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    Guest
    By: Michael Crampton
    It would be hyperbole to suggest that absolutely everything has gone wrong so far in Toronto FC’s 2012 season. It may feel like a season ago but it really only was in March and early April of this year that Toronto supporters were daring to dream the impossible and imagine their team contesting the final of a continental championship. Before the calamitous second half collapse in Torreon, Mexico there really was hope that Toronto FC might finally have turned a corner and started to achieve a measure of respectability so often denied the sixth year club. Now, in the midst of a record setting losing streak in MLS play the tone is decidedly different.
    At this point TFC supporters can be forgiven for investing all their remaining hopes for the 2012 season in Wednesday night’s Amway Canadian Championship semi-final second leg match against the Montreal Impact. The proposition is simple enough: win, by any score, and the Reds eliminate a rival and earn the right to play in the final and defend the Voyageurs Cup. Draw (by any score other than an extra time necessitating 0-0) or lose and, not even halfway into the month of May, they’ll have to seriously begin planning for 2013.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Admittedly, this sort of “do or die” environment might be exactly what Toronto requires. The team’s best performances under Aron Winter have largely come in exactly these sort of circumstances: down a goal at half time at home to Vancouver in the Voyageur’s Cup final of last year, needing at least a draw at home against Pumas with the talismanic Torsten Frings unavailable, needing a win in Dallas to advance out of the CONCACAF Champions League group stage, and, of course, almost certainly needing a win in Los Angeles in the CCL quarterfinal after conceding two away goals in the first leg. As strange as it sounds, when called upon in cup competition, TFC has more often than not answered the bell.
    After a three day period where much of the discussion in Toronto was dominated by hints of possible player revolt over Winter’s tactical decisions and predictable questions about whether he’d “lost the room” maybe the clarity of an all or nothing game where the team has no choice but to play to win will be a welcome respite. Winter’s side was criticized for their negativity in the first leg in Montreal and were lucky that the Impact didn’t make their territorial and possession advantages count but, in the end, have now left themselves a completely achievable task. Beating a first year MLS expansion side at home, regardless of form, is never going to be the same as travelling to Estadio Corona already down an away goal.
    The Impact’s victory in Kansas City over the weekend will have raised expectations in Montreal. Not only was it the Impact’s first road win of the season it also, for the time being, lifted the club into an Eastern Conference playoff position. Impact supporters had their first opportunity to see another of their major signings, Colombian centre back Nelson Rivas, and by all accounts he looked a strong addition to an improving defence. Still yet to be played alongside regular first choice Matteo Ferrari the prospect of two players with Serie A experience anchoring a backline is a tantalizing prospect barely conceivable to Toronto’s supporters.
    Furthermore, in addition to limiting Ferrari and Davy Arnaud to substitute appearances, Montreal’s surprisingly deep squad allowed head coach Jesse Marsch to rest his regular strike tandem of Sanna Nyassi and Bernardo Corradi ahead of the midweek Canadian Championship match. Clearly Marsch has his eyes firmly set on competing successfully in both league and cup play and won’t be taking the second leg lightly. Unlike a much debated previous occasion if Toronto FC is able to get the necessary result against this Impact side there should be no doubt that it was achieved against a full strength and committed opponent.
    In the end, winning this match and advancing to the Voyageurs Cup final will not save Toronto FC’s season. It won’t make up for the team’s worse than terrible form in the league and the increasing certainty of a sixth consecutive season outside the playoffs. It won’t even necessarily mean that the Reds retain their title of Canadian champions. What it would mean however is that on this occasion Toronto eliminated Montreal and ended their chance at lifting the Voyageurs Cup in 2012. For one night, in a season of few highs, that’s something worth cheering for in and of itself; we’ll see if the team responds.
    Guest
    After a dramatic win over San Jose this weekend, Vancouver Whitecaps return to Voyageurs Cup action as they host FC Edmonton in the second leg of the Canadian Championship semi-final. The Caps hold a decisive lead over their Western Canada rivals, after Eric Hassli and Atiba Harris gave them a two goal away advantage.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    <b>KEY PLAYERS :</b>
    ATTACKING
    The two time U17 Canadian player of the year, <b>Russell Teibert</b>, has yet to play for the Whitecaps in MLS this year but could make his season debut in this Voyaguers Cup semi-final. The match could be an opportunity for Teibert to prove that he deserves more minutes with the first team.
    Former Residency product, <b>Kyle Porter</b> was a dangerous player in the first leg but was unable to find the target on his multiple attempts. It will be his first time playing in Vancouver since he left prior to the 2011 season, and he will look to take down his former club.
    DEFENCE
    With Rochat resting after two starts, it will be <b>Carlyle Mitchell</b> who becomes the defacto leader on the backline. If he is partnered with Michael Boxall, Mitchell may have to compensate for the Kiwi defender’s lack of pace and that could play a factor against a speedy FCE frontline.
    The two goals allowed in the first leg, especially the opening goal, could be considered stoppable by keeper <b>David Monsalve</b>. If the Eddies have any chance of advancing to the Final of the Canadian Championship, the Ontario native will have to have a perfect game against the Caps.
    <b>WHO'S ON FORM :</b>
    It took some time but <b>Eric Hassli</b> seems to have gotten back on track when it comes to scoring, with two goals in his last two matches. Hassli will once again face the smaller FCE backline and look to wear them down and create space for the smaller attackers to run in to.
    Helping Edmonton get their first win of the season against Carolina at the weekend, <b>Shaun Saiko</b> picked up a hat trick and was named the NASL player of the week for his efforts. Vancouver’s defenders will have to track the local Edmonton product as he is capable of scoring from distance with power and touch.
    <b>2012 RECORD :</b>
    Vancouver:
    5W-2D-2L
    3rd in Western Conference
    Last Match: 2-1 Win vs San Jose Earthquakes
    Edmonton:
    1W-1D-3L
    6th in NASL
    Last Match: 4-3 Loss vs Minnesota Stars
    <b>PROJECTED LINE-UPS :</b>

    <b>GAME PREDICTION :</b>
    While the stats may indicate an easy win for the Vancouver club, FC Edmonton competed well in the first leg but were unable to finish their chances. Omar Salgado played a huge part in this match, finding Hassli alone in the box for the first and hitting the post with a chip which then broke to Atiba Harris to sweep it in for the second.
    The lineup will have some changes from last week’s match but expect Brad Knighton to get his second start against Edmonton. In front of him will be Carlyle Mitchell, Jordan Harvey, Greg Klazura and Michael Boxall, who will make his first start of the season, having impressed in Friday's PDL game against Kitsap Pumas.
    The midfield should have only one change from last week as Thorrington and Chiumiento will start with either Floyd Franks or Bryce Alderson starting in Koffie’s place.
    The front line will have some changes as well. Salgado has earned a rest and Harris suffered a knock and may not be ready. A couple of first time starters could flank Hassli, with Michael Nanchoff and Russell Teibert looking poised to make their first starts of the season. After being passed fit to play, Darren Mattocks, injured due to a freak cooking accident, could be a wild card off the bench for the Whitecaps and Etienne Barbara has been added to the Caps' squad for the tournament, after coming through the second half of the PDL game unscathed..
    Both teams are coming off highs. Vancouver won dramatically and Edmonton picking up their first win of the season over Rennie’s former club Carolina. Edmonton were able to put all facets of their game together, holding firm defensively whilst Saiko was able to score three times. However they will not be able to rotate through their roster and may be playing on tired legs, playing their third game in eight days.
    The trio of Nanchoff, Chiumiento and Teibert are all interchangeable so look for those three to line up on the right, in the middle or to the left behind Hassli. Rennie will want Nanchoff, Teibert and Thorrington to raise the tempo of the attack in order to wear down the FCE defenders over the ninety minutes. The space in the final third will be even better if the defenders decide to collapse on Hassli and the Frenchman can find someone on a run.
    With players like Lam, Porter, Pinto, Saiko and Van Leerdam always looking to shoot from distance, a key in stopping Edmonton from scoring will be the holding midfielders clogging up the area in front of the box. The only serious danger when it comes to defending in the box on set pieces will be Paul Hamilton, who is only Eddie that comes close to scoring with his head.
    The Whitecaps should be expecting the visitors to throw everything at them in the first fifteen minutes in order to get close on the aggregate score. If Vancouver can stay patient and hold their lines, they will be able to find chances on the counter and cement their place in the final.
    <b>AFTN Predicted Score: Vancouver Whitecaps 3 FC Edmonton 0</b>
    <p>
    Guest
    In his first public address to the national media since being elected Canadian Soccer Association president over the weekend, Victor Montagliani said on Tuesday that his organization is moving forward -- or rather, continuing to move forward -- with an emphasis on transparency and cooperation between all of the involved stakeholders.
    "They're football people, I'm football people; we're going to disagree on certain issues, but that's OK," Montagliani said of the country's professional clubs, who had thrown their support behind Rob Newman in the presidential election. "But there's a lot of commonality there that I think we can move forward on."
    Indeed, Montagliani had regularly been cast as "the soccer guy" during the election process (a label he isn't going to shy away from: "I'm actually proud of that moniker -- after all, this is the Canadian Soccer Association"), but was keen on reminding followers of the game that his professional resume is nothing to sneeze at.
    "I've had 21 years experience in corporate Canada, owning my own business" and working with firms of varying sizes, he said. "I've done business all over the world: South America, Europe, North America. ... My background is pretty extensive on the business side of things.
    "For those people that know me, that deal with me, they know that my sort of experience on the corporate and business size is as extensive, if not more so, than on the football side."
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    While saying that the well-worn, generic complaints about the CSA's supposed ineptitude are growing "stale", Montagliani admitted the need for change within the governing body.
    "I've only been at the CSA for six years. ... I did a couple years at the provincial level, but I didn't really spend a lot of time in your standard soccer experience in Canada -- districts and clubs -- like a lot of people," he said. "I went from being a player to a businessman right into this level, pretty much.
    "One of the things I find too often with Canadian soccer, and I don't just mean the CSA, is that too many of our structures have an institutional mentality, sort of like the government. That doesn't translate well to the fast pace of international football, in terms of how decisions have to be made.
    "So I think what we need to do is change the culture so that we are a much more entrepreneurial type of organization, where decisions are made not only in a consistent fashion and a transparent fashion, but in an efficient fashion.
    "Part of that is ensuring that operations and governance are separated, so that our senior staff are entrusted to make decisions and are supported in those decisions by not only myself as the president, but the board. That way, they can make decisions in a much more efficient manner and not worry about being handcuffed by three million committees."
    Suffice to say, Montagliani is well aware of the sort of parochial mind sets and bureaucratic meddling that have paralyzed the CSA in the past. And, he says, many key elements are already in place: After next year, there will no longer be any provincial/territorial association presidents on the CSA's board of directors, and he indicated that a new national technical director should be in place by this fall.
    He also pledged that the CSA would reduce its dependence upon player fees for its funding, and indicated that his goal is to double the organization's operating budget within eight years.
    "We are a results-oriented business," he said. "The quickest thing to get you revenue is results, but we can put the building blocks in place to put ourselves in a position to get results, which is key."
    As Montagliani says himself, it's all in the results. While he clearly has a vision in mind for the organization, and is a passionate follower of the game on a personal level, the next few years will tell the story. Whether or not the new president can get full buy-in from the various stakeholders in the game, with the end game being progress for the national program, is yet to be seen.
    For now, Montagliani's words are just words. But all stakeholders in the game should take comfort in the fact that the CSA's new president has spoken repeatedly about the need to refresh his organization for the benefit of Canadian soccer as a whole.
    No one can be expected to grant Montagliani (or the leader of any entity) eternal and unwavering support. But it is incumbent upon everyone with an interest in Canadian soccer to lend Montagliani their ear as his term begins, and do their part to help move the game forward throughout this country.
    Guest
    A look back on recent events in Canadian, North American and world football.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    We talk how depth is showing in the Impact's late successes with TVA Sports play-by-play host Frederic Lord and we discuss the rumors surrounding the possible coming of Marco Di Vaio's brother-in-law a defender in the Italian D5.
    Jonathan Tannenwald and Lisa Erickson revisit the weekend's action in MLS.
    Duane Rollins talks TFC and the post-Winter scenarios.
    We analyze the CSA presidential elections and pour our hearts out on the Patrice Bernier situation with Marc Tougas.
    We conclude this show in Paris to chat on Ligue 1's furious finish and the news that PSG would play in Montreal on July 24 if the capital city's club wins the table.
    Click here to listen to our 40 minutes show.
    You can also listen to us on iTunes and on Stitcher (www.stitcher) your source for on demand audio content.
    Guest
    We've never been ones to shy away from proclamations over the years. We have learned, often the hard way, that it's sometimes better to dip your toe in the water before diving in head first.
    As confident as you are about your team, sometimes you just need that one special moment to reaffirm that your belief is not misplaced.
    Vancouver Whitecaps had that moment, that game, against San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
    The 2012 Whitecaps are the real deal and are serious playoff contenders this season. Let no-one tell you otherwise.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    We've felt it since pre-season. We've hinted at it over the past nine weeks. And on Saturday, the team showed all of MLS that they should be taken seriously. Downplay what they've achieved so far at your peril.
    I'm still not saying that they're going to go on and win the whole shebang, but I certainly wouldn't bet against them either. Team spirit and self belief can take a team a long way.
    Some, especially certain writers of a red persuasion in the east, will still say that this is not a good Whitecaps team. That they are still unproven. That there's still a long way to go. I think they're working through a list until they grudgingly have to give credit where credit is due.
    There is a long way still to go and the West is going to be so tight this year. Every team that makes one of those five playoff spots will have earned the right to be there. The Caps may still not be one of those five, but they ARE going to be right in the mix.
    Saturday's game against San Jose was massive. On many levels.
    A loss would have put the Caps eleven points behind the Conference leaders. We may only be nine games into the campaign but that is a huge mountain to climb in such a competitive environment. Not to mention the psychological impact that such a deficit can put in a team that hasn't been used to winning in the first place.
    As it stands, knocking off the Conference leaders did everyone a favour and leaves the Caps five points behind the top two.
    San Jose Earthquakes, Real Salt Lake and Seattle Sounders have all made great starts. They've all wobbled at times but they don't show any real signs of slowing up.
    If they keep going, that's three of the five playoff spots accounted for. Assuming LA Galaxy do wake from their nightmarish slumber, that would be number four.
    The Caps are battling for that fifth spot and every single point counts. We now have 17 of them. Like the other teams, we're not slowing up either. We most certainly can be one of the five playoff hopefuls, and we won't necessarily be in fifth place.
    Saturday's match was a game changer.
    The Caps two defeats this season came against top teams (San Jose and KC). Questions were being asked. Could this team really hang with the big boys? We got our answer.
    Not only did they secure those three points against the Western leaders, they fought back from a goal down to do it and took game to San Jose. They thoroughly deserved that victory.
    Every single Whitecaps player, to a man, played their part. Some shone more than others, but they were all integral.
    Such a win gives the whole squad, and everyone associated with the team, something that is just as important as the three points - belief.
    Martin Rennie can work on the players' self confidence all he wants. That can only take a player so far. What makes the vital leap in their mind is then seeing that mental work turn into results.
    Rennie has done a lot of one to one work with certain players. He loves the psychological aspect of the game and the player, and it's working wonders.
    He sat down with Omar Salgado and has given him a new lease of life. He has transformed him from a sulky teenage striker that looked more likely to leave than get any minutes to an unselfish winger that is tearing up the left flank and giving the team a new major attacking asset.
    He sat down with Eric Hassli and showed him videos of his play from last season. To show the big Frenchman just how he good he is and that you don't lose that overnight. He gave an impassioned post-training espousal in his defence when some in the media wanted to focus on his drought. He's now got two goals in two games from the big man to repay that faith.
    Are the Whitecaps punching above their weight in this early part of the season? Are they just an average team? Seasons aren't just nine games long or whatever, as we keep hearing every week.
    A good man manager can be the difference between an average team being good, and a good team being average.
    Martin Rennie is a good man manager. The Whitecaps are certainly not just an average team.
    The current Whitecaps squad is far from perfect. The midfield isn't the strongest and we still struggle to get all our attackers to click together. Set pieces, at both ends of the field, continue to be a weakness.
    I'm pretty confident that the management team, hard work and the next 25 games will more than take care of those aspects.
    Barry Robson will be here in less than two months to bolster the middle and we are going to have one hell of a tasty bench once Etienne Barbara and Darren Mattocks are both fully fit, and they are close, and we have very strong defensive cover.
    No-one can get carried away just yet, but equally no-one should be dismissive of what is going on here.
    We may be winning ugly at times. We may have an older average squad age. We may have no "real Canadians" playing for us.
    You can take what pot-shots you want at the current Caps, but what we also have is a winning mentality and such a mentality does more good than having a losing one and the cancer that spreads.
    There's a long road ahead. We've just passed the quarter stage and what a springboard we now have for the rest of the season. It's going to be bumpy ride, so strap yourselves in.
    Let's just hope that the general Vancouver public appreciate what they have this season. If nothing else, it would be nice if they at least had the decency to respect the team and be in their seats by kick off time. It annoys the hell out of me so much. Seriously, how hard is it to do? Anyways....
    'Mon the Caps.
    <center>********************</center>
    <b>AFTN 3-2-1 :</b>
    3 points - GERSHON KOFFIE (his goal doesn't even come into my reckoning with this. He had what I feel was his best outing in a Caps jersey so far. Covered so much ground and set up a lot of the attacks.)
    2 points - CAMILO SANVEZZO (was great to see him back. Looked a threat throughout)
    1 point - ALAIN ROCHAT (just edges out Salgado for the final point. What a difference to the left back slot to have him return and gives a whole new attacking dimension too, especially at set pieces)
    <p>
    Guest
    We've added a photographer to AFTN's ranks - Christopher Vose.
    Here's a selection of his photos from Vancouver Whitecaps epic win over San Jose Earthquakes at BC Place tonight.
    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>[Chris Wondolowski makes it 1-0 to San Jose]</center>

    <center>[Gershon Koffie heads home the equaliser for 1-1]</center>

    <center>[And we have a winner! Four seconds to go and Eric Hassli make it 2-1 Caps]</center>

    <center>[Celebrate good times. Come on]</center>

    <center>[One love]</center>
    You can view all of Christopher's pictures from today's game as a high quality slideshow <a href="
    " target="_blank">HERE</a>.<p>
    Guest
    Fourteen months after the confirmation of Canada as host of the 2015 FIFA Women World Cup, the CSA announced the six host cities.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Hear Montreal's LOC manager, Francis Millien on the city's chances of hosting the tournament's final and FIFA's HQ. Also, former Canadian WNT head coach Sylvie Beliveau tells us what this tournament means for her personally and discusses the possible legacy of the event.
    Listen to our 20 minutes special edition.
    Guest

    Whitecaps shake Quakes to the core

    By Guest, in AFTN,

    Vancouver Whitecaps have got off to an impressive start to the season. When they have come unstuck, it’s been against the top sides in MLS.
    With the Western Conference leaders coming to town, the Caps needed to put in a big performance to prevent slipping a huge eleven points off the pace at the top of the table.
    Not only did they do that through a goal from Eric Hassli in the closing seconds, they turned in an overall spirited team performance to fight back from a goal down and could have been out of sight by the end of the ninety minutes.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Both teams went for attacking line-ups, with Vancouver deciding to continue with Omar Salgado up front. Camilo Sanvezzo’s return to the starting eleven saw Eric Hassli return to bench.
    The Caps were bolstered in defence with the return of Alain Rochat at left back. Jordan Harvey had struggled down in San Jose in April and Rochat’s return made for a more conservative midfield to allow both defensive backs to push forward.
    It was a cagey opening from both sides, with some nice build up play, but very little quality end product.
    Simon Dawkins forced Joe Cannon into the first real save of the match in the 14th minute, with a low drive from the edge of the box.
    A minute later and the visitors were in the lead.
    The Whitecaps defence struggled to properly clear an Earthquakes attack and Rafael Baca was allowed to pass out right to Marvin Chavez. The Honduran hit an inch perfect ball to the back post and danger man Chris Wondolowski was there to head home from the edge of the six yard box.
    The goal galvanised the home side. They took the game to San Jose and came close to levelling in the 31st minute.
    Young-Pyo Lee whipped in a free kick from the right sideline and Alain Rochat rose unchallenged to head inches past the left hand post.
    The Whitecaps got the equaliser that their play deserved in the 40th minute and it came from the unlikeliest of sources – the head of Gershon Koffie.
    Camilo sent a free kick from the left into a crowded San Jose penalty box and Koffie was on hand to head home from six yards out.
    Both sides held firm until the half time whistle and went in level, with all to play for, but with the Whitecaps in the ascendency.
    And the Caps started the second half where they left off the first.
    In the first minute of the restart, Koffie nearly returned the favour to Camilo with a pass for a goal, but Jon Busch got his body well behind the Brazilian’s drive from the edge of the box.
    Two minutes later and Camilo’s tricky footwork was unable to see him find a way through and he cut the ball back to Koffie, whose low 25 yarder was again saved by Busch.
    Busch was fast becoming the busiest San Jose player on the park, saving a 25 yard Camilo free kick and then a deflected long range effort from the Brazilian.
    San Jose reminded Vancouver of the threat they still were, when Chavez broke quickly when the Caps lost possession from a free kick to the left of the box. The Whitecaps managed to get players back in time to thwart the three-on-three danger.
    The visitors had another quick breakaway in the 67th minute, this time from a Whitecaps corner, ending with Joe Cannon getting down well to save a low Wondolowski effort.
    Apart from picking the ball out of the net, Cannon hadn’t had a lot to do in the game so far and this continued for the rest of the match.
    Both sides made switches as the clock ticked down and the Caps’ introduction of Eric Hassli and Davide Chiumiento brought a new spark to the closing minutes, but they just couldn’t find another way through an organised Earthquakes defence.
    As the game moved into stoppage time, Hassli had a great chance in the 93rd minute, after a spectacular ball from Koffie set him free on the right. With John Thorrington free in the middle, the big Frenchman went for glory and blasted a shot high and over.
    He was to get his glory moment later.
    With four seconds remaining of the added four, Chiumiento's through ball took a deflection off Ike Opara right into the path of Hassli and the striker composed himself before burying it past Busch into the bottom right hand corner.
    The keeper got a hand on it but couldn’t prevent the scenes of relief and jubilation that followed and seconds later the match was over and the Caps had won.
    With many questions still hanging over this Whitecaps side, they answered a lot of doubters with their performance today.
    Not only did they fight back from a goal down, they took the game to one of the best teams in Major League Soccer in this first quarter of the season and got the win.
    Still a long way to go and still a lot of work to do, but with performances like this one, the Whitecaps have a right to be where they currently are and they will only keep improving.
    ATT: 19,271
    FINAL SCORE: Vancouver Whitecaps 2 – 1 San Jose Earthquakes
    VANCOUVER: Joe Cannon; Young-Pyo Lee, Martin Bonjour, Jay DeMerit, Alain Rochat; Sebastien Le Toux, Jun Marques Davidson, Gershon Koffie, Matt Watson (John Thorrington 61); Camilo Sanvezzo (Eric Hassli 73), Omar Salgado (Davide Chiumiento 81) [subs Not Used: Brad Knighton, Jordan Harvey, Carlyle Mitchell, Michael Nanchoff]
    SAN JOSE: Jon Busch; Steven Beitashour, Jason Hernandez (Ike Opara 46), Justin Morrow, Ramiro Corrales; Marvin Chavez (Tressor Moreno 75), Rafael Baca, Sam Cronin, Simon Dawkins (Khari Stephenson 63); Chris Wondolowski, Steven Lenhart [subs Not Used: David Bingham, Sam Garza, Sercan Guvenisik, Brad Ring]
    <p>
    Guest
    Author's note: Story updated to include the length of term for all six elected members.
    Following the election of Victor Montagliani as new president of the Canadian Soccer Association, six regional board members were also selected.
    They are:
    - Martial Prud'homme (QUE) -- 3-year term
    - Charlie Cuzzetto (BC) -- 3-year term
    - Don Story (SASK) -- 2-year term
    - Nick Bontis (ONT) -- 2-year term
    - Darryn Donaghey (ALTA) -- 1-year term
    - Gerald MacDonald (PEI) -- 1-year term [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Prud'homme, Cuzzetto and Story are all provincial soccer association presidents. The new reformed board structure allows for as many as three in 2012, going down by one each year until the number reaches zero in 2015.
    Story is also considered by many to be the father of CSA reform.
    An official CSA Twitter release neglected to mention both Bontis and Donaghey, but their election has been confirmed through other sources.
    Onward!
    Guest
    Victor Montagliani has been elected president of the Canadian Soccer Association.
    Montagliani takes the helm for a four-year term, overseeing the implementation of a CSA reform package he has passionately advocted and defended.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    His current chair, vice president, is now vacant. Because Montagliani still had a year left on his term, that position will be filled by the CSA's Nominations Committee, which also has the task of recommending candidates to fill three newly created appointed board seats within the next week.
    Montagliani defeated fellow CSA VP Rob Newman in the election. Newman was the main architect and shepherd of the CSA's reforms.
    Many observers -- Canadian Soccer News included -- are hoping Newman will remain, and that the Nominations Committee grants him either an appointed board seat or the lone VP spot on the new board.
    Former president Dominique Maestracci withdrew from the race before balloting began. In his final act as president, he reportedly recommended his supporters vote for Newman.
    No details are available about how each province voted. The CSA is not expected to release those details, but CSN hopes to clarify the matter soon.
    Montagliani's first interview as CSA president-elect is
    : Onward!
    Guest

    Maestracci out

    By Guest, in Onward Soccer,

    Canadian Soccer News has learned that CSA president Dominique Maestracci is no longer in the running, and there will be a new president elected today.
    This appears to have happened without a vote being cast.
    Either Victor Montagliani or Rob Newman will be chosen as Maestracci’s successor.
    More to follow soon.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Onward!
    Guest
    After a successful road match in the first leg of the Canadian Championship against FC Edmonton, the Whitecaps return to MLS action to face the San Jose Earthquakes for the second time this season. It was in San Jose that the Caps were able to break the MLS record for the longest shutout streak to begin a season. It was also in San Jose where Vancouver allowed three goals in ten minutes as they suffered their first loss of the season.
    <b>KEY PLAYERS :</b>
    ATTACKING
    A quad strain prevented <b>Camilo</b> from starting in the last match between the teams, allowing the Quakes to concentrate on Hassli and Le Toux. Outside of the injuries, the Brazilian striker has had a decent season, has scored 2 goals in 4 starts and provides the Caps with the ability to breakdown defenders off the wing.
    In the offseason, the Quakes brought in Colombian International <b>Tresso Moreno</b> to provide some playmaking ability from the midfield. The veteran has been eased into the lineup, having only started 4 times and playing more than 70 minutes once, but has already provided 3 assists in limited action.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    DEFENCE
    Looking for some redemption from the previous match, <b>Jay DeMerit</b> will most likely find himself matched up against Chris Wondolowski. It was the Captain's mistake on the first goal by Wondo that ended the shutout streak and started the avalanche of scoring that provided the Caps their first loss.
    In the last match Quakes captain <b>Steve Beitashor</b> did not have to deal with Camilo for the majority of the match, allowing the right back to be more aggressive in the attack. While he didn't acquire any against the Caps, Beitashor leads San Jose and is third in MLS with assists.
    <b>WHO'S ON FORM :</b>
    This season, there is no doubt who the best player for the Whitecaps is. <b>Lee Young-Pyo</b> has provided a stability that was missing on the right side last season. In addition to his great play on the backline, Lee scored a highlight reel goal off a free kick against Columbus, whether he meant it or not.
    Since the brace he scored against the Whitecaps <b>Chris Wondolowski</b> continues on his torrid scoring pace, scoring four times in his last four games. The all star striker has ten goals in nine games and has been involved in sixty percent of the team's goals this season.
    <b>2012 RECORD :</b>
    Vancouver:
    4W-2D-2L
    4th in Western Conference
    Last Match: 2-0 Win at FC Edmonton (Canadian Championship)
    San Jose:
    7W-1D-1L
    1st in Western Conference
    Last Match: 5-3 Win vs DC United
    <b>PROJECTED LINE-UPS :</b>

    <b>INJURIES/MISSING :</b>
    Vancouver:
    Out: GK Brian Sylvestre (knee)
    Questionable: FW Darren Mattocks (shoulder)
    San Jose:
    Out: DF Victor Bernardez (knee); MF Joey Gjertsen (knee); FW Alan Gordon (hamstring); MF Shea Salinas (clavicle); DF Tim Ward (soft tissue injury)
    <b>GAME PREDICTION :</b>
    The Whitecaps are looking to exact a little revenge on the Earthquakes as they look to take down the Western leaders. With it being a Conference opponent look for Martin Rennie to start what he deems his strongest line-up.
    Joe Cannon returns to goal after getting a game off against Edmonton and he will have the backline that started the season as Alain Rochat returns to the left side opposite Lee, with Bonjour and DeMerit in the middle. The central midfield should see Davidson and Watson return to the lineup with Koffie getting another start.
    After sitting out the Voyageurs Cup match, Camilo and Le Toux will return to the starting eleven against San Jose. With Salgado playing a full 90 minutes on Wednesday and Hassli subbing off, it is expected Hassli will start and look to build off his first goal.
    The Caps seemed to catch a break last time as striker Steve Lenhart picked up a knock the day before the game. However this time the big striker will look to start and will be a load to handle in and around the box, as he creates space for Wondolowski. Another big factor when it comes to defending will be closing down on the wide players in order to limit the crosses by the Earthquakes.
    Rochat's return from injury may have a bigger impact on the attack as there was a lack of quality distribution on the left side during his absence. The attackers may be able to find more space in the box with San Jose's "enforcer" Victor Bernandez unavailable due to injury. It will be up to Hassli to remain patient and not force the issue when he has a shot on target, like he did in Edmonton.
    Not only is this a chance for a little revenge for the Whitecaps, it's is an opportunity for them to prove that they belong in the conversation when it comes to the top clubs in MLS. It is vital for them to protect their turf, which wasn't done against Kansas City, if they want to make playoffs.
    <p>
    Guest
    By: Michael Crampton
    Four years is a really long time in Major League Soccer. Four years ago the Columbus Crew were having their breakout double winning season and the Los Angeles Galaxy were a dysfunctional team of misfits coached by a famous former Dutch international. While followers of Toronto FC will be intimately familiar with the Reds’ record of futility over the past half decade it has probably escaped the notice of many that DC United, the team they face on Saturday, actually has the second longest active streak of playoff-less soccer in the league.
    In fact, were it not for TFC’s inability to qualify for the post-season at any point in their history, United would have equalled the old league record for consecutive seasons missing the playoffs. For a club that is still the most decorated in the history of the league – 4 MLS Cups, 4 Supporters’ Shields, and 2 US Open Cups domestically alone – it has been a drought of epic proportions.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    So, from Toronto’s perspective the weekend’s matchup may be all about the return of two former captains in the form of Dwayne De Rosario and Maicon Santos and the desperate need to get a win, or even a point, to avoid the infamy of taking sole ownership of the record for losing matches at the start of an MLS season. Stories in the Toronto press and pre-match chatter have, quite reasonably, focused on these angles nearly exclusively. From DC’s perspective however this trip to BMO Field will be viewed the same way it will by all of TFC’s opponents in the coming months: as a winnable away game that they can target as an opportunity to pick up three points on the road and help in their quest to qualify for the post-season.
    While defensively United look far from stable what they can rely on is offensive firepower. In his second full season in charge young manager (and club legend) Ben Olsen has assembled an adventurous team more than capable of outscoring an opponent. It didn’t work out for them in San Jose in midweek where they lost 5-3 but prior to that the club had been riding a 7 game unbeaten streak during which they collected 15 points and pushed all the way up to second place in MLS’s Eastern Conference standings.
    As noted, Toronto fans will be more than familiar with the talents of De Rosario but in Olsen’s side the Torontonian has been moved back to a more midfield orchestrator role and isn’t expect to carry the team with goals like he did last season and while with TFC. Goals haven’t been a problem though as Santos has hit a rich vein of form with his six goals in league play equaling the amount scored by Toronto’s entire squad to date. Young midfielder Chris Pontius was recently converted to forward and managed to notch a hat-trick of his own in the recent offensive explosion against the New York Red Bulls. Finally, among the most exciting new talents in the league is DC’s first round draft pick Nick DeLeon. A left sided midfielder capable of beating players on the dribble and delivering a good ball DeLeon has been scoring goals and setting them up and could give Toronto’s defence fits if he’s allowed to regularly get on the ball.
    All of this has been going on during a relatively quiet spell for star homegrown player Andy Najar whose attacking talents allegedly caught the eye of Arsene Wenger and Arsenal at one point. If Olsen ever manages to integrate DC’s consistently ill fitting designated players Branko Boskovic and Hamdi Salihi into this attack as well United could have a wealth of attacking options likely unequaled in Major League Soccer.
    How Aron Winter and Toronto FC propose to deal with this will be interesting to see. The Reds were listless in Montreal in midweek but managed to finally keep a clean sheet for the first time all season in any competition. Winter’s recent comments seem to have completely embraced the pragmatism of that display but against a much more aggressive side like DC United it’s hard to imagine TFC holding out and riding their luck as successfully as they did against the Impact. On the other hand it’s clear that goals can be scored on United and Toronto did manage to find two goals in each of their last two league games. If Toronto can find the balance between attack and defence that has eluded them since their home performance against Santos Laguna Reds supporters may get more than just an exciting match: they may actually see a win.
    Guest
    Vancouver Whitecaps got their 2012 PDL season underway in some style at Swangard Stadium this evening, easily defeating last year's National Champions Kitsap Pumas 3-0.
    It was a comprehensive win from start to finish and there were several stand out performances from the young Caps, with a brace of goals from Carlos Marquez and some sublime passes from Ben Fisk.
    The line-up was bolstered by three players from the MLS squad.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Michael Boxall was captain of the side and got his name on the scoresheet, whilst Bryce Alderson controlled the middle of the park and came close on a couple of occasions.
    The big talking point was the first competitive appearance by Etienne Barbara in a Whitecaps jersey. He had some nice touches, was eager, but ultimately looked a little rusty and still needs to work on his execution and sharpness. It was just great to finally see the Malteser take to the field after all of his injury woes.
    It was all Vancouver from the start and Kitsap looked anything but champions, although a couple of their players looked like they could have careers in rugby and may have confused the Pumas of Bremerton for the ones from Argentina.
    Alderson came close to breaking the deadlock in the 14th minute when he was sent through and curled an effort off the right hand post.
    It was just to be a temporary delay for the Caps and a minute later it was 1-0 when Boxall slotted home a Marquez cross from the right. Not quite sure what the big Kiwi was still doing that far up the field, but it was obviously the right decision!
    Nine minutes later and it was Marquez's turn to finish, easily firing home a low ball in from Yassin Essa.
    Alderson came close again in the 36th minute, crashing a free kick off the crossbar from the edge of the box.
    The Caps third goal came in the 42nd minute and was their pick of the bunch.
    Fisk collected the ball just inside the Caps half, ran on a little and then curled a peach of a cross field pass out right to Essa, who in turn played it into the box for Marquez to easily finish past <strike>Dusty Bin</strike> Dustyn Brim in the Kitsap goal.
    Marquez had put in a fantastic half and was replaced at the break by Etienne Barbara.
    It would have a been a nice story if Barbara could have found the net after all his injury problems, and he came close a minute before the hour mark, flashing a header from a corner narrowly past.
    Vancouver seemed to have taken their foot off the gas a little, but were still controlling the game and it was the 70th minute before Callum Irving had his first real save to make and he had a couple of stops to make in the closing minutes of the game, without ever really being too troubled.
    Brim tipped a cross-come-shot onto the bar in the 74th minute, before standing up and filling the net to keep out a Barbara shot with two minutes to go, after the striker had been put through.
    All in all, it was a well deserved victory for Vancouver and is certainly something to build upon for the season ahead. Once this squad has time to gel and to get to know each other's game fully, it's looking like a very promising PDL season in store.
    The Whitecaps line-up was as follows:
    Callum Irving; Bobby Jhutty, James Farenhorst, Michael Boxall, Adam Polakiewicz; Bryce Alderson, Ben McKendry, Yassin Essa (Wesley Cain 61), Gagan Dosanjh (Reynold Stewart 58), Ben Fisk (Spencer DeBoice 75), Carlos Marquez (Etienne Barbara 46) [subs Not Used: Sean Melvin, Navid Mashinchi, Tyrin Hutchings]
    The Caps are back in PDL action next Friday with a home game at Swangard against Seattle Sounders U23's. Kick off is 7.30pm.
    So if you can, get out to our old home and support the Caps' future and you'll see some good football whilst you're at it.
    Below are some of Christopher Vose's photos from tonight's game.
    <center>
    [Michael Boxall makes it 1-0]

    [Carlos Marquez makes it 2-0]

    [Carlos Marquez nets his second and the Caps third]

    [Two goal hero Carlos Marquez]

    [Etienne Barbara proves to be a handful, or two, for Kitsap]
    </center>
    You can view the rest of Christopher's photos from the Kitsap game as a high resolution slideshow <a href="
    " target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>.You can view all of Christopher's Whitecaps photographs at <a href="http://www.consulphotography.com" target="_blank"><b>ConsulPhotography.com</b></a>. All of his photos are copyrighted but are available to purchase. Just contact him via his profile to the left.
    <p>
    Guest
    We've added a photographer to AFTN's ranks - Christopher Vose.
    Here's 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>



    </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>.You can also view his photos from the supporters' challenge match in the afternoon <a href="
    " target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>.<p>
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