Jump to content

  • Articles

    Manage articles
    Show all categories
    Guest

    Mariner, Cochrane to return in 2013

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    CSN has confirmed that both Paul Mariner and Earl Cochrane will return to Toronto FC in 2013. Both men will be given clear and separate job descriptions.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Mariner will remain as the manager and will have the last call on all player signings. There will be no question as to who is responsible for the product on the pitch – it will be Mariner.
    Cochrane will be given the job of general manager, although the title may be different. It’s important to note that general managers in MLS have a different role than they do in sports such as the NHL. In MLS a GM is responsible for managing the cap and being the point man for other league specific issues. They have very little to do with selecting players, with the exception of playing a role in determining what salary is appropriate for individual signings.
    The two men have also been given an ultimatum – they will be fired if TFC fails to make the playoffs at the end of the 2013 season.
    A source within TFC confirmed that what CSN has learned “is a fair way to put it.”
    Guest
    Sometimes taking a break from someone you love is a very good idea. Sometimes it’s the beginning of the end.
    We all need to take a break from our love, the Reds. Then we need to decide whether we still love them enough to come back.
    Many have already started the break. One needed only to witness last week’s two crowds, the lowest two MLS crowds in the history of the club. They were Columbus bad; they were Colorado bad. They were the type of crowds that TFC fans used to make fun of and they proved right those fans of Columbus and Colorado that said “you just wait and see” to the arrogance of Reds' fans back in 2007.
    Make no mistake it was arrogance. Back then TFC fans used to say that they had a superior level of loyalty. Fans that stayed away in other cities were bad -- didn't matter why. Back then TFC fans argued that we would never leave our beloved club.
    Toronto till I die!
    Unless they lose.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Turns out that Toronto’s fan base is no different than the fan bases in Columbus, Colorado or any other MLS city. There are diehard fans that believe in the importance of staying true even in hard times, and there are fair-weather consumers that only come when the team is winning and/or it’s a nice day outside. Most fall in between.
    Many fans that are currently staying away will blame management. Certainly MLSE must accept a lot of the responsibility. There was a banner at the last game that read “results matter.” They do. They especially do to fans that believe that you support a team to see it win and there is no other value to be had by going to games -- fans that often continue to blame fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs for the fact that team loses. Those fans also blame TFC fans for the Reds’ struggles.
    They have every right to feel that way. They also have every right to spend their entertainment dollars anyway they see fit. However, it would be nice if they also understood that not every fan feels the same way and that the attendance at BMO Field has little to do with the success or failure of the club itself.
    I am not telling you how to be a fan. Don’t tell me how to be either.
    Regardless, as stated off the top, even the most loyal fan needs a bit of a break. TFC’s road trip it’s about to embark on could not have come at a better time. Whether it’s because of the losing or because of the toxic environment the in-stadium experience has become (and make no mistake – for every fan that tells me they are staying away because of the lack of results there is one that tells me that other fans are making watching games at BMO a miserable experience) we all just need a little space.
    For some “a little space” might mean a break-up. That’s too bad. Not everyone feels the same, but it’s an understandable decision.
    There are two more home games in 2012. It’s going to be hard to enjoy them. But, at least the nightmare is almost over.
    Now it's time to decide whether you want to dream again in 2013.
    Guest

    Going forward #FixTheCSL

    By Guest, in It's Called Football,

    Last year, the Canadian Soccer Association pledged to conduct an audit of the Canadian Soccer League’s finances.
    This was all before the matchfixing news came to light. What they were doing was looking to see if the CSL was abiding by the standards set forth by the CSA for division three leagues. They weren’t.
    During the course of the CBC investigation, we obtained the CSA's 2011 audit findings - although, I would hardly call it an audit. The one page document shows the team salaries, the number of pro players each club has and that’s about it. There is no specific findings on who finances the teams, which player receives what amount or even if the player did receive the amount the team claims.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]The ‘audit’ even seems to admit its shortcomings and how little they gathered:
    I've spoken to several owners, past and present, and they confirmed that while the numbers weren't correct to the decimal they were 'close enough.'
    So, why is this relevant now? Well, aside from the fact that nine of the teams weren’t fulfilling their financial standards – five of them not even matching half of that – the CSA once again finds itself taking a hard look at the CSL. And, for good reason.
    As the CBC investigation showed last week, fixers are targeting the CSL because it is away from the spotlight and has little oversight. One of the details that may have been overlooked by some was this choice quote, pulled from the police wiretaps that captured the fixers talking about the CSL.
    That was Chris Budimir speaking to Marijo Cvrtak. Budimir is the man who came to Canada to help fix the game in 2009.
    The wiretaps showed that he and Cvrtak spoke to current and former players about how the league accepts franchises and how quickly they could join the league. Budimir reported to Cvrtak that it was a three-year process. Cvrtak asked Budimir if they could do it in one.
    That’s a scary thought - the damage that these guys would do while financing an entire team is terrifying, in fact.
    So, as the CSA begins the long process of looking at what is going on in the CSL, it would be wise of them to not repeat the mistakes of last year.
    If you’re going to truly get to the bottom of the allegations, there needs to be a complete investigation and audit of the financiers of Canadian Soccer League teams. At the very least, to erase all doubt.
    The CSL, for its part, made a statement on Thursday saying it would cooperate with the CBC and any law enforcement agencies. I assume the same will apply when the CSA comes knocking.
    As several CSL players have alleged, the 2009 game was not an isolated incident. As such, it warrants much more attention than just a one page audit.
    Guest

    43 could be the magic number for Whitecaps

    By Guest, in AFTN,

    Vancouver Whitecaps' loss to Dallas this evening wasn't a huge surprise.
    Four defeats in a row, poor away form in general and playing an in-form team fighting for their playoff lives was never looking to be a good mix for the Caps, and so it proved, despite a defensive display that fell just short.
    What the loss does is considerably tighten up the battle for the final playoff spot in the West and make for a very tense, nervy and exciting last few weeks of the season for everyone associated with the Caps.
    The question on every Whitecaps fan's lips now is what is the magic number for Vancouver to reach their first MLS post-season?
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Officially, it's <b>49</b>. Realistically, looking at the remaining fixtures, we think it's <b>43</b>, meaning the Caps need to lock in six more points between now and October 27th.
    And that should be very doable and a first round tie away to Real Salt Lake should be the reward. But that's a lot of shoulds.
    The Whitecaps now have five games remaining, four of them at home. Dallas have four, with three of those away from home.
    The maximum number of points that Dallas can now reach is 48. The Caps can get to 52.
    For Dallas to reach that number, they need to win all of their remaining games obviously and that includes three away games in a row. It's a tough ask.
    The Texans away form is not great, with three wins, two draws and nine losses from their 14 games on the road this season. Factor in that two of those away games are at MLS Leading San Jose and Seattle, and their pickings look slim.
    For Dallas, their best hopes of picking up points for the remainder of the season are in the two games against Chivas. They would expect to pick up six points in those matches and that would give them an end of season points total of 42, if they don't pick up anything elsewhere.
    With Vancouver failing miserably in every tiebreaker imaginable, that means that 43 would be the target points total. The magic number.
    Just six more points from their current tally of 37 should be enough to see the Caps in the playoffs. Two more wins from their last five games.
    On paper, that should pose no problems for the Whitecaps. Unfortunately, football is played on grass and turf.
    Three of the Caps four home games are against the dregs of the Conference. The bottom three teams who have all failed to make the playoffs.
    On home form and league standings, that should be nine points for a team looking to make an impact in the post season.
    For me, the two crunch games are on September 23rd against Colorado and October 3rd against Chivas. Six points there and the Caps are in, I feel.
    Simple isn't it?!
    Dallas have a bye week next weekend, then head off to San Jose. If the Caps can do the business in the two games above then they could have a seven point gap over Dallas before they get to play their first Chivas game. Add in anything we can get off Seattle on top of that.
    Psychologically that would be massive.
    On the flip side, if Dallas keep fighting and keep that desire we saw this evening, then the Caps will go into their home games with a bit of fear and any dropped points could prove to be very costly.
    The nightmare scenario would be the battle going in to the last week of the season. Apart from not getting the chance to rest players before the playoffs begin, Vancouver are at the disadvantage of playing their final game the day before Dallas, so the Texas club could go into their home game against Chivas knowing what they need to do.
    That would not be fun viewing.
    The Whitecaps have now made it very interesting for themselves and those looking on. They've dug their own hole, now they need to find a way out.
    It's a numbers game now.
    <p>
    Guest
    It wasn't pretty, but if it had gotten the job done you could have lived with it. Unfortunately it didn't and now Vancouver Whitecaps have made the season run-in very difficult for themselves.
    The Caps survived some close calls in Dallas and were eventually broken in the final seconds of stoppage time, going down 1-0 to a spectacular long range volley from Julian de Guzman.
    It's hard not to say that the Caps got what they deserved from the game.
    Martin Rennie commented prior to the game that the Whitecaps were not heading in to Dallas simply looking to avoid the loss. The defensive starting line-up seemed to say otherwise and in the end it fell just short.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Rennie had rung the changes for Vancouver's last game in LA, and there were more changes tonight, as the Caps looked to find the magic mix to reignite their season.
    Brad Knighton retained the starting goalkeeper spot, with Jordan Harvey coming in as left back and Alain Rochat moving in to the holding midfielder role. Darren Mattocks failed to return to the starting line-up and Kenny Miller continued as the lone striker, with Camilo Sanvezzo and Barry Robson slotting in behind him.
    Dallas looked the far more lively in the opening exchanges and Brek Shea saw his cross-come-shot sail close to the Caps crossbar in the tenth minute.
    The game erupted in controversy in the 15th minute when Martin Bonjour was adjudged to have bundled over Matt Hedges as a free kick came into the box and the referee pointed to the spot, surrounded by angry Caps.
    David Ferreira stepped up and the DP (which I think stands for Dodgy Penalty in Texas) saw his save fantastically saved by Knighton.
    The save spurred Vancouver on and they came close in the 25th minute when a poor header clear from Dallas fell to Harvey just inside the box and he drilled his shot narrowly wide.
    John Thorrington was next to try for the Caps, hitting a long range effort wide left.
    Vancouver were offering little to really trouble Dallas, but the home side were also struggling to be creative and find a way through the Caps.
    Dallas did come close again with four minutes of the half remaining.
    Shea took the ball for a run and easily got past Y-P Lee before whipping a dangerous ball across the box straight to Ferreira on the six yard line. The Colombian had time and space but fired his shot off the left hand post.
    Dallas kept the pressure on and seconds later and it was Knighton who kept out Dallas, turning a 20 yard Shea striker over the bar with his fingertips.
    Vancouver were certainly riding their luck, but they went in at the break bending, but not breaking.
    The second half started at a slower pace, which was clearly suiting the Caps.
    Dallas were lacking a bit of potency for a team playing catch up in the playoff race, but that nearly changed in the 58th minute.
    Shea played a dangerous ball across the goal, but there were no Dallas players in there to take advantage of it. The home side kept the pressure on though and Hernan Pertuz found Blas Perez in the box and the Panamanian shook off the falling Jay DeMerit but blasted over, under pressure from Bonjour.
    Darren Mattocks came on for Kenny Miller in the 61st minute and he immediately added some much needed pace to the Vancouver attack, causing the Dallas defence some problems with his pace.
    The game fell into a lull again, with neither side looking likely to break the deadlock.
    Thorrington should have given the Whitecaps the lead in the 84th minute.
    Substitute Russell Teibert sent in a low cross which Hedges could only direct into the patch of Thorrington, but the veteran hit his shot straight at Kevin Hartman in the Dallas goal.
    Gershon Koffie tried a long range shot with three minutes remaining, as the Caps were simply happy to see the ball in the Dallas end of the pitch.
    With time running out, the home side turned up the heat and Vancouver had to withstand several goalmouth scrambles.
    Dallas thought they grabbed the winner in the 90th minute.
    Fabian Castillo sent a cross in for Perez and Knighton produced a tremendous one handed save onto the post. The rebound fell back to Perez who turned it in from close range, but the linesman already had his flag up for offside from earlier in the move.
    As the game moved into six minutes of stoppage time, Castillo had a great chance to win it but blasted over from eight yards out with the goal gaping.
    Dallas were now attacking in waves, showing the urgency that they should have been showing earlier, and they finally got their breakthrough with just seconds remaining.
    Castillo whipped over a corner that Mattocks did well to head clear. The ball to Julian de Guzman 25 yards out and the Canadian chested it down and smashed a beautiful first time volley past Knighton for the winner.
    Heartbreak for Vancouver, but after a display that showed defensive grit but very little up front, it was a result you almost expected from the get go.
    Dallas are now one point behind Vancouver in the race for the final playoff spot in the West.
    The Whitecaps have a game in hand and are still in the driving seat, but you have to wonder if anyone actually has a hold of the steering wheel.
    FINAL SCORE: FC Dallas 1 - 0 Vancouver Whitecaps
    ATT: 17685
    DALLAS: Kevin Hartman, Hernan Pertuz, Matt Hedges, George John (Zach Loyd 74), Jair Benitez, Jackson, Julian de Guzman, Andrew Jacobson (Fabian Castillo 58), Brek Shea, David Ferreira, Blas Perez [subs Not Used: Chris Seitz, Carlos Rodriguez, Daniel Hernandez, Ricardo Villar, Scott Sealy]
    VANCOUVER: Brad Knighton; Young-Pyo Lee, Martin Bonjour, Jay DeMerit, Jordan Harvey; Alain Rochat, John Thorrington, Gershon Koffie; Barry Robson (Matt Watson 86), Camilo Sanvezzo (Russell Teibert 80); Kenny Miller (Darren Mattocks 61) [subs Not Used: Joe Cannon, Carlyle Mitchell, Jun Marques Davidson, Dane Richards]
    <p>
    Guest

    Match Preview: FC Dallas v Vancouver Whitecaps

    By Guest, in AFTN,

    <b>KEY PLAYERS :</b>
    ATTACKING
    After serving another suspension in his rookie season, <b>Darren Mattocks</b> returns to the lineup and will look to reclaim his spot at the top of the formation. FC Dallas has yet to face to the Jamaican speedster this season so look for the Caps to try to take advantage of this advantage. Mattocks will have to remain disciplined going forward as his next yellow card will earn him another one game suspension.
    After spending the summer months on the injury list, <b>Blas Perez</b> returned to lineup for a start prior to the international break. It was clear that night that the club was missing the physical element up top as the Panamanian international set up the only goal. Perez also used the break to gain some scoring confidence and he was able to pick up one goal against Canada in World Cup qualifying.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    DEFENCE
    After playing in every minute of every MLS game this season the Caps decided to give <b>YP Lee</b> a much deserved game off against the Galaxy. The hope is the rest will give the club the same Lee that started the season strong and shut down Brek Shea in the first meeting, instead of the one that was showing his age as the summer wore on.
    On the backend FC Dallas will rely on <b>George John</b> to lead the efforts in the defensive third, as the central defender has picked up his game during the club’s recent resurgence. A big and physical defender, John also possesses the ability to be effective on the ball and he is both strong and composed when it is at his feet.
    <b>WHO'S ON FORM :</b>
    It is very hard to find a player that fits this category during the four game losing streak so we go to <b>Gershon Koffie</b>, who was playing so well and missed three of the last four due to injury and suspension. It may be up to the Ghanaian to try to shut down Ferreira and control the midfield for the Whitecaps which was a big problem in the last game against FC Dallas.
    Despite the feelings that Caps and their fans have towards <b>David Ferreira</b>, there is no coincidence that the club’s fortunes turned around when he rejoined the starting eleven. FC Dallas started the season with a 3-6-9 record and since the 2010 MVP’s return the record have been 5-3-3 with the midfielder contributing two goals and six assists in that period.
    <b>2012 RECORD :</b>
    Vancouver:
    10W-7D-11L
    5th in Western Conference
    Last Match: 2-0 Loss at LA Galaxy
    Dallas:
    8W-9D-12L
    6th in Western Conference
    Last Match: 1-1 Draw vs Seattle Sounders
    <b>PROJECTED LINE-UPS :</b>

    <b>INJURIES/MISSING :</b>
    Vancouver:
    Doubtful: FW Omar Salgado (foot)
    Probable: DF Andy O'Brien (abductor), DF Gershon Koffie (abductor)
    Suspension: FW Darren Mattocks
    Dallas:
    Out: DF Ugo Ihemelu (concussion)
    Questionable: FW Fabian Castillo (hamstring), DF Zach Loyd (back), FW Jonathan Top (ankle)
    <b>GAME ANALYSIS :</b>
    After taking a two week break, Vancouver Whitecaps return to the pitch as they travel to Texas looking to end their four game losing streak against FC Dallas. The three points are more important considering their opponents are chasing them for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
    The starting lineup may have a few wrinkles especially in goal where there is a toss-up between Joe Cannon and Brad Knighton as to who will start in goal. The backline in front of whoever is the keeper will have a similar look as Jay DeMerit and Martin Bonjour are the healthier options in the central defence, while Lee Young-Pyo and Alain Rochat look to return from their breaks as fullbacks.
    In the midfield Gershon Koffie returns from injury and joins Barry Robson, while the third spot will most likely go to Jun Marques Davidson. Up top Darren Mattocks will start as the target striker and should be flanked by Dane Richards on the right and Kenny Miller on the left.
    The Whitecaps will need to go on the attack quickly in order to get the first goal and the Texas heat will most likely wear down the team late in the game. The pace of Mattocks, Richards and Miller will need to combine to keep the FC Dallas backline on their back foot. The service will need to improve from the midfield and the wide areas, where you can expect their two full backs to join in on the attack.
    If the Caps hope to beat Dallas and keep them off the scoresheet, their main objective should be to shut down David Ferreira who played an instrumental role in their last meeting. A couple of players who were unavailable for FC Dallas last game were Brek Shea and Blas Perez and the Whitecaps will have to account for them.
    Some of the players have labeled this match as a must win, but the Caps will still hold an advantage if they lose by a point, with a game in hand and an easier schedule. However a win will put them within six points of the playoffs and a draw will have them nine points away. More importantly a result will avoid a five game losing streak, something that they didn’t even do in their dreadful first MLS season.
    <p>
    Guest
    This flew under the radar. On Thursday, Concacaf president Jeffery Webb announced Mexico would be bidding to host the U20 World Cup in 2017. He also hinted Mexico could be a Concacaf candidate to host the 2026 World Cup.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    As you know, Canada has already staked claim to that one. Webb said Concacaf would support Concacaf countries and only Concacaf countries to host the 2026 tournament, meaning either Canada, the U.S. or Mexico.
    In the summer of 2011, Fifa president Sepp Blatter said Mexico would be a strong choice for the U20 World Cup, and that Fifa's (abandoned?) policy of rotating the big tournament between confederations means it would be Concacaf's turn by 2026. He said Mexico would be a good candidate because it has already hosted two successful World Cups. Azteca Stadium in Mexico City is the only stadium in the world to have hosted two World Cup finals.
    The gentleman hosting the ESPN Deportes Destino Brasil podcast said on their Sept. 14 show that Mexico has already launched its bid for the 2026 tournament, but I can't seem to find anything official beyond what Webb hinted at this week.
    How would Canada's bid for the World Cup be affected if Mexico gets serious about hosting the same tournament? The idea of Canada hosting the 2026 was always far-fetched, no matter how serious the CSA says it is about the bid. But I would think any country from the region would need those three Concacaf votes, making it extremely unlikely that two serious bids could emerge from here. And let's not forget, the U.S. may dive into the running too.
    Feel free to enlighten me in the comments section as to how a Mexico 2026 World Cup bid would affect the nascent Canadian one.
    Guest
    With one goal in the last four games, and three of those games without even a shot on target, Vancouver Whitecaps are crying out for an in-form striker who can bang in some goals and take them to the post-season and beyond.
    They might not have to look too far for their man.
    At still only 19 years old, Caleb Clarke has risen steadily though the Whitecaps Residency ranks in his three years with the Caps, making his MLS debut on August 15th this year in the home loss to Dallas.
    Prolific is certainly one word you could use to describe the young striker, who notched 24 goals in 23 appearances for the U18s last season. Talented is most certainly another.
    Caleb returned to training yesterday after having been away in Florida with the Canadian U20's for an eight day camp, so AFTN caught up with him to see how it went, how he's enjoying his first season with the MLS team and what the future may hold in store.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Two friendly matches were arranged in Florida against Trinidad and Tobago and an in-form Clarke scored three goals over the two games.
    Impressive stuff, so how did he enjoy the camp?
    <i>"It was great. It was good to play some games and be with the team that we're going to start to look towards the World Cup. It was fun to get started."</i>
    Caleb will hopefully be with the Canadian U20 team when they travel to Mexico in February to take part in the 2013 CONCACAF Men's Under-20 Championship, with four spots at the FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey up for grabs.
    Scoring three goals will have given his chances and confidence a huge boost, so what did he think of his own performance in the recent camp?
    <i>"I thought I did really well. Obviously the goals. A striker has to score goals.
    Besides that though I moved well and the passing and worked off the ball well too. I thought it was pretty good for me."</i>
    It's been a season to remember so far for Caleb, earning a MLS contract and helping the U18s to the USSDA Championship game.
    How has he found his first season in Major League Soccer? Has it been all that he'd hoped it would be?
    <i>"Yeah. Of course obviously I want to play more. It's been really great seeing the level of the players we have here. Practicing with them, learning a lot. I've learned a lot being here and it's definitely made me a better player."</i>
    Caleb has his first nine MLS minutes under his belt now. With the competition for places being fierce, what does he see himself needing to do to break into being a gameday eighteen regular?
    <i>"In practice I need to just keep on working hard. At the end of the day it's up to the coach, so I can work hard and do what I can in practice and if he thinks what I'm doing is good for the team, hopefully my hard work will put me in."</i>
    Whilst it had seemed at times that Martin Rennie was loathe to give the Whitecaps youth a run in the senior team, the recent minutes clocked up by both Caleb Clarke and Russell Teibert could be an indication that things may be in the process of changing ever so slowly.
    With Caleb being such a promising talent, and arguably the Whitecaps striker currently showing the best goalscoring form, could we see him featuring in the Caps gameday eighteen as the season counts down?
    Only one way to find out, so we asked Rennie that very question:
    <i>"Yeah hopefully. In the last little bit here he made his debut not too long ago and then he's been gone on international duty and we got really good reports about how he did. He scored three goals in two games, I believe. Or at least that's what he told me! (laughs).
    He's doing well. He's a young player. We think he's got a lot of potential and we're excited about how the young players are developing.
    There's at least three of them will be in the top 24 under 24 in MLS, which is an important thing.
    We've also got young players coming through like Russell, like Bryce, like Caleb and a couple of others that we really like in the Residency program, so we're really excited about that.
    Obviously the big thing here is trying to manage the short term and the long term of the Club and it's easier sometimes just to manage the short term, or just to manage the long term, but we have to do both and if we do that effectively, that's how we build a big club and a successful club. So that's what we're working on and we're actually really encouraged about the players who are coming through."</i>
    Good to hear, but as we keep harping on about here on AFTN, the young players need to play regularly and competitively if they are going to keep on developing and there aren't a lot of options out there right now.
    The Caps lined up a two week trial for Caleb with German third tier side Rot-Weiss Erfurt in the summer, but an injury ended that prematurely and a potential season long loan deal never materialised.
    We asked Caleb if this move, or a similar one, is still on the cards?
    <i>"Yeah. I'm still looking, especially in the off season, to keep on playing cos I don't want to stop.
    So that could be a possibility just again for games and experience and stuff like that. Just anything like that. So yeah, it could be a possibility near the end of the season."</i>
    With a four or five month break between seasons, it would be good for a player like him to still be getting regular games, especially with him now not having the U18 games at his disposal.
    Keeping him fully fit and sharp will benefit both the Whitecaps and Canada.
    Let's hope he has a few more MLS games and minutes under his belt in the meantime, and maybe a goal or too as well.
    With the form he's been in and the talent he possesses, I wouldn't rule anything out for him.
    <p>
    Guest

    #FixTheCSL update

    By Guest, in It's Called Football,

    Just a quick update - it has been a wild day for this story and myself with all the media response - we had scheduled to release two new stories on Friday and Saturday.
    We are now holding those stories after some recent developments. They will still be released but the timeline - and perhaps the platform - for that has now changed. Sunday on CSN we will still look at where Canadian soccer goes from here and discuss the factors that have led to the arrival of matchfixers to Canadian shores.
    If you're still looking for more though you can listen to me:
    On TSN
    The Team 1040
    The Soccer Show
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Guest
    Lisa: "Did you know that the Chinese use the same word for 'crisis' as they do for 'opportunity'?"
    Homer: "Yes! Crisi-tunity!"
    If Canada's going to make it to the hex for the first time since 1997, they're going to need to do it without their all-time leading goal-scorer.
    Yet some have said that the absence of Dwayne DeRosario (whose MCL sprain will see him miss at least two months) for Canada's World Cup qualifiers against Cuba and Honduras could actually be a blessing in disguise.
    Considering he's a born goal-scorer on a team that struggles mightily to find the net, that suggestion seems counter-intuitive at best, and downright ridiculous at worst. But since there's nothing to be done about the loss of DeRosario now, other than to hope he makes a full recovery, the question is worth asking: Is this, indeed, a moment of crisi-tunity for Les Rouges?
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    First, the crisis.
    DeRosario has accounted for 50% of Canada's goals in the first four games of group play in this round of qualifying. If you're counting, that's one out of two. He also accounted for 100% of Canada's goals in last summer's Gold Cup (two out of two, in three games).
    Sure, all three were off of set pieces (two penalties and a quickly-taken free kick). But the grim reality is that Canada doesn't score very often, and in meaningful games against credible opposition (sorry, St. Lucia) over the past 12 months, DeRo's been the one to find the back of the net most of the time.
    As it stands, Canada's best hope of advancing to next year's final round of World Cup qualifying (a.k.a. "the hex") is to run up the score against Cuba on Oct. 12, ahead of the do-or-die showdown with Honduras on Oct. 16. The numbers would suggest that having DeRo away deals a serious blow in that regard.
    But then, numbers don't tell the whole story. As has been stated by others, DeRosario's dynamic talent does have its drawbacks -- among them, a frequent desire to "go it alone", in defiance of an organized system and occasional obliviousness to his teammates. Perhaps DeRosario's absence could give the likes of Olivier Occean or Simeon Jackson more of an opportunity to do something they haven't done with great regularity for the national team -- score goals.
    And there, of course, is the opportunity.
    News of DeRosario's injury brought plenty of speculation as to who might be called into the squad to replace him. The options ranged from promising youngsters (Lucas Cavallini, Randy Edwini-Bonsu, Russell Teibert) to well-traveled veterans (Iain Hume, Rob Friend) to, well, veterans who we're pretty sure have played their last game for Canada, but then again, this is Canada, so who ever really knows for sure (Ali Gerba, Tomasz Radzinski).
    Canada's road to Brazil 2014 was always going to be fraught with obstacles. One of them was the injury to Josh Simpson, shortly before this round of qualifying began. His absence, surely, has had some role to play in Canada's goal-scoring woes thus far. And yet, here we sit, with Canada knowing that no matter what, they'll have a shot at qualifying for the hex once the last game of group play rolls around.
    That's more than Canada's gotten in the last few cracks at making the big show.
    Crisis always breeds opportunity. Heck, in this case, some people aren't even considering it a crisis.
    But one way or another, the men who suit up for Canada next month will need to step up, perform and -- almost certainly -- earn four points. It's not guaranteed, but it never was. It won't be easy, but it was never going to be. And since none of us have the Alternate Reality Simulator, we'll never know what may have happened if DeRosario was healthy, since that situation will have never existed.
    The only situation is the opportunity Canada faces: Four points in two games, and you've gotten your country closer to the World Cup than it's been in 15 years.
    Such a tantalizing prospect oughta be enough to push a player or two (or 11) to newfound heights, don't you think?
    .
    Guest

    Rennie relaxed and ready for Dallas duel

    By Guest, in AFTN,

    Vancouver Whitecaps may be about to face one of their biggest games of the season this weekend in Dallas, but if they're feeling the pressure, it's not coming across in training.
    The players and management looked relaxed and were all smiles in their final training session before Saturday's game. A game which could go a long way in shaping the Whitecaps post-season hopes.
    The pressure is on the Caps to try and get out of their four game losing slump, whilst trying to put some decent breathing space between themselves and Dallas in the race for the final playoff spot.
    It's not a must win game, as Martin Rennie acknowledged to the press scrum after today's session. A defeat would see the Whitecaps with just a one point cushion, but with a game in hand, and their fate still lies in their own hands.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Despite all the playoff implications of the various results, the Caps are not going to go into the Dallas game simply trying to avoid defeat, as Rennie told us:
    <i>"I think if you go in like that you end up being on the back foot and being negative and being in a position where you don't take chances, and then you end up under more pressure.
    It's a game you have to go and play and do your best to win the game and I think that's how we've always approached it.
    We need to be much more positive in our outlook"</i>
    Creativity has been somewhat lacking in the recent defeats, but for the team to turn things around, getting back to doing the basics effectively is what is ultimately key:
    <i>"We need to do all the things well. We need to defend well, we need to possess the ball well, we need to possess it well enough that we can get up the field and be in good areas to attack and when we get chances we need to take them."</i>
    Finding that early form is a must and that strong run in the first half of the season has at least set the Whitecaps up nicely for playoff action. Despite the horrid spell of recent away games, the Caps are still very much in it, as Rennie noted:
    <i>"Looking at the schedule at the start, and seeing that we had a spell literally of nine of 13 games on the road, I looked at that schedule and said, well if we're in with a chance when we get back at the end then that's a great thing."</i>
    And indeed it is.
    Every team will have a bad run of games and at least the Caps is coming now, when they are in a good position and there is still time to turn it around. It would have been worse to have started the season with a losing run and trying to play catch-up, as Dallas are now doing.
    In many ways, Dallas have the greater pressure on them to perform in this game. A defeat, even a draw, will almost end their playoff hopes with just four games remaining.
    That pressure can work to either spur them on or make them edgy, but the one thing that is certain is that they will be a dangerous side and Rennie told reporters what he expects from them:
    <i>"They're a solid team. They've got dangerous players, they're very good on the counter attack. They've got a lot of guys that we must defend well against, who if you give them time and space they can create chances and cause problems.
    It's going to be a great game. Two teams are going to be going for it. Dallas I'm sure will be going for it more than when they played on the road.
    It'll be an exciting game between two good teams."</i>
    Temperatures at the soccer specific Pizza Hut Park stadium are expected to reach just 23 degrees by kick off time, with rain scheduled for much of the build up to the game, so the recent spell of good weather in Vancouver has been beneficial to the Caps preparations, as has training on grass:
    <i>"We've been on grass almost every day that we've trained, so that's been a big positive. The guys have trained well and it's been enjoyable."</i>
    It's good to see the whole camp relaxed and looking comfortable as a unit. Let's hope the break has given them a chance to regroup, revitalize and find the form we saw earlier in the season.
    If not, it's going to be a nervy, but exciting, run in.
    <p>
    Guest
    Football gives you many highs and many lows. When you support Canada and Scotland on the international stage, you have to delve deep into your memories for examples of the former.
    With World Cup qualifying already hanging by a thread for both countries, you may expect this week's episode of the <i>West Coast Soccer</i> podcast to be a little bit more subdued than usual, but that's not our style.
    We're joined first by former MLS MVP, and current ESPN pundit, <b>Taylor Twellman</b>, a man who sadly knows all too well about the damage that concussions cause.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    We chat about a multitude of subjects from concussions and Twellman's impressive <a href="http://www.thinktaylor.org" target="_blank"><b>Think Taylor</b></a> resource website, to his new career as a broadcaster and the current state of MLS.
    Our second guest is <b>Bobby Lenarduzzi</b> and the Duze chats with us about the importance of youth and coaching development and the Caps new training facility.
    We pick over Canada's Panamanian carcass, look ahead to the Caps <i>"biggest game of the season"</i> against Dallas and we introduce our new section - <i>"Things That Make You Go Hmmm"</i>.
    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 below.
    <div>
    <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,0,0" width="210" height="25" id="mp3playerlightsmallv3" align="middle">
    <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" />
    <param name="movie" value="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerlightsmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://westcoastsoccerweekly.podbean.com/mf/play/jhpkk6/TWELLMAN2.mp3&autoStart=no" />
    <param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" />
    <embed src="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerlightsmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://westcoastsoccerweekly.podbean.com/mf/play/jhpkk6/TWELLMAN2.mp3&autoStart=no" quality="high" width="210" height="25" name="mp3playerlightsmallv3" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /></embed>
    </object>
    <br /><a style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 41px; color: #2DA274; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: none;" href="http://www.podbean.com">Podcast Powered By Podbean</a>
    </div>
    <div>
    <audio controls="controls" id="auidoplayerhtml5podbean30175502b72881b1e2864fe440389068">
    <source src="http://westcoastsoccerweekly.podbean.com/mf/play/jhpkk6/TWELLMAN2.mp3" type="audio/mpeg" autoplay="no">
    Your browser does not support the audio element.
    </audio>
    <script type="text/javascript">
    var audioTag = document.createElement('audio');
    if (!(!!(audioTag.canPlayType) && ("no" != audioTag.canPlayType("audio/mpeg")) && ("" != audioTag.canPlayType("audio/mpeg")))) {
    document.getElementById('auidoplayerhtml5podbean30175502b72881b1e2864fe440389068').parentNode.removeChild(document.getElementById('auidoplayerhtml5podbean30175502b72881b1e2864fe440389068'));
    document.write('<object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,0,0" width="210" height="25" id="mp3playerlightsmallv3" align="middle"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerlightsmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://westcoastsoccerweekly.podbean.com/mf/play/jhpkk6/TWELLMAN2.mp3&autoStart=no" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><embed src="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerlightsmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://westcoastsoccerweekly.podbean.com/mf/play/jhpkk6/TWELLMAN2.mp3&autoStart=no" quality="high" width="210" height="25" name="mp3playerlightsmallv3" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /></embed></object>');
    }
    </script>
    <br />
    <a style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 41px; color: #2DA274; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: none;" href="http://www.podbean.com">Podcast Powered By Podbean</a>
    </div>
    <p>
    Guest
    Over the next week Canadian Soccer News will be publishing a number of articles to serve as an addition to the Fix the CSL documentary that aired on the CBC's National this week. If you have not seen that story yet, you can view it here.

    Be sure to read the accompanying article on CBC as well as it tells even more of the story. Metro also ran another column today talking about what has gone on.
    As was discussed in the doc, throughout the course of the investigation a number of people came forward and told us what they knew. Some were threatened directly if they spoke, others were given more vague messages. In today's story, CSN will reveal the transcript from an interview with a star player who would ultimately decide not to come on camera and discuss what he knew. He was offered the protection of anonymity on air and he still declined. Obviously, his name and things that could identify him are redacted here to protect him. And we have edited parts of the transcript for clarity sake.
    This is not the only player that has come forward but we're telling his story today to leave no question that the 2009 game was not a one-off event and that matchfixers are prominent around Canadian soccer, the CSL and they have allegedly fixed numerous matches.
    You can read parts of the transcript from the hour-long interview after the jump.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    WE’RE RECORDING NOW. WE WERE TALKING ABOUT IT A LITTLE IN THE CAR, BUT IF YOU DON’T MIND TAKING ME BACK TO THE BEGINNING. WHEN WAS THE FIRST TIME YOU WERE EVER APPROACHED? JUST TAKE ME THROUGH IT. WHAT HAPPENED?
    Well, as I said, last year (2011) was the main time I really figured out that players are betting on games. Or there’s been match fixing ... I went to London, as I was saying and I got approached by a gentleman to either score a hat trick or to make my team lose and I refused it. And just it goes on and on like that. A lot of times I got phone calls “eh (redacted name) throw games” or “eh make sure your team your team lose the game.” Or whatever the case may be. At some point ... you personally think your players are throwing games because a lot of games we lose last year, that we shouldn’t have lost.

    YOU WERE TELLING ME A STORY ABOUT HOW YOU’VE BEEN APPROACHED AND YOU KNEW THAT SOME OF YOUR TEAMMATES HAD BEEN APPROACHED AND YOU TOLD THEM 'HEY LOOK GUYS LETS NOT.' TELL US ABOUT THAT STORY AND HOW IT HAPPENED.
    Yeah. Yeah that’s, there’s times when you do get approached and you know personally players, in the back of your head, players are out there, either on your team, or on the other team, are getting approached to bet on games. And if you’re betting on games that means: a) you have a high opportunity to throw a game because you want to make extra money. So in the back of your head, you are (wondering). so I get approached a lot and me personally I turn it down. I don’t know what other people do because you don’t know what they’re thinking, you don’t know what they’re doing in desperate time. You’re not with them everyday or every minute of the day so.
    THAT GAME PARTICULARLY DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS, WHICH GAME IT WAS?
    The one game last year that brought it to light for me was the Brantford game. We are on an 11 game unbeaten streak, like hottest team out there, first place. No team came close to beat us within that 11 games. And to go on an 11 game winning streak your team has to be performing good and we went there and within 20 minutes in the game it was 4-0.
    FOR BRANTFORD?
    For Brantford. And that kind of shook me up as a player, as a professional, as a team leader. And (there it was) 5-0 at halftime. Got in the dressing room, coach went off and he subbed a couple players, players were fighting each other the field. And this was a TV game too, so people were watching this. And that made me wonder like, 'what the hell is going on?' So, I know about betting ... So when I see that, I was thinking, 'Like these guys are actually throwing the game. Like these guys bet against for us to lose.'

    DID YOU EVER TALK TO YOUR TEAMMATES ABOUT IT?
    Yeah we had a meet, we had a team meeting. And…
    PLAYERS ONLY OR COACHES?
    Players only team meeting and we discussed it. Like guys is there anyone that’s betting? Even if you’re not betting on your team, even if you’re not betting against your team are you guys betting? And everyone said no they’re not betting so.
    BUT YOU DIDN’T BELIEVE THEM?
    I didn’t say I didn’t believe them because you have to have trust in your teammates. I do believe they’re not doing it but that game just made me think even more, is it really going on?

    BUT YOUR GOALIE, YOU THOUGHT THAT HE WASN’T, OR THAT HE WAS (FIXING)?
    I thought he was a part of it that game for sure. That one game I thought he was a part of it because the goals in that game and the stuff he was doing in that game, made me think about it.
    BECAUSE HE DROPPED THE BALL OR?
    Dropped the ball, he was fighting with his teammates. Then he got subbed at halftime.
    WHICH GAME WAS THAT?
    The Brantford game. The same Brantford game in Brantford last year.

    HOW MANY GOALS WERE SCORED IN THE SECOND HALF?
    None. We scored 2.
    DID YOU EVER TALK TO YOUR GOALIE ABOUT IT?
    Yeah as I said we discussed it. I discussed it personally with him. I discussed it again with the group and he said he was just having a bad game.
    WE DON’T EVEN NEED YOU TO REALLY POINT FINGERS IN THAT SENSE, JUST WHAT OTHER INSTANCES HAVE YOU HAD WHERE YOU HAVE BEEN APPROACHED BY PEOPLE TO FIX GAMES?
    Um, I’d say the London game last year.

    SO WALK US THROUGH THAT ONE AGAIN. THEY APPROACHED YOU WHERE?
    At the field. Like I was warming up, as I say, I was warm. Last guy to come off the field and a gentleman stopped me you know and say “Like I know the odds for London to beat you guys is a lot, is it possible, do you want to make some money?” and I go 'No.' And then he was just telling me that 'Listen, even if you score three goals I will, you’ll still make money' or whatever the case may be. I said I don’t want nothing to do with it. I’m a soccer player. If I go out there and I score three goals I score three goals. If I score 4 goals I score 4 goals. If I don’t score, I don’t score. So it’s just that’s just the way they do stuff. And I guess this year I got approached in Ottawa about the same thing.
    WHERE DID HE APPROACH YOU?
    Same on the side, when…
    SIDELINES?
    Yeah sidelines. Not really on the field but when you’re walking out to warm up at the stand, they will call you and talk to you because they have access close to the players and…

    WHAT HAPPENED NEXT AFTER THAT?
    After that he talked, tell me what he wants to tell me and then I walked away, went to warm up and that’s it and it’s done.

    WHAT DID HE OFFER YOU THIS TIME?
    They try to be slick. 'You want to make some money?' Obviously, as soon as they say, "You want to make some money, they are not giving me a job so there’s no way they’re paying me to…

    RIGHT, THEY’RE NOT OFFERING YOU TO PAINT HIS HOUSE.
    Exactly exactly. So it has to be some bullshit. So once I hear that I don’t even respond no more. I just let them talk and once they’re done talking I just walk away. And then two weeks ago in Brantford, when the gentleman brought me in his car, sit me down and ask me if I want to throw the game when we play. And I go no and I walked out and I left.

    WALK US THROUGH THAT ONE AGAIN. HE BROUGHT YOU INTO THE CAR, YOU COME INTO THE PARKING LOT.
    We had a game. The game got rained out, so we came back in the parking lot and my girlfriend was waiting for me. So as soon as I’m going into the car to drive away he called me he’s like “(Redacted) can I speak to you?” and I’m like “sure.” And then we went in his car and he’s like “come, sit” and…
    AND YOU’D NEVER SEEN HIM BEFORE.
    Never seen him before. First time I’d ever seen this dude. Went down, sit and then he’s telling me “eh”…
    WHAT KIND OF CAR WAS IT?
    Um I have no idea man…
    NICE CAR? SHITTY CAR?
    It wasn’t all that. It was fucking dirty inside. So I sit down and he’s like, you know, “You want to make some money?” And I’m like "Oh my god, if someone tell me I want to make some money again I’m going to lose it." So, anyways he go, “You know if any of your players want to make some money? You guys want to you know throw the games” or whatever the case maybe and I’m like…
    HE SAID THAT?
    Yeah.
    THROW THE GAME?
    Yeah. I’m like, "I don’t want no part of that bro. No that’s it I’m good." He’s like, “C’mon man.” I’m like, “no I’m good.” And I just said, “Are you done?” and he’s like “alright sure." And open the door, walk out and get the fuck out.
    YOU EVER BEEN THREATENED BY THEM?
    No. They won’t dare to do that to me bro. (laughs) These guys, they don’t know me like that.
    THEY KNOW BETTER.
    Yeah. They don’t know me like that.
    YOU’VE BEEN APPROACHED AGAIN THIS YEAR?
    Yeah this year there’s action but most of the, I think, most of the action was last year.
    THE FIRST TIME YOU WERE EVER APPROACHED, WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST REACTION?
    My first reaction was, I knew it was happening but I was shocked. Like “why me?” But I guess, as you could say, I’m one of the guys that’s well known in the league. They don’t know, they probably think because: a) money. (Redacted) going to want money.
    HE (IS GOING TO) NEED SOME HELP.
    That’s not me bro. I’m a loyal guy. I’ve been loyal from day one and nothing’s going to change me.
    HOW DID YOU KNOW IT WAS HAPENNING ALREADY BEFORE YOU WERE APPROACHED?
    Because to be honest with you, there’s guys out there that I hear them talk. Whispers come around.
    SO THEN AFTER THE FIRST TIME YOU WERE APPROACHED WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?
    Um, well it keeps happening. Like you hear about it. Like you get approached and you get asked “You think anyone is fixing games?" It got to the point, even after the Brantford game, it got to the point that people start asking questions about about guys on my team like “you guys throwing games?” And I’m like 'No noone is throwing games. Noone dares to fucking throw games, because if I personally find out anyone is throwing games, on my team, that’s it.'
    WHAT I MEANT WAS WHAT HAPPENED NEXT THAT DAY. YOU GET APPROACHED, GOT IN THE CAR AND SAID NO WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?
    And that’s it.
    YOU JUST GOT OUT AND LEFT?
    Got out and left. Drove went home. When I came, when we went back up there to play I’m surprised no one approached me again then.
    SO AFTER THE LONDON TIME WHEN WAS THE NEXT TIME YOU WERE APPROACHED?
    Last year? I guess the next time, after that you’re going back last year man. I don’t remember half the things I do last year ... But this year, I got approached twice this year.
    IT’S DIFFERENT GUYS EVERY TIME?
    It’s different guys. So it’s not like the guy who approached me the first time called this guy and go “Try (redacted) again.’ I don’t think that’s the reason. I guess the reason is I’m one of the guys that’s known in the league as a guy that could win a game for you. Or maybe I could lose a game for you. So it’s like that. So I personally think maybe that’s the reason. Because the game could be 2-2 and I get the opportunity to score the winning goal. Or I could get the opportunity to get the winning goal and I miss it on purpose.
    WHAT KIND OF MONEY ARE THEY TALKING?
    I think it was first time, $2000, $3000, something like that.
    WAS HE OFFERING TO PAY YOU RIGHT THEN AND THERE OR AT A LATER TIME?
    Honestly we didn’t get that far. We didn’t get that far because I wasn’t interested at all so we didn’t get that far.
    WHAT HAVE, IN TERMS OF THIS SEASON LIKE YOU WERE PERSONALLY APPROACHED BUT WHAT HAVE YOU HEARD ELSE ABOUT BRANTFORD OR ANY OTHER TEAMS POTENTIALLY BEING INVOLVED?
    For even last year the main teams that you hear, the name called up about match fixing or gambling on games are the Brantford and Serbia. Those two teams you hear about match fixing a lot. They’re losing to London, Astros, they’re losing to teams they have no business losing to and then you see a guy like (redacted) coming toward you flashing money say “hey I gambled on this game and I made this amount of money” and stuff. So he’s out there with it he’s one of the guys that’s out there with it.
    YOU WERE SAYING EARLIER THOUGH, WHEN WE WERE TALKING THAT YOU THINK THAT IT GOES ABOVE THE PLAYERS NOW YOU THINK IT MIGHT BE AT THE ORGANIZED CRIME LEVEL.
    Yeah, as I was saying the way it was at last year. I think it’s above soccer players. I think it’s at, an organized thing right now.
    Guest

    Honduran nerves start to fray

    By Guest, in Some Canadian Guys,

    Honduran manager Luis Fernando Suarez evidently had enough of the bad vibes, whether the journalists grilling him following his side’s narrow 1-0 win over Cuba last night were finished their questions or not. According to reports, he “exploded” halfway through the presser, walking out unexpectedly after feeding some choice quotes to the scribes present and also to fans around the country.
    Feelings appear a little sensitive in Honduras right now. For all that Canada fans feel their team is staring down the wrong end of the barrel on yet another pre-Hex World Cup qualifying flame-out, the old demons are stirring in Honduras too. That's why it's worth a look at the mood in the country whom Canada will likely face in a one-game-take-all Roulette spin, a berth in the Hex at stake.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]Self-loathing is a bitch. Just ask any long-time supporter of Canada's mens' soccer team, especially on the heels of another demoralizing defeat, this time in Panama City. It's even worse that it follows a decent home performance three days prior. Asi es el futbol though. You could ask a Honduran supporter the same question these days and receive a similar answer.
    The headline in La Prensa said it all: Honduras falls short and suffers in defeating Cuba. Honduras has its own history of soul-deadening results to haunt it. How about October 7, 2001 when Honduras lost 1-0 to last-place Trinidad in the same stadium they'll play Canada on Oct 16 - San Pedro Sula's Estadio Olimpico. After a great campaign in the Hex they ended up finishing three points out of the third and final World Cup qualifying spot.
    It all could have been so different for both Canada and Honduras fans on Tuesday night. Check out this page for an embedded video of the almost-goal-that-wasn't in injury time. Cuba was a line clearance away from equalizing and completely changing the group's dynamics. According to La Prensa, the game revived memories of the ugly and tragic side of football.
    Honduras reportedly controlled the match, but struggled to create scoring chances. Hmm, does that sound familiar? And the ones they did create they wiffed. La Prensa says the attack has always been Suarez’ Achilles heel, and last night was no different.
    Back to the press conference, in which Suarez said (roughly, it’s a translation after all): Let's withdraw from qualifying and not do anything more. If we're only thinking we're not going to have the capacity to beat Panama or Canada, Then we won't bother. Before walking out he extended -- with what may have been a sideways glance -- an invitation to Honduran fans to support their national team and be a touch more optimistic.
    Perhaps they took his message to heart. An online poll taken by Deiz.hn (roughly 900 responses) showed a slim majority of 52% believe Canada would be the team missing out on the Hex, with 38% saying Honduras and ten optimistic percent saying Panama would somehow fail to progress. So before wallowing too deeply in your frustration take consolation in knowing that, in Concacaf at least, you have plenty of company. And then continue wallowing.
    Photo courtesy of Mickael T. via Flickr.
    Guest
    By Michael Crampton
    Waking up from the hangover, metaphorically if not literally, of following Canada over the just concluded international break Toronto FC fans who are also national team supporters get no time to ease back into the slog of TFC’s remaining season before the club’s match Wednesday night versus the Chicago Fire. The match, originally scheduled for mid-July but moved at the request of Chicago to accommodate an international friendly, now comes at a more than inopportune time for Toronto.
    Already thin from injury the Reds will also be absent a number of players not yet returned from international duty. News that Darren O’Dea cut his international break with the Republic of Ireland short in favour of returning to Toronto early and that Eric Hassli should be ready to return from injury provides a positive spin but with Terry Dunfield, Ashtone Morgan, and Ryan Johnson not available for selection Paul Mariner will have to figure out a way to counter the Fire missing three of his regular starters.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Central midfield is a particular problem as Dunfield’s absence, combined with Torsten Frings’ season ending hip problems, leaves the team with a massive vacancy in the centre of the park. Fans have been critical of Mariner’s attempt to convert Aaron Maund, drafted as a centre back, into a defensive midfielder but short of playing Jeremy Hall out of position it’s hard to see what options Toronto’s coach has. Matt Stinson has returned from injury and may get a chance to show that he has a role at the club in the future but it seems unlikely Mariner would trust him, with so little game action over the previous few months, to handle the destroyer role in midfield on his own.
    In a year where the game may have mattered to TFC it would have been an outrageous move to accept rescheduling but this season, in a year that was practically over in May, it simply feels like further confirmation that Toronto’s front office doesn’t always put the competitiveness of the team at the top of their list of priorities. That may not be fair, as you can never be quite certain how much of the decision was Toronto’s alone in a single-entity partnership like MLS, but it’s hardly going to matter to fans already embittered by a sixth season of playoff-less football at BMO Field.
    On the other hand, while it’s easy to say that there will be no more meaningful MLS games played at BMO Field this season that’s not precisely accurate. The truth is that there is only little meaning left if you care about Toronto FC exclusively. Other than the seeming quest for next season’s first overall pick in the SuperDraft and maybe gaining enough points to avoid a worst ever points total (if not points per game) TFC are basically left giving extended trials to borderline players in an attempt to start building for 2013 early. For fans who just like to go out and watch football or follow a team through its highs and lows that may be enough but for those who need a real rooting interest to sustain engagement it’s hardly an appetizing thought.
    For fans of the league however, many of the remaining games will be closely watched for their impact on the incredibly tight Eastern Conference playoff race. The suggested expectation, in a 34 game season, of needing in the range of 45 to 46 points to qualify for the MLS Cup playoffs seems set to be blown out of the water in 2012. Thanks to the elimination of wild card crossovers in favour of conference exclusive qualification and a better than expected upper half of the East it’s looking entirely likely that it may take as many as 49 or even 50 points to see the post-season.
    In this context the match Wednesday night becomes incredibly vital for Chicago. Like Sporting Kansas City have already done the Fire have the chance to complete taking 9 points off of Toronto FC in 2012. A win would boost them to 47 points and put Frank Klopas’ side within touching distance of the playoffs in his first full year in charge. A loss, or even a draw, would have to be seen as a missed opportunity considering TFC’s form and necessarily makeshift squad. So, while Toronto has little to play for the game itself will be far from meaningless.
×
×
  • Create New...