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    Scottish Television is reporting that Birmingham City's Steven Caldwell is joining Toronto FC on a short tem loan until June 30.
    Birmingham City has informed Caldwell that his contract will not be renewed. The loan will end at the end of his contract. As such, his time at Toronto can essentially be viewed as an extended trial.
    The 32-year-old has 12 caps for Scotland and made 77 appearances for Birmingham City since 2011. He has spend his entire career in England, playing for Wigan, Burnley, Sunderland, Leeds, Bradford City and Blackpool after starting his career at Newcastle.
    Toronto FC has not confirmed the signing, but STV is a reputable source.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Guest

    CSA annual report released

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    The Canadian Soccer Association released its annual report this week.
    For those interested in such things, there are details on coaching development, player participation and the breakdown of financials and collected fees.
    You can read the whole document here
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Guest

    Canadian club salaries for 2013

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    The MLS Players Union has released the salaries for the league.
    Read the Canadian teams base salaries after the jump
    You can see the guaranteed compensation for the whole league here
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Toronto
    Agbossoumonde - 46,500.00
    Bekker - 46,500.00
    Bendik - 46,500.00
    Bennett - 46,500.00
    Bostock - 99,996.00
    Braun - 112,200.00
    Califf - 165,000.00
    Dunfield - 120,000.00
    Earnshaw - 138,000.00
    Eckersley - 210,000.00
    Emory - 48,400.00
    Ephraim - 180,000.00
    Frei - 145,000.00
    Hall - 80,000.00
    Henry - 50,000.00
    Koevermans - 1,250,000.00
    Laba - 200,000.00
    Lambe - 67,500.00
    Morgan - 60,000.00
    Morgan, Taylor - 35,125.00
    O'Dea - 350,000.00
    Osorio - 46,500.00
    Richter - 35,125.00
    Roberts - 46,500.00
    Russell - 99,999.96
    Silva - 70,400.00
    Welshman - 46,500.00
    Wiedeman - 55,000.00
    Montreal
    Arnaud - 275,000.00
    Bernier - 143,000.00
    Brovsky - 80,000.00
    Bush - 46,500.00
    Camara - 115,000.00
    Crepeau - 35,125.00
    Di Vaio - 1,000,008.00
    Ferrari - 240,000.00
    Iapichino - 110,000.00
    Lefevre - 35,125.00
    Mallace - 47,300.00
    Mapp - 125,000.00
    Martins - 150,000.00
    Nesta - 260,000.00
    Nyassi - 140,000.00
    Ouimette - 46,500.00
    Paponi - 72,000.00
    Perkins - 225,000.00
    Pisanu - 100,000.00
    Rivas - 75,000.00
    Rodriguez - 35,125.00
    Romero - 48,000.00
    Smith - 46,500.00
    Tissot - 35,125.00
    Ubiparipovic - 57,750.00
    Valentin - 100, 000.00
    Warner - 110,000.00
    Wenger - 120,000.00
    Vancouver
    Abdallah - 46,500.00
    Alderson - 65,000.00
    Cannon - 180,500.00
    Clarke - 46,500.00
    Clement - 35,125.00
    Davidson - 74,250.00
    DeMerit - 325,000.00
    Harvey - 112,500.00
    Heinemann - 51,975.00
    Hertzog - 50,004.00
    Hurtado - 46,500.00
    Klazura - 46,500.00
    Knighton - 66,000.00
    Kobayashi - 225,000.00
    Koffie - 165,000.00
    Leveron - 60,000.00
    Manneh - 55,000.00
    Mattocks - 120,000.00
    Miller - 1,114,992.00
    Mitchell - 46,500.00
    O'Brien - 200,000.00
    Reo-Coker - 200,000.00
    Rochat - 190,000.00
    Rusin - 120,000.00
    Salgado - 95,000.00
    Sanvezzo - 210,000.00
    Teibert - 60,000.00
    Thomas - 35,125.00
    Watson - 68,250.00
    Young-Pyo - 196,900.00
    Stinson - 46,500.00
    Guest

    MLS Week in Review – Round 10

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    The tenth round of MLS began on Thursday with Portland’s ascension held by a scoreless draw at home against New England and concluded late Sunday night when Houston avenged consecutive MLS Cup Final defeats, at the very scene of such disappointments, with a one-goal away victory over Los Angeles.
    All told, eight matches littered the schedule, resulting in three home wins, two away victories, and a triumvirate of draws.
    The flurry of yellow cards that had marred the recent past, diminished slightly – only 21 this round – but there was an uptick in reds with four – thanks in large part to a three-card affair in Philadelphia that had Union coach John Hackworth livid with the standards of refereeing.
    17 goals were scored – one from the spot, two other attempts missed – and in many ways, that was the story of the weekend.
    Two of the more accomplished spot-kick takers – Federico Higuain and Landon Donovan – missed opportunities to give their sides the lead, only to see the opponent’s eventually win by a 0-1 score-line, both dropping points at home.
    It was Donovan’s second miss from twelve paces, having had his attempt in Dallas saved – another match decided by the only goal of the night – after having been a tidy 28 for 31 previously in his career. Higuain has less time in the league, missing his first penalty kick in only his third attempt.
    Their misses raise an interesting conundrum - what is going on with penalty takers?
    Previously thought to be a mere formality, the awarding of a penalty was as good as a goal for the attacking side, but after converting eight of nine to start the season, only one of the last four – and three of the last ten – have been transitioned into goals.
    A startling development and something to keep an eye on as the weeks progress.
    Before the results, the goal of the round.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    It was not a spectacular weekend for goals. There were some well-worked ones – Salt Lake’s pair on the break – both, in part, created by the diminutive Joao Plata; Kansas City’s relentless cut and thrust against Chivas; Tim Cahill scrappy game-winner, his third in two matches; and Danny Cruz’s brace for Philadelphia mere seconds apart (he looked as surprised as anyone) – were all considered.
    Fighting the temptation to award the honours to Toronto FC’s latest gaff – has any goal ever so perfectly summarized a side’s inability to perform the routine when faced with the weight of expectation – this week, the nod goes to Montreal’s Justin Mapp and his long-range, left-footed arc off the inside of the post.
    San Jose, it is fair to say, had dominated the match through the first twenty minutes, and could have had two goals by then.
    Marvin Chavez was a man possessed, flinging crosses into the box; the Earthquakes repeatedly asking questions of Troy Perkins in goal, who, equal to the task, stood on his head to deny their efforts.
    But as often happens, the opener came against the run of play.
    On the counter, as is their wont, Andrew Wenger and Marco Di Vaio combined to drop the ball back to Felipe in the centre-circle. He picked out Mapp on the right-side of the pitch with a simple pass. Shea Salinas tracking back, applied a modicum of pressure, but soon relented. Rafael Baca, Sam Cronin, and Nana Attakora were slow to collapse on the in-form midfielder – a goal and assist midweek in the Voyageurs Cup – and Mapp, moving in-field, seized the opportunity of time and space.
    From some 30-plus yards out his sweetly struck left-footer dipped as it snuck past Jon Busch at the near-post.
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/j9SbWG4DVEw?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    One of those goals that makes onlookers pop out of their seats and shout, “What?” And it was only slightly less-annoying to TFC fans than Edson Buddle’s late decider – it’s been a tough week.
    Results in Brief
    Portland 0 – New England 0
    In Thursday night’s lone fixture red-hot Portland were held to score-less draw at home by the bulwark-ish defenses of New England and a few well-timed saves from Bobby Shuttleworth in goal.
    A reworked Revolution back-line featuring Stephen McCarthy, Darius Barnes, and the recalled from loan to Rochester, Bilal Duckett – in place for the injured AJ Soares and Andrew Farrell, the ill Kevin Alston, and the suspended Chris Tierney – enforced a first shutout of the season on the Timbers, maintained New England’s third clean-sheet in four matches, and earned a precious road point after snapping a five-game winless skid with a 2-0 win over Philadelphia last weekend.
    Caleb Porter’s Timbers remain unbeaten through their last seven matches and stake their claim as the surprise performers of the first months of the campaign with 14 points from nine matches and are tied for third in the West. Jay Heaps Revolution will look to continue their two-game unbeaten run into a busy week that pits them against Salt Lake and New York back at Gillette Stadium.
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dLSV-8OS6Co?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    Columbus 0 – New York 1
    Red Bull keeps rolling thanks in part to the aforementioned Higuain penalty attempt saved by Luis Robles, stealing the points in the final minutes when Cahill nabbed his third of the season with a looping header.
    A Lloyd Sam cross from the right fell to Jonny Steele at the back-post, his volley was parried back into the middle by Andy Gruenebaum, where Cahill reacted quickest with a looping header just beyond the reach of the recovering keeper in the 80th minute.
    Brandon Barklage had tripped up Eddie Gaven less than ten minutes earlier to concede the spot kick but the Argentine playmaker failed to convert, snapping Columbus’ home unbeaten streak at twelve, and continuing New York’s domination of the Crew – a third-straight win and unbeaten in five stretching back to 2010.
    Columbus coach Robert Warzycha can bemoan the miss, and applaud Red Bull’s ability to neutralize his side’s aerial threat, while Mike Petke, after struggling through the early fixture list, will enjoy a third-straight win – and a fourth in their last five – as New York moves into a tie for first in the East with Kansas City.
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/LuC6AkvF1QM?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    San Jose 2 – Montreal 2
    San Jose pressed, but wasted chances allowed Montreal to steal a two-goal led through a Mapp brace, against the run of play.
    His first earned goal of the round plaudits, while his second capitalized on a bit of static defending two minutes into the second half when Andrew Wenger pounced on a blocked Andres Romero pass and set up Mapp for a tap-in at the back post.
    Rookie threat Adam Jahn scored his third of the season twelve minutes later, finishing a nice bit of interplay between Chavez, Chris Wondolowski, and Sam Cronin with a calm strike across the keeper into the left-side of goal from the right side of the box. Cronin himself found a stoppage-time equalizer when Wondo cushioned a header from a long Walter Martinez ball down to the midfielder, who took a touch and struck to the same corner, from a little further out, as Jahn.
    Frank Yallop’s San Jose won the Supporter’s Shield last season on the strength and quantity of their late goals, but this season’s inability to find the back of the net – only eleven goals through ten matches – is a concern as their winless run stretches to six. Marco Schallibaum will lament the late concession, but will take pride in how his side have fought through a difficult run in the schedule – unbeaten in three, not including their midweek triumph.
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jnFvqgbFIPM?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    Philadelphia 2 – Seattle 2
    A contentious match that ended in controversy – a non-call on supposed a Leo Gonzalez handball that blocked Conor Casey’s last-minute attempt – had Philadelphia manager John Hackworth fuming, “Look, I’ll raise my hand and take the fine,” he said. “Because it has to be said that we cannot be in this league and have this level of play and have officiating be as bad as that.”
    He’s definitely right; he will indeed be fined for those comments.
    Seattle took an early lead on ten minutes, when Eddie Johnson escaped his marker on a right-sided Mauro Rosales corner kick and keeper Zac MacMath could not keep his downward header from squirming over the line.
    Danny Cruz put the Union back in front with a one-minute brace that began five minutes into the second half – the first, a rebound after Casey’s header hit the right-post and the second, following a blast from Jack McInerney that slipped through the hands of Michael Gspurning, struck the bar and fell to the physical midfielder at the top of the box for a low finish.
    Rosales leveled thirteen minutes later, finishing off a nice series that saw Mario Martinez thread Gonzalez down the left-side of the area to hang a ball to the back-post, where both Rosales and Johnson were ready to pounce.
    From there the match descended into chaos, Lamar Neagle and Sheanon Williams were both shown reds after going head-to-head following a meaningless altercation in the 84th minute and rookie full-back DeAndre Yedlin was dismissed one minute into extra time, for a hack on Michael Farfan.
    Philly may have been left fuming at the officials, but Seattle’s Sigi Schmid, shorn of five starters – Steve Zakuani, Obafemi Martins, Marc Burch, and Shalrie Joseph to injury and Ossie Alonso, who remained with his wife who recently gave birth to a daughter (Paulina, for those interested in that sort of thing) - will take the point and ready his side for a pair of tough fixtures at Kansas City and home to San Jose that could go some way to rectifying the Sounders poor start to the season.
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/WfV3UhJ6tQ4?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    Colorado 1 – Toronto 0
    Argentine young designated player, Matias Laba’s debut performance for Toronto seemed destined for a score-less draw until late misery once more doomed the club to a soul-sapping loss in Colorado.
    Defensive miscues – Darren O’Dea being knocked to the ground and Logan Emory whiffing his clearance and slipping, allowed Buddle to smash the loose ball into the back of the net in the 86th minute of play – are one thing, but Robert Earnshaw wasting glorious chances and Colorado keeper Clint Irwin denying Luis Silva from range defined the match.
    Rapids coach, Oscar Pareja had done his scouting and committed four attackers in the final throes, snapping his side’s two-game winless skid with a valuable three points amid an injury streak of outrageous proportions; Ryan Nelsen must get to the bottom of these issues as the Reds concede at the death in a fourth-straight match after a humbling loss midweek in Montreal.
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MZAVURSGGNM?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    Salt Lake 2 – Vancouver 0
    Vancouver’s struggles on the road – last won in July of 2012 – continued with a disappointing performance in Salt Lake.
    Joao Plata and the Salties crisp passing twice shredded the Whitecaps defense on the counter with Luis Gil nabbing the first with a header after a quick restart from Nick Rimando. The Salt Lake keeper moved the ball up-field to Plata who sent an early cross behind the back-line in the second minute after the restart. Javier Morales doubled the advantage in the 71st after some slick ball work between himself, Sebastien Velasquez, and Plata saw the attacking midfielder slipped in – his low right-footed shot beat Joe Cannon in goal.
    The ever-surly Jason Kreis will have enjoyed the strong display from his side and will smile – if only privately – at the result after a woeful match against Los Angeles last weekend. Martin Rennie and bulldog Nigel Reo-Coker were left pondering the effort of their players, calling them soft, as their winless streak stretches to seven matches.
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Sw0Pqgrtu3o?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    Kansas City 4 – Chivas 0
    Kansas City, fresh off a humbling loss to Portland, battered Chivas from pillar-to-post, but only really pressed their advantage after Chivas keeper, Dan Kennedy was dismissed twelve minutes into the second half.
    Claudio Bieler scored his fifth of the season at the end of the first, capitalizing on a misplaced back-pass and hard-work from his teammates and later added his sixth, from the spot, after Kennedy upended Paulo Nagamura, conceding a penalty and seeing red.
    Graham Zusi continued his scintillating form, adding a goal to his assist on Bieler’s opener, touching a Josh Gardner left-sided cross in past second-string keeper, Patrick McLain - who began his MLS debut in vain, watching helplessly as Bieler stroked his second of the night from twelve yards.
    CJ Sapong rounded out the scoring in the 87th minute in a similar fashion, touching in a right-sided Mechack Jerome cross for his first of the season.
    Peter Vermes shuffled his lineup – with Peterson Joseph and Jacob Peterson in for Benny Feilhaber and Sapong - and will be pleased with their response; Chivas’ El Chelis could only hold his hands up post-match and congratulate the victors.
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RRUmuJtmqRc?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    Los Angeles 0 – Houston 1
    The final match of the round was a rematch of the last two MLS Cup Finals, with Los Angeles and Houston again meeting on the Home Depot Center pitch.
    LA had won their last six meetings at their home ground, but Houston had taken the last two league meetings in the regular season.
    It was a tight affair with neither side opening up the match for fear of being punished.
    Houston blinked first; in the 25th minute Tally Hall rushed out to confront Jose Villarreal - after Donovan had played him through with a wonderful leading ball off the outside of his right-boot – bringing the attacker down and conceding the penalty. Donovan stepped to the spot, but his weak attempt was saved by Hall, diving to his left to parry.
    The Dynamo recovered quickest from that surprise, taking advantage of a slow to recover LA back-line – Bobby Boswell sent a long ball for Giles Barnes up the right side of the pitch, Barnes continued down the side of the box and cut a pass back to the opposite top of the area where Andrew Driver was ready with a low first-time shot to the near-post, into the corner of the goal past Carlo Cudicini.
    The result saw Houston push into a four-way tie at the top of the East, with New York, Kansas City, and Montreal all tied on 17 points and kept LA from making up further ground on Western leaders, Dallas – they sit in a three-way tied, with Salt Lake and Portland on 14 points in second.
    Bruce Arena saw a missed Donovan penalty result in a second 1-0 loss for his team and will have to address that touchy subject, while Dominic Kinnear will inwardly revel at having addressed that haunting jinx and store that feeling in his pocket, should fate see them once more showdown there for the silverware.
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/F7zBYpzuOgg?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    CanCon
    The Canadian Content section has been expanded into a separate feature and will be available around noon on Tuesday.
    Overheard
    Yallop’s barely-concealed rage at having conceded on Montreal’s first attempt, despite dominating in his in-game interview was palpable.
    Kreis calling out a reporter in the post-game interview in response to whether Devon Sandoval’s performance was a step back for the young striker – “Man, you’ve got really bad questions tonight.” – was amusing. He is a prickly individual at the best of times.
    But most entertaining was the stipulation that no weapons were allowed at Rio Tinto Stadium for Star Wars Day. No light-sabers, no blasters. Not sure if droids were allowed on the premises.
    See It Live
    El Chelis’ modern trench coat ensemble was striking – and the Univision announcers called him Telly Savalas, which was both amusing and accurate.
    Other than that it was pretty tame. Logan Emory desperately hoping the ground would swallow him up was the definition of the expression – apologies for continuing to harp.
    Upcoming Fixtures
    A whole slew of midweek action – six matches - will make this the busiest week of the season to date, with all but eight clubs pulling double duty.
    Wednesday: DC-Houston; New York-Montreal; New England-Salt Lake; Kansas City-Seattle; Dallas-Portland; San Jose-Toronto. Saturday: Chicago-Philadelphia; Montreal-Salt Lake; Seattle-San Jose; Vancouver-Los Angeles; New England-New York; Columbus-Colorado; Dallas-DC. Sunday: Portland- Chivas; Houston-Kansas City.
    Parting Thoughts
    A few questions to ponder and discuss:
    What is going on from the spot? Are keepers, with their video sessions and reams of data, more prepared than ever or is it just a run of dumb luck?
    With separation beginning to emerge between the contenders and the pretenders – especially in the East – who can use this crucial double-game week to claw their way back in? Or will the leaders build on that gap?
    How long will it take the league to hand out Hackworth’s suspension? Last week was a busy one for both the disciplinary committee and the appeals council, as Steven Lenhart and Chris Tierney were handed supplemental discipline and the red card appeals of Jeff Larentowicz and Brad Davis were upheld. Who’s next? Any plays from this weekend worthy of appeal or punishment?
    Does Houston’s win at the scene of their previous depantsing mean anything? Can that experience serve them well when next they meet – which can only be in the playoffs?
    Did DC use their bye week wisely to address their issues? Is Martin Rennie the most bombastic manager in the league with his declarations and insinuations? Are his threats, to weed out any uncommitted individuals, for real or just for dramatic effect? Can Nelsen stop the rot and build a ninety minute side? What must Laba be thinking of his new club and can he make the difference?
    And Montreal, are they really one of the best teams in the league? Or will they crumble like pretenders once the grind and the summer get into full swing?
    Until next weekend – or in this case, Wednesday.
    Each week James takes a look at the league as a whole.
    You can follow James on twitter @grawsee or read more of his writing at Partially Obstructed View
    Guest

    MLS Musings - Week Ten

    By Guest, in AFTN,

    With a busy midweek ahead of games, we finally got back to watching the week's games in a timely manner.
    So here's our latest weekly, sometimes offbeat, look at the best and worst of the week's MLS action. We took your suggestions on board and either embedded videos of our best/worst selections or included links. So what did week 10 of the 2013 season throw up for us?
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    <b><u>Games This Week:</u></b>
    The week kicked off on Thursday evening with a dull game in PORTLAND. Neither the home side, nor NEW ENGLAND could find a way through and it was pretty boring to watch at times. Surprising considering how both teams have played this season. The Revs will be very happy to come away from the great unwashed with a point. There's not going to be many teams doing that with the Timbers in their stride. Or maybe there will be now after the loss of Mikael Silvestre. After the horrible start to his MLS career, the experienced defender had settled and was looking strong. Obviously not strong enough.
    The weekend kicked off with three games at 1pm our time. The game we chose to watch live was the one in SAN JOSE. MONTREAL went in at the half a goal up from a fantastic long range strike from Justin Mapp, that had some swerve on it. With the pressure San Jose subjected them to and the chances they had, it was hard to believe the Impact went in with the lead. They had Troy Perkins to thank for a string of good saves and the defence for staying strong. Hopefully Vancouver's management team were watching. Not so much for how to play against Montreal in the Voyageurs Cup, but for how to defend period. It was soon two not long after the restart before the trademark Earthquakes comeback and stoppage time goal that tied it up. It's getting a bit boring now guys. Not that we'd want to see that continued never say die spirit in Vancouver. From a Whitecaps point of view, it was bad to see San Jose get a point but at least it showed us a way to penetrate Montreal, who totally fell out of the game after their second goal. Still some V Cup hope then.
    From one Western Conference rival to another, and SEATTLE travelled east to take on PHILADELPHIA. And another fightback. Seattle showed Vancouver how they need to play on the road, especially against Eastern opposition. After they took the lead, Philly came roaring back and should have tied it up in the first half. In the end, two goals in just over a minute from Danny Cruz seemingly had them in the ascendency and almost coasting. Then just after their assistant coach was on TV saying they'd like to kill off the game with some possession football, Seattle scrambled the equaliser. The Union had their chances to grab a third, including some right in front of an empty net, and should have had a last second penalty, but it seemed their luck was just not in. The game exploded into a red card fest late on. First we got a ridiculous double sending off late on. Not ridiculous for the ref issuing the cards, he wasn't really left with much choice, but because Lamar Neagle and Sheanon Williams were absolute idiots to even get involved like that at that point of the game. Twats. It's going to really hit Philly hard, as they lost Jeff Parke with an injury in the first half. Seattle then went down to nine, when loo brush head, DeAndre Yedlin, either got a straight red for his hair looking shit or a late tackle from behind or both. Eddie Johnson was also lucky not to see red moments later for a kick out.
    After all that, the other early start had a lot to live up to. It didn't really oblige. NBC picked the dud of the three. It's not that it was a bad game, it wasn't. It just wasn't anywhere near as good. NEW YORK made it three away wins in a row with a wonderfully taken header from Tim Cahill with nine minutes left. COLUMBUS know they should have taken at least a point and probably all three. New York started okay, but it was the home side making most of the running. They missed a penalty but that was really as close as they got. The Red Bulls' Roy Miller was lucky not to pick up a second yellow, which could have changed the course of the game. It was a good penalty save from Luis Robles, but man, is he an adventure in goal for New York. Looks decidedly dodgy.
    I shouldn't complain about that game really as Saturday rounded off with two games that seemed watching paint dry a more appealing hobby.
    The latest VANCOUVER road debacle will be covered a lot more elsewhere on here. Let's just say that REAL SALT LAKE were no great shakes and never had to get out of first gear. Yet that was still way more than enough to see off the little challenge that the Whitecaps posed them. Two goals thanks to quick thinking by RSL and I don't know what defensively by the Caps. Too many regulars just not cutting it and changes need to come. It's time for a long hard look at the players, the tactics, the formations and the manager before it become a lost cause.
    Just when you thought you'd watched the least entertaining game of the weekend, along comes COLORADO's win over TORONTO. Now usually you can enjoy Toronto losing to another late goal no matter what, but by the time this winner had come around I was numb and really wondering why I went for the full game option and not the highlights one. Robert Earnshaw could have won it for TFC before the late hit, but his miss was heavily punished. No real positives to take from the game. Even the goal was scrappy as hell and three points for Colorado just meant Vancouver's night got even worse as they slumped to second bottom of the West, with no signs that anyone is plugging the holes in their boat.
    Thankfully the action picked up again on Sunday as KANSAS CITY took the game to CHIVAS in some style and equalled the highest win of the season so far in MLS. It was four goals going on more, with wave after wave of KC attacks from the first kick off, yet they only managed to lead by one at the half. Chivas have come back well in the second half of games this season but they stood no chance in this one and KC continued where they left off after the break. The Goats cause wasn't helped by the sending off of Dan Kennedy for conceding a penalty. No matter how many times I've watched the replay, I can't decide 100% whether he made contact with Paulo Nagamura or not. KC added another two and Chivas had nothing in reply. KC are a very entertaining team to watch of late. Have to say I look forward to their games on MLS Live. Even more so if they have the commentary in English, unlike this one.
    The week rounded off with a rematch of the last two MLS Cup finals and this time Houston got a little revenge with the only goal of the game in the second half. Not a fantastic game for the neutral but at least there was a dreadful penalty from Landycakes, which Tally Hall easily saved. A great result from a Whitecaps point of view. Now if only we could actually help ourselves.
    The week's results have seen Vancouver slip to 8th spot but despite all the doom and gloom, we only sit five points off second. On paper that's great, but unfortunately we're playing on grass and turf and it's hard to see just where the Caps will get their next win from right now.
    <b><u>Outfield Player of the Week:</u></b>
    For single handedly dragging Philadelphia back into their match against Seattle, and for scoring two unassisted goals against the Sounders, Danny Cruz was our runner up in this week's award.
    The winner this week though was Kansas City's CLAUDIO BIELER. Two goals, a third ruled out for offside and 35 successful passes as he ran Chivas ragged. Always looked busy throughout and earned some nice points for my fantasy team in the process!
    <b><u>Goalkeeper of the Week:</u></b>
    Montreal's TROY PERKINS may have conceded twice, including a late equaliser, but he produced a string of top save to keep his team in the game at San Jose. They could easily have been down and out by half time. He's been a real difference maker for them this season.
    <b><u>Goal of the Week:</u></b>
    Tim Cahill's headed winner for New York was nice. A precision finish. I also loved the tight angled finish of Danny Cruz's second goal for Philadelphia against Seattle. Good build up play too and a stunning finish that gave Seattle no chance of keeping it out. Andrew Driver hit a sweet strike too for Houston to win in LA.
    RSL's Luis Gil's opener wasn't the best finish you'll see all weekend but the quick thinking of Nick Rimando to set it up and the great wham-bam execution of the move really caught our eye. Yes, the Whitecaps defence also had a helping hand, but it was a nice goal. That was probably our runner up.
    We're giving the winner though to Real Salt Lake's JAVIER MORALES. Not really so much for his finish but just the whole move that led to the goal. Yes, more defensive mistakes from Vancouver, but the move started in RSL's own penalty box when they forced a giveaway. 8 passes and 22 seconds later it was in the back of the Whitecaps net.
    <center>

    </center><b><u>Save of the Week:</u></b>
    Montreal's TROY PERKINS produced a fantastic one handed stop on a goalbound Chris Wondolowski header in the first half of the game in San Jose. What made this save even better for me was Perkins' quick reactions. He was seemingly down and out after trying to get to an Adam Jahn header that crashed off the bar, but somehow got up and turned the ball away from Wondo when it looked like a certain goal.
    (WATCH: http://p.mlssoccer.com/SAu5a/video/1715294/mls_2013-05-04-162934.640hq.mp4
    <b><u>Funniest Moment of the Week:</u></b>
    We love FRANK YALLOP. He was great on our "West Coast Soccer" podcast and is always good for a quote. During the first half, the San Jose commentators asked him how he felt being a goal behind despite San Jose dominating - "It pisses you off" was his reply. Straight shooting as always.
    <b><u>Tackle of the Week:</u></b>
    Two ex Whitecaps had a coming together in San Jose, with Montreal's JEB BROVSKY looking at the greater picture and stopping a dangerous Earthquakes break in its tracks by shoving Shea Salinas into the advertising boards. Sure it got Brovsky a yellow, but it possibly saved his team from worse as it was 2 on 3, but could have soon become 3 on 3 with the Earthquakes having a lot of space.
    (WATCH: http://p.mlssoccer.com/SAu5a/video/1715308/mls_2013-05-04-163708.640hq.mp4)
    <b><u>Stat Attack:</u></b>
    After Week 10 - 85 games
    <b>Total goals in week</b> - 17 (185 this season)
    <b>Average goals per game</b> - 2.13 (2.18 ave this season)
    <b>Highest scoring team</b> - Sporting KC (4 goals)
    <b>Biggest win this season</b> - 4-0 LA v Chicago (2/3/13) & KC v Chivas (5/5/13)
    <b>Goals scored by feet</b> - 13
    <b>Goals by headers</b> - 3
    <b>Goals scored by other body parts!</b> - 1
    <b>Goals inside box</b> - 14
    <b>Goals inside six yard box</b> - 3
    <b>Goals outside box</b> - 3
    <b>Penalties awarded</b> - 3, only one scored (20 this season)
    <b>Clean sheets</b> - 7 (48 this season)
    <b>Sending offs</b> - 4 (17 this season)
    <b>Bookings</b> - 21 (250 this season)
    <b>Total attendance this week</b> - 130,132 (1,469,316 total for season)
    <b>Average attendance this week</b> - 16,267 (17,286 average for season)
    <b>Highest attendance this week</b> - 20,674 Portland v New England
    <b>Highest attendance this season</b> - 40,150 Seattle v Portland (16/3/13)
    <b>Lowest attendance this week</b> - 10,074 San Jose v Montreal
    <b>Lowest attendance this season</b> - 7,121 Chivas v Columbus (2/3/13)
    <b><u>Fantasy Football Highs and Lows (after Week 10):</u></b>
    This is mainly my attempt to keep my interest in the competition going beyond the first few weeks this season, which has been my downfall in the past!
    <b>Highest Scoring Goalkeeper</b> - Luis Robles (New York - 58 points)
    <b>Week's Highest Scoring Goalkeeper</b> - Luis Robles (New York - 15 points)
    <b>Highest Scoring Defender</b> - Aurelien Collin (KC - 77 points)
    <b>Week's Highest Scoring Defender</b> - Mechack Jerome (KC - 10 points)
    <b>Highest Scoring Midfielder</b> - Graham Zusi (KC - 76 points)
    <b>Week's Highest Scoring Midfielder</b> - Graham Zusi (KC - 14 points)
    <b>Highest Scoring Forward</b> - Claudio Bieler (KC - 48 points)
    <b>Week's Highest Scoring Forward</b> - Claudio Bieler (KC - 12 points)
    <b>Overall Highest Scoring Club</b> - Sporting KC (596 points)
    <b>Overall Lowest Scoring Club</b> - Toronto (334 points)
    <b>Week's Highest Scoring Club</b> - Sporting KC (91 points)
    <b>Week's Lowest Scoring Club</b> - Chivas USA (16 points)
    <b>Best Weekly Score so far</b> - Los Angeles Galaxy (94 points - Week One)
    <b>Worst Weekly Score so far</b> - Chivas USA (16 points - Week Ten)
    <b>Highest Scoring Club Defence (inc GK)</b> - Dallas (326 points)
    <b>Lowest Scoring Club Defence (inc GK)</b> - Philadelphia Union (121 points)
    <b>Highest Scoring Club Midfield</b> - New York Red Bulls (248 points)
    <b>Lowest Scoring Club Midfield</b> - Columbus Crew (98 points)
    <b>Highest Scoring Club Forwards</b> - Columbus Crew (112 points)
    <b>Lowest Scoring Club Forwards</b> - Seattle Sounders (33 points)
    <p>
    Guest
    When I was growing up, we'd routinely collect the neighbourhood kids for games of road hockey on weekends. One of them was a Portuguese kid named Tobias, about five years younger than me. He'd bring his stick and plenty of enthusiasm -- but at around 4 p.m. on any given Saturday or Sunday, his broom-toting mom would beckon him back to the house with shrill calls of "Tobias!... Tobias!"
    It was too late for lunch and too early for dinner... quite frankly, none of us really understood why he was being ripped away from our games at 4 p.m. with such regularity. But we'd come to expect it. Check your watch. It's getting close to 4 p.m. Time for what we all know is coming.
    "Tobias!.... Tobias!"
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Every once in a while, she'd fail to emerge at the expected time. We'd take this as a positive sign. Maybe she'd finally calmed down. Maybe he'd actually be able to stick around for full games. Hell, maybe she'd fallen down the stairs and we wouldn't have to hear that shriek anymore (hey, kids are assholes, what can I say?)
    (Yes, I'm using this same stupid fucking post for the FOURTH WEEK IN A ROW, which I'm sure is annoying for the reader, but nowhere near as annoying at TFC pulling the exact same fucking shit for the FOURTH WEEK IN A ROW.)
    But soon enough, there she'd be, twice as loud -- as if to compensate for her delinquency -- with the cry we all knew was going to come. Why, oh why, did we think she'd ever stop? We would need to always keep an eye on our watches at 4 p.m., even if she missed a week here and there. We'd never truly be rid of her interference, no matter how our games were going, or how old we got.
    I tell this story for two reasons. One, as an attempt to take everyone's minds off of yes, yet another (if you can believe it) catastrophic, points-dropping, last-minute concession by Toronto FC. And two, as a way of reminding us all that the occasional hiccup should not make us forget certain inalienable truths about the universe: Tobias's mom will always call him back in the house at a strange time. And Toronto FC will always, always, always make things terrifying at the ends of games.
    Now, on this occasion, many TFC fans will take solace in ... well, not much of anything, really. You can only slam your head against the wall so many times until you eventually slump into unconsciousness, as it were.
    So, here the Reds sit, with seven points from nine league games... and a fanbase likely participating in one (or, in a bit of cognitive dissonance only long-time TFC fans can successfully pull off, both) of the following activities:

    bemoaning the fact that it could have very easily been 14 points, if not for the late concessions against Philly, Los Angeles and Houston and New York and fucking Colorado, are you serious, how the fuck can this keep happening?
    happily shrugging "hey, that's seven points better than last year at this time! Progress!"

    If you're still doing the second one at this point, you're being ridiculous. Seriously. This team could literally have twice as many points as it has if it were capable of playing beyond the 80-minute mark. Yeah.
    It's potentially instructive to know that one week, Tobias never came out to play road hockey. We knocked on his door, no answer. The next week, same thing. Turns out, he moved away without telling any of us. Something we'd come to expect after years and years of the same... all of a sudden, without explanation, it stopped.
    So, hey. There's always hope.
    Some of us are stupid and deluded enough to still believe that. But most of the city has long since moved on, I'm afraid.
    Guest
    Vancouver Whitecaps' road hell continued, going down 2-0 to a Real Salt Lake side that showed what a difference clinical finishing can make to a team.
    For all of the Caps speed merchants, it was the quick thinking and quick acting of the home side that led to second half goals from Luis Gil and Javier Morales, with the Whitecaps once again failing to heed the "you snooze, you lose" lessons dished out to them in recent weeks.
    Vancouver's two keys to the game were the same as they have been for most of the season - stop making defensive errors and mark up better, and convert more of the numerous chances they have been creating.
    Once again they did neither and once again they came away from a road trip with nothing to show for it apart from regrets and a lot to work upon, slipping further behind the pace with those above them in the Western Conference.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    As expected, Martin Rennie rang the changes again, making six alterations from the team that beat Edmonton on Wednesday night, with changes in every aspect of the pitch apart from in goal.
    The game started in pretty lacklustre fashion, with both sides enjoying possession but failing to create any clear goalscoring opportunities.
    Real Salt Lake were by far the more lively looking team, with a number of dangerous balls being played into the box, which the new look Caps backline did well to deal with.
    Chris Wingert fired wide for the home team from long range, as they piled the pressure on Vancouver, without troubling Joe Cannon.
    The Whitecaps' closest opportunity came when Andy O'Brien headed onto the top of the net in the 34th minute, but it wasn't even close to forcing a save out of Nick Rimando, who was having a very easy night of it.
    Chris Schuler got on the end of a corner with six minutes of the half remaining and sent a dangerous header across the Caps goal but out of play.
    It had been a horrible first half to watch and even the referee couldn't bring himself to play the full amount of time he'd indicated to add on, blowing a halt to proceedings a few seconds early.
    The game finally burst into life two minutes into the second half following some quick thinking from Nick Rimando.
    The RSL keeper saw that Vancouver were slowly heading back to their own half after an attack and sent a quick goal kick deep into the Caps half to Joao Plata. The winger send a perfect ball into the middle and Luis Gil ran in unmarked to head home the opener from seven yards out.
    It was an easy goal for Gil and once against slack Vancouver marking let him ghost in unchallenged and cost the Caps dearly.
    The Whitecaps finally got a decent chance a minute before the hour mark, when Daigo Kobayashi rose to head the ball down to Camilo, but the Brazilian could only curl his effort over from just inside the box.
    Corey Hertzog almost brought the Whitecaps level in the 62nd minute coming close as he ran on to a long ball and flicked the ball off Rimando and trickling towards the goal. He could only to look on agonisingly and see Nat Borchers clear the danger off the goalline, although it looked like it didn't have enough pace to have crossed the line anyway.
    Reo-Coker blocked a Javier Morales shot in the box three minutes later, which he didn't know too much about, with the referee waving away RSL claims for a penalty.
    Hertzog was unable to get his foot on the end of a great Reo-Coker ball across goal in the 71st minute and the Caps were immediately punished when RSL went straight up the pitch and doubled their lead.
    Salt Lake sub Sebastian Velasquez held off the attention of Alain Rochat and played the ball into Plata. The little Ecuadorian got his second assist of the night when he cut the ball inside to Javier Morales and the DP easily swept home to make it 2-0.
    Vancouver made a double substitution to try and kick start some offence. Apart from an initial spurt, nothing was forthcoming.
    Real Salt Lake easily saw out the remaining minutes, coasting to the final whistle and under no pressure from Vancouver getting back into the match.
    Another away defeat is now becoming the norm, but the nature of this one leaves a sour taste in the mouth, as you felt that RSL hardly had to get out of first gear to get the job done.
    The home side, missing key performers, didn't do much themselves, but they did all they needed to do to see off a toothless Caps side.
    The pressure is now mounting on both the management and the players. The more they fall off the pace at the top of the West, the more changes will need to be made.
    The transfer window remains open until Monday.
    FINAL SCORE: Real Salt Lake 2 - 0 Vancouver Whitecaps
    ATT: 17,480
    REAL SALT LAKE: Nick Rimando; Tony Beltran, Nat Borchers, Chris Schuler, Chris Wingert; Kyle Beckerman, Luis Gil (Sebastian Velasquez 54), Ned Grabavoy, Javier Morales; Devon Sandoval, Joao Plata (Carlos Salcedo 89) [subs Not Used: Josh Saunders, Lovel Palmer, Olmes Garcia, Khari Stephenson, Kenny Mansally]
    VANCOUVER: Joe Cannon; Young-Pyo Lee, Andy O’Brien, Johnny Leveron, Alain Rochat (Tommy Heinemann 75); Nigel Reo-Coker, Gershon Koffie; Daigo Kobayashi, Camilo Sanvezzo (Kekuta Manneh 67), Russell Teibert; Corey Hertzog (Darren Mattocks 74) [subs Not Used: Brad Knighton, Jordan Harvey, Jun Marques Davidson, Erik Hurtado]
    <p>
    Guest
    Toronto FC is on the road in Colorado Saturday night for their first game outside of the Eastern Time Zone since the season opener in Vancouver back at the start of the March. 9 dropped points from their last 12 available at home mean that the Reds will have to start finding some unlikely road wins if they want to avoid slipping into early irrelevance in the MLS playoff hunt.
    Granted, getting very excited for a game from Dick’s Sporting Goods Park has never been particularly easy. Even more since it now sometimes seems like the Colorado Rapids inhabit a parallel universe to Toronto FC’s.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    A consequence of Major League Soccer’s move to a more conference based unbalanced schedule in 2012 has been the slow erosion of the relevance of intra-conference games in the opposite conference from the team you support. It’s not just that Toronto FC will only play the Rapids once in 2013 it’s that in 24 of their 34 games the Rapids are playing other Western Conference sides that TFC will also only play once. So the Reds themselves are rarely playing the teams that Rapids most often play.
    Over time it’s quite easy to lose contact with the storylines and become only vaguely aware of a team like Colorado. While they may have won the 2010 MLS Cup Championship it’s probably not a stretch to suggest that a not insignificant number of Toronto FC supporters only fuzzily recall that fact even if the final was staged in front of them at BMO Field. With the absence of the glamour of the LA Galaxy, consistency of Real Salt Lake, rivalry with Vancouver, or passionate atmosphere of Portland and Seattle there is too often very little reason, from a Toronto perspective, for making the effort to know what’s going on with the Rapids.
    Even a number of the more recognizable faces from their championship side no longer wear the Rapids’ burgundy: midfielder Jeff Larentowicz and the iconic strike partnership of Conor Casey and Omar Cummings have all been moved on to different teams around the league. Colorado head coach Oscar Pareja has continued his attempt at rebuilding former coach Gary Smith’s team into a side more comfortable with the possession tactics he favours.
    While a disappointing 2012 campaign meant that Pareja started the season under some pressure to deliver results that project has been hampered by an injury list that puts even Toronto FC’s to shame. Regular goalkeeper Matt Pickens is shelved with a broken arm while outfielders Diego Calderon and Jaime Castrillon are both out after requiring knee surgery. Veteran midfielder Pablo Mastroeni has been attempting to work his way back into a regular role with the team but still sees his minutes limited due to post-concussion symptoms.
    Former Red Edson Buddle was expected to lead the line for the Rapids as their main offensive threat in 2012 but has been sidelined by knee pain and only managed 191 minutes and three starts. Another major offseason Rapids signing, Chilean Kevin Harbottle, is currently listed as having a knee sprain.
    In spite of all of that somehow Colorado started picking up points with some consistency in April after a very poor March. Wins over Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA are a few games back now but the Rapids will take confidence that they’re remaining more competitive after a hard fought draw in Houston last weekend.
    On the other hand, home losses to mediocre sides like Philadelphia and Seattle reveal that the Rapids are far from invincible at DSG Park and should give Toronto encouragement. Further to that, all indications are that Young Designated Player Matias Laba has been cleared to play and is set to debut for the Reds.
    After the disaster in Montreal in midweek Toronto now have no distractions from their league campaign. For the first time since 2008 there will be no extra CONCACAF Champions League games played in the summer at BMO Field. If the games that do remain are to be meaningful however the Reds will have to bounce back soon and one win from eight pace will not be enough to keep them relevant.
    Guest
    KEY PLAYERS
    Attacking
    There is no doubt that Russell Teibert has taken a step in his progression to be a regular MLS starter but the next step for him is to be a consistent performer on the road. His breakthrough performance was at home against RSL, where he was able to make timely runs that stretched the backline. The Canadian midfielder will be needed to make those runs and accurate passes to counteract the possession game of RSL.
    The potential loss of their top strikers means that former TFC player Joao Plata will be needed to find the net for RSL. The diminutive Ecuadorian is ranked with the third most shots on the team but has yet to register a goal in seven appearances. While not an aerial threat in the box Plata is a speedy player who is capable of slipping through traffic and is a threat to score on the counter.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Defence
    There may be a chance that the Whitecaps will use Nigel Reo-Coker as their holding midfielder in place of Jun Marques Davidson who played 90 minutes on Wednesday. While he is capable of being the destroyer and disrupter that most look for in that position, Reo-Coker can provide spark as an attacker which will leave the RSL attack unbalanced. Not needed in the midweek fixture, the midfielder will be rested enough to push the team forward and recover in order to protect the backline.
    It was clearly Nick Rimando who saved a point for RSL in the last match against the Whitecaps with his spectacular saves. He has been forced to work more this year than in previous seasons and he is on pace to make over 120 saves, which would be the most since his first year with the club in 2007. The keeper, who was once traded for Jay Nolly, is small in stature but covers a lot of his net with his ability to read the match and his athleticism.
    WHO’S ON FORM
    In his longest appearance since the opening day Kekuta Manneh brought back Vancouver with a goal and an assist to earn a point a week ago against FC Dallas. It was his clinical finish that got him his first MLS goal, while his run down the left channel with pace helped set up the tying goal. The teenager may not start against RSL but he should provide a difference off the bench if the Caps are looking for a spark.
    With the potential loss of their top two strikers RSL will need Javier Morales to step up his game which he has in the last few matches. He has a goal and an assist in his last three starts and was the team’s best player in the 2-0 loss to LA Galaxy last week. The Argentine playmaker is capable of finding players with his pinpoint passing but can be slowed down with some physical play.
    PROJECTED LINEUP

    Vancouver Whitecaps (4-4-2)
    R to L - Joe Cannon; Y.P. Lee, Andy O’Brien, Johnny Leveron, Alain Rochat; Nigel Reo-Coker, Gershon Koffie, Russell Teibert, Daigo Kobayashi; Corey Hertzog, Camilo Sanvezzo
    Real Salt Lake (4-4-2)
    R to L - Nick Rimando; Tony Beltran, Nat Borchers, Chris Schuler, Lovel Palmer; Kyle Beckerman, Ned Grabavoy, Luis Gil, Javier Morales; Joao Plata, Devon Sandoval
    2013 RECORD
    Vancouver Whitecaps:
    2W-3D-3L-9PTS
    7th in Western Conference
    Last Match: 2-0 Win vs FC Edmonton (NASL)
    Real Salt Lake:
    3W-2D-4L-11PTS
    5th in Western Conference
    Last Match: 2-0 Loss vs LA Galaxy
    OVERVIEW
    Vancouver Whitecaps return to MLS action as they hit the road and face Real Salt Lake at the imposing Rio Tinto Stadium. Coming into this game the Caps currently are in the middle of three game unbeaten streak in all competitions which include a couple of wins against FC Edmonton of the NASL. However take those two games away and the club is have yet to register a win in their last six MLS matches.
    Many questions abound when it comes to the starting eleven for this match, with the biggest coming to as who starts in the net. Does Rennie go with veteran Joe Cannon who could be faulted partly for the goals allowed last week or does Brad Knighton get the call for his first MLS start of the season? With changes elsewhere, Cannon should continue for now.
    The backline will have shuffling as well. It appears that Brad Rusin has not travelled, which means Andy O’Brien will start his fifth match in two weeks. Will he be partnered with Johnny Leveron for his first MLS start or does Alain Rochat slide into the middle meaning Jordan Harvey starts on the left opposite Y.P. Lee? We're going with Leveron, and the Honduran showed a good understanding with O'Brien in the last two Voyageurs Cup games, which will help with the communication aspect.
    There are even more questions in the midfield where Rennie could go with a 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2 diamond. In order to provide more of an attack from a deeper position Nigel Reo-Coker may start as the holding midfielder with Gershon Koffie, Russell Teibert and Daigo Kobayashi in front of him.
    One of the remaining spots up top will go to Camilo who seems to be back in the form from two years ago. With Kenny Miller still out with a hamstring injury, the other spot will manned by Darren Mattocks, Corey Hertzog or Tom Heinemann.
    In the previous matchup it was Hertzog who gave fits to the RSL backline with his workrate, even if he was unable to provide much in the way of goals. If he can wear down the central defenders then they may be more susceptible to the pace of Mattocks off the bench. His goal on Wednesday night and his overall second half performance should see him get the nod over a confidence sapped Mattocks.
    A big advantage for the Caps will be if their opponents will be without their first two options at striker as both Saborio and Findley are dealing with knocks. This will allow the Caps to start Reo-Coker in front of the backline as there will less of a threat from the forwards. It may also be a perfect time to throw Leveron into the mix who may match up better than Rusin against the smaller Plata.
    As normal in a match against RSL the battle of the midfield will be the key for the Caps to secure some points. The Caps will have little chance for any result if they allow RSL to control possession and patiently build their attack from the back.
    More high pressure will be needed in order to keep Salt Lake off balance and avoid any service to their inexperienced strikers. They can’t allow any space to their midfielders especially the dynamic Morales and Luis Gil.
    The Whitecaps are ending their most difficult part of the season when it comes to fixture congestion as they played a total of five matches in two weeks, including a couple of matches against FC Edmonton of the NASL. While only one player, Andy O’Brien, played every minute over those two weeks there is still a disruption to the normal training when midweek games are involved.
    There has also been a disruption to the continuity of the lineup on the pitch as Rennie has been forced to rotate his squad in order to keep everyone fresh. A positive can be taken out of it as they were able to get some performances from some unexpected players which will continue to increase the strength of their roster depth.
    The Whitecaps have yet to win this season on the road and it won’t be easy for them to get their first at Rio Tinto. However if they can duplicate their performances at home on the road, a positive result is possible for the Caps.
    <p>
    Guest

    Come on (New York) City!

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Increasingly it seems like Don Garber is going to get his dream of a second New York club as the 20th expansion team in MLS.
    When the commissioner was in Toronto recently, he all but said that the announcement would be made near the end of May. It doesn’t take much connecting of the dots to conclude that the timing of that probably means that the group lead by Sheik Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan is probably who has won the bid.
    See, Sheik Mansour owns Manchester City and City is in New York at the end of May to play a friendly against Chelsea. One can already picture a press conference outside Yankee Stadium with Don and the Sheik standing side by each holding up a sky blue MLS strip with 20 on the back. For good measure they’ll likely announce that City will be the league’s dance partner at the all-star game (maybe for a few years running, now that the club is directly involved in the league).
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    However, it remains to be seen just how much City itself would be involved in the running of NYCFC (and the league registered two trademarks – New York City FC and City FC in January, so you can expect that is what the branding will be). Just because Sheik Mansour owns the MLS team doesn’t mean that City owns them. They could operate separately.
    Understandably, many MLS fans are concerned about another potential sub-club in the league. Chivas USA has long been the weak sister of its Mexican parent club and the results on and off the pitch have demonstrated how problematic that is. MLS fans assume that a similar situation would occur with NYCFC.
    Complicating that is perceptions about Sheik Mansour and the part of the world that he comes from. As we’ve seen with his ownership in Manchester there will always be some that question what his “real” motivation is and whether he’s truly committed to the project long-term. Despite literally no evidence that he plans to abandon Manchester City, there remain a large sub-set of fans that are convinced he’s going to pull out on a whim one day. There is nothing I can say here to convince those people otherwise.
    A more legitimate concern is whether Sheik Mansour understands the challenges that NYCFC might face and whether he realizes that he can’t make it Man City Junior and expect success. There is simply no way to know whether he understands that.
    The closest thing a fan can point to is that Sheik Mansour has been responsive to local needs in Manchester. Unlike, say, Vincent Tan, Sheik Mansour did not go into Manchester hell-bent on reshaping the image of the club, nor did he ignore its history. Speaking as a long-time City fan, the only thing Sheik Mansour changed about City was that he helped them win more (which, in fairness, is a dramatic shift in the club’s culture).
    I see no reason why he wouldn’t try to integrate himself and the club to the local needs of NYC. Even on a cynical level, it would be more profitable for him to do so.
    Still, you have to wonder why he’d buy a MLS team, and shape it in City’s brand, if he didn’t think it would benefit the big club in some way. Understanding whether he can be successful in this venture requires you to speculate as to what his goals are with NYCFC in regards to MCFC.
    There are two obvious advantages that can be gained – one focuses off the pitch and the other on.
    On the pitch, gaining a foothold in the NYC youth development world is obviously a good thing. Other Premiership teams have academies in North America, but City’s would be unique in that it would be directly tied to a professional opportunity. That would make it a more desirable destination for many – especially if Sheik Mansour puts the type of money into the academy set-up that he is capable of.
    Even if the very best academy prospects are poached to Manchester, a big investment into development in NYC can only help MLS long-term (not to mention American soccer in general). So, it’s difficult to see how this would be a problem.
    The more controversial way that Sheik Mansour could be using NYCFC is to expand MCFC’s “brand” in the United States. NYCFC would need to be very careful in doing that. American soccer fans are sensitive to being seen as a second choice and if NYCFC comes across as a "farm team," it will fail.
    Even wearing the iconic sky blue and white might be a mistake. It’s hard to see many Arsenal, or Chelsea, or United, or…fans in NYC supporting a team that was that associated with one of their main rivals. It’s unclear whether any cross branding with MCFC would work.
    Simply put, if NYCFC is to be successful it has to have a strong connection to NYC.
    Hopefully Sheik Mansour and MLS understand that.
    Guest
    Everywhere else in the world, youth clubs benefit from a young player coming through their system and catching on with a professional side. The money that they receive goes back into their system and it further strengthens their infrastructure and helps to further professionalize the game.
    That cash influx is what motivates them to spend the time and resources they do into developing young talent.
    In Canada, that motivation is largely volunteer based. Things are changing, the game is being professionalized, but will the attitudes on monetizing change with it?
    CSN spoke to Jason deVos, former national team player, TSN analyst and a member of the group organizing the OPDL on what clubs like Toronto FC should be doing to give back to the youth clubs.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    “It’s something that I have even suggested to Toronto FC, they need to get to a place where they give something back to the clubs. For me, it doesn’t have to necessarily be a monetary exchange; it could be something in the form of coach development or club development or curriculum,” deVos said.
    “There are all kinds of areas of need that go on at youth soccer clubs – especially non-profit clubs – margins are so narrow, they’re literally are just trying to keep the lights on, some of them. There is almost a morale responsibility like Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal to give something back to that community.”
    It’s long been the case that youth soccer in Canada hasn’t been run by professionals. That’s changing and the clearest example of that is the OPDL, a league that deVos has been involved in helping to come to fruition.
    “The goal for OPDL is to have a league that goes from U13 to U17 and then jumps to U23 – so we have sort of a model that, based on hockey, that the standards for professional development are there from the age of 12 through to the age of 23,” deVos said. “We have to take the game more seriously in this country if we’re ever going to dig ourselves out of the lot we’re in. That’s going to take a lot but this is a step towards that.”
    Strangely though, Toronto FC, hasn’t been intimately involved in the discussions involving the OPDL. It’s irked some that the biggest club in Ontario and this region of the country has taken a hands off approach to youth development outside of their own academy. A wealth of players continues to fall through the cracks in their own backyards.
    “I think that’s going to change. I’ve talked to Kevin Payne about this and he says this is definitely something they need to get more involved with and he has plans to discuss it with the OSA,” deVos said.
    More than anyone, Toronto FC stands to benefit from having a development factory in the region.
    “I want Toronto FC at the table for all the discussions for the OPDL because they have a big role to play in that. If we’re brutally honest, on the male side, they are the primary beneficiaries,” deVos said. “If this goes well and it goes the way its intended to go, they are going to get a constant stream of talent players coming out of that league that they can handpick from. And that, more than anything, should be motivation for them to get involved.”
    “I don’t know about financials, as that seems to be a different way here, but there should be absolutely something. Whether that’s coaching or other means, we have to complete the loop for those clubs to get something more out of it.”
    The series will continue next week.
    Guest

    MLS Musings - Week Nine

    By Guest, in AFTN,

    Late again. So many games to watch, so little time. Damn you life and work for getting in the way.
    Anyway, Week 10 has kicked off tonight but we still wanted to run this, so here's our latest weekly, sometimes offbeat, look at the best and worst of the week's MLS action.
    We took your suggestions on board and either embedded videos of our best/worst selections or included links. So what did week 9 of the 2013 season throw up for us?
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    <b><u>Games This Week:</u></b>
    It was nice for the three Canadian sides to kick the week off and nicer still for Toronto to give us some more last ditch laughs.
    You certainly don't want to leave TORONTO games early. They did nothing for about 80 minutes, then snatched a great equaliser after some horrible goalkeeping by Luis Robles, only for NEW YORK to snatch it at the death with TFC giving up another late goal and this time a winner. Toronto certainly looked a poorer side than they have done in recent weeks, but Tim Cahill and Thierry Henry just made the Red Bulls tick. Henry's brilliant dummy on the first goal was the move of the match. The reserve side in the Voyageurs Cup on Wednesday put in a more gutsy performance for TFC, albeit against a reserve Montreal side, but if they can do it again this week, it may raise a few selection issues for Ryan Nelson.
    MONTREAL kept their charge in the east on course with a comprehensive win over CHICAGO. It was another game light on thrills and excitement at times, but the Impact did what they needed to do and when they got around to doing it, it was in some style. Jeff Larentowicz's sending off was harsh and wrong. Clearly not the last man stopping a goalscoring opportunity and I think he went because the ref thought it was a penalty. Did it change the end result? You can't possibly know but the gut feeling was no. The win leapfrogged the Impact back to the top of the East. Everyone's waiting for their bad spell and for tiredness to hit the oldies, but at the moment there doesn't seem to be any sign that either of those will happen.
    The diving DALLAS roadshow hit VANCOUVER as we all know by now. They flipped, they flopped, they dripped, they dropped. Between that and the Caps comeback, a lot of heat and attention was taken of another decidedly dodgy defensive performance from Vancouver. Not to mention the continuing inability to take their chances. DALLAS didn't look world beaters and the way the Caps fought back should give a bit of a boost and clues to the other Western teams as to what they need to do against them.
    There was an entertaining game in NEW ENGLAND where the Revs hosted the Union. A very comfortable 2-0 win for New England over PHILADELPHIA. As comprehensive a win as a two goal one can be. Both of the Revs goals came from well worked moves and they played some nice passing football all game. As I've been saying, I haven't seen much to impress me from Philly for most of this season, but have liked how the Revs have been playing and their league position belies the football they've been producing. Bit confused as to why they have a few random people sitting in amongst the tarped off areas behind one of the goals. Looks bizarre.
    COLUMBUS's game against DC was explosive before kick off, or at least their scoreboard was. Not what you see everyday. Pity it wasn't the Fire that were the visitors. Would have been best away fans tifo ever. It was also a bit fiery during the ninety, with seven bookings dished out by a card happy Sorin Stoica. I did like the yellow he gave to Agustin Viana for timewasting though. Viana went down, went off injured, looked like he needed to be subbed, came back on, immediately went back to the deck and got booked. Would like to have seen how Stoica dealt with Dallas on Saturday. As for the game, Columbus were very good at taking their chances. They only had seven shots the whole game, three of them were on target and they won 3-0. DC suffered a case of Vancouvering (new meaning being that they created lots of chances but failed to take them). A staggering 21 attempts at goal from the visitors and nothing to show for it. Therein lies the reason that this talented team are currently sitting bottom of the whole of MLS. I've enjoyed watching them this season and they should be much higher up the table than they are. Imagine DC playing Vancouver right now. We could be looking at over 50 chances in a game and it ending 0-0.
    The KANSAS CITY - PORTLAND game was one of those matches that you want to sit people down to watch that either don't like football or don't rate MLS. What a cracker. Game of the week and you couldn't have really argued with the end result however it ended up. As it turned out it was the Timbers that got the points in a five goal thriller that saw our Cascadian rivals fight back twice in the first half then take the decisive lead in the second. KC had their chances to not only tie the game but enough of them to go on and win it. It was one of those games that we may look back on and cite as the turning point in Portland's season. Sadly for the Whitecaps, the Timbers have got over their early growing pains and are starting to look like a very cohesive and dangerous unit. This was a huge win for them. Going to a place like KC and coming away with all three points will give them so much confidence and they look like another team that are set to leave Vancouver behind.
    The more teams that do that, the less likely that the playoff will look for Vancouver and this weekend will see what could be a turning point match for them as they head to SALT LAKE. RSL are coming off the back of a 2-0 defeat to a much weakened LOS ANGELES at the weekend. In saying that, it's hard to refer to them as weakened when the young talent they have can put in a performance like this. Two goals up in the first 14 minutes and you started to think it was going to be a rout. RSL got back into the game and pressed hard towards the end and suffered from Mattocksitis with their chances.
    Saturday rounded of with a surprisingly entertaining game between CHIVAS and SAN JOSE. Chivas were woeful in the first half, then came out all guns blazing for the second and made it fun to watch. More points dropped by San Jose, who will feel gutted that they didn't come away from Carson with all three points. They played some nice football but couldn't get the job done. It's becoming a regular occurrence for them this season. Chivas' defending for the first goal was horrible. Very Vancouveresque. There was a horrible tackle in the second half when Steven Lenhart left his foot in twice on Mario de Luna. All accidental of course, with no booking, but you just felt he knew what he was doing. The Goats may not have many fans but kudos to the ones they do have. I loved their player tifo behind the goal. Didn't look fantastic close up, but from a distance was very smart.
    The final game of the week came on Sunday as HOUSTON continued their undefeated home streak, this time against COLORADO. Now 36 and counting but they were made to work very hard for it, coming from behind and coming away with a draw. Jamie Smith had hit the post at 1-0 to the Rapids, but the Dynamo also hit the bar twice. A draw was probably a fair result in the end but coming away with a point was big for Colorado and, of course, bad for Vancouver.
    So the week's games leave Vancouver still sitting in 7th but starting to fall of the top three places more with each passing week. For now, it's just that 5th spot that matters and Real Salt Lake hold that for now, making this coming weekend's game all the more important for both sides.
    <b><u>Outfield Player of the Week:</u></b>
    Hard to look past two goal hero Tim Cahill, but we are! New England's Whitecap reject, LEE NGUYEN, had a stand out game. One goal, one assist and a lot of important leg work for the Revs, including 37 successful passes, one more than Cahill!
    <b><u>Goalkeeper of the Week:</u></b>
    He didn't have a lot to do, only four saves in total, but what he did have to do he did very well indeed. So take a bow New England Rev keeper BOBBY SHUTTLEWORTH. He kept a clean sheet and was strong under some late Philly pressure, but his early stop on a one on one break by Danny Cruz could have changed the course of the whole game.
    <b><u>Goal of the Week:</u></b>
    Regular readers will know that I love a good build up to a goal more than just a spectacular strike when it comes to this category. If you can have both, then perfection. ANDRES ROMERO's opener for Montreal had all I could ask for really. The move started with a Chicago goal kick then 36 seconds and eight Montreal passes later (including it being back to the Impact keeper), Romero got the ball, took it into the box, gave himself room then curled a beauty into the postage stamp corner. Very nice. Very nice indeed.
    <center>

    </center><b><u>Save of the Week:</u></b>
    There were a few nice acrobatic stops this week from Clint Irwin, Donovan Ricketts and Brian Rowe, but we mentioned it above but BOBBY SHUTTLEWORTH's stop on Danny Cruz early into the Revs-Union game probably changed the whole course of the match.
    It looked like Cruz was all set to round the keeper and tuck the ball into an empty net, but Shuttleworth got a vital hand to it to guide it away and allow the Revs defence to recover and close down the opportunities. If Cruz had given Philly that early lead, they would have played a different game and we'll never know if the Revs would have gotten themselves back in to it, but it would have been a struggle. Not acrobatic. Not dramatic. Just vital and shockingly not even nominated for the official 'goal of the week' award.
    (WATCH: http://p.mlssoccer.com/SAu5a/video/1705882/mls_2013-04-27-195222.640hq.mp4)
    <b><u>Funniest Moment of the Week:</u></b>
    Towards the end of the game in Kansas City, one of the ball boys threw the ball back at Portland keeper Donovan Ricketts and it smacked him straight in the face. They made up and shook hands after the incident unfortunately, but I really hope it was deliberate. There's a few players in MLS I'd love to see smacked in the face by a ball.
    (WATCH at 7 seconds mark: http://p.mlssoccer.com/SAu5a/video/1706132/mls_2013-04-27-223232.640hq.mp4
    <b><u>The Come On Ref Moment of the Week:</u></b>
    Sticking with the KC-Portland game, with the game in stoppage time and KC pushing for the equaliser, Portland keeper Ricketts held on to the ball for 14 seconds before kicking it up the field. I know people hated the call against the Canadian girls in the Olympics for the six second rule, but I really wish it was called more and consistently. Really pisses me off that it isn't - unless of course it's my team that's doing the timewasting!
    <b><u>Cock Up of the Week:</u></b>
    There's a couple of dodgy keepers in MLS right now and New York's LUIS ROBLES came up with a howler for New York that let Toronto tie the match up. If you come out that far (almost outside the box) to get the ball, you have to get the bloody thing.
    <center>

    </center><b><u>Stat Attack:</u></b>
    After Week 9 - 77 games
    <b>Total goals in week</b> - 27 (168 this season)
    <b>Average goals per game</b> - 3 (2.18 ave this season)
    <b>Highest scoring team</b> - Columbus and Portland (3)
    <b>Biggest win this season</b> - LA 4-0 v Chicago (2/3/13)
    <b>Goals scored by feet</b> - 20
    <b>Goals by headers</b> - 6
    <b>Goals scored by other body parts!</b> - 1
    <b>Goals inside box</b> - 26
    <b>Goals inside six yard box</b> - 6
    <b>Goals outside box</b> - 1
    <b>Penalties awarded</b> - 1, scored (17 this season)
    <b>Clean sheets</b> - 4 (41 this season)
    <b>Sending offs</b> - 3 (13 this season)
    <b>Bookings</b> - 28 (229 this season)
    <b>Total attendance this week</b> - 159,634 (1.339,184 total for season)
    <b>Average attendance this week</b> - 17,737 (17,392 average for season)
    <b>Highest attendance this week</b> - 20,186 Kansas City v Portland
    <b>Highest attendance this season</b> - 40,150 Seattle v Portland (16/3/13)
    <b>Lowest attendance this week</b> - 9,732 Chivas v San Jose
    <b>Lowest attendance this season</b> - 7,121 Chivas v Columbus (2/3/13)
    I know we haven't done the fantasy football stats for a few weeks but they will definitely return next week since we have a lot more time on our hands and will get this out before the next round has started!
    <p>
    Guest
    As first reported in the Toronto Sun, Samuel Piette could find himself in trouble after making a joke referencing Hitler on social media.
    You can see his post here:
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

    Complicating the situation is that Germany has very strick censorship laws regarding references to Nazi Germany. What might be seen as a joke by a young person like Piette could be viewed as hate speech in Germany.
    That would be an extreme reaction, of course, but the lack of judgement and sensitivity could easily put his job at Fortuna Dusseldoft in jeopardy.
    It also leads to questions about what the CSA's social media policy is and what type of training is offered players that represent Canada internationally. CSN has reached out to the CSA and will report back if they respond.
    Guest
    Do you really want to talk about this?
    Toronto FC went into Montreal and only needed not to get blown out to advance to the final of the Amway Canadian Championship. A fifth straight Voyageurs Cup was that close.
    Instead, the Reds made history. The 6-0 loss is the worst in franchise history and is now on a short list of games in the discussion for the TFC game that most made you want to take up a new hobby.
    The 5-0 loss to New York, the game that would have seen TFC through to the playoffs with just a draw, still probably tops the list, but last night was damn close.
    They played without shape, talent, desire, talent, intensity, talent, organization and talent.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    It wasn't pretty. And, it illustrates just how misguided notions of TFC's turnaround having started are. They sit 16th overall with less than a point a game. Now, they are out of the Voyageurs Cup. The reality of what this summer might look like is starting to dawn on even the most optimistic fans.
    And that's hard. No one expects a complete turnaround overnight (although talk of 5-year rebuilding plans are silly in a league like MLS). What fans want is a good effort and a bit of hope.
    TFC gave us neither last night. That's shameful and no one's fault but the players and managers involved.
    Hopefully the result is the reality check the club needs: Losses like that can't happen again. They've lost the trust of the fan base. If you can't win every game you at least have to compete. They didn't last night. Again, shameful.
    Compete: That's all that the fans (that still remain) ask. It's not asking much. At all.
    Guest
    In the wake of the team's resounding, embarrassing, gut-churning, tournament-ending 6-0 loss to the rival Montreal Impact in the Voyageurs Cup semifinal, Toronto FC fans have been left with many questions.
    But foremost among them is the question: What team achievement can they possibly use as a rallying point from this point forward?
    "Even with all the late losses, the dropped points, the missed playoffs... we could always fall back on the Miracle in Montreal and the four straight Voyageurs Cups," said one Toronto FC supporter, who quite understandably asked not to be identified. "Now, not only is the streak over, we can't even use '6-1' as a way to mock Impact fans anymore.
    "What the hell are we supposed to hold over Montrealers' heads now?"
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The supporter briefly considered harping on the Impact's heartbreaking, near-incomprehensible breakdown against Santos Laguna in the 2008-09 CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals, until he realized Toronto proceeded to crap the bed against that very same Santos Laguna team in 2011-12.
    He was then reminded that TFC did reach the tournament semifinals that year, a first for a Canadian team. But that excitement was tempered by the realization that a year earlier, Real Salt Lake had gone one step further, becoming the first MLS side to reach the final of the current incarnation of the competition.
    "I mean, getting to the CCL semis was great, don't get me wrong, but if we're gonna come up with something to justify our ongoing emotional investment in this club, it's gotta be something conclusive, y'know?" he said, before scratching his cheek by reaching under the paper bag being worn over his head.
    He then began to rattle off what he defined as "conclusive" moments in the club's history, since its first season of MLS play in 2007.
    "We had the goalless streak in Year One, that was a record-breaker, but not really the right kind...
    "Then we broke another record with the losing streak to start last year. Hmm, again...
    "Oh, 5-0 against New York in the last game in 2009, with a potential playoff berth on the line, that was pretty conclusive... wait... dammit!"
    At this point, the TFC supporter turned away from a Reserve Squad reporter and temporarily removed the paper bag in order to take a long, contemplative swig of beer.
    "Ummm..."
    The man plaintively stared at the peeling paint on a nearby wall, desperately searching for a moment -- just one moment -- of unbridled triumph in Toronto FC's history that hasn't somehow been marred by subsequent events or circumstances.
    After a long sigh, a eureka moment as he leapt from his chair.
    "I've got it!... Seat cushions! What other team covered the field in commemorative seat cushions after their first goal? None! No others! Only us! Twenty-fourth minute, baby! TFC till I die!"
    As the minutes passed, the smile gradually faded from his face and he sat back down at the bar stool and let out an audible groan.
    "Another round, please."
    .
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