It passed.
There will be grass at BMO next year.
Well worth the weight loss (so far)
6 months ago
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
CIS top 10 for Sept 29
WOMEN'S SOCCER
1. Trinity Western (4-0-0)
2. Montreal (6-0-0)
3. Ottawa (6-0-2)
4. Wilfrid Laurier (5-0-1)
5. Victoria (4-1-0)
6. StFX (5-0-0)
7. Brock (4-1-1)
T8. Laval (4-1-0)
T8. Toronto (5-0-2)
T8. Manitoba (5-1-0)
Others teams receiving votes: Cape Breton (9).
MEN'S SOCCER
(regular season record) / points / (previous rankings)
1. Trinity Western (4-0-2)
2. Montreal (3-1-1)
3. Alberta (4-0-2)
4. Dalhousie (3-0-1)
5. York (2-2-2)
6. Victoria (3-2-1)
7. Guelph (4-1-1)
8. UNB (3-1-2)
9. Toronto (4-1-2)
10. UPEI (4-1-0)
Other teams receiving votes: Queen's (6), UBC (5), Waterloo (4), Laurentian (3), UQAM (2)
It's the Trinity Western show once again. As I said last week it's impressive when you consider how small the school is and that it's a secular school.
But let's not overlook the movement by my hedonistic Alma matter, Wilfrid Laurier. No. 4 with a bullet!
1. Trinity Western (4-0-0)
2. Montreal (6-0-0)
3. Ottawa (6-0-2)
4. Wilfrid Laurier (5-0-1)
5. Victoria (4-1-0)
6. StFX (5-0-0)
7. Brock (4-1-1)
T8. Laval (4-1-0)
T8. Toronto (5-0-2)
T8. Manitoba (5-1-0)
Others teams receiving votes: Cape Breton (9).
MEN'S SOCCER
(regular season record) / points / (previous rankings)
1. Trinity Western (4-0-2)
2. Montreal (3-1-1)
3. Alberta (4-0-2)
4. Dalhousie (3-0-1)
5. York (2-2-2)
6. Victoria (3-2-1)
7. Guelph (4-1-1)
8. UNB (3-1-2)
9. Toronto (4-1-2)
10. UPEI (4-1-0)
Other teams receiving votes: Queen's (6), UBC (5), Waterloo (4), Laurentian (3), UQAM (2)
It's the Trinity Western show once again. As I said last week it's impressive when you consider how small the school is and that it's a secular school.
But let's not overlook the movement by my hedonistic Alma matter, Wilfrid Laurier. No. 4 with a bullet!
Support the kids
TFC wants you to take advantage of the Reds bye week to get out and support the academy in its CSL playoff game against the Serbian White Eagles
There are worse ways to spend a Saturday afternoon...
Toronto FC Season Seat Holders will get free access to the Academy Senior Team's Canadian Soccer League Playoff tie against Serbian White Eagles at Centennial Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The match was originally scheduled to be played at Lamport Stadium but has now been moved to the Etobicoke venue. Kick off is at 3:30 p.m.
If you are a Season Seat Holder you will need to show your membership card to get into the stadium. The Academy team needs to overturn a one goal deficit after losing the first leg of the quarter final tie 1-0 last weekend.
There are worse ways to spend a Saturday afternoon...
Looking to legalize grass (at BMO)
The grass to BMO debate rolls onto full council tomorrow morning.
According to City Hall, at about 9:30 a.m. the issue will be tabled, with council then indicating whether the issue requires a debate. If they do not ask for a discussion, the motion passes based on the recommendation received from Exhibition Place.
That doesn't seem likely.
What's probably going to happen is that there will be some councillors that express concerns and a debate will then be scheduled for sometime in the next two days. There is no way of knowing when exactly that will happen until the motion is tabled at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow.
For those interested, you can read a copy of the document that council has been given for consideration here.
You can monitor the meeting from your computer by clicking here tomorrow. And, if you're near a TV you can watch the meeting on you Rogers community channel.
Those working to get this passed are still asking for supporters to take a restrained approach to following this. It's felt that a large, vocal presence at the meeting could, ironically, scare off potential support. If the issue does not pass, I've been told that there will be a more visible effort made to try and convince council to reconsider.
According to City Hall, at about 9:30 a.m. the issue will be tabled, with council then indicating whether the issue requires a debate. If they do not ask for a discussion, the motion passes based on the recommendation received from Exhibition Place.
That doesn't seem likely.
What's probably going to happen is that there will be some councillors that express concerns and a debate will then be scheduled for sometime in the next two days. There is no way of knowing when exactly that will happen until the motion is tabled at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow.
For those interested, you can read a copy of the document that council has been given for consideration here.
You can monitor the meeting from your computer by clicking here tomorrow. And, if you're near a TV you can watch the meeting on you Rogers community channel.
Those working to get this passed are still asking for supporters to take a restrained approach to following this. It's felt that a large, vocal presence at the meeting could, ironically, scare off potential support. If the issue does not pass, I've been told that there will be a more visible effort made to try and convince council to reconsider.
Tough Teams to Beat at Home
After United's 2-0 win over Stoke City at the Britannia this weekend I started to think of teams that really aren't that great, but have fantastic home form. I mean Stoke really don't have too much talent on their squad but as they've proven in the last two matches against Chelsea and United they are very hard to play at the Britannia. So I've decided to look at a few teams who are very difficult to beat at home, but may not get the credit they deserve.
Stoke City: Playing at the Britannia stadium is always going to be hard because of the atmosphere. It has scientifically been proven that it is the loudest ground in the Premier League (despite the fact they do only sing when they're winning). The real secret behind Stoke's home form though has more to do with football and after a year in the Premier League it isn't too much of a secret anymore. They play on the narrowest possible pitch allowed by the FIFA Laws of the Game. Stoke often try and pack the centre of midfield while playing at home so the only way to find any space in Stoke's defending third of the pitch is to get the ball wide. This means the best way to get a ball into the Stoke box is a cross from a wide position. Every single Stoke defender is over six-foot-tall and they are all very good in the air which makes it near impossible to head home a goal. It goes without saying this makes scoring a goal difficult to say the least. The narrow pitch also helps Rory Delap fire in those wicked throw-ins that he is famous for.
Sunderland: Sunderland were promoted to the Premier League in 2008 and they look to be establishing themselves as a Premier League team playing in the Stadium of Light which fits 48,000, making it the fifth largest in English football. The large number of seats makes it a difficult place to play from the start seeing as more fans often leads to a louder atmosphere. The real secret to Sunderland's home form comes from it's location. The north of England usually proves a challenge to foreign players who are used to sunny Spain. It gets very cold in the winter, much colder than it even gets in London. It also rains a lot. Of course it rains a lot all over England, and it may just be perception, but the rain does seem to be worse and more often up north.
Fulham: This one really is a mystery. The atmosphere at Craven Cottage is good, but nothing that special for England. If anything maybe it is just that Fulham are a very bad road team which makes their home form so surprising. In the 2008-2009 Premier League season Fulham won eleven games at home only losing five, while they lost eight on the road and only won three. Their home games included wins over Manchester United, Aston Villa and Arsenal. They also managed to hold Chelsea to a draw at Craven Cottage. The only possible reason I can see for Fulham's inflated home form is the "distractions" that playing in the richest area of London may provide for professional footballers. After all their ground is very close to Stamford Bridge where Chelsea staged an unbelievable home unbeaten record at one point.
Whatever it is some teams are just very difficult games to win away. So whoever you support in the Premier League, circle these three games on your calendar as big away games during the season (unless of course you support one of these teams in which case you would only circle two of these games).
Stoke City: Playing at the Britannia stadium is always going to be hard because of the atmosphere. It has scientifically been proven that it is the loudest ground in the Premier League (despite the fact they do only sing when they're winning). The real secret behind Stoke's home form though has more to do with football and after a year in the Premier League it isn't too much of a secret anymore. They play on the narrowest possible pitch allowed by the FIFA Laws of the Game. Stoke often try and pack the centre of midfield while playing at home so the only way to find any space in Stoke's defending third of the pitch is to get the ball wide. This means the best way to get a ball into the Stoke box is a cross from a wide position. Every single Stoke defender is over six-foot-tall and they are all very good in the air which makes it near impossible to head home a goal. It goes without saying this makes scoring a goal difficult to say the least. The narrow pitch also helps Rory Delap fire in those wicked throw-ins that he is famous for.
Sunderland: Sunderland were promoted to the Premier League in 2008 and they look to be establishing themselves as a Premier League team playing in the Stadium of Light which fits 48,000, making it the fifth largest in English football. The large number of seats makes it a difficult place to play from the start seeing as more fans often leads to a louder atmosphere. The real secret to Sunderland's home form comes from it's location. The north of England usually proves a challenge to foreign players who are used to sunny Spain. It gets very cold in the winter, much colder than it even gets in London. It also rains a lot. Of course it rains a lot all over England, and it may just be perception, but the rain does seem to be worse and more often up north.
Fulham: This one really is a mystery. The atmosphere at Craven Cottage is good, but nothing that special for England. If anything maybe it is just that Fulham are a very bad road team which makes their home form so surprising. In the 2008-2009 Premier League season Fulham won eleven games at home only losing five, while they lost eight on the road and only won three. Their home games included wins over Manchester United, Aston Villa and Arsenal. They also managed to hold Chelsea to a draw at Craven Cottage. The only possible reason I can see for Fulham's inflated home form is the "distractions" that playing in the richest area of London may provide for professional footballers. After all their ground is very close to Stamford Bridge where Chelsea staged an unbelievable home unbeaten record at one point.
Whatever it is some teams are just very difficult games to win away. So whoever you support in the Premier League, circle these three games on your calendar as big away games during the season (unless of course you support one of these teams in which case you would only circle two of these games).
Life unfair to Lang
News today that Kara Lang has re-injured her knee is not good for Canadian women's national team fans. Sadly for Lang, it might be of limited interest to the actual team.
Lang was Canada's great female hope when she broke onto the scene at 15. Now, just seven years later, she seems like the game may have passed her by. Although tremendously athletic, the technical side of her game never developed. Those close to the women's program have told me that she at times looks lost under Carolina Morace and that her spot on future women's teams is in doubt.
That has to be especially so today. If athleticism is the strength of your game, then a second knee injury in less than four years does not bode well.
Here's hoping that she can overcome. To be blunt (and more than a bit unfair, I acknowledge) the program needs her for her marketability. It's undeniably wrong, but the women's game relies on having a few girl next door pretty faces to sell itself. That's just the way the world works. Lang was one of the few players on the Canadian team that could fill that role.
It's Called Football: Up the Union edition
We talk to Philadelphia Union president Tom Veit, breakdown TFC's playoff hopes, praise the Vancouver Whitecaps and generally do what we do in this week's It's Called Football.
Help us grow by subscribing on iTunes! And rate us.
Help us grow by subscribing on iTunes! And rate us.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Forget opinion, let's talk numbers
Below, I made an appeal for TFC fans to rationally look at things and realize that the playoff chance is far from over. You can dismiss that out of hand if you like.
However, before you do, take a look at the statistical probability calculations at SportsClubStats.com
If TFC wins out it has a 99.5 per cent chance of making the playoffs. So, basically it controls itys own fate.
Even at 2-1-0, the Reds still have a good shot (79 percent) and 2-0-1 is even sort of possible (44 per cent).
And numbers aren't biased.
However, before you do, take a look at the statistical probability calculations at SportsClubStats.com
If TFC wins out it has a 99.5 per cent chance of making the playoffs. So, basically it controls itys own fate.
Even at 2-1-0, the Reds still have a good shot (79 percent) and 2-0-1 is even sort of possible (44 per cent).
And numbers aren't biased.
Don't stop!
There are times when we betray ourselves in Toronto as newbie fans of MLS. We assume that the league is like all others in the rest of the world. So, when we look at the playoff standings and factor in games in hand that other teams have on the Reds, we make assumptions about the ability of Toronto to qualify.
Namely, we view the task as a lost cause, when the reality is that very little is ever lost in this league. You simply can’t assume, well, anything.
So, when considering if Toronto should “Evaluate whether or not the team actually has depth; and B:) If so, showcase what 2010 will look like on the field” you have to ask yourself two overriding questions: Why would you do that? And what would it accomplish?
The answers, as best as I can tell, are “you shouldn’t,” and “nothing.”
This is not to pick on Ryan Johnston, who I linked to above and who made the suggestion to “play the kids” in his blog today. Rather, it’s yet another appeal to Toronto fans to take a step back and rationally evaluate the last month. Sure, Toronto is not in an ideal position. They dug a hole for themselves in April when they only managed to get one point in their first two home games. Since that time, TFC has a 2.09 points per game average at home, which would give them the fourth best PPG at home in the league (Columbus leads the way at 2.33). Those two games push TFC back to seventh at 1.83 PPG.
Woulda, coulda, shoulda and all that, but if Toronto doesn’t allow that late goal against Dallas on April 11 they sit tied for the final playoff spot today.
Like I said woulda, coulda, shoulda. However, the home record since then, combined with the road record of San Jose and Salt Lake City (a combined 3-8-14) makes six points at home a better than average possibility. If Toronto does that, it should set up a situation where they enter the final week with a chance at the playoffs.
All that said, I did start off this entry by saying that the most predictable thing about MLS is its utter unpredictability. So, you can’t assume that Toronto will take those six points, and you certainly can’t assume that the Reds can win on the road against New York to end the season. Actually, I’m not entirely convinced that this season won’t end in the most gut retching way possible – with Toronto losing in New York when a win would have put them in.
Regardless, it’s way, way too early to be giving up on the year.
Namely, we view the task as a lost cause, when the reality is that very little is ever lost in this league. You simply can’t assume, well, anything.
So, when considering if Toronto should “Evaluate whether or not the team actually has depth; and B:) If so, showcase what 2010 will look like on the field” you have to ask yourself two overriding questions: Why would you do that? And what would it accomplish?
The answers, as best as I can tell, are “you shouldn’t,” and “nothing.”
This is not to pick on Ryan Johnston, who I linked to above and who made the suggestion to “play the kids” in his blog today. Rather, it’s yet another appeal to Toronto fans to take a step back and rationally evaluate the last month. Sure, Toronto is not in an ideal position. They dug a hole for themselves in April when they only managed to get one point in their first two home games. Since that time, TFC has a 2.09 points per game average at home, which would give them the fourth best PPG at home in the league (Columbus leads the way at 2.33). Those two games push TFC back to seventh at 1.83 PPG.
Woulda, coulda, shoulda and all that, but if Toronto doesn’t allow that late goal against Dallas on April 11 they sit tied for the final playoff spot today.
Like I said woulda, coulda, shoulda. However, the home record since then, combined with the road record of San Jose and Salt Lake City (a combined 3-8-14) makes six points at home a better than average possibility. If Toronto does that, it should set up a situation where they enter the final week with a chance at the playoffs.
All that said, I did start off this entry by saying that the most predictable thing about MLS is its utter unpredictability. So, you can’t assume that Toronto will take those six points, and you certainly can’t assume that the Reds can win on the road against New York to end the season. Actually, I’m not entirely convinced that this season won’t end in the most gut retching way possible – with Toronto losing in New York when a win would have put them in.
Regardless, it’s way, way too early to be giving up on the year.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Whitecaps - RailHawks Part Deux!
The Vancouver Whitecaps take on the Carolina RailHawks today in the second leg of their USL-1 playoff series. Vancouver claimed the first match 1-0 at home. It's a total-goals series, with overtime and a shootout if it winds up tied, so today's game should be interesting. Join me in the live blog below starting at 5 p.m. Eastern/2 p.m. Pacific!
Friday, September 25, 2009
No comment
I think I speak for everyone in Toronto when I say that we eagerly await the indignant blog entries and message board fodder that will surely emulate from this shameful display of public urination by a Columbus Crew fan.
I heard there was a wedding going on in that truck.
Red Patch celebrate Dichio; raise some money for cancer research.
A couple days late, but I wanted to share the latest Red Patch video. Taken before the Colorado home game, and featuring a cameo by Danny Dichio, it details the RPB's efforts to honour No. 9 and raise some money for the Terry Fox Foundation.
"Parkdale's" videos continue to capture the supporter's experience in a way that few others do. It's worth a watch even if you're not a TFC fan or Red Patch Boy.
"Parkdale's" videos continue to capture the supporter's experience in a way that few others do. It's worth a watch even if you're not a TFC fan or Red Patch Boy.
DeRo doing DeGood
A press release from TFC:
Nothing to add...good for him...
Toronto FC announced Friday that midfielder Dwayne De Rosario has been nominated for the national Jefferson Award for Outstanding Public Service by an Athlete, presented by All Stars Helping Kids, a national nonprofit organization founded by NFL Hall-of-Famer Ronnie Lott.
The nomination is a result of the Canadian’s involvement with Nothing But Nets, a grassroots initiative dedicated to distributing life-saving bed nets throughout Africa to limit the spread of malaria carried by mosquitoes. Since 2007, De Rosario has hosted a variety of soccer clinics, demonstrations and fundraising parties to raise money to benefit the organization. Since arriving at Toronto FC, he is also involved in Spread The Net here in Canada.
“It’s very humbling to be selected as a nominee for this prestigious award along with a lot of very prominent athletes,” says midfielder Dwayne De Rosario. “You do these charitable things never really expecting to get recognized and it’s nice to know people pay attention to what you do outside of what happens on the field.”
De Rosario joins an impressive array of nominees, including Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash, former U.S. WNT soccer star Mia Hamm, and tennis superstar Venus Williams. Past winners of this award include Oprah Winfrey, U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy, and Bill & Melinda Gates.
Fans can place their vote for the midfielder by logging on to www.allstarshelpingkids.org or by visiting www.torontofc.ca through November 15. Ten “Dream Team” finalists will be announced in December at the 3rd Annual All Stars Helping Kids Sports, Business & Philanthropy Luncheon in New York City, with the winner announced at the annual Jefferson Awards National Ceremony in June 2010.
Nothing to add...good for him...
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Whitecaps get a leg up on RailHawks
The first leg of the 2009 USL-1 playoff series between the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Carolina RailHawks was a tight battle, but the home team came out on top tonight at Burnaby's Swangard Stadium. It wasn't traditional threats Charles Gbeke, Marcus Haber or Marlon James who scored, although they all saw action and created chances. When it came down to it, though, 19-year-old supersub forward Randy Edwini-Bonsu was the only one who managed to find the back of the net, and keeper Jay Nolly preserved the clean sheet for Vancouver. Nolly said holding the RailHawks off the scoreboard was key for the Whitecaps.
"The first game of the playoffs, to get the clean sheet, I think that's great for our defensive mind," he said. "They've been weathering a lot of goals of late, so this will keep them up."
Both sides created substantial chances throughout the game. Vancouver finished with 11 shots, but only three of them hit the target. By contrast, Carolina only managed seven shots, but they forced Nolly to make six saves, some of them tough. The possession was reasonably even, but Vancouver seemed perhaps more determined to attack (likely thanks to the lack of an away-goals tiebreaker in USL-1), and they had the better chances.
Nolly, who was named the team MVP before the match, has played every minute of all 30 USL games this year for the Whitecaps, 2700 minutes in total. He is believed to be the first Whitecaps' goalkeeper to play an entire league season since Arnie Mausser played 26 games in the Whitecaps' 1977 season. Nolly said he isn't fatigued, though.
"When you get a win like this, it's hard to be tired," he said.
Nolly said the workload has helped him maintain consistency and improve his game.
"Definitely," he said. "You pick up little things. Every game, you become better. It's been great for me to play 30-something games this year. It's been great for my development."
Edwini-Bonsu's goal came in the 77th minute after Nolly booted the ball downfield. James flicked it on for the young striker, and he promptly blew past RailHawks defender Jeremy Tolleson before beating Carolina keeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell and neatly tucking the ball into the net. It was his first goal for the senior team, and it came in his first playoff start.
"It feels amazing," he said afterwards. "I've been waiting so long for this, and it finally came at an important time. It's a great win right now."
The Whitecaps now go to Carolina for the second leg of the two-game aggregate series Sunday (5:00 p.m. Eastern, 2 p.m. Pacific, to be live-blogged here). They have struggled on the road at times this year, but Edwini-Bonsu said he's optimistic that will change.
"We just have to come together as a team and work hard for the whole 90 minutes, not let up in the last five minutes like we've been doing lately," he said. "Just work hard for the whole game and we'll get the result."
Head coach Teitur Thordarson said both teams were defensively-minded tonight.
"Both teams didn't want to lose," he said. "It was more that than the will to win."
Thordarson said he brought that defensive mindset to the game tonight because he was confident his strikers would capitalize, even on limited opportunities.
"Our main assignment to the players was don't let in a goal," he said. "We knew we could create chances."
Thordarson said Carolina will have to attack Sunday thanks to being down a goal, which may open up scoring opportunities for Vancouver.
"It will be a new game down there, and they will have to open up," he said. "I just hope we can defend as well as we did today."
Thordarson said he was impressed with Edwini-Bonsu's play off the bench.
"He's done extremely well as a player," Thordarson said. "He has really done his things well every time he's come on."
Tonight's game saw four different Whitecaps' players up front. Gbeke and Haber started, with Edwini-Bonsu and James in relief. Thordarson said he appreciated having players with their speed on the bench to change the tempo of the game.
"It surprises the opponent every time we do it," he said. "It's extremely nice to have opportunities off the bench where you can change the game tactically."
Thordarson said although Gbeke and Haber were the first-choice pairing for much of the year, they may not get the start Sunday. He said he wants to evaluate his options before then. Regardless of who starts, the others may appear in relief.
Team captain Martin Nash said it's a tremendous asset to the Whitecaps to have so many quality attacking options
"We have a lot of depth," he said. "The young players are great. They've taken their lumps over the year, they've been up and down at times, but that's to be expected of young players. All in all, they've been great. They were great tonight, so hopefully they can keep up this effort."
Nash returned to the lineup after missing time with an injury and played all 90 minutes, creating some excellent scoring chances off passes and set pieces. He said his teammates were key to him getting through the match.
"I haven't played for months, so it's not easy to walk back in, but the guys around me gave it everything they've got and that made it easier for me to contribute," he said.
Nash said the team will have their work cut out for them on their trip to Carolina Sunday.
"It's going to be tough; they're a great team," he said. "We've got to go work our ass off and hopefully we'll get the result."
[Cross-posted to Sporting Madness].
"The first game of the playoffs, to get the clean sheet, I think that's great for our defensive mind," he said. "They've been weathering a lot of goals of late, so this will keep them up."
Both sides created substantial chances throughout the game. Vancouver finished with 11 shots, but only three of them hit the target. By contrast, Carolina only managed seven shots, but they forced Nolly to make six saves, some of them tough. The possession was reasonably even, but Vancouver seemed perhaps more determined to attack (likely thanks to the lack of an away-goals tiebreaker in USL-1), and they had the better chances.
Nolly, who was named the team MVP before the match, has played every minute of all 30 USL games this year for the Whitecaps, 2700 minutes in total. He is believed to be the first Whitecaps' goalkeeper to play an entire league season since Arnie Mausser played 26 games in the Whitecaps' 1977 season. Nolly said he isn't fatigued, though.
"When you get a win like this, it's hard to be tired," he said.
Nolly said the workload has helped him maintain consistency and improve his game.
"Definitely," he said. "You pick up little things. Every game, you become better. It's been great for me to play 30-something games this year. It's been great for my development."
Edwini-Bonsu's goal came in the 77th minute after Nolly booted the ball downfield. James flicked it on for the young striker, and he promptly blew past RailHawks defender Jeremy Tolleson before beating Carolina keeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell and neatly tucking the ball into the net. It was his first goal for the senior team, and it came in his first playoff start.
"It feels amazing," he said afterwards. "I've been waiting so long for this, and it finally came at an important time. It's a great win right now."
The Whitecaps now go to Carolina for the second leg of the two-game aggregate series Sunday (5:00 p.m. Eastern, 2 p.m. Pacific, to be live-blogged here). They have struggled on the road at times this year, but Edwini-Bonsu said he's optimistic that will change.
"We just have to come together as a team and work hard for the whole 90 minutes, not let up in the last five minutes like we've been doing lately," he said. "Just work hard for the whole game and we'll get the result."
Head coach Teitur Thordarson said both teams were defensively-minded tonight.
"Both teams didn't want to lose," he said. "It was more that than the will to win."
Thordarson said he brought that defensive mindset to the game tonight because he was confident his strikers would capitalize, even on limited opportunities.
"Our main assignment to the players was don't let in a goal," he said. "We knew we could create chances."
Thordarson said Carolina will have to attack Sunday thanks to being down a goal, which may open up scoring opportunities for Vancouver.
"It will be a new game down there, and they will have to open up," he said. "I just hope we can defend as well as we did today."
Thordarson said he was impressed with Edwini-Bonsu's play off the bench.
"He's done extremely well as a player," Thordarson said. "He has really done his things well every time he's come on."
Tonight's game saw four different Whitecaps' players up front. Gbeke and Haber started, with Edwini-Bonsu and James in relief. Thordarson said he appreciated having players with their speed on the bench to change the tempo of the game.
"It surprises the opponent every time we do it," he said. "It's extremely nice to have opportunities off the bench where you can change the game tactically."
Thordarson said although Gbeke and Haber were the first-choice pairing for much of the year, they may not get the start Sunday. He said he wants to evaluate his options before then. Regardless of who starts, the others may appear in relief.
Team captain Martin Nash said it's a tremendous asset to the Whitecaps to have so many quality attacking options
"We have a lot of depth," he said. "The young players are great. They've taken their lumps over the year, they've been up and down at times, but that's to be expected of young players. All in all, they've been great. They were great tonight, so hopefully they can keep up this effort."
Nash returned to the lineup after missing time with an injury and played all 90 minutes, creating some excellent scoring chances off passes and set pieces. He said his teammates were key to him getting through the match.
"I haven't played for months, so it's not easy to walk back in, but the guys around me gave it everything they've got and that made it easier for me to contribute," he said.
Nash said the team will have their work cut out for them on their trip to Carolina Sunday.
"It's going to be tough; they're a great team," he said. "We've got to go work our ass off and hopefully we'll get the result."
[Cross-posted to Sporting Madness].
Whitecaps - RailHawks live blog
It's USL-1 playoff action, live from the Swangard Stadium press box! The Vancouver Whitecaps take on the Carolina RailHawks. My game preview is here; check it out, then join in the live blog below!
The Vancouver View: Why this could be a good matchup
The Vancouver Whitecaps begin their title defence tonight against the Carolina RailHawks, but the Whitecaps squad that will take the pitch will be very different from the team that hoisted the USL-1 trophy last season. Gone are Alfredo Valente, Steve Kindel, Wesley Charles, Nicholas Addlery, Jason Jordan, Eduardo Sebrango, Jeff Clarke and others who were key parts of that team, and as Marc Weber of The Province wrote today, some of the team's tenaciousness may have departed with them.
Unlike last year's championship squad, which was primarily a group of talented veterans hitting their stride at the right time, this season's been dominated by a focus on youth, as I talked about in my post on their first match of the regular season. Young players like Marcus Haber, Randy Edwini-Bonsu, Ethan Gage, Wes Knight and Luca Bellisomo have all made their impact felt on the team this year. Haber in particular has impressed; many thought the team might struggle to score goals this season after the departure of Sebrango and Addlery, but that void up front was nicely filled by Haber (eight goals, four assists), Charles Gbeke (a league-high 12 goals and one assist) and Marlon James (nine goals). Haber finished seventh in league scoring with 20 points, while Gbeke tied for second with 25 points and James placed eighth with 18 points in 17 games. Meanwhile, Addlery put up 17 points in 22 USL games this year and Sebrango only recorded 10 points in 28 games in all competitions.
If the Whitecaps have improved up front, they have perhaps taken a step back in midfield and defence. The midfield's seen plenty of talented players, including Gage, Ansu Toure, Martin Nash and Vicente Arze, but injuries have made it difficult to establish a consistent lineup there. The same is even more true at the back; Knight (who tied for the league assist lead with eight and was the team's nominee for the USL Rookie of the Year award) and Takashi Hirano have been solid presences on the wings, but the centre's seen a revolving cast, much of it inexperienced. The release of Wesley Charles, the team's most experienced defender, was a good move from a team chemistry point of view after two bizarre on-field incidents (including a punch-up with Gbeke during a game), but it showed that the Caps are painfully thin at the back. The retirement of Justin Thompson didn't help matters either. Goalkeeper Jay Nolly has been solid as always, leading the USL in minutes played, finishing second in saves and recording seven shutouts, but he hasn't received a lot of defensive help this season, and that's one of the key reason why the team heads into the playoffs as the seventh seed.
This isn't a one-sided matchup, though. Carolina was very good this year, finishing with a 16-7-7 record, and Vancouver's 11-10-9 mark is much less impressive, but the Whitecaps turned it on down the stretch, going 4-1-5 to clinch a playoff spot. The team faced some of the typical struggles observed when using young players earlier in the season, but their young stars have found ways to contribute and the team has gelled down the stretch. Moreover, Vancouver may have gone 0-1-1 against Carolina this year, but the Whitecaps played well in both games. They could have won the game in Carolina, and they dominated the August 15 contest at Swangard. I'm expecting a tough physical battle tonight, and a great contest. Tune in here for the live blog at 10:30 Eastern/7:30 Pacific!
[Cross-posted to Sporting Madness]
Unlike last year's championship squad, which was primarily a group of talented veterans hitting their stride at the right time, this season's been dominated by a focus on youth, as I talked about in my post on their first match of the regular season. Young players like Marcus Haber, Randy Edwini-Bonsu, Ethan Gage, Wes Knight and Luca Bellisomo have all made their impact felt on the team this year. Haber in particular has impressed; many thought the team might struggle to score goals this season after the departure of Sebrango and Addlery, but that void up front was nicely filled by Haber (eight goals, four assists), Charles Gbeke (a league-high 12 goals and one assist) and Marlon James (nine goals). Haber finished seventh in league scoring with 20 points, while Gbeke tied for second with 25 points and James placed eighth with 18 points in 17 games. Meanwhile, Addlery put up 17 points in 22 USL games this year and Sebrango only recorded 10 points in 28 games in all competitions.
If the Whitecaps have improved up front, they have perhaps taken a step back in midfield and defence. The midfield's seen plenty of talented players, including Gage, Ansu Toure, Martin Nash and Vicente Arze, but injuries have made it difficult to establish a consistent lineup there. The same is even more true at the back; Knight (who tied for the league assist lead with eight and was the team's nominee for the USL Rookie of the Year award) and Takashi Hirano have been solid presences on the wings, but the centre's seen a revolving cast, much of it inexperienced. The release of Wesley Charles, the team's most experienced defender, was a good move from a team chemistry point of view after two bizarre on-field incidents (including a punch-up with Gbeke during a game), but it showed that the Caps are painfully thin at the back. The retirement of Justin Thompson didn't help matters either. Goalkeeper Jay Nolly has been solid as always, leading the USL in minutes played, finishing second in saves and recording seven shutouts, but he hasn't received a lot of defensive help this season, and that's one of the key reason why the team heads into the playoffs as the seventh seed.
This isn't a one-sided matchup, though. Carolina was very good this year, finishing with a 16-7-7 record, and Vancouver's 11-10-9 mark is much less impressive, but the Whitecaps turned it on down the stretch, going 4-1-5 to clinch a playoff spot. The team faced some of the typical struggles observed when using young players earlier in the season, but their young stars have found ways to contribute and the team has gelled down the stretch. Moreover, Vancouver may have gone 0-1-1 against Carolina this year, but the Whitecaps played well in both games. They could have won the game in Carolina, and they dominated the August 15 contest at Swangard. I'm expecting a tough physical battle tonight, and a great contest. Tune in here for the live blog at 10:30 Eastern/7:30 Pacific!
[Cross-posted to Sporting Madness]
Shocking! TFC to open 2010 in Columbus
Where are the tazers?
March 27, 2010 - Columbus v Toronto - take III
It seems like MLS wants there to be trouble. Despite two years of escalating problems between TFC and Crew fans, ultimately leading to a complete cluster-you-know-what last March in Ohio (Tazers! Helicopters! Smoke!), MLS still is insisting on giving Toronto fans 6-months to organize buses to flood Columbus with red.
The only problem is that the TFC fans may not respond. Many Toronto fans feel that the Columbus front office dropped the ball last year and that, combined with an overreaction by the Columbus police, lead to many of the problems. Despite numerous attempts by TFC groups to make security arrangements with Crew officials, no plan was in place on game day. In talking to individual police officers after the mess last year it was clear that they had no idea that there was any possibility of trouble.
So, the leadership of the biggest supporter's groups are talking boycott for 2010. Perhaps not formally, but they (quite rightly) think that if they don't organize a bus down that the numbers will be greatly reduced. Instead, the groups are already talking about going in numbers to Boston for the week three game.
For what it's worth, I don't necessarily support a boycott of the opener. I'd rather see a situation where the groups try to work with the Crew front office from now until Christmas to see if a solution can be worked out to allow everyone to enjoy the game safely. If, after trying once more to work with the FO, it becomes apparent that it's not workable, then they don't go.
There will likely be a few hundred that make the trip regardless.
It's clear that TFC fans are frustrated by their interactions with Crew officials and fans and that they would rather not open the season there again. Equally, it seems clear that Crew fans would rather see a Kansas or DC United come in to start.
Unfortunately, MLS thinks differently.
Whitecaps - RailHawks live blog tonight!
It's a big day for the Vancouver Whitecaps as they enter the playoffs to start the defence of their USL-1 title. First up is a home-and-home series with the Carolina RailHawks. The first match takes place at 10:30 p.m. Eastern (7:30 p.m. Pacific) tonight at Burnaby's Swangard Stadium. I'll be live-blogging it here and at Sporting Madness and Epic Footy. Come join me then! I'm planning to have a full game preview posted later today as well.
The race for the wildcard: pure, unscientific speculation
With a month to go in the MLS regular season four teams -- the Galaxy, Houston, Chicago and Columbus -- seem set for the playoffs while seven teams -- DC United, New England, TFC, Seattle, Colorado, Chivas and Salt Lake -- are battling for the four wildcard spots.
Let's look at the remaining schedule of those in the wildcard chase:
DC United: v San Jose, v Chivas, v Columbus, @K.C.
New England: v Seattle, @ Dallas, @ Colorado, v Columbus, V Chicago, @ Columbus
TFC: @ Chicago, v Salt Lake, v San Jose, @ New York
Seattle: @ New England, @ Columbus, @ K.C., v Dallas
Colorado: @ K.C., v New England, @ Dallas, @ Salt Lake
Chivas: v New York, @ DC United, v K.C., @ Chicago, v Houston
Salt Lake: @ Dallas, v New York, @ TFC, v Colorado
Biased or not, it's hard to argue that TFC does not have the easiest schedule left of the teams fighting for those spots. With four wins in their last five home games (a 1-1 draw with Houston being the only non-win) Toronto has to believe that it can grab all six points left at home. Three against New York (or Chicago) shouldn't be out of the question either, giving the Reds nine more points on the season -- 43 on the year.
DC United has to deal with its CCL play, but has a heavy home schedule left. Let's give them wins versus San Jose and K.C. on the road, with a draw against Chivas. That's seven points, good enough for 43 points.
Chivas is probably thinking that it could catch the Galaxy, and it might. But, the playoffs should be good to go regardless. Let's give them wins over New York and K.C. and a couple draws against DC and Houston. Eight points more for a total of 45.
Seattle is in tough down the stretch. They do not play as well away from Qwest as they do on its plastic wonder. Still, a good start to the season has put them in a nice position. The Sounders win their final game at home and find a point more on the road for four. Those 42 points will get them a spot in the post-season.
Colorado may have watched its post-season dreams go away over the last two weeks when it dropped four points against San Jose in back-to-back games. They are awful on the road, and have three of four away from Colorado to end things. One win at home should be expected, but it might not be enough. Three more points gives the Rapids 41.
Salt Lake is much like Colorado in that it plays much better at home. Accordingly, you could expect six points from the two remaining games in Utah. The team with the name I can't bring myself to type's season could come down to this weekend against Dallas. If they claim all three on the road, they are looking at 43 points and are in the mix. If not, then it's either 41 or 40 points and looking forward to the draft.
New England is the team that, despite it having a boatload of games left, could be in the worst shape. An absolutely deadly finish -- Colorado on the road, Columbus, Chicago, Columbus -- is as tough as you will ever see in MLS. The next two games are vital for the Revs. If they don't get six points, they will be in trouble. It says here they get four and finish with a whimper at 37.
For those keeping track, based on the schedule remaining, I’m predicting this:
Chivas – 45
TFC – 43
DCU- 43
Seattle – 42
Colorado – 41
RSL – 40
New England – 37
That would likely set-up a Columbus – DC United, Chicago – Toronto east playoff and a Houston – Seattle, Galaxy – Chivas west.
To be Toronto-centric for a moment, Reds fans should not jump in front of the 5:40 westbound Go Train if TFC loses to Chicago this weekend. It should be remembered that K.C. went W-W-W down the stretch to grab a playoff spot in 2008. It is possible.
Of course some points in Chicago would make things a little less stressful...
Let's look at the remaining schedule of those in the wildcard chase:
DC United: v San Jose, v Chivas, v Columbus, @K.C.
New England: v Seattle, @ Dallas, @ Colorado, v Columbus, V Chicago, @ Columbus
TFC: @ Chicago, v Salt Lake, v San Jose, @ New York
Seattle: @ New England, @ Columbus, @ K.C., v Dallas
Colorado: @ K.C., v New England, @ Dallas, @ Salt Lake
Chivas: v New York, @ DC United, v K.C., @ Chicago, v Houston
Salt Lake: @ Dallas, v New York, @ TFC, v Colorado
Biased or not, it's hard to argue that TFC does not have the easiest schedule left of the teams fighting for those spots. With four wins in their last five home games (a 1-1 draw with Houston being the only non-win) Toronto has to believe that it can grab all six points left at home. Three against New York (or Chicago) shouldn't be out of the question either, giving the Reds nine more points on the season -- 43 on the year.
DC United has to deal with its CCL play, but has a heavy home schedule left. Let's give them wins versus San Jose and K.C. on the road, with a draw against Chivas. That's seven points, good enough for 43 points.
Chivas is probably thinking that it could catch the Galaxy, and it might. But, the playoffs should be good to go regardless. Let's give them wins over New York and K.C. and a couple draws against DC and Houston. Eight points more for a total of 45.
Seattle is in tough down the stretch. They do not play as well away from Qwest as they do on its plastic wonder. Still, a good start to the season has put them in a nice position. The Sounders win their final game at home and find a point more on the road for four. Those 42 points will get them a spot in the post-season.
Colorado may have watched its post-season dreams go away over the last two weeks when it dropped four points against San Jose in back-to-back games. They are awful on the road, and have three of four away from Colorado to end things. One win at home should be expected, but it might not be enough. Three more points gives the Rapids 41.
Salt Lake is much like Colorado in that it plays much better at home. Accordingly, you could expect six points from the two remaining games in Utah. The team with the name I can't bring myself to type's season could come down to this weekend against Dallas. If they claim all three on the road, they are looking at 43 points and are in the mix. If not, then it's either 41 or 40 points and looking forward to the draft.
New England is the team that, despite it having a boatload of games left, could be in the worst shape. An absolutely deadly finish -- Colorado on the road, Columbus, Chicago, Columbus -- is as tough as you will ever see in MLS. The next two games are vital for the Revs. If they don't get six points, they will be in trouble. It says here they get four and finish with a whimper at 37.
For those keeping track, based on the schedule remaining, I’m predicting this:
Chivas – 45
TFC – 43
DCU- 43
Seattle – 42
Colorado – 41
RSL – 40
New England – 37
That would likely set-up a Columbus – DC United, Chicago – Toronto east playoff and a Houston – Seattle, Galaxy – Chivas west.
To be Toronto-centric for a moment, Reds fans should not jump in front of the 5:40 westbound Go Train if TFC loses to Chicago this weekend. It should be remembered that K.C. went W-W-W down the stretch to grab a playoff spot in 2008. It is possible.
Of course some points in Chicago would make things a little less stressful...
The Rest of the Story: But if they got rid of it what would Spurs win?
The Carling Cup is a competition about as highly regarded in this country as would be a musical stage play about a family of grey squirrels starring Heather Mills, with the tunes written and performed by Gary Glitter.
Actually, that might just be wacky enough to be entertaining....
Yes, the ole' League Cup has finished another round and it's time for everyone to get their little digs in. There is little doubt that it's become, essentially, the Reserve Cup amongst the big four and the How Fast Can We Get Out Of This Thing Cup for clubs that feel they have more important things to worry about than an outside shot at a trip to Wembley in February. Hull, for instance, sent out the scrubs yesterday and paid for it with 4-0 drubbing to Everton. Now, they can focus on the important stuff -- like finishing 17th in the Premiership.
Of course, for some, like, say, City, it's a chance to go after something tangible and achievable (no one in their right mind thinks that a team wearing sky blue is going to win the whole shebang this year). Other teams, middling teams, also view it as their only chance at glory. There is a reason Spurs have played in the final two years running.
Still, that's hardly inspiring, one must admit. Perhaps it is time to tweak the competition. I suggested earlier that a restriction to levels 2-4 of the British pyramid might make some sense (the Championship teams don't have a cup competition where they are the big dogs. That would give them that). Tradition will likely keep it the way it is though. That's the thing about traditions. They are hard to break.
In the meantime we have four more rounds to work our way through this season and 13 Premiership teams still in the competition.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Bolton Wanderers, Everton, Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City, Sunderland, Portsmouth, Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have been joined by the Championship's Peterborough United, Scunthorpe United and Barnsley, who pulled the only upset of round three by getting by Burnley (see Hull example above). The draw is tomorrow. There about a seven per cent chance we might see a repeat of last week's Manchester derby, which would be interesting on many levels (like how far would Sir Alex be willing to go to shut up the "noisy neighbours"). So that's something to hope for. Neutral Canadian fans might want to cheer for Iain Hume's Barnsley (who need something to distract them from a so far disastrous season).
Few will be just enjoyiong the games for what they are -- a historic competition that holds a spot in Europe for its winner. That's a shame, but it's the way of the modern game.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
CIS top 10 for Sept. 21
WOMEN'S SOCCER
1. Trinity Western (3-0-0)
2. Montreal (4-0-0)
3. Victoria (3-0-0)
4. Brock (3-0-1)
T5. Wilfrid Laurier (3-0-1)
T5. Ottawa (4-0-2)
7. StFX (3-0-0)
8. Cape Breton (2-1-1)
9. UBC (1-1-1)
10. Laval (3-1-0)
Others teams receiving votes: Sherbrooke, Toronto.
MEN'S SOCCER
1. Montreal (3-0-1)
2. Victoria (3-0-1)
3. Trinity Western (2-0-2)
T4. York (2-2-0)
T4. Dalhousie (2-0-1)
6. Alberta (2-0-2)
7. Laurentian (4-0-1)
8. U of New Brunswick (2-0-2)
9. Waterloo (3-0-1)
10. Guelph (3-0-1)
The surprise here is York dropping two games. The Lions started the season has at least co-favourites to win the national championship. On the women's side, there are a lot of traditional powers on that list. Full credit to Trinity Western, who has come on to be a national power in a few sports the last decade despite being a small Christian school (the only non-secular school that competes at the top level of university sport in Canada).
I'm still looking for someone with an interest in university sport to provide more in-depth coverage of the CIS for me - send an e-mail to dgrollins@gmail.com if interested.
1. Trinity Western (3-0-0)
2. Montreal (4-0-0)
3. Victoria (3-0-0)
4. Brock (3-0-1)
T5. Wilfrid Laurier (3-0-1)
T5. Ottawa (4-0-2)
7. StFX (3-0-0)
8. Cape Breton (2-1-1)
9. UBC (1-1-1)
10. Laval (3-1-0)
Others teams receiving votes: Sherbrooke, Toronto.
MEN'S SOCCER
1. Montreal (3-0-1)
2. Victoria (3-0-1)
3. Trinity Western (2-0-2)
T4. York (2-2-0)
T4. Dalhousie (2-0-1)
6. Alberta (2-0-2)
7. Laurentian (4-0-1)
8. U of New Brunswick (2-0-2)
9. Waterloo (3-0-1)
10. Guelph (3-0-1)
The surprise here is York dropping two games. The Lions started the season has at least co-favourites to win the national championship. On the women's side, there are a lot of traditional powers on that list. Full credit to Trinity Western, who has come on to be a national power in a few sports the last decade despite being a small Christian school (the only non-secular school that competes at the top level of university sport in Canada).
I'm still looking for someone with an interest in university sport to provide more in-depth coverage of the CIS for me - send an e-mail to dgrollins@gmail.com if interested.
City's money: (Way) post derby thoughts
I was going to write a thoughtful response to the derby game after allowing myself several days to reflect and let the emotion drain away.
Screw that.
As it often does, The Guardian sums up the frustration of many (especially those in blue) with it's piece today on the injustice of allowing United 675 minutes* of extra time to score the winning goal.
Basically if you are going to hold up a board that says four minutes only to completely ignore that board then what the hell is the point of the board in the first place.
You could watch 1,000 EPL games not involving United and you would NEVER see the amount of time that was added on repeated -- not even if the exact scenario played itself out (late goal and sub in injury time). As I've said elsewhere I'd be more at peace with this is one single glory hunting United fan would have the insight to call a spade a spade. The Red team from Trafford sometimes gets breaks that the rest will never see. I get that. Anyone that's watched this game for more than 10 seconds gets it. Why is it so hard to admit?
But anyway. City is still in fourth and on pace for its best finish in modern history. The Carling Cup beckons today. It's time to move on.
I guess.
*an estimate only. It was likely more
Screw that.
As it often does, The Guardian sums up the frustration of many (especially those in blue) with it's piece today on the injustice of allowing United 675 minutes* of extra time to score the winning goal.
Basically if you are going to hold up a board that says four minutes only to completely ignore that board then what the hell is the point of the board in the first place.
You could watch 1,000 EPL games not involving United and you would NEVER see the amount of time that was added on repeated -- not even if the exact scenario played itself out (late goal and sub in injury time). As I've said elsewhere I'd be more at peace with this is one single glory hunting United fan would have the insight to call a spade a spade. The Red team from Trafford sometimes gets breaks that the rest will never see. I get that. Anyone that's watched this game for more than 10 seconds gets it. Why is it so hard to admit?
But anyway. City is still in fourth and on pace for its best finish in modern history. The Carling Cup beckons today. It's time to move on.
I guess.
*an estimate only. It was likely more
It's Called Football: Jason DeVos momentarily confused, agrees to appearance
Former Canadian international and Ipswich Town standout Jason DeVos chats to us about all things TFC, Canada and also pitches a contest he's involved with.
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Help us grow by subscribing on iTunes! And rate us.
How low does the search for a Canuck keeper go?
...probably not to the second division of France, but that doesn't mean that this wasn't a hell of a performance by Canadian-Algerian keeper Haidar Al-Shabani.
Via the Voyageurs:
CAP HIM NOW!
*cough*
Via the Voyageurs:
CAP HIM NOW!
*cough*
DeRo Vs. DeGuz - not what TFC fans want to hear
"To my knowledge it was promised that I was going to be the designated player...they worked out a contract that was reasonable and at the end of the year I'd let my play do the talking...at the end of the year I'll have to sit down with Toronto FC and take it from there in terms of my productitivity."
That's Dwayne de Rosario talking to Gareth Wheeler on the Sun TV's Grill Room. DeRo's contention that he'll have to "sit down" with TFC at the end of the year to talk about his contract is in line with other rumblings I've heard from the TFC room. Those close to the team have told me that DeRo was promised to be the highest paid player on TFC (regardless of whether he's a DP or not) and that the Julian de Guzman contract may cause problems.
To be fair, DeRo stressed twice in the Wheeler interview that he was "happy for" de Guzman and that he wouldn't begrudge anyone the money that they are offered. I see no reason to doubt DeRo's sincerity on that front.
However, that doesn't mean that he won’t be knocking on Mo Johnston's door at the end of the season. With 13 goals in all competitions, there is little doubt that DeRo has had a major impact on TFC this season and it's scary to think where the team might be without his productivity.
But TFC only has room for one DP right now and DeRo is pretty much making as much as is possible without stepping into the DP status. In theory the club could go out and get another DP slot, but it's not clear whether MLS would allow the rule to be used on an existing player (there have been rumours that MLS has blocked teams from offering DP contracts to current players, preferring to use the rule to attract foreign players into the league. Guillermo Barros Schelotto being an exception to that -- although he does fit the "foreign player" aspect of the unwritten rule).
Regardless, TFC could have a problem on its hands this off-season -- which is all the more reason to get the job done over the last four games to find a way into the playoffs.
Tom Anselmi: TFC could one day be as big as Leafs or Raptors
Found some WiFi so I'm good to go as I wait to testify in court...
MLSEL's COO Tom Anselmi made an appearance on Prime Time Sports yesterday, where he had a wide ranging discussion regarding TFC and MLS with Bob McCown. The soccer conversation starts at 12:30 and runs for about 14 minutes. The first 12 minutes are given up to general MLSE business talk (Leafs, Raptors, ACC renovations, etc). Listen here
This caught my attention:
That was Anselmi near the end of the interview. He went on to talk about finding the right balance that would allow the clubs to improve while keeping costs in line. He was clear that the position of MLSE was that the league needs to continue to get better.
The CBA talks will be interesting as it more and more seems like there might be a divide in the ownership between those that want to talk a slightly more aggressive stance in regards to scoreboard growth and those, mostly from smaller markets, desperate to hold onto the status quo.
MLSEL's COO Tom Anselmi made an appearance on Prime Time Sports yesterday, where he had a wide ranging discussion regarding TFC and MLS with Bob McCown. The soccer conversation starts at 12:30 and runs for about 14 minutes. The first 12 minutes are given up to general MLSE business talk (Leafs, Raptors, ACC renovations, etc). Listen here
This caught my attention:
"We see absolutely when (MLS and TFC) could be as big as even the Leafs and the Raptors."
That was Anselmi near the end of the interview. He went on to talk about finding the right balance that would allow the clubs to improve while keeping costs in line. He was clear that the position of MLSE was that the league needs to continue to get better.
The CBA talks will be interesting as it more and more seems like there might be a divide in the ownership between those that want to talk a slightly more aggressive stance in regards to scoreboard growth and those, mostly from smaller markets, desperate to hold onto the status quo.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
A Lower League Carling Cup Nightmare
The Carling Cup is often lambasted by the press as being a waste of time because the bigger clubs tend to play weakened sides. However most "Big Four" supporters actually like the Carling Cup because they get a chance to see reserve or fringe players get a shot on the big stage. The press will often say that managers of these big clubs don't like the fixture congestion that the tournament creates. Managers though must love the opportunity to play these kids, at no risk to the first team since almost all of them are rested.
The midtable Premier League teams love this tournament as well because it is a legitimate shot a silverware. Just ask Tottenham who made the tournament final two years running and won the tournament in 2008. It wasn't a useless tournament for them and it sure wasn't for their supporters. Although the FA Cup is obviously a bigger tournament winning the FA Cup is much less likely for these midtable teams because the bigger teams tend to play stronger sides in these matches.
One of the great things about Cup football is that a League One side can draw the Premier League champions and upsets do happen in these competitions. However these Carling Cup matches can prove to be just as destructive for lower league clubs as they are exciting. Take for example Leeds United who welcomed Liverpool to Elland Road today.
It was a great day for Leeds supporters who got to watch their team play a massive Premier League team and they enjoyed positive media attention like their clubs hasn't had since their Premier League days ended in 2004. They lost one-nil to Liverpool, but went home happy all the same after a quality performance from their side. What they might not realize is that getting out of the Carling Cup may benefit Leeds this season and for a few seasons to come.
First off the fixture congestion is an issue for lower league clubs like Leeds because they usually play their starting XIs in the Carling Cup and Leeds top priority this season is obviously promotion to the Championship. This however is a minor issue because Leeds would obviously welcome the money a few extra high profile matches would bring. The bigger problem is the baggage that comes with these high profile matches.
Leeds top scorer this season, Jermaine Beckford, is being tracked by several Premier League clubs and it is absolutely essential that Leeds hold on to him if they want to compete in the Championship next year if they gain promotion. There is no better advertisement for Beckford than playing on national television like he did tonight against Liverpool. If Beckford had scored a brace tonight and Leeds had went on in the competition and played one or two more high profile televised matches there would be many more clubs and offers waiting for Beckford.
Leeds have another quality young player named Robert Snodgrass who has quietly performed very well for them in League One this season. He was Leeds man of the match against Liverpool and despite not being nearly as highly followed as Beckford before the match there will now almost certainly be a few Premier League clubs keeping tabs on him.
If Leeds were to have advanced to say the semi-finals of the Carling Cup it would have brought in a lot of money for the club. The extra attention may have also taken two key players away from the club. If Leeds were to get promoted (which is looking very likely), but Beckford and Snodgrass were picked up in the summer because they got offers they couldn't refuse as a result of Carling Cup performances would the Carling Cup be looked back on as something positive for Leeds? If they were relegated the next year in the Championship they would look back and have their Carling Cup run to blame.
The point is for clubs that have a solid squad in the lower leagues who have a few players flying below the radar, extra attention, nationally televised games and the Carling Cup may do more harm than help.
The midtable Premier League teams love this tournament as well because it is a legitimate shot a silverware. Just ask Tottenham who made the tournament final two years running and won the tournament in 2008. It wasn't a useless tournament for them and it sure wasn't for their supporters. Although the FA Cup is obviously a bigger tournament winning the FA Cup is much less likely for these midtable teams because the bigger teams tend to play stronger sides in these matches.
One of the great things about Cup football is that a League One side can draw the Premier League champions and upsets do happen in these competitions. However these Carling Cup matches can prove to be just as destructive for lower league clubs as they are exciting. Take for example Leeds United who welcomed Liverpool to Elland Road today.
It was a great day for Leeds supporters who got to watch their team play a massive Premier League team and they enjoyed positive media attention like their clubs hasn't had since their Premier League days ended in 2004. They lost one-nil to Liverpool, but went home happy all the same after a quality performance from their side. What they might not realize is that getting out of the Carling Cup may benefit Leeds this season and for a few seasons to come.
First off the fixture congestion is an issue for lower league clubs like Leeds because they usually play their starting XIs in the Carling Cup and Leeds top priority this season is obviously promotion to the Championship. This however is a minor issue because Leeds would obviously welcome the money a few extra high profile matches would bring. The bigger problem is the baggage that comes with these high profile matches.
Leeds top scorer this season, Jermaine Beckford, is being tracked by several Premier League clubs and it is absolutely essential that Leeds hold on to him if they want to compete in the Championship next year if they gain promotion. There is no better advertisement for Beckford than playing on national television like he did tonight against Liverpool. If Beckford had scored a brace tonight and Leeds had went on in the competition and played one or two more high profile televised matches there would be many more clubs and offers waiting for Beckford.
Leeds have another quality young player named Robert Snodgrass who has quietly performed very well for them in League One this season. He was Leeds man of the match against Liverpool and despite not being nearly as highly followed as Beckford before the match there will now almost certainly be a few Premier League clubs keeping tabs on him.
If Leeds were to have advanced to say the semi-finals of the Carling Cup it would have brought in a lot of money for the club. The extra attention may have also taken two key players away from the club. If Leeds were to get promoted (which is looking very likely), but Beckford and Snodgrass were picked up in the summer because they got offers they couldn't refuse as a result of Carling Cup performances would the Carling Cup be looked back on as something positive for Leeds? If they were relegated the next year in the Championship they would look back and have their Carling Cup run to blame.
The point is for clubs that have a solid squad in the lower leagues who have a few players flying below the radar, extra attention, nationally televised games and the Carling Cup may do more harm than help.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
De Guzman. Beckham. Live blog.
Tonight should be an interesting one. The newly-signed Julian De Guzman makes his debut for Toronto FC against David Beckham and the L.A. Galaxy. It will be a match of two of the league's better teams; Toronto's currently fourth in the Eastern Conference with 34 points from a 9-9-7 record while L.A.'s second in the Western Conference with a 9-5-11 record and 38 points. The game kicks off at 10:30 p.m. Eastern (7:30 p.m. Pacific) and can be seen in Canada on Rogers Sportsnet. Join me here then for the live blog!
Friday, September 18, 2009
The Sheikh talks
"The argument that this is unhealthy suggests that the big clubs, which make the most money, must remain the big clubs, that the status quo must remain. Is Mr Platini saying that only Real Madrid and Barcelona have the right to be competitive in La Liga?"
In a prelude to a three part series "detailing the behind-the-scenes story of Abu Dhabi's takeover of (City)," which will appear on The Guardian’s Inside Sport Blog starting tomorrow, there is a great interview with City chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak -- A.K.A. the Arab with the money.
In it he defends his actions in building the club -- quite rationally, actually -- at takes to task the
The man has a lot of money and he's willing to spend it. It's too bad if that offends others because it's the way of the sporting world. Spending caps are never going to fly in Europe (thank God) and neither are artificial requirements like what UEFA has floated out there.
Shocking common sense from MLS; staggering stupidity from Duane*
(Sorry for the lack of updates the last 36-hours...life and all)
So I hear that MLS is going to go with a balanced schedule (it would have been more impressive if they had figured out a way not to go balanced with 16 teams) and, gasp, is going to break for the group stage of the World Cup.
How will football fans survive without MLS for 19 days? I'm serious. That's a long time for some of us. What's Dax McCarty going to do with his time? I have questions.
Maybe Some Guys got it right. We've got it backwards. MLS isn't breaking because it has to, but rather to help that fledgling tournament the World Cup find its feet. Who needs to see England losing in the quarters on penalties when you can see the Chicago Fire lose 2-1 to Houston on an hot June night in Texas?
But anyway...
It's good, of course. Also a bit telling that it's almost shocking that the league is doing the right thing. Well, half the right thing. Why not shut it down for the whole month?
Oh yeah, the weather. It's really cold in Boston in the winter so we have to play in the summer. For the most part I agree. Although 70,000 will show up in the snow to watch the other football, our version isn't nearly that popular. It would be more like 70 people showing up. So, aside from moving Toronto, Boston, Chicago, New York, Columbus and Philly into a dome for 3-4 months a season, playing a full FIFA calendar is not possible for the league. It would be financially unworkable.
But is it possible for the sport? If some levels of the game moved away from playing their season over the summer would that, in turn, eventually get people used to watching the game through the winter? Down the line -- way, way, way down the line -- enough people might be willing to turn out to watch a MLS game in winter and you could finally align the league with the rest of the world (which is important not because that's how they do it in Europe. Rather because currently playing through the summer forces us to do things like play games during the Gold Cup).
To be clear, I'm talking about trying an August to May schedule (likely in a split season format like you see in Latin America, with a extended Christmas break to allow for the really nasty weather to pass) at a fairly low level. Maybe USL-2 could try. In Canada, the CSL. These are leagues that aren't really gate driven, so the amount of butts in the seats isn't a big deal initially. There are enough 11 v 11 indoor facilities out there that some games could be played under a winter bubble if the weather was truly unmanageable.
Maybe it really won't work. But, we'll never know until we try.
So, why don't we try?
* Just trying to help you out Bill
So I hear that MLS is going to go with a balanced schedule (it would have been more impressive if they had figured out a way not to go balanced with 16 teams) and, gasp, is going to break for the group stage of the World Cup.
How will football fans survive without MLS for 19 days? I'm serious. That's a long time for some of us. What's Dax McCarty going to do with his time? I have questions.
Maybe Some Guys got it right. We've got it backwards. MLS isn't breaking because it has to, but rather to help that fledgling tournament the World Cup find its feet. Who needs to see England losing in the quarters on penalties when you can see the Chicago Fire lose 2-1 to Houston on an hot June night in Texas?
But anyway...
It's good, of course. Also a bit telling that it's almost shocking that the league is doing the right thing. Well, half the right thing. Why not shut it down for the whole month?
Oh yeah, the weather. It's really cold in Boston in the winter so we have to play in the summer. For the most part I agree. Although 70,000 will show up in the snow to watch the other football, our version isn't nearly that popular. It would be more like 70 people showing up. So, aside from moving Toronto, Boston, Chicago, New York, Columbus and Philly into a dome for 3-4 months a season, playing a full FIFA calendar is not possible for the league. It would be financially unworkable.
But is it possible for the sport? If some levels of the game moved away from playing their season over the summer would that, in turn, eventually get people used to watching the game through the winter? Down the line -- way, way, way down the line -- enough people might be willing to turn out to watch a MLS game in winter and you could finally align the league with the rest of the world (which is important not because that's how they do it in Europe. Rather because currently playing through the summer forces us to do things like play games during the Gold Cup).
To be clear, I'm talking about trying an August to May schedule (likely in a split season format like you see in Latin America, with a extended Christmas break to allow for the really nasty weather to pass) at a fairly low level. Maybe USL-2 could try. In Canada, the CSL. These are leagues that aren't really gate driven, so the amount of butts in the seats isn't a big deal initially. There are enough 11 v 11 indoor facilities out there that some games could be played under a winter bubble if the weather was truly unmanageable.
Maybe it really won't work. But, we'll never know until we try.
So, why don't we try?
* Just trying to help you out Bill
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Atta-boy-or!
Forget, for a moment, the stomp. Clearly Emmanuel Adebayor is going to get a vacation for that and as much as my biased little brain wants to defend it, I can't. So, we agree. Let's instead talk about Adebayor's little jog and slide after he scored what turned out to be the game's winning marker last weekend against Arsenal.
For 80-ish minutes Adebayor listened to the Arsenal supporters as they threw every bit of nastiness you could imagine at him. Famously he was reminded that his mother was overly friendly and that his dad is employed in the care of large mammals.
Just in case you missed that:
Adebayor! Adebayor!
His dad washes elephants and his mom is a whore
Now, look. Such ditties are hardly unique to Arsenal or to Adebayor. The above clip was Spurs fans. Football fans have been singing about player's sexual preference, looking on the runway for ice and the murdering of Italians for generations. It's not really a PG-13 world, the football ground. The easy thing for me to do would be to take the moral high ground here and decry the unwashed masses who say such horrible things. But, I'm pretty sure they know they are offside (that's the point); they don't need others to tell them.
However, for those same fans to turn around and cry because a player does something cheeky (and, it should be stressed, non-violent) back to them? Come on!
From time to time the fans that sit beside me in BMO's south end may say something that you might not repeat in front of your grandmother. I may even participate. Very rarely the opposing players will acknowledge us. Puerto Rico's Scott Jones blew us a kiss once. No one has sprinted the length of the field to slide in front of us (largely because you would be crazy to slide on your knees on our crap pitch), but if they did I sure as hell wouldn't be calling for them to be suspended. If we the fan can give it, we should be able to take it back as well.
So Arsenal fans should probably suck it up here.
Hell, if I allow myself a moment of Id, I fully embrace Adebayor’s celebration. All summer big four fans have told us City folk that we weren't for real and that you can't buy a championship (an absurd statement considering that’s exactly what their clubs have been doing for years). When City started the season undefeated and un-scored on they still dismissed the club's start -- Yeah, but Wolves and Pompey don't count, they said. Wait until you play one of the big boys.
City played one of the big boys Saturday and scored four. When Adebayor slide with his arms wide open in front of the away support he was essentially saying "**** you” to all that doubted and dismissed him in that stand. He may as well have been saying it on behalf of every City fan in the world.
We're here. Deal with us. Or suffer the consequences.
As Adebayor will. Three games for the facelift. That’s fair. Anything more than a fine for the celebration would not be.
The MLS Show slums for "talent"
I made an appearance on the MLS Show last night, the fine CSRN offering that is attempting to fill the void left by the demise of Around The League in 90 Minutes.
If you are interested...
I talk TFC. Shocking, I know.
If you are interested...
I talk TFC. Shocking, I know.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
CIS top 10 for Sept 15
I’m looking for a student-journalist that wants to write about the CIS game for this site. E-mail me if interested at dgrollins@gmail.com
In the meantime, this week's top 10 in Canadian university soccer:
Men -
1. Montreal (1-0-1)
2. York (1-1-0)
3. Trinity Western (1-0-1)
4. Victoria (2-0-0)
5. Dalhousie (1-0-0)
6. Laval (0-1-0)
7. Alberta (1-0-1)
8. Queen's (2-0-1)
9. Carleton (2-1-1)
10.New Brunswick (1-0-1)
Women -
1. Trinity Western (2-0-0)
2. Montreal (2-0-0)
3. Victoria (1-0-0)
4. Brock (2-0-0)
5. Wilfrid Laurier* (2-0-0)
6. Ottawa (3-0-2)
7. Cape Breton (1-0-1)
8. UBC (1-0-1)
9. Laval (2-0-0)
10. Sherbrooke (2-0-0)
* Go Hawks!
In the meantime, this week's top 10 in Canadian university soccer:
Men -
1. Montreal (1-0-1)
2. York (1-1-0)
3. Trinity Western (1-0-1)
4. Victoria (2-0-0)
5. Dalhousie (1-0-0)
6. Laval (0-1-0)
7. Alberta (1-0-1)
8. Queen's (2-0-1)
9. Carleton (2-1-1)
10.New Brunswick (1-0-1)
Women -
1. Trinity Western (2-0-0)
2. Montreal (2-0-0)
3. Victoria (1-0-0)
4. Brock (2-0-0)
5. Wilfrid Laurier* (2-0-0)
6. Ottawa (3-0-2)
7. Cape Breton (1-0-1)
8. UBC (1-0-1)
9. Laval (2-0-0)
10. Sherbrooke (2-0-0)
* Go Hawks!
Sober Second Thoughts: Can the glass be 3/4 full?
Two games against Colorado. The old home and home. The Rapids score a late one to win on away goals. Except it wasn't an aggregate thing. Just the odd MLS schedule that sees TFC play one home game in the 62 days between Aug 16 and Oct 9.
So how did it go? About how you would expect. Colorado is great at home and awful on the road. Toronto not so solid away from Canada, pretty good in the Great White North. Both teams stayed on form. Many in Toronto lost their mind after the first game -- the loss -- and are planning the parade route after the second. The reality is that everything is exactly the way it was three weeks ago before this little exercise (I mean aside from the retirement of the team's most popular player and the addition of the best Canadian player to ever play the game. You know, little stuff).
But, when it comes to the great playoff chase about the best you can say is that Toronto is still in it. They could have really forced their way into a conversation about an automatic playoff spot with a six point performance. No points and TFC fans would be out painting the protest banners as I type. But three? Meh. No reason to cheer or cry.
On Saturday there were some individual moments certainly worth cheering about. Three dazzling goals, as pretty as you'll ever see (including off a corner!!!) interrupted an otherwise mediocre and terrifying game. After Coner Casey, who was never really a Red no matter that he technically was, tied things it didn't look good. It didn't look good at all.
But then Chris Cummins made a sub that actually worked. O'Brian White had a beautiful touch of the ball for the second goal and Nana Attakora finally got a goal and all was good.
Worrying can wait for another couple weeks.
This is coming down to the last week of the season. Book it. And enjoy the ride.
So how did it go? About how you would expect. Colorado is great at home and awful on the road. Toronto not so solid away from Canada, pretty good in the Great White North. Both teams stayed on form. Many in Toronto lost their mind after the first game -- the loss -- and are planning the parade route after the second. The reality is that everything is exactly the way it was three weeks ago before this little exercise (I mean aside from the retirement of the team's most popular player and the addition of the best Canadian player to ever play the game. You know, little stuff).
But, when it comes to the great playoff chase about the best you can say is that Toronto is still in it. They could have really forced their way into a conversation about an automatic playoff spot with a six point performance. No points and TFC fans would be out painting the protest banners as I type. But three? Meh. No reason to cheer or cry.
On Saturday there were some individual moments certainly worth cheering about. Three dazzling goals, as pretty as you'll ever see (including off a corner!!!) interrupted an otherwise mediocre and terrifying game. After Coner Casey, who was never really a Red no matter that he technically was, tied things it didn't look good. It didn't look good at all.
But then Chris Cummins made a sub that actually worked. O'Brian White had a beautiful touch of the ball for the second goal and Nana Attakora finally got a goal and all was good.
Worrying can wait for another couple weeks.
This is coming down to the last week of the season. Book it. And enjoy the ride.
Fight the Power (and screw anyone who disagrees with you)
When Lord Bob (who is he the Lord of anyway?) over at Maple Leaf Forever gets one right, he really knocks the living crud out of it.
Take today's rant against opponents of Vancouver's waterfront stadium. From an outsider's perspective it's always seems a bit odd that a city would stop someone from spending their own money so that it could instead force a stadium proposal on everyone that no on e really likes.
But, that's kind of Vancouver. As the Lord says it's "Vancouver’s usual population of hippies and kooks who oppose anybody making money off of anything ever" that are fighting the power here.
Down.
With.
The.
Man.
But, anyway. Toronto has a lot of kooks too, which is why we aren't watching TFC down by the ROM (in a renovated Varsity, an historic building that was left to go to waste by a bunch of pointy-head NIMBY's at U of T that are really smart, but incredibly stupid all at once). Hopefully none of them are paying attention now or Sept 30th grass vote at city hall might be in trouble.
As it is, we already saw one person vote against the proposal -- again it should be stressed that MLSE is paying for EVERYTHING -- because they feared that union members would lose work because there wouldn't be enough garbage to pick up if the community usage was moved away from BMO. Here's an idea. Pick the junk up that's there now. Having gone for a walk around the stadium last night I can attest to the fact that there is plenty (check in the garden by the south entrance to the Food Building. That should keep the brothers and sisters of CUPE Local 79 busy for a couple of days).
And the children of Toronto will still be able to see the 30 per cent increase in community field access. See, everyone can win.
Take today's rant against opponents of Vancouver's waterfront stadium. From an outsider's perspective it's always seems a bit odd that a city would stop someone from spending their own money so that it could instead force a stadium proposal on everyone that no on e really likes.
But, that's kind of Vancouver. As the Lord says it's "Vancouver’s usual population of hippies and kooks who oppose anybody making money off of anything ever" that are fighting the power here.
Down.
With.
The.
Man.
But, anyway. Toronto has a lot of kooks too, which is why we aren't watching TFC down by the ROM (in a renovated Varsity, an historic building that was left to go to waste by a bunch of pointy-head NIMBY's at U of T that are really smart, but incredibly stupid all at once). Hopefully none of them are paying attention now or Sept 30th grass vote at city hall might be in trouble.
As it is, we already saw one person vote against the proposal -- again it should be stressed that MLSE is paying for EVERYTHING -- because they feared that union members would lose work because there wouldn't be enough garbage to pick up if the community usage was moved away from BMO. Here's an idea. Pick the junk up that's there now. Having gone for a walk around the stadium last night I can attest to the fact that there is plenty (check in the garden by the south entrance to the Food Building. That should keep the brothers and sisters of CUPE Local 79 busy for a couple of days).
And the children of Toronto will still be able to see the 30 per cent increase in community field access. See, everyone can win.
It's Called Football: the We (heart) grass edition
We talk de Guzman, de Dichio and de Grass!
Push us to the top five sportscasts (downloaded in Canada) on iTunes! And rate us.
Push us to the top five sportscasts (downloaded in Canada) on iTunes! And rate us.
Monday, September 14, 2009
de de de de Guzman!
A little swamped today, but to tide you over....
de Guzman has been cleared to play.
A Sober Second Thoughts is coming...
de Guzman has been cleared to play.
A Sober Second Thoughts is coming...
Adjusted standings for Sept. 14
Columbus' win against Houston all but clinches a second straight Supporter’s Shield for the Crew and -- don't look now -- but Chivas is putting itself back into the conversation for top seed in the west.
As for the Reds...well, they did what they had to do. The next two weeks are when they can jump ahead by stealing points.
The standings
East -
Columbus 53**
Chicago 48*
DC United 43#
New England 42
Toronto FC 41
Kansas City 32
New York 18
West -
Houston 48*
Chivas 48*
Galaxy 46#
Seattle 45#
Colorado 43#
Salt Lake 42
Dallas 34
San Jose 26
If the playoffs started today:
East -
Columbus Vs Colorado
Chicago Vs. Dc United
West -
Houston Vs Seattle
Chivas Vs. Galaxy
** Supporter's Shield winner
*Automatic playoff spot
# Wildcard playoff spot
As for the Reds...well, they did what they had to do. The next two weeks are when they can jump ahead by stealing points.
The standings
East -
Columbus 53**
Chicago 48*
DC United 43#
New England 42
Toronto FC 41
Kansas City 32
New York 18
West -
Houston 48*
Chivas 48*
Galaxy 46#
Seattle 45#
Colorado 43#
Salt Lake 42
Dallas 34
San Jose 26
If the playoffs started today:
East -
Columbus Vs Colorado
Chicago Vs. Dc United
West -
Houston Vs Seattle
Chivas Vs. Galaxy
** Supporter's Shield winner
*Automatic playoff spot
# Wildcard playoff spot
Friday, September 11, 2009
Online petitions rule
I'm not sure this will accomplish anything, but there is an effort to get as many people as possible to sign an online petition calling on Toronto politicians to approve grass to BMO Field.
Go forth and sign. It can't hurt.
Go forth and sign. It can't hurt.
Shave your head for the RPB (and to raise money to fight cancer)
The Red Patch Boys sent out a mailing today reminding fans that they will be holding their third annual Terry Fox Foundation head shave on Saturday.
Here it is:
If you can help, you should. And if you are reading this and don't know who Terry Fox was (you're not Canadian. So thanks for stopping by!) do yourself a favour and do some Googling.
Here it is:
This Saturday is a very big game for our Reds. Before the kickoff there are many things going on that you should know about. First off, it’s the 3rd annual Red Patch Boys Head shave for the Terry Fox Foundation. In the previous two years, we have risen well over $30,000 and I hope that we can continue the momentum. We have formed a very close bond with this charity and we feel that this is a disease that can be stopped and through our efforts I am sure that we can aid in the search for the cure. To donate to the event or an individual shaver follow this link:
If you can help, you should. And if you are reading this and don't know who Terry Fox was (you're not Canadian. So thanks for stopping by!) do yourself a favour and do some Googling.
GRASS! (almost)
It passed!
Next step is council approval. MLSEL is attempting to get it on the agenda for the Sept 30. Construction would start Nov 15.
Next step is council approval. MLSEL is attempting to get it on the agenda for the Sept 30. Construction would start Nov 15.
The de Guzman problem
While watching the England - Croatia game Wednesday I joked with a couple TFC fans that the Reds will line-up in a 1-8-1 the rest of the way. They sheer amount of talent in the midfields is staggering, but it betrays a lack of depth elsewhere.
I touched upon some ideas of how Toronto can use JDG the other day, but it seems like everyone has an idea of what to do. It may not matter for a couple weeks as he works his way back into game shape -- and while Carl Robinson recovers from his ankle injury -- but eventually something is going to have to give.
Most people in the U.S. are suggesting that de Guzman will remain in a holding role. That's perhaps why the Robbo being shipped rumours were so strong. The Welshman plays the same position, after all. As I've already stated I think it's unlikely that de Guzman will be in the defensive midfield position and instead will play a box to box game.
You can look at this a bunch of different ways, but it seems pretty clear that one of two things will happen. Either T.O. plays five in the middle with sole striker (probably Barrett), or DeRo lines up in a hybrid 4-4-2 up top, but in more of a roving, supporting forward type position.
Maybe this:
--------------------------Frei----------------------------
Brennan------Attakora-------Garcia/Serioux------Wynne
---------------Cronin----------Robbo--------------------
------------------------Amado---------------------------
------DeRo--------------------------------JDG-----------
------------------------Barrett---------------------------
But it's hard to predict. Especially since TFC's only winger is currently spending his time sending odd Tweets vaguely about something - I think.
Some of the criticism regarding adding de Guzman is that TFC needed help elsewhere. Many are suggesting that a forward was the more pressing need. The reality is that Toronto, the last few games aside, hasn't really struggled to score. They sit smack dab in the middle of the pack with 30 goals scored and are actually in the top third in road goals.
TFC's problem continues to be a leaky back. Putting Cronin and Robbo on top of the centrebacks worked earlier this year and it's becoming increasingly more evident that Guevara is more effective when he plays from further back. If you line-up with two holding mids and Guevara supporting (and acting as the primary playmaker to transition from defence to attack) you can allow de Guzman and DeRo to roam more freely. We all know what DeRo can do in this league, de Guzman, despite his history in Spain, is likely able to play the same role.
Regardless, with six games left to find 12 points (at minimum) the Reds' coaching staff is going to quickly need to find something that works.
I touched upon some ideas of how Toronto can use JDG the other day, but it seems like everyone has an idea of what to do. It may not matter for a couple weeks as he works his way back into game shape -- and while Carl Robinson recovers from his ankle injury -- but eventually something is going to have to give.
Most people in the U.S. are suggesting that de Guzman will remain in a holding role. That's perhaps why the Robbo being shipped rumours were so strong. The Welshman plays the same position, after all. As I've already stated I think it's unlikely that de Guzman will be in the defensive midfield position and instead will play a box to box game.
You can look at this a bunch of different ways, but it seems pretty clear that one of two things will happen. Either T.O. plays five in the middle with sole striker (probably Barrett), or DeRo lines up in a hybrid 4-4-2 up top, but in more of a roving, supporting forward type position.
Maybe this:
--------------------------Frei----------------------------
Brennan------Attakora-------Garcia/Serioux------Wynne
---------------Cronin----------Robbo--------------------
------------------------Amado---------------------------
------DeRo--------------------------------JDG-----------
------------------------Barrett---------------------------
But it's hard to predict. Especially since TFC's only winger is currently spending his time sending odd Tweets vaguely about something - I think.
Some of the criticism regarding adding de Guzman is that TFC needed help elsewhere. Many are suggesting that a forward was the more pressing need. The reality is that Toronto, the last few games aside, hasn't really struggled to score. They sit smack dab in the middle of the pack with 30 goals scored and are actually in the top third in road goals.
TFC's problem continues to be a leaky back. Putting Cronin and Robbo on top of the centrebacks worked earlier this year and it's becoming increasingly more evident that Guevara is more effective when he plays from further back. If you line-up with two holding mids and Guevara supporting (and acting as the primary playmaker to transition from defence to attack) you can allow de Guzman and DeRo to roam more freely. We all know what DeRo can do in this league, de Guzman, despite his history in Spain, is likely able to play the same role.
Regardless, with six games left to find 12 points (at minimum) the Reds' coaching staff is going to quickly need to find something that works.
Beirne posts blurry, yet exciting, photo
Seconds ago TFC COO Paul Beirne posted a blurry photo of what appears to be Julian de Guzman signing a contract.
The press conference is at 1:15 p.m. EDT.
Photo by Paul Beirne
The press conference is at 1:15 p.m. EDT.
Photo by Paul Beirne
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Grass to BMO - Full report
It's Called Football has received a copy of the full report completed by the board of directors at Exhibition Place. It's 24 pages and can be read in its entirety here.
Allll we are saying...IS GIVE US THE GRASS!
Tomorrow at 10 a.m. EDT Exhibition Place (the land that BMO Field is located on) board members will vote on a $5.5 million plan to improve the City of Toronto's soccer infrastructure. The centrepiece of the MLSE financed plan is to install grass at BMO Field in time for the 2010 MLS season.
To be clear, this plan is to be paid in entirety by MLSE and will actually increase the amount of community hours that are available.
The plan:
Timeline
All signs point to this passing. So long as MLSE continues to promise to pay for everything, it's hard to imagine anyone having a problem with it.
Then again municipal politicians are rarely predictable.
Still, things are looking good for those that dream of grass at BMO.
To be clear, this plan is to be paid in entirety by MLSE and will actually increase the amount of community hours that are available.
The plan:
- MLSE moves winter bubble to nearby Lamport Stadium and builds artificial turf field in Etobicoke (Usage hours increase from 4800 to 7700 – a 36% increase)
- MLSE pays 100% ($3.5M @ BMO/$1.2M @ Lamport/$800K @ Etobicoke)
- MLSE pays all incremental costs
- Incremental $ generated at Lamport makes Ex PI whole
- Still allow 26 free days to City programs, CSA and OSA and CNE availability
- Still available up to 12 hours per week for community usage
Timeline
- Exhibition Place Endorsement Today
- Council Endorsement Sept 30/Oct 01/09
- Province and Federal Government approval Oct 01/09
- Install bubble at Lamport November 15/09
- Retrofit BMOF post this season and Nov 01/09-Apr 01/10
- install grass next spring
- Commence South Etobicoke field this fall Oct 15/09-Apr 01/10
- and complete in spring
- Commence 2010 season on natural grass Mid Apr/10
All signs point to this passing. So long as MLSE continues to promise to pay for everything, it's hard to imagine anyone having a problem with it.
Then again municipal politicians are rarely predictable.
Still, things are looking good for those that dream of grass at BMO.
There's only onnnnne Greg Sutton!
"I'm still very passionate about the game. I still feel I can add to a team's roster and I know that the best of my abilities are still to come. I think there's still more I can give to the game"
Via John Molinaro, that's former TFC keeper Greg Sutton.
It's good to know that Sutton hasn't hung 'em up, (especially from a national team standpoint. At this rate my cat might be third on the Canadian keeper depth chart). I'm not sure where in North America that he might find work (and with a young family I can't see him going to some remote Scandinavian village with a second division team), but hopefully the classy keep can find a job.
Montreal, maybe...?
Things that are unlikely
Sources close to Julian de Guzman (that makes me sound like I'm trying too hard, doesn't it?) are suggesting that there is little chance that his deal will be approved by MLS in time for Saturday.
Which begs the question of what the hell does MLS HQ do? I mean, how bloody hard can it be to approve a contract?
ANYWAY...
The bottom line is that TFC is going to need to figure out a way to beat Colorado without superman de Guzman. Considering the Rapids road record, they should be able to do so (and if they can't, they probably don't deserve to be in the playoffs).
That same source also said that de Guzman is far from in game shape. He's been training in Germany, but more in a general way. He's been taking care of the core, but not necessarily doing what you need to do to play a hard 90 on plastic grass.
So, TFC is going to need to figure things out on its own for the next couple weeks, regardless of when JDG hits the pitch.
Which begs the question of what the hell does MLS HQ do? I mean, how bloody hard can it be to approve a contract?
ANYWAY...
The bottom line is that TFC is going to need to figure out a way to beat Colorado without
That same source also said that de Guzman is far from in game shape. He's been training in Germany, but more in a general way. He's been taking care of the core, but not necessarily doing what you need to do to play a hard 90 on plastic grass.
So, TFC is going to need to figure things out on its own for the next couple weeks, regardless of when JDG hits the pitch.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
What does de Guzman's move mean for Canada?
Julian de Guzman’s move to MLS and Toronto FC is not sitting well with some diehard Voyageur types. The feeling is that as Canada’s best player, de Guzman should be playing in the best leagues in the world and anything less than that is hurting the Canadian men’s national team.
The Canadian national men’s team does plenty to hurt itself. It doesn’t need de Guzman to help it on its self-destructive path.
The underlying message to these complaints is that MLS is not worthwhile – that it is impossible to build a competitive national team structure using the league as your springboard.
Tell that to the U.S. Although MLS’ direct influence on the U.S. national team is slipping, there is little doubt that the establishment of the league in 1996 has been the single most important development in the emergence of the States as a power in CONCACAF (and a nation that, despite the kneejerk desire by many to see the failings, has actually faired pretty well outside of the region as well. A World Cup quarterfinal appearance and runner-up medal at the Confederations Cup would cause the heads of most Canadian fans to implode from the impossible levels of joy that the accomplishments would have caused).
Take a look at the line-up for tonight’s qualifier with Trinidad & Tobago:
Currently in MLS –
MF Ricardo Clark - Houston Dynamo
MF Kyle Beckerman - Real Salt Lake
DF Chad Marshall - Columbus Crew
MF Stuart Holden - Houston Dynamo
MF Robbie Rogers - Columbus Crew
FW Brian Ching - Houston Dynamo
FW Landon Donovan - Los Angeles Galaxy
FW Robbie Findley - Real Salt Lake
DF Jonathan Bornstein - Chivas USA
Played in MLS –
GK Brad Guzan - Aston Villa
GK Tim Howard - Everton
DF Carlos Bocanegra - Rennes
DF Clarence Goodson - Start
MF Michael Bradley - Borussia Mönchengladbach
MF Clint Dempsey - Fulham
FW Jozy Altidore - Hull City
Never played in MLS -
MF José Francisco Torres - Pachuca
MF Benny Feilhaber - AGF
DF Jonathan Spector - West Ham United
DF Steve Cherundolo - Hannover 96
DF Oguchi Onyewu - Milan
FW Charlie Davies - Sochaux
So 16 of 22 players on the roster tonight either currently play in MLS, or have played in MLS in their career. How bad can the league be to the development of a national team program? Would players like Tim Howard or Clint Dempsey have been found by their EPL clubs if not for the development they got in MLS? It’s impossible to know for sure, but playing in the league hasn’t hurt their career and having a majority of its players developed in the league hasn’t hurt the US men’s national team.
No one is going to suggest that Toronto FC is as strong a team as Deportivo de La Coruña, nor that MLS is as strong as La Liga. Clearly in an ideal world it would have been better for him to stay. However, since that’s not an option (and I suggested a couple days ago why that might be), then why not come home, make some good money and build the profile of TFC in Toronto and Canada?
The Canadian national men’s team does plenty to hurt itself. It doesn’t need de Guzman to help it on its self-destructive path.
The underlying message to these complaints is that MLS is not worthwhile – that it is impossible to build a competitive national team structure using the league as your springboard.
Tell that to the U.S. Although MLS’ direct influence on the U.S. national team is slipping, there is little doubt that the establishment of the league in 1996 has been the single most important development in the emergence of the States as a power in CONCACAF (and a nation that, despite the kneejerk desire by many to see the failings, has actually faired pretty well outside of the region as well. A World Cup quarterfinal appearance and runner-up medal at the Confederations Cup would cause the heads of most Canadian fans to implode from the impossible levels of joy that the accomplishments would have caused).
Take a look at the line-up for tonight’s qualifier with Trinidad & Tobago:
Currently in MLS –
MF Ricardo Clark - Houston Dynamo
MF Kyle Beckerman - Real Salt Lake
DF Chad Marshall - Columbus Crew
MF Stuart Holden - Houston Dynamo
MF Robbie Rogers - Columbus Crew
FW Brian Ching - Houston Dynamo
FW Landon Donovan - Los Angeles Galaxy
FW Robbie Findley - Real Salt Lake
DF Jonathan Bornstein - Chivas USA
Played in MLS –
GK Brad Guzan - Aston Villa
GK Tim Howard - Everton
DF Carlos Bocanegra - Rennes
DF Clarence Goodson - Start
MF Michael Bradley - Borussia Mönchengladbach
MF Clint Dempsey - Fulham
FW Jozy Altidore - Hull City
Never played in MLS -
MF José Francisco Torres - Pachuca
MF Benny Feilhaber - AGF
DF Jonathan Spector - West Ham United
DF Steve Cherundolo - Hannover 96
DF Oguchi Onyewu - Milan
FW Charlie Davies - Sochaux
So 16 of 22 players on the roster tonight either currently play in MLS, or have played in MLS in their career. How bad can the league be to the development of a national team program? Would players like Tim Howard or Clint Dempsey have been found by their EPL clubs if not for the development they got in MLS? It’s impossible to know for sure, but playing in the league hasn’t hurt their career and having a majority of its players developed in the league hasn’t hurt the US men’s national team.
No one is going to suggest that Toronto FC is as strong a team as Deportivo de La Coruña, nor that MLS is as strong as La Liga. Clearly in an ideal world it would have been better for him to stay. However, since that’s not an option (and I suggested a couple days ago why that might be), then why not come home, make some good money and build the profile of TFC in Toronto and Canada?
Dichio's retirement: In his own words
From TFCtv, Danny Dichio's comments following today's announcement of his retirement.
Danny Dichio: Why we love him
We're all going to see the Frisbees fly about 1,000 times today. So, allow me this:
Make no mistake. We're Canadian. We loved him for scoring. But, we really loved him when he fought for us.
From an outside perspective, TFC's fans devotion to No. 9 may seem a little odd. He was an effective player, but he only scored 14 goals in about three seasons. Chad Barrett has 10 for the Reds, in less time, and no one sings for him.
He was broken down, slow and way too English (in a crowd that has a significant Latin influence).Yet, he was loved. Undeniably so. There is little doubt that they will be singing his name at BMO Field 20-years from now. Half of the crowd that sings then will have never seen him play.
So why do we love Danny Dichio? Part of it was happenstance, no doubt. If Mo Edu taps in that goal at 23:13 things would probably be different. But, it's more than that. And it all starts with the (alleged) bite above. Toronto sports fans are a peculiar bunch. They tend to gravitate towards "gritty" players, over the more, well, skilled. Forget Vince Carter (really, forget him), it was Jerome Williams that really won over Raptors' fans. I hate to break it to you Leafs' Nation, but Doug Gilmour was good, but he wasn't Mario Lemieux.
Score for us and we're happy. Bleed for us and we're ecstatic.
Beyond that what Dichio has in common with the above mentioned players is that he returned the love. See, that's key. Toronto fans always get the feeling that our pro athletes are putting in time here until they can get somewhere better, warmer and more American. So, when a player embraces the community, lives here in the winter and becomes one of us, well, we're smitten.
Dichio has bought a tuque. He may still sound like he's having a pint in Covent Garden, but he's doing so at The Maple Leaf now. You cannot underestimate how much that means to the average Toronto sports fan.
It's a shame that he couldn't go out after a championship win, at home, where he scored the winning goal. That's the dream for every athlete. The reality is that most go out like Dichio -- with a press release sent out late on a Tuesday afternoon. At least the big man gets a press conference. That's more than most.
The conspiracy theories abound today. Many are suggesting that there was a divide in the dressing room and that Dichio is being forced out. Others say that TFC management was upset that Dichio took on a technical director position at a local soccer club, which competes for young talent with the TFC Academy. These rumours have been around for a while. I haven't reported them for a reason.
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Yes, in an ideal, cap-less world, Dichio would finish the season as a player, even when he was more of a coach. He could have received a spirited standing ovation as he entered the final home game in the 85th minute. It would have been special.
But instead he's stepping aside. Although he still seemed like he had something to offer, I dare anyone to suggest another way to clear the cap room needed to bring in Julian de Guzman. A realistic way.
The big man is sacrificing himself one last time for the club.
It's what legends do.
Make no mistake. We're Canadian. We loved him for scoring. But, we really loved him when he fought for us.
From an outside perspective, TFC's fans devotion to No. 9 may seem a little odd. He was an effective player, but he only scored 14 goals in about three seasons. Chad Barrett has 10 for the Reds, in less time, and no one sings for him.
He was broken down, slow and way too English (in a crowd that has a significant Latin influence).Yet, he was loved. Undeniably so. There is little doubt that they will be singing his name at BMO Field 20-years from now. Half of the crowd that sings then will have never seen him play.
So why do we love Danny Dichio? Part of it was happenstance, no doubt. If Mo Edu taps in that goal at 23:13 things would probably be different. But, it's more than that. And it all starts with the (alleged) bite above. Toronto sports fans are a peculiar bunch. They tend to gravitate towards "gritty" players, over the more, well, skilled. Forget Vince Carter (really, forget him), it was Jerome Williams that really won over Raptors' fans. I hate to break it to you Leafs' Nation, but Doug Gilmour was good, but he wasn't Mario Lemieux.
Score for us and we're happy. Bleed for us and we're ecstatic.
Beyond that what Dichio has in common with the above mentioned players is that he returned the love. See, that's key. Toronto fans always get the feeling that our pro athletes are putting in time here until they can get somewhere better, warmer and more American. So, when a player embraces the community, lives here in the winter and becomes one of us, well, we're smitten.
Dichio has bought a tuque. He may still sound like he's having a pint in Covent Garden, but he's doing so at The Maple Leaf now. You cannot underestimate how much that means to the average Toronto sports fan.
It's a shame that he couldn't go out after a championship win, at home, where he scored the winning goal. That's the dream for every athlete. The reality is that most go out like Dichio -- with a press release sent out late on a Tuesday afternoon. At least the big man gets a press conference. That's more than most.
The conspiracy theories abound today. Many are suggesting that there was a divide in the dressing room and that Dichio is being forced out. Others say that TFC management was upset that Dichio took on a technical director position at a local soccer club, which competes for young talent with the TFC Academy. These rumours have been around for a while. I haven't reported them for a reason.
Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Yes, in an ideal, cap-less world, Dichio would finish the season as a player, even when he was more of a coach. He could have received a spirited standing ovation as he entered the final home game in the 85th minute. It would have been special.
But instead he's stepping aside. Although he still seemed like he had something to offer, I dare anyone to suggest another way to clear the cap room needed to bring in Julian de Guzman. A realistic way.
The big man is sacrificing himself one last time for the club.
It's what legends do.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
David Beckham... as an owner of the Montreal Impact?
Sean Gordon of The Globe and Mail reported this afternoon that David Beckham may be looking into joining forces with Joey Saputo in the Montreal Impact's bid for MLS. The story's apparently based off this report from Jack Bell of The New York Times over at the paper's Goal blog. Here's the money quote from Bell's piece:
"According to a person with knowledge of Beckham’s planning who spoke on condition of anonymity because of concern about jeopardizing a potential deal, Beckham, 34, and his management team at 19 Entertainment (led by Simon Fuller) and Creative Artists Agency (led by Jeff Frasco) are interested in being partners with Joey Saputo, the owner of the Montreal Impact. The Impact plays in the United Soccer Leagues First Division, one tier down from M.L.S."
Obviously, Montreal's push for MLS is no secret, and it's been gaining plenty of force lately. The financing struggles of George Gillett, owner of Liverpool, soon-to-be-former owner of the Montreal Canadiens, and Saputo's initial partner in his bid for MLS are no secret either, and that could leave an opportunity for Beckham. He does have that option in his contract to own an MLS franchise in future, and he's said publicly that he wants to stay involved with the league.
Regardless of the mixed feelings towards Beckham in MLS, my thinking is that he still could be a valuable asset as a franchise owner(and perhaps even an owner/player towards the end of his career in the Mario Lemieux mould). He'd provide a public profile boost for the Impact, as well as a substantial amount of financial backing, necessary for MLS entrance and stadium renovations. The other advantage is that Montreal wasn't in MLS during Beckham's initial stay in the league, so there might not be as much fan resentment towards him as has developed in say, Los Angeles. I can't say that for sure from the outside, though.
Montreal might be a great spot for Beckham, too; it's a very European city, for one thing, which might help him adjust. For another thing, the Impact are the third team in town at best at the moment, behind the Canadiens and the Alouettes. Beckham's involvement would certainly raise that profile, perhaps past the Alouettes, but even with him involved, the Canadiens will still be the big show in town. That might provide him with a good blend of celebrity and obscurity; he'll get plenty of attention, but he isn't as likely to get stalked daily.
In any case, there's nothing solid on this at the moment. It's just a rumour, and one that might take years to fully develop. It's certainly an intriguing idea, though, and one that could potentially benefit both sides.
[Cross-posted to Sporting Madness].
Update: Jason Davis has some good thoughts on the matter over at Match Fit USA.
"According to a person with knowledge of Beckham’s planning who spoke on condition of anonymity because of concern about jeopardizing a potential deal, Beckham, 34, and his management team at 19 Entertainment (led by Simon Fuller) and Creative Artists Agency (led by Jeff Frasco) are interested in being partners with Joey Saputo, the owner of the Montreal Impact. The Impact plays in the United Soccer Leagues First Division, one tier down from M.L.S."
Obviously, Montreal's push for MLS is no secret, and it's been gaining plenty of force lately. The financing struggles of George Gillett, owner of Liverpool, soon-to-be-former owner of the Montreal Canadiens, and Saputo's initial partner in his bid for MLS are no secret either, and that could leave an opportunity for Beckham. He does have that option in his contract to own an MLS franchise in future, and he's said publicly that he wants to stay involved with the league.
Regardless of the mixed feelings towards Beckham in MLS, my thinking is that he still could be a valuable asset as a franchise owner(and perhaps even an owner/player towards the end of his career in the Mario Lemieux mould). He'd provide a public profile boost for the Impact, as well as a substantial amount of financial backing, necessary for MLS entrance and stadium renovations. The other advantage is that Montreal wasn't in MLS during Beckham's initial stay in the league, so there might not be as much fan resentment towards him as has developed in say, Los Angeles. I can't say that for sure from the outside, though.
Montreal might be a great spot for Beckham, too; it's a very European city, for one thing, which might help him adjust. For another thing, the Impact are the third team in town at best at the moment, behind the Canadiens and the Alouettes. Beckham's involvement would certainly raise that profile, perhaps past the Alouettes, but even with him involved, the Canadiens will still be the big show in town. That might provide him with a good blend of celebrity and obscurity; he'll get plenty of attention, but he isn't as likely to get stalked daily.
In any case, there's nothing solid on this at the moment. It's just a rumour, and one that might take years to fully develop. It's certainly an intriguing idea, though, and one that could potentially benefit both sides.
[Cross-posted to Sporting Madness].
Update: Jason Davis has some good thoughts on the matter over at Match Fit USA.
Dichio done?
Kristian Jack is reporting that the "other" possible reason for TFC's press conference is actually at play. Danny Dichio will announce his retirement. Jack says “sources close to de Guzman” have confirmed this. Trust me when I tell you that if Jack has an in to the de Guzman family, then he has an exclusive. They ain’t talking to anyone (else?) right now.
Jack says that Dichio will immediately join the TFC coaching staff.
The move would give TFC the room it needs to bring de Guzman on board.
Jack is also reporting that the de Guzman deal is complete and approved by two of the three parties needed. MLS has yet to approve the contract.
Money wasn't mentioned, but Jack reports that it's a three year deal. He will be a DP.
Jack says that Dichio will immediately join the TFC coaching staff.
The move would give TFC the room it needs to bring de Guzman on board.
Jack is also reporting that the de Guzman deal is complete and approved by two of the three parties needed. MLS has yet to approve the contract.
Money wasn't mentioned, but Jack reports that it's a three year deal. He will be a DP.
What does it de mean?
If tomorrow's announcement is that Julian de Guzman has joined TFC for the rest of the season (or longer) -- the other possibility is that Danny Dichio is announcing his "retirement" (which would make room for JDG) -- then we next need to determine what the signing means.
If he plays anywhere near his abilities, a lot. This is a player, despite being relatively unknown outside of Canada, that is likely in the top five in CONCACAF in terms of talent (I'd actually rank him third behind David Suazo and Rafa Marquez). He'll be in the top five in MLS as well. For my American readers, de Guzman would easily be a US National team regular and key player for the squad.
In Spain he played a holding role. However, earlier in his career, while in Germany, he played more of a box to box game. That's how the Canadian national team has utilized him. He was particularly effective in that role in 2007 when he was named the best player at the Gold Cup, less so in World Cup qualifying when opposing teams smothered him with a hyper-physical game (he's a charitable 5'6"). TFC is likely interested in playing him going forward.
With DeRo and Amado Guevara (assuming Guevara isn't moved to make salary room for JDG) in the midfield, opposing MLS teams will have trouble repeating the strategy of Canada's CONCACAF opposition. Who do you leave open if you double up de Guzman?
Fitness will be an issue. He hasn't played regularly since last January. It may be unrealistic to rely on him to take over right away.
There is also the question of who do you sit. If Robbo is healthy, something has to give. You could play five in the midfield, but I’m not sure TFC has a player that can play a hard ninety as a sole striker (Dichio as a target man, maybe. DeRo as a out and out striker might work too, but that’s not his favourite position). How do you fit Cronin in? Vitti? There are a lot of questions.
Still, with TFC slipping just a little bit behind its competition for those final playoff spots, de Guzman will be expected to earn his money right away. As Ives said on yesterday's It's Called Football vodcast, Toronto could very well be a sleeper in the playoffs if it can find its way in. The Reds need 12 points out of the last six games to have a chance. It's more like 15 to be comfortable. If de Guzman is in form that might just be possible.
Full evaluation will have to wait until we know what the other side of this transaction is. We need to know who is on the way out to make the cap room. But, if TFC was able to be creative, this could be a significant moment in the MLS season -- and in TFC's history. Certainly it's a risky move by Mo Johnston that could either end with him looking for work or holding up a big, ugly cup.
If he plays anywhere near his abilities, a lot. This is a player, despite being relatively unknown outside of Canada, that is likely in the top five in CONCACAF in terms of talent (I'd actually rank him third behind David Suazo and Rafa Marquez). He'll be in the top five in MLS as well. For my American readers, de Guzman would easily be a US National team regular and key player for the squad.
In Spain he played a holding role. However, earlier in his career, while in Germany, he played more of a box to box game. That's how the Canadian national team has utilized him. He was particularly effective in that role in 2007 when he was named the best player at the Gold Cup, less so in World Cup qualifying when opposing teams smothered him with a hyper-physical game (he's a charitable 5'6"). TFC is likely interested in playing him going forward.
With DeRo and Amado Guevara (assuming Guevara isn't moved to make salary room for JDG) in the midfield, opposing MLS teams will have trouble repeating the strategy of Canada's CONCACAF opposition. Who do you leave open if you double up de Guzman?
Fitness will be an issue. He hasn't played regularly since last January. It may be unrealistic to rely on him to take over right away.
There is also the question of who do you sit. If Robbo is healthy, something has to give. You could play five in the midfield, but I’m not sure TFC has a player that can play a hard ninety as a sole striker (Dichio as a target man, maybe. DeRo as a out and out striker might work too, but that’s not his favourite position). How do you fit Cronin in? Vitti? There are a lot of questions.
Still, with TFC slipping just a little bit behind its competition for those final playoff spots, de Guzman will be expected to earn his money right away. As Ives said on yesterday's It's Called Football vodcast, Toronto could very well be a sleeper in the playoffs if it can find its way in. The Reds need 12 points out of the last six games to have a chance. It's more like 15 to be comfortable. If de Guzman is in form that might just be possible.
Full evaluation will have to wait until we know what the other side of this transaction is. We need to know who is on the way out to make the cap room. But, if TFC was able to be creative, this could be a significant moment in the MLS season -- and in TFC's history. Certainly it's a risky move by Mo Johnston that could either end with him looking for work or holding up a big, ugly cup.
Julian de Guzman to be announced tomorrow at 10:30 EDT
At about 3:30 p.m. EDT Tuesday Toronto FC sent a press release indicating that it had a "player announcement" tomorrow at 10:30 a.m.
It's de Guzman. It can't be anyone else.
Interestingly, Carl Robinson Tweeted the following seconds later:
So much for that rumour to make room (good).
Goff is also reporting it now.
I break the move down here.
(More updates as more is learned)
It's de Guzman. It can't be anyone else.
Interestingly, Carl Robinson Tweeted the following seconds later:
"Had a good session today working hard on the ankle. Things moving well."
So much for that rumour to make room (good).
Goff is also reporting it now.
I break the move down here.
(More updates as more is learned)
Adjusted final standings projection for Sept. 8
After a one week switch to reflect current (last 10) game form, we go back to the home and away adjusted projections this week.
For the first time Seattle falls out of a playoff spot and Toronto drops further back.
East -
Columbus 52**
Chicago 48*
-----------
New England 44#
DC United 44#
Toronto FC 39
Kansas City 32
New York 20
West -
Houston 48**
Galaxy 47*t
Chivas 47*t
------------
Colorado 45#
Seattle 42
Salt Lake 41
Dallas 31
San Jose 26
** Supporter's Shield
* Automatic playoff spot
# Wildcard playoff spot
t Tied for position
For the first time Seattle falls out of a playoff spot and Toronto drops further back.
East -
Columbus 52**
Chicago 48*
-----------
New England 44#
DC United 44#
Toronto FC 39
Kansas City 32
New York 20
West -
Houston 48**
Galaxy 47*t
Chivas 47*t
------------
Colorado 45#
Seattle 42
Salt Lake 41
Dallas 31
San Jose 26
** Supporter's Shield
* Automatic playoff spot
# Wildcard playoff spot
t Tied for position
Grass makes BMO better
The Red Patch poster "DOMIN8R" has started an effort to lobby Toronto city politicians to support the installation of grass at BMO Field. You can read the details of his effort here.
The long and the short of it is that he is calling for people to write their city counsellor if they live in Toronto proper and their MP and MPP if they live outside the city.
Feel free to use parts of my letter:
The key here is not to come off as a sports nut that is blinded by everything else. Ensuring that the community usage provision is taken care of is key to the success of this endeavour (and is also important). Make sure you stress you support of that.
You should also try to stress advantages to Toronto (or Canada or Ontario) that go beyond "Toronto FC could sign a kick ass DP."
Every e-mail matters. Go forth and lobby!
The long and the short of it is that he is calling for people to write their city counsellor if they live in Toronto proper and their MP and MPP if they live outside the city.
Feel free to use parts of my letter:
(Your counsellor)
I am writing you today to voice my support for installing grass at BMO Field. As you may know, the current artificial surface at the stadium has deteriorated badly over the past three years and is widely unpopular amongst many of the athletes that play on it. The surface is undoubtedly preventing the stadium from reaching its full potential. Many top club teams, as well as the Canadian national teams, are reluctant to play on it. As a result Torontonians have likely lost out on numerous opportunities to watch top level soccer in this community.
I appreciate that BMO Field was built using public funds with the provision that it be available for community usage. There is little doubt that local soccer teams have benefited from having access to the facility, especially in the winter months. However, it must be stressed that Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment Limited has made it clear that they are committed to ensuring that an equitable facility is put in place if they are allowed to install grass at BMO Field. Additionally, the company has promised to pay for both the new facility and the grass installation out of its own pocket. Ratepayers in Toronto will not be on the hook for the upgrades.
Provided that the city receives those assurances from MLSEL, I cannot think of a single reason to prevent the company from undertaking this project. A grass pitch at BMO Field would provide the city with a facility that it could truly be proud of. It would likely make the Pan Am Games bid more attractive and would potentially provide a boost to Canada's rumoured 2015 Women's World Cup bid. BMO Field would also instantly become a favourite to host a MLS Cup championship game.
Again, I want to stress my appreciation of the importance of community usage. I do agree that MLSEL should ensure that the community has a place to play in the winter. However, if that assurance is found, I implore you to support this endeavour.
Thank you for your time,
(Your name)
The key here is not to come off as a sports nut that is blinded by everything else. Ensuring that the community usage provision is taken care of is key to the success of this endeavour (and is also important). Make sure you stress you support of that.
You should also try to stress advantages to Toronto (or Canada or Ontario) that go beyond "Toronto FC could sign a kick ass DP."
Every e-mail matters. Go forth and lobby!
The Soft Cap for Dummies
Recently there has been a misunderstanding (if I’m charitable -- misrepresentation, if I’m not) of what it is that some MLS observers are arguing for when the concept of a soft cap comes up. With the CBA up for renegotiation, some people are calling for the league to loosen its purse strings a little to allow all of its teams to improve and compete globally for talent. However others, particularly those that tend towards the small c conservative mindset when it comes to MLS, are resistant to such things. Having watched the league go through the pain of contraction, these observers are fearful of any change to the current single entity, hard(ish) salary cap.
That many of the people that are resistant to change follow the team that represents the second smallest market in the league is likely not a coincidence.
Unfortunately the opponents of change often try to spin the position of those advocating for change. The suggestion is that commentators calling for a loosening of the cap are only doing so to allow for their team to be successful.
Take, for example, an unnamed blogger from Columbus’ attack on Ben Knight this week. Said blogger suggested that Knight “can't let go of the Canadian Wet Dream that they call "The Two Tier System" idea, which recommends that some MLS teams ("some" in this case being a euphemism for "Toronto FC") be allowed to spend whatever they want on however many players they want while others can choose to stay within the salary cap system.”
There is a staggering lack of comprehension displayed in that paragraph. The idea that Knight (and many, many others) are talking about does not allow teams to “spend whatever they want on players.” Rather, it creates a system where some teams are allowed to spend more, UP TO A CERTAIN POINT. This is not a call for a return to the NASL days of uncontrolled spending. Rather, it calls for teams to be allowed to benefit from their own success.
The irony that it’s the American blogger desperately trying to protect the socialist system, while the Canadian blogger calls for a freer market, has somehow been lost on the majority of observers. God forbid a team, like, yes, Toronto, be allowed to benefit from the success it has had. No, it must be returned to the collective.
To spell it out simply, the system may look like this: Each team in MLS has a $2.5 million cap, paid for by the league – just like it is now. On top of that, every team in the league is allowed to spend up to the same amount out of their own revenues. So, some teams would have a payroll of $2.5 million, others $5 million. That’s a difference, but it’s hardly the difference of, say, Manchester United and Burnley. Clever teams that develop young players and find value in the marketplace would still be able to compete with teams that just threw money around. There would still be a lot of parity.
But it would also allow teams that want to be a little more progressive to be so. How that’s a bad thing baffles me.
The league already kinda does this with the DP rule. The difference here would be that teams could spend that extra money on more than one player to create a deep roster. Alternatively, they could go after a single big name to help draw fans in their market.
Again, this is not about ONE team. It is about allowing ANY MLS team the ability to benefit from its success, or allow a team to try and stimulate off-field success by spending a little bit into the red to build a better team.
It's not 1996 anymore. Perhaps it's time for the league to progress beyond that time.
That many of the people that are resistant to change follow the team that represents the second smallest market in the league is likely not a coincidence.
Unfortunately the opponents of change often try to spin the position of those advocating for change. The suggestion is that commentators calling for a loosening of the cap are only doing so to allow for their team to be successful.
Take, for example, an unnamed blogger from Columbus’ attack on Ben Knight this week. Said blogger suggested that Knight “can't let go of the Canadian Wet Dream that they call "The Two Tier System" idea, which recommends that some MLS teams ("some" in this case being a euphemism for "Toronto FC") be allowed to spend whatever they want on however many players they want while others can choose to stay within the salary cap system.”
There is a staggering lack of comprehension displayed in that paragraph. The idea that Knight (and many, many others) are talking about does not allow teams to “spend whatever they want on players.” Rather, it creates a system where some teams are allowed to spend more, UP TO A CERTAIN POINT. This is not a call for a return to the NASL days of uncontrolled spending. Rather, it calls for teams to be allowed to benefit from their own success.
The irony that it’s the American blogger desperately trying to protect the socialist system, while the Canadian blogger calls for a freer market, has somehow been lost on the majority of observers. God forbid a team, like, yes, Toronto, be allowed to benefit from the success it has had. No, it must be returned to the collective.
To spell it out simply, the system may look like this: Each team in MLS has a $2.5 million cap, paid for by the league – just like it is now. On top of that, every team in the league is allowed to spend up to the same amount out of their own revenues. So, some teams would have a payroll of $2.5 million, others $5 million. That’s a difference, but it’s hardly the difference of, say, Manchester United and Burnley. Clever teams that develop young players and find value in the marketplace would still be able to compete with teams that just threw money around. There would still be a lot of parity.
But it would also allow teams that want to be a little more progressive to be so. How that’s a bad thing baffles me.
The league already kinda does this with the DP rule. The difference here would be that teams could spend that extra money on more than one player to create a deep roster. Alternatively, they could go after a single big name to help draw fans in their market.
Again, this is not about ONE team. It is about allowing ANY MLS team the ability to benefit from its success, or allow a team to try and stimulate off-field success by spending a little bit into the red to build a better team.
It's not 1996 anymore. Perhaps it's time for the league to progress beyond that time.
It's Called Football: The Ives slumming (again) edition
The incomparable Ives (he’s like a Brazilian football star. He only needs one name) joins us to talk MLS as we hit the stretch drive. Also, Ben Knight tells us why TFC is dead and I play the role of optimistic fanboy. Rycroft does stuff too!
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Push us to the top five sportscastson iTunes! And rate us.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Life isn't fair...and that's TFC's gain!
So Julian de Guzman is likely coming to Toronto. Again. I think it was Kristian Jack that first reported it, but most of us had heard the possibility for the last couple weeks. He wanted to stay in Europe – preferably Spain -- but Europe had a lesson to teach.
Make no mistake. He’s being blackballed. This is a player that is more than capable of playing in any of the top leagues in Europe. To think that he hasn’t been offered a contract...well, that’s just crazy.
For those that don’t know, de Guzman spoke out last year after he, and the rest of his teammates, had gone multiple weeks without being paid. Almost immediately he was benched. You do the math.
Here we have a player – a Canadian player -- that dared speak up against the insanity of not getting paid...Go figure. Who would imagine that a La Liga club would be able to meet its financial responsibilities. Crazy, eh? That they have shut him out is pathetic. That the rest of the players have stood by and allowed him to be shut out is understandable, but still, ultimately, pathetic too.
So, it’s Toronto’s gain. Great. Hopefully he can play his 10 games for TFC and move back to Europe, his timeout complete. He’s going to step in as one of the top five players in MLS, so Reds fans should be happy. A MLS Cup is not out of the question. Seriously.
Of course it isn’t official yet. The problem is that TFC needs to drop salary (have I mentioned how much I hate the salary cap?). It wouldn’t shock me if Danny Dichio “retires” this week. That would be too bad (really too bad), but it’s also the reality of this crazy little league we follow.
It also makes it difficult to be 100 per cent excited about this. Yes, de Guzman will make this team a lot better. But, if a Dichio has to be moved aside...a little bit of its a soul will die. That sucks. There ain’t no other way to put that.
Keep a close eye on this over the next few days. Something is going to happen.
Make no mistake. He’s being blackballed. This is a player that is more than capable of playing in any of the top leagues in Europe. To think that he hasn’t been offered a contract...well, that’s just crazy.
For those that don’t know, de Guzman spoke out last year after he, and the rest of his teammates, had gone multiple weeks without being paid. Almost immediately he was benched. You do the math.
Here we have a player – a Canadian player -- that dared speak up against the insanity of not getting paid...Go figure. Who would imagine that a La Liga club would be able to meet its financial responsibilities. Crazy, eh? That they have shut him out is pathetic. That the rest of the players have stood by and allowed him to be shut out is understandable, but still, ultimately, pathetic too.
So, it’s Toronto’s gain. Great. Hopefully he can play his 10 games for TFC and move back to Europe, his timeout complete. He’s going to step in as one of the top five players in MLS, so Reds fans should be happy. A MLS Cup is not out of the question. Seriously.
Of course it isn’t official yet. The problem is that TFC needs to drop salary (have I mentioned how much I hate the salary cap?). It wouldn’t shock me if Danny Dichio “retires” this week. That would be too bad (really too bad), but it’s also the reality of this crazy little league we follow.
It also makes it difficult to be 100 per cent excited about this. Yes, de Guzman will make this team a lot better. But, if a Dichio has to be moved aside...a little bit of its a soul will die. That sucks. There ain’t no other way to put that.
Keep a close eye on this over the next few days. Something is going to happen.
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