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    Guest
    Every week we’re going to 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.
    So let’s have a look at the Week 19 games that are to be played and what <i>”Best Case Scenario”</i> we’re hoping to see in each…..
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    <center>********************</center>
    It hasn’t been the best week for the Caps playoff hopes with their own results never mind anyone elses.
    Taking one point from six on the road isn’t the worst you’ll ever see, but when it was two games against weaker opposition that the Caps could have won, it’s disappointing.
    As was last weekend's BCS success rate of just 20%.
    The Caps face their last game against Eastern Conference opposition until the MLS Cup final this weekend. Getting anything from this game after a long road trip would be fantastic.
    But what are we needing to see from the other nine MLS games over this Saturday and Sunday? Three all-Western Conference clashes, two one intra-conference match ups (including the Caps game) and four all-Eastern ties, so five matches to keep a really close eye on.
    <b><u>Chivas USA v Vancouver Whitecaps</u></b>
    Current Whitecaps Points: 30 (4th in West)
    If Whitecaps Win: 33 points (Best Case Scenario = 3rd in West, five points behind leaders / Worst Case Scenario = 4th, seven points behind leaders)
    If Whitecaps Draw: 31 points (BCS = 3rd / WCS = 4th)
    If Whitecaps Lose: 30 points (BCS = 4th / WCS = 4th)
    Maximum Points Total Possible: 75
    Projected Points Total On Current Results: 54 - 55 points
    Playoff Likelihood: 91%
    <b><u>Philadelphia Union v Montreal Impact</u> - Montreal win</b>
    With apologies to our friends in Philadelphia, we need the Union to flop and finish as close to worst in MLS as possible in order for the Caps to secure the best SuperDraft pick we can next year from their traded spot. Dallas are making this hard for us by being so crap, so let’s hope that Montreal can do us a big favour on Saturday and open up a seven point gap over them.
    <b><u>New England Revolution v Toronto</u> - Toronto win</b>
    All eastern clash with no interest or impact on Caps playoff hopes. That said, as outlined above we need to have Toronto close in on Philadelphia to try and send them to the bottom of the Eastern Conference. It sticks in my throat, but come on the FC’s.
    <b><u>Columbus Crew v Sporting KC</u> - No impact on Caps</b>
    The third of the all-eastern ties and who really cares what happens in this one?!
    <b><u>Colorado Rapids v Dallas</u> - Dallas win</b>
    The first all-western match-up of the weekend. Winless in 13 games, Dallas are in the worst form in MLS right now and barring an amazing second half of the season turnaround, look to be out of the playoff race. Picking up a point or three at Colorado would help bolster the Caps cushion over the Rapids. It’s looking unlikely, they haven’t managed to win a game since April 14th, and haven’t won away from home at all this season, but we can hope.
    <b><u>San Jose Earthquakes v Real Salt Lake</u> - Draw</b>
    The match of the weekend. With just a point separating the top two in the West (and the top two teams in MLS as a whole), a share of the spoils in San Jose would give the Caps, and the rest in the chasing pack, a huge boost. RSL seem to be coming out of their slump, with San Jose perhaps about to enter one. If a team has to win this, then it would be better for the Caps for it to be San Jose. An Earthquakes win and a Caps win, would leave Vancouver just three points behind the Saltines with a game in hand.
    <b><u>Portland Timbers v Los Angeles Galaxy</u> - Draw</b>
    Both the 5th placed Galaxy and the 8th placed Timbers still have a realistic shot at claiming a playoff spot if they can put together a decent run of results. A draw isn’t much help to either side right now, but they would rather take a point than end up with none. The Caps meet the Galaxy midweek, so a nice feisty affair with some LA suspensions and injuries at the end of it would do us just nicely.
    <b><u>New York Red Bulls v Seattle Sounders</u> - New York win</b>
    One point from the last six has seen Vancouver passed for third spot once again by Seattle, who are now level on points with the Caps and have a five goal advantage. A sound thumping from New York would help Vancouver, as long as they can also help themselves. Are Seattle coming out of their slump? It would be bad news for the Caps if they are, but this game will be a good indication as to whether this is indeed the case.
    <b><u>Houston Dynamo v DC United</u> - No impact on Caps</b>
    All-eastern clash and not a very exciting one at that.
    <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

    Yet-another-TFC-gate

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    For such a small man, Joao Plata makes a lot a waves.
    Today, he's quoted on the Spanish version of MLSSoccer.com about his move back to Ecuador. Plata said that Toronto knew about the move and that Paul Mariner's comments about him being badly advised were offside.
    In fact, he told the site that he had very little dealings with Mariner and that he tried to demonstrate “respect” in all dealings with the club.
    It's interesting to see Plata's comments stacked up against Mariner's, especially when you realize that Plata was an Aron Winter guy - even if he wasn't full aware of the agreed fee and conditions when he selected him in the draft. It begs the question of whether Plata was ever in Mariner's plans and, if not, it explains the somewhat indifferent reaction to him bolting.
    It also brings up bad memories on the Dwayne de Rosario situation with Celtic in December 2010. That was another he said, he said situation and there is little purpose in revisiting its details. It is troubling that once again the club is involved in a situation where a player is working under a different impression than the club claims is true.
    Smoke, fire and all that.
    Plata is scheduled to return to Toronto in January. Apparently all parties agree with that. Whether he comes north again seems about a 50/50 proposition.
    Guest
    TFC rarely gives fans time to celebrate. Even when something good happens – like, say, Terry Dunfield sticking it to his home town, the same town with fans that threw him under the bus and never understood what his role was – the Reds still find a way to disappoint quickly afterwards.
    Like, say, trading Julian de Guzman, a player TFC fans threw under the bus and never understood what his role was.
    There are lots of logical reasons why he's being moved. The club needs a DP slot, he's unlikely to re-sign and any help they can get for him is more than they will get if he bolts.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    De Guzman's play at TFC was inconsistent. He's a small guy and the physical nature of the league overwhelmed him at times. His single biggest failure was that he gave the ball away too often. The issue with that is that even the least sophisticated fan in the park can recognize when a guy loses possession. When that player also makes a whole lot of money, and came to the club with unrealistic expectations, then he'll become a target of frustrated fans.
    Those fans will be celebrating today. They'll be celebrating that Toronto once again cast aside a hometown boy in a way that was less than fitting.
    If you're a JDG hater could you please do us all a favour and give it a rest for a few hours anyway. You got your wish. He's gone. Allow the rest of us some time to mourn.
    Mourn that it never quite worked out, mourn that a guy that has had as much success elsewhere was booed as much as he was and mourn that we were never given an opportunity to say goodbye to him.
    One of my best JDG memories comes from before he ever took the pitch in a game. Just after he signed, and following a game, de Guzman took to the field with the reserves to get some training in. Although most of the crowd had left the stadium by then a group of diehards remained in section 113. Spotting de Guzman and his then trademark hair, the group gave him an ovation as he jogged past. JDG looked up and gave a wave of thanks.
    Today I return that wave. Thanks Julian. Good luck in Dallas and wherever you end up afterwards.
    Guest
    Julian De Guzman will be a Hoop.
    Courtney James, Julian's agent, confirmed to CSN via text message this morning that the Canadian international had been traded to FC Dallas.
    "Julian has been traded to FC Dallas," James said. "For what? Honestly, I'm not sure yet."
    He declined to comment when asked if Julian was happy about the deal.
    ____
    Update: 10:18 am - MLSsoccer.com is reporting that the trade is for FC Dallas midfielder Andrew Wiedeman. He makes $80,000 as a base salary. $123,000 guaranteed. He is on a generation adidas contract and will not count against the cap this season.
    Update: 10:32 am - Toronto FC releases official statement. It includes this quote from Paul Mariner:
    "Losing someone like Julian is never easy but this deal gives us increased flexibility to address areas where we have more pressing needs and opens up a designated player spot for our club,” said Toronto FC Head Coach and Director of Soccer Operations, Paul Mariner. “On behalf of everyone at Toronto FC, I’d like to thank Julian for his contributions to the club and wish him well in his future endeavours.”
    Emphasis is ours
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]___
    Speculation was rife last night as the news began to leak out that there might be a deal in place to send Toronto's first ever designated player to the land of bouncey castles and 8,000 attendances. But there was no indication as of this morning what Toronto was getting back and if the move was a precursor to an international transfer.
    An informed FC Dallas observer told CSN last night before the deal was confirmed that it was likely that Toronto was going to eat at least part of Julian's salary. Dallas, the source told CSN, has only $150-$200K available under their salary cap.
    The source also suggested if a player was coming back in the deal, given Toronto's defensive needs, that George John was a possibility. John has been out since May 26 with a concussion but is believed to be returning to play soon.
    In terms of international targets, that may become a focus now that Toronto has freed up salary and a designated player slot, CSN has learned that Alessandro Del Piero and Carlos Bocanegra's representatives have had preliminary talks with Toronto FC. Canadian international Kevin McKenna's name has also been discussed a great deal but there is no indication a deal was being discussed with the big centreback.
    CSN will update this story throughout the day as it develops.
    What are your thoughts though? Happy to see him go? Or did he never get a fair shake in Toronto?
    Guest
    For the last 24 hours or so, I've had a song stuck in my head.
    The 1987 hit <a href="
    " target="_blank"><b>"When The Hoodoo Comes"</b></a> by UK band Diesel Park West was a favourite of mine at the time. As was the 1989 album it featured on, "Shakespeare Alabama".Now though, every time we lose in Toronto (which is frequently it would seem) this song comes into my head and has tainted my happy memories of it!
    TFC certainly have the hoodoo over the Whitecaps in matches played in the city. That 1-0 Canada Day victory in 2008 seems so long ago.
    Yesterday's 3-2 loss at BMO Field was heartbreaking in so much as the winning goal came with the last kick of the ball, but it was mostly frustrating.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The Caps aren't going to face many easier back to back games than against Chivas and Toronto.
    These were two games when a draw would have left us semi satisfied because it was an away game, but also a little disappointed.
    Instead, we have come away with just one point from a possible six and these are the blips that can really cost a team going down the final stretch when you start to look back at the season.
    Martin Rennie and his management team had set a points target that they wanted to get from these five away games. They would never share such a thing publically of course, but my own target was to try and come back with a nine point haul.
    We're at four, and at best can now get seven. It's better than nothing and that's where our little cushion we have over the other playoff chasers becomes invaluable.
    We know a five game, cross country road trip is not only ridiculous, but also draining.
    And there lies frustration number one.
    The players are clearly shattered. They've been travelling, training, playing and all in horribly hot and humid conditions.
    No matter how fit you are, it's going to start to take it's toll.
    So why the hell do you not rotate the squad? Or at the very least use all three substitutions in a game.
    I know why Martin Rennie is doing it, but it's still baffling, especially when it then doesn't pan out.
    The reasons behind it are partly because he clearly doesn't feel that the players on the bench, and the fringe players in the squad in general, are at the right level or good enough to come in and do a job.
    During games, he hasn't got the back up players to come in and change the game the way he needs it to change, so he sticks with who is out there already.
    That then begs the question, why keep them around in the first place?
    Not only that, but how can they develop and get to the required level if they can't get any gametime?
    Rennie also likes consistency and the "if it ain't broke" mentality seems to be prevalent a lot with his team selections at times.
    At other times, this is clearly debunked when he doesn't put one of the most consistent players of the season, Jun Marques Davidson, back into the holding midfielder role he has done so well in during the first half of the season.
    The turning point of the game was Toronto's first goal.
    With Lee out of position due to an injury, no-one was covering in that right back position and Toronto ran riot. From what we saw earlier in the season, if Davidson had been on that pitch, he would have almost certainly have slotted in to cover Lee's foray up the pitch and that goal most likely would not have happened.
    Losing a game is always tough, especially when it's against a heated rival. When you lose one on the day that you ship out one of your most creative and popular players, questions will always be asked about how big a hole did his transfer leave in the team?
    It was only one game, but already you could see we missed Davide Chiumiento, not only in attack but also in getting back and helping out the defence.
    That's not a role that Camilo is really suited for.
    Camilo struggled again. He's a shadow of the player from last year. Whether it's confidence, his niggling injuries, the lack of regular games or that teams have found out how to play him, it's hard to really say. In all honesty, it's likely a combination of all of them.
    Yesterday was a chance for Camilo to come in and stamp his authority on the team once again. He failed to even lick the envelope and will likely find himself back on the bench on Saturday in Chicago.
    Sebastien Le Toux isn't faring much better.
    The Whitecaps have two stars at present and they're at opposite ends of the pitch.
    Darren Mattocks and Joe Cannon have been immense in recent games. There's a huge void inbetween the pair of them though.
    You have to think that that is only going to be filled by new players coming in.
    Barry Robson still hasn't found his feet or his form. He's looked like he's blowing out of his ass towards the end of the last couple of games, yet Rennie has given him the full ninety, detrimentally to the team.
    He at least showed some flashes of the player I know him to be against Toronto.
    The passes are starting to find their range, and he was pivotal in the neat eight pass move that led to the Caps opening goal. It was a perfect through ball for Mattocks to get on the end of and that's what I saw him doing to both Mattocks and Hassli time and again in training before they headed down to LA.
    I don't think we're going to see him at his best till around mid to late August.
    He comes to Vancouver with a reputation for shouting at his team-mates, as I'm sure you've all noticed by now. How this is going to go down with some of them, it will be interesting to see.
    As will who else comes in to the squad before the transfer window closes.
    It's all gone quiet on the rumours front, so who knows what moves are afoot.
    All we can be certain of is that there will be activity and I'm expecting something before next week is out.
    'Mon the Caps.
    <center>********************</center>
    <b><u>AFTN 3-2-1:</u></b>
    3 points - JOE CANNON (To play so well and to make so many important stops, yet still let in three and lose the game must be heartbreaking for the veteran.)
    2 points - DARREN MATTOCKS (Two classy goals. The finishes on both of them were simply spectacular. A star is born. Can we keep him shining in Vancouver?)
    1 point - JORDAN HARVEY (Best of a bad bunch of defenders. Kind of hard to drop him after the form he's been in but we need Davidson in more to shore up.)
    <p>
    Guest

    Last Man Standing: Week 2

    By Guest, in AFTN,

    Thanks to everyone who entered our <i>“Last Man Standing”</i> competition last week.
    34 entered. Only 19 remain.
    Who will be AFTN’s 2012 Last Man Standing?
    Here’s who is left in:
    Andrew Bates / Brenton / carnifex2005 / CasualSoccerFan / CheekyMonkey / Chris Withers / Dirty Sanchez 3 / Drew Shaw / footballcoachnl / Globetrott / Jay Duke / Metro / Michael McColl / Number 4 / Russell Berrisford / StartingEleven / Steve P / ted / Tuscan
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    So just to confirm, no-one else can take part this season.
    For those still in, here’s a recap of the basic rules….
    <b><u>COMPETITION RULES:</u></b>
    - Every week we will list the eligible fixtures and you pick one of the teams involved that you think will win.
    - If that team wins, you are through to the next round. If they lose or draw, then you are out of the competition.
    - You will only be able to pick a team once, until you have selected all 19 teams, so choose your weekly selection wisely. You don’t want to be left with the crappy teams playing the top ones if you can help it! He who dares, wins.
    - An exception to the "pick only once" rule will be when you only have a selection(s) left that have bye weeks. In such a scenario, you are free to pick a team you have already selected for that week only.
    - We will be keeping a running tally of who has picked what team.
    - You had to enter the competition in week one. Late entrants cannot join.
    - Selections must be made before the first game of that week kicks off. This time will be clearly laid out.
    - Anyone posting their entry after the first kick off time any week will automatically be knocked out.
    - The thread will be closed for new posts and amendments after the first game has kicked off.
    - Anyone selecting a team they have already selected in a previous week will be disqualified. If you notice you have selected a team you've already picked, you have until the first game kicks off to change it.
    - If you fail to make a selection in time one week, you are automatically eliminated.
    - The competition will run up to, and including, the last weekend of regular season action on October 27th/28th, unless we are down to a winner before then. If there is more than one person still in the competition at that time we may carry it on into the playoffs on a knockout basis. If there are only a handful remaining, we may give prizes to all. This will be entirely up to our discretion, but we will keep you posted. In the unlikelihood that there are loads of people remaining, we may have to carry it into next season.
    - The winner will be the last man/woman standing, who will then have the crown until next season. (Note – there is no actual crown, although if I end up winning I may end up buying myself one, just cos).
    - Prizes are football related memorabilia from over the years, mainly of a Whitecaps nature, so if you don’t want that either don’t enter or sell it on ebay!
    <center>**********</center>
    And here are this week’s eligible fixtures for this weekend:
    Philadelphia Union v Montreal Impact
    New England Revolution v Toronto
    Columbus Crew v Sporting KC
    Chicago Fire v Vancouver Whitecaps
    Colorado Rapids v Dallas
    San Jose Earthquakes v Real Salt Lake
    Portland Timbers v Los Angeles Galaxy
    New York Red Bulls v Seattle Sounders
    Houston Dynamo v DC United
    The first game kicks of on Saturday at </b>7pm EDT/4pm PDT</b>, so you have until then to enter the competition and make your next pick.
    Good luck!
    <p>
    Guest
    Vancouver Whitecaps U23 side ended their 2012 PDL season with some silverware last night, following a hard fought 2-1 win over Fraser Valley Mariners at Swangard Stadium.
    Despite finishing the season as the top scorers in the Northwest Division, with a goal difference of plus 15, the Caps defeat to Victoria Highlanders on Sunday had already seen their playoff hopes come to an end.
    As it turned out, the Caps ended up missing the playoffs by just one point, in what was simply a bizarre season for the U23 side.
    There was at least a little crumb of comfort after the final game when the captain Gagan Dosanjh and the rest of the team lifted the inaugural <a href="http://www.juandefucaplate.ca/" target="_blank"><b>Juan de Fuca Plate</b></a>.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The Plate is the brainchild of supporters of Vancouver Whitecaps and Victoria Highlanders, who wanted to reward the efforts of their PDL teams and award a trophy to the team that performed best in matches between the three British Columbia based teams (with the Mariners being the third team in the mix).
    The first plate went down to the wire, with last night's game playing the vital decider in which team was to lift the plate for the first time. (For more information on the background behind the Plate, check out AFTN's Metro column <a href="http://metronews.ca/voices/all-caps-the-vancouver-whitecaps-blog/288704/juan-de-fuca-plate-on-the-line-sunday-as-pdl-action-heats-up/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.)
    With Vancouver having no post-season action to look forward to, this was the end of the season and their only chance to win something so they wanted to finish it in some style.
    In playing the team with the worst record in the PDL (by a country mile incidentally!), they could have been forgiven for thinking they would have an outing full of goals. And they should have.
    Going in to the game, Fraser Valley had one point to their name for the season, having scored just three goals and sitting on a goal difference of minus 35.
    The Mariners didn't want to make it easy though and were rugged from the start, as they looked to salvage some pride from a nightmare season.
    Their goalkeeper, Mark Village, was phenomenal throughout and put in one of the best goalkeeping displays you are likely to see all season, with save after save after save.
    As the game moved past the hour mark, and with Vancouver starting to get a little frustrated at their inability to break down the Fraser Valley back line, the Mariners stunned to home fans and players by taking a shock lead with an absolutely beautiful long range dipping volley from Justin Isidro, which gave 16 years old Nolan Wirth no chance in the Caps goal.
    The Whitecaps fought back well and two decisive strikes in the last ten minutes saw them wrap up the win and the Plate, just when it was looking like it was going to be another poor performance by a Caps team when a trophy was at stake.
    Cam Hundal levelled proceedings in the 81st minute, cutting into the box before drilling the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net.
    Hundal had another impressive outing in the game and is definitely a player it will be good to see the Caps keeping tabs on.
    The same is true with Gagan Dosanjh, and it was the Caps captain who fittingly scored the match winner just two minutes later.
    Hundal sent a ball into the box, which caused problems for keeper Village, who could only get a hand on it. Dosanjh was quick to pounce on the rebound and buried it into the Mariners net for what was to prove to be the decisive goal.
    The 2-1 win gave Vancouver the Juan de Fuca plate on the away goals rule and a celebratory presentation was made post match, as the players and fans mixed.
    It's always great to win some silverware, but missing out on the playoffs, especially by one point, is agonising. This is a team that shouldn't be missing out on post-season action.
    And that's been the most frustrating part of the Caps' PDL team this year.
    In a division with three MLS teams out of eight, you shouldn't be looking at the Caps missing out on a playoff place when four teams qualify.
    The quality with the Caps is strong but they were crippled by absences of their top U18 players due to the USSDA playoffs, suspensions and international commitments.
    It's been interesting to see their struggles unfold with the likes of Ben Fisk, Caleb Clarke and Bryce Alderson missing for the Whitecaps. It seemed to be a case of win one game, lose the next.
    It just shows you how important these young players are to the Whitecaps future development.
    As we said, Hundal and Dosanjh are ones for the Caps to track moving forward and I would put James Farenhorst and Bobby Jhutty into that category as well.
    The Caps somehow managed to lose out on a playoff spot to Washington Crossfire, despite the Redmond club scoring less than half the goals that Vancouver did (17 compared to 35) and having a goal difference of minus four.
    It's baffling and frustrating in equal measures.
    With the PDL season now over for the Whitecaps, all the Residency attention will be turning to Dallas next week as the U18 take part in the USSDA 'Finals Week'.
    A number of the players missed out on the Juan de Fuca festivities, but let's hope they will be around to take part and win it again next season.
    To others reading this, it might be meaningless silverware, but it's our silverware.
    I'd still rather take qualifying for the playoffs of course any day of the week.
    Maybe next year we can have both.
    <p>

    <p>
    <center><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4MBuPKoeXRU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
    <p>
    Guest

    Davide Chiumiento: A farewell gallery

    By Guest, in AFTN,

    It's always sad when a fan favourite leaves your club, but the reason that player is a favourite in the first place is because he has given the fans a number of memories to fondly look back upon.
    Davide Chiumiento is no exception.
    We can all look back and smile at his skills, cheeky flicks and strange hair choices, and what Whitecaps fan can forget his wonder goal in New York last season?
    We wanted to send Davide off with a little tribute here at AFTN so have looked through the archives of our photographer Christopher Vose and have selected some photos that capture Davide's time at the Caps this season (you can read our report on his transfer <a href="http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?3458-Davide-Chiumiento-transferred-to-FC-Zurich" target="_blank">HERE</a>).
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    All the best in Zurich Davide. Light up the Swiss Super League.
    <center>********************</center>
    <center>










    </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
    These are the images and emotions from Toronto FC's 3-2 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps. All photos are courtesy of Chris Hazard at Hazard Gallery.
    You can follow him on Twitter here
    You can purchase these and other photos here
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

    Terry: Come at me bro
    Rochait: What the hell Terry? I was just standing here

    Anything Darren can do I can do better

    Finally someone else scored other than me

    I don't always score goals but when I do, I prefer to do it from 28 yards out

    Last minute wins don't come often
    Guest
    Vancouver Whitecaps went into Toronto this evening with revenge on their mind.
    Following their feeble failings in the Voyageurs Cup, there was much talk pre-game of the Caps’ players desire to make amends for themselves, the club and the fans.
    They seemed to forget that when they took to the pitch and turned in a mostly uninspiring performance, as they went down 3-2 to TFC at BMO Field.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    With Davide Chiumiento’s transfer to FC Zurich earlier this afternoon, the Caps had a whole to fill on the left side of the attack, which Camilo Sanvezzo came in to fill.
    Darren Mattocks returned from suspension, for the newly suspended Eric Hassli, as the Caps went for a 4-2-3-1 line up for the third away game in a row.
    Toronto also made two changes to their starting line up with Luis Silva and Julian de Guzman coming in for Eric Avila, who was on the bench, and Reggie Lambe, who was back in Bermuda for personal reasons.
    It was an uneventful start from both sides, with a long range Barry Robson drive in the 13th minute the closest either team had come to opening the scoring.
    Julian de Guzman and Torsten Frings had wild long range efforts for Toronto in response, as neither team looked likely to bother the stats counters too much.
    Robson had Milos Kocic scrambling from an inswinging corner in the 23rd minute, which he was only able to palm out to Sebastien Le Toux. The Frenchman sent the ball back into the six yard box but Camilo could only direct his header high and over.
    As the half hour mark approached, Camilo sent a dangerous ball across the face of the goal for the Caps, but no-one was on hand to bury the danger.
    From nowhere, Toronto nearly had the lead in the 41st minute.
    Silva hit a long ball forward, which was carelessly flicked backwards by Jay DeMerit. Martin Bonjour tried to head the danger clear but only succeeded in heading the ball off Ryan Johnson, sending the Jamaican clean through.
    As he bore down on goal, Joe Cannon came up huge once again with the save.
    Toronto kept the pressure on and substitute Doneil Henry played a delightful through ball to de Guzman, who could only look on as Cannon saved the day once more to turn the ball past for a corner.
    The home side were having the better chances and were left to rue their luck again in stoppage time.
    Silva played another long ball forward to Johnson, this time over the Caps defence. The Jamaican easily outpaced Bonjour and as Cannon came out to reduce the angle, the Toronto players could only look on in anguish as the ball cannoned of the right hand post.
    Vancouver were certainly living dangerously at the back, whilst also struggling to produce any real attacking threat and the half time whistle couldn't come quick enough for them,
    Whatever Martin Rennie said at the break worked a charm and Vancouver took the lead in the 50th minute.
    A neat eight pass move, saw the Caps spraying the ball around the pitch and ended when Robson played a delicately lobbed pass over the TFC defence and into the path of Darren Mattocks.
    Kocic came out and made himself big, blocking Mattocks' first attempt but the Jamaican was quick to pounce on the rebound and with no Toronto players on the posts or goal-line, slotted home the opener from a tight angle.
    It was the Jamaican's fifth MLS goal of the season, helped by some poor decision making by the TFC backline.
    Torsten Frings had a free kick deflected for a corner in the 58th minute, as the home side looked a shadow of the team that finished the first half.
    Against the run of play, Toronto drew level in the 68th minute.
    With Young-Pyo Lee recovering from a wrist injury at the other end of the pitch, the Caps were exposed on their right and Toronto exploited the weakness to the full when Ashtone Morgan sent a dangerous low cross into the box.
    Silva reacted quickly and got a lovely touch with the outside of his foot to guide the past Cannon and into the corner of the net.
    The goal put some spark into TFC and they nearly took the lead from a long range Frings free-kick in the 72nd minute, kept out once again by a great save from Cannon.
    Toronto kept the pressure on from the corner and Cannon punched a cross from Eric Avila out to Frings, who hit a 25 yarder low into the net for a 2-1 TFC lead.
    Vancouver didn't have the urgency of a team that were a goal down but nearly tied things up in the 85th minute.
    Gershon Koffie played the ball through to Le Toux, who neat little back flip set up Y-P Lee. The Korean rounded Kocic but crashed his effort of the right hand post.
    It looked like Vancouver were going to go home from Toronto empty handed once again as the game moved into four minutes of stoppage time.
    Jordan Harvey hit a high ball into the TFC box, more in hope than expectation, but with Kocic favourite to get to the ball, Mattocks made an amazing leap above the keeper and Logan Emory to head the ball home and silence the home crowd.
    As it turned out, that goal still didn't stop them heading home empty handed for there was still time for more drama as the game moved into the fifth minute of stoppage time, when former Whitecap Terry Dunfield rose amongst a crowd of players to bullet home the winner from a Frings corner.
    It may have looked like a five goal thriller on paper, but both sides struggled at times to get anything going and in the end, Vancouver got exactly what they deserved from the game - nothing.
    FINAL SCORE: Toronto 3 - 2 Vancouver Whitecaps
    ATT: 19,821
    TORONTO: Milos Kocic; Jeremy Hall (Doneil Henry 28), Richard Eckersley, Logan Emory, Ashtone Morgan; Terry Dunfield, Julian de Guzman (Eric Avila 60), Torsten Frings, Luis Silva; Danny Koevermans, Ryan Johnson [subs Not Used: Quillan Roberts; Miguel Aceval, Aaron Maund, Matt Stinson]
    VANCOUVER: Joe Cannon; Young-Pyo Lee, Martin Bonjour, Jay Demerit, Jordan Harvey; Alain Rochat, Gershon Koffie; Sebastien LeToux, Barry Robson, Camilo Sanvezzo (Michael Nanchoff 82); Darren Mattocks [subs Not Used: Brad Knighton, Greg Klazura, Carlyle Mitchell, Jun-Marques Davidson, Russell Teibert, Etienne Barbara]
    <p>
    Guest

    Soolsma released by Toronto

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Toronto FC announced today that it has parted ways with Nick Soolsma.
    The Toronto press release states that the contract was terminated by mutual consent.
    Soolsma was one of three players who were arrested last month after a drunken altercation at a Houston nightclub.
    Canadian Soccer News will have more details on the release, Soolsma's motives and Paul Mariner's part in his dismissal as the story develops.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Guest

    Davide Chiumiento transferred to FC Zurich

    By Guest, in AFTN,

    Davide Chiumiento is no longer a Vancouver Whitecap.
    The fan favourite has secured a move back to Switzerland with Swiss Super League side FC Zurich for an undisclosed fee, having had previous spells playing with Young Boys and Lucerne.
    "I have really enjoyed my time in Vancouver and I would like to thank the fans, the club, and my teammates for all of their support," said Chiumiento. "It’s been two great years but now I look forward to the next chapter of my career, which will fortunately bring me closer to my family."
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The news will come as a shock to some, but there have been rumours for around the last two weeks that a move was imminent, after reports in the Swiss newspapers.
    Chiumiento arrived in Vancouver near the end of the 2010 NASL season and made two regular season and three playoff appearances that year.
    During Vancouver’s inaugural season in Major League Soccer, Chiumiento scored two goals and added nine assists in 26 league appearances, as well as one assist in three Canadian Championship matches.
    This season, Chiumiento has recorded five assists in 16 league appearances and also added three assists in four Canadian Championship matches.
    He was a player that frustrated me so much last season.
    You knew he had the skills but he showed them in such short doses. If you’d asked me about transferring him at the start of the season, I was all for it, and regularly was offering him up as trade bait.
    Now though, it’s a whole different story.
    He knuckled down under Martin Rennie, never publically let his head drop when he wasn’t getting a game and looked a different player from last year. The player we all knew he could be.
    He added a top defensive part to his game that was never seen before, and looked to be playing for the team and not himself. His transfer will certainly leave a gap in the Caps side with the form he has been of late.
    Chiumiento never made the trip to Toronto. On Friday, he dropped out of the training session in LA and spent ages walking around the fields on his phone (as captured by AFTN photographer Christopher Vose). As soon as we were told that last week, we figured that we could probably put two and two together with the tabloid rumours and he would be moving on to the fore.
    Many fans will certainly miss him and he was one of those players who could really light up a game. There aren’t that many players that you would call entertainers on the current Caps squad. Chiumiento was one of them.
    Good luck in Switzerland Davide. We wish you all the best.
    With FC Zurich also being Eric Hassli's former club, start placing your bets that he'll be joining his buddy there pretty soon.
    In the meantime, if you see a big tattooed French guy on a ledge, please call the police.
    <p>
    Guest
    By: Michael Crampton
    As Toronto FC prepares for the stretch run of their intensive 10 game, month long, two-a-week early summer schedule the refrain has not changed: this club needs wins and needs them sooner rather than later. Winless in three is a far cry from “worst team in the world” territory but the nature of the Reds’ defeat on the weekend, an abject failure where it seemed the team decided to take the night off against Philadelphia, has quickly muted any small inklings of positivity that were beginning to peak their head above the parapet during the team’s five game undefeated streak.
    So far, in his short period in charge, Paul Mariner has been confronted with two other tests of his ability to get the team to respond with a solid performance in their next game after adverse results. Arguably, two of the best performances TFC have exhibited with him in charge were in those matches.
    The first, a draw in Houston on June 20th, came on the back of Mariner’s first game as head coach of the club against Kansas City. Toronto were run over by Sporting in the opening exchanges of that match and easily could have been down four goals by half time. The final score of 2-0 to KC might not look atrocious but, added to the infamy of the subsequent Club Escobar incident and the loss of Adrian Cann, TFC’s next game looked nearly impossible. While they did eventually run out of gas and conceded two late goals that allowed the Dynamo to equalize the idea of Toronto FC scoring three goals in the first half of an away game would have been nearly inconceivable to Reds’ supporters before it happened.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The second major test of Mariner’s ability to get the team to respond came seven days later in Montreal. Allowing Houston back into the game and blowing a two goal lead may have been, however disappointing, somewhat understandable away from home in the tough conditions of Houston’s humidity. To do the same thing, with an even later equalizer, in a game that seemed to be under control up until the 70th minute at home to New England was worse than disappointing. It was the sort of dagger to the heart Toronto fans are all too used to from the team and, for those inclined to see Mariner as more of a continuation of the previous regime rather than a fresh start, seemed to confirm that little had changed at TFC. Emphatically beating the Impact 3-0 away in the next game wasn’t just a satisfying defeat of a rival that spoiled the debut of their first Designated Player it was, measured by margin of victory, Toronto FC’s biggest ever away win in the league.
    Now, facing Vancouver Wednesday night at BMO Field, Paul Mariner faces a similar set of circumstances. For the first time however he’ll be doing it in front of a home crowd. That presents a danger as much as an opportunity. Regardless of the performance on the weekend – BECAUSE of the performance on the weekend – loyal Reds supporters who fill the stands will be expecting their team to compete. Losing is never impossible in football no matter how well you perform but excuses will be hard to swallow if Toronto can’t take points at home. TFC’s fan base has stuck around in surprisingly large numbers through a half decade of disappointment (and scattered success) but, after losing five straight home matches to start the year, are never too far from turning on the team. If he wants to be Toronto head coach for longer than most incumbents in the position managing that relationship and getting the supporters back on side is as much Mariner’s job as managing the team.
    For their part, Vancouver enter this match looking to cap off a solid string of away results over the past week. Currently tied with Seattle for third place in the Western Conference with a game in hand the ‘Caps may have been making noises about avenging their Voyageur’s Cup final defeat but the match is surely more important to their overall season goal of making the playoffs. A loss for Vancouver wouldn’t be disastrous to their season but it would be a missed opportunity to pick up valuable road points.
    TFC fans would normally be happy to hear of the suspension of striker Eric Hassli but that just means they’ll have to watch out for Whitecaps new boy Darren Mattocks instead. Mattocks, the second overall pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, has been integrating into the team well since early May and that occasionally allowed ‘Caps head coach Martin Rennie to move Hassli to the bench by choice already. It’s a level of depth at the centre forward position that Mariner must envy and, in comparison, in form Reds striker Danny Koevermans’ original status as questionable for the match will be a real cause for concern. Koevermans looks to be available but if he’s carrying minor injuries built up over the previous four weeks that might explain his contribution to the sluggish performance in Philadelphia. Toronto’s recent up tick in form has been powered by his scoring and goals will need to come from somewhere if there’s to be any hope of a response against Vancouver.
    Guest
    <b>KEY PLAYERS :</b>
    ATTACKING
    After scoring a goal and picking up his fifth yellow card of season, earning him a suspension, <b>Darren Mattocks</b> will return to the lineup to take over for the suspended Eric Hassli. In the two previous meetings in the Voyageurs Cup, the striker played a total of 24 minutes and was just finding his form. TFC will now have to face a different Mattocks, and against the makeshift backline, the rookie should be able to cause some trouble.
    Since the switch to the 4-4-2 formation under Mariner, <b>Torsten Frings</b> is playing better as he bosses the midfield more frequently. The former Bundesliga star is usually in the right place at the right time and makes the right decisions with his accurate passing and dangerous set pieces. He was also nursing some minor knocks, which he seems to have gotten over, so the Caps can expect a better Frings.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    DEFENCE
    After recently being named to the MLS all-star game, and being named the best defender in MLS for the first half of the season by ESPN, <b>Jay DeMerit</b> has proven that last year was a blip on the screen. In addition to the team, he is the leader of a backline that leads MLS with nine cleansheets, and ten in all competitions. Against TFC he will be matched up against Danny Koevermans, who is one of the hottest strikers in MLS at the moment, scoring nine goals so far this season.
    While he doesn’t lead the league in shots against or saves it seems like week in and week out <b>Milos Kocic</b> is asked to make a number of spectacular saves for TFC. He has been especially busy in the last few matches, with the central defence pairing being Eckersley and Emery. In addition to his saves Kocic commands the box well and is a major factor in organizing the line.
    <b>WHO'S ON FORM :</b>
    Last season the young <b>Gershon Koffie</b> would normally have a couple of good games but then have a stinker where he would consistently turn over the ball and play poorly in the midfield. It has been different for the Ghanaian this season where he has been very solid in the middle and has been able to make his decisions quickly without panicking when pressured by the opposition.
    There are some questions as to whether <b>Danny Koevermans</b> is fit enough to start against the Whitecaps on Wednesday. It would be a blow to TFC as the Dutch striker is arguably the hottest striker in MLS, having scored six goals in his last five starts before the match against Philadelphia on the weekend. He is a load for the opposing defenders to deal with when holding up the ball and makes great runs to the net.
    <b>2012 RECORD :</b>
    Vancouver:
    8W-6D-4L
    4th in Western Conference
    Last Match: 0-0 Draw at Chivas USA
    Toronto:
    2W-4D-11L
    9th in Eastern Conference
    Last Match: 3-0 Loss at Philadelphia Union
    <b>PROJECTED LINE-UPS :</b>

    <b>INJURIES/MISSING :</b>
    Vancouver:
    Out: GK Brian Sylvestre (knee), FW Atiba Harris (knee), FW Omar Salgado (foot)
    Doubtful: MF John Thorrington (quad), MF Matt Watson (ankle)
    Suspended: FW Eric Hassli
    Toronto:
    Out: GK Stefan Frei (leg)
    Questionable: FW Nicholas Lindsay (knee), DF Ty Harden (adductor), DF Adrian Cann (knee)
    <b>GAME ANALYSIS :</b>
    The Whitecaps continue their road trip, after a quick stopover in Vancouver, in the Eastern Time zone as they face their Canadian rivals TFC. While it is a chance to pick up more points on the road against the worst team in the MLS, the Caps will also want to make up for the loss earlier in the year when they gave away the Voyageurs Cup.
    Once again there is no doubt that Joe Cannon will start in goal for the Caps as, he looks for his ninth cleansheet of the season. Helping him will be MLS all-star Jay DeMerit and Martin Bonjour, with Lee Young Pyo and Jordan Havey on the wings. Marshaling the central midfield for a third straight time will be the pairing of Gershon Koffie and Alain Rochat.
    Aside from where Rochat plays, the biggest question is whether Barry Robson starts for the third game in a week or does Michael Nanchoff see his first start of the season. On the other side will be either Davide Chiumiento or Camilo while Sebastien Le Toux will play behind the returning Darren Mattocks.
    Since Mariner has come aboard to coach the club, TFC plays a straight forward 4-4-2 with Frings and Koevermans being the main benefactors of the change. Expect once again for the Whitecaps to avoid chasing the ball and concentrate on keeping their shape against Toronto. The one thing that gave Vancouver fits whenever they faced TFC was the pace of Plata, but luckily for them the Ecuadorian has returned home on a loan.
    From the start of the match the Caps will most likely try to test the pace of the questionable backline of TFC and they will try to spring Mattocks. Even if it is unsuccessful, the attempts by Mattocks will at least force TFC to play a deep line which will give the Caps more space in the midfield to work the ball towards the net. Another thing to look for is if Le Toux will be able to find his touch around the net, with it being his second start in the middle of the pitch.
    A chance to redeem their earlier loss to TFC has to be a big motivating factor for the Whitecaps players and normally would be possible against the lowest ranked club in MLS. However, there seems to be something that is consistently hanging over the Caps when they play in Toronto. If they can shake that and get a win, the pain from losing the match in the Canadian Championship final will sting a little less.
    <b>AFTN Editor's Prediction: Toronto 1 Vancouver Whitecaps 2</b>
    <p>
    Guest
    Following the Canadian U20 team's recent two-match tour in Mexico, Steven Sandor from the11.ca wrote an article highlighting the disparity in resources between the Mexican and Canadian youth development programs. To the point, following the tour the Canadians scattered back across the world while the Mexicans went jaunting across the Atlantic as a unit to compete in more tournaments.
    A report from Mexico today reinforces just how gaping that development chasm really is. The piece checks in with the Mexican squad one year after it won the U17 World Cup and expresses general disappointment that only eight of the 21 players have achieved any playing minutes in Mexico's top flight.
    The point here is not to lambast the CSA for lacking the resources Mexico enjoys but simply to point at the difference in expectations and exclaim, holy fuck that's big.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The eight players from that supremely talented Mexican U17 squad have racked up 2,416 minutes in the Primera Liga over the course of 59 games. A big chunk is accounted for by Chivas' striker Carlos Fierro, with 892 minutes in 21 games.
    Contrast that with the Canadian U17 squad. If even one player from that group was already nailing down first-team MLS minutes Canadian supporters would probably be over the moon. But that's comparing different fruits. And it doesn't take into account the progress that Samuel Piette and Keven Aleman seem to be making in Europe.
    A quick glance at the England U17 squad and the only player I see who's played any minutes in the Premier League is Liverpool's Raheen Sterling. Again, completely different league. The point I'm trying to make is that there is a large enough public commitment from the Mexican soccer authorities to develop their best youth players in the domestic top flight. To such a degree that the editors of the country's most popular futbol portal thought it was worth an article about the lack of progress on that front.
    The fact the Mexicans are quietly constructing a global football powerhouse from nursery to retirement isn't necessarily a bad thing from the Canadian football fan's perspective. Mexico will qualify for the World Cup through Concacaf from here to eternity, therefore Canada isn't really competing with the Mexican program to get to where it needs to be. In fact Canada would only benefit -- from the youth programs on up -- in that its teams would test themselves against the some of the best footballers in the world. (Ignoring for the moment that all the teams we are competing with for World Cup spots enjoy the same perks.)
    Mexico will have to advance past the quarterfinals of a senior mens' World Cup before we can truly start to get jealous, but their development model is something to be envied and emulated in as much as it is possible.
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