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    Guest
    Shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic.
    It's a cliche, but it's going to be the first instinct of many to today's moves by TFC. Jim Brennan to the first team, Bob de Klerk to work with the kids and Paul Mariner...somewhere.
    The move some wanted - Winter out, Mariner/Nicol in - was not on the table and it looks like it might not be for a while.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    It's possible this is a PR move designed to distract. That certainly within the M.O. Of MLSE. But could there be more to it? Possibly. Moving Brennan up could be a signal of management wanting To put a 'MLS guy' closer to the senior team and closer to the tactical decisions. Like many clubs in the world, the No 2 at TFC has a lot of game day responsibility. It's up to each fan to decide whether it's reassuring or terrifying that a TFC old boy with less than three year's experience could be running the game day bus for the Reds.
    Brennan could also be placed in that role to act as a bridge to the players - a guy that can speak the language of the dressing room (a language that the far more accomplished player in Winter mysteriously doesn't seem to understand). There have also been rumours of the players tuning out de Klerk for some time and this move would address that while at the same time keeping the Dutchman around in a role he's more suited for.
    And that's the other, less cynical, view of the move. De Klerk is an accomplished youth coach. It's what he did for Ajax and it might be his best use at TFC. With MLSE showing consistent support for the academy building model there is merit to that thinking. If the kids are more important than the first team right now, then give the kids more resources.
    That it is Brennan rather than Danny Dichio getting moved might speak to that as well. Dichio is the more favoured coach. If this were a traditional promotion it would be him, not Brennan, making the move.
    The bottom line, however, is that shuffling assistants is not likely to immediately pay off with first team points anytime soon.
    Guest
    When it was announced towards the end of last month that Richard Grootscholten was moving on from his role as the technical director and head coach of Vancouver Whitecaps' Residency program, it was met with genuine sadness.
    Richard has spent two years with the program and played a pivotal role in developing the Caps of the future. The building blocks for seeing local BC talent playing for the Whitecaps in MLS have now firmly been laid and the future looks very bright indeed.
    AFTN's <b>Steve Pandher</b> sat down with Richard and chatted about the past two years, the current state of the Whitecaps Residency program and what the future could, and should, hold in store for youth development not just in Vancouver, but throughout the Canadian game...
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    <b>You've spent two years as the technical director for the Whitecaps Academy. What are the biggest advancements you've seen in your time here?</b>
    The most important thing at the start was to extend the program as there was only one academy team at the time, U20 team and some prospects. It was to make the youth program start younger but the question was how young? There is a philosophy to starting young and I am used to working with U7/U8 players in Europe. The biggest challenge was if we could do that and find the quality of player from U12 to U18, the right coaches, facilities, medical programs, etc.
    A big part of this process was could these players train and play games at their age group in Canada or North America. Most of the players who were in the program were the best one or two players on their youth teams. They could dribble, beat five players and score five goals but never advance their skills to the next level.
    A coach can get help with that development but you need a certain level within the group, so you bring in the best players and then get the best training and curriculum for that age.
    <b>What's been your biggest challenge in the last two years?</b>
    The distances between top North American clubs are too large to find the highest competition every week like in Europe. You can’t copy Europe because of that and we didn’t try to, but we did find the best of both worlds within the league structure.
    <b>This was first season the Whitecaps residency played in the USSDA. What have been the positives of playing in the League this past season?</b>
    The reason we moved into the academy league was so players can develop against others at the same age, to play against high level teams, high level coaches, high level referees. There is a lot of travel and cost involved, which is why the commitment from the Club and its owners is amazing. We are the only Club, at this time, in Canada doing that [competing in USSDA].
    The travel is also a positive because it prepares them for professional soccer, as it is a big part of the sport, especially in North America. We’ve made an educational program on travelling to prepare kids for when they move to the first team so they know when to rest, nutrition wise, flying time, time changes. We have sleep talks and how to handle time zones when it comes travelling across the country, so anyone who moves up knows they must be ready, not in a technical sense because there is a lot to learn still.
    <b>Is there one specific thing that makes the Whitecaps academy the envy of other North American clubs?</b>
    Kids from 12 years old are now committed with us full time, and by full time I mean they are no longer playing with their local club. We have them for longer periods so they can learn, train and learn our style of football and the Club is doing a great job, but we can do even better by bringing the best players together. There are not a lot of clubs that have that in North America because most are with local clubs and are brought in a couple of times. Other clubs will follow this for sure.
    <b>How close is the Whitecaps Academy to a European model? What is lacking?</b>
    The league structure is the biggest thing because in Europe you can travel 20 minutes by car and play the best clubs every week, including exhibition games. We play exhibitions against clubs that are one year older, which is good but not the same. With the developmental league, reserves and PDL we are getting there and the quality is better in Europe because we have so many players to pick from, but you can’t change that so we have to make the best out of it.
    <b>And the Training Facility?</b>
    The training facility is big and the Club is working very hard to make it happen but finding the land seems to be the problem. There will be a moment where we will have that facility. I was involved in the plans for it and it will be amazing for the Club. It will make a big difference. Bigger than what a lot of people think, especially for the younger player who will see the first team’s changing room a few steps away. They will work harder and ask themselves "Can I make it there one day".
    You can build a whole philosophy inside your facility so younger kids are at the end of the changing rooms hoping to move up to the top of the club. We try to do it now but it has to be scheduled.
    <b>Once the Academy is at full potential, how many players per year do you see moving onto the first team?</b>
    Across the world it is less than 3 but in Canada, where you don’t have a lot of professional clubs, you have to have more, like 3 or 4 players. The reserve team can have 6 or 7 players and from that group maybe 3 or 4 make it to the first team.
    Players need time and the time period between Residency and the first team is a challenge due to limited options. Do the graduated players go to college or do they stay with us and hope they get a chance with the first team? Do they still need time to develop physically and technically? The gap is getting smaller as they are getting time with the reserve side and training time with the first team, so things are coming into place now but it is very important to focus on the next step / years.
    <b>Since he signed recently, what are some of the advancements you’ve seen in Caleb Clarke’s game over the past two years?</b>
    You could see he was a good player at the start. He had a long term injury which lasted six months, hurting his development. He should be an even better player right now if he didn’t miss that training. He worked hard on his own in the last 4/5 months and has become a better professional in the way he trains than he was. He saw the light, in my opinion. He’s very focused now on becoming a professional player and actually doing the right things.
    When he returned from first team training to train with the U18s or the U16s, he never came back with a bad attitude. No "Why am I back here?". And that attitude makes a big difference into how a player truly develops. Caleb, Bryce, Ben and Callum are great examples of this attitude and you can ask them in two years to come back and train with us and they will do that 100%. Players who can not do that will never maximize their development.
    <b>What has changed in BC during your time here that will help in developing better soccer players?</b>
    Now there is a better league structure within the province with the BCSPL in place. It is a natural pathway for players who start with their community clubs to move up to that league and then move up another level which is the Whitecaps academy.
    Young players need time to practice, to learn, and of course they can learn on their own in the park but the better environment that can be created by it will be better for development. Also, overall, the community clubs are getting better and that benefits every young player in BC. A better development of the grassroots is key.
    <b>What can young players do to help with their own development?</b>
    You need to be the owner of your own development process. If they rely on the coach and just to do what the coach says, they will develop, but not 100%. They will always find out what their weaknesses are when we tell them and show them on video, but if they don’t understand what it is to change that it is a mental issue.
    The last step into developing 100% is not on field but off field. Are you coachable, are you asking for feedback from coaches, are you watching your video tape again and then coming back to us to find out how to fix it? Also coaches have to adjust their coaching style on the type / personality of the player. Things like learning strategies of kids are key in development. We can win a lot in this area in the future.
    A big difference between Europe is that here players are willing to learn. The mentality to learn is fantastic here and the other part is to develop you have to be reflective on yourself, ask the coach questions, talk to your teammates. Players are not used to negative feedback, which is part of the environment in Canada, but negative feedback can be very positive if it is taken well.
    <b>How important is the mental part of the game in the development process?</b>
    I worked with players in Holland at the age of 12 who asked, when I tell them how to do something,"why should I do that because I watched the first team and they didn’t do it like that". Players don’t do that here and that means a kid from 12 in Europe is thinking about his position, he may be wrong, but he is thinking about it.
    Can the player understand what we are telling them? There is an intelligent part in receiving information from the coach. Some can see it from the board but half of the group don’t understand the board and are unable to transfer it to the field. They need the board flipped onto the field and then they understand it, which is why video is an important part of training. Kids are more digitally developed everywhere, so we need to progress in that in the coming years.
    <b>If you were to give advice to a player who wants to develop, would you tell them to go play professionally in another league or to go to college?</b>
    College is a part of development so we have to use it here and they are homegrown when they go to college, so we can bring them back if they can make the first team. We need to find a way because I know for sure when this program finds the time that is what this program needs.
    The 98s, 99s, and an amazing group of 2000s and 2001s will need six years to develop. If the Club is doing what they are now and make it better at developing, there will be some fantastic players for the first team. But if they don’t get a chance between 18 and 21 for the big club then college is a way to go. Loaning players out is another part to develop in this Club.
    <b>So loaning out players would be a good option?</b>
    It is absolutely necessary in my thoughts to loan players out in order for them to continue to play and develop. Playing time is so important for these players in the reserve group between Residency and first team. If they are stuck in the back of the group of the first team they will still get fantastic training, the best here, but playing time is always a big part. Work with clubs in Canada, North America and Europe and the club is aware of that option so they can get a similar environment to develop and play in a full time reserve league. We don’t have a full time reserve league, only 10 games. MLS have to take this more seriously if they care about development.
    In the reserve leagues in Europe they will play against players of a similar age every week, where they can return to the team or develop them to sell them to those clubs because it is a business.
    <b>How important is having a cohesive style throughout the organization? What is your preference?</b>
    If your academy style matches the big club then you can win with academy players. The players that are recruited need to fit the profile of the position and then you can develop them from 12 to 19. If you look at soccer around the world and where the goals are coming from, 78% are coming from the wide areas and set plays. Count the goals every week in the MLS or the reserves… Most of the goals start in the wide areas. It’s a one on one on the side, which means you could win a battle there while in the middle it’s usually one against two. Everyone is getting more physically developed and there are 2-3 big guys in the center. There is no space in the center except for the counter. If you want to win something and change the play with a certain quality, that is why, in my opinion, you have to develop wingers.
    You don’t see wingers in North America. I have seen centre back and centre striker type players on the wings. You can win games when you look through all the stats from the sides. It also can be full backs like Dani Alves from Barcelona or Young-Pyo Lee with us. They are more right wingers but are in the lineup as a right back. Crosses are so much harder to defend for goalkeepers than straight balls, which are easy to defend. This is an important philosophy in our way of developing a style and the players.
    <b>Is there anything that upsets you when it comes to developing young footballers?</b>
    Everyone looks at the amazing way Barcelona play now and it’s the worst thing for coaches and youth players to see, because now youth coaches are getting players to play that way at an early age in games. And I say don’t play. Until 12 years old just dribble and beat players. Technical development is the most important part and you can only technically develop if you play 1v1 or 2v2 and not 8v8 and 9v9. Copying Barcelona’s style is great but not until the U16 level.
    You still have to play games because it’s important to kids, but coaching to develop players is more important than the results. Even if it goes wrong because you can only learn when it goes wrong. If the coach changes their philosophy because parents are yelling then it can go wrong.
    <b>What can assist the process in Canada and North America?</b>
    The MLS and US Soccer are talking about youth development, but in order to achieve that you have present more opportunities, as well as clubs, financial ways to do that through contracts, help with travel. So the commitment to do it is important, because saying it is easy, but who is doing it really because I think we are.
    Clubs in Holland like Ajax, were down in the table but won the league now because they changed philosophy and play with 10 players developed in their academy that are currently 22 or younger. Feyenoord is another example where they had financial troubles and started playing their own players instead of buying higher priced talent and ended up in second place.
    <b>With the 3 current MLS academies, and a potential Division 2 league, what timeframe do you see where Canada can become a power in CONCACAF and have a chance at qualifying for the World Cup.</b>
    Around ten years if everything goes perfectly. With the circumstances in Canada, you need a philosophy from the CSA to take their time, which means having a technical director who believes in development. There are a lot of good things going on.
    I was with the national team U20s in Florida with Stephan Hart and Tony Fonseca, who are focusing on the national program. It is a commitment to the philosophy. It takes the big clubs in Europe 10-12 years to develop players. They stay focused on the style, in how to develop coaches and players. If you give the time and believe in the style, with the other clubs it can turn around in ten years. Impossible to change it immediately.
    <b>What is currently lacking in Canadian football that can be corrected going forward?</b>
    Tony and Stephen are doing great but that is the philosophy in Canada and I don’t want to say it’s wrong, but you need a certain style that everyone fully believes in.
    The national team and coaches need to talk to the clubs more. I’ve asked for that a couple of times. So sit down with technical directors of Toronto FC, Montreal Impact and the Vancouver Whitecaps. I hope they do that more because that is where it starts with the clubs working together to find out how they are thinking and build the national teams.
    The academies are developing national team players and they go there for one, two or more weeks in camp and they are (maybe) doing things different, it doesn’t make sense. So the CSA should meet with the technical directors every month and meet with the provincial associations like BC Soccer, who will go to the grassroots. I saw the new system proposed by BC Soccer and it looks very good.
    It takes time and then you have to develop youth coaches and decide the type of players you want to develop. I see that these things are coming in place now.
    <b>During the academy games you made an effort to make sure the young players acknowledged the supporters that came out to the match. What was the reasoning behind this?</b>
    It’s a huge thing in building a Club because the supporters are the Club. The players, coaches and the people in the front office are great, but the club is built by the supporters because if they don’t buy tickets then it is over with the Club.
    If the supporters like how the team is playing, and how the players react to them, it a huge thing in building a Club. It can’t be lip service, it’s part of your job. Players forget that and sometimes don’t think about that after a tough game. Especially in North America where it is a very positive minded fan base compared to Europe, which will allow you to build your club around it and make you a stronger Club.
    <b>Any fond memories of Vancouver and the time you spent here?</b>
    So many. It’s a beautiful city and I love the way Canadians live relaxed, which is different than in Europe. They drive so slowly here but it’s a good part at the end of the day. Very polite in the way the kids are raised.
    Social development is a big part which they are forgetting in Europe a little where it’s too much focus on individual. I met committed people in the club from the office to the field who are willing to listen and learn. There is a fantastic mentality to develop systems from ticket sales to everything else in the club. It was a great time for me personally to learn of a new cultural experience. I will continue to follow the club for the next twenty years.
    I wish everybody in the club and the incredible fans all the best. And maybe I will be back in the future…you will never know..
    <center>**********</center>
    I'm sure I speak for the majority of Whitecaps fans when I say we would love to see Richard back here one day or even involved with the Canadian national team.
    His leaving will be felt by the Residency program, but he has set the foundations for a very bright future.
    Thanks for sitting down with Steve and doing the interview and for all your hard work with the Caps in your time here. All the very best wherever your footballing future takes you.
    <p>
    Guest
    Toronto FC announced a pair of coaching changes today - and it wasn't the one people have been expecting after Toronto's 0-8 start.
    Jim Brennan moves from his role as head coach of the U-17 Academy side to become an assistant coach of the first team side. Bob DeKlerk now moves into the technical manager role which will see him work more closely with the Academy and intentional scouting.
    Also of note, and perhaps the most telling of the intentions of today's moves, Paul Mariner, director of player development, will now take on the role of 'occasionally coaching the team's strikers.'
    CSN will have more reaction on these moves and what they mean (if anything) but what do you think of changes? Is Brennan ready for first team responsibilities? Is Mariner's move to the coaching side a sign of things to come? Will this change anything for Toronto FC's fortunes?
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Guest

    BREAKING – Reds no, Red Bulls si

    By Guest, in SoccerPlus,

    Another ex-Italian international crosses the pond, but south of the border
    The news was out for a few weeks now that ex-Italian international and AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta was set to join MLS during the summer. In late April, representatives from New York Red Bulls were in Italy to court Nesta, but also Gianluca Zambrotta to discuss a possible move to Major League Soccer.
    SoccerPlus has learned on the weekend, from a source close to the negotiations, that Toronto FC was very much in the mix to acquire Nesta, but the 36 year-old centerback preferred the promises of a Manhattan lifestyle with a Soho flat and to join Thierry rather than Doneil Henry in Major League Soccer.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    According to our sources, the Nesta-to-MLS deal has been reached and is expected to be announced soon. The Italian would start playing in July once the summer international transfer window opens.
    There was no deal reported with Zambrotta as of Monday.
    Guest
    It was as if the Doctor had taken us back in time in his TARDIS to 2011 in New England on Saturday night.
    After seven clean sheets in all competitions so far this season, the defence seemed to have forgotten how to defend and had reverted back to last season's team. And we all remember how horrible that was at times.
    If there was a song to accompany the match highlights on the Caps website it would have to be The Libertines' "Horrorshow".
    It all started so well too!
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    If the Whitecaps are going to lose games this year, it would appear that they're going to lose them big time. And if we're going to lose, I'd much rather it was to an eastern team.
    No team is really going to go through a season without stinking the place out at times. It's how you respond from it that shows the mark of a team.
    The defensive tinkering obviously played a part. As did the head knock to Carlyle Mitchell for one of the goals.
    But let's take nothing away from New England here. They played very well, were worthy winners, scored some nice goals and have some pretty fast guys in their team that will prove to be a handful for a lot more defences than the Whitecaps one.
    When Young-Pyo Lee has a nightmare night, you know it's going to be a bad one. The Korean uncharacteristically lost possession several times and was sloppy with passes.
    I much prefer Alain Rochat at left back, but pairing him with Mitchell in the middle made sense since they played together there in Edmonton. They didn't have the best of nights, but I felt Mitchell had a better game than Rochat all things considered. I think I might be alone in that one though.
    One final comment on the defence. We HAVE to work on defending throw ins better. We go to sleep far too often and it's cost us at least three times now.
    Jun Marques Davidson was posted missing for the game. I forgot he was even playing till he got subbed off.
    Omar Salgado was equally as invisible. Not even sure how many touches he had in the first half but it felt like none. I would have liked to have seen him taken off at half time for Darren Mattocks, as it just wasn't happening for him in this game.
    It happens. He's done well since coming in to that left wing role and everyone is going to have games like that. It's important he keeps his head up.
    Now, I love Sebastien Le Toux. His commitment and non stop running is exemplary but please, please, please don't let him defend. He was terrible back there. Keep him up the field or, at the very least, out of the final third.
    Ok, nothing more to say about individual players. Bad game. Let's move on. At least we won the possession battle. Just a shame we couldn't transform that into goals.
    What I liked most about the aftermath of the loss was Martin Rennie's honesty that he made mistakes with the line up.
    I would much rather see a coach put his hands up and admit he got it wrong, than trying to make excuses.
    It's now all about how we move on from that as a team. How we bounce back.
    It hasn't hurt us too much in the Western playoff quest. We didn't lose by giving points to any of our playoff rivals.
    What is most important now are the two games coming up against Toronto.
    There definitely seems to be a bit of a split in the Caps support, with a surprisingly large number of fans not caring about the Voyageurs Cup and just wanting us to concentrate on the League.
    It's good to see and hear Rennie and Lenarduzzi say that the Caps aren't thinking that way. They want the Cup. We want the Cup.
    We need to take at least a two goal lead from the first leg at BC Place to make me feel comfortable heading east, and a clean sheet is a must.
    If they continue to defend like they did in New England, I'm not that hopeful of the latter, but I still can't see us not lifting our first Voyageurs Cup.
    This IS our year. And yes, I'm prepared for the slagging that will follow if it turns out not to be!
    'Mon the Caps.
    <center>********************</center>
    Now this is a tough one this week. We always try and give the points out to someone, but it is difficult after performances like this one!
    Interested to see your thoughts on it, but here's what we're going with...
    3 points - DAVIDE CHIUMIENTO (he tried, often with little support)
    2 points - ERIC HASSLI (had some really nice build up plays and passes in the first half and a good finish for the goal)
    1 point - DARREN MATTOCKS (just because he ran around a lot!)
    <p>
    Guest
    If this were Sesame Street, today's Vancouver Whitecaps game would have been brought to you by the number six.
    Heading in to New England, the Caps were looking for their sixth win in a row in all competitions. They were also looking for their sixth MLS win of the season, which would tie their mark for the whole of last year. They also travelled to Gillette Stadium without their captain, number six, Jay DeMerit.
    DeMerit's absence was felt, as several defensive lapses, and some clinical finishing from New England, saw Vancouver fall to a deserved 4-1 defeat.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Vancouver face a busy remaining month of May, with five games in 15 days, including the upcoming two legged Voyageurs Cup final against Toronto.
    If anyone doubted whether Martin Rennie was taking the Cup seriously, you only had to look at today's starting line up.
    Jay DeMerit and Camilo Sanvezzo didn't travel, to keep them fresh for Wednesday, and Martin Bonjour was kept on the bench to allow Carlyle Mitchell to get his first MLS start of the season, partnering Alain Rochat in the middle of the defence.
    Davide Chiumiento was rewarded for his three assists against Edmonton midweek by a return to the starting line up, with Eric Hassli, Sebastien Le Toux and Omar Salgado spearheading the attack.
    New England had lost four of their last five games and were on paper certainly a team ripe for the picking with the talent that the Caps still had on offer. On the pitch though it was a whole different story.
    After last weekend's late, late show against San Jose, Vancouver nearly got off to a flyer in the third minute.
    Y-P Lee played a short pass inside to Hassli and his first time chip put through Le Toux, who took a touch to control and then shot, but Matt Reis had come out and got his right hand on it to direct it just past the left hand post.
    It was only to be a short respite for New England and Vancouver opened the scoring in the fifth minute.
    A long ball forward from Lee was chested down by Hassli to Chiumiento. The Swiss maestro played a pinpoint ball through to Le Toux, who hit the byeline, cut the ball back to Hassli and the Frenchman continued his rich vein of scoring form to drill the ball past Reis from eight yards.
    It was to be a shortlived lead.
    The home side went on the attack from the restart and were back level again 61 seconds later.
    Blake Brettschneider's shot in the box bounced off Lee. Le Toux and Lee Nguyen battled for the rebound and it was the ex Whitecap who won, and Nguyen buried the ball past Joe Cannon for the equaliser.
    The Revolution had a great opportunity to take the lead in the 10th minute.
    Saer Sene played a short pass inside to Clyde Simms and the midfielder fired a shot from outside the box inches past Cannon's outstretched hand, but also inches past the left hand post.
    As the game reached the quarter of an hour mark, a neat back flick from Hassli sent Chiumiento through but he shot weakly at the keeper.
    Simms had another long range effort whizz narrowly past in the 20th minute after being set up again by Sene when Lee uncharacteristically had easily lost possession. This time Simms wasn't as close, but showed the need for the Caps to shut down the Revs midfielder quicker.
    Lee again gave the ball cheaply in the 24th minute and this time the Whitecaps were punished.
    Nguyen and Chris Tierney exchanged passes, before Nguyen put his foot on the gas and sent through Sene, who easily turned Rochat and made no mistake in firing past Cannon and into the bottom right hand corner of the Caps net.
    It was soon three in 33 for New England.
    Benny Feilhaber played the ball out right to Sene, who cut it across the box, just past the outstretched leg of Brettschneider. The ball bounced off Mitchell, who had just come back onto the pitch after a head knock, straight into the path of Shalrie Joseph and the Revs captain made no mistake from 12 yards out.
    Vancouver tried to take the game to the home team for the remainder of the half but didn't come close to finding a way through what was now going to be a more defensive minded Revolution side.
    Both sides started off the second half in lacklustre and lethargic mode, with New England seemingly having no interest in being an attacking entity for the remainder of the game.
    Vancouver were struggling to get out of their lull and into any kind of a groove, but Rochat forced a save out of Reis with a low 25 yard free kick in the 57th minute.
    The Caps introduced Darren Mattocks for Omar Salgado, who had been quiet all match, in an attempt to try and liven up the attack.
    He nearly made an impact within a minute of coming on, after getting the better of AJ Soares before hitting the post. The play was called back for a foul on Soares, which replays showed the Revs defender untouched and faking contact to try and draw a decision. Disgustingly it worked.
    Sene had the home side's first shot of the second half in the 71st minute, which was easily saved by Cannon. Seconds later he had another chance, but Cannon again made the stop.
    New England grabbed a fourth goal out of nowhere in the 72nd minute, and what a goal it was.
    Nguyen collected a thrown in 25 yards out and looped a beauty on the bounce that left Cannon rooted and the Caps routed.
    If Nguyen wanted to make Martin Rennie regret cutting him from the Caps before the season started, then I think he made his point tonight.
    It was game over but to their credit, the Caps tried to keep pressing and Mitchell headed over a great Jordan Harvey cross with eleven minutes remaining.
    In the end, frustration started to set in for the Whitecaps, with neither side able to carve any serious goalscoring chances in the remaining minutes of regulation.
    With the game in the final seconds of stoppage time, Reis parried a Le Toux volley at his near post.
    The final whistle was a relief for Vancouver.
    Tonight was the worst Whitecaps performance we've seen so far under Martin Rennie. It had to happen some time, and better for it to be against eastern opposition than western.
    It's just unfortunate that it wasn't the confidence boosting match we hoped for going in to face a rested Toronto midweek.
    Although our defensive depth seems strong, it appears than tinkering too much with the dynamics can be our undoing.
    They need to get that defensive cohesion and solidness back for Wednesday, or they could find themselves punished once again.
    ATT : 12,112
    FINAL SCORE : New England Revolution 4 - 1 Vancouver Whitecaps
    NEW ENGLAND : Matt Reis; Kevin Alston, Stephen McCarthy, A.J. Soares, Chris Tierney; Lee Nguyen (Fernando Cardenas 80), Clyde Simms, Shalrie Joseph, Benny Feilhaber; Saer Sene (Diego Fagundez 72), Blake Brettschneider (Alex Purdie 85) [subs Not Used: Bobby Shuttleworth, Darrius Barnes, John Lazano, Bjorn Runstrom]
    VANCOUVER : Joe Cannon; Young-Pyo Lee, Carlyle Mitchell, Alain Rochat, Jordan Harvey; Gershon Koffie (Etienne Barbara 80), Jun Marques Davidson (Floyd Franks 89), Davide Chiumiento; Sebastien Le Toux, Eric Hassli, Omar Salgado (Darren Mattocks 62) [subs Not Used: Brad Knighton, Martin Bonjour, Matt Watson, Michael Nanchoff]
    <p>
    Guest
    Canadian attendance record set in Montreal for pro soccer match as the LA Galaxy and the Impact played to a 1-1 tie. The 60,860 spectators in attendance got what they were told when David Beckham scored one of his marquee free kick goals in the second half to tie the game.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Hear the post game comments from players and coaches of both teams in this 30 minutes post game show.
    Montreal - Davy Arnaud, Hassoun Camara, Donovan Ricketts, Felipe (translation by Mauro Biello) and coach Jesse Marsch.
    Los Angeles - Landon Donovan, David Beckham and coach Bruce Arena.
    Enjoy the show by clicking here.
    Guest
    <b>KEY PLAYERS :</b>
    ATTACKING
    It seems as though <b>Omar Salgado</b> has established himself as a viable option for Martin Rennie to be a regular in the starting eleven. The young striker has made a smooth transition to the left wing and will create chances by swinging in crosses or breaking down defenders on the deck.
    The Revolution are hoping and needing U.S. international <b>Benny Feilhaber</b> to return to his form after battling through an injury for part of the season. Feilhaber is a threat to score from the midfield and is the club’s main playmaker, distributing the ball to the wings as well as the strikers.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    DEFENCE
    The starting point for most of the attacks comes through the middle so <b>Jun Marques Davidson</b> will be a factor in cutting out the passes to the wings or the strikers. With Davidson being so reliable on the defensive end, it has allowed others to take more chances in the attack.
    On a club that lacks experience, <b>Chris Tierney</b> is the most tenured of the Revolution’s backline, with five years of MLS experience under his belt. The native of Boston has attacking ability and will look to provide service with his crosses from the left side.
    <b>WHO'S ON FORM :</b>
    While the goal was a definite plus, it was not the only reason <b>Gershon Koffie</b> won the 'man of the match' in his last start against San Jose. The Ghanaian footballer seemed to anticipate every pass by San Jose in the last game but more importantly quickly converted the turnovers into chances on the counter.
    Having come over from the Bayern Munich system, <b>Saer Sene</b> gives the Revolution a target man up top with some deceptive pace. In his last start against Colorado, the native of France scored a goal and set up the winner, leading New England to their third win of the season.
    <b>2012 RECORD :</b>
    Vancouver:
    5W-2D-2L
    4th in Western Conference
    Last Match: 3-1 Win at home to FC Edmonton (Canadian Championship)
    New England:
    3W-0D-6L
    6th in Eastern Conference
    Last Match: 2-1 Loss at Real Salt Lake
    <b>PROJECTED LINE-UPS :</b>

    <b>INJURIES/MISSING :</b>
    Vancouver:
    Out: GK Brian Sylvestre (knee)
    Questionable: FW Atiba Harris (quad)
    New England:
    Out: FW Zak Boggs (ankle), MF Ryan Guy (calf), DF Flo Lechner (foot), FW Jose Moreno (calf), MF Sainey Nyassi (hamstring), FW Jeremiah White (concussion)
    <b>GAME ANALYSIS :</b>
    The Whitecaps return to MLS action, after coming off their semi-final win in the Canadian Championship over FC Edmonton, to face the New England Revolution. In their two meetings last year the Caps gave up a late goal at home to settle for a 1-1 draw while a “B” squad lost a hard fought 1-0 decision on the road. Similar to last year’s loss, this match against New England comes in the midst of major fixture congestion, as the Caps are in the middle of a stretch where they play 9 matches in 29 days.
    There will be some rotation of players but expect Joe Cannon to start in goal with Lee Young-Pyo and Martin Bonjour as definite starters, whilst Alain Rochat could start in two different spots. If he starts in the middle then Harvey comes in on the left but if Rochat is on the left then Carlyle Mitchell gets his first MLS start of the season.
    There should be some similarity in the midfield from the win against San Jose, as Davidson, Koffie and Watson look to clog the middle against New England. Up top Hassli looks to continue his form while he will be flanked by Salgado on the left and Le Toux on the right. Other options Rennie has to start in the attacking spots are Chiumiento, Mattocks or Barbara, with all three impressing against Edmonton.
    The Whitecaps should be able to get a healthy number of shots against the Revolution as the hosts rank fourth in shots allowed. Matt Reis has performed admirably and has been able to have a decent GAA although he ranks outside of the top 10 in most keeper stats. If Vancouver put enough numbers forward when attacking, they will be able to occupy Joseph and Simms, the holding midfielders, and not allow them to assist a shaky backline.
    Except for their striker, Sene, the Revolution attackers are not a big or physical bunch so the Whitecaps should be able to impose a physical nature to the defensive part of the game. With so much fixture congestion, it would not surprise anyone if the Caps play a tight defensive game and try to pick up a goal on the counter attack. If the Whitecaps score first then one could assume the visitors will pull their players behind the ball and try to pick up their seventh cleansheet in ten games.
    So far this season the Whitecaps have picked up results on eastern road trips, with a draw in Philadelphia and a win against Columbus. A win against the Revolution and the Caps will have reached 20 points this season, a total that they were not able to reach last season until the late August.
    <b>AFTN Prediction: New England Revolution 1 Vancouver Whitecaps 2</b>
    <p>
    Guest
    Seattle Sounders come-a-calling to Vancouver on MLS action next Saturday. Tonight we had an appetizer for the main course, but hopefully there will be a different end result on display in eight days time.
    The Sounders U23 team made the trip north to Swangard this evening and came away with a 2-1 victory over an out of sorts Whitecaps Residency team.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    What a difference a week makes. The cohesion and attacking flair that was on display in last Friday's 3-0 demolition of defending USL PDL champs Kitsap Pumas wasn't really anywhere to be seen.
    It wasn't that Vancouver didn't create chances. They had the better of the game. They just couldn't take what came along and time and again the attackers were let down on breaks by a lack of support, especially on the left wing.
    Still, it's early days and this team haven't had a chance to train all that much together, never mind gel, and the signs are there that we have a talented team for this year's campaign.
    The Caps side had three players on loan from the MLS squad this evening. Michael Boxall once again captained the side, and Russell Teibert and Caleb Clarke made their first PDL appearances of the season.
    Teibert was in the thick of the action from the start.
    He first saw a goalbound effort deflected for a corner in the 8th minute and then five minutes later Sounders keeper Doug Herrick did well to save his close range effort.
    Seattle had their best chance of the game so far in the 24th minute and this time it was Whitecaps goalkeeper Callum Irving who had to be alert.
    DeAndre Yedlin broke quickly on the right and perfectly put through Darwin Jones, who forced a good save from Irving, with Boxall on hand to mop up the danger that still remained.
    It was only to be averted for a minute though and this time Jones did get the better of Iriving.
    Troy Peterson sent a dangerous ball over the Caps defence, which Jones expertly latched on to. Irving was exposed and had no option but to rush out of his goal to try and at least narrow the angle.
    The Washington native easily sidestepped the Caps keeper and fired home the opening goal of the night.
    Vancouver came close to grabbing the equaliser with ten minutes of the half remaining.
    Clarke collected the ball on the edge of the box, after a one-two with Gagan Dosanjh, made room to get his shot off and fired just past the right hand post.
    The game was flowing end to end and Seattle were causing problems for Irving, who was uncharacteristically flapping at some crosses, one which ended up being shot into the side netting.
    As half time approached, Vancouver continued to push for the equaliser.
    Ben Fisk shot wide in the 39th minutes and then moments later Bobby Jhutty shot over from the edge of the box and Clarke forced a save from Herrick with a low drive.
    Seattle held firm and went into the break a goal to the good.
    Six minutes into the second half and they had doubled their advantage when Fernando Monge's shot in the box was deflected past Irving.
    Their two goal lead was to last a matter of two minutes and Clarke put the home side back into the game with a beautiful curling shot into the bottom left hand corner.
    Vancouver took the remainder of the game to Seattle, but had nothing to show for their efforts by the full time whistle except close calls.
    Dosanjh shot narrowly wide in the 57 minute under pressure from the Sounders goalie, after Ben McKendry had headed Fisk's cross to the back post into his path.
    Dosanjh had another chance on the hour mark, deflecting Fisk's cross straight at Herrick, who got down low to save.
    Boxall hit a low long range effort past the right hand post in the 74th minute and then watched on agonisingly as the game moved into stoppage time, when his shot through a ruck of players was deflected just past the same post with the keeper wrongfooted.
    It was a disappointing loss in the end, but something to build on and should give Head Coach Craig Dalrymple some food for thought as to his best line up for the upcoming games, which will now come thick and fast.
    The Caps line up was as follows:
    Callum Irving; Declan Rodriguez (Reynold Stewart 54), Michael Boxall, James Farenhorst, Adam Polakiewicz; Ben McKendry (Michael Marousek 75), Bobby Jhutty, Gagandeep Dosanjh; Ben Fisk, Caleb Clarke (Carlos Marquez 84), Russell Teibert [subs not used: Sean Melvin, Wesley Cain, Sang Hwang, Tyrin Hutchings]
    The Whitecaps don't have any time to sit and lick their wounds.
    They travel to Victoria on Sunday to face Victoria Highlanders in a 5pm kick off at Royal Athletic Park, in what will be the Highlanders home opening weekend of the new season, where they also play Seattle on the Saturday.
    AFTN will be there and will bring you a report and pictures on Sunday evening as the young Caps look to bounce back with a win in the first match for the new <a href=" http://www.juandefucaplate.ca/" target="_blank">Juan de Fuca plate</a>.
    Christopher Vose's slideshow of photos from tonight's game can be viewed <a href="
    " target="_blank">HERE</a>.<p>
    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.
    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>.
    <center>********************</center>
    Last weekend's games produced a mixed <i>BCS</i> success rate of 50%. There were three additional midweek games that only gave a <i>BCS</i> success rate of 16.66%. The need for favourable Caps weekends are basically going to be unrelenting until October!
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The Caps won on Saturday in dramatic fashion against the then Western Conference leaders San Jose. It was a huge win that kept them fourth but gave them a five point cushion to the team in sixth, and brought them within five points (now six) of the Conference leaders.
    Vancouver travel to New England this weekend for an inter-conference match up, but what are the <i>”Best Case Scenarios”</i> we’re hoping to see in the rest of the week 10 games this weekend?
    Eight games are being played over Saturday and Sunday. Only two all-Western Conference clashes again, three inter-conference match ups and three all-Eastern ties, so five matches to keep a really close eye on, including our own.
    <b><u>New England Revolution v Vancouver Whitecaps</u></b>
    Current Whitecaps Points: 17 (4th in West)
    If Whitecaps Win: 20 points (Best Case Scenario = 4th in West, three points behind leaders / Worst Case Scenario = 4th, six points behind leaders)
    If Whitecaps Draw: 18 points (BCS = 4th / WCS = 4th)
    If Whitecaps Lose: 17 points (BCS = 4th / WCS = 4th)
    Maximum Points Total Possible: 92
    Projected Points Total On Current Results: 63 - 67
    Playoff Likelihood: 78 - 85%
    <b><u>Montreal Impact v Los Angeles Galaxy</u> - Montreal win</b>
    If Montreal can keep their unbeaten home record in tact then that will really help Vancouver. An Impact win would leave the Galaxy at least seven points behind the Caps and possibly ten, which is potentially massive, even at this early stage of the season.
    <b><u>Houston Dynamo v DC United</u> - No impact on Caps</b>
    The first all-eastern clash of the weekend, where the only real interest to Caps fans is getting a first look at Houston's new stadium. From the pictures I've seen, it looks amazing and will be on my list of grounds to visit at some point soon.
    <b><u>Columbus Crew v Dallas</u> - Columbus win</b>
    East v West and the Caps need the stuttering Crew to do them a favour and keep a handy cushion to sixth place and the first non playoff spot. This could be eight points by the end of the weekend and give Vancouver some breathing space as they approach some tough all-Western Conference match ups.
    <b><u>Chicago Fire v Sporting Kansas City</u> - No impact on Caps</b>
    Another battle of the east. Who cares?!
    <b><u>Seattle Sounders v Real Salt Lake</u> - Draw</b>
    We don't really like to use too much hyperbole in this section. It is easy to call games massive or huge, but when you look at this one, it's hard not to go there. It's the game of the weekend. First v joint second in the West, with one point separating them. A draw would be a fantastic result for the Caps and if we take care of our own end of things, we could be within three points of the top, with Seattle coming to town next weekend. Why is this game not on the TV here?!! If nothing else, we can only hope for some Sounders injuries and suspensions.
    <b><u>Philadelphia Union v New York Red Bulls</u> - No impact on Caps</b>
    The first Sunday game this week is another all-eastern battle, with no interest to the Caps playoff hopes.
    <b><u>San Jose Earthquakes v Chivas USA</u> - Chivas win</b>
    We've already put a dent in the Quakes early charge. If the Goats can do the same, then that would be a tremendous boost for the Caps. A draw wouldn't be the end of the world either mind you.
    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

    Sober Second Thoughts: Wait, what?

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    For now, let’s ignore negatives. TFC needed to win badly. TFC fans needed to see a win badly. Nothing else matters.
    So, the 2-0 win over Montreal – running the Impact’s winless streak in the competition to an amazing 13 games, with nine losses in that stretch – matter far more than the extra burden that two extra mid-week games on the schedule, or Richard Eckersley’s seeming inability to not get carded do.
    A win is a win is a win and TFC does not win very much. Sitting 11 points and four teams back of a playoff spot makes MLS success more than a tad bit farfetched at this point (to get 44 points, which is likely the lowest total that will see a club make the playoffs, the Reds need to get 1.7 points a game the rest of the way. They had 1.15 points per game in the second half of 2011 after Frings and Co arrived) So, the Voyageurs Cup is all they really have.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    If the V-Cup is all that’s left, then they had best win it. Since the three championships TFC has won barely make a dent in fan frustration as it is, it seems unlikely that a runner’s up medal is going to resonate.
    Especially against Vancouver. Although the Whitecaps do not have the same intensity of rivalry with TFC that Montreal, or even Columbus, have there is little doubt that the average Reds fan really enjoys beating the Caps and then sitting back and watching the bitterness spew from the west coast.
    There are fans in B.C. that mutter “6-1” and “stupid rain” under their breath daily. The Caps are more than a little cursed in the competition and that’s more than a little funny for most Toronto fans. TFC fans don’t have much, but they do have this!
    Can the Reds pull off the upset? Of course they can. They have bye week heading into the vital away leg and the Caps aren’t as superior to TFC as the records might indicate. Toronto is also becoming a big game team. They seem to play Cup games well – watch out if they ever actually do make the playoffs.
    So, for once let’s focus on the possibilities. The Reds can’t lose this weekend and they are even with the Caps in the V-Cup.
    As Ben Knight likes to say: Onward!
    Guest
    Vancouver Whitecaps fans should be very grateful to FC Edmonton.
    The Eddies didn't make it easy for the Caps last night. They took the game to their MLS opponents, deservedly took the lead and forced Martin Rennie's hand into livening up the attack and retaking control of the cup tie.
    As a result, Caps fans got to see a taste of what could lie in store for the rest of the season - a fully fit, fast paced attack full of danger, with a combination of strikers that can be real game changers. Competition for these starting spots is now going to be fierce. Every striker will need to be perform and earn their place and that can only be great for the team and the fans.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Sebastien Le Toux, Darren Mattocks and Etienne Barbara all came on and seemed to invigorate the whole team. Their introduction saw Davide Chiumiento have one of his best games in a long time, turning in three assists and playing some delightful pinpoint balls into the danger area.
    Eric Hassli, Camilo and Chiumiento didn't play badly as individuals in their time on the pitch together. As an attacking unit though, the cohesion just didn't seem to be there. Not the first time we've said that and you know it won't be the last.
    With Edmonton still very much in the tie with just twenty minutes remaining, Rennie was forced to turn to his bench.
    I'm going to guess the plan was to coast through the first sixty minutes, establish an unassailable lead, withdraw Hassli and Camilo and then let Mattocks and Barbara get a run out to test their game sharpness after their lengthy layoffs.
    Edmonton put paid to that pretty quickly, aided by a pretty dreadful first half performance from the Caps, who would have been punished if the visitors had their shooting boots on.
    Le Toux was unlikely to have seen any minutes in the game last night. Instead, he was needed and proved to be the two goal saviour and earned the official 'Man of the Match' award, a plaudit which the Frenchman didn't think he deserved and should have gone to Chiumiento. We agree.
    Those twenty minutes from Le Toux were some of <i>his</i> best so far in a Caps jersey. He was playing more as a winger. It's not his favourite position and you have to wonder whether it is because he just feels that he can't play there or his style of play isn't suited there. His performance last night will hopefully show everyone, himself included, that that is simply not the case.
    We were just willing Barbara to score that penalty. It would have been such a fairytale moment for the Malteser. He hit it well and it took a fantastic stop from David Monsalve to deny a great story.
    Having watched Etienne play in last Friday's PDL game, we described his performance as rusty, but he showed glimpses of what he will bring to the first team. Last night, we saw some more.
    I don't think he's likely to be a starter for us in the near future, but what an asset to have coming off the bench.
    The same with Mattocks. His pace is electric and I can't wait to see him play enough minutes in matches to really let him get into his stride, or should that be swagger. Loved his joy and celebration after the goal. It meant a lot to him, his first competitive goal for the Caps, and he could be seen walking around with a signed match ball afterwards. It's the little things like those that warm my grumpy old heart.
    We now have several combinations of strikers that we can use in games, throwing Omar Salgado into the mix too, and I would back all of them and any combination to get us goals. Exciting times.
    Maybe not so exciting for a couple of the younger, fringe players.
    It's hard to see where Long Tan can fit into the Club now. He wasn't on the bench last night and I wouldn't be surprised to see him drop back to some PDL games. He has talents, but all of the others are rightly ahead of him now in the pecking order and only injuries are going to change that.
    The same is true of Michael Boxall.
    The Kiwi was expected by many to start last night, but instead ended up on the bench with Jay DeMerit partnering Carlyle Mitchell. Rennie said post game that he felt that this pair had the understanding he was looking for, especially having played together last season. Where this leaves Boxall is hard to say.
    He's already played one PDL game, captaining the side and scoring. He doesn't take up much salary but does take up an international spot. It's just getting harder to see how he's going to get a chance with the current squad.
    DeMerit had a couple of wobbles again last night. His mistimed lunge at Saiko's through ball just before half time could have been costly if Pinto and big Cox hadn't got in each others way.
    I would have liked to have seen what a Mitchell/Bonjour partnership was like and last night was a great time to test that out before it is needed for MLS action, possibly as early as this weekend.
    The Caps midfield depth still worries me.
    Floyd Franks was poor. I haven't seen anything from him yet in first team or reserve games that makes me think he is MLS quality.
    After impressing so much pre-season, and running the show in the middle in last week's PDL game, Bryce Alderson deserved to get his chance against Edmonton. Way much more than Franks. Only real disappointment on the night for me.
    So that's it. We're in the final and TFC awaits once again. Check the weather forecast.
    With Toronto having a bye week in MLS, the Caps will need to be at their best against a rested TFC side. There will be a couple of first teamers rested for the New England game on Saturday in preparation, so it shouldn't have too big an impact.
    I was hoping that Montreal were to be the final opponents.
    I feel that would have been the easier game because despite their poor League record, Toronto are an unpredictable team and seem to be becoming Cup specialists.
    Have Toronto become Major League Soccer's version of Liverpool this season?
    That said, I have total confidence in Vancouver defeating whoever is in front of them for the Canadian bragging rights this year.
    The main nightmare about this for us is the fact that we have to travel all the way east three days before a key Cascadia Cup clash down in Portland. Good teams overcome such obstacles and we're a good team.
    It's going to be an amazing eleven days. Four huge Cup matches for the Caps. Two Canadian and two Cascadian. It doesn't get much better than this and you're not excited by the prospect, you have no footballing blood running through your veins.
    Loving Martin Rennie's mind games already:
    <i>"The final's a game we're excited about.
    As Aron Winter said, Toronto are better than Vancouver and Montreal, so we know going in we're the underdogs and I think that suits us.
    We're a team starting off at the bottom. Scraping our way up to the top. It's more pressure on the best team.
    So for us, we're coming in there ready to play. Looking forward to the game. Excited about what we can do, but knowing that we have to be at our absolute best and work as hard as we can against a very good team. A team that's been established in MLS for a long time."</i>
    Top drawer!
    Hopefully it's going to be an entertaining final and we don't see either team try to park the bus in their away leg.
    The Caps have already won silverware against TFC in Orlando. It would be very fitting for the guys to head in to Toronto now and win some that's a bit more meaningful.
    In Rennie we trust.
    'Mon the Caps.
    <center>********************</center>
    <b>AFTN 3-2-1:</b>
    3 points - DAVIDE CHIUMIENTO (wasn't really featuring much until the substitutions then turned in one of his best ever performances for us. Three assists and some beautiful balls!)
    2 points - SEBASTIEN LE TOUX (changed the game when he came on and took both his goals well)
    1 point - BRAD KNIGHTON (didn't have a lot to do, but made a couple of important stops. Just sneaks the final point for me ahead of Mitchell)
    <p>
    Guest
    Every once in a while, it's fun to take a break from pretending to be a soccer expert, and instead pretend to be a style expert. Ever since coming on board as a major sponsor of the CSA, Umbro Canada has given us a number of those moments.
    This time out, it's the special centennial kit, to be sported by our men's national team in a friendly against the U.S. on June 3, and the women's national team when they take on the Yanks on June 30. The design is meant to mimic the jerseys worn by the men's national team the first time they ever played the Americans on Canadian soil, a 1-0 victory at Alexandra Park in Montreal on June 27, 1925.
    Now, in 2012, Les Rouges (err, Les Bleus) and Big Red (uh, Big Blue) will take on the red, white and blue while wearing red, white and blue. So, the question is, what do you think?
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Yep, that's the extent of it. Do you like the blue? Do you like the look? How does it rank against Umbro's other Canada kits? What's Simeon Jackson looking at in the photo? Et cetera.
    Guest
    Christopher Vose is AFTN's photographer and here is a selection of his photos from the Whitecaps Voyageurs Cup game on Wednesday night against FC Edmonton.
    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.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    All of his photos are copyrighted and cannot be used without his permission.
    <center>************************************</center>
    <center>
    (Michael Nanchoff's controversial disallowed goal)

    (Yashir Pinto put Edmonton right back in the tie)

    (Sebastien Le Toux drills home the equaliser)

    (Two for Supersub Le Toux)

    (Darren Mattocks celebrates his first competitive Whitecaps goal)
    </center>
    You can view the rest of Christopher's photos from the Edmonton match as a high resolution slideshow <a href="
    " target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>.<p>
    Guest

    Le Toux with two as Caps advance to final

    By Guest, in AFTN,

    Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto have unfinished Voyageurs Cup business.
    After the debacle in Montreal and the monsoon in Toronto, the Caps will be hoping it will be third time lucky and they will finally get to lift the Canadian Championship trophy by the end of the month.
    Vancouver set up the latest two game Cup showdown against Toronto with a 3-1 win over Edmonton at BC Place tonight. It looked comfortable in the end scoreline, but the Eddies made the Caps work every step of the way for their place in the final.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Martin Rennie surprised most people by ringing four changes from last week’s first leg and including Jay DeMerit in the centre of defence and going with a strikeforce of Eric Hassli and Camilo Sanvezzo.
    Floyd Franks and Michael Nanchoff got their first starts of the season in midfield and Nanchoff thought he had his name on the scoresheet three minutes in, when he turned home a low John Thorrington cross.
    The goal was somewhat mysteriously ruled out for offside, with Camilo looking to have been adjudged off when the cross came over and deemed interfering with play.
    Edmonton settled down and took the game to their hosts, and they had a great chance to haul themselves back into the Cup tie in the 19th minute.
    Yashir Pinto was sent through on the left, leaving Greg Klazura in his wake, and cut the ball back to Michael Cox on the penalty spot, whose first time strike was parried by Brad Knighton.
    Two minutes later and Matt Lam tried a shot from distance that didn’t trouble the Caps goal, but showed the Eddies intention to attack.
    Lam had a another long range attempt in the 27th minute, which Knighton got down well to save and Klazura hit the rebound out for a corner.
    The Caps were looking a little lacklustre and only had a curling 35th minute Camilo free kick to show for their efforts.
    Although having more attacking flair, Edmonton were being restricted to long range efforts and Shaun Saiko fired another one over the bar in the 37th minute.
    That nearly changed in the closing minutes of the half.
    A dangerous through ball from Shaun Saiko was deflected by the outstretched leg of Jay DeMerit into the path of Pinto and Cox, who has both got on the goal side of Jordan Harvey, but then got in each others way to spurn a great chance.
    The momentum of big Cox carried him into Knighton. It was without any real malice but a slight stramash ensured to provide one of the few sparks of the first half.
    The second half started off in a little lull but the game sprung into life in the 54th minute when Edmonton got the goal their play deserved, and their first ever Voyageurs Cup goal.
    Cox played a short pass outside to Antonio Rago. The right back sent a dangerous ball into the six yard box that eventually came off the head of Pinto and past Knighton for 1-0 to the underdogs.
    Nanchoff went down in the box in the 62nd minute, but was looking for the call as he fell over his man.
    With everything now to play for, Vancouver brought on some heavyweight talent in to their attack with Sebastien Le Toux and Darren Mattocks, and what a difference they made.
    Le Toux made an impact within five minutes of coming on to put the Caps level on the night and give them a two goal cushion of aggregate.
    Davide Chiumiento sent a beautiful ball over the Edmonton defence straight into the path of Le Toux. Fabien Vorbe was wrong footed in dramatic fashion, allowing to the Frenchman to run into the box and fire past David Monsalve, who should have done better.
    Camilo whipped another free kick just over the bar in the 81st minute, as they sought to wrap things up.
    The Brazilian then had the ball in the net a minute later but was flagged offside for the run through.
    The Whitecaps brought on Etienne Barbara with five minutes remaining and the Malteser gave Caps fans an idea of what they can expect from him by immediately going on a mazy before being brought down for a penalty.
    Barbara stepped up to take the kick in the best “makers-takers” tradition, only for Monsalve to brilliantly tip his well taken kick onto the right hand post.
    Edmonton struggled to clear the danger and ended up conceding a kick on the left touchline. Chiumiento again flighted in a perfect ball to Le Toux, this time onto his head, and the Frenchman gave Monsalve no chance at his near post.
    In the final seconds of the three minutes of stoppage time, Mattocks got his name on the scoresheet, whipping a Chiumiento cross into the bottom left hand corner, before picking up a booking by celebrating with a Jamaican flag in the Southside.
    Overall, it was a patchy performance from the Caps, but they got the job done in the end and looked a much more dangerous side with the addition of Le Toux, Mattocks and Barbara.
    Edmonton fought well and for most of the match they had turned in the best performance of all of the four Canadian teams on the night.
    They should keep their heads up for they did their team and their city proud.
    For Vancouver, it’s another Cup final against Toronto, following on from the pre-season Disney Pro Soccer Classic.
    The Caps won silverware that time with the only goal of the game. Not many in Vancouver would argue with the same again.
    ATT : 15,011
    FINAL SCORE : Vancouver Whitecaps 3 - 1 Edmonton (Vancouver win 5-1 on aggregate)
    VANCOUVER WHITECAPS : Brad Knighton; Greg Klazura, Carlyle Mitchell, Jay DeMerit, Jordan Harvey; Floyd Franks, John Thorrington, Davide Chiumiento, Michael Nanchoff (Sebastien Le Toux 70); Eric Hassli (Darren Mattocks 74), Camilo Sanvezzo (Etienne Barbara 85) [subs Not Used: Joe Cannon, Michael Boxall, Russell Teibert, Bryce Alderson]
    EDMONTON : David Monsalve; Antonio Rago, Paul Hamilton, Kevin Hatchi, Fabien Vorbe; Shaun Saiko (Ilya Van Leerrdam 77), Kenny Caceros, Chris Kooy; Michael Cox (Kyle Porter 55), Matt Lam, Yashir Pinto (Paul Craig 81) [subs Not Used: John Smits, Adam West, Jonathon Joseph-Augustin, Paul Craig, Dominic Oppong]
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