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    Guest
    Whilst he may have burst on the national scene during the Canadian U17 team’s run in the recent World Cup qualifying tournament, many in Canadian soccer circles had heard of the name of Marco Bustos.
    However it was during the tournament when most across the country realized that the talent truly met the reputation of this soccer phenom.
    It was at a very young age when Bustos started appearing in the forums amongst supporters as the kid who was training with Liverpool youth program. Of course with that there was also the immediate and typical dread that he would never play for Canada.
    By the age of 15 the Manitoba native knew he had to look outside of his home province in order to develop his natural soccer talents.
    <i>"It wasn’t as challenging in Winnipeg and I needed to get out to bring my soccer to the next level"</i> Bustos told us.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    He decided to come and join the Vancouver Whitecaps' Residency program where he played for the newly formed U16 team in the USSDA league last season. That group made it to the Academy playoffs but missed out on Finals week, getting eliminated on the final day of competition on goal difference.
    This season Bustos once again started out with the U16s and was then moved up to the U18s when it was obvious that he was dominating the level and needed more challenges.
    <i>"It was something to adapt to and experience being one of the leaders and better players on the team with the other 96ers and then go up one level and not having the same impact right away."</i>
    However it didn’t take Bustos long to adjust to the older players and once again he soon became the engine that ran the attack for one of the most prolific teams in the USSDA, scoring nine goals himself in 26 regular season appearances.
    His performances with the Residency also caught the eye of the Canadian national team. He travelled to Panama for the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers in April and was a key cog for Canada's run to a third place finish and a spot at the U17 World Cup in UAE later this year.
    Bustos started all five games, racking up 392 minutes and adding two assists. How did he find the whole experience?
    <i>"It was an experience that not many people get and it's something I'll cherish for a long time, playing in front of your fans and country with everybody watching, it's crazy."</i>
    He assisted on a couple of key goals in the quarter final game against Jamaica that clinched Canada's spot in the Finals, but the young Cap is quick to point out that it was the end result that was most important for the team, not personal performances.
    <i>"Getting the goals, sure I assisted, but going through to the World Cup, you can put those aside. Getting to the World Cup beats anything."</i>
    The latest challenge for Bustos is to help lead the Whitecaps to a national title, starting with advancing in playoffs week to the Finals week. Having been through last year's heartache with the U16's, he knows what it will take to succeed.
    <i>"From the experience, we have to score goals and take our chances, because we went out tying one of the teams 0-0 and the team that we tied ended up scoring more goals and that's the difference in tournament soccer."</i>
    For Marco there was no further 'playoffs week' heartache this year as Vancouver clinched one of the eight places in the USSDA Finals week with a 3-1 victory against Pennsylvania side PA Classics in Dallas on Thursday morning, grabbing two goals himself on the way.
    Bustos has been one of the key contributors for the Caps all week, starting all three games. His two goals in the final group game meant he had scored in all three games during the week, after grabbing one each against Chicago Fire and Houston Dynamo.
    It's been a great performance by the young Cap, who is continuing to go from strength to strength and has another two years of play with the Whitecaps U18s ahead of him is he so chooses. Four goals for a player that could have been still playing with the U16s, and also adding an assist in the first game as well, is just another indication of his future potential.
    He's in the best form of his young career to date and with the USSDA Finals week coming up in Houston in July and the FIFA U17 World Cup coming up in the UAE in October, that's great news for both the Caps and Canada.
    <p>
    Guest
    Vancouver Whitecaps U18s are heading back to the USSDA Finals week.
    The young Caps were made to work hard by Pennsylvania side PA Classics but eventually made it three wins in three with a 3-1 victory thanks to a brace from Marco Bustos and another from Yassin Essa.
    The result saw the unbeaten Caps win the group by five points and they now head to Houston for the last eight showdown in July.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The Whitecaps went in to the final group game knowing that a draw was enough to send them through, but despite dominating the early possession they were unable to break down the strong Classics defence.
    The Pennsylvania side then shocked Vancouver by taking the lead midway through the half from a back post header but the character of the Caps’ side soon shone through.
    Seeing the deficit as a mere blip and a challenge, Vancouver hit back almost immediately and it was Marco Bustos who kept up his goal a game playoff record for the week when he collected a pass from Titouan Chopin and crashed home the equaliser from 18 yards out.
    It was the first goal that the Classics had conceded all week and only the 16th of the season that they had given up, in the match up between the league’s top offence and top defence.
    That was how it stayed till the half and Vancouver were now just 45 minutes away from back to back Finals week appearances.
    The Caps had a great chance to put one foot in the last eight when they got a penalty ten minutes into the second half, but the usually reliable Yassin Essa missed and it was still game on.
    The miss clearly didn’t play on the mind of the striker and he soon made amends when he buried a Chopin cross in the 64th minute from outside the box to give the Caps a 2-1 lead.
    PA Classics had to chase the game now to keep their playoff hopes alive. Vancouver took full advantage of the extra space and Bustos grabbed his second of the game and his fourth of the week when he put away an Essa cross in the 75th minute.
    The Caps easily saw out the last fifteen minutes and the final whistle sparked huge celebrations on the Vancouver bench.
    The Caps line-up was:
    Sean Melvin; Quinton Duncan, Jackson Farmer, Nicholas Prasad, Sam Adekugbe; Mitch Piraux, Kianz Froese (Jordan Haynes 65), Marco Bustos; Titouan Chopin (Matthew van der Eyden 90), Yassin Essa (Matthew Chow 84), Brody Huitema.
    It was another great performance from the young Caps.
    Three wins takes their unbeaten streak to 15 now and they have only lost one game all year.
    The squad now return to Vancouver and will have two weeks to prepare until they head back to Houston on July 14th with a chance to go one better than being runners-up in last year’s national Championship game.
    In the form they are currently in, you wouldn’t bet against them.
    <p>
    Guest
    At the end of 2012, we checked in with most members of Canada's medal-winning women's national team, to get their thoughts on the year that was and see what they'd been up to since that epic tournament in London.
    Earlier this month, we learned that national-team veteran Kara Lang -- who retired from the game in early 2011 due to injuries -- is mounting a comeback, with designs on getting back on the field for Canada as early as this November. You can, and should, read Sean Fitz-Gerald's story in the National Post for some of the details.
    The news came as a shock to most followers of Canadian sport -- and so, what better way to revive the Checking In With CanWNT series than by checking in with a national-teamer who's looking to revive her on-field career for Canada?
    So, in this edition, Kara tells us about her road to recovery, what her burgeoning broadcasting career has taught her about the game, the 2015 Women's World Cup, her potential role in the NWSL and more.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    It's been a little under two weeks since the story came out that you're on the comeback trail. What has the reaction been like, and how have you handled it?
    The reaction that I got was unexpected and almost overwhelming. Because I've been doing this for so long now without really talking about it, I had gotten used to what I was doing, and then all of a sudden, it's out: this is what's up, this is what I've been up to. Actually, it's given me more motivation -- I've found even in my workouts, now, knowing that there are young girls out there pulling for me to make it back, it makes it more inspiring.
    The story caught most Canadian soccer fans by surprise. How tough was that, going through this without being able to let it out to a wider audience?
    I wouldn't say it was really tough; it was just the best way to go about it, especially at first when there were no guarantees. Early on it really was just a shot in the dark, I didn't want to talk about it until there was some idea that it was going to work out. It's still not guaranteed for sure, but at this point there's light at the end of the tunnel.
    Also, in the beginning I think I was reluctant to talk about it because I still didn't have anything to show for it. It's one thing to say "I want to do this" or "this is what I'm planning to do", and it's another thing to actually do it. Early on it was, "I don't want to talk about this until I have something to show for it". I was advised by the people around me that it's not really about the end game, it's about the pursuit and the journey.
    I think I needed to hear that and I also needed to realize that for myself, throughout this whole process, that I really do need to focus on each day, and take it day by day. There are moments where I get frustrated and I get impatient and I want to be on the field now, and that's just not a good way to go about it.
    Was there one "eureka" moment when you first started honestly believing that you could make a return to the national team?
    I think the moment after I had my evaluation here in Montreal, and the medical staff said "we're looking at you and we think there's something we can do for you". That was the moment when it went from being a long shot to a possibility. For me it went from being something where I was told there was no chance -- so I had accepted that and started to pursue my post-soccer ambitions -- and then all of a sudden, there's huge questions, because now there is a chance, now there is something that could be done. And there's this question that now needs to be answered. That was a big moment.
    And also when I really started to amp things up -- in these past two weeks, they've kind of taken everything to the next level. My knee has reacted really well, obviously because of everything we've done for the past few months before elevating the intensity. That's been a really huge factor, that I've responded the way I have in these last two weeks as things are getting more intense, more athletic, more dynamic -- that's really promising.
    Doing this comes with a lot of risks -- you mentioned your post-playing ambitions, which include getting your broadcasting career going, and having to put that on hold. There's also the chance of further injury. What makes these risks worth it?
    Just knowing that I tried. Yeah, it's a big risk, but I know that I would always have that question in the back of my mind if I didn't try. No matter how far I might succeed in my other goals, that question would always be there. It is a risk and it is hard to walk away from something like broadcasting, where it's hard enough to get your foot in the door as it is, and it's a competitive career -- but at the same time, I just don't want to have any regrets.
    There was a point where I didn't, where I was comfortable with my decision and I thought I'd done everything I could. But then B2Ten comes along, and John Herdman comes along, and they've shown me another avenue or another option and I have to look at it.
    Did the fact that the next Women's World Cup is in Canada play a part in making you decide to pursue this?
    To be honest, yeah, I think the idea of playing in a World Cup at home was a factor. In some sense, it almost feels like that was something that I was meant to do in my career. Thinking about the (2002 FIFA U19 Women's Championship) in Edmonton and just all the other moments where I feel like Canada has unfinished business, and in my own career where I feel like I have unfinished business. It's just sort of that one opportunity to get that revenge or get what we've worked for, and what I have spent my whole career working for. There's never been that cherry-on-top moment, and I hope the World Cup can be that.
    A number of your teammates from that U19 team are still playing a big part with the women's national team. Have you remained in constant contact with members of the national team in this time you've been away from the team?
    Yeah, quite a few of them I talk to regularly. There are a few who knew what I was doing from the beginning. It's actually pretty remarkable how the core group of players from that team in Edmonton are still on the team now [including Christine Sinclair, Erin McLeod, Robyn Gayle and Carmelina Moscato], and that's a big reason why I'm looking forward to joining them again. Those girls are still some of my best friends.
    Now, the ball got rolling on this when John Herdman reached out to you, is that right?
    Yeah, I actually spoke to John at the CSA AGM when I was still acting as a player rep. It was May (2012), so not very far away from the Olympics, and he said he knew there wasn't enough time on his end or on my end before the Olympics, but he asked if I'd be willing to explore the possibility of me coming back.
    At that point I didn't think that there was any way, but with the respect that I have for John, there's no way I was going to say no. I was willing to have that conversation with him, no matter what. So he mentioned it then, and then we spoke when things sort of settled down after the Olympics, and it went from there.
    You've been keeping very busy in the last few years, even if you haven't been on the field -- you've been behind the camera as an on-air host, you were a player rep with the CSA, you've even taken part in a charity game or two. But other than soccer, what have you been up to?
    Right away after I retired, I got certified to teach yoga. So I've been doing that for the past two years. I've been involved with some charity work, working with Street Soccer Canada in Toronto. I've been working at my dad's studio, he owns a yoga studio, and I've been spending a bit of time there too.
    We've mentioned your broadcasting career a few times -- did being in front of the camera allow you to see and appreciate the game of soccer in a different way than as a player?
    Absolutely. When you're a player, at least for me when I was playing, you watch soccer but always from the view of "what can I learn here and apply to my game?" It's great, and I think it's important for every player, but at the same time, it was always to find the lesson somewhere or to learn something, and I never became a casual soccer fan.
    Obviously with the amount of soccer I've watched over the past few years I really learned to look at the game in a different way and to appreciate it in a totally different way. It's funny that it took until after I retired to recognize this, but when you can sit back and watch it that way, casually, you really do recognize the creativity and artistry in it. Even though I wasn't thinking about it at that time -- "what can I learn, how can I apply this to my game?" -- I think that is something that I will take with me now if I am successful in getting back on the field.
    Another thing I realized in watching so much soccer at the highest level, men's soccer, the World Cup, Euro, Premier League, the best players in the world... I noticed how often they make mistakes. I think that I had this illusion when I was a player that it wasn't OK to make mistakes, and that was really detrimental to me. Now, seeing Messi -- it's rare, but seeing that he loses the ball, that he doesn't score every opportunity he gets, I think I'm going to take that with me too, not to be so hard on myself and realize that when something like that happens, you've just got to let it go and move on to the next play.
    This year we've seen the launch of the NWSL. We're putting the cart way before the horse, but have there been any talks about trying to find you a spot in the league for next season?
    John and I have spoken about it briefly. I had it on my radar, he said, and I had already been thinking about it -- that if everything goes well, I will need to find a club team to play for. I hadn't presumed that it would be the NWSL because there are only so many allocations available. I've been thinking about that possibility ... ideally, playing in the NWSL is what I would hope to do. It's far away at this point, but it's certainly something I will have to start thinking about.
    If the comeback is successful and John does pick you for selection at some point, it will have been at least three years since your last competitive match. That kind of layoff is going to be tough for any athlete in any circumstances, but you're also dealing with the fact that the women's game is evolving very rapidly, with higher skill levels and more parity amongst national teams. So if and when you are declared fit to play and you're named to the women's national team, what are your expectations upon your return?
    Well, I'm fully aware of the fact that it's been a long time since I was a part of the women's national team. That's something that I'm conscious of now, and something that my trainers have said I'm going to need to be patient with. Aside from all that, out on the field, the goal of all this training is basically to teach me to move in a completely different way. It's one thing to do that without a ball, and another to do it with a ball at your feet.
    So the pressures of getting back are going to be very challenging, because essentially I'm learning to play with a different body. It's going to be challenging, for sure; it's going to be hard and it's going to be frustrating -- and I'm also very conscious of the fact that the game has evolved. Even now, part of my frustration was not with how long this process takes, it's that my future teammates and my future competitors are getting better every day, and I'm still not touching a ball. Well, I am, but it's very simple right now.
    I'm well aware of that fact. It's something I think about, but at the same time, that's all part of this, it's all part of this risk. The fact that John came to me and told me that he believes in me and he thinks there's something I can bring to this team, it's motivating, and I need to keep reminding myself about it. He thinks there's something I can bring to the table that they're missing right now, and it's like anything -- you need to focus on your strengths, and that's what I plan to do.
    Starting from the time you announced your retirement in early 2011, to the current day, where you're trying to make a comeback with the women's national team, if you could try to sum up that journey, what would you say?
    It's been an incredible learning period for me. I started so young with the national team that I did miss out on some major life moments and I think, if anything, in these last few years I've been able to live a normal life in that sense.
    But at the same time, I realize my love for the game never went anywhere. In fact, as we talked about before, the opportunity to sit down and watch so much soccer appealed to me in a completely different way, giving me a newfound love for the game. I think that as weird as it might be and as frustrating as it's going to be when I come back after three years away from the game, I think that in some ways it made me a better player. From watching, and just the perspective that I have now, coming back to the game completely different -- I think, more mature, more aware and I'm more self-aware. So I think that's what these last three years have shown me.
    I'm pretty sure I speak on behalf of every Canadian soccer fan when I say good luck with your comeback and we hope to see you back out on the field very soon.
    Thank you very much, I appreciate it.
    .
    Guest
    It's Episode 13 of <i>"There's Still Time"</i>, the AFTN podcast.
    Unlucky for some but not for you dear listener as we bring you a special podcast to tie in with <a href="http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/tags.php?tag=residency+week" target="_blank"><u>Residency Week</u></a> here on AFTN.
    We have an interview with two Vancouver Whitecaps Residency players before they headed off to Dallas for the USSDA playoffs, goalscoring sensation <b>Brody Huitema</b> and the very in-form <b>Spencer DeBoice</b>.
    We're joined in the car park of UBC's Thunderbird Stadium (yup, we record anywhere!) by <b>Zachary Meisenheimer</b> and <b>Steven Lamothe</b> to look at how the season has gone for the Caps U16s and U18s and we take a look at some of the exciting players that are coming through the program and could take the pitch one day for the MLS Caps.
    We have an in-depth chat about the prospects of Sam Adekugbe and Brody Huitema, amongst others, and debate if/when we'll see more of the Residency products not just in the MLS squad but getting serious minutes in the first team.
    For those of you not interested in the Residency you can fast forward to the end because there's still time for us to look ahead to the Caps in MLS action in the upcoming road trip to DC United and Sporting Kansas City.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    There's also time for you to learn some latin and sing along to the tractor song!
    We know that a lot of the content in this podcast won't be for everyone but we think it's one of our best ones so far, just for the enthusiasm of four grown men talking passionately about the future of Vancouver Whitecaps and Canadian soccer!
    You can listen to this week's podcast on iTunes <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/aftn/id628306235" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>.
    Or download it for your later listening delight <a href="http://aftn.podbean.com/" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>
    We also have an iPhone app, so you can now add our podcast to your phone as an app. Visit the podcast's mobile site <a href="http://aftn.podbean.com/mobile/" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a> and then at the bottom of the screen just click the "Quick Launch" icon and the podcast will be added to your home screen and appear as an app.
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    <p>
    Guest
    I have been supportive of Major League Soccer in the past. I’ve gone on record advocating the general direction that MLS has taken. I stand by those statements. The league is headed in the right direction in most of the areas that matter. League wide attendance is up, the league is breaking into the big television networks, and many of the recent ex-MLS players like Geoff Cameron and Roger Espinoza have been quite successful on the world stage.
    Yet MLS is doing a very poor job in one very important area: fostering the league’s hardcore fans.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The Cascadia Cup trademark issue is still unresolved, and although it appears positive progress has been made to ensure the Cascadia Cup remains with its rightful owners, the supporters, it was a very clear move by the league that shows it values short term dollars and cents rather than long term club stability and common sense.
    The current league rules continue to be a tangled web of puzzling rules and blurry contract regulations. The Discovery List procedures made headlines in Vancouver when the rumour starting surfacing about Nigel Reo-Coker wishing to sign in MLS.
    When it became clear he was favouring the Whitecaps, it was learned that the Portland Timbers had his discovery rights. It is absolutely ludicrous that MLS clubs are able to "discover" a 28 year old player who has played 120 games for West Ham United, over 100 for Aston Villa and received international honours.
    This is not to criticize Portland, as it has recently come to light that Vancouver seems to have a discovery claim for the bright young prospect of Ji-Sung Park. As a result of this ridiculous rule, Vancouver was forced to give Portland two second round draft picks. While Reo-Coker has shown he’s well worth the two picks, it is an asset wasted for a rule which hardly serves a purpose.
    The often mocked Allocation Money is another head scratcher. Allocation is seemingly like monopoly money that can be applied against player salaries to "buy down" the cost of their salary to fit under the salary cap and can be traded between clubs. In theory, allocation money is a clever way of ensuring parity and allowing clubs to increase the quality of their roster without increasing the salary cap. The problem is that no one other than the club knows how much allocation money is distributed.
    Sprinkle in a little bit of guaranteed, semi-guaranteed, and non-guaranteed contracts, and a dash of unpublished contract lengths, and you’ve effectively eliminated the ability of the common fan of playing armchair manager.
    I understand that the league must protect its clubs and ensure parity, but one of the reasons that the NFL is so big in North America is the inclusion of fans in fantasy leagues. MLS is eliminating a massive subset of fans who are more intrigued by the statistics, values, and predictive elements of the sport than they are by final outcome of any one match.
    Two more MLS oddities have reared their ugly heads this past week that continue to be sticking points.
    On June 15th, in the game versus New England Revolution, Whitecaps youngster Kekuta Manneh appeared to have made contact with Revs keeper Bobby Shuttleworth after he was sprinting for a ball played on the far edge of the six yard box. Shuttleworth smothered the ball and Kekuta may of clipped Shuttleworth with the toe of his boot.
    From some angles it appeared there was no contact, but from others it appeared there was a slight touch from youngsters boot. Shuttleworth made a meal of it and writhed in agony as if he was stepped on by a sumo wrestler in metal spiked golf shoes, but it was clear that there was no intent on the young Gambian’s part.
    Yet, days later, the MLS Disciplinary Committee <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/06/18/mls-disciplinary-committee-fines-suspends-three-players-and-colorado-rapids-" target="_blank"><u>"unanimously considered the challenge to be an unequivocal red card offense that endangered the safety of his opponent."</u></a>
    The only sane conclusion I can come to is that the committee decided that Kekuta failed to do everything in his power to avoid contact. Okay. Fine. Perhaps he could have done more to leap out of the way when he saw a keeper coming head first for a ball.
    Then what on earth is the MLS' independent review panel doing <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/06/05/independent-review-panel-rescinds-red-card-suspension-seattles-obafemi-marti" target="_blank"><u>rescinding Obafemi Martins’ red card for essentially the same thing</u></a>; a player inadvertently clipping an opposing player in the head after a battle for the ball.
    Now, I understand that the Disciplinary Committee and the independent panel reviewing contested red cards is different, but they are both extensions of the League and you’d hope they’d have the same opinion on what "reckless" means and what types of actions "endanger the safety" of players.
    Then, in the 39th minute of the Whitecaps match versus Chivas USA, Carlos Alvarez rose to challenge Johnny Leveron for a header. Leveron was favourite to reach it, and he did, but Alvarez arrived with his left elbow high and caught Leveron with God’s razorblade and sprung a considerable leak. Leveron required bandages to finish the half and arrived after halftime sporting three new stitches over his eye.
    I don’t think Alvarez meant to injure Leveron. And he was given a yellow card on the play, meaning the official did not deem it to be a play endangering the safety of another player. Similar to the Kekuta Manneh play. However, Carlos Alvarez was suspended only a month ago for intentionally kicking a ball towards a fallen opponent’s face.
    So, if I’m the League and I’m tasked with handing out suspensions for plays which may endanger the safety of the players, should I be more concerned with a player who only a month ago was suspended for a reckless act who needlessly flailed his arms in the air for a header he was least likely to win causing three stitches over the eye of the opponent, or a guy who clipped a player after he made a run for a through ball to the touchline and was beaten to it by a sprawling keeper in a play where the only damage done was to Bobby Shuttleworth’s honour?
    Meanwhile, there was a couple fantastic football matches played. In what was very astutely described by AFTN Editor Michael McColl as a <i>"game that had a little bit of everything,"</i> the Whitecaps topped New England 4-3 before a midweek handling of Chivas USA by a score of 3-1.
    In the middle of the two, Kenny Miller, the second hottest striker in the league behind Camilo, had both his tallies versus the Revs nominated for goal of the week.
    And shame on me, I actually voted. I’m not sure why, as there was a Portland Timber also nominated. It’s become a bit of joke, really, as any time Timber Joey saws off a slab for a clever finish, it’s almost a sure lock for "goal of the week". No better an example than last week, when Kenny Miller’s fantastic individual effort (including a header to himself and a less-favoured left footed finish) and his even better dipping half volley from 20 yards out over two defenders and the keeper was beaten out by an impressive but rather pedestrian turn-and-shoot inside the box goal by Oregon sweetheart Darlington Nagbe.
    This is the same Darlington Nagbe who beat out Eric Hassli’s now world renowned wonder goal in Seattle with a very tidy two touch volley which, on it’s own, was worthy of many plaudits, but was light years behind Eric Hassli on every metric that matters.
    It’s a little thing, I know, but the MLS is a league which is not only a multinational sports league, but also its own marketing department, advertising agency, and journalism outlet. I’ve already completely lost interest in the "goal of the week" competition as it’s hardly meaningful in any manner in its current format.
    The league would be wise to take notice of some of its other bizarre practices before some of its most hardcore become disinterested in the whole kit and caboodle.
    <p>
    Guest
    On Monday, we spoke with Camilo Sanvezzo, the MLS Player of the Week for Week 17. Nicknamed O Mágico, it is not hard to understand how he cast a spell on CD Chivas USA, scoring twice, and setting up Jordan Harvey’s first half stoppage time equaliser.
    This is the second time that the Brazilian has received the award. The first one came back in the days of Empire Field. With Sporting Kansas City holding a commanding three-goal lead, the 22-year old Sanvezzo feathered a pass through two Sporting defenders to set up a 73rd minute Atiba Harris strike. He came agonizingly close to repeating the feat seven minutes later. Except this time Jimmy Nielsen was ready for him.
    Vancouver continued to press, and in stoppage time, Sanvezzo scored twice in the span of sixty-two seconds. The match finished three apiece, but to anyone who bore witness to that day, the Whitecaps didn’t draw the match, they just ran out of time.
    After eighty-four competitive matches, and almost six thousand minutes on the pitch, it is easy to forget how young Camilo really is, something that the forward is keenly aware of. <I>"I’ve been a long time here. I’m 24, I’m going to be 25 years old, and I have a little bit of experience now."</I>
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    He attributes his offensive re-emergence this year to his teammates, and of particular note, Kenny Miller, stand in Captain for the injured Jay DeMerit, and the one many call Canadian Soccer Jesus, Russell Teibert. <I>"I think playing with guys like Kenny Miller and Russell, and Daigo too, have helped me. I am in my third year in MLS and I think this helps too."</I>
    Another factor in his ongoing development has been his greater command of the English language. <I>"To live, here in Vancouver, I had to learn a little bit of English. It’s not good enough, but now I can go into restaurants, I can talk with people, and this is good."</I>
    Sanvezzo no longer needs to rely on interpreters or hand gestures, although the latter can still play a role. In fact, he has since become the interpreter, translating for Tiago Ulisses and Paulo Araujo, who have since moved on from the club.
    <I>"It’s better on the pitch too, because I know what the guys want. I know I can talk to them, to give them opportunities, and this is good too."</I>
    When we mentioned the World Cup to him, his eyes lit up. Although he didn’t say much on the matter, it was clear that this means a great deal to him. <I>“I hope to be in Brazil for the World Cup. I don’t know if MLS is going to stop, but I hope I can go.”</I>
    And as for his goals this year, he is not focusing on the table or any Cup competition. His aim is clear, <I>"My goal is just to play every game, to score as much as I can, and assist as much as I can."</I> And with 11 goals and 3 assists to his credit, it seems to be working for him.
    As for being named Player of the Week, he again showed his growing humility in contrast to his exploits. <I>"This is good. Last week I think it was Kenny Miller. This week it’s me. We’ve improved our team, and I hope we can continue to improve like that and continue to win too."</I>
    <p>
    Guest
    Vancouver Whitecaps U18s kept on track for back to back "Finals Week" appearances in the USSDA playoffs in Dallas on Tuesday evening, with a 5-2 victory over Houston Dynamo Academy.
    The Whitecaps made it six points from six in their two group games and now only need a draw in Thursday morning's final match against PA Classics to go through to the final eight once again.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    This game was always going to be a battle for the young Caps, facing a fellow MLS academy side who are very familiar with the Texas heat and humidity. Their task wasn't made any easier by missing the in-form Spencer DeBoice, who had to go off injured in the <a href="http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?4695-Whitecaps-U18s-on-fire-against-Chicago-in-playoffs-opener" target="_blank"><u>first game against Chicago</u></a> with an ankle injury and missed out in this one.
    And it was the Dynamo who opened the scoring in the 15th minute when the Caps defence failed to clear the danger from a free kick and in the resultant scramble Houston poked the ball home.
    Their lead was to last only seven minutes before USSDA regular season leading scorer Brody Huitema made it two in two in the playoffs, heading home a Yassin Essa cross.
    Vancouver were in the ascendancy and grabbed the vital lead in the 36 minute when Marco Bustos combined well with Titouan Chopin before firing home to make it 2-1.
    That was how it was to go in at the half and the challenge for Vancouver now was squad management in the heat, whilst protecting their lead.
    They were doing well and controlling the game but Houston capitalised on some slack defending to hit an equaliser on the hour mark.
    The goal just spurred Vancouver on and they were back in the lead minutes later when Yassin Essa won the ball at the halfway line, ran on goal and buried a 25 yard screamer to restore the Caps lead.
    Despite the conditions, the Whitecaps showed no signs of tiring and Jordan Haynes nicked the ball from a defender to give them the vital cushion of a fourth goal with less than ten minutes to go.
    That killed off any hopes that Houston had of getting back into the match and Vancouver put the final nail in their coffin in stoppage time.
    Chopin was brought down in the box and up stepped Essa to drill home the penalty and give the Caps a commanding 5-2 victory, sending a message to the rest of the U18 division that they are looking to go one better than runners up in last year's Championship game.
    It was another great team performance with Yassin Essa and Marco Bustos standing out for the neutrals watching.
    In Tuesday night's other Group 1 game, the defensively astute PA Classics kept another clean sheet, but this time couldn't find a way through at the other end either playing out a 0-0 draw with Chicago Fire Academy.
    The results eliminate both Houston and Chicago from the mix and Vancouver will now take on PA Classics at 7am PST on Thursday morning, knowing that just a point will see them win the group.
    It should be a cracker and at least the guys now have a day off to rest and recover.
    What's the time in Texas? It's five past Houston.
    The Caps line up for this game was:
    Sean Melvin; Quinton Duncan, Jackson Farmer, Nicholas Prasad, Sam Adekugbe; Mitch Piraux, Kianz Froese (Jordan Haynes 46), Marco Bustos; Titouan Chopin, Yassin Essa, Brody Huitema (Matthew Chow 60)
    <p>
    Guest
    An extension to Canadian Soccer News’ MLS Week in Review, this article provides a closer look at the performances of the Canadian players who saw the pitch this week.
    Will Johnson, Russell Teibert, and Patrice Bernier take the top three spots this round.
    Find out what they did to deserve recognition and who else earned their keep this week.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Will Johnson
    Johnson, the Timbers captain and the only Canadian to have a double-game week, made his sixteenth and seventeenth starts for Portland - away to Los Angeles and home to Colorado - continuing his iron man streak of playing every minute of MLS action.
    He had a relatively quiet match in the scoreless draw in LA – offensively speaking, at least – though he did help his side keep a third clean-sheet in their last four matches and extend their unbeaten run to fourteen matches against a side hungry to make up for a string of poor performances.
    On Wednesday in LA, he completed a whopping 52 of 57 passes, made seven recoveries, two clearances and two interceptions; winning and conceding a pair of fouls, while conceding possession a mere five times.
    His one shot, after a right-sided cut-back to the high slot from Ryan Miller, was well off-target.
    Against Colorado on Sunday, Johnson sprang to life, setting up the first, and scoring the second, as the Timbers romped to a 3-0 victory, extending their streak to fifteen unbeaten.
    In the 12th minute, he wisely took a quick free-kick – with the Colorado defenders having turned their backs on the ball – playing Rodney Wallace down to the left end-line. The Costa Rican hung a ball up into the middle where Frederic Piquionne was on hand to win the header over Nathan Sturgis and open the scoring off the underside of the bar.

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    It was his third assist of the season, matches career highs in MLS from 2009 and 2012.
    He set up Wallace again shortly thereafter, dashing up-field, drawing defenders towards him before sliding out to his teammate, but Rodney could only find the side-netting.
    Before the first half closed, the Toronto-native added one himself – his sixth of the season – receiving a squared ball across the top of the box from Wallace on the left – after Piquionne had flicked a Donovan Ricketts goal-kick out to the wide attacker – lifting the ball over the leg of a Colorado defender with his right-foot and smashing a volley with his left.

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    Lovely – and nominated for MLSsoccer.com’s Goal of the Week.
    Scoring on his only shot of the match, he completed 46 of 57 passes, won three of four tackles – including a crunching challenge on Sturgis, made six recoveries, three interceptions, and one clearance, conceding three fouls and relinquishing possession fifteen times.
    During the broadcast, Arlo White, the commentator, spoke very highly of their pre-match interview, calling him well-spoken, thoughtful, and determined.
    That determination showed a little, both when he slammed the ball into the advertising hoardings after drifting offside – probably more mad at himself than the official – and then when he hopped in anger at a poor touch that drifted away from him and out of play after a dangerous run down the left.
    He discussed his goal and the team’s form in his post-match interview – around the 1:31 mark

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    Russell Teibert
    Teibert made his fifth-straight start – and ninth of the season – for Vancouver on Wednesday night, as they beat Chivas 3-1 at BC Place.
    Once more on the right-side of the three-man attack – though he occasionally swapped to the opposite flank to help out left-back, Jordan Harvey, when Chivas were attacking down that side – Teibert continued his wonderful stretch of form, picking up another two assists – raising his tally to six – all of which have come in the last four matches.
    Vancouver fell behind to a Tristan Bowen screamer, but roared back in an 82 second stretch in first half stoppage-time.
    In the 2nd minute of added time, YP Lee played up to Camilo, who fed Teibert on the right. His return pass skipped off the foot of the Brazilian, but fell to Harvey attacking the back-post area and his left-footed shot deflected past Dan Kennedy in goal.

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    Two minutes on – still in the first half – Teibert forced a turnover out of Gabriel Farfan near the halfway line and laid the ball up to Camilo attacking the right-side of the box. Camilo cut across Mario de Luna and finished with a low drive across the keeper.

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    The Niagara Falls-native was replaced in the 88th minute by Erik Hurtado, having completed 23 of 35 passes, had one shot – off target, been successful on two of three dribbles and three of nine crosses. He made four recoveries, won and conceded a foul, and turned over possession sixteen times.
    His post-match interview can be seen here, while head coach, Martin Rennie had this to say after the match, perhaps indicating some backroom knowledge that Teibert would indeed be a member of this summer’s Gold Cup squad, “Well I think recently he has been playing fantastic. In the first 20 minutes I thought he was playing a bit below the level he has shown for us in recent games but then he turned that around and at halftime we challenged him for more and he gave us more. I think that’s part of the success for him is playing on the national team and while he’s gone it’s going to be a great opportunity for someone else. There’s no doubt we will miss him while he’s gone but there are some exciting players at this club and when they get their chance they can do similar things so it’s up to them when they get the chance.”
    Patrice Bernier
    Bernier made his sixth-straight start – and twelfth of the season - for Montreal in their 2-0 win over Houston on Wednesday.
    Positioned alongside Felipe in the centre of a 4-4-2 formation, Bernier was tasked once more with a defensive-minded role, making fourteen recoveries, one interception, while conceding just a single foul.
    Given more time and space than usual, he was successful in five of eight dribble attempts – basically, runs with the ball – completing 36 of 45 passes, including this lovely, penetrating through-ball for Felipe to open the scoring.

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    It was the Brossard-native’s fifth assist of the season.
    Doneil Henry
    Henry returned to the starting lineup for Toronto FC, having served his one match suspension for a red card against Philadelphia, to make his fifth start of the season – all in the last six matches - in their scoreless draw away to Houston.
    Paired with Steven Caldwell in the centre of defense, playing on the left-side of the pairing, he was once more impressive in the air – winning four headers and nearly beating Dynamo keeper Tally Hall with his one attempt on goal - directing a corner kick goal-ward, only for it to strike off the back of a defender and fall kindly for the keeper to grab.
    There was a scary moment when he appeared to fall awkwardly and strain his knee in a brave clearing attempt, requiring treatment, but he soon returned to the pitch.
    The Brampton-native’s passing was a little subpar – after racking up some staggering numbers in earlier matches – completing only five of twelve; though every launch up-field is considered a pass of sorts and hence the percentage completed can fall drastically for defenders.
    He won all three of his tackles, made twelve clearances, four recoveries, two interceptions, while conceding three corners and one foul.
    His recovery effort, when Will Bruin appeared to break free off a quickly taken free kick was a solid piece of defending – if risky - getting the barest of touches on the shot, slowing it down just a fraction for Joe Bendik to collect easily.
    His post-match interview can be viewed here.



    Nana Attakora
    Attakora made a second consecutive start, since returning from concussion – his seventh of the season - for San Jose in their disappointing 1-0 loss away to DC United.
    As the right-sided centre-back, alongside Jason Hernandez, the North York-native battled well with forward Casey Townsend all night and was responsible, as the speedier of the two defenders, for stifling the threat of Chris Pontius’ runs from deep, a task he handled well all night – twice shuttling the ball out wide for defensive throws when threatened.
    Nana completed 24 of 29 passes, won three headers – including an attempt on goal, off-target – and two tackles, making four clearances, four recoveries, and conceding only a single foul, while losing possession a mere five times.
    There was one awkward moment when he tumbled over his own keeper, who rushed out to smother a ball, but everyone was fine in the end.



    Kyle Porter
    Porter returned to the DC starting lineup, having sat out their match against Toronto with a calf strain, to make his ninth start of the season for the struggling side.
    From the left-side of midfield, Porter harshly picked up a booking in the first minute of play, for a swing at Marvin Chavez – his only foul of the match - but even that could not stifle his enthusiasm, prompting a nice crack from distance that sailed inches over the bar.
    The Toronto-native completed only eighteen of 35 passes, one of seven crosses, and lost possession 21 times, but what those poor numbers don’t convey in how he is always testing the opposition, prodding, trying to create things, which can be just as valuable, if not more so, than higher percentage plays.
    Whether it is collecting the ball on the left, backing the defenders up before cutting onto his right-foot and having a strike – it rebounds to John Thorrington who nearly beats the San Jose keeper with a blast from distance, or hitting dangerous corner kicks for his teammates to attack, Porter is at the heart of most of DC’s creation.
    He also puts in an awful lot of defensive work, tracking back and tucking in to clog of the midfield, winning a pair of tackles and making four recoveries.
    Jonathan Osorio
    Osorio made his third-straight start – his fourth of the season and fourteenth appearance – for Toronto in their draw at Houston.
    From the right-side of midfield, he won an early corner kick by pestering Corey Ashe, hunting him down, stripping the ball then nearly skipping past him. He combined well with Luis Silva on that side repeatedly, once sending a dangerous cross to the near-post, but Robert Earnshaw had not made the run, staying towards the back-side instead.
    He fell asleep for a moment, squaring up to Brad Davis, which made space for Ashe’s dangerous run and cross from the left that allowed Bruin a header that blazed just over the bar.
    With the second half played largely over his head – the two side exchanging hopeful long balls – he had trouble getting on the ball, but still completed 21 of 28 passes, and made a good little inside run that looked promising until Bobby Boswell stepped in to cut him off.
    Defensively he put in a solid shift, making five recoveries, two interceptions, and one clearance, conceding three fouls.
    His post-match interview can be viewed here.
    The Rest
    Dwayne De Rosario returned to the bench for DC United, after an impressive pair of matches last week before leaving the match against TFC with a hip concern. That issue, a problem with his hip flexor, was the reason for his absence.
    Coach Ben Olsen addressed his decision to hold De Rosario out post-match, “a little bit of [how the game played itself out], a little bit of Wednesday in the back of my head and a little bit [because] of his injury. He’s only had one or two trainings this week. Dwayne’s going to tell you he’s fine, but you have to kind of gauge that and I’m glad we got through without using him.”
    Similarly, Dejan Jakovic seems to have taken a step-back in his convalescence. He was on the bench last week and listened as ‘Questionable’, but was not available this week and listed as ‘Out’, with that pesky adductor strain.
    Wandrille Lefevre was on the bench for Montreal in their match, while Quillan Roberts and Ashtone Morgan were available for Toronto.
    Mark Watson’s second match in charge of San Jose ended in a loss away to DC. He had this to say afterwards, “Yeah we’re disappointed. You never like to lose. I thought the penalty was somewhat dubious. We don’t have a good angle from the bench, but the referee said play on and the linesman had his flag up for the penalty. Regardless, we dug ourselves a hole, but I thought the way our players responded was fantastic. We had a little lull right after the penalty and needed a few minutes to collect ourselves. I thought from there to the end of the first half and pretty much the whole second half, our guys were excellent. We can take some good stuff. I thought our ball movement was good, and I thought we chose the right moments to attack the box. In the end [we were] unfortunate not to get something out of the game.”
    Please help make these profiles more complete by posting links to any additional resources – interviews, articles, tweets - in the comments section below and they will be incorporated into next week’s article.
    Each week James takes a look at the contributions of Canadians in the league and the league as a whole.
    You can follow James on twitter @grawsee or read more of his writing at Partially Obstructed View
    Guest
    Men's national team interim head coach Colin Miller has named his 22-man roster for the training camp ahead of the Gold Cup... and as is usually the case when the CanMNT names a roster, there were a number of surprises.
    And given that the final tournament roster will be named on Friday (with teams able to name 23 players to their squads), who knows, there could be more intrigue to come.
    While it's not a wholesale blooding of the pups, the squad does contain a few teenagers and newcomers... and notably doesn't include the likes of Dwayne DeRosario, Andre Hainault and Atiba Hutchinson.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The 22-man training camp squad named on Monday is as follows:
    GK- Milan Borjan | TUR / Sivasspor
    GK- Lars Hirschfeld | NOR / Vålerenga Fotball
    GK- Simon Thomas | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
    D- Marcel de Jong | GER / FC Augsburg
    D- David Edgar | ENG / Burnley FC
    D- Doneil Henry | CAN / Toronto FC
    D- Ashtone Morgan | CAN / Toronto FC
    D- Adam Straith | Unattached / sans club
    D/M- Nik Ledgerwood | SWE / Hammarby Fotboll
    M- Keven Aleman | ESP / Real Valladolid
    M- Kyle Bekker | CAN / Toronto FC
    M - Julian de Guzman | Unattached / sans club
    M- Will Johnson | USA / Portland Timbers
    M- Issey Nakajima-Farran | CYP / Alki Larnaca
    M- Jonathan Osorio | CAN / Toronto FC
    M- Pedro Pacheco | POR / C.D. Santa Clara
    M- Samuel Piette | GER / Fortuna Düsseldorf
    M- Russell Teibert | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
    M/F- Randy Edwini-Bonsu | Unattached / sans club
    F- Marcus Haber | ENG / Stevenage FC
    F- Simeon Jackson | Unattached / sans club
    F- Tosaint Ricketts | NOR / Sandnes Ulf
    In addition to DeRosario and Hutchinson, players named to the original preliminary roster but not included in the camp are Haidar al-Shaibani, Tomer Chencinski, Nana Attakora, Andre Hainault, Fraser Aird, Daniel Haber, Stefan Cebara, Lucas Cavallini, Frank Jonke, Kyle Porter and Dejan Jakovic.
    The squad is "a blend of youth and one or two senior players in the group," Miller told the media on Monday. As had been suggested in the days prior to the release, the contract situations of some veterans ended up precluding their presence at this year's tournament.
    "Not having Atiba (Hutchinson) is, as you would imagine, a big loss to the team," said Miller. "It's not an easy time for the European-based players, especially if you're out of contract at the time... He has the chance to make a move that would financially help for the rest of his career, that's the sole reason he's not joining us."
    While Miller said Hainault was left off the roster for similar contract-related reasons, a few of the other surprising exclusions come for different reasons. Foremost among them: DeRosario's exclusion was a conscious decision by Miller, in the name of giving opportunities to younger players.
    "I actually spoke to Dwayne at length and said to him that we were looking at a younger group, looking at moving the program forward and that it was a case of numbers," said Miller, who didn't close the door on DeRosario returning to the program at some point. He also noted that Patrice Bernier, like DeRosario, was left off the team for similar reasons.
    One of those promising young Canadians is Cavallini -- but he declined the invitation to the tournament to focus on his club play in Uruguay. Miller stressed the situation was "unfortunate" but that Cavallini wasn't being "left out". (Before your Canadian-fan paranoia kicks in, remember, the young striker is permanently cap-tied to Canada, by virtue of having seen the field in a World Cup qualifier).
    Still, the Canadian squad does include some youngsters who've turned heads recently, either for their club sides (Teibert, Osorio) or the national-team setup (Edwini-Bonsu, Aleman). As far as Aleman, a 19-year-old who recently signed his first pro contract in Spain, Miller called him "an exciting prospect for the future".
    And while Miller stressed that he's going to give deserving youngsters a legitimate chance during the Gold Cup, he also said Canada isn't heading to the tournament just to make up the numbers.
    "We're going there to win, we're not going there for damage limitation."
    The phrase "damage limitation" can't help but evoke the team's disastrous exit from World Cup qualifying in October -- but whether or not it's entirely intentional, Canada's Gold Cup roster is going to look a whole lot different than the team that flamed out in San Pedro Sula.
    But we won't know precisely how different until Friday, when the final 23-man roster is named. Miller said the team is "working behind the scenes" this week and that one more player will be added to the team. So, the intrigue continues... but then, we always knew that "intriguing" was going to be the best way to describe Canada's journey at the 2013 Gold Cup.
    .
    Guest

    Gold Cup roster

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Canada will submit its final Gold Cup roster this Friday but here are the names that Canada has called to camp.
    There are some notable absences so tell us who you think deserves to be here who isn't and who you're glad is finally getting a shot.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    GK- Milan Borjan | TUR / Sivasspor
    GK- Lars Hirschfeld | NOR / Vålerenga Fotball
    GK- Simon Thomas | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
    D- Marcel de Jong | GER / FC Augsburg
    D- David Edgar | ENG / Burnley FC
    D- Doneil Henry | CAN / Toronto FC
    D- Ashtone Morgan | CAN / Toronto FC
    D- Adam Straith | Unattached / sans club
    D/M- Nik Ledgerwood | SWE / Hammarby Fotboll
    M- Keven Aleman | ESP / Real Valladolid
    M- Kyle Bekker | CAN / Toronto FC
    M - Julian de Guzman | Unattached / sans club
    M- Will Johnson | USA / Portland Timbers
    M- Issey Nakajima-Farran | CYP / Alki Larnaca
    M- Jonathan Osorio | CAN / Toronto FC
    M- Pedro Pacheco | POR / C.D. Santa Clara
    M- Samuel Piette | GER / Fortuna Düsseldorf
    M- Russell Teibert | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC
    M/F- Randy Edwini-Bonsu | Unattached / sans club
    F- Marcus Haber | ENG / Stevenage FC
    F- Simeon Jackson | Unattached / sans club
    F- Tosaint Ricketts | NOR / Sandnes Ulf
    Guest

    All for Pandering

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    When TFC launched in 2006 they tried a novel approach to marketing themselves. Rather than pandering to one specific ethnic group, as many T.O. soccer teams had done in the past, they decided to reach out to a broad base.
    All for One was the slogan, and in the early days TFC represented that. Celtic fans stood beside Rangers, United and Liverpool, both sides of Milan, it didn't matter. They were All for One, for Toronto.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Additionally there was no pandering. You did not see Italian Day at BMO in 2007. A tribute to Portugal was not part of the 2008 calendar.
    Reds management seems to understand that going after "ethnic" fans was silly. If they needed an excuse to go to BMO they weren't likely to be there long-term. Either a fan bought in to the All for One idea, and got behind the local side, or they did not.
    To that end, you didn't see any big name friendlies at BMO Field in the early years (with apologies to Benfica and Villa fans, those clubs would be decidedly second tier in a global sense). Whereas the Seattle Sounders brought in Chelsea and Barcelona in their first year, Toronto stayed away.
    Flash forward seven years and a new leadership structure in place and it appears that All for One has gone out the window in favour of "If We Get Roma Then Maybe Some Of Those Guys That Keep Me Up All Night Every Other Summer Honking Their Damn Horns Will Buy Tickets To See Us Play Columbus."
    Good luck getting that on the back of the strip.
    There really isn't another reasonable explanation for playing Roma on August 7, just three days after playing a MLS game and three days before their next one.
    It can't be for competitive reasons. It can't be for scouting reasons (Roma is hardly a feeder club for TFC), so it has to be for financial reasons.
    Both for the gate on the day and the potential of filling up more of the empty seats that are now a staple at league games.
    But, here is the thing: pandering doesn't work. The Roma fanboys/girls already look down their nose at TFC and watching the Reds lose in a crowd full of people cheering for the away side isn't going to change that. They will not gain a single new fan by playing the game. I don't think this is an exaggeration.
    And they will piss off the fans they already have. The distaste for these mid-season friendlies is strong amongst long-time TFC fans. On Twitter I polled my followers. The results were clear. 12-hours after I asked whether they would pay for tickets 51 people had said no. Eight said maybe and eight said yes.
    Clearly, the target market for this game isn't my Twitter followers. It should be, since my Twitter followers represent an increasingly frustrated base market that this club cannot afford to lose.
    The game will sell out. The Italian community is big and 22,000 seats is a reasonable amount to sell.
    But, how much will the day's profits cost TFC in the long run?
    Note: the one caveat to this is the price point they sell the tickets at. If the front office supplements the price greatly then it will likely appease the majority of fans. However, if they try and sell the tickets at an inflated level it will only further irritate the already irritated.
    Guest
    Ontario born Jordan Haynes made the move to the Vancouver Whitecaps Residency program towards the end of 2011.
    A talented youth player who had represented his province at U14, U15 and U16 levels, the Peterborough native had been playing with the TFC Academy U17s in the Canadian Soccer League before making the switch to Vancouver.
    As a '96, Haynes should have had two full seasons in the U16 set-up but as one of the older guys in his year, being born in January, the Whitecaps saw the potential to move him up early and this season he has seen regular action for both the 16s and the 18s, along with playing a vital role in the Canadian U17 team's qualification for the World Cup.
    So why the cross country move from Ontario to BC?
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    <i>"It's the best program that you can get in Canada and it's a chance you can't miss"</i> is Hayne's honest reply.
    Jordan came to the Caps midway through last season and he went on to make 14 appearances for the U16s in the 2011/12 campaign, scoring three goals and heading to Dallas for the USSDA playoffs.
    This season has seen Haynes make 25 appearances, 20 of them as starter, and grabbing another three goals.
    He's had an interesting season in the Residency, splitting his time between being a leader in the U16 team to being one of the new, younger faces in the U18s.
    Regularly switching between both age ranges must bring with it it's own set of competitive challenges.
    <i>"When you start off in the lower age group it's not as challenging for us but when you move up to the U18 squad you have to get the challenge right. You have to step up to the level."</i>
    With the USSDA playoffs now underway, Jordan is one of a number of Residency players that can bring with them and share their vital experiences of last year's playoffs.
    Playing in a tournament environment is different from regular season play, not to mention dealing with the hot and humid conditions. It all takes some getting used to, but being in that situation before will give the Caps and players like Haynes an added edge this year and he is a player that has already shown that he can keep a cool head in heated conditions.
    As mentioned earlier, Haynes was part of the U16 team that lost out on making 'Finals Week' last year on goal difference. Two goals was the margin in the end and it was an agonising way to go out, but one which makes him all the hungrier for success this year.
    <i>"It was heartwrenching for us to not lose a game and to not be able to go through. This year we've got another chance and we have to capitalise on everything we can get, finish everything and kill the games off."</i>
    Drawing their second game 0-0 against Charlotte Soccer Academy was the killer blow, with the North Carolina side going on to top the group.
    With the games coming thick and fast and the temperatures into the 40s, it was tough conditions for a group of Canadians.
    There is no getting away from it, the heat is a factor and the coaching staff this year are trying their best to get the players somewhat used to it. They've been training in full and extra gear and just watching them run around in the sun is enough to make you sweat.
    How has Jordan found the acclimatisation training?
    <i>"It's the perfect preparation that we can get in a climate where it's nowhere near as hot as the desert climate of Dallas, so the preparation to be playing in all this gear is really helpful."</i>
    What is also helpful is that with the Whitecaps having to regularly travel to the States to play games in the USSDA, the players are now accustomed to all that entails and it is a great grounding and preparation for them if they are to make the grade as professional footballers down the line. Especially if they ply their trade in North America.
    For Jordan, those cross border travels have been even more exotic.
    Haynes has been capped for Canada at U15 level but the pinnacle of his international career so far came in April of this year when he travelled to Panama with the Canadian U17 national team and played a key role in the squad qualifying for the FIFA U17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates later this year.
    It's a great moment in any player's life to play for their country. The memories are only a few months old but when he looks back at those CONCACAF qualifiers, how does he view the whole experience?
    <i>"It's something you've got to be really proud of. Not many people experience it, so you've just got to take the opportunity and prove yourself, and prove our country to everyone that's supporting us, that we can go and do it."</i>
    Haynes played in all five of Canada's matches, but none were more dramatic than the role he played in the third place playoff match with Honduras that earned the young Canadians a bronze medal.
    With Canada having grabbed a 93rd minute equaliser to take the game into extra time, the writing looked on the wall with the team trailing 2-1 in the 119th minute. before Jordan made room for himself in the Honduran box and drilled a left footed shot through the last defenders to take the game to penalties.
    It's a moment that will live with him forever. What was going through his head as the ball came to him?
    <i>"When I got it I knew I had to do something, so on the shot I just tried to get it just right in the back of the net. Nothing else was in my mind. When it went in, everything was just gone. All the excitement and all the joy that I'd scored and seeing everyone supporting me as we were celebrating. I knew that everyone at home was celebrating too."</i>
    The job wasn't done though and in the penalty shoot-out, with the adrenalin still pumping from his late equaliser, Jordan stepped up to take Canada's third penalty and give them a 2-1 lead in the shoot-out, which they went on to win 4-2.
    How did he keep his nerves in a situation like that?
    <i>"You know after it came to penalties, I just had to keep my calm. It's pretty nerve wracking going to a penalty shoot out for bronze place but you really just got to keep your nerves and just be able to take it calm and collected and I ended up just putting it in the back of the net."</i>
    Let's relive those moments now:
    <center>

    </center>The whole USSDA playoffs experience, and especially the hot conditions, will be ideal preparations for Jordan and the rest of the Whitecaps in Canada's U17 squad for their trip to the UAE in their quest for World Cup glory.
    Jordan will now officially make the step up to the next level next season and be part of the U18 set up.
    With the experience gained this season at that level already, along with all of the international experience with the national team, Jordan Haynes will be a key staple of the Caps Residency program for the next two years.
    For now, this season's playoffs are the key focus and Haynes will have an important part to play in helping the Whitecaps reach consecutive Finals weeks.
    <p>
    Guest

    TFC v Roma

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    CSN has confirmed what has been widely reported tonight: Toronto FC is playing Roma in a friendly Aug 7 at BMO Field.
    It comes just three days before a scheduled MLS game.
    The club is expected to confirm the game at a press conference in Little Italy Wednesday.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Guest
    Vancouver Whitecaps U18s got off to a fantastic start in the 2013 U18 USSDA playoffs in Dallas on Monday evening.
    The young Caps were a dominant force throughout and appear to have impressed many of the neutrals watching.
    Kianz Froese, clearly buoyed by his placing in the <a href="http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?4686-Whitecaps-Residency-Ones-To-Watch-2013-Part-One" target="_blank"><u>AFTN Residency "Ones To Watch"</u></a> Top Ten this morning, gave Vancouver a half time lead with a goal in the 25th minute with a stunning left foot strike into the top corner.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Canadian U17 midfielder Marco Bustos put the Caps 2-0 up in the 70th minute with a superb curling strike from just outside the box (watch out for our interview with him on AFTN later this week).
    Goal difference can be crucial in these group stages and the Caps got a vital third with five minutes remaining when Brody Huitema headed home a Bustos cross at the back post.
    Huitema was the USSDA's leading scorer at the U18 level during the regular season and shows no signs of easing up in the playoffs.
    So a great start for Vancouver, who lined up for the game as follows:
    Sean Melvin; Quinton Duncan (Matthew van der Eyden 78), Nicholas Prasad (Alex Comsia 85), Jackson Farmer, Sam Adekugbe; Spencer DeBoice (Titouan Chopin 10), Mitch Piraux, Kianz Froese (Jordan Haynes 63), Marco Bustos; Yassin Essa (Matthew Chow 78), Brody Huitema.
    In the other Group 1 game, Pennsylvania side PA Classics, who head into the playoffs having conceded the least goals in the regular season (just 15), kept up their impressive defensive record by blanking Houston Dynamo Academy 2-0, with Drew Mahoney grabbing the vital second on a counter attack late on.
    It's shaping up to be the interesting top attack v top defence match up on Thursday that we thought it might be.
    Next up for group topping Vancouver are Houston on Tuesday evening. The game kicks off at 5.15pm PST.
    Good luck to the guys and keep the momentum going.
    <i>[Many thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/TheCarloBert" target="_blank"><b>Carlo Bertelli</b></a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/TopDrawerSoccer" target="_blank"><b>Top Drawer Soccer</b></a> for their Twitter updates. Follow both of these!]</i>
    <p>
    Guest

    Not answered by KP

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    On Monday, Toronto FC's Twitter account solicited questions for an upcoming interview with President Kevin Payne. All you needed to do was ask a question, add #AskKP and you would have a pretty good chance of having yours asked, "If questions aren't accusatory or insulting for the sake of it," said the interviewee and MLSE staffer Asif Hossain.
    In an unrelated story, Canadian Soccer News recently turned down the idea of playing in a softball tournament.
    Here are some of the questions that fans, supporters and season tickets holders asked, but were not answered:
    Grabbing these now and adding/deleting later. Feel free to add particularly good ones if you see them
    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>What are the key pieces to add this summer, and problem positions he's looking at. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23AskKP&src=hash">#AskKP</a></p>— Zac Coulter (@ZacCoulter) <a href="
    ">June 24, 2013</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/torontofc">@torontofc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23AskKP&src=hash">#AskKP</a> What was your time-frame for "turning around" TFC when you first arrived, and is that time-frame still realistic?</p>— Colin Cameron (@colinscameron) <a href="
    ">June 24, 2013</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/torontofc">@torontofc</a> If TFC were to have a friendly and a key player picked up a big injury in the game (ex. acl), what do you tell the fans <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23AskKP&src=hash">#AskKP</a></p>— Michael Przybyłowski (@prizby) <a href="
    ">June 24, 2013</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23AskKP&src=hash">#AskKP</a> any danger of a coaching job?</p>— James Geraghty (@jamestg69) <a href="
    ">June 24, 2013</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Why are you meeting with Ed of the CNE & wont let those affected attend? Does TFC/CNE now arrest anyone with contradictory evidence? <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23AskKP&src=hash">#AskKP</a></p>— J. (@Le_Jdot) <a href="
    ">June 24, 2013</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>.<a href="https://twitter.com/torontofc">@torontofc</a> How long do you think until we are no longer the joke of the MLS? <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23AskKP&src=hash">#AskKP</a></p>— Brandon Bednarek (@BrandonBednarek) <a href="https://twitter.com/BrandonBednarek/statuses/349275066057506816">June 24, 2013</a></blockquote>
    <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/torontofc">@torontofc</a> w/ talk of a friendly, why risk adding a midweek game to the schedule & risk key players potentially picking up injuries? <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23AskKP&src=hash">#AskKP</a></p>— Michael Przybyłowski (@prizby) <a href="
    ">June 24, 2013</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Why does earl cochrane still have a job? <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23askKP&src=hash">#askKP</a></p>— Will Graham (@BigWullieStyle) <a href="
    ">June 24, 2013</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>If the defence has been awful under two different head coaches and countless players, why does the defensive coach still have a job? <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23askKP&src=hash">#askKP</a></p>— Will Graham (@BigWullieStyle) <a href="
    ">June 24, 2013</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/asifintoronto">@asifintoronto</a> okay: after the abject failure of the last 6 years, was it wise to retain so many people who were here since day 1? <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23askKP&src=hash">#askKP</a></p>— Will Graham (@BigWullieStyle) <a href="
    ">June 24, 2013</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>What is the likelihood that any of the tough questions will actually be asked/answered honestly? <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23AskKP&src=hash">#AskKP</a></p>— Rory
    (@nice2meeturface) <a href="
    ">June 24, 2013</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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