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    Guest

    Pair of Canadians sign pro at QPR

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Former Toronto FC youth players Mike Petrasso and Dylan Carreiro have left the youth ranks and have signed professional contracts with Queens Park Rangers, the English club announced today.
    When the pair left originally, they came under criticism in Toronto and abroad for catching the club off guard locally and announcing the deal prematurely.
    Terms of the deal were not released by QPR but they did say the contracts would last until the end of the 2013/2014 season.
    The announcement marks an exciting stretch for the young Canadians. Their squad were recently crowned Professional Development League 2 champions following a play-off final victory over Huddersfield Town.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Guest

    Terrible Football Club

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Pointing out how bad Toronto FC has been seems even more pointless than beating that notoriously dead horse. It’s more like digging a long dead horse up, beating it more, then setting it on fire.
    Everyone understands. TFC is terrible.
    Except sometimes it seems like fans have put up a mental block that doesn’t allow them to see how stunningly terrible they’ve been. Let’s put it bluntly, TFC is, by far, the worst team in MLS history. It isn’t all that close.
    Yet, despite the fact that there is no evidence that MLS teams require long-term rebuilding plans, Toronto fans are being asked to put up with another horrendously bad year in 2013.
    What do we mean that there is no evidence that teams must build over a long period?
    I’ll give you three numbers: 18, 11 and 4
    Since 2007, 18 times a team has improved by more than 10 points in one season.
    11 have jumped more than 15 points.
    And 4 have improved by 20 or more.
    There are far more examples in MLS of a team making a large jump in one year than there are of teams that have made gradual improvements over several years.
    There was literally no reason for TFC fans to be asked to give up 2013 before it started. None. Zero.
    Unless you believe that there is something in the Toronto water that prevents TFC from doing what 13 of the 19 MLS teams have done at least one over the last 6 years that is – improve by at least 10 points.
    Then again, maybe there is something in the water. Below the jump, a look at the all-time MLS standings since TFC came into the league.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    [TABLE=width: 500]
    [TR]
    [TD]Team[/TD]
    [TD]Total points[/TD]
    [TD]Ave pts per season[/TD]
    [TD]High[/TD]
    [TD]Low[/TD]
    [TD]Points per game[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Seattle[/TD]
    [TD]214[/TD]
    [TD]53.5[/TD]
    [TD]63[/TD]
    [TD]47[/TD]
    [TD]1.67[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Galaxy[/TD]
    [TD]295[/TD]
    [TD]49.1[/TD]
    [TD]67[/TD]
    [TD]33[/TD]
    [TD]1.56[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Columbus[/TD]
    [TD]292[/TD]
    [TD]48.6[/TD]
    [TD]57[/TD]
    [TD]37[/TD]
    [TD]1.55[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Houston[/TD]
    [TD]286[/TD]
    [TD]47.6[/TD]
    [TD]53[/TD]
    [TD]33[/TD]
    [TD]1.52[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Salt Lake[/TD]
    [TD]273[/TD]
    [TD]45.5[/TD]
    [TD]57[/TD]
    [TD]27[/TD]
    [TD]1.45[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Kansas City[/TD]
    [TD]268[/TD]
    [TD]44.6[/TD]
    [TD]63[/TD]
    [TD]33[/TD]
    [TD]1.42[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Chicago[/TD]
    [TD]267[/TD]
    [TD]44.5[/TD]
    [TD]57[/TD]
    [TD]36[/TD]
    [TD]1.42[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Dallas[/TD]
    [TD]260[/TD]
    [TD]43.3[/TD]
    [TD]52[/TD]
    [TD]36[/TD]
    [TD]1.38[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]New York[/TD]
    [TD]257[/TD]
    [TD]42.8[/TD]
    [TD]57[/TD]
    [TD]21[/TD]
    [TD]1.36[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]San Jose[/TD]
    [TD]213[/TD]
    [TD]42.6[/TD]
    [TD]66[/TD]
    [TD]30[/TD]
    [TD]1.34[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]DC United[/TD]
    [TD]251[/TD]
    [TD]41.8[/TD]
    [TD]55[/TD]
    [TD]22[/TD]
    [TD]1.33[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Colorado[/TD]
    [TD]245[/TD]
    [TD]40.8[/TD]
    [TD]49[/TD]
    [TD]35[/TD]
    [TD]1.30[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Chivas[/TD]
    [TD]235[/TD]
    [TD]39.1[/TD]
    [TD]53[/TD]
    [TD]28[/TD]
    [TD]1.25[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Montreal[/TD]
    [TD]42[/TD]
    [TD]42.0[/TD]
    [TD]42[/TD]
    [TD]42[/TD]
    [TD]1.23[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]New England[/TD]
    [TD]230[/TD]
    [TD]38.3[/TD]
    [TD]50[/TD]
    [TD]28[/TD]
    [TD]1.22[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Philly[/TD]
    [TD]115[/TD]
    [TD]38.3[/TD]
    [TD]48[/TD]
    [TD]31[/TD]
    [TD]1.17[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Portland[/TD]
    [TD]76[/TD]
    [TD]38.0[/TD]
    [TD]42[/TD]
    [TD]34[/TD]
    [TD]1.11[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Vancouver[/TD]
    [TD]71[/TD]
    [TD]35.3[/TD]
    [TD]43[/TD]
    [TD]28[/TD]
    [TD]1.04[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [TR]
    [TD]Toronto[/TD]
    [TD]190[/TD]
    [TD]31.6[/TD]
    [TD]39[/TD]
    [TD]23[/TD]
    [TD]1.01[/TD]
    [/TR]
    [/TABLE]
    Those are the numbers at the start of this season. Since First Kick, TFC has become the first MLS team that has played more than four seasons to drop below a 1.0 points per game pace. They currently get 0.98 points per game (197 points from 200 all-time MLS games).
    Guest

    Rematch ticket giveaway #1

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Today, we're giving away one pair of tickets to the sold out Canada vs USA game this Saturday.
    To understand the terms of the contest, first go here
    Did you go there? If you didn't we can tell.
    Ok, now that you've read the terms, next go to the Voyageurs Facebook page. Like the Voyageurs on Faceook and then leave a comment on their wall about the lengths you have gone to watch a soccer game. Did you once travel 3,000 km to see a game? Have you called in sick to work? Have you had your kid call in sick to work for you?
    The best story will win. The contest is open until 7pm ET tonight. We'll chose the winner shortly after that and contact them to tell them how they can collect their tickets.
    But you already know how you can collect your tickets, because you went here.
    Good luck
    UPDATE
    The first winner has been notified. Please check back tomorrow for another chance
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Guest
    The Canadian Soccer Association is hoping to level the playing field when it comes to Canadians in MLS.
    And the Canadian federation have already made their feelings clear to the league on what they want.
    According to CSA president Victor Montagliani, the Canadian federation met with the USSF and MLS earlier this year to begin formal discussions on having Canadian players considered domestic signings for U.S. teams. As it stands now, U.S. players are considered domestics on Canadian club rosters, but a Canadian player on a U.S. squad has to take up one of the coveted international spots. If you need a deeper understanding of the issue, the 11.ca did a fantastic series on the ins and outs on the matter.
    But even prior to that series, the CSA was looking at ways they can give the Canadians a leg up in the league that now houses the three Canuck squads, which boast some of the best attendances in the league.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    "We have had these discussions for a while now but in terms of formal discussions they began in January," Montagliani said. "We have put our position forward and we’re now discussing with – and it’s a trifecta in terms of discussion – it’s the CSA, USSF and the MLS. ... Our goal is that to have some sort of resolution, one way or another, towards the end of their season. By the time next season comes around, we’d like to see some movement on this issue."
    When asked what the CSA's position was, Montagliani said this:
    "My own personal opinion is we need to make it an even playing field where a Canadian is treated as a domestic in the U.S., as a U.S. player is treated as a domestic in Canada. Which will allow a Canadian player more than three teams to go knock on their door."
    A couple years ago, Canadian clubs led a charge to change the standards as they pertained to Canadians in their own country. Controversially, the CSA agreed to allow the watering down of Canadian player quotas in order for the local pro clubs to be competitive in MLS.
    "I’m not a big proponent of quotas. I think you need to prove your worth. But I think you need an even playing field when you’re proving your worth."
    So, where do things stand now in their negotiations with the USSF and MLS?
    "There has been no official response from them. They’ve been receptive to what we’ve said and what we’ve sent them. The next time we sit down, we’ll see where that goes," Montagliani said. "I expect to meet again some time this summer. Whether it be at the Gold Cup, or MLS All-Star. We’re trying to co-ordinate something right now. It will be at some point this summer, we’ll sit down again."
    Guest
    Our match report and post game reaction from the 2013 Voyageurs Cup final second leg between Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Impact at BC Place. Not a lot of quotes from Montreal, as much of theirs was in French!
    <b><u>Report:</u></b>
    Vancouver Whitecaps’ Voyageurs Cup heartbreak continued at BC Place this evening. A 2-2 draw gave Montreal Impact their first Cup since 2008 and booked their place in this year’s CONCACAF Champions League group stages.
    Goals from Camilo Sanvezzo and Daigo Kobayashi were countered by a strike from Felipe Martins and a header from Hassoun Camara as Montreal won the final on away goals.
    Despite playing well, for Vancouver their two biggest woes from this season, poor defending and not taking their chances, were their ultimate downfall.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Both sides went with pretty much the strong outfield line-ups available to them, as an occasion of this magnitude deserved.
    For Vancouver this meant the return up front of designated player Kenny Miller, playing his first game in many weeks following his hamstring injury.
    Many pundits expected a cagey opening from both sides, but someone obviously failed to give Vancouver the script who came out for this one like a bat out of hell.
    They pushed forward from the start and with less than a minute on the clock, Gershon Koffie played in Camilo Sanvezzo but he was blocked by Montreal keeper Evan Bush. The Caps kept the pressure on and Koffie fired over from just inside the box, as the home side looked to make an immediate impact.
    They did just that, and saw their early pressure pay off, in the fourth minute.
    Camilo was fouled 35 yards out, picked himself up to take the free kick, and drilled an unstoppable effort into the postage stamp corner, giving Bush no chance and Vancouver the lead.
    It was one of the strikes of the year, from a position that he really had no right in finding the net from.
    BC Place fell silent in the ninth minute when Hassoun Camara lost his markers in the box and had lots of room to head home a Justin Mapp free kick. Unfortunately for Montreal, too much room and the Quebec linesman put his flag up for offside sparking furious scenes on the Impact bench.
    Vancouver continued to push for a second and they nearly got it in the 12th minute. Russell Teibert played a neat give and go with Nigel Reo-Coker on the right touchline before cutting inside and firing off a blistering shot from the corner of the box which Bush could only fist away for a corner.
    Camilo played the corner in from the left and this time it was Montreal’s turn for some terrible marking and Johnny Leveron rose unchallenged to crash a header off the crossbar.
    Montreal were starting to have a few forays forward, but the closest they came was when Felipe fired a long range shot well over in the 17th minute.
    Reo-Coker powered his way through the Montreal defence in the 23rd minute and played the perfect ball across goal but Miller was poorly positioned and the danger was cleared.
    The Englishman was at it again minutes later, this time firing a shot wide of the left hand post.
    Vancouver were looking the more dangerous side and were eager to grab a nerve settling second. Kenny Miller tried to break free of two Montreal defenders, but couldn’t get daylight .
    As the half hour mark approached Koffie was left unmarked eight yards out but headed over, in a move marked by the dogged determination of Teibert to retain possession for the Caps.
    With five minutes of the half remaining, the Whitecaps got a lucky escape when Young-Pyo Lee took a swipe at an Andrew Wenger cross, but the ball just stopped dead. Luckily for the Caps, Andy O’Brien was on hand to clear the danger.
    Kenny Miller had a couple of chances to end the half and as the whistle sounded, Vancouver went in very content with what had unfolded so far.
    They continued to be happy at the start of the second and Camilo fired a shot inches wide of the right hand post three minutes in.
    The happiness was soon to be extinguished and Felipe Martins silenced BC Place when he hit a stunning shot from the edge of the box after a weak clearance from Alain Rochat.
    Things went from bad to worse for Vancouver when Koffie had to go off on a stretcher injured in the 57th minute and was replaced by Daigo Kobayashi.
    Montreal were now happy to play a possession game, forcing Vancouver to win the ball off them.
    The Caps were still looking dangerous when they were able to attack and Reo-Coker hit a shot across goal to the back post just past the hour mark but there was no anticipation from the rest of his team and the ball trickled out for a goal kick.
    You could feel the tension rising at BC Place but that soon exploded into joy as the Whitecaps retook the lead in the 69th minute.

    Reo-Coker played a cross into the box and Kobayashi and Camara challenged for it. The ball broke into the six yard box and Kobayashi’s tenacity paid off when he poked the ball home past Bush to send the home crowd into raptures.
    They nearly had more two minutes later when Camilo crashed a fierce shot off the woodwork, as Vancouver pushed to try and kill the game off.
    Both sides had a couple of half chances as the minutes ticked down and Montreal urgency got that little bit greater.
    Montreal came close to grabbing the vital equaliser in the 84th minute when Mapp brilliantly played in a quiet Marco di Vaio, but O’Brien got in a vital block on his goalbound effort for a corner.
    As the corner came up Camara rose unchallenged to head home the tie’s go ahead goal, with Vancouver having no men on the post to defend it.

    It was now Vancouver who had the urgency and as the game entered into five minutes of stoppage, substitute Jordan Harvey headed a cross high and over.
    Harvey had another chance in the 93rd minute when Darren Mattocks headed the ball into his path but he could only pull his low shot narrowly wide.
    It was to be the last chance that the Whitecaps were to get and when referee Drew Fischer blew the final whistle, the Montreal bench exploded in jubilation whilst Vancouver’s players sank to their knees.
    More heartbreak for Vancouver in the competition that seems like a curse to them. This time though you cannot knock the players for their efforts or blame outside factors for their loss. You can however blame two of the Whitecaps biggest problems this season as we said at the start - poor defending and the constant inability to bury their chances.
    Montreal played the perfect counter attack game and showed just why they are a force to be reckoned with in MLS this season. Now they can showcase that on the bigger Champions League stage once again.
    FINAL SCORE: Vancouver Whitecaps 2 - 2 Montreal Impact (2-2 on aggregate. Montreal win the Voyageurs Cup on away goals)
    ATT: 18,183
    VANCOUVER: Brad Knighton; Young-Pyo Lee, Andy O’Brien, Johnny Leveron, Alain Rochat; Jun Marques Davidson, Nigel Reo-Coker, Gershon Koffie (Daigo Kobayashi 57), Russell Teibert; Kenny Miller (Jordan Harvey 73), Camilo Sanvezzo (Darren Mattocks 82) [subs Not Used: Joe Cannon, Jordan Harvey, Matt Watson, Kekuta Manneh, Tommy Heinemann]
    MONTREAL: Evan Bush; Jeb Brovsky (Collen Warner 82), Alessandro Nesta, Matteo Ferrari, Hassoun Camara; Justin Mapp, Patrice Bernier, Felipe Martins (Dennis Iapichino 88), Andres Romero (Blake Smith 73); Andrew Wenger, Marco di Vaio [subs Not Used: Troy Perkins, Sanna Nyassi, Sinisa Ubiparipovic, Wandrille Lefevre]
    <p>
    <b><u>Reaction:</u></b>
    <b>Martin Rennie on game:</b>
    "It did seem like we did almost everything right but it didn't quite drop for us. I think I can visualise clear chances in front of goal where I'm amazed they didn't go in, but they didn't. So that's what happened."
    <b>Martin Rennie on blowing two leads:</b>
    "When you score two goals at home that needs to be enough for us to win and that's happened on a couple of occasions where we've scored the goals we've needed to and ended up tieing games. That part of it is very disappointing."
    <b>Martin Rennie on his players:</b>
    "I'm very proud of the player's effort tonight. Their desire to do all the things we wanted them to do. The final ball, the final shot, wasn't as good as it needs to be. A couple of the moments defensively weren't as good as they need to be. But in terms of the commitment and the overall quality of what they're doing was very good. Now we have to move on and look at the next part of our season."
    <b>Marco Schällibaum on winning the Voyageurs Cup:</b>
    "I'm proud because I am in Canada and when you win the Cup in Canada, it's nice."
    <b>Marco Schällibaum on team coming back twice:</b>
    "I love this team because they never give up. They have a lot of energy and they know they can score at any time. That's the reason we are very good together. It's important to have this mentality till the end. To believe."
    <b>Brad Knighton on why Whitecaps lost:</b>
    "We need to take our chances. We created 15, 20 chances and they created 4, 5 and scored two goals and that's just not good enough. We need to take a whole lot of look at ourselves.
    "This is a Cup final. It's a one off. And we've got to find a way to win these games. Not tie. Not give up two goals at home. So there's a lot of reflection going on right now."
    <b>Brad Knighton on having no defenders on posts for Cup winning goal:</b>
    "As you saw in the first half we had YP on the back post to start the game. They kept bringing numbers forward. They had two guys on top of the box in the first half, so we decided to take YP off the line, and take him and put him at the top of the box to try and create a numbers up situation there. Obviously, unfortunately, I think if he'd been there he'd have probably cleared it off the line.
    <b>Brad Knighton on defensive woes:</b>
    "Ultimately we weren't good enough defensively tonight. A lapse in marking and defending broke down. That's the way the game goes sometimes. It's just very frustrating."
    "Giving up two goals a game for two games in a row now is not good enough. It's just one of those things defensively we need to get right and people need to pay attention to the stuff that we're going over in training because we go over that stuff day in and day out and ultimately it comes down to us being able to execute it on the field. They put up charts, they gives us video footage, they give us everything, but ultimately it's you versus the other man across from you on set pieces. It's not good enough right now and we need to figure it out and we need to figure it out fast."
    <b>Brad Knighton on losing Cup on home turf:</b>
    "It doesn't hurt any more than watching another team raise a trophy in your home arena. This one stings."
    <b>Kenny Miller on game and loss:</b>
    "I felt that we've pretty much dominated the game from pretty much start to finish. We've had a lot of chances, we've played some fantastic stuff, we've got our noses in front twice and at that point you're expecting to see it out.
    "Again it's losing a goal the way we lost a goal, on a set play again. To say we're disappointed is a huge understatement."
    <b>Kenny Miller on team not taking more chances:</b>
    "I'll ask you guys. How many goals do you want us to score in every game? We're not going to score four or five goals in a game all the time. We need to be able to see games out. I mean, two goals at home. It should be enough to win a game. Yeah, we've created a lot of chances, we've had chances, but they've got players in positions to try and stop us scoring."
    <b>Kenny Miller on defending set plays:</b>
    "Defending set plays we've got to have a long hard look at ourselves because it's been too many times this season."
    <b>Kenny Miller putting a positive spin on things:</b>
    "I think what we need to understand as well is that yeah, we've not won the Cup, but we've not been beat over the course of two matches."
    <p>
    Guest

    Want to watch the Rematch live?

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Canadian Soccer News has you covered.
    Even though the game sold out months ago, we were able to hang on to two pairs of tickets to giveaway to this Sunday's game between the Canadian Women's national team and the U.S. women's national team. We actually started with five extra pairs that we wanted to giveaway but friends and family have come out of the woodwork for this game asking for extra tickets.
    After beating them back with stick, we still have two pairs - one that we're going to giveaway on Thursday and another pair that we're going to giveaway on Friday
    Read the details on where the tickets are, what that means for you and how you can win after the jump.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    1) These are supporter section seats. If you don't know what that means, you should look it up. If after looking it up, you still don't know what that means, then perhaps these seats aren't for you.
    2) This is a Canadian section. So, if you're an American fan hoping to make the trek or for some god awful reason you figured this was a good time to wear your Panama jersey, then perhaps these seats aren't for you
    3) Winners can pick up their tickets the day of the game at Gossip. Tickets will not be mailed out. There will be a ticket booth at the front door where your tickets will be waiting. Tickets must be picked up by 4:30 pm ET on gameday at the latest. If you aren't 100% sure you can make it, then these tickets are definitely not for you.
    4) We will put a post up on CSN on Thursday and a post up on CSN on Friday detailing how you can win. Both contests will be run over social media. Thursday will be a Facebook contest. Friday will be a Twitter contest. The contest opens at 1pm ET each day and closes each night at 7pm ET. We will contact winners through their social media accounts the evening after close.
    5) Lastly, and I can't stress this enough, if you scalp these tickets we will personally hunt you down and ensure you have to wear one of these.

    Guest
    It's cup time all across North America and we discuss both the current situation and the future of both the Amway Canadian Championship and the U.S. Open Cup with our guests this week:
    Marc Tougas (CP)
    Jonathan Tannenwald (Philly.com)
    Raphael Larocque-Cyr (SoccerPlus.ca)
    Along with Pascal Milano (La Presse) and Dave Levesque (Journal de Montréal) currently in Vancouver.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Click here to listen to this 45 minutes show: SoccerPlus - Pre-game Show
    Don't forget to come back after tonight's final in Vancouver for our live post-game show.
    Guest
    KEY PLAYERS
    Attacking
    The Whitecaps will need their best player this year Nigel Reo-Coker to bring his 'A' game to the match against Montreal in order for them to have a chance to win the Cup. They will need him to help drive the ball through the final third and use his passing ability to break down the Impact’s ability to clog up the area in and around the box.
    Considered an afterthought at the beginning of the season by some Patrice Bernier is one of the Impact’s most important players in the central midfield. The Canadian international controls the tempo of their attack and is capable of switching from defense to offense very quickly as evident of his team leading four assists.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Defence
    The Whitecaps need a perfect game from their backline to stop DiVaio and Johnny Leveron will be a big key in accomplishing that. His first two starts at home has seen the team give up only one goal and he would have made a difference against Portland if it were not for a suspension.
    Dealing with injuries has seen Alessandro Nesta miss a number of games this season for the Impact. It wasn’t the smoothest return for the Italian international as they gave up three goals in their win over the Philadelphia Union and are struggling over the last few games to keep the ball out of their net.
    WHO’S ON FORM
    In his last start against the Portland Timbers Camilo had the opportunity to start as the striker up top and had his best game under the Rennie regime. He scored from a perfectly placed free kick and then set up Koffie for his strike to give the Caps the temporary lead. In his last five MLS starts the Brazilian has scored a total of three goals and assisted on another.
    One of the top goal scorers in MLS Marco Di Vaio has proven that he has the ability to score at any time and from anywhere on the pitch. His three goals against the Union this weekend has put him at the top of the MLS goal scoring lead. However he has yet to score a goal when starting on the road, one as a sub in New York, and tired legs will be an issue after playing almost 90 minutes.
    PROJECTED LINEUP

    Vancouver Whitecaps (4-3-3) R to L- Brad Knighton; Y.P. Lee, Andy O’Brien, Johnny Leveron, Alain Rochat; Jun Marques Davidson, Nigel Reo-Coker, Gershon Koffie; Russell Teibert, Darren Mattocks, Camilo
    Montreal Impact (4-4-2) Troy Perkins; Jeb Brovsky, Alessandro Nesta, Matteo Ferrari, Dennis Iapichino; Justin Mapp, Patrice Bernier, Felipe Martins, Andres Romeo; Andrew Wenger, Marco DiVaio
    2013 RECORD
    Vancouver Whitecaps:
    3W-4D-4L-13P
    8th in Western Conference
    Last Match: 3-1 Win vs LA Galaxy
    Montreal Impact:
    7W-2D-2L-23P
    2nd in Eastern Conference
    Last Match: 5-3 Win vs Philadelphia Union
    OVERVIEW
    After suffering through many years of disappointment in this competition Vancouver Whitecaps have a chance to exercise some of their demons as they take on Montreal Impact for the Voyageurs Cup at BC Place. The winner not only gets the chance to lift some silverware but also books their spot in the CONCACAF Champions league.
    The Whitecaps will go with the keeper that brought them through to the final with Brad Knighton starting between the posts. In front he will have Andy O’Brien, Johnny Leveron and Alain Rochat, while Y.P. Lee will make his debut in this year's tournament.
    With the Caps most likely going for a 4-3-3 in this match, Nigel Reo-Coker will captain the team in the midfield and will be joined by Gershon Koffie and Jun Marques Davidson. Up top the Caps should have Camilo on the left, with Russell Teibert on the right and the striker either being Darren Mattocks or Kenny Miller depending on his fitness.
    A couple of weeks ago the Whitecaps went into Stade Saputo and came out with a scoreless draw, which is better than what most teams have done this year. When you take into consideration what Vancouver has done on the road so far this season it was an ideal result.
    However the problem with a scoreless draw in a two leg aggregate final is that the Impact’s first goal now counts for two. In this scenario the Caps must win this game while the visitors can either win or draw for the Championship.
    In order to do this the Whitecaps will have to play aggressive at times during the match even though Montreal is suited to absorb attacks and then counter. An approach similar to their win against the Galaxy would be ideal as long as they finish their chances.
    An early goal would also be ideal for the home team as it would take Montreal out of their typical tactics of waiting for the counter. The space between the midfield and backline would open up and the Caps could start going for that two goal lead if they are able to stay aggressive.
    With the Impact being so strong down the middle, Vancouver's best options to attack are in the wide areas where the fullbacks need to push up the field. The two wingers will also be vital in working with the attacking defenders along with the need for them to attack the box from the sideline.
    Defensively, the most obvious answer is to contain Di Vaio as the Italian striker is the leading scorer in MLS. However the Caps will also need to control the service to the box by keeping tight marks on the midfield and not giving them the space to work the ball into the dangerous areas.
    In addition to being named Canadian Champions and getting the chance to play against bigger competition from Central America, the Whitecaps will earn more money to bring in transfers during the summer. However with this season being as frustrating as their struggles to win the Cup, a victory could be a turning point for the Caps in accomplishing the majority of their goals for 2013.
    <p>
    Guest

    VIDEO - ACC Final Postgame Show

    By Guest, in SoccerPlus,

    Watch our 52 minutes post game show with your questions and comments following a 2-2 victory! Yes you read it well, for the second time in five years, the Montréal Impact is moving on to the CONCACAF Champions League on the back of a tie. This time around the away-goal rule justified the célébrations with Les Bleus.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    <iframe src="http://www.ustream.tv/embed/11299998" width="608" height="368" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border: 0px none transparent;"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.ustream.tv/" style="padding: 2px 0px 4px; width: 400px; background: #ffffff; display: block; color: #000000; font-weight: normal; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Live stream by Ustream</a>
    Guest
    So here's the conundrum the men's national team -- and specifically, its supporters -- are encountering at present.
    Coming off of the soul-crushing, resolve-testing, mind-bending conclusion to the team's World Cup qualifying campaign last October, supporters of the team are palpably desperate for some sort of positive catharsis, some reassurance that their emotional and financial investment in this team is, somehow, worth it. The easiest way to earn such validation is, of course, through winning games.
    Trouble is, the process of rebuilding a squad such as Canada's (where "depth" is often used only in contexts such as "the program has sunk to new depths") is not an easy one. So here we sit, seven months and five games removed from the debacle in San Pedro Sula and the CanMNT -- fielding, for the most part, patchwork/experimental lineups -- has yet to earn a victory.
    Perhaps, then, it's time we disabuse ourselves of the notion that one victory will cleanse us of the pain of the Honduran humiliation. Our catharsis, if we're indeed entitled to any, will come through the progress, through the small victories... the little things, as it were.
    So, what little things could we hang our hats on in Canada's friendly against Costa Rica on Tuesday night?
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

    A couple of youngsters (Jonathan Osorio and Daniel Haber) earned their first caps for the senior national team. Both came on as second-half substitutes, and while Osorio didn't have the same explosive impact he often has for Toronto FC, and Haber didn't have the chance to fully showcase himself, neither of them looked out of place (albeit against an equally inexperienced Costa Rican squad).
    Hometown hero Randy Edwini-Bonsu (or Rebs, as Globe & Mail columnist Jeff Blair has dubbed him) once again made Canadian soccer hearts go pitter-patter, with some bursts of speed and creative spark that we rarely see much of in Canadian red. Now, surely the word "pass!" got yelled at the TV screen on a few occasions when the 23-year-old had the ball. But all in all, this is a positive.
    Ashtone Morgan looked more comfortable than he has on most occasions for TFC this season. And the #BekksNotBecks hashtag wasn't in full effect on Twitter last night but should have been, as Kyle Bekker kept looping one fantastic dead ball after another into dangerous areas. Surely this evokes negative emotions from TFC fans wondering why they aren't doing the same thing for their club, but for those of us able to effectively compartmentalize our irrational sporting passions... good news!
    Despite being an exceptionally inexperienced squad -- both in absolute terms, and in terms of playing with one another -- there was some relative good cohesion on display, both going forward and defending. Spirited performances from the few veterans on the squad -- i.e. Issey Nakajima-Farran and Julian de Guzman -- surely helped set the tone.

    Of course, this being a CanMNT game, all was not well. The finishing left much to be desired -- set pieces from Bekker found the heads of teammates in good scoring positions on at least four occasions, but none of those chances could be turned on target.
    There was much complaining (by me, mostly) about the soft-ish nature of the penalty call that resulted in Costa Rica's goal, but as Craig Forrest noted on the broadcast, that's just the nature of CONCACAF (Marcus Haber tried a similar flop later in the game, but to no avail). And ultimately, Costa Rica had a legitimate second goal notched off for a non-existent foul, so in that regard, it all evens out.
    The flashpoint of the game, though, was the most ridiculous and inexplicable sending-off of a Canadian player by a CONCACAF referee since... well... since Olivier Occean got the boot against Cuba last October. I haven't seen the replay, and don't much care to, because it might contradict my obviously-biased memory of the event, but for those who missed it, a synopsis of the play...
    Canadian fullback Nik Ledgerwood (the pride of Lethbridge!) slides in with a perfectly legitimate tackle on some Costa Rican jackass. Both players go to ground, and the ball remains lodged underneath. The Costa Rican, rather than standing up, decides instead to act as though he's the Ultimate Warrior and it's 1989, hitting Ledgerwood with a big splash. Ledgerwood, who's smart enough to know wrestling is fake, is unfazed by this weak effort and gets up, presumably to solicit the Costa Rican's opinion about "Macho Man" Randy Savage.
    The Costa Rican, uninterested in this friendly discussion, shoves his (probably foul-smelling) palm into Ledgerwood's face. Ledgerwood, proudly representing his city and province, smartly stands by without retaliating, knowing that the idiotic Costa Rican has just earned himself a red card. But the referee, in a supreme act of cowardice in the name of "fairness" -- the soccer-refereeing equivalent of a TV news show providing equal air time to a 9/11 first responder and an "it was an inside job" kook -- shows both players red.
    ...
    ...
    CONCACAF!
    Anyway, it was nice to see some kids get a run-out, it was nice to see the fans in a place not called Toronto get an opportunity to see the men's national team play live and it was nice that the final scoreline wasn't 5-0, which I had previously said I'd be OK with as long as head coach Colin Miller committed himself to plasma-depriving the pandas.
    Up next on the horizon: the Gold Cup. We don't yet know who'll be head coach (don't be overly shocked if it's Miller again) and we don't know who'll be suiting up for Canada. But whoever's out there, if they're willing to put in the work and show the sort of effort that was frequently on display Tuesday night then, well... it's not catharsis, but it'll certainly do.
    (Oh, and for those who are inevitably going to beak about the attendance figure of around 8,100 for the game, some food for thought: The last time Costa Rica played a friendly in Canada was at the newly-opened BMO Field in 2007. It was a weeknight game with a 7 p.m. kickoff. Attendance was approximately 9,300. Those of you predisposed to do so are going to engage in your dumb regional pissing contests anyway, but I figured I'd just throw that information out there for each side to manipulate to their own advantage. Enjoy.)
    Guest
    Episode ten of <i>"There's Still Time"</i>, the AFTN podcast, and it's another special roundtable discussion, this time looking at the Voyageurs Cup and a look at what lies ahead this season for Vancouver Whitecaps.
    Recorded at the <a href="http://www.vancouveralpenclub.ca/" target="_blank"><b><u>Vancouver Alpen Club</u></b></a>, we're joined once again by <b>Zachary Meisenheimer</b> and <b>Massimo Cusano</b>, of Whitecaps' supporters' group Curva Collective, and AFTN writer <b>Jay Duke</b> to discuss the highs and lows of Caps season so far.
    There's lots of chat around the V's Cup final against Montreal, the importance of the Cup and how it's perceived by the general footballing public, and Zach gives us the first hand insight into what it was like addressing the Whitecaps players in the dressing room before the first leg.
    Moving on from the final, especially for those listening to the podcast after the game, we take a look at what lies ahead for the Whitecaps this season depending on whether they win or lose to Montreal. Just how significant will the push for the playoffs become? Where should the squad be strengthened in the summer transfer window? And who needs to make way for any new additions coming in?
    And there's still time to introduce our new segment <b>My Favourite Thing</b>. There's no songs from the Sound of Music, but we kick the segment off with a look at our favourite footballing years. Let us know your own ones.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    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.
    Or you could just listen on one of the players below!
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    Guest
    Tuesday night we watched as an inexperienced but well organized Costa Rican side proficiently did away with a similarly staffed Canadian side 1-0.
    With a number of the Costa Rican players playing full-time in their domestic league, like several other CONCACAF countries, it has become continually clear that they have a distinct advantage over the likes of Canada in terms of preparation. Their players can train year round together and their coach can keep a close eye on young developing players - knowing when the right time to bring a new player into the fold is, instead of just throwing handfuls at the wall to see what sticks for the national side.
    The simple differences Costa Rica enjoys were on full display when watching their defence deploy organized offside traps and their attacking midfield and forwards performing in and outs eloquently around the offensive box with a certain calm fluidity.
    It's these competitive advantages that opponents have held for nearly a geneation now that have spurred conversation within the CSA in recent years - forcing them to consider exploring similar options by forming our own national, professional league.
    Since the Easton Report was released this spring, there hasn't been much talk publicly about what the next step is for the CSA, or even when this league might start. Hell, even if this league might start.
    But speaking to Canadian Soccer News this week, CSA president Victor Montagliani gave a short update on where things stand on the Canadian national league and where he sees them going over then next two years.
    "The semi-pro league structure is starting to crystallize," he said. "Quebec already has their league. And they’ve increased the number of teams that are participating in that league. Ontario will have something in 2014. Whatever it’s going to be called. But the standards are there. And they’re going to move forward with that."
    After that, the CSA intends to set their sights on progressing the pro game in British Columbia.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]"We will then try to work on British Columbia, starting in 2014, hopefully launching something out here in the West for 2015. Once those local leagues are in place, that is the basis for our national league."
    It's a process, for B.C., that is in the formative stages.
    "Right now B.C. Soccer has begun looking at clubs who would be interested in participating and starting to look at local stakeholders to get a sense of where this is going to go."
    Much of what the Easton Report concluded was that for a professional structure to develop in Canada, it needed to be administered by the provinces and overseen by the CSA in terms of standards. According to Montagliani, that's what they're beginning to roll out.
    "The national league will consist of, at that level, those three regional leagues. What will then happen at the national level – and come from the CSA - is we will build standards for player contracts, standards technically, standards administratively and obviously a national competition for these three leagues."
    What do you think? Is this national semi-pro league going to better help develop Canadian players to compete on the world stage? Is the CSA going far enough with their plans? Do you see agree their are advantages to having a national league where tomorrow's talent can train and play together?
    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.
    Doneil Henry, Will Johnson, and Kyle Porter claim the top three spots this week, while Dwayne De Rosario earns special recognition, in part, due to his omission from the starting lineup and the furor it created – if only momentarily.
    Find out what they did to deserve recognition and who else earned their keep this week.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Doneil Henry
    The twenty-year old centre-back made his third straight start for Toronto FC in their 2-0 loss at New England.
    Playing on the left, alongside Steven Caldwell, Doneil was involved from start to finish – putting out fires and dominating in the air, winning nine headers and six tackles.
    Again, he was rather tidy in possession, completing 34 of 47 passes, but his real influence was on the opposite side of the ball.
    He got an excellent block in on Diego Fagundez – one of two on the night – then showed some hustle to get just enough of a touch on a Fagundez ball into the middle, bound for a streaking Juan Agudelo, to deflect it harmlessly away, adding six interceptions, five recoveries, and two clearances to his stat-line.
    His recovery speed and tenacity, particularly important given the lack of pace on the TFC back-line, was on display when he was turned by Jerry Bengtson and fought back to strip the ball off the Honduran forward.
    It was not all positive; he could have stepped up on Lee Nguyen to prevent his dangerous shot from distance that struck the bar, though he was tracking an Agudelo run at the time, and picked up a yellow card for pulling back Kelyn Rowe after misreading the bounce of the ball in the 80th minute – one of his two fouls.
    The Brampton-native was also clocked in the face by Juan Toja’s outstretched arm, earning the Colombian a booking before half-time.
    He also played a minor role in conceding New England’s second goal, squeezing over once Sair Sene had bypassed Caldwell – far too easily – but could only see the striker’s pass deflect off his hand, before being turned in by Agudelo
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Ia2I8TsCwYA?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    It was a mixed night, but for a young player in a woeful side, that’s pretty good. His disappointed post-match interview shows a man maturing into his role and with a bright future ahead of him.
    Will Johnson
    Johnson started his thirteenth match of the season at the base of the midfield for Portland in their 0-2 win at DC United.
    It has become difficult to sum up his contributions with specific events – his game is akin to the old Jazz saying, it’s not the notes one plays, but the ones one doesn’t.
    In recent weeks – and when he’s not busy scoring and assisting on goals – Will plays a very conservative, almost cerebral game; he keeps the ball moving, often playing backwards to keep possession, resetting the Portland build-up – a key feature to their game.
    Completing 41 of 47 passes, the Toronto-native made fourteen recoveries, two interceptions and a single clearance.
    He is always available as an outlet to any teammate in pressure and works very hard to provide cover – ending up at right-back once, when Marcos Sanchez had skipped by Michael Harrington – and is constantly closing down the space, waiting and reading the play to be in the right place at the right time, keeping a particularly close eye on the movements of Nick DeLeon and Chris Pontius against DC.
    Part of his role is to step to any problematic situations and delay the opponent, so that his teammates can recover their defensive positions. The second he overcommitted forward Pontius had a dangerous slashing run and Carlos Ruiz got a chance on goal.
    And he is always near the ref, chatting constantly.
    It is a shame that De Rosario did not start, as they two of them going head-to-head would have been entertaining to Canadian onlookers.
    Picking his moments to get forward, he had two shots – one on target, the other blocked – and had a nice slaloming run ended by a poor return pass from Ryan Johnson after initiating a one-two at the top of the box.
    Johnson had a few run-ins with Perry Kitchen, a good physical battle, especially later in the match when the DC midfielder threw the Timbers captain to the ground in front of Caleb Porter – Kitchen’s college coach at the University of Akron.
    Interviewed in MLSsoccer.com’s Extra Time Radio last Thursday, he comes off as very self-assured and aware of his role, eloquent even; it’s worth a listen.

    Kyle Porter
    Porter made his sixth consecutive start for Ben Olsen’s DC United in their loss to Will Johnson’s Portland, though he was switched to the left flank having spent most of his time on the right.
    Prior to the match he was featured in a piece at The Washington Post, looking at his enhanced role at his new club.
    Porter has taken that extra responsibility to heart, taking seven shots against Portland – four off-target and three blocked, including a free-kick that he talked DeLeon and Pontius off of –only to blaze it over the target – as well as continuing his corner kick duties.
    He completed only sixteen of 29 passes and six of fifteen crosses, at least one of which should have been turned into a goal – an inviting curved ball that fell to Ruiz, who laid-off to Pontius, only to watch his effort miss the target.
    The Toronto-native even got on the end of a few deliveries himself, but couldn’t reach Ruiz’s dangerous low ball at the back-post and failed to keep his header down when Chris Korb had swung a ball in from the right.
    He played a lovely dummy in the final ten minutes with DC pressing, the ball struck the hand of debutant defender, Pa Modou Kah, but it was not called.
    It was not all going forward for Porter, he tracked back – once chasing down an interception nearly the length of the pitch after his shot was blocked – winning five tackles, making eight recoveries and two interceptions.
    He conceded one foul on the night – a little chop on the leg of full-back Harrington – and won one as well.
    Dwayne De Rosario
    De Rosario did not start in DC’s match, ending a run of five-straight, but joined the fray in the 65th minute, replacing Pontius, to make his ninth appearance of the season.
    Midweek he had complained about the side not playing to his strengths, saying, “I’m just watching the ball go over my head. In that respect, I’m not really being used to my strength.” Olsen responded, in the same piece, that, “At times we’ve asked him to be better when the ball does go to him.”
    That slight rift resurfaced in the immediate aftermath of the loss – more on that shortly.
    Back to the match, De Rosario’s frustration were evident in his play and demeanor; full of fire, throwing himself about, yelling for a ball to take a quick throw-in and voicing his displeasure at Portland’s slow-tactics – he looked angry.
    He completed seven of ten passes – including one fantastic through-ball that Lionard Pajoy blasted off target - made two recoveries, won one tackle and committed two fouls – angry ones.
    When asked why he did not start, De Rosario replied bluntly, “Coach’s decision”, saying that Olsen did not think he and Ruiz could work together on the pitch, and stating, “There is talent in this locker room, but I don’t know if they’re using that talent to the best of its ability.”
    Those differences, between player and coach, were swiftly quashed on Monday when both made consolatory motions and De Rosario pointed to his passion as the culprit.
    Earlier in the week, Canadian Soccer News’ Ben Rycroft had an article up at the CBC, pondering whether De Rosario’s time with the national team had come to an end. Thoughts?

    Patrice Bernier
    Bernier made his third-straight start – and ninth of the season – in Montreal’s 5-3 win over Philadelphia on Saturday at Stade Saputo.
    On the right – more-or-less – of the central duo in a 4-4-2, alongside Felipe, Bernier reprised his usual defensive-minded role, while moving the ball around effortlessly – completing 49 of 56 passes.
    He played a great ball out to Jeb Brovsky on the right that led to Marco Di Vaio’s second goal – after Brovsky fed Justin Mapp and he played Di Vaio in over the back-line – and later fed a lovely through-ball that played Felipe into the box – the Brazilian went down easily under the pressure of Brian Carroll – before finally picking up an assist – his fourth of the season, tying a cluster of players for second-most in the league – when he deftly turned a Troy Perkins ball from the back into space on the left for Blake Smith to run onto and finish.
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DyGEkVHvtTM?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    Bernier even showed a little bit of on-the-ball class with an awesome dribbling run past several Philadelphia defenders across the top of the box.
    He made a whopping seventeen recoveries, five interceptions and a single clearance; won four tackles and lost one, and won two fouls, conceding one.
    Defensively he left a few gaps, his failure to collapse on Michael Farfan when Brovsky’s poor clearance fell to him, lead to Jack McInerney’s goal.
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/0VmPzk2-kh0?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    The Brossard-native later repeatedly failed to track McInerney’s late runs into the box which caused the Impact some concern - though that probably wasn’t his assignment – and gave Farfan too much space for a shot after Alessandro Nesta’s poor touch turned over the ball.
    Jonathan Osorio
    Osorio made his eleventh appearance of the season for Toronto – all, bar one from the bench – replacing Reggie Lambe at half-time.
    The Toronto-native continued his excellent pass-selection, completing 25 of 27 passes, while schooling first-overall draft-pick, Andrew Farrell on several occasions, earning praise from the New England commentators for breathing life into a stagnant TFC.
    Osorio played a lovely little ball for Darren O’Dea to hit a whipping ball to the near-post – one of the few genuine moments of panic for the Revolution back-line.
    He also had two successful dribbles, but lost possession four times, while winning two tackles, making two recoveries, and a single interception.
    The disappointment in his post-match interview was palpable.
    Karl Ouimette
    Ouimette replaced Brovsky in the 77th minute of Montreal’s win over Philadelphia, making his fourth appearance of the season – and third from the bench.
    The Terrebonne-native completed eight of nine passes, making two interceptions and one recovery from his right-back position.
    Off the pitch, Ouimette will have his head shaved for charity on Sunday, raising money for charity.
    The Rest
    Wandrille Lefevre, Kyle Bekker, Ashtone Morgan, and Quillan Roberts were all on the bench for their respective sides – Montreal, Toronto, Toronto, Toronto.
    Nana Attakora missed a third straight match for San Jose with concussion-like symptoms and Dejan Jakovic was absent from DC due to a groin strain he has been battling recently – Ben Olsen noted that it was a concern last match, but he gutted through it.
    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
    Here at CSN we don't normally report transfer rumours that we have not independently verified. There is simply too much noise out there to make it worth our time.
    We'll make an exception today, due to the absurdity of the rumour and to examine it on a deeper level.
    Carlos Tevez is linked to Toronto FC
    Welcome to, um, Toronto?
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    For what it's worth, the rumour suggests that TFC would pay Manchester City 10-million (the report wasn't clear whether that was USD, or Pound Sterling) and pay Tevez $85-million over three years.
    That's a lot of money, but the only way TFC could possibly attract a player of Tevez' skill (and make no mistake, he's still very skilled and would likely become the best striker in MLS -- if he showed up motivated -- instantly) would be to pay him a lot of money.
    What makes us give this a second thought is that it fits a few things that TFC general manager Kevin Payne has been hinting at (we're about to bring in a player that would become the best at his position in MLS) and that it fits MLSE (that's the owners of TFC for those finding this through a search) president Tim Leiweke's M.O. (the man signed Beckham, after all).
    There is also a feeling among some that the only way TFC can achieve relevance again is to make a signing like this. Thus, you can understand how MLSE could be convinced to spend this kind of money.
    It's unclear whether Tevez would be willing to move to MLS at this time. He is just 29. However, this is a player that crossed one of the least crossable lines in world football when he moved to City from Manchester United. The money played a big part of that move, so it might be the determining factor here too.
    With three league titles, an English FA Cup and League Cup and a Champions League title, he has won all that he can in Europe. Additionally, City needs to make some moves this summer to comply with Financial Fair Play rules. Oh, and the club is now a partner with MLS.
    The more you start breaking this down, the less absurd it seems, actually.
    What isn't absurd at all is the idea that MLSE might feel that they need to make a move like this to make TFC relevant again.
    Whether it's the right thing to do is the question.
    Guest

    Martin's May: Two out of three ain't bad

    By Guest, in AFTN,

    Vancouver Whitecaps set themselves three firsts that they wanted to achieve this May.
    A first MLS win over Los Angeles Galaxy ✔
    A first MLS win over a Cascadian rival <b>X</b>
    A first Voyageurs Cup win <b>??????</b>
    One has been achieved. Another was thwarted by a controversial non handball call. And the third will be decided on Wednesday evening.
    The Portland draw was a sickener but if Vancouver beat Montreal and do finally win their first Voyageurs Cup final, then don't be sad. Two out of three ain't bad.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    In the land of the pig, the butcher is king. And we're ready to have some celebratory pulled pork poutine and a few drinks if the Whitecaps can finally take us to paradise.
    So to achieve this cry to heaven, how do the Caps need to approach the second leg of the final?
    There's been times this season where the Caps have looked like they are going nowhere fast and other times where they've looked as sharp as a razor's edge. All of the latter have been at home and that could be the saving grace for Vancouver in this one.
    After all this time, the Whitecaps are finally playing for all the honours on home turf, in front of their own fans and we've all got to make the most of our one night together and bring it.
    If they don't get the job done this time, then they should have no-one to blame but themselves. If it rains, then the roof will be closed. If Montreal fold and let in six, then it will be us banging them in. No excuses. They need to seize the night.
    Win and the fans will love them forever for finally taking them to the promised land and you can be sure that amongst the hardcore, there will be not a dry eye in the house. Lose though and it's back to hell. It's starting to feel that the Caps are cursed in this Cup.
    For me, Montreal are going in to the game as narrow favourites. Buoyed by their five goal feast at the weekend, they know they can score, the Caps know they can score, but by letting in three goals in the same game, Vancouver know that they can be breached as well.
    It's going to be like a chess game, with grandmasters Rennie and Schällibaum playing a cagey opening gambit, waiting for the other to make a mistake. Poker players trying to out bluff the other and seeing who will be left to read 'em and weep.
    You have to feel that Montreal are going to score at least one, so the first goal is going to be crucial, as is the timing of it.
    If Vancouver score first, and Montreal equalise, you still have the feeling that the Caps can go on and add a second. If Montreal score first and Vancouver then have to chase the game and score two, it's going to be so very difficult. The Impact will shut up shop, forcing the Whitecaps to pile on the pressure and as the game enters the latter periods, they will leave gaps at the back which Montreal can certainly punish.
    You also fear Vancouver heading in to the closing stages with a one goal lead. Caps fans will just be praying for the end of time, as we know that Montreal will have a great chance to batter down what can be a horribly shaky defence if we just sit back and try and see the game out. We're not as bad as previous years, but you always still have the sense that it's coming.
    We can only hope that come full time on Wednesday we're not all thinking life is a lemon and I want my money back.
    So do the Whitecaps go for it early? Come out of the starting blocks like a bat out of hell? I know. I know. It's not really in Martin Rennie's remit to play like that. You took the words right out of my mouth. But that could be the very ploy that catches Montreal cold. No-one is going to expect that one. It would be like the Spanish inquisition of Rennie's tactics.
    No matter what happens and how it all plays out, we need to see some fight from the Caps. If the worse case scenario happens and we're going to go down, we have to go down fighting for crying out loud. Everything is permitted to bring the trophy home. The players need to leave everything on the pitch.
    We need to have an experienced and potent line up out there, but also one with an eye to not leaving gaps at the back. Every single player on the Caps squad should want a piece of the action.
    Montreal's danger lies on their ability to fully punish teams on the counter attack. We have to remain focussed and solid and if we do fall behind or just can't get the breakthrough, then we need to stay strong and keep driving on till we get the job done. They have to have the right attitude throughout. No bad attitudes allowed.
    Substitutions could also be key. The Caps need to make sure that whoever they bring on are the right players for all eventualities and not just how the game has gone up to that point. We don't want to be leading, bring on defensive guys, then give up a goal and not have the players on the pitch that can then be attack minded and turn it back around again.
    It's going to be cagey, close and maybe not a classic, but certainly a game you won't want to take your eyes off of.
    So if the Caps were to lift their first Voyageurs Cup and qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League, but went on to miss the playoffs, would the season be deemed as a success?
    Not achieving either would be disastrous and could only be deemed as a backward step and a failure. You would also have to question the future of Martin Rennie as head coach.
    I want both, but I would take only one. And we have to have at least one.
    I'm happy for that one to be the Voyageurs Cup. MLS is our bread and butter, but a first Voyageurs Cup/Champions League run would be the meat loaf and potatoes of the season.
    The long suffering hardcore fans that have been with the Caps through all the D2 heartaches and controversies in this tournament want it so bad. Do the general fans though? Do they care about it? If you really want to, you can argue that the North American psyche is too programmed for playoff action?
    Will your average fan be happy with a Voyageurs Cup win and no playoffs?
    Let me sleep on it. I'll give you my answer in the morning.
    <p>
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