and look forward to each article as they come, so be on the lookout until next time!

Getting your hate on: Club vs. Country -- hoser style

I’m not sure Nigel Reed fully understands what he’s suggesting here. Western Canada wouldn’t know what to do with itself if it wasn’t irrationally bashing Those Eastern Bastards, after all. But, the British ex-pat, in a hopeful, if naive, suggestion, is asking Canadians to get behind TFC as it prepares to play in the Champions League.

Good luck with that.

As I was in Europe (or, more accurately, 35,000 feet above the Atlantic, when TFC put six goals past Montreal’s B team. F team?) I never really commented on the whole Evil Impact fiasco. I have had plenty to say about Toronto’s position as the highest profile club team in Canada and why I feel that provides the team with an opportunity to grow the sport in ways that Vancouver and Montreal can’t (not until they are in MLS. Then it’s equal). I’ve been called arrogant for pointing out what seems to me to be obvious – TFC has a national TV contract and plays in front of 20,000 people weekly. The USL clubs do not have those things. They do have, of course, dedicated fans that care very deeply for them. There just aren’t enough of them, nor will there ever be when they are at the USL level. We’ve had 10 plus years of evidence to back up my contention.

So, Reed is right. TFC does have the opportunity to give Canadian soccer a boost. Where I disagree with him is in my feeling that it isn’t necessary for Canadian club fans to let go of their TFC hate if they don’t want to. Club rivalry – true club rivalry – has been missing in Canada for a long time. Although people don’t like to admit it, much of the draw of football is that collective hate of The Other Guy. It isn’t rational, nor does it have to go beyond the 90 minutes, but the cathartic passion of getting a good hate on once and a while helps to attract people to the game.

The truth is if you’re purely a neutral fan of the game you’re probably better off in a pub watching Setanta on Saturday mornings. The football is clearly better elsewhere. But, if you’re a fan that has a club, you don’t care about where your team’s league stacks up in the world’s rankings. You just care about seeing your team win - preferably against The Other Guy.

For years Canadian fans have hoped against hope that our national team would break through and take the game to the next level here. That’s not going to happen unless the game gets healthier below the national team level. The area that shows the most hope right now is on the club side. If we grow the club game, the national team’s pool will improve and there is no better way to drive improvements at the club level than through competition.

I want Montreal and Vancouver fans to watch TFC in the Champions League and burn with envy and rage. I want those fans to tell their front offices that they demand that they do what is necessary to compete with TFC so they can experience CCL play. That would be the best thing that could happen to Canadian football (or continue to happen, as I think it already is).

Now that’s not to say that fans of the Impact and Whitecaps would be wrong to cheer for TFC. Taking the patriotic approach has its merits too. But, they just aren’t wrong if they chose to ignore/actively cheer against Toronto.

And finally, for all those that are arguing that Vancouver should be in this position...hogwash. TFC scored six goals against the Impact. I don’t care that it wasn’t a first choice team, that’s an accomplishment – one that I doubt the ‘Caps would have matched if the roles were reversed. And even if it were Toronto that was burned by the Impact’s decision to dress a second choice team, I’d still have the same opinion. Any team that goes out and wins a game by five goals – especially when it knows it has to do so – deserves all the spoils that come from that.

It isn't always beautiful

Possible the worst goal in the history of the game (he says with just a little hyperbole)



There really is little purpose to this post other than to amuse me.

It's Champions League day!

Of the CONCACAF variety...(although there is European Champions League action Wednesday if you're really only Euro focused. Which would mean that you'd likely never be here in the first place. So, um, yeah).

As Toronto fans prepare for their virgin CONCACAF Champions League experience tomorrow, the competition kicks off on two fronts today. D.C. United, likely the most successful MLS team in international play, opens up at home against El Salvador's Firpo (a club that is, interestingly, named after a boxer) While Mexico's Pachuca, the 2008 confederation champion, has at it with Jalapa of Guatemala.

There is no TV of the games in Canada (You didn't hear this from me...).

Goff has a preview up of the DCU game. It appears that United is taking the CCL seriously, but will go with a bit of a squad rotation for the first round.

Firpo is the oldest club in El Salvador and one of that country's most successful. However, they backed into the 2009 CCL as a replacement team. United should handle them fairly easily. MLS, for all the flack it takes internationally, really only struggles to beat Mexican teams and the top Costa Rican clubs. The league typically gets by the rest of the confederation (Joe Public's upset over New England last year was shocking because it was atypical).

As far as the other game goes, Pachuca enters it as a heavy favourite. An all Mexican semi-final of the CCL isn't out of the question (it was three of four teams last year).

Regardless, it's nice for Toronto fans to finally have a chance to see their team take part in a tournament like this. It's been a long walk in the wilderness for the city's football fanatics (and it goes back a lot further than TFC's current 2 2/3 seasons).

I really should just let it go: (sigh) once more with the Beckham stuff

Ok, I feel dirty for posting this, but News of the World (I'm terribly sorry) has yet another angle on the David Beckham temper tantrum. And they've hired a lip reader to tell us what he really said.

It's about what you would expect (rhymes with duck).

I can't embed it, so you'll have to surf on over.

Annnnyway...apparently the lifetime stadium ban has been lifted for would-be Beckham attacker Josh Paige. The Galaxy are suggesting that Crazy Spice (can I copyright that?) might have played a role in getting him out of the stands.

England, Europe, the World and the 24th Minute

Over the past year and a bit Manchester United have conquered England, Europe and the World. Now they are finally staking a claim on the 24th Minute. Well not really... but at least we have some representation.

I'm Sam from the Canadian Stretford End a footy blog focusing on the Canadian national team and Manchester United. Duane's asked me to contribute Premier League and United-specific articles to the blog, hopefully to counter his love for a team that hasn't won a trophy since 1976 Manchester City.

I'm excited to start writing on here and I hope you all enjoy!

No, no, no I said the green side UP.

This has been around today, but it's worth a post here too. Notice anything wrong with Seattle's tifo?



Relax Seattle...we rip the piss because we love...

Looking ahead ('cause I can)

If Toronto gets by Puerto Rico in the preliminary round of the CONCACAF Champions League it will open up the group stage with two straight road games.

The full schedule can be seen here.

Toronto's draw:

August 18 Columbus Crew - Toronto FC - Columbus,
August 25 Deportivo Saprissa - Toronto FC - San Jose, CRC
Sept. 15 Toronto FC - Cruz Azul/Herediano - Toronto
Sept. 22 Toronto FC - Deportivo Saprissa - Toronto
Sept. 30 Cruz Azul/Herediano - Toronto FC - TBD
Oct 20. Toronto FC - Columbus Crew - Toronto

Help wanted: EPL/Europe writer

I'm looking to expand the site's reach to cover more European football. With a focus on the EPL (with room for other coverage), I'm interested in finding someone to make 2-3 posts a week, thus allowing me to continue to focus on the North American game. My roots are on this side of the Atlantic, and I will never forget that, but to reach more eyeballs I need to expand that part of my coverage.

What I'll provide you:

• Absolute editorial control
• A great reference (ideally I'd like a j-school student)
• Fame and glory*
• An established audience of more than 25,000 page views a month
• A promise that if the site meets a certain income threshold, you'll see a fair share of it
  

For more information please send an e-mail off to me at dgrollins@gmail.com

*Fame and glory may be overstated

Um, yeah...no one really cares Don. But, thanks anyway

Just in case you were unaware of what the "special" announcement from MLS was today...

Houston is going to host the 2010 All-star game. Yes, that's all.

Massive let down(s); Massive game; Massive overuse of the word Massive!

Thanks to the Toronto Star for breaking down the following numbers. In a sidebar to today's advance story about the Puerto Rico game, TFC's +/- goal figures are broken down by the time of game.

It's ugly:

-1: 1-15 minutes
-4: 16-30 minutes
+1: 31-45+ minutes
+3: 46-60 minutes
+6: 61-75 minutes
-8: 76-90+ minutes

Yes, -8 in the last 15 minutes. That's a lot of points wasted and a big problem.

Also concerning in that article was the information that TFC took an overnight bus back from Columbus because that was the quickest way it could get home. MLSE makes at least $10 million a year on TFC, and a hell of a lot more overall, yet MLS rules won't allow them to charter a plane for a 45 minute flight home. Instead the league forces its players to sit on a bus for eight hours (that’s got to be good for the legs). That's insane and needs to be addressed in the collective bargaining agreement (there is conservative spending and then there is just cheap).

On the up note, however, it appears that TFC is taking the CONCACAF Champions League very seriously. Take Carl Robinson’s take:

"But we've got to make sure we react right (in practice) on Monday and Tuesday and get set for a massive game Wednesday."

Emphasis is mine. Massive game. After watching MLS teams lollygag through the CCL last year I like to see that.

Note: TFC season ticket holders need to remember that the tickets for the game are in their account manager. They will need to print them out prior to Wednesday.

Section 8 takes nickname a little too literally

Via Never Famous, Chicago Fire supporters setting, um, fire to their section



It's a good thing this wasn't in Columbus, or someone would have been Tasered!

Don Garber: A Special 1

Just got this from MLS communications:

Commissioner Don Garber will make a special announcement to media following the MLS All-Star Game press conference, at approximately 2:30 p.m. at The Canyons Resort in Park City

Interesting...You think?

Nah, it couldn't. Right?

Julian de Guzman: no one has a bloody clue

The Score is reporting tonight that talks between TFC and Julian de Guzman have "broken down" and the midfielder will not be joining Toronto as its first designated player.

Apparently TFC doesn't like having to wait more than a week for de Guzman to make up his mind. Feeling (correctly) that they need to add something to save the season and running out of time to do that the Reds did not want to extend their deadline for de Guzman.

If de Guzman really wanted to be in Toronto he'd be here by now. Actually, I said that wrong. He clearly does want to be in Toronto. His love of his hometown is the only thing that is keeping this on the table I suspect. Where de Guzman doesn't want to be is MLS.

He clearly feels that he has more to chase in Europe and, really, can you blame him? You can't, but you can suggest that he make up his damn mind. That needs to happen for everyone's sake.

Could Garber make an Impact tomorrow?

The Salt Lake Tribune ran a nice article last week detailing the changes that have come to MLS since that city was awarded a team five years ago. It’s a worthwhile read for those relatively new to following our wacky little league.

Of interest to Canadian fans is this:

Today, the league has 16 owners for its 18 teams, and has not ruled out expanding again before 2012. A group in Montreal is lobbying hard for a team, having witnessed the phenomenal popularity of expansion teams in Toronto and Seattle the past few years

That isn’t new news of course, but it is interesting that the “Montreal 19” rumour won’t go away. The Impact are pushing hard and if the whispers are to be believed is willing to put up the same coin that Vancouver and Portland did. No one in MLS is saying that it isn’t listening.

Today, I’ve had more than one person contact me to tell me of a rumour that is suggesting that the Impact are going to be named the league’s 19th team tomorrow.

Yes, tomorrow.

That’s all I have right now – and I’m pretty convinced that this is mostly over excited talk right now – but it’s appearing more and more like MLS might go French.

I’m still sceptical. The league benefited from an open bidding process last round. Still, adding Montreal as a lone team now could put the pressure on St. Louis and Miami – or even the mythical second New York team – to be the second eastern city to come in the league with Montreal in 2012.

We’ll be watching closely...

Sober Second Thoughts: That one kinda hurt

The truly sad thing about last night’s last minute loss to Columbus was that for about 92 minutes Toronto played one of its best road games in its history. The Reds were aggressive, were creating and very much deserved a result.

But then injury time came. Once again Toronto fans were left shaking their head as they watched TFC throw points down the toilet with a last second goal against. It’s a common occurrence for the team, which never seems to make things easy on itself.

Why does TFC blow points last so often? If I had the answer I’d probably be manager-boy instead of blogger-boy. I’ve heard some suggestion that it has to do with the style TFC plays – it’s too offensively orientated, it’s gassed by the time the game winds down. Of course it could just be a talent issue. Toronto is tied with Dallas for the third most goals allowed in the league.

Certainly you could question Chris Cummins decision yesterday to put O’Brian White into the game as a late substitute – it wasn’t really the time to get the kid experience, and it didn’t seem like an opportunity for an offensive sub either. Still though, bringing in White wasn’t what caused the marking to disappear at the end of the game.

With the loss, Toronto drops out of a playoff spot for the first time in several weeks. If the post-season started today, TFC would miss by one point. Colorado would cross over to play in the east as the fourth seed. The truth is, the loss was even more damaging to the Reds. TFC’s record has been built on the back of a lot of home games so far and Toronto did not do enough in those games to make fans comfortable. If you project TFC’s record and adjust for home and away results, you’ll find this prediction as the final standings in the East:

• Columbus - 46
• DCUnited 46
• N.E. Revs 45
• Chicago 44
• Toronto FC 40
• Kansas City 37
• Red Bulls 16

Although Toronto would get to the magical 40-point figure, fifth in the conference is not a position you would want to be in on the final day. It might get you the final wildcard, but it would be far from a sure thing.

Of course the games are played on the pitch, not calculated in my den. Those projections see Toronto only six points off the lead in the East. With a third of the season to go, Toronto still is in its best ever position heading into the stretch.

The Reds are still in the playoff hunt. They just have to figure out how to squeeze points out on the road. It’s a scary prospect for the Reds fan, but things could be worse. They could be the Red Bulls.