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    Guest
    We often hear about matchups featuring two teams going in "different directions" -- and when it comes to the men's national team's friendly in Doha on Friday, the contrast between the competing sides couldn't be starker.
    The Japanese are four days removed from rubber-stamping their ticket to Brazil 2014, with the Canadian friendly serving as a warm-up (such as it is) for their World Cup qualifier against Jordan on Tuesday.
    Les Rouges, meanwhile, find themselves drifting in the footie abyss, without a full-time head coach and without a discernible gameplan for the time between now and their next World Cup qualifier... three years from now.
    And while Canada brought some spirit to the second half -- nearly grabbing a crack-wallpapering equalizer, to boot -- the reality is that in the grand scheme of things, the churning-out of a half-dozen quasi-snarky match reports will be the most significant long-term impact of this match.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    That seems harsh, and perhaps Canada does deserve more credit for a valiant performance despite being a team "in transition". (And so it bears repeating: Yes, the Canadian side did produce some quality possession and threatening chances against a strong Japanese side.) But here's the thing: The men's national team is always in transition. We don't have -- nor have we in recent memory had -- the luxury of fielding a starting XI comprised of consistent top-flight starters and/or familiar faces from our domestic league.
    We unfortunately don't have that kind of depth, and we don't have a domestic league.
    That's not to say Canada doesn't have, or hasn't had, or won't have quality players. Atiba Hutchinson was Canada's man of the match (as he has been so many times before), and looked fully comfortable against a talented, organized Japanese side. Randy Edwini-Bonsu caused significant problems for the Japanese backline (which left some fans bemoaning his exclusion from Canada's WCQ roster last year), while Marcus Haber had a solid performance on the day he scored his first goal for the senior men's national team.
    Toronto FC youngster Kyle Bekker was a somewhat-surprising starter, but despite some encouraging early touches, he struggled against a side of Japan's quality as the match went on. Stefan Cebara, a recent U20 alumnus, earned his first senior cap as a second-half sub, but didn't have enough time to definitively assert himself.
    They're part of the transition. Are these appearances harbingers of long, productive careers for Canada? Only time will tell.
    Milan Borjan had an adventurous day in goal, with one of his penalty-area meanderings leading to Japan's first goal. Borjan, remember, was a complete unknown to Canada fans until being unearthed by former head coach Stephen Hart several years ago. He's now ostensibly Canada's #2 in goal. That's a transition.
    David Edgar got the start at centreback (his usual position on the club side), a roster selection that likely raised exactly zero eyebrows among Canadian fans. Edgar, remember, didn't fully catch on with the national side until the just-completed World Cup qualifying cycle, despite being a promising prospect since he was a teenager. Another transition.
    Will Johnson didn't wear the captain's armband against Japan -- that designation went to Julian de Guzman -- much to the chagrin/surprise of some fans. But Johnson, remember, has only been a regular starter for the senior national team for several years -- yet has shown enough that he's the captain-in-waiting in the eyes of large numbers of Canadian fans (your author included).
    Simeon Jackson came in off the bench late in the second half. He went from being a relative unknown in the Canadian youth ranks, to being a major contributor in two teams getting promoted in England (including scoring the promotion-clinching goal for Norwich City in their march to the Premier League). Now, though, his ascent appears to have stalled somewhat, with his place in some question for the Canaries.
    So, what's the point?
    The point is that whether this game ended 2-1 (which it did), or 5-1 (which it could have) or 2-2 (which it also could have), the end result would have been the same: The men's national team would be throwing as much as it could against the wall to see what stuck. As interim head coach Tony Fonseca said himself after the game: "There were some young players that showed they might be part of a future generation for Canada. We are encouraged by that."
    When the games start really mattering for Canada again -- several years from now -- some of the players on this roster will feature. Many won't. Some of the key players in 2016 won't have even been on the roster against Japan, or in Canada's next friendly against Belarus on Monday. Such is the reality for a team constantly in transition.
    What are Canadian supporters to do in the meantime, then?
    Enjoy the ride, as best you can. Sit back and attempt to gain some entertainment or satisfaction from watching a collection of men suiting up to represent your country in international competition. There was some of that to be had in the friendly against Japan, as there may well be against Belarus on Monday (though the game won't be televised, so, that'll make it a bit tougher).
    Sure, we've always got to keep our eyes on the big picture -- but sometimes that picture is so enormous that all your eyes can do is focus on one small element you find particularly pleasing.
    Keep that in mind, and the next few years won't be so bad.
    We hope.
    .
    Guest
    You can’t really blame the CSA for doing it. However, they still did hide the most newsworthy thing about yesterday’s Women’s World Cup scheduling announcement.
    It wasn’t that the final would be played in Vancouver – my cat could have guessed that correctly – nor was it that Edmonton would get two of Canada’s three group games with Montreal getting the third (the two biggest stadiums for the three biggest crowds of the group stage).
    No, the biggest piece of news yesterday was actually something the CSA isn’t going to do.
    They aren’t going to replace the artificial turf in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa or Montreal. In fact, they are embracing “football turf,” with final and both semi-final games taking place on the plastic.
    Some Canadians will justify this decision. They will be doing so from a defensive position from cities that have insisted that turf is just as good as the real stuff -- despite protests from players and officials of both genders.
    Turf isn’t better. It isn’t close to better. And, the fact that Canada is planning on playing a senior World Cup final on the junk is shameful.
    Yes, shameful.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Canada is essentially turning its back on conventional thinking in the rest of the world, plugging its ears and screaming “LALALALA” to avoid hearing arguments about how plastic changes how the game is played, increases the chance of joint injuries, and generally makes this country look like a backwater of international soccer.
    And, that’s to say nothing of the double standard that is at play in regards to the men’s program. In World Cup qualifying the men (justifiably) refused to play on the garbage and the CSA accommodated them. Why, then, are they willing to let the women play on it?
    Likely because the women’s team makes less noise and is (understandably) just happy to have the chance to play a World Cup at home.
    The rest of the world isn’t conflicted though and the outrage is already starting.
    Hosting the World Cup is an amazing opportunity for Canada, but only if it does it right. If the tournament goes ahead with artificial surfaces this will increasingly become a story and that story will take away from the play on the pitch. As Canadians we can chose to be defensive about it, or face the harsh reality that it makes us look bush league.
    It will cost money, but there is still time to fix this. The 2015 tournament is too important to screw up and that’s exactly what the decision to play on plastic is – a screw up.
    Bring grass in. There is NO excuse not to.
    Guest
    Paul Stalteri threw a bottle at the ref (at the ref!)
    Paul Stalteri threw a bottle at the ref (at the ref!)
    Oh Paul Stalteri threw a bottle
    Stalteri threw a bottle
    Stalteri threw a bottle at the ref (at the ref!)
    -- Voyageurs folk song, circa 2004
    There are plenty of things you can say about Canadian fullback (and occasional jack-of-all-trades) Paul Stalteri, who officially announced his retirement on Wednesday.
    He's the most-capped Canadian men's international in history, representing his country on 84 occasions and wearing the captain's armband on 30 of them. He's one of the most decorated Canadian players ever, with a Bundesliga double (with Werder Bremen in 2003-04) and over 50 Premier League caps to his name -- not to mention a CONCACAF Gold Cup title in 2000.
    And he also, as the song would suggest, threw a bottle at a ref from the bench. While his career is in no way defined by the incident (and hurling projectiles at officials is wrong, even if the official in question is Benito Archundia), it is emblematic of the passion that endeared him to Canadian fans, and helped make him such a Canadian soccer stalwart.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    In an era of Canadian-born defectors, divided loyalties and ambivalence about representing Canada on the international stage, a player like Stalteri hearkens to that other sport in the north (you know, the one with skates and sticks), where pulling on a Canadian uniform is a source of intense pride and excitement.
    It's fitting that on the day in 2010 -- his second-last appearance for Canada -- that Stalteri broke Randy Samuel's record for all-time caps, he was feted by Canadian fans in multiple colours and in both official languages (the game was a friendly in Montreal). Such passion has a way of uniting people across all sorts of boundaries.
    So a fond farewell to "Diesel", and a hearty thanks for all he's done, and all he's meant to fans of the Canadian game. And as a fitting tribute to unbridled passion, here is a video of some random (likely intoxicated) fellows, presumably supporters of Tottenham or Fulham, belting out their own Paul Stalteri tune:


    Guest

    Location, location, location

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    The question of whether the CSA has done the right thing by placing Canada's group games in Edmonton and Montreal is up for debate.
    After all, it might not be ideal to have the team travel across the country and then back again (if they win Group A they will play in Vancouver in round of 16) in the space of a week.
    However, head coach John Herdman told CSN that the team is fine with it.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    "When you live in Canada you can't escape travel, can you?" he asked with a laugh.
    "Every team would like to be in one place and not move throughjout the tournament, but in a country the size of Canada that isn't possible," he said.
    "We've got a greater responsibility and we embrace it. For the good of the game we need to be in different parts of the country."
    Herdman said that the team was working on some "internal strategies" to deal with the potential for jet leg.
    Regardless of travel, Herdman indicated that the team was focusing on the positives of home pitch advantage.
    Additionally, he spoke of the importance of the U20 World Cup, which will be held in 2014 in Canada. There have yet to be details announced regarding the 2014 tournament.
    "We simply cannot rely on the current group of players exclusively for 2015," Herdman said. "We need to have an exhaustive search for new talent.
    "The 2014 tournament gives us a great opportunity to look at some of the young players we are relying on having a breakout.
    "We can see how they react to the pressures and opportunity of playing an additional World Cup at home. "
    Guest
    When Scotland and Wales met in a World Cup qualifier back in October, and with Celtic pride and dressing room bragging right on the line, <a href="http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?3826-Celtic-pride-and-bragging-rights-on-the-line-for-Whitecaps-coaches" target="_blank"><u>we spoke to both Paul Ritchie and Carl Robinson</u></a> to get the banter going between the Whitecaps assistant coaches. Scotland lost and Robbo was sent to Honduras!
    Friday sees round two, so we've got them back, and even briefly involved the gaffer Martin Rennie this time around. Seconds out....
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    It's been a dismal qualifying campaign for Scotland so far. Bottom of Group A after four games, eight points adrift of the top spot and with five teams ahead of them in the table. It's all looking a bit bleak and there's still six games to go.
    Wales are just one point, and one place, better off and that only came about because Gareth Bale can't stay on his feet.
    You could take the glass half full approach and say there's still 18 points available for both countries, or you can take the more realistic approach that both are now looking ahead to the campaign for Euro 2016 and the 'Road to <strike>Rio</strike> Paris'.
    The poor start to the campaign did provide one positive for Scotland fans. It thankfully delivered the head of unpopular manager Craig Levein, and in what was a surprise to no-one, Gordon Strachan was named the new Scotland boss on January 15th this year.
    <b>AFTN:</b> So Paul, what's your thoughts on Strachan as the new Scotland gaffer?
    <b>Paul:</b> He's a quality coach. He's coached at the highest level. I think he's the fans choice, so I think when you have the fans backing it will go a long way because the Tartan Army have been starved of success recently.
    Hopefully under a new manager we can aim to progress. It might take a number of years. There's a lot of good kids coming through. It might be too late this year to qualify for Brazil, but I think there's a chance for the future.
    <b>AFTN:</b> Did you ever play alongside him?
    <b>Paul:</b> No. I never played with Gordon. I played with a number of teams against him.</b>
    <b>AFTN:</b> How do you think Strachan will do with Scotland Martin?
    <b>Martin:</b> I think it's a good appointment. He's obviously got great experience and had a lot of success as a manager and I think he'll command the respect of the players and the media as well.
    It's a tough job being the Scotland manager but he's one of the guys that you could see doing very well, hopefully like Walter Smith and Alex McLeish did.
    <b>AFTN:</b> With the current campaign looking a bit bleak, Strachan is faced with a dilemma. Does he play his strongest team and experienced players in the remaining qualifiers, in the hope that some kind of footballing miracle can be pulled off, or does he blood the new breed of Scottish internationals and let the likes of Jordan Rhodes get valuable experience spearheading the attack, thinking ahead to that next qualifying campaign?
    <b>Paul:</b> I think we've got to go for it as long as it's mathematically possible. Two games coming up and if we win both of these games it gives us a good chance. But you know what Scotland's like. We give ourselves a chance and then fall at the last hurdle.
    But I think as long as we can succeed and as long as we have a chance to qualify, we must go for it, so we must pick the best players available at the time.
    <b>AFTN:</b> And what about Wales' chances? Are they realistically still in with a shout or should they be blooding youngsters themselves?
    <b>Carl:</b> I think both teams need to win and if you don't pick up a result there then obviously the qualification program is ended for both of them. Wales are going there I know to win the game. They have two difficult games coming up, so if they go there and get a result and get a win, which I firmly believe they can, then it will stand them in good stead.
    <b>AFTN:</b>The man that changed the first group game between Scotland and Wales was Gareth Bale, albeit by taking a dive. He's currently one of the most in-form players in the world, so how do you stop a player like that?
    <b>Carl:</b> It's very difficult, as I think you're seeing week in and week out. He's in a great, great vein of form and everything he touches is turning to gold. It'll be difficult, but it's not just about Gareth, it's about the team as well and I think if Wales apply themselves correctly, like they did in the first game, they should be ok.
    <b>Paul:</b> Very difficult. I think we've got to worry about what we can do as a team. I don't think you can stop him. When you're talking about world class players you can do all the things physically possible but he's got that change of pace, he's got that quality. I think at times you've got to try to limit balls to him. If you can stop him getting the ball then that's probably the best you can hope for because once he's got the ball you don't know what could happen. He's proven that in the Premiership every week. He proved that against us last time.
    If we can stop the balls to Gareth Bale I think that's probably the most important thing. But we're at home against Wales. We've got to look at our own performance and our own game tactics to actually go and take the game to them and hopefully Gareth Bale becomes null and void.
    <b>AFTN:</b> When you were a central defender Paul, how would you have stopped him? A little foot left in there early on?
    <b>Paul:</b> I would try. My record against Wales isn't great. I played against Earnshaw three of four times at club level one season and done exceptionally well, but if you catch a world class striker on his day, there's nothing you can physically do.
    You look at what Gareth Bale's got. He's got every possible attribute that a professional footballer can have. Great pace, great technique and the quality of his dead balls are exceptional as well.
    I'd try and kick him if I could catch him, but I don't know how long I would have lasted!
    <b>AFTN:</b> Talking of Robert Earnshaw, the striker last featured for Wales nearly two years ago, but is enjoying a new lease of life in Toronto. Did you have a word with him about MLS before he headed over Carl?
    <b>Carl:</b> I'm very close with Earnie. I played with Earnie at Norwich for two years. He's been wanting to come over for a number of years and he's finally joined Toronto a couple of weeks ago. He's excited and obviously started off very well.
    <b>AFTN:</b> Now the last game there was an undisclosed wager between the two of you, but if Wales win again is Robbo getting sent back to Honduras?
    <b>Carl:</b> (laughs) I'm not sure. I'll take it if it means Wales winning again. I don't mind going there. Hopefully it's a good game of football. It was last time. I think Scotland were unlucky because they were 1-0 up and had a goal disallowed at the time and then Gareth obviously pulled up trees. It's going to be a very tense game, but you know, those games are. The best team will come out in the end.
    <b>Paul:</b> If Wales win again I need to take Robbo out for a slap up dinner. I'm due him a bet from the last game. I'm confident that we can beat Wales on our own ground. If we don't then that's fair play to Wales and they're the ones who have got a chance to go and qualify for the World Cup. But we have to win our home games and I'm confident that we will.
    <p>
    Guest

    Vancouver to host 2015 final

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    As expected, Vancouver has been named as the host city for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup final.
    The semi-finals will be split between Edmonton and Montreal, with Edmonton also hostiong the third place game.
    Alberta will play a big role in the event, with two of Canada's group games also played there. The third Canadian game will be held in Montreal.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Guest
    It's the first day of spring and we celebrate by springing into action with Episode 35 of our <b>West Coast Soccer</b> podcast.
    It's an international weekend but that hasn't stopped MLS scheduling matches for depleted teams and the Whitecaps head to Houston for their first away game of the new season.
    Pierce chats with the voice of the Dynamo <b>Matt Pedersen</b>, radio broadcaster with <a href="http://www.ysr1560.com/" target="_blank"><u>Yahoo Sports Radio 1560 AM</u></a>. He looks ahead to this weekend's clash and has some words of comfort for Caps fans as the team head into the fortress that is BBVA Compass Stadium.
    Turning our attention to home, I sit down with <b>Michael Findlay</b>, the Director of Soccer Operations with BC Soccer, to discuss the CSA's much talked about LTPD plan, player development in general and what to do with the black hole that currently exists from players in the 18 to 23 age range.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Make sure you stay listening to the end as we play you out with some clips from the newly retired <b>Paul Stalteri</b> from <a href="http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?3995-West-Coast-Soccer-Podcast-Episode-28" target="_blank"><u>our chat with him</u></a> back in December.
    Music this week is:
    Hold The Line by Major Lazer
    Ridin' by Chanillionaire and Krayzie Bone
    Back Then by Mike Jones
    Down the Road by C2C
    Jupiter by Tourist
    Have a listen.
    You can listen to this week's podcast (and the previous ones) on iTunes <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/westcoastsoccerweekly/id491781299" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a> or download it for your later listening delight <a href="http://westcoastsoccerweekly.podbean.com/" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a> or have a listen on one of the players below.
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    Guest
    This weekend 39 Major League Soccer players will represent their country at international level. Many of them will miss a vital match for their club in the process, in the latest MLS scheduling clash with the international calendar.
    For the Whitecaps this means the loss of Kenny Miller for the game in Houston on Saturday.
    With Scotland's World Cup qualifying campaign seemingly dead in the water, many are wondering why Miller is being brought over for his second cross-Atlantic journey in a few weeks. He only saw 23 minutes in the friendly against Estonia at the start of February. Is he likely to see much more against Wales and Serbia?
    The answer is experience and what he can bring to the squad off the pitch, as much as on it. It's a role he has been undertaking in Vancouver this season. We've already seen him take the Caps' young striking talent under his wing and the role seems to have brought the best out of him and a smile to his face, winning over some of his doubters with two excellent performances and an opportunistic goal of the highest order.
    Maybe new Scotland gaffer Gordon Strachan is right to keep him involved and we'll see the Kenny Miller of old in a Scotland shirt. Whitecaps assistant coach, and former Scotland international, Paul Ritchie seems to think so.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    <i>"Kenny's in the squad now. I know for a fact that there's a number of people back home who think he's past it, he's too old. Having seen him in the first two games of this season, he's got a lot of football left in him.
    "The effect he has here with the younger players, I think he can have that effect on the Scottish players. When you look at the younger players who are involved with the national team just now, playing at a good level, they're really lacking that little bit of experience. Kenny's got that experience and he's willing to share that.
    "He's a fantastic pro and the younger ones like Jordan Rhodes will learn off Kenny Miller."</i>
    So is a coaching role in the Scotland set up something that Ritchie sees in the future for Miller? And how happy will the Whitecaps be in Miller making 24 hour round trip journeys across the Atlantic for such a role?
    <i>"Time will tell. From our point of view, unless he does play, it's not beneficial to us as a club to have Kenny flying back and forward.
    "Kenny will make that decision himself. If he's part of these next two squads and playing and involved, then good for him, keep at it. But if he goes there and doesn't play.
    "I know his family circumstances are a little bit different just now, his wife and baby are back home, so that's the thing, but we can't have Kenny making these trips for nothing. And that's a selfish point of view.
    "Kenny was fantastic the first two games of the season for us and we need to keep him like. We don't want him travelling 5,000 miles there and 5,000 miles back to sit on the bench. Everybody knows that when you go away with the national team, the training isn't as intense as it is with your club team.
    "He's a great professional. I think the break will do him good, but hopefully he does play and hopefully he plays some part in Scotland winning the next two games."</i>
    Miller is certainly one of Scotland's old guard now, but the squad captain still dearly wants to be involved in the national team set up, whether the Tartan Army want him to be or not!
    How keen? Well Miller made the gruelling trip from Vancouver to Scotland in February for that Estonia friendly. When you consider how many international players all of a sudden have an injury when friendlies come around, it's some commitment. Miller made the trip to Aberdeen last month knowing that he wasn't going to see much time on the pitch but he's <i>"hoping to still play a part"</i> in the Scotland set up under Strachan.
    So with no plans on stopping making that trip, how does Miller cope with the jetlag and with the Chivas game coming up not long after he gets back, will it take him time to recover?
    <i>"It takes a wee bit of time getting used to it. I think the more you do it, the more you're kind of prepared to get used to the timing of things going both ways. I generally find it not too bad coming back this way (to Vancouver)".</i>
    Miller made his debut for Scotland in April 2001, when he came on as a sub against Poland. During his international career, which currently sees him with 17 goals in 66 appearances, he has served his country under seven different Scotland managers, including the newly appointed Strachan.
    It's a familiar voice in the dressing room for Miller, having played under him during his brief time at Celtic, so what does the current Scottish captain make of the new Scotland boss? A good appointment and someone to turn the fortunes of the national team around?
    <i>"Well, only time will tell. Obviously we got off to a winning start. It wasnae a great performance and things, but we got the win and that was the main thing. We just need to build on that for the next qualifiers."</i>
    How Scotland perform in the upcoming games against Wales and Serbia is likely to decide Kenny Miller's international fate. Two wins will keep the faint qualification hopes alive and likely keep Miller in the mix, but any dropped points will be the final death blow to this campaign and probably signal the end of Miller's international career, leaving him to solely concentrate on his Whitecaps one in the process.
    <p>
    Guest
    The human psyche is a funny thing. Naturally, we feel like we are right. We feel that given the same set of information, that our reasoning is more accurate than someone with a contradictory opinion. Our brain highlights evidence which supports our preferred opinion and ignores evidence to the contrary.
    Ego and pride then get in the way when it becomes time to admit you missed something, or that your deductive reasoning was flawed. So, let’s get it out of the way, then.
    I was wrong.
    Not indecisive, or slightly inaccurate, but fully, one hundred percent erroneous.
    Kenny Miller is very, very useful.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Not like John Thorrington <i>"when he ain’t injured he ain’t bad"</i> useful, but actually every match, 90 minute, positively contributing to gaining points useful.
    After the midseason shuffle in 2012, which not only resulted in a severe slump in form but also a massive downturn in overall team charisma, Miller was named as one of the main culprits for everything that had gone wrong. I was the first to call for his head.
    Now, I didn’t scream about misguided designated player contracts or whine about players being brought in from struggling national sides, but I definitely thought that if either of the two Scottish Designated Players should be bought out, that it should be Kenny.
    Barry Robson showed us, even if for only moments like in that home game against the Galaxy, that he could be that real General that the Whitecaps lacked. While he wasn’t exactly a creative maestro, he certainly provided some truculence and fire to the midfield both when defending as well as in attack.
    I truly believed that in the offseason Kenny Miller would be sent back to some Championship or Scottish club. And I thought that was the right move. We didn’t need him. He wasn’t fast, he couldn’t create, and he looked to be gassed both physically and mentally, unable to come up with any idea of how to provide offense. His notoriously high work rate had started to wane, and he didn’t look like he was having fun, and any time he managed to be involved in a sparking of the offense, he immediately fizzled out and disappeared for the next 30 minutes.
    Maybe his float-and-poach approach would work for a club like the Galaxy or Sporting Kansas City, but surely not a team looking to find it’s legs in the final third. And surely not at $1.2 million.
    And you know what the worst part of the whole midseason shuffle was? I didn’t really even enjoy cheering for the players anymore.
    There was something loveable about Davide Chiumiento and Eric Hassli. They both had their warts. Some pretty significant ones. But they both really appeared to love this city, this club, and each other, and as a supporter you truly wanted to rally behind them. Even after a disastrous showing, of which there were many, you hoped to see their names drawn in the team sheet on match day.
    Miller wasn’t like that. He couldn’t make it here. He wasn't athletic enough. He’d lost his touch on the pitch, and he was out of touch with the fans.
    I couldn’t have been more wrong.
    This season, Kenny Miller looks like he has been shot out of a rocket. He runs harder than anyone else on the pitch, whether that be closing down a defender holding onto the ball, forcing himself into space, or even running down an opposition fullback dashing towards Joe Cannon’s corner flag.
    He looks hungry, alert, and focused. He’s been a leader, and has taken to coaching and encouraging inexperienced teammates as they mould into professional footballers. His instincts have returned, and he continually pops up in the most advantageous of positions. The man is unlucky to not have three goals in the first two games of the season.
    The most ironic of all is that the club's highest paid player, who was the target of many a groan and jeer for his uninspiring play last season, has become a bit of an underdog who gets a raucous round of applause for every dogged backtrack or selfless layoff.
    Kenny Miller is now, without a doubt, a player for whom I am very loudly cheering on. Not just because he scores goals, but because he’s a guy I identify with. He’s a guy who faced some adversity and dug deep, despite the criticism, and came out to prove himself and protect his reputation.
    He’s scored a goal and looked likely to score two or three others. He assisted a goal that was most likely unfairly brought back for offside, and he has been an integral part of killing off the last two games with good hold up play and resolute defending. Miller doesn’t look like he’ll be giving up his starting eleven position any time soon.
    Kenny has certainly proven me wrong. And I’ll be the first to admit it.
    <p>
    Guest
    The Canadian Soccer Association has called a press conference for Wednesday with Canadian international Paul Stalteri.
    CSN has confirmed that the announcement will be to declare the retirement of Canada's most capped player of all time
    At the peak of his career, the defender was a key member of Tottenham Hotspur. He got his start as a member of the Toronto Lynx.
    CSN will have more on his legacy and reaction tomorrow following the press conference.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Guest

    Toronto FC waives Matt Stinson

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Toronto FC announced this morning that it had waived Canadian prospect Matt Stinson.
    Stinson, who was signed in the early part of 2011, saw regular time under Aron Winter and Paul Mariner, but failed to find a place under the Ryan Nelsen regime
    Toronto offered no further comment on the 20-year-old player's release
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Guest
    The 2012 PDL season wasn't a great one for Vancouver Whitecaps.
    The U23 side was mainly a mix of Residency prospects and some local college talent, with the odd MLS player dropping in and out to bolster numbers.
    The endeavours of the Caps U18 side in USSDA action hit the squad hard on occasions and the U23s ended up missing the playoffs. But it wasn't all doom and gloom.
    One of the shining lights of the season was the captain of the side, Gagan Dosanjh. The current CIS MVP has impressed many and his hard work is set to be rewarded with a week's trial with FC Edmonton.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    It wasn't the first time Dosanjh had worn a Whitecaps jersey.
    After a successful and promising youth career with Abbotsford, Gagan spent the 2006-07 season in Germany on loan to Energie Cottbus. His play was already standing out and in 2007 he was called up to the Canadian U17 team.
    Later that year Dosanjh became one of the 18 handpicked players to make up the first Whitecaps Residency squad, making several trips to Europe to take on overseas opposition.
    The head coach of the Residency at that time, Thomas Niendorf, was high on Dosanjh, and said of his talent, <a href="http://www.abbynews.com/sports/Dosanjh_loving_life_with_Caps.html" target="_blank"><i>"With him, it's just a matter of time"</i></a>.
    Joining UBC in 2010, Gagan scored a team leading nine goals in his rookie season, as the Thunderbirds made it to the national final before losing 1-0 to York. His sophomore season didn't fare as well with just two goals, before he bounced back to his best with some of the form of his life last year.
    And that form was on display as he returned to the Whitecaps to captain the PDL side for the 2012 season. After a slow start in the first couple of games, he quickly found his feet and was soon putting in standout performances.
    He ended the season with four goals and four assists from his 15 appearances, and those of us who had watched him over the short season immediately put him down as one to keep a close eye on.
    Gagan went back to UBC and had another impressive year for the Thunderbirds, captaining them to an unbeaten season and on to the Finals in Quebec City, where he lifted the Championship trophy with the team's <a href="http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?3917-2012-CIS-Mens-Soccer-National-Championshp" target="_blank">1-0 final win over Cape Breton</a>.
    Dosanjh was a key player throughout UBC's season, leading by example with 17 goals and 10 assists in the Thunderbirds' 19 games, a performance which saw him become the Canada West Player of the Year and named the MVP of CIS Finals week.
    UBC head coach, Mike Mosher, is only too aware of what Dosanjh brings to his team, as he told us last week.
    <i>"Obviously he's got his abilities on the ball. He's such a dynamic player. He's our leading scorer, but i think maybe above all he's all of 5 foot 5 and all of 135lbs, whatever he is, but he doesn't give an inch and he works as hard or harder than anybody else out there, so he brings those attributes of a leader."</i>
    And does he feel that Dosanjh has what it takes to make a go of it in the professional game and move up to the next level?
    <i>"Yeah i think he does, I think he does. He's got terrific abilities and it's just a matter of the spots where he would play and getting an opportunity in the right spot and then getting his foot in the door there and moving on, but I do think he does have the ability to move to another level."</i>
    Last week saw Dosanjh with another chance to show the Whitecaps management what kind of a player they had available to them, and the UBC captain had a strong game, with an assist on the first goal, as the Thunderbirds ran out 3-0 winners.
    It was a great team win, but Dosanjh also knew that a game like that was the perfect chance for him personally to further show the Whitecaps that he has what it takes to play at a higher level.
    <i>"It's definitely important. These are always opportunities to show what you are capable of."</i> Dosanjh told AFTN after the game.
    <i>"Every time you play a side like the Whitecaps it's an opportunity to showcase yourself a little bit. You want to perform and do the best of your abilities. I think that's what we all strived to do today."</i>
    But before Whitecaps fans get too excited about the prospect of seeing Gagan back in action with the club, he hasn't made any firm decisions as to where the next stage of his footballing career may take him. Returning to PDL action with the Caps is still a possibility though.
    <i>"I'm not 100% sure of my plans yet for the summer, but it's definitely been talked there. If it fits right, then you could see me back, yeah."</i>
    Dosanjh may not have finalised his plans for the summer yet, but whether he heads back to the Caps or not, he is a player that is still very much on Martin Rennie's radar.
    <i>"He came in and trained with us last year at the end of the PDL season and he did well, and we know that he's done really well last season in college.
    It was nice to see him out there. He played well and was very lively. Great work rate, great work ethic, so he's definitely someone that we have to keep an eye on."</i>
    But Rennie and the Caps are not the only ones keeping an eye on Dosanjh.
    Another opportunity may be on the horizon, with a chance for Gagan to join his former Abbotsford Soccer Association head coach Colin Miller in Edmonton.
    UBC coach Mosher explained, the pair will be reunited when Edmonton come to Vancouver for a week of pre-season training at the end of this month.
    <i>"There's been some conversations with Edmonton. He's going to train with them. They're coming out here shortly and he's going to train with them for a week and get a look.
    Colin Miller's very good and Colin knows Gagan very, very well and he helped to develop him out of the Abbotsford club years ago."</i>
    Dosanjh is in his third year at UBC and still has college eligibility left and years of school if he chooses to continue with that route, but with the standout footballing year he has had, he now has a number of options which need careful consideration.
    Is a career in the game even something that Gagan is looking for right now?
    <i>"I've always had a dream to play professional football. I haven't lost that dream at all. Right now I'm playing with UBC and as you can see, it's a fantastic side. So I look at it as another step in the right direction. Hopefully from here we can keep building and keep building my career. If not, I've got a fantastic education at a fantastic school."</i>
    If Dosanjh impresses Edmonton during his trial, he would return to UBC to finish up the school year before heading to Alberta for the remainder of the season.
    <p>
    Guest

    MLS Musings - Week Three

    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. So what did week three of the 2013 season, Rivalry Week, throw up for us?
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    <b><u>Games This Week:</u></b>
    After all the rivalry hype, I was expecting more from the games on offer this weekend. In the end it was more "Rivalry Weak" with many of the games, but it did provide some great results from a Whitecaps point of view.
    There's some irony in what I feel was the best match on Saturday being the one that wasn't one of the derby encounters. I know few of you will probably agree with my decision but it was the game I personally enjoyed most overall, as COLUMBUS finally made it home from the West coast to take on SAN JOSE. It was an enjoyable game for a neutral to watch and as it was the one game of the weekend I wasn't really that fussed in watching in the first place, that surprise factor probably helped.
    Both sides had chances, and San Jose played a game on the road that was both pleasing and attack minded. Wondo looked like getting some of his sharpness back and both teams hit well taken goals and played some nice football, creating 25 chances between them. Two attacking teams was just great to see after some of the performances this week. San Jose dropping another two points this early in the season was also great for the Caps.
    The game that kicked off Rivalry Week may not have produced any goals but it did produce a lot of talking points and wasn't a bad game for a 0-0. Perhaps the main talking point surrounds is this going to be another NEW YORK side which on paper looks quality, but ends up one which just can't get the business done on the pitch? They dominated their home game against DC UNITED and should have been out of sight instead of sharing the spoils. 24 attempts on goal, compared to DC's 5, but the Red Bulls had nothing to show for it. They couldn't have come much closer, with Fabian Espindola crashing a header off the crossbar in the first half and then a long range drive off the post in the second. That could have given me some great Fantasy League points. And given New York three themselves. Instead the pressure is slowly mounting on new coach Mike Petke. Two points out of the first nine could end up proving costly to New York when everything shakes out in October. Not every team can do a LA and bounce back so well from a bad start, although with the quality that New York have, you do have to think they will start converting their chances soon and the East is looking so tight just now that a string of wins will drag any team back into things. As for DC, they came, sat back and did what they needed to do. Wasn't pretty, but was effective.
    For Canadian fans not watching the stream from UVic, the big derby game north of the border this weekend was of course in MONTREAL. I was impressed with the amount of travelling support TORONTO took to the game. It's the kind of numbers I'd love to see Caps fans heading to Seattle and Portland in, and even if I'd like to think we could get that if it wasn't for the pesky border hassles, realistically I think we'd still be short. Shame it wasn't a classic game. As a neutral, well as neutral as you can be when you'd like both teams to lose, I was hoping for more. At least a punch up and some red cards, and you'd think having Baldomero Toledo in charge of a derby game would have guaranteed the latter. He did at least live up to his reputation by awarding two disputed penalties, taking his tally to an amazing 55 in 148 MLS games. One every 2.7 games he referees. Wow.
    As for the game itself, Montreal deserved the win despite a bit of a fight back by Toronto in the second half. Right now, TFC look more a team of individuals than a cohesive unit, as Ryan Nelson looks to find the right mix. Returns from injury and maybe even a couple more additions before the transfer window closes will likely help. I thought Marco di Vaio timed his run wonderfully for the first goal, despite twitter protestations, and if Felipe Martins hadn't been so selfish in the closing minutes, di Vaio would have surely wrapped it up with his second and given a scoreline more reflective of how the game played out. So the Impact are still unbeaten, and it will be interesting to see just how well their old legs can hold up as the season goes on. I still think they're the heavy favourites to lift the Voyageurs Cup this year, possibly against Edmonton!
    CHICAGO were another team this week to go on the road aiming to sit back, hang on and try and hit on the break when they faced KANSAS CITY. They were successful in that they got their first point of the season, but looked poor again as they executed it, seemingly forgetting the hitting on the break part for most of the game. The Fire still haven't scored a goal in three attempts this season. What a difference between this goal-less draw and the NY-DC one in terms of entertainment. The game amazingly ended up 11-a-side, with Silviu Petrescu going card happy in the robust encounter, issuing six yellow cards, which felt like more. In the end, KC didn't really push hard enough or were creative when it mattered, but Sean Johnson was on top form for Chicago and kept them in the game. The most entertaining part of the afternoon was watching Chicago coach Frank Klopas go nuts at various points. Would be fun seeing footage of him over the ninety minutes. He showed a lot more passion than his team.
    It just seemed to be shaping up that one goal would win it in PHILADELPHIA and so it played out, amid miserable conditions. Always sunny in Philadelphia my ass. NEW ENGLAND weren't overly adventurous, but had their chances. The Union always looked that one step ahead. Philly assistant coach summed things up best when he said it wasn't the kind of day to "play", but despite that, there were some nice passing moves throughout the game from both sides. Just lousy finishing.
    Derby games don't get much better for the fans than if their team has to overcome adversity to see off their bitter rivals. COLORADO didn't have to wait too long for adversity to come along against SALT LAKE, but in the end they fell just short of taking home the three points. Keeper Matt Pickens broke his arm in the fourth minute and was replaced by MLS debutant Clint Irwin and the occasion didn't get to the keeper, who played well and made a tremendous one handed save to keep out Luis Gil in the first half, before Alvaro Saborio finally found a way past him for an equaliser late on. The game was played in beautiful conditions at Rio Tinto. It's a great stadium to be at when the sun's out. The Rapids opened the scoring through Deshorn Brown. The rookie has looked dangerous in the opening weeks of the season. His pace has created problems for teams and created chances that he has not been able to take. He finally bagged his first MLS goal against RSL, but wasted other opportunities. It will be interesting to see how Vancouver defend against him. They should have enough practice at training in dealing with our own speed kings. More dropped points for our rivals though. Good stuff.
    The most hyped game of the weekend was always going to be SEATTLE v PORTLAND. It didn't live up to the billing and we saw two teams still struggling to get used to each other and work out how to play to their best. I'd make an argument for it being the worst MLS Cascadia derby we've seen in MLS so far, as the second half just didn't really come to life. Even more surprising considering Vancouver weren't involved. Of course, I'm disappointed in any derby game between hated rivals that doesn't end with at least one sending off and one stretchering off. Portland did a pretty good smash and grab at the Clink. They really didn't deserve to come away from that game with anything, despite Valeri's cracking his first half free kick off the bar. Neither team played particularly well, but Seattle were the better, more cohesive side and looked dangerous going forward and up the wings. They were let down by final balls and finishing. I wish Vancouver were catching them earlier in the season before they really start to click, because when they do, they could be electric. Overall, seeing Portland and Seattle dropping so many points at this early stage of the season gives a huge boost to Vancouver's playoff aspirations. Points on the board and all that. We saw how important that was to us last year. The draw was also great from a Cascadia Cup point of view for the Whitecaps. Now all we have to do is actually win a derby game.
    Sunday kicked off with the Texan derby and I'm sure this was many people's choice for 'Game of the Week' due to there being five goals, a two goal comeback and then a last minute winner. If you just watched the edited highlights, it was the sure fire winner. But apart from about 15-20 minutes of action in the entire match, it was a pretty dull affair, but somehow one that mustered up 19 attempts on goal and 12 on target.
    Everything is bigger in Texas they say, but that could just be the people that live there that they're talking about and obviously not crowd size as the game drew the smallest attendance of the weekend. We've been saying that we felt this would have been an ideal time to get HOUSTON and not next week. DALLAS certainly found it that way, but made hard work of it in the end and in a weekend of controversial handballs in England, they won the match with their own one. The Dynamo looked out of sorts and Dallas made them pay. Bad day at the office due to Champions League travels or something that Vancouver can use to their advantage next week? Houston are certainly a different beast at home but there were some things in this game that the Caps could exploit, if we can actually send some decent set pieces into the box. Houston uncharacteristically struggled to deal with both high balls and pace on the deck. Vancouver should at least test them with the latter, but Houston won't be so tired next weekend and they certainly woke up towards the end of the game. Dallas worked on their set pieces for nearly an hour in the build up to this game and they got their rewards. All three goals came from high balls into the box that caused the Dynamo defence problems. Let's hope Rennie took note. Pressurising Tally Hall in the box also seemed to unsettle Houston. We need to get Brad Rusin in there doing just that at corners and free kicks. For Dallas, these are the kind of wins that can be the difference between a playoff team and one missing out and will give them no end of confidence moving forward. Probably the worst result of the weekend for the Caps.
    Week 3 rounded off with the SoCal derby. I can't call it the Superclasico and keep a straight face, although the commentators clearly could and must have been on bonus pay for the dozens of times they dropped it into the game. And after all the lack of fire in the games that went before it, this one was feisty to say the least.
    Chivas are playing a clever game right now. They can't compete in the skills aspect with their opposition, so they're bringing them down to their level and disrupting the flow of games with what appears to be a well thought out rotational fouling system. They're dirty bastards this season and are getting away with it for the most part, for now, in that despite their nine bookings in their three games so far, they've only had one sending off. It could easily have been four! And the one they did get a red for, shouldn't have been. How they came out of the LA game with just one booking though is mystifying. 22 fouls they gave away. This is going to catch up with them as the season wears on and the suspensions kick in.
    They certainly knocked LA off their game. Some of the tackles from both sides were X-rated. Knee high tackles, late challenges, feet left in that little bit too long, elbows flying, shoulders into heads, the list goes on of all the cheap shots. Great derby fare for a neutral like me of course! They held firm in the second half and snatched an unlikely comeback draw with Carlos Alvarez's first MLS goal in his MLS debut. Chivas are certainly entertaining to watch this season in many regards. All their subs used by the start of the second half, whilst already being down to ten men, could have proved costly. It didn't. And their antics on the sidelines are just as interesting to watch, with their assistant coach being sent to the stand this game.
    Vancouver go down to Chivas in two week's time. It's going to be an interesting game. If the Goats decide to go with three at the back against our pace in attack, then we could rip them apart. That's if they haven't kicked our flair guys off the park by that stage. I'm not sure that the Caps have the players to deal with such a robust encounter. Davidson and Watson may be needed to leave the foot in, and it will be a test of Mattocks' new found self discipline. As dodgy as they can look at the back, they showed against LA just how tight they can be when they put their minds to it. Maybe the Caps will get the bonus of half the Chivas team being suspended by that point.
    So three week's gone. Montreal still top of the East and Vancouver joint top of the West. How long can the Canadian teams keep setting the pace? It's certainly going to be tested in week four.
    <b><u>Outfield Player of the Week:</u></b>
    No player really stood out as being head and shoulders above the rest this week. New York's Fabian Espindola could have taken the prize if the woodwork hadn't kept him out twice.
    For this week's winner, we're turning our attention east to Montreal. PATRICE BERNIER had a good derby game for the Impact. One goal, one assist, and 50 successful passes, helped keep his team at the top of the Eastern Conference.
    <b><u>Goalkeeper of the Week:</u></b>
    DC United's BILL HAMID has surprised me and is already in my running for 'Player of the Season So Far'. I was never a fan before. As we know with goalkeepers, the positives can change very quickly. He's had a great first three games though and produced a string of saves to keep out New York Red Bulls and earn his United side a valuable away point. His most important stop came in injury time, clawing out a James Riley deflection from right on the goal-line.
    Chicago's Sean Johnson also deserves a mention for his saves to help earn his Fire side their first point of the season and Colorado's Clint Irwin for coming in early and almost guiding his side to their first win of the season.
    <b><u>Goal of the Week:</u></b>
    It wasn't really a week for great goals. JUSTIN MORROW gets our plaudits for his sweet strike to equalise for San Jose against Columbus. It wasn't just the perfect placement that gets it our nod, the move started with a free kick near the corner flag in their own half and they quickly capitalised on the Crew backing off to pass the ball into the danger zone.
    <center>

    </center><b><u>Save of the Week:</u></b>
    As we mentioned above, BILL HAMID had a match winning save in stoppage time, clawing out a deflection off his own defender from right on the goal-line to earn his DC United side a valuable away point and another clean sheet. Just one of a number of find stops from HAMID in this game, but this one was the best of the lot. (WATCH: http://p.mlssoccer.com/SAu5a/video/1646558/mls_2013-03-16-144758.640hq.mp4)
    Colorado sub keeper Clint Irwin takes the runner up plaudits with his one handed save from RSL Luis Gil in the first half of their game, after some lovely build up play form the Saltines. (WATCH: http://p.mlssoccer.com/SAu5a/video/1646966/mls_2013-03-16-190106.640hq.mp4)
    <b><u>Miss of the Week:</u></b>
    FELIPE MARTINS should have wrapped the game up for Montreal in the closing minutes. As the Impact had a two on one, Martins had enough time to make a cup of tea and still find a spot to finish, or at least find Marco Di Vaio in the middle. To not even get it on target from that close range was terrible and he's lucky it didn't cost them the full three points. (WATCH: http://p.mlssoccer.com/SAu5a/video/1646890/mls_2013-03-16-180230.640hq.mp4)
    <b><u>Cock Up of the Week:</u></b>
    This week's award goes not to a player, nor a team, nor a referee, but to TSN. MLS have been hyping up Rivalry Week for a while now. NBC Sports did a bang up job down in the US on Saturday with three live games and a new live show covering the rest. What did TSN have? One measly MLS match all weekend. Way to help try and grow the game and the League in this country. If they couldn't fit it into their busy curling schedule, then why do they bid for the rights in the first place? Disappointing and a major mistake on their part as official TV partners to the League. It all well and good showing games in the middle and end of the season, but at the start is where there's a chance to help boost the attendances at all three of the Canadian clubs. It's hard to generate interest of the casuals in games against the likes of Columbus if they can't get to know the teams and players.
    <b><u>Shit Haircut of the Week:</u></b>
    As a baldy, I feel it's not really my place to comment too much on matters of hair, but what the hell is going on with Real Salt Lake's SEBASTIAN VELASQUEZ? I mean, it's nice that they let blind people run hairdressers in Colombia but if his hair is a fashion statement, it's a statement that's been forced at gunpoint.
    Maybe he can share tips with Seattle's DeAndre Yedlin, who appears to have got his hairstyle ideas from looking at the loo brushes in Home Depot. Poor lad never even got a break at half time of the game against Portland as he was needed to unclear a blockage in the toilets in section 301.
    <b><u>Dive of the Week:</u></b>
    Name and shame. That's what everyone needs to start doing to these wankers. New England's JUAN TOJA flopped in horrible fashion in the second half of the Revs game in Philly. Fooled the ref, drew a free kick and a booking for his opponent, but thankfully didn't see any goal reward. He's looked good in other ways so far this season. Why the need to tarnish it with this. (WATCH: http://p.mlssoccer.com/SAu5a/video/1646898/mls_2013-03-16-180738.640hq.mp4)
    <b><u>Tackle of the Week:</u></b>
    Jeremy Hall's tackle, which earned him a booking against Montreal, was a perfect challenge. Why we're turning the game into a non contact sport I don't know. Hall won the ball well and I just don't see what was wrong with it. That was football and how I want to see my guys playing. (WATCH: http://p.mlssoccer.com/SAu5a/video/1646766/mls_2013-03-16-163506.640hq.mp4)
    I do like a cruncher and as runner up, AJ SOARES delivered one for New England in Philly, which drew a yellow. Could have been a red as no intention of going for the ball. But if you're going to get away with it, then go big or go home. (WATCH: http://p.mlssoccer.com/SAu5a/video/1646878/mls_2013-03-16-175218.640hq.mp4)
    Chivas' Oswaldo Minda would have won this week for his take out on Mike Magee's knee if he hadn't injured himself in the process.
    <b><u>Stat Attack:</u></b>
    <b>Total goals in week</b> - 17 (62 this season)
    <b>Average goals per game</b> - 1.88 (2.21 ave this season)
    <b>Highest scoring team</b> - Dallas (3 goals)
    <b>Penalties awarded</b> - 2 (5 this season)
    <b>Clean sheets</b> - 5 (14 this season)
    <b>Unbeaten teams</b> - 3 (LA, Montreal, Vancouver)
    <b>Winless teams</b> - 5 (Chicago, Colorado, New York, Portland, Seattle)
    <b>Pointless teams</b> - Technically none, but Seattle will always be pointless to me
    <b>Biggest win this season</b> - LA 4-0 v Chicago (2/3/13)
    <b>Sending offs</b> - 1 (1 this season)
    <b>Bookings</b> - 31 (76 this season)
    <b>Total attendance</b> - 207,443 (509,644 total for season)
    <b>Average attendance</b> - 23,049 (19,601 average for season)
    <b>Highest attendance this week</b> - 40,150 Seattle v Portland
    <b>Highest attendance this season</b> - 40,150 Seattle v Portland (16/3/13)
    <b>Lowest attendance this week</b> - 15,623 Dallas v Houston
    <b>Lowest attendance this season</b> - 7,121 Chivas v Columbus (2/3/13)
    <b><u>Fantasy Football Highs and Lows (after Week 3):</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> - Bill Hamid (DC United - 26 points)
    <b>Week's Highest Scoring Goalkeeper</b> - Bill Hamid (DC United - 10 points)
    <b>Highest Scoring Defender</b> - Camara (Montreal) / Jakovic (DC) / McDonald (DC) (all 21 points)
    <b>Week's Highest Scoring Defender</b> - Glauber (Columbus - 10 points)
    <b>Highest Scoring Midfielder</b> - Graham Zusi (KC - 30 points)
    <b>Week's Highest Scoring Midfielder</b> - 4 midfielders with 8 points
    <b>Highest Scoring Forward</b> - Earnshaw (Toronto) / Higuain (Columbus) (both 21 points)
    <b>Week's Highest Scoring Forward</b> - Federico Higuain (8 points)
    <b>Overall Highest Scoring Club</b> - Columbus Crew (174 points)
    <b>Overall Lowest Scoring Club</b> - Seattle Sounders (85 points)
    <b>Week's Highest Scoring Club</b> - DC United (65 points)
    <b>Week's Lowest Scoring Club</b> - Toronto (31 points)
    <p>
    Guest

    MLS Week in Review – Round 3

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Round three was Rivarly Week in MLS, featuring nine matches including the most hotly contested fixtures the league has to offer.
    Sometimes underwhelming, occasionally exhilarating, and, once or twice, downright controversial, six of the matches finished as draws - and considering only one of the first seventeen matches was drawn - a near staggering figure, perhaps indicative of neither side’s willingness to lose.
    Before the results, the goal of the round should go to one that didn’t count – Jackson’s perfect first-time finish of a David Ferreira through-ball over Tally Hall and off the inside of the far-post that would have given Dallas a three-goal lead before halftime against Houston – but that would be cheating, so to Los Angeles instead.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    It was a scrappy weekend for goal-scorers. Penalty kicks, set-pieces, and defensive errors littered the score-sheets.
    Cue Chivas USA with the final goal of the round. Eric Avila collects a poorly-cleared throw-in, fights for a yard of space before laying Carlos Borja down the right. The defender sends perfect ball behind the LA back-line into that corridor of uncertainty between the keeper and his cohorts.
    AJ De La Garza was caught napping at the far-post, allowing Carlos Alavaz, the pre-announced second-overall draft pick to score his first MLS goal forty-four minutes into his debut.
    A defensive error from LA, to neither effectively clear the ball, nor track the danger when presented, but what it lacked in dynamism was made up for by the magnitude of the result, surely the shock of the round was Chivas drawing the Galaxy after being reduced to ten-men.
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    Results in Brief
    New York 0 – DC 0
    Despite bossing the possession and out shooting their opponent in their home opener, New York now find themselves winless through their first three matches of 2013.
    Fabian Espindola twice hit the woodwork – from a header and a rocket of a left-footed shot – while Bill Hamid repeatedly came up big for DC, including a touch of goal-line controversy when the keeper pawed away a Brandon Barklage header on the goal-line from a Juninho corner kick in stoppage time.
    Mike Petke’s Bulls were sure they had scored; Ben Olsen’s United breathed a sigh of relief when the full time whistle came and the first match of the Atlantic Cup ended scoreless.
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    Kansas City 0 – Chicago 0
    Hardly natural rivals, the distaste between the two has built slowly over the years, fostered by some heated matches and a gentle nudge or two from the front offices.
    Folks at the NBC ten-hour marathon of MLS coverage were left shaking their heads when the second match of the afternoon ended in another nil-nil draw. Chances were few and far between, but yellow cards were aplenty – six in total; the most in any match this round.
    Peter Vermes’ KC collect their first clean-sheet of the season ruing their wasteful finishing – only three of twenty recorded attempts were on goal; while Frank Klopas’ Chicago are winless in three to start the season and are yet to score a goal.
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SYe3UDhE9_k?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    Montreal 2 – Toronto 1
    The weekend perked up a bit with a clash between what could be considered the most natural – and potentially heated – rivals in the league.
    A slow opening phase was ended when referee Baldomero Toledo whistled for an innocuous series of collisions between Ashtone Morgan and Andres Romero. Patrice Bernier duly converted from the spot. Montreal’s second was a remarkable bit of passing, shredding the absent Toronto defense and springing Marco Di Vaio down the right to round the keeper and deposit in the far-corner of the goal. Toledo again pointed to the spot when Dennis Iapichino blocked off the run of Terry Dunfield and Robert Earnshaw showed he too was clinical from twelve yards.
    Ryan Nelsen’s Toronto pressed for an equalizer in the final twenty minutes throwing on attacking substitute, one after the other, but Marco Schallibaum’s Montreal stood firm to maintain their perfect start to the season.
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XrV6uWBZwfo?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    Philadelphia 1 – New England 0
    Philadelphia maintained their unbeaten record against New England when the two met in one of the less-obvious matches of the rivalry-heavy round.
    Jack McInerney scored the lone goal of the match, from a Sebastien Le Toux corner kick, poking home his own rebound after an initial header was saved. It was the second week in a row that the Union won via a McInerney goal from a Le Toux corner kick.
    Jay Heaps’ New England could not find their offense, despite some glittering play from Lee Nguyen, to follow up their road victory last weekend with another here; John Hackworth’s Union are now unbeaten in eight all-time meetings with the Revolution and have won two straight.
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/opsAkWyq6U8?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    Columbus 1 – San Jose 1
    The other non-rivalry match of the round pitted these cross-conference foes against one another. The road team had not won this fixture in four seasons, a fact that continued as the two traded goals within five minutes in the second half.
    Brazilian defender Glauber broke away from Ramiro Corrales to connect with a Federico Higuain corner kick – reminiscent of his strike against Toronto in Orlando – placing his bullet-header low to the short-side between Jon Busch and Rafael Baca, the defender on the post. Justin Morrow found himself in acres of space on the left having collected a simple wide pass from Corrales and placed a perfect left-footed strike across – and beyond the reach of - Andy Gruenebaum into the side-netting.
    Frank Yallop’s Earthquakes have been decimated by injuries, so the defending Supporter’s Shield Champions should not be overly concerned with three points from nine; Robert Warzycha’s Columbus were projected to be vastly improved, defensively they have looked the part, but the offense is yet to find form.
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vxOQhTLKz-M?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    Salt Lake 1 – Colorado 1
    The Rocky Mountain Cup, one of the more heated affairs, ended in the fourth draw of the day’s schedule. A physical contest saw Colorado’s goalkeeper, Matt Pickens, leave the match after seven minutes with a broken forearm - following a clash with the head of Kwame Watson-Siriboe – to be replaced by debutant Clint Irwin (former CSL GK with Capital City), who performed admirably in his stead.
    The Rapids took the lead through another MLS rookie, when draft pick DeShorn Brown scored his first professional goal, picking the pocket of Watson-Siriboe on the right and striking a low right-footed finish past Nick Rimando in the Salt Lake goal. Alvaro Saborio leveled the contest with ten minutes remaining, capping off a broken play thanks to two great passes, first from Luis Gil, then from Joao Plata, to free the striker for a low finish across the keeper from a tight angle on the right.
    Oscar Pareja’s Colorado now sit winless in three, despite strong performances in each; Jason Kreis’ charges again found a way to stay in a match, while preventing their first home loss to their rivals in nine matches and six years.
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    Seattle 1 – Portland 1
    The nightcap to a full Saturday pitted Cascadia rivals Seattle and Portland against one another in their first meeting of the season.
    Fresh off their Champions League triumph midweek – becoming the first MLS club to eliminate a Mexican one – Seattle wasted no time exerting themselves on their opponent. Steve Zakuani intercepted a poor pass from Diego Chara in the defensive half and galloped up-field down the left – a welcome sight to those who feared his broken leg had robbed him of such pace. He cut towards the Portland box to send a perfect cross towards the back-post where a grateful Eddie Johnson touched in his first of the season.
    The Sounders’ week was set to be one of triumph, until in the final minute of play Timbers centre-back Andrew Jean-Baptiste looped a cross from the right into the heart of the box, where an unmarked Rodney Wallace sent it goal-bound into the top right corner of the goal.
    Sigi Schmid’s side will rue their poor-marking at the death, but Caleb Porter’s Timbers will take some joy in ruining the debut of Obafemi Martins, though they now find themselves winless through three.
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    Dallas 3 – Houston 2
    The opening match of Sunday’s schedule finally provided some much needed drama. The Texan Derby, the Battle for El Capitan, an eighteenth-century cannon – only in Texas – took a turn after a half-hour of play.
    Houston had dominated the all-time series, but it was Dallas who strolled out to a shock two-goal lead – when Bobby Boswell’s clearance of a Michel free-kick rebounded off the back of George John beyond the reach of Tally Hall and into the net; barely a minute later, Andrew Jacobson turned in a left-sided David Ferreira corner kick at the near-post - and were unlucky to not have a third before half-time when Jackson was wrongly called offside cancelling his deft strike.
    Houston stormed back in the final twenty minutes - first, from hard-work by Kofi Sarkodie forced a turnover from Michel and then teed up Andrew Driver for a pinpoint shot off the underside of the bar; then from a goalkeeping error from Raul Fernandez, palming a low Cam Weaver cross into the path of Brad Davis - only to fall in the end to a last-minute strike from Kenny Cooper – his first of the season – in controversial manner.
    The Texas-born striker appeared to collect the cross from Michel with his arm before touching it into the net and celebrating bare-chested while swinging his shirt over his head – having looked for a sign that his infringement was spotted first.
    Dominic Kinnear’s Dynamo will rue their slow start to the match and the debatable winner; Schellas Hyndman’s Dallas will take the points and run, reveling in only their fourth win – in twenty matches – against their cross-state foe.
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    Los Angeles 1 – Chivas 1
    Separated by only a corridor, the final match of the weekend saw high-flying Los Angeles - fresh off progression in the Champions League - host the much-maligned Chivas USA. A chippy affair drew three bookings out of referee Ricardo Salazar before, in the fortieth minute - of the twenty-sixth MLS match of the season – the first red card was shown to Chivas’ Joaquin Velazquez for a weak-tackle – if it can be called that - on Colin Clark who embellished any impact greatly.
    Ten man Chivas held the potent Galaxy offense at bay until the eighty-third minute when youngster Jack McBean contorted himself to get a looping header on a deflected Mike Magee ball sending it over a stretching Dan Kennedy, who could only get the faintest of touches as it sailed beyond his reach. Seemingly in control, the LA defense was caught napping when Eric Avila began the play that allowed Carlos Borja to square a right-sided ball through the goal-mouth for Carlos Alvarez who had sneaked in off the shoulder of AJ De La Garza at the back-post.
    Bruce Arena will be focusing on defensive responsibilities at the end of matches in training this week; while El Chelis is moving closer to ‘Saint’ than ‘Heathen’ in the eyes of media and fans alike – though, on a sliding scale – with a miraculous point after last weekend’s win.
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    Canadian Content
    Patrice Bernier put in another ‘Man of the Match’ performance going the full ninety in Montreal’s win over Toronto FC. He scored a goal – converting from the spot – after his ball for Romero drew the penalty from Ashtone Morgan and provided the second assist on Di Vaio’s goal by playing Arnaud into space – they were his first goal and second assist of the season.
    Though he rarely strayed over the half-way line, he completed fifty of fifty-seven passes, made six recoveries, two interceptions and one clearance; won and conceded three fouls apiece – picking up his first booking of the season for pulling back and tripping Reggie Lambe in transition.
    Dejan Jakovic again went the full match for DC United in their scoreless draw with New York, maintaining a second straight clean-sheet. He made six tackles, five interceptions, eight clearances and seven recoveries, conceded two fouls and one corner kick and completed twenty-three of twenty-nine passes.
    Will Johnson put in another full shift for his Portland Timbers in their come-from-behind draw away to Cascadia rivals, Seattle. He completed forty-two of fifty-three passes, made nine recoveries, four interceptions and one clearance; won five tackles and two fouls, conceding a further two – his fourth and fifth fouls of the season – and picked up his first yellow card of 2013 for a lunging challenge on Oswaldo Alonso. His one attempt on goal, from a direct free-kick, was blocked.
    Disturbingly he was tackled and lost possession twelve times, though that could be more indicative of Seattle’s high pressing and a poor outing from Portland’s attacking core.
    Terry Dunfield was his typically active self in Toronto’s loss to Montreal covering most, if not all, of the pitch. He played ninety minutes, completed forty-one of fifty-two passes, won three tackles, made six recoveries and two interceptions; winning three fouls and conceding four. He had two shots and a header – all off target – including one where the wiser option was to slip in Earnshaw. Dunfield was tackled, losing possession, a staggering eleven times - like Johnson, whether he was holding the ball too long, or lacking options, is a matter for debate.
    Dwayne De Rosario, having served his two-match ban for a preseason head-butt on Philadelphia’s Danny Cruz, started his first match of the season for DC. He had two shots – one on target, completed twenty-nine of thirty-five passes, won two tackles, made six recoveries, and won three fouls, but was tackled and lost possession nine times and had two unsuccessful dribbles. He lasted seventy-six minutes before making way for Marcos Sanchez.
    Ashtone Morgan had a rough night and was subbed of after sixty-five minutes for Darrell Russell. He completed only twenty-three of thirty-seven passes, had three unsuccessful crosses, and was alarmingly tackled for a loss of possession fifteen times. He made three clearances, two recoveries, adding an interception and a blocked cross, and managed one of his two shots on target, though only a weak attempt from distance. Morgan has been repeatedly target as the weak-link of the TFC back-line; his flaws were exposed on this night.
    Kyle Bekker came on for Jeremy Hall in the sixtieth minute as Toronto attempted to fight back from a two-goal deficit. He completed thirteen of sixteen passes, was tackled, losing possession five times and conceded one foul. He took two free kicks and made one recovery. Not a bad cameo for the rookie on his third appearance, but Toronto needed more.
    Jonathan Osorio also entered the fray in Montreal for Danny Califf in the eighty-four minute with Toronto throwing caution to the wind in search of a tying goal. He had little time to make an impact, but completed seven of his eight passes in his second substitute appearance.
    Kyle Porter, Wandrille Lefevre, and Nana Attakora were all on the bench for their clubs – DC, Montreal, and San Jose, respectively.
    See It Live
    An abbreviated rendition this round - Peter Vermes shouting tantrum on the touch-line when he thought Claudio Bieler was being held by Jalil Anibaba in the box. He was incredulous.
    Overheard
    The Philadelphia Union announcers are possibly the worst offenders in MLS of the unwritten rule that the calling of matches should be nonpartisan, especially given that local broadcasts are often made available across the league via Direct Kick and MLS Live. The Hoppenot-Rivas head-butt incident last season was made nearly unwatchable by their repeated moanings. The homerisms seem odd in the case of Alejandro Moreno; given how good he is when analyzing matches elsewhere.
    Upcoming Matches
    Saturday: DC v Columbus; New England v Kansas City; Montreal v New York; Houston v Vancouver; Dallas v Salt Lake; Los Angeles v Colorado; San Jose v Seattle. Sunday: Chicago v Chivas.
    Parting Thoughts
    Vancouver hits the road after a bye week for their first away match of the season - a particularly tricky one at that - to Houston. What is expected from the Whitecaps on the road? Can Montreal keep their perfect start to the season rolling when they face New York? Will Nesta be ready in time and does that even matter? What about Baldomero Toledo’s match in Montreal, were those penalties warranted? Toronto has some time to take stock of all the new arrivals and train as a unit with two weeks between matches, what emerges from this cocoon?
    Two of the three unbeaten sides remaining in MLS are Canadian; can they really rival LA for league dominance?
    Was Velasquez’s tackle worthy of the red card? Was Jackson offside? Should Cooper's goal have been ruled off for hand-ball? Was New York's last-gasp attempt over the line? Given all three Champions League participants failed to win on the weekend, is that tournament more trouble than it’s worth? Should Chris Wondolowski’s early scoring troubles be a concern to San Jose? And what of the winless sides – Chicago, New York, Portland, Colorado, and … Seattle, what does round four hold for them?
    Until next weekend.
    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
    No full-time head coach? No problem for the men's national team!
    Perhaps in an attempt to wash away the taste of the failed World Cup qualifying campaign as quickly as possible, it appears Canada may now have a fifth friendly lined up for the first half of 2013 -- and once again, they appear to have found themselves a quality opponent.
    An announcement from the Costa Rican Football Federation (note: the original page has since been removed; link is to a cached version) states that their squad will travel to Edmonton for a friendly on May 28. (update) The Canadian Soccer Association has offered up a "no comment" when asked about it; however, FIFA has added the match to its official website (hat tip to Steven Sandor).
    The match, if confirmed, would be the men's national team's first game on home soil in 2013, and their first in Edmonton since a 2-2 draw against Mexico in World Cup qualifying on Oct. 15, 2008.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The game would not fall on a FIFA international date, meaning Canada's roster would certainly be comprised almost entirely of domestic players -- but the USA is also playing a friendly that week (against Belgium, on the 29th), so MLS clubs will hopefully already be in a generous mood at it relates to releasing players. Also, given the game's proposed location, it would seem like the perfect time to give some of FC Edmonton's promising young Canadians a look with the senior national team (the Eddies play at home two days earlier, on May 26).
    Aside from personnel, the question of venue is an interesting one. While Clarke Stadium, home of FCE, would be the logical choice, Sandor notes that it is unfit for international matches due to the permanent football lines; hence, the Costa Rica game would likely be played at cavernous Commonwealth Stadium.
    But, again, this friendly has not been confirmed by the CSA, so let's not get too excited just yet. Still, if this game does come to fruition, it's another promising step in rebuilding the team (and its coast-to-coast fanbase) in the aftermath of the Brazil 2014 fiasco, and in the run-up to this summer's Gold Cup.
    The men's national team's next game is this Friday against Japan, kicking off at 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET from Doha, Qatar, with a live stream available on sportsnet.ca.
    .
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