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    Guest
    These are the images and emotions from Toronto FC's 2-0 loss to the Houston Dynamo. All photos are courtesy of Chris Hazard at Hazard Gallery.
    You can follow him on Twitter here
    You can find these and other photos here
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]





    Guest

    Impact vs NYRB - Post game show

    By Guest, in SoccerPlus,

    Only good things happened Saturday night in Montreal for the Impact. Sell out crowd, the first ever MLS goal of its first ever DP and a 3-1 victory over the Eastern Conference leaders.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    In this 25 minutes post-game show, hear comments from Montreal's Patrice Bernier, Hassoun Camarra, Marco Di Vaio and Alessandro Nesta as well as the complete post-game press conference from Impact head coach Jesse Marsch.
    We also have comments from ex-Sounder, ex-Union, ex-Whitecap and current-Red Bull striker Sebatien LeToux as well as the guy they nickname "Titi" tell reporters it's a good thing for the league and for the Impact to bring in Italian stars, but that the best player by far in Montreal is a Canadian.
    Click here to enjoy our special edition.
    Guest
    Last night's loss to Real Salt Lake was a strange one.
    It was disappointing in respect of the nature of the defeat, but at the same time it provided a lot of hope due to that very same nature of the defeat.
    Vancouver were exceptional at points in that second half and could have been out of site by the hour mark, but individual errors cost them dearly.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    We may as well start with the negatives.
    Our defence has been stellar this season, but when we lose the plot, we do it big time and last night was one of those nights.
    Let's get this out of the way at the start. Jay DeMerit had a shocker.
    He wasn't alone of course. Martin Bonjour cost us the winning goal by proving that white men apparently can't jump after all. DeMerit though cost us twice and looked out of sorts.
    I'm not sure who I blame more for this - Jay DeMerit or Martin Rennie.
    DeMerit should not have played 90 minutes in a pointless and meaningless all-star game 48 hours before. He then suffered a tiring travel nightmare to even get to Salt Lake City.
    He should have arrived and told the Caps management that he shouldn't play. He also should have stressed to Ben Olsen that the Caps only wanted him to play 45 minutes on Wednesday and he would be abiding by that.
    Afterwards he said the manager asked him to step up for the team. Well Jay, you know what, that isn't your team. The Whitecaps are.
    They pay your wages and you're meant to be the leader on the field. You should have said no. Just like you shouldn't have been encouraging people to vote for you in the first place when you know it's taking you away from the Whitecaps preparation for a match.
    You should have been like Y-P Lee and turned down the offer altogether with a key game coming up less than two days later.
    Harsh to say this? Maybe. Maybe I can't put myself into that choice as I'm not a professional football, but surely being a leader of a team means you putting the team above yourself? It all makes for an interesting addendum to the 'Jay DeMerit Story' movie, so that's ok then.
    On the flip side, Martin Rennie should never have played him. It fully comes across that he doesn't have faith in Carlyle Mitchell to come in and take Jay's place. I get that.
    He's previously commented that for Mitchell to get a chance in the starting eleven he needs to defend better. When you're a defender and your manager doesn't think you can defend well enough then I wouldn't be taking out any long term leases on a car.
    But that's not the issue here, as all he had to do was to slot Alain Rochat in as centrehalf and play Jordan Harvey again at left back.
    That would have been a strong alternative. No-one can say how they would have performed of course. They could have been a nightmare and given up five. They could have kept a clean sheet. We'll never know.
    The point is, we should have found out and DeMerit shouldn't have played. We said it before the game and we're saying it after.
    The lack of squad rotation is understandable if you don't feel the back ups are good enough. That is clearly why we didn't see many subs in some games when the bench was a little threadbare.
    But <a href="http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?2815-Rennie-On-Squad-Rotation" target="_blank">back in February</a> we asked Rennie if he was the kind of manager who would rotate his starting eleven or find his strongest one and basically stick to that.
    He told us:
    <i>"Yeah, I don't think you can just stick with eleven guys now because there's so many games, so much travel. It's unlikely that eleven guys are going to take you the whole way through.
    Jim McLean managed it with Dundee United a long time ago. That doesn't really happen any more, so guys all need to know their job and be able to step in when the time comes."</i>
    Either there's been a change of heart or a lack of faith in what he has at his disposal.
    I'm pretty sure that if he could have come in and just started with a clean slate, then he would have loved that. Get rid of the old and bring in pretty much all new. He had a similar cull in Carolina but MLS contract rules prevent that happening as much.
    Slowly but surely he is making the changes. We've seen the big names and the fans favourites move on and I honestly believe he's upgraded the team in doing so.
    Barry Robson has come on to his game and is the star performer for the Caps over these last few games. His long range passes last night were pinpoint most of the time and perfect for unleashing the pace of Darren Mattocks and Dane Richards.
    Our Jamaican "Double D" are looking deadly when they are allowed to show their speed.
    If Mattocks is going to get five to ten chances every game and just take one, I'm kinda going to be happy with that. He's still learning and the more clinical nature to his game will soon come.
    Kenny Miller's getting slightly sharper. We said when he signed that we didn't expect to see him firing on all cylinders till mid August and we're sticking with that.
    Some of the play we saw from the Caps in the second half last night was breathtaking, as they ripped Real's defence apart time and again. We have to take out chances though.
    A look at our negative goal difference and our poor goals for total shows where the main problems lie.
    The latest additions have bolstered the attack, although we're not going to be quite finished there.
    The international transfer window may have closed in MLS on Friday but Vancouver can still add players who are free agents prior to the roster freeze and trade deadline on September 15th.
    And they are still looking to do that.
    A deal for a prominent European international striker, with experience in the English Premiership, La Liga and Serie A, fell through at the last minute according to a UK contact.
    The player is a free agent, so we won't name him in case the Caps try to reignite the transfer. I don't see the benefit of putting the name out there just yet, but if we can land him, it would be a fantastic acquisition and add something different to the Caps attack.
    They are also looking at bolstering the squad elsewhere and we're hearing from South American sources that a central midfielder (not CB as we originally stated) will be announced as the latest Caps signing early next week. Just waiting for MLS to finalise the necessary international paperwork.
    He's not Scottish, he's not European, and he's not North American. That should have some of you dancing a samba!
    He's a young midfielder, with a lot of bite, but also pace, and the Caps have picked him up pretty cheaply, so it's a good work in progress that doesn't hit the Cap much.
    I'm also expecting a new defender to be added for depth.
    DeMerit and Bonjour have done well and will continue.
    Sure, they've both had lapses, but when we get them both playing well together then that's where the clean sheets come.
    We need them to feel pressurised though. They have to know that their mistakes could cost them their place and at the moment, they don't have anyone challenging them for the starting spot.
    If the Whitecaps are going to go on a playoff run then we need to have depth and that's just what Martin Rennie is looking to add.
    What the RSL game showed us is how good a team Vancouver potentially have.
    We took the game to Real in that second half and not many teams do that to them at the Rio Tinto.
    It showed that we have nothing to fear from our Western Conference playoff peers. We can take points off all of them. Now we need to step the game up to beat all of them.
    The loss to Real left Vancouver eight points behind second place.
    The rematch on August 11th at BC Place is now crucial to how our post-season will play out.
    We have to try and finish second or third. I feel that that would give us the easier playoff route.
    A defeat to RSL in two weeks time means we're in a tough battle for one of the final three playoff places, and we want to try and avoid LA in a first round battle if we can.
    Vancouver now have two weeks in which to regroup, rest and get back to their strengths.
    They are a match for anyone at home. Now they have to go out there and show it.
    <center>********************</center>
    <b>AFTN 3-2-1:</b>
    Had a tough job picking the 2 and 1 points here and went to and fro between them both before settling. Also Camilo deserves a nod.
    3 points - BARRY ROBSON (Ran the show in the middle. His passes were on the whole pinpoint and will be such a goal threat in the run in)
    2 points - JUN MARQUES DAVIDSON (Covered a lot of the pitch and made a number of important passes and clearances. Would have been nice to see him with that goal)
    1 point - YOUNG-PYO LEE (Like Davidson, covered a lot of ground and had some key passes and defensive stops)
    <p>
    Guest
    Christopher Vose is AFTN's photographer and here is a gallery of some of his photos from the Whitecaps' game against Real Salt Lake on Friday July 28th.
    For a full high quality slideshow of all of Christopher's RSL photos, click <a href="
    " target="_blank">HERE</a>.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    <center>********************</center>
    <center>

    (You Lion bastard)

    (Y-P Lee has big balls)

    (The ref gets a Bazza bollocking)

    (And he's still in his ear as DeMerit blunders)

    (Joe Cannon is sent wrong way from spot kick)

    (Darren Mattocks ties it up at one apiece)

    (Dale Richards' pace leaves the RSL defence for dead)

    (The key to Real's defence? Giants!)

    (Kenny Miller's getting closer to his first Caps goal)

    (#CapsOnTour)
    </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>
    Guest
    At the risk of sounding like a broken record, Christine Sinclair is a remarkable soccer player.
    On a day when her health and form were being questioned by fans of the women's national team, she still scored twice to seal a much-needed victory for Canada. In fact, that's been Sinclair's M.O. for much of her career -- her incredible penchant for timely goal-scoring has lifted Big Red to many unexpected results over the past decade.
    Of course, Canada's win against the #61-ranked South Africans was hardly unexpected. Anything less than a decisive victory would have raised major red flags. Instead, Canada goes into its make-or-break showdown against Sweden with some good momentum -- crucial for a team whose psychological fortitude has been front and centre in its journey to the Olympics.
    But is the 3-0 result a true indication of where Canada sits, or a Big Red herring?
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    It's no stretch to say that South Africa controlled large portions of the game on Saturday. Canada finally truly found its legs at the 65-minute mark (coincidentally, around the time that South Africa lost theirs), perhaps a testament to the squad's fitness regimen under John Herdman. But with a little bit more luck, South Africa could easily have been level (or even ahead) by that point in the match.
    Then again, the game could easily have finished 5-0, with Diana Matheson and Jonelle Filigno having hit the woodwork in the second half. And when Canada was able to take control of the game, some of their forward movement left fans with plenty to be encouraged about.
    And hey, since we're dealing in "what ifs", let's go in the other direction -- what if Canada had more than one natural centreback starting the game? My guess: A hell of a lot more control and organization in the defending third -- particularly inside the penalty area -- and fewer gut-churning moments for those watching from across the ocean.
    Every team has to deal with injuries, of course, but the timing of the knocks to central defenders Candace Chapman and Emily Zurrer has been especially cruel, forcing Herdman to start a very out-of-position Robyn Gayle alongside Carmelina Moscato. (Well, "forced" is a point of contention -- as suggested by a former teammate of some of these players, Sophie Schmidt could have made a good replacement back there. But, c'est la vie.)
    In the end, a clean sheet is a clean sheet, and every non-goal by the opponent is worth exactly the same to them (zero), whether it was through the defending team's hard work, or the attacking team's incompetence. Still, if anyone has any karma to spare, please direct it towards the legs of Chapman and Zurrer -- one (or both) of whom Canada will desperately need against the powerful Swedish team. Mistakes made by the South Africans are unlikely to be repeated by the Swedes.
    On the other side of the field, the "someone whose last name ends with -son sending in a low cross from the right that Melissa Tancredi expertly flicks into the goal" approach continues to work for Canada. On this day, it was Matheson, whose ability to control the play and distribute in the middle of the field has also been a long-time key to Canada's success. That trend continues at London 2012, as does the strong play of Tancredi, whose contributions were always going to be vital to whatever success Canada hoped to have here.
    Was the 3-0 result indicative of a pillar-to-post domination, as such a score line would usually suggest? It wasn't. As said, South Africa controlled the play for discomfortingly long stretches of time, albeit without producing many legitimately dangerous goal-scoring opportunities. Some would call this a failing on Canada's part. Others would say it was a tactical rope-a-dope approach, with Canada content to withstand pressure and wait for its counterattacking opportunities.
    Either way, the group stage has shaken out as most had expected, with everything coming down to the match against Sweden. Canada has been reasonably well-matched with the Swedes in recent years, so it's fair to say that any result is possible. A win and Canada clinches a quarterfinal berth. A draw or loss leaves Canada at the mercy of the results in other groups to determine its fate.
    The players know this. They know what's at stake. Herdman's attempts to gird the team psychologically against the pressures of a major tournament will all be on display on Tuesday. We'll be able to talk till we're blue in the face, afterwards, about how the habits this group of players learned as kids still influence their behaviour, or about what needs to change in the player development system.
    But for now, it comes down to one team, one game, and one result. Canada will certainly need to make improvements to overcome Sweden -- and hope for some good news on the injury front. One way or another, this could truly be the game that defines this generation of Canadian players.
    This is a capable and talented team. No one will dispute that. But this is an occasion where the team must actually meet its potential, with each player ready and contributing.
    Or, we can just wait for Sinclair to save us, as she's done so many times before.
    .
    Guest
    By Michael Crampton
    Rested and recuperated, with over a week since their last competitive fixture, Toronto FC entertain the Houston Dynamo at BMO Field Saturday afternoon in what has become, quite improbably, a reasonably significant Eastern Conference match up. When Paul Mariner took over as head coach two months ago the idea that TFC had even the most remote chance of dragging themselves back into the playoff discussion seemed laughable. While the Reds still remain well back of 5th place in the East their first three game league winning streak in over four years has moved them to the fringes of respectability but another win against Houston is vital if any meaningful progress up the table is to continue.
    For their part, the Dynamo have also been on a tear over the past month and, riding their own three game winning streak and six game unbeaten streak, are currently the hottest team in MLS. So, instead of facing the very fifth placed Eastern Conference team they were chasing a week and a half ago, Toronto will be taking on a Houston side that has climbed all the way to fifth overall and solidly positioned themselves as playoff contenders with a shot at the Eastern Conference title. For both teams then this match will be an opportunity to cement progress and stay on the right track; incredibly, for maybe the first time in years, a match involving TFC will be a contest between two of the form teams in the league at the moment.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    In a curious reflection of Toronto’s movement from 4-3-3 back to 4-4-2 the Dynamo have gone the other direction. During their recent three game winning streak Houston have adopted a 4-3-3 formation to great effect. Make no mistake however, this is still very much a Dominic Kinnear team: good on set pieces, hard working, hard running, and more than capable of physically overpowering opponents when necessary. If anything, rather than an attempt to initiate a slick passing possession game, Kinnear’s move to 4-3-3 shows that Peter Vermes’ tactical innovation at Kansas City has been noticed around the league and that his version of an aggressively pressing, physically oriented, “American” 4-3-3 may start to be copied at other clubs.
    The Dynamo are not a side afraid to go direct and their first goal last weekend, against Montreal, reflected that: a classic kick-and-chase long ball over the top from Bobby Boswell by-passed the midfield to unleash Calen Carr down the right flank. He regained possession deep and found centre forward Will Bruin with a slip ball that allowed Bruin space to square to Mac Kandji who managed to bundle the ball into the net with his second attempt and the aid of a deflection. From beginning to end not a single midfielder touched the ball during the entire move (that started with a roll out from goalkeeper Tally Hall to right back Andre Hainault) but the goal exhibited the danger possible when three forwards are capable of stretching a defense and working together to support each other in the final third. Fortunately for Toronto, Bruin, Houston’s first choice centre forward, is listed as doubtful for the game and some sort of rotation will likely be necessary from the Dynamo.
    Permanently absent will be the highly influential Geoff Cameron. The story all week in Toronto has been the fruitless attempt to land a starting calibre centre back before the close of the MLS transfer window. Incredibly, while TFC desperately need any help they can get at the position Houston has been doing business the other direction. Cameron, the 42nd overall draft pick in 2008, has completed his move to English Premier League side Stoke City in a deal reported to be worth in the range of $2-3mil USD. The Dynamo have already been dealing with his absence comfortably which is a luxury that Reds supporters could scarcely imagine.
    For Toronto, the most pertinent line-up question on the minds of fans will regard the fitness and availability of new Designated Player Eric Hassli. The French striker, traded from Vancouver as a replacement for the injured Danny Koevermans, has been out with an ankle sprain picked up two weeks ago in Chicago and is currently listed as questionable. The idea of seeing Hassli, a player intimately linked with the Whitecaps’ short MLS history, in TFC red, even on the bench, is a strange notion but his attempt to fit in with the team and replace even some of the goals Koevermans had been delivering will have a significant impact on whether Toronto’s remaining league schedule remains relevant. For the Reds, the sooner he gets going the better.
    Guest

    5 questions: Canada v South Africa

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Five questions heading into Canada’s second game in London
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    1. Do they have any defenders?
    Canada is banged up at the back and is facing the prospect of possibly starting in a 3-5-2. That might not matter against South Africa, but the Canucks have to be hoping that things get better moving forward.
    2. Can they score enough?
    Sweden scored four goals against South Africa and allowed one. That +3 goal differential is huge as Canada needs to turn it around today or Sweden will only need a draw in the final group stage game to advance in second and Canada will be forced to fight for one of the best third place finishes.
    3. Can they even win?
    You’d think so, but this is a team that has now lost six straight at major competitions and the last time it played a minnow it huffed and puffed to a 2-1 victory against Argentina. Turning the GD around is a nice idea, but getting the three points vital.
    4. Again with that head thing.
    If it happens once it’s a fluke, twice a trend and more than that…a problem. Canada consistently underperforms in major events. In the World Cup they actually managed to lose the game against their African opposition. The same African opposition hat finished below South Africa in qualifying. So, watch the first 10 minutes carefully. If Canada looks nervous, be nervous.

    5. Can Sinclair get going?
    Against Japan, Christine Sinclair was all but invisible. It’s imperative she not repeat that performance against South Africa. Gain, she shouldn’t be, but…the history of this team means we should take nothing for granted in this truly must-win game.
    Guest

    Defensive blunders cost Whitecaps dearly

    By Guest, in AFTN,

    Vancouver Whitecaps headed to the Utah heat this evening for a key 2nd v 3rd match-up in the West.
    Defensive blunders were to cost them dearly in a 2-1 defeat that saw Joe Cannon sent off as Real Salt Lake punished poor Vancouver defending to take three vital points in the playoff positioning race.
    Vancouver stuck with the same line up that impressed against San Jose on Sunday, as Jay DeMerit survived a travel nightmare and a knock in his trip east for the All-Star game on Wednesday to continue to partner Martin Bonjour at the back. His out of sorts performance should have seen him left on the bench.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The opening stages were full of stops and starts, with Gershon Koffie taking a boot to the face at one point and requiring treatment.
    Real had the first good attempt of the match in the 11th minute when Luis Gil's long range drive flew over Joe Cannon's goal.
    Barry Robson came within inches of getting his head on Camilo's inswinging free kick in the 14th minute, as the pace of the game was suiting the visitors.
    Both sides had half chances, but neither team were looking particularly threatening, but this all changed when Salt Lake took the lead in the 33rd minute after a spell of concerted pressure.
    The ball had broken to Fabian Espindola on the left and he whipped in a dangerous ball into the box. As Jay DeMerit and Kyle Beckerman rose to meet it, the Caps captain jumped with his arm up and outstretched, caught the ball and the referee has no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
    Up stepped Alvaro Saborio to hit home from the spot, after sending Cannon the wrong way.
    Vancouver came within inches of drawing level in the 38th minute, running on to a Robson through ball and firing first time just past the right hand post.
    That was it for the first half action and Vancouver went in knowing they needed to add more attacking threats to their second half performance.
    It wasn't long until these threats were in full flow and the Caps drew level in the 52nd minute.
    Camilo send a delightful chip over the Real defence, allowing Mattocks to bare down on goal. The rookie let the ball take a bounce, which took it past the onrushing Nick Rimando, before coolly burying it into the empty net.
    Vancouver nearly made it two moments later and Mattocks speed was key once again.
    Robson sent him through and the Jamaican held the ball up for some support before cutting it back to an unmarked Jun Marques Davidson just inside the box, who could only look on in agony as his near perfect side footed shot crashed off the left hand post.
    The Caps were now in the ascendancy and the home side were struggling to deal with the pace of the Vancouver attack.
    Dane Richards was next to cause problems, ghosting past the Salt Lake defence before a last ditch tackle forced the ball out for a corner.
    Vancouver were to be shocked in the 58th minute as Real hit back and re-took the lead.
    Javier Morales whipped a great cross into the box and Saborio easily outjumped Bonjour to head home his, and Real's, second from seven yards out.
    Young-Pyo Lee came close to tieing things up once more as the hour mark approached, firing a 25 yard rocket into the side netting.
    Vancouver were back in full attack mode and Mattocks fired over in the 62nd minute after getting on the end of an Alain Rochat cutback.
    Kenny Miller came on in the 71st minute and as with his debut on Sunday, he nearly made an immediate impact.
    Rochat played a neat pass inside to Camilo and the Brazilian saw his fierce strike parried by Rimando back into the path of Rochat, who immediately chipped it back into the centre towards Miller. The Scotsman's header was off target but the ball then broke to Mattocks who fired over.
    The game then turned for Vancouver when Joe Cannon got sent off in the 76th minute for handball outside the box, after a dreadful short backpass by DeMerit left him with no option but to rush out of this goal to try and thwart Espindola any way he could as the Argentinian was set to round him and score.
    Despite the man disadvantage, Vancouver tried to push for the point.
    Robson was instrumental in most of the Caps' attacks on the night and he powered forward again in the 82nd minute, before playing the ball to Richards on his outside.
    The winger sent a dangerous ball into the box which a flying Miller met well but headed just past the post.
    Real were happy to just see out time and they managed it with ease, as Vancouver ran out of options and steam and left Rio Tinto Stadium empty handed and frustrated.
    Tonight was the first of back to back games for Vancouver against Real Salt Lake. Whilst the Caps now enjoy a well deserved two week break, RSL have another MLS game and a Champions League match before heading up to Vancouver on August 11th.
    Vancouver need to take all three points in the next game to avoid being a battle for one of just three remaining playoff spots.
    It will be tough, but they will need to use every part of their home field advantage to stay in touch.
    FINAL SCORE: Real Salt Lake 2 - 1 Vancouver Whitecaps
    ATT: 18,702
    REAL SALT LAKE: Nick Rimando; Kenny Mansally (Chris Wingert 72), Nat Borchers, Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Tony Beltran; Kyle Beckerman, Will Johnson, Luis Gil (Ned Grabavoy 56), Javier Morales; Alvaro Saborio, Fabian Espindola (Yordany Alvarez 85) [subs Not Used: Kyle Reynish, Sebastian Velasquez, Emiliano Bonfigli, Justin Braun]
    VANCOUVER: Joe Cannon; Young-Pyo Lee, Martin Bonjour, Jay DeMerit (Jordan Harvey 85), Alain Rochat; Jun Marques Davidson, Gershon Koffie (Kenny Miller 71), Barry Robson; Dane Richards, Darren Mattocks, Camilo Sanvezzo (Brad Knighton 77) [subs Not Used: Carlyle Mitchell, John Thorrington, Matt Watson, Atiba Harris]
    <p>
    Guest
    It’s sometimes easy to forget that professional athletes are people, with lives and challenges outside the playing field.
    Toronto fans currently criticizing the club for signing back-up keeper Freddy Hall may be guilty of forgetting that today.
    Whereas it is true that there are now four keepers under contract, and that may seem like a bit of overkill, such math is missing the point. In reality there was one keeper on the roster prior to today that could reasonably start a MLS game.
    Stefan Frei is out for the year and Quillan Roberts is a teenager. In reality, it as all on Milos Kocic.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Kocic is about to become a dad. Kocic is about to become a dad. Kocic is about to become a dad.
    That’s not a typo. Triplets. He’s having triplets. Well, his other half is, but you know what we mean.
    If you know anything about what it means to have multiple berths than you know damn well how insane it would be for Toronto to assume that Kocic will be as available or fresh as he's been thus far once those kids are born.
    Signing Hall wasn’t an example of the club wasting resources. No, it was an example of them having a humane and fair approach to a good employee that is about to have his life turned upside down.
    Yes, the transfer window is closed but that doesn’t mean that a defender can’t be brought in. TFC has until Sept 15 to make roster changes. Those changes can come in the form of a trade or they can be a signing of a player that is out of contract.
    The club says they have backed off Olof Mellberg. And, that may be true. But, he is a free agent.
    Guest
    After months of uncertainty about the club future of Canadian-born David "Junior" Hoilett (would he stay at Blackburn? even if they got relegated? what big clubs were sniffing around for him?), the questions were finally answered on Friday, when Junior inked a four-year deal with Queens Park Rangers.
    Now the lingering question, for Canadian fans anyway, is where his international loyalties lie -- and when he will make them known. He's been steadfast in saying that he wouldn't join any international player pool until his club situation was sorted out. So, with his club situation now sorted, we can expect a hasty declaration of his national-team intent, right?
    Nope. Sorry.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The grim reality is that, whether this contract situation had been sorted out yesterday, or days ago, or weeks ago, the chances of Hoilett suiting up for the nation of his birth in September's crucial World Cup qualifiers were always going to be slim to nil.
    As he's come this far, and worked this hard, to establish himself and clinch a long-term deal for a team that (ideally) will be sticking around in the Premier League, it's highly unlikely that he'll all of a sudden take time out from establishing himself at his new club to suddenly swoop in to Canada's rescue.
    The one potential positive of Hoilett landing with QPR is that the coach of their reserve side is former Canadian international March Bircham. His (possibly apocryphal) story is one of the strangest in Canadian soccer history: Born in England and only eligible to represent Canada only because his grandfather was born here, he earned his first cap for Les Rouges in 1999 before ever having even visited the country.
    Compared to Bircham's tale, the idea of Hoilett suiting up for Canada seems pretty darn reasonable.
    But what also seems devastatingly reasonable is that Hoilett will likely continue to "weigh his options" and "establish himself at his new club" all the way until early next year, when the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying begins. In an ideal world, that round will include a Canadian team that counts Hoilett among its ranks.
    But we certainly can't bank on the former -- and let's not bank on the latter either.
    The narrative of Hoilett remains unchanged today from what it's been for years: a feel-good story about a Canadian kid who made good. But we, unfortunately, have no greater insight into his national-team ambitions than we did years ago.
    That narrative, at some point, will shift. Hoilett could remain an encouraging footnote on the Canadian sports scene. He could become a despised figure among hardcore fans for an act of supposed treachery. Or he could propel himself into the stratosphere of Canadian sporting heroes by making the choice we all hope he'll make.
    But it's his decision to make. His narrative to shift. All that we can do in the meantime is offer him congratulations for his success as a fellow Canadian, in the hopes that -- sooner, rather than later -- he'll be willing to share some of his talent with all of us.
    Guest
    Every week we bring you our look at the upcoming games that weekend and what we hope to see from those to benefit the Caps to the max, along with what impact the different results from the Whitecaps own match has to our playoff hopes.
    For some background to our feature, see <a href="http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?3099-Schedule-Dynamics-Adding-Interest-To-MLS-Season" target="_blank">HERE</a>.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    <center>********************</center>
    It was a pretty good set of results last weekend for Vancouver, more so in their quest to get that number one SuperDraft pick from Philadelphia than in their playoff push.
    Their win over San Jose did so much for self belief and divisional positioning and if they can now knock off second placed Real Salt Lake in what will be back to back games for the Caps, then their first MLS playoff place is within touching distance. Four points plus from the six available has to be the goal.
    Nine games over Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week. Four all-Western Conference clashes, four all-Eastern ties and one inter-conference game, and once again we’re keeping a close eye on all of the matches for various reasons.
    <b><u>Real Salt Lake v Vancouver Whitecaps</u></b>
    Current Whitecaps Points: 34 (4th in West)
    If Whitecaps Win: 37 points (Best Case Scenario = 3rd in West, six points behind leaders / Worst Case Scenario = 3rd in West nine points behind leaders)
    If Whitecaps Draw: 35 points (BCS = 3rd / WCS = 3rd)
    If Whitecaps Lose: 34 points (BCS = 3rd / WCS = 4th)
    Maximum Points Total Possible: 70
    Projected Points Total On Current Results: 52 - 53 points
    Playoff Likelihood: 91 - 94%
    <b><u>Dallas v Los Angeles Galaxy</u> - Dallas win</b>
    Have Dallas been reinvigorated by their 5-0 demolition of Portland last weekend, or are the Timbers just really, really bad? It would take some going to see the Texans get back into the playoff places, so we can afford to let them have the odd point or three. If they can take anything from LA, it gives the Caps some more breathing space from the fifth place playoff spot you want to avoid if you can.
    <b><u>Colorado Rapids v Seattle Sounders</u> - Colorado win</b>
    As the weeks go by, the more confident I am that the Whitecaps playoff place is all but secured. Now it’s just a case of where they’ll finish positionwise and what match-ups they may face. A top three finish for the Caps would be huge and avoid a likely first round playoff game against LA. Keeping Seattle below us now at all costs is key. I don’t think we have to worry too much about Colorado after their recent bad run of form, so if they can take maximum points in this home game, we would get an important boost and hopefully over up a bigger gap over Seattle.
    <b><u>San Jose Earthquakes v Chicago Fire</u> - Chicago win</b>
    You have to think that San Jose will bounce back at home from their loss to the Caps last weekend. Chicago though are holding on to the last playoff place in the east and will be keen to snag something from this game. Even a point would help Vancouver, and the chasing pack, close in a little on the leaders.
    <b><u>Portland Timbers v Chivas USA</u> - Draw</b>
    I didn’t have Chivas pegged as holding on to sixth spot in the competitive West. I’m sure some of their own support have been pleasantly surprised as well. Could their three games in hand over Vancouver prove to be a factor? I would still doubt it, but let’s just make sure we keep them down there by seeing a draw in this one. A point for struggling Portland would also help them close in on Philadelphia to see who will be the worst in MLS and have the first SuperDraft pick next year,
    <b><u>Toronto v Houston Dynamo</u> - Toronto win</b>
    <b><u>Montreal Impact v New York Red Bulls</u> - Montreal win</b>
    <b><u>Sporting KC v Columbus Crew</u> - Columbus win</b>
    <b><u>Philadelphia Union v New England Revolution</u> - New England win</b>
    These four all-eastern match ups have no relevance over the Caps playoff aspirations. They could however be a huge help in securing a great MLS SuperDraft pick next year and some great trade bait. Columbus, Montreal and New England are all outwith the playoff spots in the east but they hold the three places in the division directly above Philadelphia. Wins for them all, along with another Union loss, would widen the gap to ninth placed Philly. If Toronto can get a point or three on the board, we could be looking at excellent news and the Union at rock bottom.
    <center>**********</center>
    So that’s what we’re rooting for this weekend. Let’s see how it all leaves the Caps looking come Sunday evening.
    <p>
    Guest
    <b>KEY PLAYERS :</b>
    ATTACKING
    Sunday was a breakout performance for <b>Dane Richards</b> as a Whitecap, scoring a goal and looking dangerous on a number of other occasions with his pace. He is starting to connect well with teammates, especially Lee and Mattocks. His pace is starting to open space for others in the midfield, allowing more attacking options as the Caps go forward.
    After being named in the MLS Best XI for 2010, <b>Javier Morales</b> had a horrible 2011, suffering a fractured ankle which took him over four months to recover from. The Argentine midfielder is the key playmaker for RSL but has yet to regain the form that he displayed in 2010. When that does finally happen, Morales is probably the biggest difference maker on the Real Salt Lake roster.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    DEFENCE
    The biggest key for the RSL attack is their possession, which is why <b>Jun Marques Davidson</b> will need to step up his game in Salt Lake. The holding midfielder has been one of the most underrated players for Vancouver doing much of his work under the radar of the mainstream.
    One of the best holding midfielders in MLS is <b>Kyle Beckerman</b>, who as the field general for Real Salt Lake has the ability to clog the midfield and break down attacks. Beckerman is also great at getting the ball from his own backline or the opposition and quickly pushing the ball forward on the counter attack.
    <b>WHO'S ON FORM :</b>
    It is hard to ignore the string of performances that <b>Jay DeMerit</b> is putting together over the last several games. His timing on his tackles has been superb and his ability to command the air around the box has been near flawless this season. He was one of the few players that were singled out at the MLS all-star game against Chelsea where he played the full 90 minutes.
    The big striker, <b>Álvaro Saborío</b>, has been one of RSL’s strongest players and it shows on the scoresheet. In his last three starts the Designated Player has four goals and an assist including three against the Portland Timbers. The Costa Rican international is a physical striker who is capable of scoring in different ways and when he scores RSL is tough to beat going 6-0-1 this season.
    <b>2012 RECORD :</b>
    Vancouver:
    9W-7D-6L
    3rd in Western Conference
    Last Match: 2-1 Win vs San Jose Earthquakes
    Real Salt Lake:
    12W-3D-7L
    2nd in Western Conference
    Last Match: 2-0 Win vs Colorado Rapids
    <b>PROJECTED LINE-UPS :</b>

    <b>INJURIES/MISSING :</b>
    Vancouver:
    Out: FW Omar Salgado (foot)
    Doubtful: MF John Thorrington (quad)
    Real Salt Lake:
    Out: DF Chris Schuler (foot), GK Lalo Fernandez (wrist), MF Johnny Steele (suspension);
    Questionable: DF Jamison Olave (hamstring)
    Probable: MF Ned Grabavoy (knee), DF Nat Borchers (quadriceps), FW Fabian Espindola (ankle)
    <b>GAME ANALYSIS :</b>
    After a couple of home games in which they picked up results, Vancouver Whitecaps head back on the road to face Real Salt Lake in a battle of second and third in the Western Conference. Last season the two teams split their meetings as RSL won the first 2-0 at Rio Tinto while the return leg went to the Whitecaps 3-0 at BC Place. The second meeting was a replay of the game that was called off due to the temporary grass turf, brought in for Manchester City friendly, getting washed out.
    It is highly unlikely that there will be any changes to the lineup that beat the Earthquakes on Sunday. Joe Cannon will most likely take his spot in goal. Three of the four spots on the backline will definitely go to Lee Young-Pyo, Martin Bonjour and Alain Rochat. If Rennie feels DeMerit is good to go after playing 90 minutes at the all-star game then it will be the captain starting, otherwise Jordan Harvey will come in to play on the left with Rochat sliding into the middle.
    There will be no changes in the midfield as Jun Marques Davidson will be the holding midfielder alongside Gershon Koffie and Barry Robson. Up top, Darren Mattocks starts in the middle and will be flanked by Camilo Sanvezzo on the left and Dane Richards on the right. Rennie will also have more options on the bench as it looks like John Thorrington and Atiba Harris will make the trip while Kenny Miller will have more minutes in him.
    The Whitecaps will have to be patient against Real Salt Lake as they play a possession type game but are able to expose other teams with their quick passes. It essentially will come down to the Whitecaps ability to close down on the opposition ball carrier effectively. Sloppy tackles will then mean holes will be opened up and RSL will exploit this to the max.
    DeMerit's possible absence could be one of the biggest factors. Martin Rennie commented on the situation at training on Thursday:
    <i>"He's one of those freak athletes that can recover quickly, so that is one thing that helps us in this situation and we'll evaluate him when we see him later today. However he's played a lot as eight games in twenty one days is not good so we'll have to see."</i>
    The Whitecaps will once again look to use the pace of Mattocks and Richards to back up the defenders and open up space for Robson, Koffie and Camilo to create chances. The chemistry between Lee and Richards is improving since the winger’s arrival and the duo should be able to create a couple of chances on their own. Robson's cross field balls for Richards could also do a lot of damage.
    After a couple of road losses in a row the Whitecaps are looking to get back on track but it won’t be easy at Rio Tinto which is a difficult place to play with the current heat wave and high altitudes. However lately it hasn’t been the fortress that it has been historically which could give the Caps an advantage this time out. If they can get a result in Utah the Whitecaps will be able to enjoy their well-deserved two week break even more.
    <b>AFTN Editor's Prediction: Real Salt Lake 2 Vancouver Whitecaps 1</b>
    <p>
    Guest
    The Bermuda Sun is reporting today that goalkeeper Freddy Hall has signed a contract with Toronto FC.
    They are promising to have an exclusive interview with Hall up tomorrow so it's possible that this story is legit.
    The move, if it is indeed one, came hours before Toronto FC officially announced it had parted ways with Migeul Aceval. It's hard to imagine that one move is solely connected to the other, given Toronto's current starting keeper Milos Kocic makes only $44,100, while Aceval made $150,000 as his base salary this year but we won't know officially until the MLS player's union releases their next salary list.
    The MLS transfer window closes Friday.
    UPDATE
    Hall speaks about signing with Toronto
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Guest
    I'm a hater.
    Based on how the modern fan uses that word -- where any type of critical evaluation is labeled as "hating" -- I might as well have the word tattooed on my lower back.
    I just can't stop "hating." That's especially the case when we are talking about the Canadian women's national soccer team. To my eternal fault, I don't suck up to the women and dare to hold them to the same standard I would the men.
    So, it was no shock yesterday when injured national team member Chelsea Buckland took me to task for questioning a Tweet she sent following Canada's 2-1 loss to Japan.
    That Tweet? She said that the loss represented a "good job."
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    I suggested that her attitude was representative of a larger problem within the Canadian camp, which is accepting of losing. So long as Canada can beat up on the Cubas of the world - nations that have a tenth of Canada's women's budget - it's OK to lose to other countries that are ranked above them.
    To be fair, any questioning of a Canadian female Olympian is akin to attacking puppies in most people's mind. Rational thinking goes out the window when the five rings are involved. And, there is an expectation by many that it's wrong to ever criticize female athletes. I reject the latter notion and find it to be condescending, pandering and, worst of all, damaging to female athletes. But I'm swimming upstream on that front.
    So, it was natural for Canadian fans to come running to the defense of Buckland in light of my vicious and unprovoked attack on her and the hardworking members of the Canadian women’s national team.
    Replies fell about 20/1 in favour of what people started to hashtag #TeamBuckland. Many demanded that I back down. Few actually addressed my core point – that an elite soccer team or player should not be accepting of a loss to anyone – and instead resorted to name calling and bullying (ironically, the very things I was being accused of doing to Buckland).
    I’ll admit I can be a bit of a pitbull on this subject and I probably should have just shut-up and let the fans shoot the messenger. However, the whole episode speaks to a problem I have with the women’s program.
    Flippantly put, the players and their most blind fans believe this team to be beyond criticism. Any critique, however small, is met with an indignant how dare you. This in spite of the women putting themselves in the public light through their claims of unfair treatment at the hands of the CSA and demand for more support.
    There is an expectation that the Canadian public, through the CSA, support the women’s team at a greater level than it does currently, but little evidence that the women are willing to accept a greater deal of responsibility with that increased support.
    In fairness, the noise coming out of the dressing room yesterday was more accepting of blame than it had been in the past. Still, there are a great deal of apologists that want to blame everyone but the players for increasingly poor performances.
    Make no mistake – yesterday was a poor performance. One goal against the run does help the cause, but statistically Canada had its ass handed to it across the board by Japan. Yes, the Japanese are the defending World Cup champions, but Canada is supposedly in this thing to win championships.
    A decade ago, Japan was ranked No 14 in the world. Canada was consistently ahead of them. They took a hard look at their program and changed the culture around it. Now, they are world champions.
    Canada is going backwards. There is nothing more damaging than that No 7 world ranking it carries. Beyond being likely a couple spots too high, the number needs to come with an abstract. Unlike in the men’s game, Canada isn’t ranked No 7 out of 100+ countries that take the game seriously. It’s ranked No 7 out of, at best, 12 countries. Instead of being ranked 7th, Canada should be ranked 5th last.
    Harsh? Perhaps, but the time for sugar-coating this needs to stop. Canada is vastly underperforming on the world stage when you objectively look at the depth of the competition field and at how well it is funded compared to the rest of the world.
    Yes, they qualify to major events. They generally do so by finishing second in a two and a half team tournament. One of the teams it played in the Olympic qualifying tournament had to borrow equipment to participate. Let’s try and have some perspective here.
    This team is mediocre. Until the women’s soccer community wraps its head around that fact and starts to do some serious self-evaluation that won’t change. And, we will continue down the path that will lead to another embarrassing hosting experience in 2015.
    Since the 2007 World Cup the Canadian women have played 11 games at major tournaments. They have two wins against two minnows (Argentina and Ghana) to show for it. They have now lost six straight games.
    Good job, I guess.
    Guest

    MLS All-Stars - Post Game Show

    By Guest, in SoccerPlus,

    Hear postgame comments from Chelsea's John Terry and Frank Lampard as well as from Thierry Henry and Vancouver's Jay DeMerit. Thanks to Philly.com's Jonathan Tannenwald for providing us with these great clips.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Click here to listen to this short special edition
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