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    Guest
    The Montreal Impact trained Friday at its former digs (Claude-Robillard Stadium) following a 1-1 tie in Washington and prior to a rare weekend of rest as the team plays next on April 28 against the Portland Timbers at the Big O.
    Our reporter Raphael Larocque-Cyr was on site and he's bringing back comments from captain Davy Arnaud, reservist Hassoun Camara, Canadian international Patrice Bernier, Italian defender Matteo Ferrari and head coach Jesse Marsch.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    http://govci.ca/SoccerPlus/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/SoccerPlus-Extra-20-avril-2012.mp3
    Guest

    Impact Academy player leaves for Italy

    By Guest, in SoccerPlus,

    Montreal’s Alessandro Riggi is leaving Canada and the Montreal Impact’s Academy over the weekend to start the European chapter of his career.
    Riggi’s agent, Edmund Chu confirmed to CSN’s SoccerPlus that his client will join an Italian club in the next few days.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    SoccerPlus has also learned Riggi could be joining the youth side of Serie B club Sampdoria, which first team is battling to return to Serie A after a one-year stint in the second flight.
    Riggi, 17 years old, scored the winning goal for the Laval Conquerants in the final of the U16 Canadian Club Championship in 2009. He also won the Canada Games gold medal and a silver medal at the Canadian All-Stars Championship in 2009.
    On April 4, Riggi scored the Impact Academy’s lone goal in a 1-1 tie against the Rochester Rhinos (USLPRO, D3) in a friendly in Rochester.
    Guest
    We've added a photographer to AFTN's ranks - Christopher Vose.
    Here's a selection of his photos from the Whitecaps game last night against Kansas City.
    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>[Aurelien Collin opens the scoring for KC]</center>



    <center>[sebastien Le Toux pulls one back for the Caps]</center>

    <center>[Caps nemesis Jimmy Nielsen]</center>
    You can view the rest of Christopher's photos from the KC match as a high resolution slideshow <a href="
    " target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>.<p>
    Guest

    In The Cold Light Of Day : KC Killer

    By Guest, in AFTN,

    The League leaders came, saw and conquered in Vancouver.
    Kansas City were good, and showed just why they sit atop of not just the eastern standings, but the whole of Major League Soccer.
    That wasn't an unbeatable KC side out there last night. It's just that the Whitecaps showed too little, far too late, and suffered from some more terrible defensive lapses.
    Kansas City scored three times from two shots on goal. You're not going to see that stat very often - a 150% success rate.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    They only had eight shots on target in total during the whole match, but they took their chances clinically when they came along and controlled the pace of the game. That there is the mark of champions and separates the men from the boys.
    It's obviously too early in the season to go proclaiming KC as champs or the Caps as also-rans. All I really want to draw from this game is that the Caps need to play a bit more like the 'Sportings' this season if they want to make serious in-roads in the table, and there's still a lot of time for them to find this stride.
    The Caps played very well last night - for the last 15 minutes when they were already three goals down. They were certainly a much better side in the second half than the first.
    Up to that point it was all a bit pedestrian. Sure they huffed and puffed, but the final balls were either poor, or when the perfect crosses did come in, the chances were either wasted or fell to the wrong players. There were also too many overhit passes and criminally overweighted through balls in to the box.
    I don't want to see Jordan Harvey in the six yard box trying, badly, to get on the end of an Eric Hassli cross from the wing. That needs to be reversed.
    Hassli played pretty deep at times last night. His goal drought continues, but we won't focus on that again right now.
    I think his greatest achievement last night was staying on the field for the full ninety, after being booked in the sixth minute. He could have gone just before half time.
    When Baldomero Toledo is pointing at his head and basically saying <i>"are you crazy?" </i> then what can you say? He kept his composure though. No leaving his foot in out of frustration like I expected.
    The attack produced 18 shots on goal, seven of which where on target and three of those were from Camilo, who only came on with thirty minutes to go. The subs actually accounted for more than 50% of the shots on target.
    I would have liked to have seen Camilo start. We could have done with his pace and flair longer last night. He'll clearly start on Saturday. Who will drop out is the question. Hassli? Chiumiento? Harris? All of them?
    The introduction of all three subs made such a difference. I am starting to not so much worry, but certainly be frustrated, by Martin Rennie's lateness in making certain changes.
    Omar Salgado looks great in that left mid role. He's shone in training, for the reserves and now in the first team in the position. Great decision to try him out there, just give him a bit longer to get into the game.
    Long Tan too impressed in his brief six minutes on the park (including stoppage time). Two shots on goal, one forcing a save out of Jimmy Nielsen.
    We missed that hustle and bustle for most of the game and to see us going all hell for leather in the final quarter of an hour was great to watch, but also irritating as to why it wasn't there earlier.
    If we'd got that second goal, I'm pretty sure we'd have been looking at another 3-3 game at least. But then again, if my auntie had balls she'd be my uncle.
    Nielsen was excellent in those closing minutes and KC sought to run out time pretty well after being stung last year at Empire.
    Our midfield was very poor. Perhaps that explains so many long balls. Davide Chiumiento and Gershon Koffie have been singled out for praise in some quarters, but neither impressed me much. Davide certainly had a much better second half and did dictate the play at times, but we need to see a full ninety from him.
    The defence were caught flat footed and exposed on several occasions.
    It's quite scary watching a player like Graham Zusi run at a back two of Jay DeMerit and Martin Bonjour and then seeing them trail in his wake. Boy are they are slow when they're caught flat.
    Both of them were at fault for the first goal and DeMerit had three chances to clear the danger.
    Bonjour scored the own goal for the second, but didn't know too much about it. If DeMerit had stayed on the near post instead of chasing after Kei Kamara and being aimlessly out of position, then he'd have kept it out.
    The third goal came about from Harvey being woefully out of position and letting Chance Myers have acres of room out wide to send in the cross.
    I'd like to see Carlyle Mitchell get a chance for DeMerit in one of the upcoming games. He certainly adds a greater attacking threat at set pieces.
    Harvey is a much better asset to us in left midfield. Coming off the bench and keeping it tight. Get him out of that left back role now. He's being burned too much and really struggles when the ball is in the air.
    Give Russell Teibert his shot, or Greg Klazura, in his natural left back role. This change needs to be made for Saturday and will give us much more pace on the left.
    The view from the press box gave an interesting look at how much we missed Jun Marques Davidson's coverage at the back. He has been great at falling back to plug holes left by Y-P Lee or Harvey. It was getting scary how slow we were at covering these guys last night. A pacey attack like KC could have done so much more damage than they did.
    So a lot to work on and a lot of improvements needed all round.
    Going in to the game I didn't expect us to get anything out of the match. I'm not too downhearted in that regard, but when you saw the problems we were giving the KC defence in those closing minutes, you were left wondering "what if" once again.
    Time for our weekly Sportsnet rant now.
    Did they really learn nothing from the disrespect they showed MLS last season and the abuse they got for it?
    The game was scheduled to be shown on Sportsnet Pacific, but as happened several times last year, it was delayed by Toronto baseball.
    I fully understand that in some markets, baseball draws a bigger audience, but you're showing an east coast team on a west coast channel when it's also on other channels. At least change to the game in the local market.
    People were told to change to Sportsnet Vancouver Hockey channel if they wanted to catch the start of the game, not an option available to all, and they then joined the game at the 13.10 mark despite the baseball having had a score of 12-2.
    I even started to bore myself writing this constantly last year, but why bid for the rights to show the games if you're just going to give them second class status? It's a disgrace.
    Obviously I was at the game so it didn't affect me directly (apart from trying to see a replay of Hassli's booking) but Sportsnet, just let TSN have all the coverage or sort it out.
    It was one of those midweek nights really. A lot to sort out, and so little time.
    Disappointing game, very disappointing crowd. I still naively expect more support in this city, Canucks playoff game or not.
    Dallas are visiting on Saturday. It's a vital Western Conference clash. The Whitecaps need a win. We can't afford to drop points at home to our western rivals and a morale boosting victory would steady the ship somewhat.
    There is likely to be a couple of changes to the starting line-up. Martin Rennie isn't happy with some of the continuing mistakes and we must be getting close to the stage where this is the chance for some guys to come in and stamp their mark on the team and make the starting jersey their own.
    These are the games that matter the most in the race for the playoffs. Now it's up to the team to show that they are truly up for a challenge in this League.
    'Mon the Caps.
    <center>********************</center>
    <b>AFTN 3-2-1 :</b>
    Perhaps a little unorthodox this week but...
    3 points - CAMILO SANVEZZO (May have only been on the pitch for 30 minutes but showed more attacking danger in that time than the rest of the team had put together up to that point)
    2 points - OMAR SALGADO (Again, only 11 minutes on the pitch but looked great out on the left wing and sent in a great cross that led to the goal)
    1 point - YOUNG-PYO LEE (Another solid performance. Can't blame him for any of the goals conceded and was having a lot of success up the right wing)
    <p>
    Guest

    Fixing TFC

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Let’s start by stating the obvious, but seemingly forgotten:
    There are 29 games left in the season. That’s 87 points. Considering Toronto is just six points out of a playoff spot, the season is hardly over. Yes, Toronto has struggled, but to play the doom and gloom card at this point is beyond reactionary.
    Even pulling out the worst sports cliché in the book – A MUST WIN GAME!!1!!!one! – when talking about Saturday against Chicago is misguided.
    It’s a it-would-be-really-good-to-stop-the-bleeding game, but unless MLS shortened its schedule to six games, it’s not a “must” win. Actually, the must-win-now mentality of the Toronto fan has contributed to the mess that the franchise is in.
    Still, at 0-for-five, it’s clear that the team does need to do something to turn itself around. Below the jump, six things we would do to “fix” TFC in 2012:
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    1 – Not panic
    If you were to identify one main characteristic that all successful MLS teams have, it would be stability – they don’t have massive player turnover from year to year and they most certainly do not see more than 100 players come and go in just five seasons.
    As much as a fan might want to KILL ‘EM ALL right now, TFC can’t. They must be patient and committed to keeping its core group together. To blow it up again would be the single stupidest thing TFC could do.
    It’s important to remember that TFC is the youngest team by median age in the league. To use a local sports analogy that most will understand, TFC is doing exactly what Toronto hockey fans have been screaming at the Leafs to do for years – get young and build for the future.
    So far VERY, VERY ANGRY TFC fans are illustrating exactly why it is so hard for sports teams in this city to do that.
    2 – It’s the midfield, stupid
    For all the talk of defenders blowing assignments and forwards missing sitters it’s the middle of the park that’s the problem.
    Forget the 4-3-3, Toronto has been playing something that looks like a 5-0-5 at times this year. The holding midfielder is forced back into a sweeper role and the forward mids are playing high and wide. As a result, opposing teams are coming at TFC in waves on the counter.
    Carles Puyol would look bad in the middle of Toronto’s defense with the lack of support the centrebacks are getting. Ty Harden looks like he was pulled from the stands six beers into his day.
    One of the biggest problems is that Toronto’s midfield lacks physical size. Since wholesale changes are not a good idea (see above) we need to fix the problem from within. How do we do that?
    Well, it won’t be easy, but let’s start by playing a formation that better fits the talent. Forget the 4-3-3, Toronto needs as much stability as it can find – a 4-5-1 would make more sense with two holding mids protecting the centrebacks. Yes, Toronto would be giving up a little going forward, but with just two goals in five games so far…something is sick with the attack anyway
    3 – Change up the attack
    This comes down to a change in approach as well. The biggest asset TFC has going forward is Danny Koevermans. Although the Dutchman has struggled with just one goal in five starts, he has been creating chances, often from truly terrible service.
    TFC has been incredibly predictable on the attack, and thus easy to defend. They play the ball down the flanks and whip a cross in. Opposing teams simply pack the middle of the park, give up the flank, and double-team Koevermans.
    Unless the Reds have Jesus Navas stashed away in the bowels of BMO Field, they need to move away from the winger/wingback-based attack.
    Move Koevermans up high and play him as a target forward. Ryan Johnson and Joao Plata are both players that can create from the top of the 18 either through a shot (Johnson) or by beating a man on the dribble (Plata). Koevermans, meanwhile, is a wonderful garbage man that can bang in 10-12 goals from 10-yards in.
    All this once again depends on moving away from the 4-3-3.
    4 – Keep the German healthy
    It is painfully obvious that TFC will go as far as Torsten Frings takes them. That the 5-game losing steak has happened with him on the sidelines is reason one through 1,000 for why it’s not time to panic. You cannot evaluate Toronto until a significant amount of games have been played with him in the line-up.
    5 – Do right by JDG
    Julian de Guzman is not a bad player. It’s absurd that that even needs to be written. Less than 5 per cent of players in the league can play a 45-yard pass to an attacker's feet in the way that de Guzman does routinely – and without notice – several times a game.
    However, he’s a terrible fit for a physical league like MLS. He does get pushed off the ball too often and a referee style that favours more physical play does not help the situation.
    And he’s overpaid. Also, he’s a DP. These two factors make him a target of every single Dougie from Oshawa that fills BMO Field. He can never do enough and the amount of negativity that is constantly being thrown in his direction is toxic.
    The two need to part company this summer before his salary counts against the cap. The free DP slot can then be used for an upgrade where it’s more needed
    6 – Add a piece, not 10
    As we said in point number one, the summer window cannot be used to overhaul the team. However, it should be used to add something. Most will demand that the Reds upgrade the back-line. And if a top class centreback can be found then sure, of course they should.
    Don’t hold your breath, however. There is likely no position harder to fill in MLS than CB. If you go the DP route you’re bound to have a guy near the end of his career. The “name” you bring in will need to still be physically strong, quick, and, most importantly, have the drive to compete. There aren’t many players that are willing to come to MLS that fit that description.
    There is a reason many of the best centrebacks in MLS are domestic players and those that are not were brought into MLS prior to their peak years. The position is demanding and not sexy – the very opposite characteristics that most DPs bring to the league.
    True defensive improvement might have to wait until the off-season. For 2012, TFC would be as well off trying to upgrade another, less talked about problem area.
    Attacking midfield. So far in 2012 the attacking midfielders have been invisible. Vastly improved play from that position is needed and it might be an area a DP salary could address.
    What would you do to improve TFC in 2012?
    Guest
    This weeks show features author and historian Robert Janning. Robert has written a fantastic book called <i>"Westcoast Reign"</i>, which catalogues the first steps of the beautiful game in the province of British Columbia. Robert takes the time to tell us a couple stories from his book and shares a few of his personal stories.
    You can get hold of a copy of <i>"Westcoast Reign"</i> at <a href="http://www.ballboypress.ca" target="_blank">Ballboy Press</a>, with free shipping in the lower mainland and cheap shipping elsewhere in Canada and the rest of the world. Highly recommended.
    After we chat with Robert, Benjamin Massey about the Whitecaps' game last night against the Eastern Conference leading Sporting Kansas City.
    It's a different show from what we normally do but it will certainly be a great show for anyone who is interested in the history of soccer.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]You can listen to this week's podcast (and the previous ones) on iTunes HERE or download it for your later listening delight HERE. Can't wait? Have a listen on one of the players below:
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    Guest

    The 0% shame

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    There was a time when fans in Vancouver would proudly proclaim that their city was the “centre” of the Canadian soccer community.
    Although part of those claims was pure partisan bravado – there is no “centre” of the soccer community in this country. All regions equally add to the culture – there was some evidence that there was something special about the Lower Mainland.
    The Whitecaps brand was likely the most long lasting soccer brand in Canada. Within North American context it is a historic name, with nostalgic qualities. The 1979 Soccer Bowl title wasn’t the only NASL championship won by a Canadian team (Toronto’s Metros-Croatia did the deed a few years earlier), but it was the only one most people remember and for a long time the majority of Canadian national team players and officials came from the left coast.
    In more recent years, the Whitecaps academy had established itself as the baseline for all Canadian development projects. When Toronto FC was awarded Canada’s first MLS team in 2006 there were many that understandably claimed that it should have been Vancouver to have that honour.
    In TFC’s early days there were many critical voices – as often as not from Vancouver – that were suggesting that Toronto’s MLS team was not acting in the best interest of the overall game in Canada. The Reds worked with MLS to reduce the domestic quota Toronto had to follow, arguing that the need to carry so many Canadians was putting TFC at a competitive disadvantage.
    Once Vancouver joined TFC in MLS those voices went silent.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]Suddenly the front office of the Whitecaps was working hard to further reduce Canadian content requirements. They succeeded. The quota was reduced to just three players total on the senior roster (three a compromise after the CSA yelled foul at the two the Caps wanted). Vancouver manipulated the rule even further, employing a Swiss international that technically qualified as Canadian, as well as a player they didn’t give a single second of action to, on their roster in 2011.
    The one Canadian – Terry Dunfield – that was getting time was shipped to Toronto mid-season.
    It’s worse in 2012. According to data compiled by blogger Out Of Touch the Caps have yet to put a Canadian on the pitch this season. Not one. Not even as a late game strategic sub.
    Adding insult to injury, the Caps announced today that they are giving Canadian turncoat Jacob Lensky a trial. If they sign him they are two-thirds of the way from meeting the quota without dressing a single player eligible to play internationally for Canada.
    Many fans reading this won’t understand why this is a problem. They will argue that a club team has no obligation to play Canadians or develop them. Others will suggest that Vancouver will make its biggest impact to Canadian soccer through their academy and there has not yet been enough time to evaluate whether they are doing a good job on that front.
    The Caps get a slight pass on the latter point. If they do start producing players, at a consistent rate, then this will be moot soon enough. However, the academy pre-dates the MLS team. A strong argument can be made that it should have produced a player worthy of some minutes already. Still, they deserve (a bit) more time before they can be truly criticized.
    The former point, however, is missing the point.
    There are places in the world where there is no need for a club to develop and play local players. Canada and MLS is not one of those places.
    Part of MLS’ mandate was to assist in the growth of the sport in the United States. The limitation on international players was put in place for that very reason. American teams committed themselves to playing Americans, even when doing so made them weaker.
    When the CSA allowed Toronto to have a team in the American league, it did so with the understanding that it would offer this country a similar platform. The key word in that last sentence is “allowed.” The CSA sanctions the Canadian teams and allows them to play in a foreign league. By doing so they have made the idea of a national Canadian league nearly a lost cause.
    The CSA has worked with the clubs to find a balance that allows them to be more competitive, while still providing an opportunity for Canadian players. In Vancouver’s case the club has not honoured the spirit of that agreement.
    Fans will be fans and many in Vancouver won’t care about this. But, the CSA damn well should. And it’s time for them to show that they do.
    Guest
    If you're feeling a little disillusioned with your local club, then we suggest you check out something different in Toronto this weekend.
    The 2012 Canadian Premier Futsal Championship are taking place this Sunday at Seneca College (Newham Campus).
    If you have never been to a live futsal match, this is definitely the one you want to make your first. With futsal now being a gold medal sport at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, this is your chance to see some of Canadian national team players as they prepare to qualify for the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Thailand.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Top ranked Brampton City United will face their bitter rivals the #2 ranked Toronto Boca Juniors in what is sure to be an epic clash between two of Canada's elite futsal clubs.
    Parking is free and admission $1 which will go entireyly to fund youth players that cannot afford to play the sport.
    For more information please call 416 877-GOAL (4625) or visit www.futsalcanada.ca
    See what you've been missing:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6qWUMjuNAA
    Guest

    Jacob Lensky on trial with Whitecaps

    By Guest, in AFTN,

    23 year old midfielder Jacob Lensky is on trial with Vancouver Whitecaps.
    It will be the second time that Lensky has tried out with his hometown club.
    He was previously on trial with the Caps during their USL days in 2009 before deciding to ply his trade with Dutch side Utrecht later that year, having turned down a trial with MLS newcomers Seattle Sounders.
    Lensky is a player that showed much promise at an early age, then his career seemed to have burned out and died before he resurrected it once again.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    His youth career saw him have stints in Belgium, the Czech Republic and England, before settling in Scotland and being part of the Celtic youth set up.
    He tasted silverware as part of the Celtic side that won the SPL under-19 title in the 2005/2006 season, but soon left the Glasgow giants citing that he had no time for the <i>"old-school crap"</i> of the age-old tradition of apprentices cleaning the boots of first team players, whilst also taking a swipe at the dressing room mentality of the Celtic youth squad.
    He left Celtic for Dutch side Feyenoord, but lasted only two years there, although he did briefly break into their first team and made one appearance.
    It may have been a culture clash or just the difficulties of being away from his home for so long at such an early age, but something certainly took it's toll on Lensky and he ended up retiring from football at the age of 19 because he was suffering from <a href="http://www.heraldscotland.com/blogs/stramash/as-teenager-thomas-rogne-signs-for-celtic-it-s-worth-remembering-that-for-every-stilian-petrov-there-is-a-jacob-lensky-1.1000478" target="_blank">depression, fatigue, pressure and not being able to stand most of the players</a>.
    Knowing first hand the difference between Scottish youths and Canadian youths, I can see how he felt that he didn't fit in and it's admirable in many ways that he walked away, got his head straight and has now bounced back.
    Lensky joined Eredivisie side Utrecht in September 2009, initially signing a one year deal before being extended through to June this year. That contract was cancelled by the Club on January 1st 2012, after Lensky returned to Canada to rebuild his life following personal problems.
    He made 70 appearances in all competitions, including the Europa League, for Utrecht, scoring four goals and being sent off twice. He only made four appearances for them this season after being given time off to seek help for alcohol abuse problems which were causing him migraines and eventually led to his return to Vancouver.
    Vancouver born Lensky represented Canada at youth, under 20 and under 23 level before pledging his allegiance to the Czech Republic, where he has played three times at under 21 level.
    This decision will no doubt anger some in the Whitecaps support. I personally don't know a lot about this part of his background and really don't care. My only concern right now is to see if he can add something to the Whitecaps midfield that is currently badly lacking.
    I hope he can, as he was a talent in the past and it would be great to see such a player in MLS with the Whitecaps. Although primarily a midfielder (central or left mid), he can also play left back.
    He wants a new beginning and to put his problems behind him. Martin Rennie doesn't suffer fools gladly, but he is a manager who genuinely cares about his players and would be an ideal figure to have around Lensky at this time of his career.
    Lensky was at Caps training today and is expected to play in Sunday's MLS Reserve League game against Portland Timbers at Swangard Stadium.
    <p>
    Guest
    Canadian international Olivier Occean talks about the promotion frenzy in Furth, his club future and weighs in on his buddies' situation in Montreal (Ali Gerba and Patrice Bernier).
    The Impact picked up a first point on the road in a tie that tasted more like a loss in the cavernous RFK Stadium. We dissect this result and the players' performance with MLSsoccer.com writer Matthias Van Halst.
    A young Canadian international is walking away from Montreal's Academy to find a new home away from home.
    The week-old Quebec Premier Soccer League has a new commissioner and we hear from him in our weekly interview show.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Click here to listen to our 30 minutes show.
    You can also catch us on Stitcher
    And you can subscribe to our podcast directly on the Canadian iTunes Store.
    Enjoy!
    Guest

    Kansas City leading by example

    By Guest, in AFTN,

    The MLS leaders came to BC Place tonight and left showing not just Vancouver, but the rest of Major League Soccer just why they are sitting in that position.
    Although Vancouver Whitecaps put them under some pressure towards the end of the game, they ran out worthy 3-1 winners, as slack defending proved to be the downfall of the home side once again.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Facing two games in four days, Martin Rennie deployed a little squad rotation, with Jun Marques Davidson dropping to the bench and Atiba Harris coming back in to the midfield.
    The inspirational Camilo Sanvezzo was also kept on the bench, as he continues to recover from his earlier injury.
    Whenever you see Baldomero Toledo down as the referee, Whitecaps supporters immediately worry and the pantomime villain made his mark early, booking Eric Hassli with 5 minutes and 11 seconds on the clock, following a tackle on Kei Kamara that seemed to have nothing in it.
    The opening period of the game was fairly even, with neither side carving out any clear cut chances. Vancouver had a few forays forward, with Sebastien Le Toux looking to be the most menacing.
    Kansas City looked the more dangerous team and they took the lead in the 24th minute.
    The visitors forced a couple of corners that had the Caps defence looking all at sea, and following a game of penalty box pinball, the ball deflected to Aurelien Collin four yards and the defender just had to stick out his leg to divert the ball past Joe Cannon for the opening goal.
    It was the kind of defending that we expected from the Whitecaps last season, not from this year’s more esteemed back line.
    Vancouver had a chance to equalise four minutes later, when a break on the right ended with Young-Pyo Lee sending a perfect ball on to the head of Le Toux and his strong header forced Jimmy Neilsen into his first real save of the game.
    As Whitecaps passes started to go astray, Kansas City’s nippy forward line looked like they could get past the Caps last line of defence at any moment, but DeMerit and co held firm.
    It was Vancouver in fact that finished the half stronger, with Le Toux firing over from a good position and Jordan Harvey unable to get on the end of a dangerous Hassli cross.
    As the first half came to a close, Hassli was lucky not to see another yellow when he caught Collin with a late kick to the back of his leg. For once, Toldeo showed a little leniency.
    Hassli became the Caps playmaker at the start of the second half, just failing to set up first Gershon Koffie and then David Chiumiento with through balls in the opening minutes, that were just a little heavy.
    Despite Vancouver taking the game to the League leaders, Kansas City showed just why they’re at the top and doubled their lead in the 52nd minute.
    Matt Besler sent in a long throw-in from the right and with the Caps defenders ball-watching, Collin clumsily jumped to avoid the ball hitting his arm, only for it to hit off Martin Bonjour and past Joe Cannon at his near post.
    It was a blow to Vancouver but they nearly found themselves back in the game moments later when Seth Sinovic squaffed a clearance and forced Jimmy Nielsen into a scrambling save for a Caps corner.
    It was a fantastic stop and begged the question, can you win save of the week from keeping out your team-mate?
    As the Caps huffed and puffed for a way back in, the visitors hit a killer blow in the 65th minute.
    Kamara collected the ball on the edge of the Caps box, played it out wide to Chance Myers, then ran in to collect the pass and slip it low past Cannon for 3-0.
    To their credit, Vancouver still tried to take the game to Kansas City, with Hassli having the best chance in the 72nd minute, with an excellent turn, but he shot wildly over.
    The Caps had brought on Camilo and Omar Salgado to try and provide the vital spark and the two substitutes combined to pull one back for the home side in the 80th minute.
    Salgado whipped a cross in from the left, which Camilo met brilliantly. His header crashed off the bar but Le Toux was on hand to hit home from close range. Jimmy Nielsen went crazy as he felt that Le Toux was offside and earned a booking for his protestations to the linesman.
    Nielsen was then forced into a superb finger tip save two minutes later from a 25 yard Camilo rocket, as all thoughts turned to last season’s epic 3-3 draw between the two sides.
    Kansas City weathered the storm, but the Caps had a penalty claim with two minutes remaining when Camilo was felled in the box by Besler, but the linesman had his flag up for offside.
    The game headed into stoppage time but the drama wasn’t over. Long Tan, who had just come on, forced Nielsen to parry his shot from just inside the box, and in the resultant scramble, the Caps appealed for a penalty for handball as KC cleared the danger.
    Despite the late pressure, there was no stoppage time comeback this year and the Caps were left to rue some defensive lapses that need to be tightened up or the team aren’t going to be doing very much this season.
    ATT: 15,382
    FINAL SCORE: Vancouver Whitecaps 1 - 3 Sporting Kansas City
    VANCOUVER : Joe Cannon; Young-Pyo Lee, Martin Bonjour (Long Tan 87), Jay DeMerit, Jordan Harvey; Atiba Harris, John Thorrington (Camilo Sanvezzo 58), Gershon Koffie, Davide Chiumiento; Eric Hassli (Omar Salgado 79), Sebastien Le Toux [subs Not Used: Brad Knighton, Jun Marques Davidson, Carlyle Mitchell, Matt Watson]
    KANSAS CITY : Jimmy Nielsen; Chance Myers, Aurelien Collin, Matt Besler, Seth Sinovic; Paulo Nagamura (Lawrence Olum 77), Graham Zusi, Roger Espinoza; Kai Kamara, C.J. Sapong (Teal Bunbury 62), Bobby Convey (Jacob Peterson 52) [subs Not Used: Jon Kempin, Michael Harrington, Soony Saad, Luke Sassano]
    <p>
    Guest
    We might be called "Away From The Numbers", but we do love to devour a good stat or two here at AFTN Towers.
    With a bit of time to kill we started to have a look at the Castrol Index for this 2012 MLS season and it makes for some interesting reading.
    We didn't really pay too much attention to it last year to be honest, but that was more down to the dreadful season that the Caps were having rather than lack of interest. We didn't need to be depressed more than we already were as to just how bad some of our players were!
    There's been some fanfare this year around Castrol updating the index weekly for the 2012 season as opposed to monthly. With the latest update coming this morning, we thought it was worth a more regular look.
    It's both confusing and captivating for stattos everywhere.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    You have to be of a certain anal mindset to get enjoyment from such things, well that's us in a nutshell!
    Some of it has you nodding your head in agreement, whilst other parts of it just makes no sense at all. Much like the MLS Power Rankings if truth be told.
    A prime example, to us at least, of how some of it just doesn't add up came in week one. Chris Wondolowski scored the match winning goal in San Jose's 1-0 win over New England, but this only saw him in the 92nd spot of the table. Huh?
    It's more about passing accuracy and overall team contribution than just goals scored, or so we're told. Looking at some of the Whitecaps stats, that doesn't seem to fully add up, but more on that later.
    For those that don't know much about the Castrol Index, and even those of you that do, just how does it all work?
    We're not even going to try and explain that one ourselves, so here's the official blurb:
    <i>"Castrol's team of performance analysts will use the latest technology to objectively analyze every match in the MLS season, logging an average of 1800 player movements per match.
    The Castrol Index tracks every move on the field and assesses whether it has a positive or negative impact on a team's ability to score or concede a goal and a key factor for all areas of performance in the Castrol Index is which zone on the pitch the action takes place."</i>
    For an even better clarification, here's the official video:
    <center> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/FpPt8rOJXJw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>
    The Castrol Index was first introduced during the 2008 Euros and soon became a mainstay in the English Premiership, Spain’s La Liga, Italy’s Serie A and the UEFA Champions League. It then made it's mark on the global scene at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
    At the end of the day, does it actually mean a lot more than just being a glorified 'Player of the Season' award?
    Football is a team game after all, and unless you have a well oiled complete starting eleven, individual talent counts for very little.
    The winner of last year's Castrol Index was Chris Wondolowski. He may have finished top of the heap and banged in a lot of goals, but his San Jose Earthquakes finished 14th overall in the MLS standings and missed the playoffs by eight points.
    Only Omar Gonzalez finished in the top ten placings for MLS Cup winners Los Angeles Galaxy, and he finished fourth.
    You could bring Messi to a team in Major League Soccer, and he might win the Castrol Index, but unless the rest of the quality is there in his team, then it's not going to guarantee them making the playoffs.
    You just have to look at how much New York struggled last season, scraping in on the last playoff spot despite some of the talent in their side. Thierry Henry even finished third in the 2011 Castrol Index.
    One of the aspects that I do find interesting with the whole Index is that it's not just all about the goalscorers or the big name stars of the team. You need to make a huge contribution to your overall team to make an impact, and that's a good message to get across to young players the world over.
    Seven of last year's Top Ten were defenders, and apart from Thierry Henry, many MLS fans would be hard pushed to pick the other nine players out of a line-up.
    So if we take it all with a pinch of salt, how are the Whitecaps players doing in the latest rankings?
    The Caps had two players in the Top Ten at the end of week one (Joe Cannon and Camilo). Since then, despite all the clean sheets, only Cannon has featured in the Top Ten and he has remained there every week, currently sitting in 8th position.
    The Whitecaps only have four players in the whole Top 100, with only Jay DeMerit making it there from our back four. It all seems a bit crazy, or maybe our players aren't as good as we thought they were.
    Sebastien Le Toux is 145th and Eric Hassli, despite the general consensus being that he is contributing so much to other areas of the team than in the scoring department, is 202nd. Even Matt Watson features higher than him!
    When you start to look at all those aspects of it, it all seems to become a little bit ridiculous. It's tempting to say farcical, but hey technology can't lie!
    You can check out the full standings of all the Whitecaps <a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/castrol/index?teamId=1708'>http://www.mlssoccer.com/castrol/index?teamId=1708" target="_blank">HERE</a>.
    Want to follow where your favourite player is in the rankings? Or see how our opposition players are shaping up? Then you can view the full Index every week <a href=" http://www.mlssoccer.com/castrol/index" target="_blank">HERE</a>.
    It might not mean much in the grand scheme of things, and some of it seems to be just stuff and nonsense, but it's certainly an interesting bit of fun to while away some time on a rainy afternoon.
    Or maybe I just need to step away from the laptop a bit more often.
    <p>
    Guest
    With 100 days to go until the official start of the London Olympics (though only 98 days until the women's soccer tournament gets underway), Big Red finds itself in the midst of a two-week training camp in Vancouver. The camp was convened to help mitigate the loss of the WPS season, and to give other domestic-based players some more national-team time before the W-League season begins.
    While that's hardly exciting in and of itself, there has been some good news thus far, as both midfielder Diana Matheson and striker Jonelle Filigno are back on the active roster, after each being out of the squad for months.
    Given their respective injuries and anticipated timelines for returns, these aren't terribly surprising developments. But having Matheson and Filigno back and healthy makes the team that much more dangerous -- and, dare I say it, a potential medal threat (depending on the draw, of course).
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Filigno's presence could be the biggest game-changer for a team that has struggled to find a consistent goal-scoring threat aside from Christine Sinclair. The 21-year-old has eight goals for the national team, and provides a solid option alongside veteran Melissa Tancredi and youngsters Christina Julien and Chelsea Buckland (both of whom have had trouble being clinical in the recent past).
    As for Matheson, the diminutive spark plug brings over 100 caps of experience to the lineup and plenty of stability in the centre of midfield. With the pleasantly surprising emergence of Desiree Scott in a similar role, and the excellent work put in by Sophie Schmidt in the last 18 months, head coach John Herdman now has even more depth in a midfield that also boasts the tireless Kelly Parker and the crafty Kaylyn Kyle. (Oh, not to mention, Matheson's presence instantly raises the threat level when it comes to Canadian set pieces.)
    The draw for the Olympic women's soccer tournament takes place next week -- and as always, that will be the largest determinant when it comes to Canada's chances of advancing. But Matheson and Filigno give Herdman options he hasn't had in the last six months, and the ability to more readily adapt to specific opponents or in-game situations.
    The first chance for Canadian fans to see the bolstered lineup in action will be at a friendly in Moncton on May 30. The ladies then head to Utah for a friendly against the Americans (boooo!) on June 30:


    Nothing's guaranteed, of course, when it comes to the Olympics. But given the tournament's importance in the long-term build-up to the 2015 Women's World Cup, having Matheson and Filigno back on board is a positive sign indeed.
    Guest

    You’ll Hopefully Walk Alone

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    With TicketMaster letting it slip that TFC and Liverpool are indeed (or possibly -- they removed it pretty quick...) going to play a “wankfest” at Rogers Centre this year we at CSN are forced to deal with it.
    Actually, let’s give the floor up to Lisa Simpson and Ottawa’s own Paul Anka:
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    <object id="dtvplayer" width="480" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.disclose.tv/swf/player.swf" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="flashvars" value="config=http://www.disclose.tv/videos/config/flv/54613.js" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="360" allowFullScreen="true" src="http://www.disclose.tv/swf/player.swf" flashvars="config=http://www.disclose.tv/videos/config/flv/54613.js"/></embed></object><br><a href="http://www.disclose.tv" title="UFO Videos Conspiracy Forum">Disclose.tv</a> - <a href="http://www.disclose.tv/action/viewvideo/54613/just_don_t_look/">just don't look</a><br>
    Couldn’t have said it better...
    Now that the game is (likely) happening there are two things concerned fans can do.
    1) Don’t go
    If we “don’t look” then the chances of MLSE (and, make no mistake, this is a MLSE decision, not a TFC one – although there might have been pressure from MLS) learning improve and we might not have to deal with this idiotic idea again.
    2) Educate
    There will be some that try and argue that playing these types of games are somehow good – that they reach a different fan and they are harmless fun. They are wrong. They put an unnecessary strain on the players at a time when the MLS schedule is at its most demanding, underline the league as second best to “real” football and exist solely as a marketing exercise for Soccer United Marketing.
    SUM makes its money off the sport, not MLS. Make no mistake, these games are not there to promote MLS, nor is the goal to gain fans of the local team. The goal is to maximize profits from the so-called Eurosnob fan – fans highly unlikely to ever go to a MLS game. There is next to no benefit to the game locally.
    If SUM wants the Toronto Eurosnobs’ money, arrange a Liverpool v Juventus (or whoever) game at Rogers Centre. Leave TFC out of it. TFC has more important things to do than give Craig Bellamy a run out.
    Concerned fans need to work to ensure that there are as few fans in Rogers Centre as possible.
    Guest

    TFC v Liverpool confirmed

    By Guest, in It's Called Football,

    UPDATE 2: MLS has confirmed that the dates CSN originally reported are correct and Toronto FC will face Liverpool as part of the World Football Challenge. Tickets will go on sale May 4.
    UPDATE: the listing for the game has been removed. In all likelihood this is a jumped the gun situation on Ticketmaster's part.
    While neither club has confirmed it yet, Ticketmaster did the work for them
    As of tomorrow morning you will be able to buy tickets to the Toronto FC v Liverpool friendly at Rogers Centre.
    The game, to take place July 21, 2012, comes in a month where Toronto FC will already have six league fixtures. The friendly will take place between the Colorado and Houston MLS games - a time when the club would have had 10 days rest during the busy month.
    The response by Toronto writers, to what was only a rumour earlier this week, has been, at best, tepid. Check out what Daniel Squizzato wrote earlier this week and what Rudi Schuller wrote today.
    For those Toronto FC fans who are already angry about this event, do yourself the favour and skip making the jump to see the ticket prices.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The cheapest ticket will start at $59 and range up to $159. As stated, if you are keen to go to this game, it goes on sale tomorrow morning at 10am
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