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    Vancouver Whitecaps v FC Dallas Preview

    By Guest, in AFTN,

    KEY PLAYERS
    Attacking
    There was no questioning the work rate that target striker Tommy Hienemann brought to the match last week, which was his first start of the season. Some may question his ability to finish the chances provided to him but he was able to score the winner as he consistently does the dirty work around the box.
    There is no doubt that FC Dallas Captain David Ferreira is one of the most skilled players in the league but he still is one of the most hated due his ability to go down at the slightest touch and draw fouls. The Colombian is the main playmaker for the Texas club. He leads them in assists and seems healthy, playing every minute this year.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Defence
    A surprise starter to some on Wednesday, Andy O’Brien may have had his toughest start as he made a mistake on each of the goals scored by Edmonton. Playing his third game in seven days will be a challenge for the veteran especially going up against Perez in this match.
    There are few very weak points in this Dallas club but Raul Fernandez has to be considered one of them. He had some shaky moments last week and is capable of both winning and losing the game for his team.
    WHO'S ON FORM
    Compared to last season’s start the Caps are giving up more goals but the blame can’t be laid at Joe Cannon’s feet as he has been solid in net. There have been very few goals for which the veteran can be blamed for and seems to have saved points for the Caps with some spectacular saves.
    After going goalless in his first two starts Blas Perez has returned from international duty to score three times in his last four appearances. While the team has balanced scoring the Panamanian has to be considered their main threat and he has scored 12 times in 23 games since joining MLS.
    PROJECTED LINEUP

    Vancouver Whitecaps (4-3-3)
    R to L - Joe Cannon; Y.P. Lee, Andy O’Brien, Brad Rusin, Alain Rochat; Jun Marques Davidson, Nigel Reo-Coker, Russell Teibert; Daigo Kobayashi, Kenny Miller, Camilo
    FC Dallas (4-2-3-1)
    R to L - Raul Fernandez; Zach Lloyd, George John, Matt Hedges, Jair Benitez; Andrew Jacobson, Michel; Jackson, David Ferreira, Kenny Cooper; Blas Perez
    2013 RECORD
    Vancouver Whitecaps:
    2W-2D-3L-8P
    7th in Western Conference
    Last Match: 3-2 Win at FC Edmonton (NASL)
    FC Dallas:
    6W-1D-1L-19P
    1st in Western Conference
    Last Match: 2-0 Win vs Vancouver Whitecaps
    OVERVIEW
    After a couple of subpar performances on the road the Whitecaps will return to BC Place to face FC Dallas, the team that defeated them a week ago. While they did pick up a win against FC Edmonton, the Caps have gone five straight games without picking up three points in MLS play.
    Having played a midweek game for the first time this season there should be some changes in the lineup. However the keeper and defending positions will not be one of them as Joe Cannon returns in between the posts with Y.P. Lee, Brad Rusin, Alain Rochat and Andy O’Brien in front of him.
    The midfield spots have two players already slotted in with Teibert and Reo-Coker looking to start again. The third spot will have either Jun Marques Davidson or Gershon Koffie depending if Rennie is looking to attack or defend.
    Up top the Whitecaps have couple of options to man the attacking positions with the main striking position going to either Tom Hienemann or Mattocks as both are looking to establish themselves. The wings should have Camilo on one side with the other spot most likely going to either Erik Hurtado or Kobayashi depending on if Rennie wishes the Japanese international.
    A week ago there was no doubt the Whitecaps played their poorest match of the season against Dallas and are looking to redeem themselves this Saturday. Their biggest task in order to get a result is to establish tempo of the game and control the midfield something they couldn’t do in the previous match.
    The Whitecaps will need to tighten the midfield with their three players and allow the attack to come from the wide players like Lee and Rochat from the back. Even if they are able to attack from the wide areas the Caps need their attackers to support whoever the striker is in the box with extra bodies.
    Other than a victory for the Whitecaps the one thing that Vancouver supporters are looking forward to, is the return of fan favourite Eric Hassli. The big French striker returns to BC Place for the since being traded from the club to TFC last season.
    While he may not be in the starting eleven for his new team there is no doubt that when he makes an appearance there will be a roar from the crowd. There is also no doubt that Hassli will do everything in his power to score a goal and stick it Rennie, the man who shipped him away.
    The Whitecaps players will need to excuse themselves from the potential distraction of Hassli returning to Vancouver in order to secure a result. A loss to FC Dallas would have Whitecaps fall further behind in the standings and could see them fall into the second bottom spot of the Western Conference.
    <p>
    Guest
    Whenever we feel like doing it (and we haven't done one for a while, much to everyone's relief I'm sure, but it amuses us!), we think of a subject for a football team to be based around, then fill it with our starting eleven of current and recent MLS players with some appropriate name changes, or even better, just as is.
    Your scouting job is to come up with the subs bench, from any player from around the world, and leave your player suggestions in the comments section.
    We couldn't let the major footballing talking point of this week go by without mention, so here's the <b><i>"MLS Players Luis Suarez Might Want To Take A Bite Out Of XI"</b></i>...
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    <center>******************************************************************</center>
    <b>GK:</b> Bill Hamid (DC United)
    <b>D :</b> Banana Attakora (San Jose Earthquakes)
    <b>D :</b> Jeff Pork (Philadelphia Union)
    <b>D :</b> Bread Rusin (Vancouver Whitecaps)
    <b>D :</b> Chris Chicken Wingert (Real Salt Lake)
    <b>M :</b> Ducks McCarty (New York Red Bulls)
    <b>M :</b> Meat Watson (Vancouver Whitecaps)
    <b>M :</b> Reggie Lambe (Toronto)
    <b>F :</b> Clam Weaver (Houston Dynamo)
    <b>F :</b> Veal Bunbury (Sporting KC)
    <b>F :</b> Chickenny Miller (Vancouver Whitecaps)
    <p>
    Guest
    Oh, the difference a week can make. Six days ago, bitterly cold fans trudging out of BMO Field were left to consider that Toronto FC had blown a second straight lead in injury time to let two points slip away, hadn’t won since early March, and a familiar Toronto fear – another season over before it began – was starting to look possible.
    It didn’t help that the New York Red Bulls, the Reds’ opponents on Saturday, had just come off a fine 4-1 victory at home to New England which, combined with a win in DC the weekend before (sandwiched around a home loss to an on-track Kansas City side), had finally started pulling them up MLS’s Eastern Conference standings. That’s before mentioning that Thierry Henry also seemed to be hitting form.
    Then Toronto went and won a home game while keeping a clean sheet for the first time since May 26, 2012, Dax McCarty got injured, and TFC announced an eagerly anticipated signing. Heck, even the weather was finally turning and the Leafs made the playoffs for the first time in some young Reds fans' memories. Suddenly, here in Toronto, we’re positively buoyant.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Granted, the win was basically Toronto Reserves beating the Montreal Reserves but the feeling it generated was such a relief that it felt psychologically significant. The advanced analytics crowd might have long since proven that momentum is an almost entirely imagined post hoc projection that tries to turn a series of random events into a narrative but narratives are most often how we experience our lives (and sports teams).
    TFC’s injury list might not be any shorter, they’re still winless in five in the league, and “Tobias” might not have really moved to Chicoutimi but, for Reds fans, this is often as good as it gets.
    Evaluating the Red Bulls is no straight forward task. Clearly, with players like Thierry Henry, Tim Cahill, and now former RSLer Fabian Espindola at their disposal they are a dangerous team who will threaten opposing defenses. Midfielder Johnny Steele has done better than expected after also moving from Salt Lake in adding a solid bite and energy alongside McCarty.
    The significance of McCarty’s absence is difficult to overstate. While he may not be the Bull’s best player and is certainly not as famous as some of his teammates he’s normally the one who serves as the glue in midfield and allows the more creative players the opportunity to get forward.
    It’s much easier to see how new New York head coach Mike Petke was prepared to deal with the absence of Juninho Pernambucano – the aging Brazilian star is still suspended for kicking a ball at Sporting KC keeper Jimmy Nielsen – than with McCarty, a player for whom he has few like-for-like replacements. Cahill will likely play deeper in central midfield but most observers would not suggest that he still has the ability to get up and down the field and cover ground the way McCarty does.
    Defensively the Red Bulls’ record is a reflection of their frailty at the back; especially on the road. Like Toronto, they are a team that has already dropped a significant number of points from winning positions. In fact, the Red Bulls enjoyed half time leads in Portland and San Jose (and almost in Chicago) yet only managed to pick up one point from those fixtures. Toronto has been turning leads into draws but New York has turned them into losses.
    The towering Jameson Olave is the final member of New York’s trio of transfers from Real Salt Lake and was expected to help rectify that situation. When on the field he adds presence and stability to the centre of defense but aging knees mean he has only played 583 out of 810 minutes for the club so far this year and his availability is a regular question mark.
    For Toronto head coach Ryan Nelsen the only certainty is that the focus of his preparation and use of the entire squad must be exclusively centered on Saturday’s game. While the cup is fun and has too often provided the only solace in miserable years thoughts of a fifth consecutive victory in the North American Backyard Pillow Fighting Championship cannot interfere with the club’s league campaign.
    Tough league games in Colorado and San Jose will not provide easy opportunities to pick up three points and, with McCarty’s absence and the confidence of Wednesday’s result to build on, the Reds have been handed a chance to keep moving towards long sought respectability in the standings.
    But this is Toronto, we’ve been here before, and clearly one should remain wary. For Reds fans, however, hopefully this is the time they actually seize on the positive and keep moving forwards rather than breaking supporters’ hearts the way they usually do.
    Guest

    MLSE gets their man

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Tim Leiweke is the new president of MLSE.
    This is a story that really has little to do with TFC, although that won’t stop fans from speculating. It especially won’t stop them from wondering if it might mean that Kevin Payne might be on a shorter leash than he was before.
    Certainly, Leiweke is far more informed about football than Tom Anselmi was/is and he does have a history of being involved with the most successful club in the league, the LA Galaxy. Having Leiweke on TFC’s side at MLS board meetings can’t be a bad thing.
    And, this is the guy that brought Beckham to LA – by meddling all over the football operations side of the Galaxy. Will that affect how TFC approaches future DP signings?
    Let’s just say Matías Laba isn’t his typical DP signing.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Still, as much of a mess TFC has been, the Reds are far from Leiweke’s biggest concern right now.
    For instance, the Raptors make TFC look like Bayern Munich. And, Leiweke is known to have deep connections in the basketball world. Could (another) Raptors savior (*cough* Phil Jackson *cough*) be on the way?
    What about a NFL team? There remains a lot of people in Toronto that want to bring the NFL to town and Leiweke might be seen as the man to do that (although MLSE’s love of the sizzle over the substance might bite them in the ass if they are thinking that way).
    And, no one wants to talk about the real reason Toronto might be hosting the 2015 Pan Am Games (*cough* 2024 *cough*). You’ll need a big stadium for that (that could, you know, host the NFL after) and Leiweke is good at stadium building.
    There is also talk that the hiring of Leiweke is really just the first step is MLSE buying his former company, AEG, outright. That wouldn’t win any trophies, but it sure would make a lot of money.
    Actually, that might make the most sense of all.
    Guest

    Payne gets his man

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Kevin Payne has his signature signing.
    Former Argentine youth international (5 caps) Matías Laba was signed as a young DP today. As a 21-year-old, his cap hit will be $200,000, $150,000 less than a full DP would cost.
    We don’t know the full contract value as the player’s union hasn’t released that info yet and MLS doesn’t tell fans anything.
    With the Leafs charging $800 for playoff tickets, we probably don’t need to worry about MLSE’s money, however, so it’s the cap hit that matters and that value will stay consistent at $200,000 until he is 24.
    Payne sees him being with the club for that long. He said today that he expected he would be a “mainstay of our team for years to come.”
    Make no mistake, this is the signing that Payne is putting his reputation on. It’s exactly the type of player that he said that Toronto needed and most of his off-season moves were designed to make room for this type of signing.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    What type of signing is that? Young, Latin and, within context, cheap – an Argentine DP is likely cheaper than a European DP would cost.
    The promise of Latin America has long been held up by fans of MLS as being the key to good value signings. Certainly, there has been some great players from the region – including arguably one of Toronto’s best players, Amado Guevara – from South or Central America.
    That has lead to a great deal of excitement amongst the TFC faithful about this signing. Laba plays a central midfield role and has made 72 appearances for the lower table Primera side Argentinos Juniors. He made nine appearances in the Clausura.
    Do not expect him to score. He never has in his professional career and has not added an assist either. He’ll likely take minutes away from Jeremy Hall or Terry Dunfield and play a similar role.
    The biggest concern will be how he adjusts to the physical nature of MLS. When Latin American players struggle in MLS it’s often because of that factor.
    Laba is just 5’9”, 154 lbs.
    Payne will be meeting the media later today to discuss the signing. We will update when more is known, if relevant.
    Guest
    Hello, good evening and welcome to Episode Five of <i>"There's Still Time"</i>, the AFTN podcast.
    Our guest this week is Canadian U17 captain and Vancouver Whitecaps' Residency keeper <b>Marco Carducci</b>. We talk to Marco about the recent World Cup qualifiers in Panama, look ahead to the finals in the UAE and chat about the Residency, his hopes for the future and more.
    We also hear Canadian Men's U17 head coach <b>Sean Fleming</b>'s thoughts on Marco and his future.
    Steve Pandher and myself take a look back at Vancouver’s double headers with Dallas and Edmonton and look ahead to the next two games coming up against them. Can the Caps play much worse and what is the road forward?
    And there’s still time this week for a new 'Bucket List'. What football experiences would you like to have in person before you kick the bucket?
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    So enough waffle, there's enough of that in the podcast. Have a listen, let us know what you think and what improvements we can make or new segments we can include.
    And don't forget to tell us your 'bucket list' suggestions below.
    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>.
    We've also just launched our new 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/'>http://aftn.podbean.com/mobile/" target="_blank">HERE</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 download it for your later listening delight <a href="http://aftn.podbean.com/" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>.
    Or you could just listen on one of the players below!
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    <p>
    Guest
    Prior to the game against Houston on Saturday, Darren O’Dea was yelling encouragement to the team to start strong, get their heads into the game and compete hard early.
    It is a shame that he didn’t send the same message to the squad prior kick-off against Montreal, because whatever was said in the clubhouse at the half worked well to change their approach to the game.
    The first half appeared to be the old TFC style, balls going to black holes and players trying to do everything themselves once in the attacking zone. It illustrated a lack of teamwork on the pitch that has become familiar to many of the faithful at BMO Field.
    With a change in approach for the second half, we saw a better side challenging Montreal. Since this club has not been together very long and the group on the field have not had even less time on pitch, it was impressive to see them all playing the same game and executing it as a team.
    It was positive to have Bostock and Califf back in the lineup and seeing both Kyle Bekker and Emery Welshman getting quality minutes puts some faith in me that management has confidence in these first year players.
    With the latter both being young Canadians, I also hope that they may grow into leaders with the national team building chemistry as teammates.
    Montreal were without key team members in Di Vaio and Nesta for the match, but with the return leg, Toronto could counter O’Dea and Earnshaw, adding maturity and experience to the Reds squad.
    The team lineups for next week’s return leg to Montreal should be an area of interest to both sets of fans. Last night was the Impact’s first match after a 10 day rest, but they now face a quick series of 6 games over the next 2.5 weeks.
    Toronto’s schedule is similar, but their 6 game sprint started with the 1-1 draw against Houston this past Saturday.
    Montreal could prove to be more focused on the MLS regular season and it could lead to a weaker side in the Canadian Championship, giving their top squad a rest before facing San Jose, New York and Real Salt Lake.
    For Toronto the 4 championship banners could have a factor on where to expend team energy. This championship could also be used as a rallying point to bring internal success and pride to TFC under their first year head coach.
    For people watching, this will create a competitive 2nd game in this series, the forecasted sunny 24C day in Montreal next Wednesday should also drive people to Saputo Stadium, giving the Impact a boost from the crowd.
    Caption The Photo


    Slideshow of images from Toronto FC vs Montreal Impact - April 24, 2013
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    Guest
    Images from the Toronto FC's first victory of 2013 at BMO Field.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

    Stefan Frei and Patrice Bernier wearing the captains armbands

    Justin Braun runs through the contact with Hassoun Camara


    Pressure in the midfield, with Wiederman playing a two-way game when given the opportunity to be in the starting 11.


    Conference prior to a free kick. Teamwork and communication are becoming more apparent as the season progresses.


    In classic MLS style, when a teammate scores, everyone gets a chance to rip their head off.


    Wiedeman pressuring the defenders.

    Concentration and awareness by the players in the box.


    Weiderman finds the net, while Montreal watch it head to the mesh.


    The look of disbelief and realization that even jedi mind tricks will not get that goal off the scoreboard.


    The triumphant return of Captain Stefan Frei. A clean sheet and honest smile for the supporters.

    Guest
    Four years in a row. Four years in a roooooow. We’re champions of Canada, four years in a row.
    The song rang out from BMO Field’s south end as the final seconds ticked off a decisive 2-0 victory over the Montreal Impact in game one of the two game Amway Canadian Championship semi-final.
    There would be no late game capitulation this time. The Toronto fans got to celebrate their first win at BMO Field since August 1, 2012.
    This is our house…again. Finally. For this night, at least.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The work isn’t over, of course. A two-goal lead is good, but hardly a sure thing heading into the second leg. Montreal dressed a lot of back-ups (as did TFC, to be fair) and can put out a stronger side on the return trip. The Reds must not go in thinking it’s over.
    However, last night was bigger than the tournament. It was absolutely needed for the psychology of the team. Even if they had won the game, but allowed a late goal it would have been damaging. A decisive win was what had to happen.
    So, what now? Can TFC build on the success? As we know all too well, cup success has never translated into league success for this team. It’s hard to say why – maybe the old cliché of them “wanting it more” than the other team’s applies. Regardless, it’s time the club figured it out.
    Based on the attendance last night it’s clear that, outside of a few fans that tend to be more engaged with the club, another Voyageurs Cup will have little impact on the perception that this is a doomed team. Shifting that is going to take a lot more nights like last night.
    In the meantime the fans that do care should simply enjoy the game in isolation. Doneil Henry’s goal was worth the price of admission alone and how can you not get a chuckle out of a goal from the greatest finisher of the modern era (and it was a nice finish).
    Seeing Stefan Frei back out there was nice too. He’ll likely get the start in Montreal next week and the fire that the young players showed was a joy to see.
    Fans can also take comfort in that there is another game that really matters in less than a week. After a year like 2012 when so few games had any meaning it’s nice to have a little bit of nervous anticipation before a game. Next Wednesday will have that.
    Most of all, fans should rejoice in the most basic thing of all – Toronto scored more goals than the team it as playing.
    Victory, and the chance to dream of something bigger. That’s the sweetest thing of all.
    Guest

    Post-Game Show - Impact 0:2 Toronto

    By Guest, in SoccerPlus,

    No conviction, no organization... and once more, no result for Les Bleus in their arch-rivals's lair.
    In this post-game show recorded in Toronto the day after the Impact's 2-0 loss to the Reds, you will here the completed post-game conferences from both coaches, as well as comments from Stefan Frei and Hassoun Camara.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    MLS' commish Don Garber was on site to watch that sorry spectacle and you will hear from him on how he thinks Toronto has been faring since the coming of Kevin Payne, a little bit of expansion and relocation info and how about his own personal future at the helm of the North American top flight.
    Also, Impact VP Richard Legendre on the ticket sale efforst and will there be an international soccer match in La Belle Province this summer.
    Click here to listen to our 45 minutes show: SoccerPlus - April 25, 2013
    Guest
    A brave FC Edmonton side were left heartbroken after having a semi final victory cruelly snatched away from them by Vancouver Whitecaps in tonight's Voyageurs Cup match up.
    Despite going down to an early Camilo free kick, the NASL side fought back to lead 2-1 at the half with goals from Michael Cox and Chris Nurse.
    As the game entered the final ten minutes, Camilo grabbed a second from the spot, after diving to win a penalty, in a decision which saw Edmonton coach Colin Miller sent to the stands.
    Worse was to come for the home side as Tommy Heinemann bundled home the winner in the 89th minute after Edson Edward's headed clearance crashed off the post and into his path.
    Vancouver seemed to have cut off all four feet of Edmonton's Rally Rabbit and have set themselves up nicely to reach another Voyageurs Cup final.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Martin Rennie rang eight changes from the starting eleven that lost in Dallas on the weekend, but those changes made for a stronger side than for the MLS match.
    There were three new faces in the backline, with Johnny Leveron making his full Whitecaps debut, and brad Knighton made his first start of the season in goal.
    Rennie surprised many by starting Andy O'Brien and Nigel Reo-Coker, an indication as to how seriously the Caps are taking the competition. The inclusion of Camilo Sanvezzo and Darren Mattocks up front was further proof, with both men eager and needing to prove their worth to the starting eleven.
    It only took the little Brazilian five minutes to do just that, hitting a low free kick past the wall and everyone else to nestle in the net. The Edmonton defence was left standing but Eddies keeper Lance Parker was thrown off by Darren Mattocks' air swing at the ball right in front of him.
    The Whitecaps had dominated the opening minutes but any thoughts of a one sided game were dispelled almost immediately when Edmonton tied things up just two minutes later.
    Lance Laing hit a long free kick from deep in the Edmonton half. Andy O'Brien tried to head the ball back to Brad Knighton but fell woefully short and Michael Cox nipped in before heading over the onrushing keeper with a fine finish.
    The goal gave Edmonton a lift and big Cox got the better of Andy O'Brien once again two minutes later and bore down on the goal. The Irish international managed to recover just in time to deflect the striker's on target shot past for a corner.
    The home side had now settled and were making the running, with Robert Garrett running at the Caps defence unchallenged before firing narrowly over in the 15th minute, after picking up a terrible giveaway from Gershon Koffie.
    Vancouver had fallen out of the game as any kind of attacking threat and it was no surprise when Edmonton took the lead in the 27th minute.
    Laing, whose set pieces and crosses had been great all match, whipped in a corner from the right on to the head of an unmarked Chris Nurse and the Englishman easily headed home from the edge of the six yard box.
    It was another goal lost to terrible Whitecaps marking. The usually so reliable Andy O'Brien was the man at fault once again and he was having real trouble handling Cox.
    Edmonton nearly made it three in the 30th minute.
    Laing was sent clear on the left and he whipped a ball to the back of the box and into the path of Garrett. The Northern Ireland international crashed a shot goalwards, which Knighton did well to parry at near point blank range. The rebound bounced off the head of Garrett, straight to Cox in front of goal and Knighton threw himself at the ball to deflect for a corner with the striker set to grab his second.
    Vancouver started to get a bit more possession and should have tied things up a minute before half time when Camilo sent a perfect cross into the box but Mattocks headed into the ground from six yards out and the ball bounced easily into Parker's arms.
    It was a terrible effort and just about summed up Vancouver's last forty minutes of the half.
    The Caps came out with more passion in the second half after a certain bollocking in the dressing room.
    Mattocks forced an easy save out of Parker four minutes in to the half and then O'Brien nearly made some amends for his defensive lapses with a header that troubled Parker in the 54th minute, but the Edmonton keeper dealt with the danger well.
    The Whitecaps started to dominate possession but were doing very little with it. Things changed dramatically however, much to the anger of the Edmonton management.
    Camilo Sanvezzo went down in the box in the 82nd minute after a clear dive but referee Silviu Petrescu had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and the Brazilian picked himself up to stroke the ball home and level the tie up.
    The decision sent Eddie's coach Colin Miller ballistic and he was sent off for comments to the fourth official, having been warned previously about his language.
    You could fully understand his anger, but it will just have got worse as the Whitecaps played their final 'Get out of Jail Free' card in the final minute.
    Reo-Coker sent in a cross from the right which Edson Edward looked to head behind for a corner. His header ended up crashing off the right hand post, straight into the path of substitute Tommy Heinemann and the big striker bundled the ball home to give Vancouver an unlikely, and an undeserved, 3-2 victory.
    Despite dominating possession 66.5% to 33.5%, Vancouver did little with it all night and not many of the players coming in will have done much to strengthen their case for a spot in the starting eleven.
    What that leaves as Martin Rennie's best starting eleven is anyone's guess right now.
    Edmonton will feel aggrieved by the final result and you can be sure they will be fired up for next week's second leg at BC Place.
    If they can get an early goal, it will make for an interesting night.
    FINAL SCORE: FC Edmonton 2 - 3 Vancouver Whitecaps
    ATT: 2,832
    EDMONTON: Lance Parker; Edson Edward, Mallan Roberts, Adrian LeRoy, Lance Laing; Chris Nurse, Neil Hlavaty, Robert Garrett (Edem Mortotsi 59), Daryl Fordyce, Shaun Saiko; Michael Cox (Sadi Jalali 85) [subs Not Used: John Smits, Antonio Rago, Massimo Mirabelli, Hanson Boakai, Michael Nonni]
    VANCOUVER: Brad Knighton; Greg Klazura, Andy O'Brien, Johnny Leveron, Jordan Harvey; Nigel Reo-Coker, Gershon Koffie, Russell Teibert; Daigo Kobayashi (Tommy Heinemann 65), Darren Mattocks, Camilo Sanvezzo

[subs Not Used: Simon Thomas, Brad Rusin, Erik Hurtado, Jun Marques Davidson, Kekuta Manneh, Caleb Clarke]
    <p>
    Guest

    MLS Musings - Week Eight

    By Guest, in AFTN,

    Our 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.
    Again, a busy week meant we just round to finishing watching the games now, so what did week 8 of the 2013 season throw up for us?
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    <b><u>Games This Week:</u></b>
    The week kicked off early with what on paper looked like a tasty match up as NEW YORK hosted KANSAS CITY. And it didn't let us down. A very entertaining games, with lots of action from both sides, especially in the first half. It felt like you were watching two of the better teams in MLS right now, no matter what the standings might say. New York came back down to earth with a bump though after their back to back wins and KC's clean sheet streak continued till the weekend. Shame the talking point from this great game was Juninho's stupid sending off. Dax McCarty was lucky not to see red earlier for a horrible tackle on KC's Uri Rosell, that saw him only pick up a yellow. New York had their chances and just couldn't convert them yet again. Graham Zusi was excellent for Kansas, but Aurelien Collin was outstanding for them. A few vital last ditch tackles at the back and the match winning goal with a bullet of a header. Oh what we could give to have him, or someone like him, in the Whitecaps defence right now.
    The weekend's action started in chilly TORONTO. It looked like it was going to be a cracker when HOUSTON almost capitalised on some sloppy Toronto defending in the opening seconds and then Robert Earnshaw soon crashed a shot off the crossbar soon after. Apart from another Earnshaw shot that ended up in the side netting, that was about it for the first half as the Dynamo gave another away showing on a par with their dismal display in Portland recently. How TFC ended up coming out of this game with just a point I do not know. Deservedly one goal up, to a Houston side putting in another fairly poor away performance and down to ten men. I thought Earnshaw had another good game, but then it all went wrong late on in the game once again on a goal that they should never have given up. I have to admit, there were a lot of snickers.
    And talking of a lot of snickers, someone who looks like he's had his fair share of them over the years is Sigi Schmid, and his Flounders got their first league win of the season, spoiling our enjoyment of the 2013 MLS season even further. So it's not just the Caps doing that. There were spells in the game where it was looking like it was all starting to finally come together for SEATTLE. Most of those were in the first half. Then there were other times in the game where they looked dreadful. They were lucky to come away from COLORADO with all three points in the end. The Rapids had their chances but missing Buddle and Brown really seemed to cost them. You're not going to get back into matches with Atiba Harris up front! They hit the bar and the post in the second half, with Seattle hitting the bar in the first. Disappointing that all the winless in Seattle gags now have to stop, but even more disappointing is that they are now only three points behind Vancouver and you can't imagine it staying like that for too much longer.
    The NEW YORK - NEW ENGLAND game was obviously going to have a shadow cast over it by what had gone on in Boston. It finished 4-1 to New York, but it was never a game of that scoreline. New England played well and had their chances but after weeks of creating chances and not taking them themselves, New York finally clicked and the goals game. And some nice teamwork on display with a few of them as well. Probably the best opening eight minutes you'll see in any MLS match this season. Three goals and the first half was ebbing and flowing. An enjoyable game. The East certainly seems to be throwing them up so far this season.
    There's going to be enough about the DALLAS - VANCOUVER game elsewhere here, so let's just say that Vancouver players were so poor that they're now auditioning for parts in Oliver. Dallas didn't have to pick a pocket or two as the Caps did little to help their own cause. The Hoops certainly look like the real deal for now. There will be the inevitable blip, but they look a good bet for the playoffs already. As we keep saying, you don't win a spot in the playoffs by the end of April, but you can certainly do a lot to lose one. So many questions came out of that game. The burning one for me was does the 'DF' on Ferreira's armband stand for 'diving fuck'? My other burning question is why did my question to Nigel Reo-Coker about diving Dallas get sooooo much airplay this week? Did no-one else ask any decent questions for the entire week?! The complete laughing nuance of it was lost in plain text form.
    CHICAGO and COLUMBUS served up some nice football. The Crew came out all guns blazing and it looked like they'd grab an early goal or two. They did have the ball in the net but it was offside. Then the Fire started to take over, the Crew faded and their keeper Andy Gruenebaum had to be at his best to keep the Fire at bay. He produced a couple of top saves and then just when you thought he'd saved them a point the Fire won it late on. Good action from one of those games you just didn't really fancy when you looked at the schedule. Not sure why this always surprises me as it's happened a lot this season.
    And talking of surprises, CHIVAS have done that to many but is their star starting to fade? They played some nice stuff in an entertaining game against SALT LAKE, even missing a penalty and coming within inches of going in to half time with a lead. Then RSL stepped it up a gear, scored the go ahead goal and Chivas got a little down and dirty (can't wait for hopefully a kickfest against San Jose next weekend!). People will see the 1-0 win to RSL and think that Chivas have resorted to their old selves, but they certainly showed that there's still a lot of life in these dogs yet (insert Chihuahua joke here). All that said, RSL had most of the game. They hit the bar twice and Dan Kennedy was a busy lad, as you always expect with that Chivas defence in front of him, and could and should have come away with a three goal win or more. From what I've seen in the last few games, RSL are starting to click with their new line up and that can only be bad news for the Caps.
    LOS ANGELES and KANSAS CITY was a game I had high hopes for but was left a little bit disappointed. This is the match up I've predicted to be this year's MLS Cup game. If it is, then I hope it's better than this one! You can't help but wonder how different this might have been if KC hadn't played midweek. LA won by two, it could and should have been more, but at least KC played a bit of attacking football. You got the feeling early on though that they would have been happy to get just a point. LA are a whiny shower and apparently soft as shite. AJ DeLaGarza being the latest of their moaning minnies (bound to be some new Disney tie in for the team there). Amazingly quick recovery from his debilitating throat injury.
    Two games on Sunday and they started with the "two places I really have no desire to go to" derby between PHILADELPHIA and DC. Wasn't exactly another match I was salivating at the prospect of watching but turned out to be a really good game. Five goals, with Philly coming out all guns blazing then disappearing for spells of the game. DC just can't get out of the rut right now despite, as we keep saying, playing some nice football along the way. Philly's third goal though was another example of why I was yearning for a long throw expert to come into the Caps for this season. Still feel it's an attacking option we could exploit and use well in this league. Not pretty, but then neither is Wayne Rooney and he gets goals.
    Week 8 wrapped up with the rematch between SAN JOSE and PORTLAND. After last week's feisty affair, you wondered what would lie in store this week or would it be a bit of a let down. Was a good game, with all the talking points for actual footballing reasons this time. Kind of missed the sparks of last week though. Just when it looked like the great unwashed were going to pull off back to back victories, San Jose pulled another late, late show and grabbed a point. Amazing the Caps didn't cave in to those that stoppage time onslaught when you look back. When you have that it's never over till it's over attitude, you can't go wrong. "There's Still Time" should actually be the name of a San Jose podcast and not our Caps one.
    The draw was good for Vancouver at least. Let's just keep everyone around us together right now till we actually get our own shit sorted out and have a settled team that can actually play well together.
    The weekend's results see Vancouver slip to 7th. Three points off bottom and three points off second top. If we can experiment with our players, play badly and still keep in the mix, then at least that's something. Got to make those home games count though and next Saturday is a biggie.
    <b><u>Outfield Player of the Week:</u></b>
    So does scoring two goals just guarantee you the official 'player of the week award'? Seems like it!
    One performance that seems to have been overlooked, probably because it happened last week and was obviously so long ago that people had forgotten about it, was that of Sporting KC's AURELIEN COLLIN against New York last Wednesday.
    Even taking his excellent bullet header winner out of the equation, he was a beast at the back, stopping New York time and again. And although his team lost in LA on Saturday, he did well there too.
    <b><u>Goalkeeper of the Week:</u></b>
    No amazing standouts this week, but some good performances none the less. If Joe Cannon's plethora of saves had managed to grab the Caps a point, I'd have given him the nod. Single handedly keeping Vancouver in the game wasn't enough. Columbus' Andy Gruenebaum came close too. Some strong saves in there against Chicago, but again, he was ultimately on the losing side.
    Portland's DONOVAN RICKETTS came up big though this week, with a couple of important stops and stood firm under San Jose pressure. You couldn't pin the late equaliser on him, but he certainly helped Portland leave with a point. Both Ricketts and Rimando made five saves, and sure Rimando was a winner, but Ricketts made the harder stops.
    <b><u>Goal of the Week:</u></b>
    I liked the patient build up play with Dax McCarty's opening goal for New York against New England. Good finish too.
    I'm keeping this week's award in Canada and going with JEREMY HALL's sweet strike against Houston. What tipped this for me was the lovely footwork shown by hall to set up his volley.
    <center>

    </center><b><u>Save of the Week:</u></b>
    Colorado's Clint Irwin and Columbus Crew's Andy Gruenebaum both came up with big saves, but they didn't help their team get any points. RSL's Nick Rimando made a great penalty save, but for the strength shown to also turn this ball over, we're giving this week's award to Portland's DONOVAN RICKETTS for his save off a Chris Wondolowski shot.
    (WATCH: http://p.mlssoccer.com/SAu5a/video/1696974/mls_2013-04-21-233714.640hq.mp4)
    <b><u>The Please Shut Up Moment of the Week:</u></b>
    I hate, hate, hate some of the commentators we get on MLS Live. They actually make you appreciate our own Craig MacEwen a bit more, so they must be bad. One of my real pet peeves is them referring to the players as if they were commentating on their friends and family playing. San Jose's Comcast Sportsnet guys at the Portland game were horrible. Lenny? Really? Over and over and over. May or may not have been as bad as some of the others going with first names only, but they haven't made me want to grab a clown's wig and ram it down their throats whilst screaming "Say Lenny now. I dare ya". Not yet anyway. There's still time.
    <b><u>The WTF Moment of the Week:</u></b>
    What was that San Jose Ultra's banner behind the goal all about? "If you played in heaven we would die to support you". Um, ok then. Now I love my football. I love my teams. I'm not prepared to die for them. My dog sure, and of course my wife, but not my football team. I get the sentiment but they don't need to concern themselves with that. Having Lenhart and Gordon on their team they'd surely be playing in hell anyway.
    <b><u>Fud of the Week:</u></b>
    What positive thing can you say about New York's JUNINHO's sending off for kicking the ball at Jimmy Neilsen? Only thing I can think of is that it wasn't the most ridiculous thing we've seen on a football pitch in this last week. What was he thinking? Why would you even try to blooter the only ball on the pitch out of the park when you're a goal down and into stoppage time? Apart from wasting what little valuable time was left for his team, they're now without him for two matches. Was that too lenient? Should it have been three or four? I think the fact that he missed the madcap keeper's head saw him let off so lightly, but I would have gone for three. Fud.
    <center>

    </center><b><u>Tackle of the Week:</u></b>
    I loved Portland's FUTTY DANSO's scissor kick on Steven Lenhart towards the end of the first half in San Jose. Sure it wasn't anything special and sure it got him a booking, but it was on Lenhart and it looked like it hurt. Lip up Futty.
    (WATCH: http://p.mlssoccer.com/SAu5a/video/1696992/mls_2013-04-22-000132.640hq.mp4)
    <b><u>Stat Attack:</u></b>
    After Week 8 - 68 games
    <b>Total goals in week</b> - 22 (141 this season)
    <b>Average goals per game</b> - 2.2 (2.07 ave this season)
    <b>Highest scoring team</b> - New York Red Bulls (4 v New England)
    <b>Biggest win this season</b> - LA 4-0 v Chicago (2/3/13)
    <b>Goals scored by feet</b> - 15
    <b>Goals by headers</b> - 6
    <b>Goals scored by other body parts!</b> - 1
    <b>Goals inside box</b> - 20
    <b>Goals inside six yard box</b> - 4
    <b>Goals outside box</b> - 2
    <b>Penalties awarded</b> - 1, not scored (16 this season)
    <b>Clean sheets</b> - 6 (37 this season)
    <b>Sending offs</b> - 3 (10 this season)
    <b>Bookings</b> - 32 (201 this season)
    <b>Total attendance this week</b> - 149,237 (1,179,550 total for season)
    <b>Average attendance this week</b> - 14,924 (17,346 average for season)
    <b>Highest attendance this week</b> - 25,908 Los Angeles v Sporting KC
    <b>Highest attendance this season</b> - 40,150 Seattle v Portland (16/3/13)
    <b>Lowest attendance this week</b> - 10,525 San Jose v Portland
    <b>Lowest attendance this season</b> - 7,121 Chivas v Columbus (2/3/13)
    <b><u>Fantasy Football Highs and Lows (after Week 8):</u></b>
    We haven't had a chance to update these fully yet, so check back later!
    <p>
    Guest
    Disappointing. That would be the calm, sedated description of the Whitecaps performance in Dallas on Saturday night.
    There are a few more choice words I'm sure many of us would choose to use instead.
    Not sure how much point there is in just picking over the game in Dallas. The problems lie much deeper than just that one game, bizarre team selection apart.
    Things are not quite right on the good ship Whitecaps right now and it's hard to pinpoint exactly what's behind it. We're not exactly at a Titanic moment in the season, but there is word that there are icebergs up ahead. So will Martin Rennie change course?
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Despite playing poorly in many game so far this season, the Caps haven't been cast adrift. We've only just fallen out of the top five and are three points off second place. So although no panic buttons should be getting pushed quite yet, there are things which have to be addressed and quickly.
    We're keeping in the mix whilst not playing to our best. That is the one positive in all of this and I can take the many tinkerings of Rennie early on in the season, and the bad run that goes with it, if it means that he gets the right starting eleven together to guide us on a strong run soon after.
    Does he have such a set of players at his disposal though?
    There is a logjam in the West that is unlikely to be cleared till very late in the season and I wouldn't be surprised to see everyone beating everyone else all season long, keeping it tight till even the final weekend for some of the playoff places. Let's just hope the Caps are still hanging in there at that point.
    It would be great for MLS from an excitement point of view for such an ending to the season. Not so good for the fans from a fingernail one.
    It's undoubtedly a more competitive Western Conference this season. But are the Caps a more competitive side?
    There's been a lot of backlash to the defeat on Saturday and in particular a lot of questions have been asked around Rennie's team selections and tactics by more than just a few noisy bloggers.
    It's about time.
    There's too many questions to try and address as to where things are starting to unravel in Vancouver, but we can look at some of them.
    Is it that the current squad is simply not good enough? Is the depth not as deep as we all thought just a few weeks ago? Has Kenny Miller become a talismanic figure that we're missing badly?
    Or do we need to look beyond the players and start to question Rennie as a manager?
    I think it's a bit of all that but ultimately, the tactics being played out in many games, especially away ones, are simply not working.
    Rennie's solution always seem to be to change the personnel and not the tactics. At some point he needs to wake up and realise that his tactics on the road since he came to Vancouver are where a bulk of the problems lie.
    He is clearly easy to read by opposing coaches. Not so much in his team selections, which carry an air of being decided by spinning a roulette wheel at times, but in the way that his team will play, no matter who is in it.
    I had no problem with dropping Koffie, Kobayashi and Mattocks in recent games. They've shown the odd little piece of magic here and there but have generally been poor.
    I was confident from what we'd seen pre-season that our depth was good for such situations, but I was then raising the alarm bells early when we <a href="http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?4318-Whitecaps-out-of-their-depth-in-UBC-schooling" target="_blank"><u>lost a reserve game with UBC</u></a>. Some of the guys have moved on since that match but still, other teams seem to have a lot better depth to call upon than we are showing right now.
    The other problem, which we complained about so many times last season, is that the team then seem unable to change and get themselves back in the game when they fall behind on the road. As soon as the opposition takes the lead, you may as well just go and put the kettle on.
    It's not just the away games that are the problem, and we'll see if the team can regroup for their second chance at Dallas this weekend at BC Place.
    He has reiterated post Dallas that he needs the team to become difficult to break down again. That doesn't just mean play more defensively, but it will be a part of it, so if you were expecting away games to get any more exciting any time soon, then you're likely to be disappointed.
    Are the current players capable of playing to that system? Or are they just not good enough to compete in general? Some of the defensive play in the team is lacking to say the least.
    If he really wants to be hard to break down again then he needs to bring in another centrehalf asap and try and find out why Alain Rochat's defensive form has gone to pot.
    He also needs to work with the likes of Hurtado on their touch, if that is possible, or put in players who won't give the ball away so cheaply.
    All that counts for nothing of course if we don't have players that can actually get shots on target first and foremost, but ultimately into the back of the net.
    For all of Rennie's faults in his rigid tactics and formations, he is being let down by the players.
    He is right to take a look at all the players in the squad. The only way to know if they're the right ones for the battle ahead is to blood them early.
    You have to question making so many changes to a front line as he did in Dallas. The team that finished the match is pretty much the team that probably should have started it.
    That was a game for more experience and skill like Camilo and Mattocks up top, not whatever kind of match ups he had in his head with the Dallas players.
    Many players coming in seem not to be capable or ready for the challenge and are not seizing the chances being given to them, whilst regular starters are struggling and losing form.
    Some will argue that a little break here and there and we would have more than eight points. Very true. Every team can say that. We can also argue that a little break here or there against us and poorer form from Joe Cannon and we'd be bottom of the heap right now.
    The next three games are a chance for the players to show Rennie that they deserve to be with this squad past the summer. The Edmonton games in particular are the chance for some players to show they should be in the starting eleven.
    Who will take that opportunity? Anybody?
    It's in all of the player's hands now to shape up or ship out. And if things don't change soon, that will also be directed at the management as well.
    Not making the playoffs would be a backwards step, but if we improved our win numbers and narrowly missed out, but won the Voyageurs Cup and did well in the Champions League, I would just about take that as a season of success.
    Many wouldn't. Especially the mainstream media in Vancouver that see the playoffs as the be all and end all of things.
    Both goals shouldn't be mutually exclusive either.
    Achieve neither and it has to be seen as a failure. No ifs. No buts. No spin.
    I said a couple of week ago on the podcast that this current squad is not good enough to take us to the playoffs and we need to add a few key players (ideally before the current transfer window closes but that may not be contractually possible). I also see Montreal as favourites for the V's Cup. So a LOT of work for the Caps to do.
    Nothing I have seen since then has made me change my mind and only entrenched my view further.
    Prove me wrong guys.
    'Mon the Caps
    <p>
    Guest

    FC Edmonton v Vancouver Whitecaps Preview

    By Guest, in AFTN,

    KEY PLAYERS
    Attacking
    It was a surprise that the Whitecaps didn’t start Camilo Sanvezzo on the weekend against FC Dallas but surely he will see action against the Eddies. The Brazilian will be needed to attack off the wing and force mistakes from a backline that is still a work in progress.
    If Edmonton is looking to create goals they will need Canadian Shaun Saiko to provide some attacking flair from the wing. The Middlesborough trained winger is looking to return to the form he had in 2011 when he was the club’s most valuable player.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Defence
    The majority of supporters will finally get to see Johnny Leveron in game action in his first start with the senior team. He should be at full fitness and will provide the Caps with enough grittiness and skill in the center of the backline.
    The most dynamic player for the Eddies could be Lance Laing who will be making runs down the left sideline. Expect him to whip in crosses which have been a problem for the Whitecaps this season and the main reason for the majority of losses.
    WHO'S ON FORM
    Based on the reserve game and the putrid affair versus FC Dallas Greg Klazura may the best player going into this match versus the Eddies. Against RSL in the reserve league the Notre Dame grad continually pushed forward as he attacked the box on a consistent basis.
    Added late in the preseason Daryl Fordyce has already gained some accolades as he was named to NASL best XI for the second week. The Northern Ireland native is a danger to score up front but has yet to get a shot on target missing on his four attempts.
    PROJECTED LINEUP
    Vancouver Whitecaps (4-3-3)
    R to L - Brad Knighton; Greg Klazura, Johnny Leveron, Brad Rusin, Jordan Harvey; Gershon Koffie, Daigo Kobayashi, Russell Teibert; Camilo, Darren Mattocks, Kekuta Manneh
    FC Edmonton (4--3-3)
    R to L - Lance Parker; Antonio Rago, Edson Edward, Adrian LeRoy, Lance Laing; Chris Nurse, Massimo Mirabelli, Neil Hlavaty; Saun Saiko, Michael Cox, Daryl Fordyce
    2013 RECORD
    Vancouver Whitecaps:
    2W-2D-3L-8P
    7th in Western Conference
    Last Match: 2-0 Loss at FC Dallas
    FC Edmonton:
    0W-1D-2L-1P
    6th in NASL
    Last Match: 2-0 Loss at Minnesota United FC
    OVERVIEW
    The Voyageurs Cup competition returns this Wednesday as Vancouver Whitecaps travel to face FC Edmonton. This is the second season in a row where the two clubs will face each other in the semi-finals, with Vancouver winning the two leg affair last year.
    The lineup, especially at the back, will have a different look with Brad Knighton slated to start in goal for the semi final. There will be changes in the backline, with Jordan Harvey and Greg Klazura starting at the fullback positions while Johnny Leveron and Brad Rusin should partner in the middle.
    The midfield will likely have a Canadian in the line-up at least, with Russell Teibert. Gershon Koffie and Daigo Kobayashi should make up the rest of the middle, as Matt Watson hasn't travelled. The forward ranks should have Darren Mattocks in the middle with Kekuta Manneh and Camilo on the wings.
    This season the Eddies will be a much tougher team to face with culture of the team changing after the hiring of Colin Miller. He will not allow his team to give an inch and the players will fight harder with him as the gaffer.
    Due to the late start in the NASL schedule Edmonton has only had three games to work out their problems. They have faced bad luck this season and the Eddies have deserved more than one out of the nine available points.
    It seems like the Whitecaps are taking a strong attacking contingent to the Alberta capital as they look to grab a good enough lead that will make the second leg an easier match. With all due respect to the NASL side it would be a complete disaster for the Caps if they came back with anything but a win.
    <p>
    Guest

    CSL buys itself a year

    By Guest, in It's Called Football,

    The Canadian Soccer League has won their desanctioning appeal. Sort of.
    The CSL had taken the CSA before Sport Resolution Canada, to protest the way the governing body cut ties with the league in January.
    Sport Resolution issued its report today and it has ruled that the CSL can play as a sanctioned league in 2013, under CSA governance. However, it also ruled that the CSA’s original intent to desanction was just and declared that the CSA will not sanction the league in 2014.
    As part of the proceedings, the mediator looked at three things.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The first issue was: does the CSA even have a right to desanction the CSL?
    He found that they did have that right. CSA bylaws dictate that the governing body has the right to sanction or not sanction which ever league it chooses.
    The second issue the mediator looked at was: did the CSA act in a reasonable manner in the way that desanctioned the CSL?
    He determined that while they were entitled to act in the way that they did, the CSA was heavy handed in their approach.
    The last issue he looked at was: how does he deal with the matter, if he is to take both determinations into consideration?
    He ruled that the CSA was required to sanction the league in 2013 but after this calendar year, the governing body would no longer be obligated to sanction the CSL.
    As part of that ruling, he also determined that the OSA is not required to sanction the CSL but they were entitled to apply.
    Both parties are able to appeal the ruling. Early indication is that the CSA will not appeal the decision.
    You can read the entire document here.
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