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    Guest
    As Vancouver Whitecaps 2012 MLS season came to an end on Thursday evening, they thankfully went out with a performance closer to a mild bang than whimper
    Despite all the hard work and effort put in by the team at the Home Depot Center, it was a game that showed that there is still a lot of work to be done to try and get the Whitecaps to not just make the playoffs, but to be actual MLS Cup contenders.
    A team which has the ability to go into a playoff game not with the sole tactic of getting nine men behind the ball, hoping for the best at the back and trying to hit on the break.
    The scoreline may have been close on the night, but the stats certainly weren't.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The huge gulf between the teams was plain for everyone to see. It has been all season and we shouldn't let a one goal loss shade this.
    That's not to say that we didn't compete well with LA on Thursday in some areas. We did.
    Our defence, the real reason we made the playoffs in the first place, looked good and held firm for most of the match. It was always going to be a near impossible task to just sit back and try and hold on for 87 minutes against a LA side that had only failed to score in one home game all season.
    They didn't make many mistakes and it looked like the team that started the season. Confident, communicating well and all seemingly on the same page. Andy O'Brien's inclusion is a big part of that.
    He's been immense since coming in and has a passion for the game and the team that many others would do well to replicate.
    Brad Knighton had what many are calling his "coming of age" game, but I think that does him a disservice as to how well he's played since he came in for Joe Cannon at the start of September.
    When we did break forward we looked like we could do some damage and we had chances to put the game away.
    It's hard not to say that the game didn't turn on Kenny Miller's fluffed chance and the immediate LA equaliser, along with the tale of two penalty claims.
    Miller's miscue was horrible. Just looking at this photo of the chance, you have to at least get the shot on target from that position.
    Barry Robson should also have done better with the rebound but once he didn't hit it first time, which would have at the very least forced a save out of Josh Saunders, he really didn't have any other options on.
    Miller is being pounded by many, but he had a decent game when he came on and had some nice interplay with Watson and Thorrington in particular. Unfortunately for him, his salary and DP status is always going to mean that a lot of fans don't see this work and just want him to score. And he should be from these positions.
    Missing chances like the one he did makes it hard to defend him though and if he is going to have a reduced role, then it is better for both him and the Caps if he moves on. Expect a loan deal leading to a permanent move shortly.
    As for the penalties, Landon Donovan went down easily, but from the referee's angle he will only have seen Martin Bonjour's arm come across, so it was well sold by the Galaxy player.
    John Thorrington on the other hand lost winning a penalty by overselling it.
    When I saw it live, I never thought it was a penalty, but seeing the replay he is in fact clipped on the leg and hit in the face. The face hit was very hard to see in real time and if he hadn't gone down holding his face, whilst flicking his legs back, I think he might have got the call.
    You have to think that the Galaxy would still have gone on to win and at the end of the day, the better team won.
    As gutted as we feel and as proud we are that the team battled and didn't get blown away, we just didn't have the players to compete toe to toe with LA.
    So how far away from the Caps are the Galaxy and the other top teams in the West?
    We are fairly close. Above the halfway point to where we need to be.
    We're probably three or four players, some consistency and some changes tactically away from realistically saying we can compete week in and week out with the best in MLS.
    From a regularity point of view, we need two strikers scoring and creativity in midfield.
    It easy to sit back and say all that of course, but turning that into reality is a lot more difficult.
    How close we are seems to vary depending on which Caps team turns up and whether they're at home or not.
    It's clear that the Whitecaps have two very different playing styles and for away games we're going to bunker down.
    It's not pretty and you have say that it hasn't really worked either when you look at just three wins and 13 points from those tactics.
    The problem with going in defensive is that when you go behind, especially to an early goal, the team has trouble switching in to the attacking mindset and we don't seem to have the players capable of making that adjustment.
    There is going to need to be changes in the offseason and Martin Rennie now has a tough few weeks and months ahead of him as looks to add the necessary personnel to make us better.
    Going from the worst team to the playoffs has been great, but I still feel we fell short of where we could have been and now the pressure is on the current management to improve again next season.
    Over the next few days we'll have our usual end of season round ups, with a season review, final 3-2-1 standings, our annual awards, a stat attack and an in-depth player analysis where we'll take a critical look at whether they should stay or they should go.
    With all the comings and goings at the Caps this year, you can be certain that it's not all over yet and November could be a very interesting month.
    <center>********************</center>
    <b><u>AFTN 3-2-1 v LA:</u></b>
    Our last 3-2-1 of the year. We have the results all tallied and will be posting the final standings shortly.
    There were a lot of great displays last night in LA and in the end we went with…
    3 points – BRAD KNIGHTON (Not a lot he could have done with the goals, but he commanded his box well throughout the game and put in a performance that should see him firmly established as next season’s number one)
    2 points – ANDY O’BRIEN (There’s been so much to love about O’Brien these last few months. A great pick up and another solid performance when it mattered. His set to with Keane near the end was the passion we need to see from all these guys)
    1 point – MATT WATSON (There were a lot of people surprised that Watson started but he had an excellent game. His footwork in the build up to the goal shows what he is capable of and he gave his all throughout.)
    <p>
    Guest

    Marsch out as head coach in Montreal

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    After just one season, Jesse Marsch is out as head coach of the Montreal Impact.
    Marsch led the team to a record of 12-16-6 in its inaugural MLS campaign. The Impact's total of 42 points was good enough for seventh in the Eastern Conference, though it would have left the team just one point short of the playoffs in the Western Conference.
    The official release from the team claims that "the club and head coach Jesse Marsch have mutually agreed to part ways", while team president Joey Saputo is quoted as saying, "While we had the same long-term objectives for this team, we realized over the past few weeks that we did not share the same philosophy as how to get there."
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Given Marsch's long-time involvement with the North American game (over 300 games played in MLS, and a brief stint on the coaching staff of the U.S. men's national team), contrasted with Saputo's acquisition of four ex-Serie A players over the age of 30 this year, it's not difficult to imagine where those philosophical differences may have originated.
    A trio of assistant coaches will take charge of the Impact until a full-time replacement is found.
    More coverage and reaction to come.
    Guest
    Christopher Vose is AFTN's photographer and here is a gallery of some of his photos from the MLS playoff game between Los Angeles Galaxy and Vancouver Whitecaps at the Home Depot Center on Thursday November 1st 2012.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    For a full high quality slideshow of all 54 of Christopher's LA photos, click <a href="
    " target="_blank">HERE</a>.<center>********************</center>
    <center>

    (#CapsOnTour - playoff style)

    (The team that looked to make history)

    (All poppied up and ready to go)

    (Darren Mattocks shocks LA and all of MLS)

    (And didn't he enjoy his moment?!)

    (Jay DeMerit's pre-match build up at the Long Beach aquarium paid off)

    (5.9 for the Irish diving team)

    (Mattocks' magic trickery)

    (Brad Knighton's world class save from David Beckham's free kick)

    (Mike Magee ties it up and the Caps look downtrodden)

    (Martin Bonjour makes an unfortunate immediate impact)

    (And Landycakes gives LA the win from it)
    </center>
    You can view all of Christopher's Whitecaps photographs at <a href="http://www.consulphotography.com" target="_blank"><b>ConsulPhotography.com</b></a>.
    Be sure to check his photos daily, as he is will have regular shots up from training, as well at Caps matches at all levels.
    All of his photos are copyrighted and cannot be used without his permission.
    <p>
    Michael Mccoll
    We haven't done this for a few months, and we need some light hearted nonsense after last night's heartache, so we thought it was about time to bring you another "MLS Back Catalogue".
    In this feature, AFTN revisits artists' discographies, authors' bibliographies and different genres of music, books and films, all re-imagined with the current and recent players and managers of Major League Soccer.
    And it's all done in a full 'Top of the Pops' style top ten countdown.
    On November 2nd 1978, one of our all-time favourite albums was released. "Outlandos d'Amour" by The Police had many a spin as I was growing up and I still have my original vinyl of it.
    With this in mind, 34 years later, today's MLS Back Catalogue comes from The Police....
    ************************************
    (10) Every Little Thing Brek Shea Does Is Magic
    (9) Adrian Cannary In A Coalmine
    (8) Stephen King Of Pain
    (7) Julian de Guzman In A Suitcase
    (6) Nick DeLeon Any Other Day
    (5) Don't Stand So Close To Justin Meram
    (4) Tyson Wahl King On the Moon
    (3) Can't Stand Losing Ugo Ihemelu
    (2) So Lonelee Young-Pyo
    (1) Mamdou do do, De Da Da Danso
    Guest
    In part IV of our season review we grade all players currently with TFC, or who played a significant role on the club in 2012.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]Richard Eckersley B+
    Durable and far more disciplined in 2012 than in his first MLS year, Eckersley solidified his position as a fan favourite. Eckersley is not without flaws in his game—he can be drawn out of position (whether from his natural fullback slot, or at centreback where he filled in this year). However, he remains a valuable piece of TFC moving forward, despite being overpaid.

    Terry Dunfield B
    Dunfield played the best football of his career in the second half of the season. He does give the ball away too often, and he really shouldn’t be the guy TFC relies upon to take free kicks, but he brings an intangible value to the club that makes him an important piece for 2013 – expect Dunfield to play a utility midfielder type position next year if the Reds can add more attacking skill in the middle. However, expect him to play a lot of minutes.
    Danny Koevermans B
    He’d be higher graded if not for two factors – showing up out of shape and getting his knee torn apart once he was in game shape. Koevermans, when healthy, is one of the best pure scorers in MLS. If TFC is to make any significant improvements in 2013 they will need the big Dutchman to return in full form.
    Ashtone Morgan B-
    Maybe the best story of 2012, if not the best performance. Morgan continues to improve technically (although he’s still more of an athlete) and should be an important part of TFC for years ahead. He’s still very young and he probably should have been spot started a bit more in 2012, but the Reds lack of depth prevented that.
    Luis Silva C+
    A bit more was expected, but there were flashes of what made him the No 4 selection in the Superdraft. He should be a regular starter for years to come in MLS. TFC needs to figure out if he’s a forward or a midfielder.

    Ryan Johnson C+
    The hottest player in March, Johnson’s game slumped badly in the second half. The emergence of Silva during that time might make Johnson an obvious trade asset for Toronto this off-season – he’s likely the only piece that is both valuable enough to attract something of worth back, and disposable to Toronto.
    Torsten Frings C+
    Beyond the injury, Frings was inconsistent in 2012. He’s slowed down a great deal and, although his intelligence allows him to cover for a lack of pace, he was exposed at times. Still, a vital piece of TFC with intangible components of his game that cannot be measured. Coming off surgery there will be questions. Like Koevermans, TFC absolutely needs Frings to be back in 2013 to have any chance of turning it around. It seems likely that when the end does come for Frings it will come quickly.
    Darren O'Dea C+
    He just wasn’t here long enough to fully measure. There is a lot of promise, but to grade higher we will need to see him for a full MLS season, with a consistent, natural CB partner. Obviously, a massively important part of the 2013 team.
    Milos Kocic C
    When he’s checked in Kocic can be a great shot blocker and a capable MLS keeper. When his head is out of it he slips to a slightly below average MLS keeper that is prone to making the odd, dangerous error. In an ideal world, TFC would keep him around as a solid back-up, but realistically Kocic will be gone as soon as it’s determined that Stefan Frei is fully healthy.
    Julian de Guzman C
    The same issues that held de Guzman back throughout the early years in the league were there again in 2012. He is pushed off the ball far too easily and he tends to mentally float in and out of games as his frustration level ebbs and flows. Where de Guzman did shine was in the CCL, especially in the games against Mexican teams. That speaks to his game, which is better suited to a less physical league. Hopefully for de Guzman he can find a suitable place to play – he does have a few years left if he can find the right setting.
    Eric Hassli C -
    The C- grade might be generous. He was too fragile and, based on what has been returned so far, nowhere near worth the No 1 SuperDraft selection in 2014, nor a DP contract. However, he did have flashes and he does have potential. Will he be part of TFC in 2013? Probably. They simply do not have many better options and, with Kovermans fitness in question, the Reds likely have little choice but to figure out a way to bring him back.
    Reggie Lambe D+
    At his best Lambe was a serviceable wing player. At his worst he was invisible. His youth likely earns him another year to be something more.
    Doneil Henry D+
    Injuries derailed a promising campaign. It’s important to remember how young Henry is and realize that most players his age in North America are still in college. His ceiling is high. Expect more minutes in 2013, with 2014 the true goal to have him start regularly.
    Aaron Maund D
    Maund was converted to a holding midfielder and is likely athletic enough to get another look in 2013. He's a long way to being a regular starter though.
    Ty Harden D
    He just isn’t athletic enough or technically skilled enough to effectively play at this level. It’s unlikely he’ll be back and the NASL or USL likely beckons.
    Jeremy Hall D
    Hall did very little to suggest that he deserves to be a regular starter at fullback. A lack of options made him just that. He needs to be much better in 2013 if he is to stick around.
    Andrew Wiedeman D
    He did find the goal a couple times and he is still young. As a cheap depth forward he’s likely worth keeping around another year, but the ceiling is Chad Barrett, not Chris Wondolowski.
    Eric Avila D-
    He was barely used by Aron Winter and even less by Paul Mariner. There looks to be talent, but the consistency is lacking. His metal game is way below par. The NASL or USL is likely his next stop.
    Nick Soolsma D-
    OK on the pitch; a disaster off. At 24, Soolsma isn’t a kid anymore. If he’s to have any type of career he needs to stop acting like one. There is a base level of talent there... likely to be wasted.
    Quincy Amarikwa F
    Athletic and game. There is a reason why he was a free pick up. It’s unlikely he would have gotten a look without the amount of injury issues TFC had up front. Every team needs a few cheap options to fill out the reserve bench and, if he’s willing to come back to fill a role like that, Amarikwa might stick around for a while. But he can never be a regular player for a successful side.
    Freddy Hall F
    He could occasionally surprise with a save, but was generally terrible. Below average as a back-up. TFC will need to either find a way to keep Kocic happy or upgrade.
    Joao Plata F
    He was vastly overrated by fans in 2011. It’s comical how much of a free pass he still gets. Here is the bottom line: In 2012 he has barely played (18 games total, mostly as a sub) and has a single goal. At best, he is at least partly to blame for the unprofessional way he left the club at in the transfer window and it’s telling that no other MLS club was willing to roll the dice on him when TFC offered his as trade bait. Plata could have a role as a supersub in MLS, but his physical size makes it highly unlikely that he’ll ever be a regular starter. TFC will offer him a chance to come back. It might be for the best if he says no.
    Miguel Aceval F
    An unqualified disaster and, by far, the biggest player disappointment of 2012.
    Junior Burgos F
    It’s a bit harsh to give him an F, but he was offered a contract and did fail to make any significant impact. He was out of his depth.
    Nicholas Lindsay Inc
    Time will tell if he can ever recover from the terrible snowmobiling accident he suffered two off-seasons ago, but it was nice to see him back in training at the end of the year. He showed promise in 2010. Hopefully, he can come back either at TFC or at a lower level.
    Keith Makubuya Inc
    We’ve never really had a chance to evaluate him and one wonders whether it was in his best interest to have signed a homegrown contract. He’s a player that probably would have benefitted from at least a year in college soccer.
    Oscar Cordon Inc
    Much of what was said about Makubuya applies here.
    Quillan Roberts Inc
    Roberts, even more than Henry and Morgan, is thought to be the best prospect to come out of the academy. He needs playing time somewhere. Hopefully a loan situation can be worked out for 2013.
    Matt Stinson Inc
    Injuries have stalled his development. Next year will be vital for Stinson.
    Stefan Frei Inc
    Frei will be the longest serving player for TFC and will take over the all-time appearance lead in 2013. He is the Reds clear No 1 and a guy that has made it clear that he wants to be there when TFC finally gets it right. Every soccer fan in the city is cheering for him to fully recover from the injury. By all accounts he is.
    Guest
    Vancouver Whitecaps headed into their first MLS playoffs this evening as massive underdogs with everyone from the media to the bookmakers.
    There was a reason for that, but at least they made a lot of people sweat a little along the way before going down 2-1 to the defending champions Los Angeles Galaxy tonight in a battling performance.
    The Caps were expected to go in to Los Angeles and try and bunker against the Galaxy, trying to grind out a result and looking to hit on the break. No-one expected Vancouver to grab the early lead, but that's just what they did and they held on resolutely under wave after wave of LA attacks.
    In the end they fell just short of a famous victory, in what was an emotional rollercoaster for Caps fans.
    All we asked for was a performance we could be proud of. For the players to stand up and be counted. We may not have got the victory, but the players did themselves, the club and the fans proud and showed that they deserved that playoff spot they had earned.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Martin Rennie made one change from the line-up which drew the last regular game of the season in Salt Lake at the weekend, with Barry Robson coming in for Dane Richards, as the Whitecaps went to a five man midfield.
    There wasn't even a minute on the clock before LA had their first chance of the match, with Mike Magee flashing a header past the left hand post.
    Vancouver though were determined to not be overawed and they took a shock lead just three minutes in.
    Matt Watson collected the ball on the left and showed some neat footwork to easily get past Hector Jimenez and run into the box. He cut the ball back to an open Darren Mattocks and the rookie showed composure to deftly direct his shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net and stun the Home Depot Center.

    With many predicting an early Los Angeles goal, both teams now needed to reassess how they would see out the remaining 86 minutes of the game.
    Brad Knighton was called to make his first save of the match in the sixth minute when Juninho unleashed a fierce long range strike which the Caps keeper parried away.
    LA now couldn't afford to be gung-ho and were more deliberate in their build up play as they tried to find a way through a packed Vancouver backline. Whenever they got the ball in, or near, the box though, they were soon closed down by at least one Whitecap.
    The Galaxy were looking dangerous, but not threatening as much as many expected.
    Robbie Keane brought a low stop out of Knighton in the 28th minute after collecting the ball on the edge of the box and turning superbly before firing off a shot.
    Despite dominating possession, LA just couldn't find a way through a resolute Whitecaps defence and they only had two wide Landon Donovan efforts to show for their efforts.
    Vancouver hearts were in their mouths in the last minute of the first half when Donovan went down very easily in the box under the attention of Andy O'Brien.
    Referee Petrescu waved away the appeals but seconds later gave the Galaxy a free kick in a very dangerous position on the edge of the box.
    Up stepped David Beckham but Knighton fantastically got across his goal to palm the goalbound effort away.
    The Whitecaps had held on and went in at the break with a shock 1-0 lead, but they knew they were going to be coming under more and more intense Galaxy pressure.
    Vancouver showed their intention to not just sit back and defend in the second half and John Thorrington brought a save out of Josh Saunders three minutes in with a low drive.
    Barry Robson unleashed a thunderbolt in the 54th minute which Saunders could only parry away, but the LA defence managed to clear the danger for a throw in before Mattocks could get on the rebound.
    The Galaxy turned up the pressure and launched attack after attack to try and get back on level terms, but the Whitecaps held tight.
    Edson Buddle came closest to finding the net in the 64th minute, when Knighton held his header on his goal-line.
    Three minutes later and Knighton was called into action, getting down way to turn away a low Beckham drive.
    Vancouver went up the pitch and nearly added to their lead.
    Substitute Kenny Miller played a neat one-two with Watson, and the Englishman did well to make room and shoot. Saunders could only parry the fierce strike and the ball broke to Miller who miss-hit his shot which was then deflected to Robson. His fellow Scot couldn't find a way through the LA defenders who had closed him down to get off a shot and the Galaxy cleared the danger.
    The inability to put the game away was immediately punished and the home side levelled in the 69th minute when Magee brilliantly volleyed home a Juninho cross from 12 yards out.
    In the build up to the goal, Jay DeMerit had taken a knock and was soon replaced by Martin Bonjour.
    The Argentinean was soon in the thick of the action when Donovan again went down easily under his challenge in the 72nd minute. This time the referee pointed to the spot and Donovan got up to bury the spot kick and give LA the lead.


    It was heartbreak for the Whitecaps, who were frustrated by the decision and assistant coach Paul Ritchie was soon sent from the dugout for comments to the fourth official.
    The Galaxy now started to sit back a little and Vancouver had no option but to try and take the game to the reigning champs.
    Thorrington went down in the box with eleven minutes remaining, but it was clearly not a penalty. The difference between his claim and Donovan's was that the LA player sold his far better.
    Still a danger going forward, and keen to kill the game off, Beckham fired just wide left in the 81st minute, as Vancouver started to commit more men forward.
    LA easily saw out the closing minutes as Vancouver just couldn't muster enough creativity to find a way back into the game.
    It was an expected defeat, but a battling performance in which the Whitecaps fought well but simply didn't have the players in the end to compete at LA's level and get the job done.
    Vancouver's 2012 season is now over and a number of hard decisions will now come Martin Rennie's way.
    Going from worst to fifth, and the playoffs, in one season was a good turnaround. Now he needs to find the necessary means to take the Whitecaps to the next level.
    The performance of many players tonight showed that he has some good foundations to build on as he looks to take the team at least one step further next year.
    FINAL SCORE: Los Angeles Galaxy 2 - 1 Vancouver Whitecaps
    ATT: 14,703
    LOS ANGELES GALAXY: Josh Saunders; Todd Dunivant, Omar Gonzalez, Tommy Meyer, Hector Jimenez (Marcelo Sarvas 52); Landon Donovan, Juninho (Michael Stephens 83), David Beckham, Mike Magee; Robbie Keane, Edson Buddle [subs Not Used: Brian Perk, Jose Villarreal, Bryan Gaul, Andrew Boyens, Jack McBean]
    VANCOUVER: Brad Knighton; Young-Pyo Lee, Andy O’Brien, Jay DeMerit (Martin Bonjour 70), Jordan Harvey; Alain Rochat, John Thorrington, Matt Watson (Dane Richards 80), Gershon Koffie, Barry Robson; Darren Mattocks (Kenny Miller 59) [subs Not Used: Joe Cannon, Jun Marques Davidson, Russell Teibert, Camilo Sanvezzo]
    <p>
    Guest
    I’ve spent the last few days mulling over the latest topic of debate in Canadian soccer circles – the use of anonymous sources. This involves some serious navel gazing, so fair warning up front.
    Much of this conversation has stemmed from the Star’s Cathal Kelly column that painted Aron Winter in a pretty poor light – and used anonymous sources throughout to skewer the man. And what followed was an apt critique from the Score’s Richard Whittall who did some skewering of his own.
    I won’t really go into the Kelly piece further. The consensus seems to have arrived at: it was an abuse of the tool that is anonymous sources and that a fair portrait of Winter’s time in Toronto was not painted.
    Out of that conversation has spawned two corresponding debates. One is the use at all of anonymous sources. And the other is that Toronto’s mainstream soccer press has allowed themselves to be led down the primrose path on issues that pertain to the club.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    On the latter, there is always a fine line being walked by beat reporters. They have to maintain their relationships with the club to get access and also to keep strong relations with players and personnel to get scoops. Like it or not, high profile jobs in the industry are given to those who are able to breaking news accurately and consistently.
    In an ideal world – and how it works for most of the other sports in major cities - the beat reporter is the one who has his ear to the ground for what goes on during and away from the game. When it comes to things that he can’t report on, for fear of burning a source – or getting himself outright expelled from the press box – they pass along that information to a columnist.
    The columnist, with an arms length detachment, is able to do the dirty work and write broadly on what needs to be shared. It doesn't burn the original source and provides protection for the beat reporter who has to look these guys in the eye everyday.
    Unfortunately, in this city, soccer scribes often play the role of beat reporter, columnist and editor. Despite the recent growth of the game, mainstream gigs still remain few and far between.
    So, if it appears that those in the press in Toronto are often too cozy with management, consider that they are being asked to play all three roles and, as such, given the situation they are in, limits how far they can go with their criticisms. I’ll add to that, given the anger amongst the fan base is rightfully at an all time high, even in an ideal newsroom situation, writers would still be painted as not going far enough.
    On the other side of this coin is the anonymous sources conversation. I’ve spoken with Richard about this in the past and told him that I didn’t think it was his place to make those kinds of judgments. My view is that it’s easy for those who don’t do interviews and seek to break stories to lecture those who do not. If you're not doing the work of vetting sources and chasing down news, you really don't have a handle on all of what goes into the decision to use anonymous sources. His sticking point is that they are being relied upon too often in Canadian soccer. I can see how he would arrive there but, among other things, it doesn't give room for the situation that I explained above.
    The points he makes about the ethics involved in the Kelly piece are apt and I'm glad he stepped forward to discuss them. But I continue to take issue with the professorial tone and finger wagging that has spawned from it.

    Quite simply, it’s never a black or white issue when dealing with anonymous sources.
    I have spent the better part of the last two years struggling with how to write about the match-fixing that has plagued the CSL. The number of people who have come forward, those willing to share what they know but only anonymously, has been frustrating.
    I have held off except for a few occasions. In those case I knew that either they were doing this with outright justification (fearing for their safety) or felt that their story was so necessary to the dialogue that it needed to be told. I have had the luxury of getting the support of CBC. They were willing to commit a sizable amount of resources to the project and it granted me the privilege of time.
    That’s never the case for those in the daily environment.
    From our own experience, Canadian Soccer News have used anonymous sources a number of times in the past. It’s always a conversation with a couple writers about if we consider the information credible and if it's imperative to the dialogue in the community.
    Ben Knight’s work on the CSA reform is a perfect example of why it is necessary. Much of that information would never had come to the forefront had we asked each and every source to put their name beside it. Reform was a massively complicated issue and a three-headed dragon was confronting people on the inside at every turn.
    I think few would disagree how his reporting was one of the driving forces along the torrid pace to reform. And I honestly wonder where we would have been today without it.
    You’re not always going to get it right when it comes to use of anonymous sources. Any journalist worth his salt will admit (albeit quietly and to himself in a sound proofed room) to having been used by a source before. It happens and the only thing you can do is be more cautious the next time. Ideally it would be information that a columnist could work from a distance but again, we're not there.
    Journalism is largely a self-regulated industry. In that, good reporters usually rise because they’ve built a reputation for getting stories first and being consistent. Those who miss the mark too often are labeled as hacks, have their credibility stripped and eventually find themselves flushed out the bottom of the industry. Those who followed the career decline of Marty York can attest to that.
    And as these mistakes do happen, repeatedly tossing mud across the proverbial aisle never accomplishes much other than a pissing contest and to drag the entire industry down the pit of public doubt. In the end, it makes us all look bad. And those who go that route, of making it a public fight, mostly do it to just satisfy their own ego.
    There will always be egos in journalism, just as there will always be debates about the ethics of those involved.
    In fact, an 'anonymous source' told me that one of the lead researchers on the Canadian D2 study was planning to report and write about the issue himself. I didn’t consult NPR, but I do think that falls under conflict of interest.
    My view is anonymous sources are a necessary tool. The question of whether the decision is right falls to that writer, his readers and the peers that shoulder a similar burden.
    Guest

    SoccerPlus - Impact's post-mortem show

    By Guest, in SoccerPlus,

    Several reporters join in on this week's edition to comment on the Montreal Impact's first season in Major League Soccer.
    Marc Tougas (CP) discusses the content of Joey Saputo and Nick DeSantis' allocution on Wednesday. We also hear from traveling reporters Dave Levesque (Journal de Montreal), Patrick Friolet (RDS) and Elizabeth Rancourt (TVA Sports) and a trio of local experts, Olivier Tremblay (MLSsoccer.com), Mathias Van Halst (Impactsoccer.com) and Pascal Milano (La Presse).
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Click here to enjoy a one-of-a-kind wrap-up show.
    Guest
    <b>KEY PLAYERS :</b>
    ATTACKING
    Against a high powered Galaxy,the Whitecaps will need goals and where else will they turn to but <b>Darren Mattocks</b>? He leads the team in goals in his rookie season despite missing a significant time with injuries and suspensions. The Caps will need his pace to stretch the Galaxy backline, giving more space to the midfield while they move forward in the attack.
    The leader of the Galaxy, <b>Landon Donovan</b>, has struggled through injuries in the late stages of the season and it has shown up in the stats as he has not scored a goal in over three months. This could be the swan song for the captain with the Galaxy, with a European move rumoured, so he will be looking to make a significant run in the playoffs .
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    DEFENCE
    There is no doubt that <b>Andy O’Brien</b> has made a significant difference, especially in the last four games of the season, as the Caps have only allowed one goal in those matches. The defender has shown composure on the ball while continually organizing the backline with his nonstop chatter.
    It is no coincidence that the team’s defensive game improved since <b>Omar Gonzalez</b>, one of the better defenders in MLS, returned from his knee injury suffered while on loan in Germany. In his 12 starts this year, where he played 90 minutes, LA allowed 12 goals while in the other 22 games the team allowed 32 goals against.
    <b>WHO'S ON FORM :</b>
    Since taking over the keeping duties from Joe Cannon seven games ago, <b>Brad Knighton</b> has become the number one choice for the Whitecaps. In those starts the Whitecaps have allowed a total of six goals, including only one in the last four leading up to the playoffs. The majority of the goals he has allowed in that stretch have been of the spectacular variety, including a number nominated for goal of the week.
    In any other season, <b>Robbie Keane</b> would be in the running for the MLS golden boot as the majority of his 16 goals came after his return from Euro 2012. In those 19 games since his return there were only 4 matches when the striker did not contribute with a goal or an assist.
    <b>2012 RECORD :</b>
    Vancouver:
    11W-10D-13L
    5th in Western Conference
    Last Match: 0-0 Draw at Real Salt Lake
    Los Angeles:
    16W-6D-12L
    4th in Western Conference
    Last Match: 1-0 Win vs Seattle Sounders
    <b>PROJECTED LINE-UPS :</b>

    <b>INJURIES/MISSING :</b>
    Vancouver:
    None
    Los Angeles:
    Out: DF A.J. DeLaGarza (knee), DF Leonardo (knee), DF David Junior Lopes (facial fracture), MF Kyle Nakazawa (back)
    Questionable: MF David Beckham (ankle), MF Landon Donovan (knee)
    <b>GAME ANALYSIS :</b>
    Almost eight months ago when their second season in MLS started, the Vancouver Whitecaps set a goal of going from the worst team in the league to the playoffs in the next year. While they may have backed into the post season, they accomplished their goal and they face the defending champion LA Galaxy in a one game showdown in the Home Depot Center tonight.
    The lineup may be similar to the one that was fielded against RSL in the regular season finale, with Brad Knighton keeping his spot between the posts. In front of him will be a backline that consists of Andy O’Brien partnering with Jay DeMerit in the central defence, while this year’s MVP Lee Young-Pyo will be on the right and Jordan Harvey will be on the left.
    The midfield should be a diamond once again with Alain Rochat playing the holding role, Gershon Koffie on the left and John Thorrington on the right, while Barry Robson returns to the starting eleven to play the tip. To help with counter attack opportunities, the Caps will have Darren Mattocks and Dane Richards combine and use their pace up top.
    In the three previous matchups this season against LA, the Whitecaps have played three different types of games with the first one being the most lopsided and the game was over at half time. At home in the second game the Whitecaps dominated their opponents but fell asleep late in the game, dropping two points. In their last meeting, the Caps tried to play a tight defensive game but were beaten by a couple of unstoppable goals.
    While a repeat of the second game, except for the late collapse, would be ideal for the Caps, the blueprint of the third game may be their best bet for a win. A tight defensive game that frustrates the Galaxy gives the Caps the best chance to win the tie, especially if they can catch them on a surprise counter attack.
    If they do get the opportunity in the final third, the attackers must be more direct to goal and be clinical in their finish. There may be attention to the defensive side of the game but the midfielders will need to take calculated risks and make appropriate runs into the box to give support to the strikers. Increasing the number of crosses into the box would be helpful, especially with the leaping ability of Mattocks.
    It will be a tough task for the Whitecaps to keep all that skill at bay but they will need to keep their shape and frustrate the Galaxy in their buildup through the midfield. The Caps have been guilty on a number of occasions of giving too much space to their opponents, which has led to a few goals from outside of the box. With the talent LA possesses there is no chance the Caps will survive if they allow the likes of Beckham and Juninho time to pick the destination of their shot.
    With it being only their second year in MLS the Whitecaps have already transformed the culture of the squad. The players need to go into this game composed and relaxed, with a hint of a nothing to lose mentality, which could give them a chance to pull off a shocker.
    <p>
    Guest
    If the current crop of Whitecaps need to find any inspiration going into tonight's MLS playoff game in LA, then they need look no further than the proud playoff pedigree that the Caps have build up over the years.
    They're playing for a football club with a rich history, a successful history, and they have the chance to include themselves in that at the Home Depot Center.
    No matter the competition, no matter the Vancouver team name, the Club have delivered the playoffs.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Whether you link the current Whitecaps with their NASL counterparts (we do), or whether you still refuse to do that and look back to the D2 days, the one constant is that Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club and the playoffs are happy bedfellows.
    A lot has been made of the fact that this is the Whitecaps first MLS playoff game. Should that really matter to a team that has only failed to be in the post-season five times in their 36 year playing history?
    I've only been watching the Whitecaps since 2008 and maybe I've been spoiled, but I'm used to having playoff games now, so no matter what League the team are in, and whether they're an expansion club or not, I fully expect them to make the playoffs every single year.
    And it's good to have those expectations and that pressure to succeed, or at least it should be.
    The past should be the inspiration and the catalyst to drive on the new breed and the MLS Whitecaps already have the one up on their NASL team-mates.
    The NASL Caps failed to make the playoffs in their first two year's of existence. It took them three years to get to the post-season and six to win the whole shebang.
    The MLS Caps have achieved the first step a year quicker. Let's see when they can deliver the Cup.
    The Whitecaps lost in the first round to Seattle in 1976, the first year they qualified for the playoffs, but the next year they made it to the Divisional Championship game (where they also lost to Seattle).
    In 11 North American Soccer League seasons, the Whitecaps reached the playoffs nine times.
    They only faced a Los Angeles side once in that time, defeating the Aztecs over two games and a shootout in their 1979 Soccer Bowl Championship run.
    After the NASL ceased operations in March 1985, the Vancouver 86ers rose out of the Whitecaps' ashes and laid the foundations for the Caps of today.
    A new name and new Leagues, but the playoff success and Championships still remained over 24 seasons at D2 level.
    The Caps only failed to reach the playoffs twice in those years and delivered four Canadian Soccer League Championships, two USL First Division Championships, four defeats in Championship games and a string of playoff victories, including seven other semi final appearances.
    That's a record to be proud of and that's a history to make sure the new breed honour by going out there, giving it their all and fighting to the end, whatever the result.
    All we can hope is that the Caps management have done their homework, explained the Club's history to the players and had the motivational chats from Bobby Lenarduzzi and Carl Valentine about playoff success of yore and, of course, the Soccer Bowl triumph.
    It may be looking hellishly unlikely that the Caps will get anything out of LA, but this is the type of game that heroes are made and history is written.
    Can anyone stand up and find their way into Caps folklore?
    We'll soon find out.
    <p>
    Guest

    Setting a terrible example

    By Guest, in It's Called Football,

    After speaking to the Canadian Soccer Association off the record about the issue of CSL match-fixing for about a month, they finally agreed to put things on the record yesterday.
    Admittedly, the interview with CSA president Victor Montagliani didn’t reveal much. They’re concerned about the issue. They’ve met with FIFA for guidance. And they’re hiring a security director in 2013 to combat future fixing as it arises (and in the modern game, it will.)
    As for prosecution, well, the RCMP, according to the CSA, is no longer investigating the matter. They didn’t, according to the CSA, have jurisdictional grounds to go after the German based fixers who manipulated games here.
    That says nothing of the fact that the Canadian based players who were involved in the fix will get off. And that also says nothing of the fact that the league, the teams involved nor any other individuals who have been attached to these nasty incidents will not face any kind of discipline from the CSA.
    In summary, as it was told to me yesterday, the governing body in this country doesn’t have the resources to go after match-fixers (which is true) and they’re more focused on preventing this from happening again (which is fine.)
    But these actions – and the decision to not pursue it further - by both the RCMP and the CSA are setting a terrible example.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]For the RCMP’s part, it says that when organized crime comes here from abroad the local authorities will not protect their own borders from this kind of influence.
    These fixers came to Canada with the sole intent of manipulating games for profit. They care nothing for our sport, the people who live here or anyone involved. They’re not here to develop players or grow the game, the only thing they’re interested in is making an easy profit. And by not chasing them down, they’re making it all the easier for them to do it again.
    As one fixer put it in the wiretaps, "If we don’t become rich here, then I don't know where we could become rich.”
    By not perusing prosecution in what should be a clear-cut case, it also says that those who are residents of Canada and have committed crimes against the sport (and criminal) will not face prosecution. These are people who live within our communities and play for our teams and are willing to bring the game into disrepute for their own selfish means. They have committed fraud and are being allowed to walk away from it.
    I can’t help but think that if this had happened in a low level hockey league then we would have called in the army by now.
    The CSA, despite its limits, is not without fault either. By not suspending, sanctioning or even investigating the league further, it says that the governing body of this country is not willing, or able, to internally discipline those who step out of line.
    According to the wiretaps obtained by the CBC, we know that the same people who came here in 2009 actively looked into purchasing a team in the CSL.
    Have they been able to purchase teams?
    The CBC (and myself) have made several requests to the CSL for access to their ownership records dating back to 2009. To, at the very least, clear the air that there has been no further intrusion by the Croatian fixers. And, despite their promises for co-operation, the CSL have failed to return emails, phone calls and outright refused the request several times.
    Why? Who knows? Hell, who knows who is telling the owners to refuse the request?
    But as long as this question continues to hang over the league, then they’ll never be out from under this cloud of doubt. And despite what the CSL may think (and are telling people) I’m not out to get them. I don’t have some mysterious ulterior motive. I want this matter settled and Canadian soccer rid of these fixers for good. That’s it.
    So, if the CSA is serious about preventing future problems from occurring - and Montagliani meant what he said – then getting on top of this big question mark would be a good way to show that the CSA “won't be burying our heads in the sand.”
    Guest
    Part of the key gameplan for the Whitecaps in tomorrow's playoff game in LA is to keep the Galaxy off the scoresheet.
    A job easier said than done.
    A lot of pressure is on Brad Knighton, which means a lot of pressure is also on the Caps goalkeeping coach Marius Røvde.
    Røvde joined the Whitecaps as a coach in June 2011, after nearly two decades as a goalkeeper in Europe and coaching at international level.
    There's not been a lot written about the 40 year old Norwegian, so we sent Christopher Vose to have a chat with Marius to try and get to know him a little bit better and to look ahead to the MLS playoffs....
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    <b>Christopher Vose: Having worked under Tommy Soehn, and now Martin Rennie, can you tell us how your role has changed, and how the manager utilises you?</b>
    <b>Marius Røvde:</b> I think that they are very different, different cultures, from different football backgrounds, and things like that.
    Martin is European, and so both are clever in their own fields, but I think Martin lets me have more say here, and he asks my opinions more, but that could be also because I've had longer time with Martin than I had with Tommy.
    I came in new to Tommy, and so if I had been working for the same amount of time maybe he would have used me the same. I don't know, hopefully.
    <b>You spent time in Trinidad and Tobago as the Tobago Football Federation's Director of Goalkeepers and head goalkeeper coach at Joe Public FC, how did you find that whole experience in the Caribbean? </b>
    It was fantastic. A little bit better weather than here, but I was working tight with Even Pellerud, who had the woman's national team here for ten years, and I made a great friendship with him.
    We were there together, we travelled to 25 different countries in three years, and we saw a lot of international football. But overall it was a great experience.
    <b>Before coming to Vancouver, you worked in Southern Ontario. What attracted you to Canada?</b>
    I was working for the Ontario Soccer Association and did their course, their coaching courses, and things like that. And I worked for the provincial program.
    Even Pellerud got hold of me, and he took me to Trinidad, then I changed to start to work with him. Then I worked with both. I was commuting from Toronto, two weeks in Toronto and two weeks in Trinidad every month, all year round.
    <b>Shortly after you joined the Whitecaps, Joe Cannon became the starting goalkeeper. Can you tell us a little more about this?</b>
    When I first came to Vancouver, he had been struggling after he broke his ankle, and Jay Nolly was the starting goalkeeper here. I could see straight away the difference, and Joe Cannon was clearly a better goalkeeper than Jay Nolly.
    He is a fantastic, nice guy, and a good friend, but Joe Cannon was a much better goalkeeper and we just had to get him in shape and get him in the goal as soon as possible.
    <b>The playoffs are tomorrow and it's expected that the Whitecaps will face Josh Saunders in goal. What's your assessment of the challenge he represents?</b>
    Josh Saunders is a big target, big man, and a gentleman, nice guy. I really like him as a person, and as a goalkeeper as well. He's a good shot stopper, doesn't like to be pressured with his feet, be a little bit stressed then.
    He is a little bit wild on the crossed balls, he's a brave guy, and will go for anything. Maybe he should judge it a little bit better sometimes.
    I wouldn't be surprised if you see him coming flying for a low cross sometimes, but he is a brave, good goalkeeper. I like him.
    <b>And lastly, do you have any message for the travelling supporters?</b>
    We have high expectations, and they have high expectations, and I think it's great that they're coming, supporting us, and we will give them the best shots we can do. Enjoy it.
    <p>
    Guest

    Aron Winter talks back

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Speaking to Sportsnet.ca, Aron Winter responded to Paul Mariner and Earl Cochrane's comments yesterday.
    The link is presented here without comment.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Guest
    When you come off a season with just five wins it’s difficult to pinpoint a single issue that is most responsible for the problems.
    Coaching. Scouting. Tactics. Management.
    They all play a role.
    Bad luck. Injuries. Fitness. Act of God.
    Sure, why not? TFC was the worst team in the league by a good amount. Everything has to be considered.
    However, this isn’t an isolated issue. Toronto is arguably the worst franchise in league history. The only other franchise that comes close is the New York Metrostars/Red Bulls – no trophies of any kind in their 16-year history, especially considering they were around in the lean years in the early ‘00s, is hard to argue with, but Toronto is in the conversation.
    So, the biggest problem isn’t isolated to one person (Mariner, Winter, Anselmi, etc), or one issue (central defense, lack of depth, poor scouting, etc). No, it’s systemic.
    What is it? Find out below the jump.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    A lack of respect for MLS.
    From the beginning almost everyone associated with TFC has shown an incredible and illogical disrespect for the league it plays in. The attitude has infected almost everything associated with the club.
    This is where management must take much of the blame. By acting like they know better than clubs that have been around much longer, they have alienated would-be allies around the league. The lack of political goodwill TFC has league-wide (it’s been suggested to me that only Vancouver and Dallas are willing to work with TFC on league issues. And the amount of trades that take place between Toronto and those two clubs might suggest some truth to that suggestion) bites Toronto in the ass.
    A case in point from this year is the Olof Mellberg situation. As was reported here, and elsewhere, the league blocked Toronto from signing the Swedish defender. MLS could justify it because of salary cap and designated player rules. However, anyone with eyes and a brain can see that the league is more than a little liquid in its interpretation of its rules.
    If the league feels that a move will make the league stronger overall it will make exceptions. It isn’t tinfoil hat stuff to suggest that New York and Los Angeles are favoured. The league wants those markets to be strong because they drive revenue and it’s a single entity.
    In that regard, they should want Toronto to be stronger. TFC did drive a lot of revenue in its early days. However, it’s impact on the bottom line wasn’t so great that club’s are going to go out of their way to help.
    So, when TFC went looking for an exception to sign Melberg they were met with silent stares. No one wanted to help a club that, in their mind, had looked down its nose at them, and had ignored the work and struggle they went through to keep the league afloat in the early years.
    Without that work TFC doesn’t have a stable league to step into in 2007 and without a stable league to step into TFC isn’t successful, is the thinking.
    Beyond the politics, TFC has also ignored conventional approaches to building the team. The Aron Winter hiring is the most glaring (just after the signing It’s Called Football spoke to Sigi Schmid who told us that Winter’s style was destined to fail in MLS. The feeling was universal across the league, but dismissed by almost everyone in Toronto), but it goes beyond that. They have never had a handle on what type of player works in this league.
    Take a look at the number of players that have played for TFC, been cut, and who have never resurfaced in MLS. It’s staggering. And, telling.
    Of the seven men that have managed TFC only one was American – Preki. He’s likely the least fancied of all the club’s past managers (although the current manager would likely be the least popular…). Preki was ultimately thrown out with Mo Johnston and was a victim of a player revolt. The team did quit on him – his man management skills left a little to be desired. However, before he lost the room the club was playing effective, if simple, football.
    Football that works in MLS. It’s telling that the two clubs he’s been fired from (Chivas USA and TFC) have both gone into the toilet since he left (and both appear to think they know better than the rest of the league). The man likely is an insufferable ass, but he knows what works in MLS.
    Toronto management does not. The evidence is indisputable. If this is to be solved then those in charge are going to have to show some humility, and they are going to have to listen to the advice (if any is forthcoming) of those that have successfully built teams in this league.
    Otherwise it will just be more and more and more of the same.
    Guest
    Even if you aren't from Montreal, there's a decent chance you experienced bouts of delirious excitement during the Impact's run as Canada's first-ever representative in the CONCACAF Champions League, back in 2008-09.
    They were, after all, a scrappy second-division squad that featured a Canadian head coach and a half-dozen Canadian regulars, drawn into an imposing group with the three-time Mexican champions and the 25-time Honduran champs. And while some hardcore partisans will feel differently, the truth is that Impact's disastrous collapse against Santos Laguna in the quarterfinals broke plenty of hearts right across the country.
    Now here we sit, again on the precipice of history, as the Vancouver Whitecaps prepare to begin their journey as Canada's first-ever representative in the MLS playoffs. But oh, how times have changed... or so it appears, anyway.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Right off the hop, some would take umbrage with my reference to the Whitecaps as a "representative" of Canada in this tournament; indeed, while the winner of the Voyageurs Cup is officially Canada's representative in the Champions League, each MLS club ultimately represents nothing but itself in league competition.
    Still, in a largely asymmetrical bi-national league such as MLS, it's tough not to feel that the fates of the three Canadian clubs are -- if nothing else, at least perceptually -- intertwined to some extent. More to the point, the fates of the three Canadian MLS clubs are intertwined with the country's development system and the men's national team.
    And that's what raised some hackles about the Whitecaps -- particularly among some from outside the Lower Mainland, it's worth noting.
    Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi's efforts to reduce or eliminate the Canadian quota, combined with the reluctance of successive Whitecaps head coaches to give playing time to Canadian youngsters such as Philippe Davies and Russell Teibert, has led to a belief among some that the Whitecaps are not only indifferent to the advancement of the game in Canada, but an actual impediment to it.
    Those buying into this belief system could be forgiven for failing to extend their best wishes to the Caps as they prepare to take on the L.A. Galaxy. But Lenarduzzi has defended his stance on the contemporary quota by suggesting that he's playing the long game -- establishing the Whitecaps as a successful franchise now, in order to fully ensconce the team in the market's consciousness and lay the groundwork for future generations of Canadian talent.
    The fates of Canadian franchises in two other major sports seems to lend some credence to this theory.
    Major League Baseball has seen an unprecedented uptick in the preponderance of legitimate Canadian talent over the past decade, in the likes of Joey Votto, Russell Martin, Justin Morneau, Jason Bay, Eric Gagne, Rich Harden and a number of others. All of those players would have been wide-eyed kids just as the Blue Jays made national headlines with their World Series triumphs in 1992 and 1993.
    Skip over to the NBA, and those close to Canada Basketball are excited about a forthcoming surge in our national team's hopes, buoyed by the likes of current NBAers such as Joel Anthony, Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph, but also by kids such as Andrew Wiggins, a potential number-one draft pick down the road. What was happening while these guys were wide-eyed kids? The Raptors were making their first charge in the NBA playoffs, one missed three-pointer away from reaching the conference finals.
    Sure, those could all be coincidences. But this small sampling of anecdotal evidence -- and just common sense, really -- would suggest that when young athletes have something to which they can readily and identifiably aspire, it drives their desire to maximize their own potential.
    Just ask former Canadian men's national team captain Jason de Vos, whose mind was made up about pursuing soccer (rather than hockey) after he saw Canada qualify for the 1986 World Cup... which would have happened when de Vos was in the same "wide-eyed kid" bracket as previously mentioned.
    So a deep Whitecaps playoff run in 2012 or 2013 may not do very much for Teibert, Bryce Alderson or Caleb Clarke. But we can only imagine what it might do for youngsters watching the games on television in Vancouver, elsewhere in the Lower Mainland, or anywhere in the country.
    All of this grand theorizing doesn't do much of anything for the men's national team in the short term (and may end up having no actual impact in the long term either). Nor does it do anything to placate Whitecaps fans who are sheepish -- even disappointed -- about their team's qualification for the playoffs, insofar as it would seem to validate an approach with which they don't agree (head coach Martin Rennie's widely-questioned "Scottish experiment").
    Also, the nature of soccer is much different than baseball or basketball. The Whitecaps face a win-or-go-home scenario on Thursday night. Even an upset victory would guarantee them nothing more than two more games, a home-and-away showdown with San Jose. It's not especially conducive to the sort of ongoing captivation that a hard-fought best-of-five or -seven series can provide to a wider audience.
    Still. All it takes is one game, one moment to light a spark within a player. For a kid, thinking of pursuing their sporting dreams, such moments can be magnified.
    And so while, yes, my support naturally drifts towards Toronto FC; and yes, there are some flaws in Lenarduzzi's reasoning at it relates to the quota; and yes, even some dyed-in-the-wool Whitecaps fans are taking the "let's just be happy to be here" approach, I will be hoping for a Vancouver playoff victory.
    Because whether or not they're "Canada's team" (no club side ever truly is), they are a Canadian team. And at the end of the day, that's good enough for me.
    .
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