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    Guest
    So it's set. Pretty much.
    Barring a bordering-on-inconceivable upset on Tuesday evening, Canada will play Mexico in the semifinals of the Olympic qualifying tournament on Friday night. Win, and we've booked a spot in London 2012. Let's not consider the ramifications of the alternate result.
    While Costa Rica provided Big Red with more spirited opposition than Cuba or Haiti did, the result was never in question. But there are still questions to be answered ahead of the all-important Friday-night showdown.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

    Questions, as always, start in goal. Karina LeBlanc was in no way culpable when it came to Costa Rica breaking Canada's shutout streak late in the match. But for all of head coach John Herdman's diplomacy when it comes to his two "world-class" goalkeepers, the reality is that he can only choose one of them for the all-important match. Neither LeBlanc nor Erin McLeod have had the chance to prove much in this tournament, given the level of opposition. That being said, who's it going to be vs. Mexico?


    The questions travel through the defence... If there had to be a goat on the Costa Rican goal, it would be Robyn Gayle, who appears simply to have been caught napping. But she's a veteran player who surely understands what went wrong and what needs to be corrected. Elsewhere on the backline, Shannon Woeller is clearly in Herdman's good books, though she did make some less-than-ideal decisions under pressure against Costa Rica. Such errors can often prove to be good learning experiences for young players, but could one such mistake prove costly against Mexico?


    And then they move up front. Christine Sinclair, as you should be well aware by now, is an other-worldly talent. While she potted a pair against the Ticas (a ho-hum night, by her standards), she also provided the platter (complete with cutlery) upon which Kaylyn Kyle's goal was scored, with a pinpoint cross. And yet, as the game went on, and it became clear Sinclair would be playing the full 90, fans began getting antsy. "Why is she still on the field? Shouldn't she be resting?"
    Sinclair has improved her fitness tremendously in recent years, with the most ready example being her acceleration. Even so, injuries can happen. And while it's a terrifying prospect, the Canadian team is one Sinclair muscle tweak away from potential calamity. Where do the goals come from, if Sincy is not at full strength?
    Canadian fans got a glimpse of the future of team's strike force late in the game, when Christina Julien and Chelsea Buckland found themselves in a 2-on-1 situation. The end result? Not even a shot on goal. A singular anecdote, a sample size far too small for extrapolation, sure. Even so...


    Diana who? Alright, that's an awful question. Diana Matheson is a terrific player, and a stalwart of the Canadian team. But one of the biggest questions heading into the tournament was how the Canadian squad would cope with her absence in midfield, and the answer thus far has been: remarkably well. The trio of Sophie Schmidt, Kelly Parker and Desiree Scott have been dominant in their individual roles, filling the majority of the gaps left when Matheson was ruled out due to injury.
    Schmidt, on Monday night, not only received sufficiently-steady applause from the B.C. Place crowd to feel a salute was necessary, she also found her name trending worldwide on Twitter after she scored. Well, she didn't find it; she was too busy focused on actually playing. But the point stands.


    So, what will Vancouver show us on Friday? The Voyageurs contingent in B.C. has been loud and proud for all three of Canada's matches thus far, creating much more atmosphere than a crowd of 8,000 could realistically be expected to produce in a cavernous football stadium. So, what will the city have in store for the semifinal?
    It's a Friday night, with a reasonable kickoff time (8 p.m. PT) and plenty of local-ish representation on the team (Sinclair, Buckland, Schmidt, LeBlanc and Brittany Timko). And the storyline is easy to understand: The eminently likable home team can qualify for the Olympic Games with a win.
    I saw plenty of Vancouver-based people mulling around on Twitter who were clearly interested in Monday's game, but not in attendance. Support local soccer, folks. That means shelling out for a ticket and making your voice (your actual, physical voice) heard when it matters most.

    Now, let's be clear, for all these questions, the resounding 5-1 win also provided plenty of answers. Yes, Canada could regain whatever momentum it lost by only beating Cuba by a pair. Yes, the team could continue rotating its lineup and retain a high level of fluidity and quality. Yes, Sinclair could still be Sinclair.
    And yes, it's great to see a Canadian team beat anyone by a score of 5-1. But this tournament has served as one big reminder that the level of disparity in the women's game can still be mighty severe. As has been suggested elsewhere, rolling over opponents such as Haiti, Cuba and Costa Rica with ease does little to prepare Canada for the tests that lie ahead in competitions such as the Olympics and the World Cup.
    But as they say, you can only play the team that's put in front of you. And on Friday, that team will almost certainly be Mexico, Canada's sternest test by far. Which leaves us with the all-important question, the one that's been on Canadians' minds for months...
    Will this team do what it came to Vancouver to do, and qualify for the Olympics?
    .
    Guest
    With the Whitecaps’ pre-season training now underway, the spotlight is firmly focussed on new boss Martin Rennie.
    As the Caps’ third Head Coach in their short MLS reign, everything Rennie does will be scrutinised, from his signings, to his tactics, to his man management skills, to his training techniques.
    Fans, media and players got to see the latter for themselves first hand today, and the reaction was all positive.
    Rennie himself was pleased with how it went:
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    <i>”I thought it looked good. The guys have come back in good shape. The standards of the games were a lot higher than the last time I had a first day here, so I was pleased with that. And I think the guys enjoyed it too, so it was good.”</i>
    With the squad currently having five free spots, Rennie confirmed that the final roster is not yet complete, as he told the assembled press pack after today’s training:
    <i>”I think there’s still some work to do. Still got to look to make a couple of moves, and work on a couple of things, but I think we’re very close to where we want to be at this point in pre-season.
    First day and we’re in a good place. We’re not looking for a ton of changes, but there are certainly still some additions that we still need to make and we have time to do it.”</i>
    A creative, holding midfielder is still felt to be the main missing link right now. Who that will be is still unknown, but fans shouldn’t expect the person coming in to fill that role as a Designated Player. The Caps are in no rush to go out and fill Mustapha Jarju’s spot right now.
    With Philippe Davies also released on Friday, Vancouver’s Canadian contingent is at the bare minimum allowed. That minimum number is three, with Russell Teibert, Bryce Alderson and Alain Rochat the guys filling those spots.
    Many are critical of Vancouver for not signing Canadian players, and looking at internationals. As Martin Rennie explained to AFTN, it's simply not that easy, but they are looking:
    <i>”We’re always trying to do that. We are looking at some Canadian players right now to see if we can get them here.
    The issue is that the guys that would fit into our roster are really expensive. They’re under contract in Europe and they’re difficult to get here.
    We’re always trying to add to that. Obviously we’ve got young players coming through and those are a big part of our future, but we’re always looking at Canadian players and as soon as we can get one that we feel fits the bill, we’ll be for sure trying to get them.”</i>
    In the meantime, Rennie has to decide who of the current nine players trying to make the cut, will do just that. He talked about making “decisive decisions”. The Caps definitely have a man in charge who clearly knows what direction he wants his side to go.
    After last season’s seemingly rudderless ship at times, that can only be welcome by all of a blue and white persuasion.
    <p>
    Guest
    It was rainy. It was cold. It was a usual Vancouver January day.
    What wasn’t so usual were the players taking part in Vancouver Whitecaps first training session of 2012. There were old faces, new signings and those who are just hoping to impress enough to earn a spot on the Whitecaps MLS squad.
    It was a sea of new faces, new squad numbers and the start of a long journey that Whitecaps fans will hope will see them fare better in their sophomore season than their inaugural one. That isn’t a very high bar to set and reach of course!
    34 players will take part in this week’s first pre-season training camp. The 25 players already signed to the Caps’ MLS squad are joined by Ben Fisk, Caleb Clarke and Callum Irving from the Residency team; draftees Chris Estridge, Mark Fetrow, Andrew Fontein, and Greg Klazura; and two trialists Etienne Barbara and the surprisingly returning Bilal Duckett.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Not all were present today, the Residency guys and Bryce Alderson were excused after their two game weekend road trip to LA in USSDA U18 action, whilst Camilo and new signing Young-Lee Pyo were absent for personal family reasons.
    Before the rumours start swirling around re Camilo, Martin Rennie confirmed that the Brazilian top scorer would be joining the camp on Thursday, with Lee coming Friday.
    It was a usual first day back at training, with not too much to be gleaned from proceedings. By the end of the week, coaches and fans will at least know how players seem to fit into the mix, the chemistry between various team-mates and how they look with a ball at their feet and not just on paper.
    Although it was the first day back, the players were certainly put through their paces, with players split into four groups, to face several drills and a mini scrimmage. The players are going to be split into two groups for the rest of the week’s training, and it’ll be a case of the guys getting to know each other and finding out each other’s style of play and how it can compliment their own.
    For veteran goalkeeper Joe Cannon, it’s another year, another pre-season training camp and his second in Vancouver, but he already likes what he sees:
    <i>”I think you know what a talented group of guys we have individually, but today you saw a lot of hunger in there. Mixed in with the new group, it’s going to really push guys that have been here to get better.
    I thought with the quality all around, we’re much further ahead than we were last year, but in saying that, we still got a way to.”</i>
    Whitecaps captain Jay DeMerit is looking forward to what lies ahead and working with the new management team and players:
    <i>”So far the coaching staff has a good idea of how we want to go about things here in pre-season. Today was just to get the legs moving, get the guys playing again and hopefully we’ll move on from here.
    We’ve made some fantastic additions. It’ll be nice to get to know these guys, see their work ethic and see how they can help us.”</i>
    What did come across from watching the players on the pitch, and talking to some of them publically and privately afterwards, is the team harmony that already exists. They’re also just glad to be back in training and looking forward to what they season ahead may bring the team, and themselves personally.
    In many aspects, training just feels different from last season. It’s a lot more organised and professional feeling and the players are all responding accordingly. You would expect nothing less on day one naturally, but there does appear to be a much happier buzz around the squad under the tutelage of Rennie, Ritchie and the others.
    For someone like Jun Marques Davidson, who has played under Rennie before in Carolina, it was to be expected and the decision to come and play under him again was easy:
    <i>”He’s a great coach. Paul Ritchie too. He (Rennie) is a great motivator. He brings the team really up-tempo. Very positive, and that’s always good for the players to keep playing well.”</i>
    It’s way too early to judge the new signings or the potential signings, but a few players stood out at times today, including Michael Nanchoff and new boys Lee Nguyen and Darren Mattocks.
    The Caps number one SuperDraft selection Mattocks is already impressed by the whole Whitecaps organization:
    <i>”The organisation of the club is pretty good. The President of the Club (Bobby Lenarduzzi) came in this morning and talked to the guys in the locker room, so that speaks volumes. The coaching staff are doing a wonderful job.”</i>
    With such a striking presence at the club, what will Mattocks have to do to get himself those first team opportunities?:
    <i>”Just stay focussed. Work hard. First one in the changing room, last one to get out. Just do what I do all of my career and score goals.”</i>
    With an attitude like that, he seems like he’ll be a great addition to the squad. It’s refreshing to hear.
    It may only be day one but the players and management are already keenly focussed on doing wel, hitting the ground running and having a more successful season than last year.
    By the end of the week, we may have a slightly better idea of who has the qualities, and who is going to be around down the line, to help the team achieve that.
    <p>
    Guest

    Alessandro Del Piero: Non

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    The Montreal Impact released a statement today squashing rumours that Alessandro Del Piero will sign with the club as a DP.
    In the statement, the Impact admitted that they did approach the Juventus legend on two occasions, but that he indicated that he was not interested.
    Del Piero indicated that he was only willing to play for in L.A. or New York.
    The Impact have also been linked to German-international Michael Ballack although there has been no official confirmation from the club that they have approached him.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Guest
    Tonight, we're joined by Nigel Reed, CBC columnist and host of the Fan 590's Soccer Show, to talk about his recent article defending the American women national team's right to rejoice, how quality over quantity is the way forward in the women's game and the role of sportsmanship on the elite levels.
    We'll also get into Toronto FC's most recent moves as they open pre-season training, what the recent additions and subtractions to Vancouver mean for the Martin Rennie era and how John Herdman is changing not just the women's game but Canadian soccer.
    The archived show is now up
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    <embed src="http://itscalledfootball.podhoster.com/FlowPlayerLight.swf?config={embedded:true,videoFile:'http://itscalledfootball.podhoster.com/download/2540/28873/jan232012final.mp3',initialScale:'scale',controlBarBackgroundColor:'0x778899',autoBuffering:false,loop:false,autoPlay:false}" width="400" height="25" scale="fit" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>
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    Guest

    OWQ day 4: The Rest of the Story

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    You’ll be forgiven if you decided to take yesterday’s Olympic qualifying tournament off. Hopefully organizers feel a little guilty for charging anyone to watch the double header, which saw a combined score of Winners 20 – Losers 0.
    Of note to Canadian and American fans will be this line from the box score:
    Leroux (48', 50', 57', 70', 87)
    It’s surprising they keep stats in training, but there ya go...
    Yes, Sydney Leroux, LeJudas as some (not all, but some) in Canada have dubbed her, tied an American record for most goals in a match. She is talented, that much is certain.
    The whole thing played out in front of her Canadian mother holding up a sign that said “dreams do come true.” No one is going to fault mom for being proud for daughter, but the hanging question of why a girl growing up in Canada dreamed of playing for the United States remains. And no one has yet bothered to ask Leroux or the family why they accepted a Canadian youth call-up if the goal was always the US.
    Since we’re belabouring it anyway, that’s the biggest question of all. How does the story of her dreaming of Stars and Stripes as a child match up with the decision to accept Canada’s call? Even if you believe she made the right choice you must understand the position of those that argue that she should not have taken resources from the Canadian program under the false pretence that she was going to represent this country.
    If the current line is true, the Leroux’s used the Canadian system to improve her game enough so that she could gain the attention of the Americans. The CSA should hand the family an invoice. Or ask the USSF for a transfer fee.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    I’m joking, of course, but it would make great theatre if they did, don’t you think? Dramatically. Hold a press conference the day before the final. Think of the attention...
    When Leroux scored her fifth goal you could hear a few boos in BC Place. Those that voiced their displeasure were doing so under the risk of expulsion by BC Place security. Throughout the game, reports of security harassing fans in the Voyageurs/Southsiders section were being posted on Twitter. The fans there were told they could not hang a banner that said “Not welcome LeJudas.” Additionally, heckling Leroux and American keeper Hope Solo was also prohibited under threat of expulsion.
    The group says that they were careful to ensure not to swear while heckling.
    Meanwhile photos of a sigh that said “America: Fuck ya” were posted. Apparently that sign was allowed to remain.
    Before the tournament started, the Canadian women called for fans in Vancouver to provide support like we see at Whitecaps games.
    It seems that the message didn’t get to stadium security.
    Guest

    OWQ day 3: The Rest of the Story

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Faced with a lack of competitive drama, much of the Canadian media coverage of the CONCACAF Olympic qualifiers has focused on the frivolous, pedantic and sappy.
    There was a feature on the Canadian team having an internal dance competition – frivolous.
    The Americans were staying at a hotel where a gang shooting took place. Hard news (especially for the guy shot) but hardly that relevant to the competition – pedantic
    And Haiti. Lots of Haiti. How they overcame the earthquake that devastated that country, how locals in Vancouver have helped with equipment and how sport is providing them with a brief reprieve from a very hard time.
    Sappy.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    It stands to reason. It’s the same way that networks cover an Olympics. There are only so many moments that are compelling on a pure sports sense if you are a viewer that isn’t familiar with the sport of the athletes involved.
    Next we take you to Modern Pentathlon. You may not know what Modern Pentathlon is, but you might be interested to know that the No 1 ranked Belarusian once saved a puppy while surfing off the coast of Maui.
    It works surprisingly well (for the record, Modern Pentathlon is a very old and odd Olympic discipline that inexplicably combines sword fighting and horse jumping, among other things). It’s providing a nice little side narrative in this tournament too as Haiti has become most people’s second favourite team.
    However, we should be careful to not put all of the attention on the off-pitch stuff. The truth is, the Haitians have held up pretty good so far. A 5-0 score line against Canada wasn’t great, but the performance was likely the best so far by a minnow against one of the big two (I’m including the Cuba result in that as Cuba was outplayed on a far greater level, despite the score).
    Against Costa Rica, Haiti was the better team for stretches. Is was deep into the second half before they allowed and they might consider themselves unlucky that they didn’t get a result.
    By far, Costa Rica v Haiti has been the best game of the tournament so far.
    Let’s not get carried away here though – Haiti is still as raw as you can imagine. However, there is an underlined athleticism with them that makes one think that they could be better.
    The reason they probably won’t get better is because they rarely play games against teams like Costa Rica – teams better, but not so much better that the game is a write-off. As I wrote before the tournament started CONCACAF would be far better off finding ways to get countries like Haiti playing more meaningful games than it would establishing the symbolism of having them technically in the running for an Olympic spot.
    In hockey and other sports they have B championships, where developing countries play off for a title. Think of it as a sort of Europa League for national teams. Maybe that’s the answer. Hold a B CONCACAF tournament for all but the top three ranked teams with the winner advancing to a four team qualifying event.
    Can you think of any other ways to get these countries playing more?
    Guest

    Herdman to rotate squad

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    In a nod to the lack of competitive balance on offer at the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament, Canadian head coach John Herdman says to expect a totally different line-up tonight as the Canucks go up against the group's weakest touch Cuba.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

    It's a refreshing and logical approach to take. Yes, goal differential could play a role if Canada were to tie Costa Rica, but it's more than a bit defeatist to not believe you won't beat Costa Rica.
    Hopefully, Christine Sinclair gets a rest tonight. As we saw last night when Ali Krieger went down with what looked to be a serious injury, bad things can happen even when you are playing minnows. You can't completely eliminate the chance of an injury, but there is no point putting your best players out every game when you are playing competition that literally can't beat you.
    Make no mistake, Cuba can not beat Canada -- a good CIS team would win against Cuba. The goal of tonight should be to go out and do the job while staying healthy. Don't worry about goal differential; worry about beating Costa Rica when the time comes.
    Guest

    OWQ day 2: The rest of the story

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Having beaten the dead horse back to life on the subject of competitive imbalance in the CONCACAF women’s Olympic qualifiers, I’ll simply state the scores from last night for anyone that has not yet heard.
    Mexico 5 – Guatemala 0.
    And this was the close game.
    USA 14 – Dominican Republic 0
    Ok, then.
    The DR was a collection of girls that would not make a top high school team in Maine. Forcing them to play a collection of professionals is beyond pointless and there is nothing anyone can say to convince me that that game should ever happen at a final qualifying event.
    However, the story of last night wasn’t that the USA ran up the score. Although the cries of “won’t you think of the goal differential” rang a little hollow the athletes were just doing what athletes do. You cannot ask a player to play at half speed. It is disrespectful to their competitors and puts them at greater risk for injury.
    What you can ask of players and teams in a situation like last night is for them to go about their business in a dignified and respectful way. American coach Pia Sundhage did not. What talking points emerged from the game focused of the fact that the Swedish-born coach was high-fiving, fist pumping and, at one point, thrusting after each of the American goals.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]Call me old fashioned, but doing the whole shwing-shwing thing after goal 11 of a 14 goal romp lacks class.
    Predictably most supporters of the US team reacted with the same level of blind partisanship that has made the level of political discourse south of the 49 so productive. Mild criticisms against one individual were interpreted as an attack on their way of life. The only possible reaction to such attacks is with hostility and defensiveness.
    This is not a space that promotes the ugly Canadian trait of knee jerk anti-Americanism. The way some Canadians go over the top to cheer against a culture that is damn near the same as our own is embarrassing. However, last night Sundhage put the ugly in American.
    The excuse she gave – she was sharing in the joy of her players – is baffling and illogical. What joy? Would they gain joy in scoring against a high school team? Would Sundhage high-five her assistants in a scrimmage against a community college side?
    If you are the US, there should be no joy in scoring against the Dominican Republic because it isn’t an accomplishment. Act like you’re the No 1 team in the world doing what is expected of you, not like a classless rube that just won $500 on the penny slots in Vegas.
    Guest

    Eckersley to re-join Toronto: Report

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Kurt Larson of the Toronto SUN is reporting this morning that Richard Eckersley, the former Burnley defender, is preparing to make a permanent move to Toronto FC.
    If the report is true and the recent decision to release Andy Iro and Peri Marosevic would suggest the club is clearing cap space for a signing, it would sew up one of Toronto's lone backline bright spots from 2011.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Eckersley, who provided a level of confidence on the ball rarely seen from Toronto's back four last season, will join a back four that, at present, would look like this:
    Morgan - Cann - Harden - Eckersley.
    Adrian Cann told It's Called Football a few weeks ago that the club had indicated they were interested in re-signing him, after his contract expired in December.
    Paul Mariner, director of player development, has been dropping hints for most of the off-season that the club remained eager to sign another centreback. It is unclear at this point what the former Burnley man has signed for and how the Eckersley move will effect the salary cap and their efforts to find another piece at the back.
    Guest
    He came. He saw. He disappointed. And now he’s gone.
    Vancouver Whitecaps Designated Player Mustapha Jarju and the Club have parted ways, after both parties mutually agreed to a contract termination today.
    The news was greeted in exuberant fashion from some Whitecaps fans, and the <a href="http://vancouversouthsiders.ca/forum/" target="_blank">Southsiders forum</a> even crashed a couple of times, as supporters rushed to voice their celebration.
    In amongst the Jarju joy, there was also some sadness, as long time Cap, and one of the few Canadians in the Whitecaps’ MLS squad, Philippe Davies, was also released.
    Mustapha Jarju arrived in Vancouver amidst much fanfare. He was Major League Soccer’s first ever African Designated Player. Sadly for him, the Caps and the supporters, he flopped.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    We’ve poked a lot of fun at him these last few months. I’ve now lost half my gags for the “West Coast Soccer Weekly” podcast. We did also say though that fans hadn’t seen the best of the Gambian and that he was clearly a much better player than what he had shown so far in Whitecaps colours. His goalscoring record proves that. You don’t become a bad player overnight.
    Just this morning, I wrote about Jarju in my <a href="http://www.metronews.ca/vancouver/blog/post/1076549--away-from-the-numbers-squad-speculation-continues" target="_blank"><b>Vancouver Metro column</b></a>: <i>"The fans haven't seen anywhere near the best of what he is capable of producing, and his market value has fallen faster than this week's temperatures. It's getting harder to see where he's going to fit in with the Caps"</i>.
    Now we know. Nowhere.
    Jarju joined the Whitecaps from Belgian First Division side RAEC Mons, where the Gambian's 21 League goals were instrumental in securing the Club's return to the Jupiler League. The newly promoted Mons were keen to maintain Jarju's services but despite offers from Europe and the Middle East, he ended up in Vancouver where he simply did not perform.
    He was a proven goalscorer, with 62 goals in all competitions in his four and a half years in Belgium, and captain of his national team. It all looked so promising.
    Fans were told he had to get fit, but by the end of the season he ended up as a bench warmer, with the most expensive splinters in MLS.
    He made his Vancouver debut in the friendly against Man City on his birthday and went on to make just ten appearances in MLS, with only five of them coming as a starter. 450 minutes played, no goals, no assists and three shots on goal. That’s what the Caps got for his guaranteed $426,883 annual salary.
    He did score a peach of a free kick for the reserves down in Portland though, which AFTN managed to just about capture <a href="
    " target="_blank">on video</a>. A Jarju goal in Vancouver colours is rarer than Bigfoot sightings.We also captured the last thing some fans will ever have seen him do in a Whitecaps jersey – <a href="
    " target="_blank">missing the decisive penalty in the last intrasquad game in November</a>. Kind of summed up his time here.The pressure on Jarju was immense, partly because of that salary, partly because of his DP status (which may actually have stood for 'Doesn’t Play') and partly due to the exciting player we were told he was at his press conference in the summer.
    In many ways it was a shame for the guy. He was trying to fit in to new surroundings and was billed as this great goalscorer, so fans obviously expected more. It’s best for both parties that he moves on.
    He is joined on the plane out of YVR by Philippe Davies.
    Davies never got his chance at MLS level. Even with a <a href="http://www.aftncanada.blogspot.com/2011/10/twitter-campaign-supports-philippe.html" target="_blank">supporters’ Twitter campaign</a> trying to help him out.
    He finished last season as the only outfield MLS Whitecap to not see a minute of playing time.
    A product of the Caps Residency program, he was with Vancouver since 207 and made 34 appearances for the team in our D2 days. The Quebec native had a frustrating 2011 season, although impressed in the PDL.
    When AFTN caught up with him after the last MLS game of the season, Phil admitted to us that <i>”It’s been a tough year for me”</i>.
    In our <a href="http://www.aftncanada.blogspot.com/2011/10/its-been-tough-year-for-me-philippe.html" target="_blank">interview with him</a> he acknowledged that he needs to play. He needs game time and the chance to show what he can do. If he wasn’t going to get that in Vancouver, he would need to move on and that’s just what he’s done.
    Officially, the Whitecaps declined the 2012 contract option on Davies and the two parties were unable to come to terms on a new agreement. Should Davies choose to continue his career within Major League Soccer, Vancouver will have the right of first refusal for the player.
    At least he can now get on with his career and if he excels then he may find himself back with the team at some point, although my money would be on the Impact making a move for him down the line.
    Jarju’s release, and todays trade with Colorado for a further international spot, helps the team in that capacity, but Davies leaving now takes the Caps Canadian contingent down to the League minimum of three.
    This could signal the signing of Residency fan favourite Ben Fisk to the MLS team, which many, AFTN included, would welcome.
    The burning question that fans now have is whether Jarju’s DP spot will be filled.
    Will a player from Martin Rennie’s UK scouting trip be making the move? Will Camilo be upgraded to that role? Or will the Caps just wait and see if they need someone or whether someone becomes available?
    Whatever happens, it’s certainly been an interesting week in Vancouver. Who knows what next week will bring?!
    <p>
    Guest
    We haven’t done one of our "Top Ten Lists" yet in 2012, so with the women’s Olympic Qualifiers now underway, here’s our <b>'Top Ten Songs AFTN Dedicates To The Canadian Women’s National Team'</b>.
    We’ve even made them all a link so you can listen along to the songs as you watch the games. Here to help!
    As always, add your own suggestions in the comments section….
    <p>
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    (10) <a href="
    " target="_blank">'Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowgirls' by Elton John</a>(9) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvtRkarV5wM" target="_blank">'Do You Want To Touch Me (Oh Yeah)' by Gary Glitter</a>
    (8) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_itNaDgNDD0" target="_blank">'All Hope Is Gone (For Solo and the US)' by Slipknot</a>
    (7) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7vddTgeS6Q&skipcontrinter=1" target="_blank">'The Game' by Mottershead</a>
    (6 ) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hsv1y-ANRg0" target="_blank">'Melissa Tancredi Overture' by Rossini</a> (yes, we’re a cultured lot here at AFTN!)
    (5) <a href="
    " target="_blank">'Poke Her Face' by Lady Gaga</a> (ok, maybe not all that cultured. Or enlightened! I’m talking about poking the opposition in the eye people!)(4) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shcI6vE-PlE" target="_blank">'For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)' by AC/DC</a>
    (3) <a href="
    " target="_blank">'For My Country' by UK Decay</a>(2) <a href="
    " target="_blank">'I Just Want To Go With Chelsea' by Elvis Costello and The Attractions</a>(1) <a href="
    " target="_blank">'London Calling' by The Clash</a><p>
    Guest

    Two cut from Reds

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Andy Iro and forward Peri Marosevic have been released by Toronto FC.
    Iro’s release has been rumoured for weeks now, with the big defender already on trial in England. Marosevic comes as more of a surprise, but he was a bubble player that was brought in for what was in reality an extended trial at the end of 2011.
    Although we will never know what the offer was, it would seem likely that both players were offered a new contract around the league minimum.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    In 2011 Marosevic had a guaranteed contract that paid him about $129,000 as a Generation adidas player. Iro made about $87,000. Both would have likely made half of that in 2012 if they had stayed in Toronto.
    Iro’s weaknesses are well documented and it’s unlikely that he’ll be overly missed. Marosevic seemed to have some potential, but certainly not at a salary close to what he received.
    The Marosevic situation speaks to a rarely articulated problem with drafting GA players. Although you do save on the cap hit for the duration of their time in the program, they are often paid much higher than other players in the league their age. Still young, they might take longer to fully develop as pro players. In those circumstances, it becomes hard to keep them around.
    Few people would be willing to take a 50 per cent pay cut.
    If you take a non-GA in the draft you will need to count him on the cap, but you’ll get the player at a salary around $40,000. That allows you to take a longer view with the player.
    Guest
    With pre-season training set to begin this coming Monday, Vancouver Whitecaps’ busy week of acquisitions continued today, but this time it was with the coaching staff.
    The Whitecaps have two new assistant coaches to aid and assist Martin Rennie and Paul Ritchie, and there’s some more Celtic flair in amongst them, with Welshman Carl Robinson and American Jake DeClute join the Caps coaching team.
    Robinson is a familiar figure to many in MLS. The former Toronto FC and New York Red Bulls midfielder earns his first coaching gig after a five year playing career in Major League Soccer, during which time he made 87 League appearances and scored 4 goals.
    Focussing on obtaining his coaching licences, Robinson only made two appearances for New York last season, but is bringing a wealth of experience to the Caps backroom team.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    In a 17 year professional career, the 35 year old has seen time with nine English sides, including stints in the Premier League with Portsmouth and Sunderland. After 176 appearances and 11 goals in all competitions, Robinson made the move to North America, joining TFC for their inaugural season and remaining there for three years.
    At times it seemed like he was a bit of a polarizing figure there. Some fans praised his workrate and leadership qualities, others were frustrated by his lack of goals and attacking flair. As a defensive midfielder, that’s not the qualities you’re looking for in that role, and that’s a position that’s needing a lot of work with the Caps right now.
    He won the TFC ‘Player of the Year’ award in 2007 and 2008, so he was clearly doing something to please the majority during his time there.
    Robinson has played against the Whitecaps before, for TFC in the Voyageurs Cup, and many will remember abusing him loudly at Swangard. How times change!
    His top level experience will be invaluable to Rennie, Ritchie and the Caps. Apart from bringing that MLS experience, which only Tommy Soehn has within the Whitecaps backroom staff at the moment (and the least said about him the better), he is a former Welsh international, who played 52 games for his country, and also earned caps at Under 21 and B level.
    Robinson is currently working towards his UEFA Coaching Licence and there’s been rumours swirling around for a few months now that we was going to be heading towards Vancouver in some form of coaching capacity.
    Now that he’s here, the Welshman is excited by his new challenge:
    <i>”I am thrilled about this new opportunity to continue my career in the sport I love. I have known for a long time that once I was done playing, I would transition to a coaching role, and have been actively working toward my licences.
    Whitecaps FC are an excellent club with a great tradition and fantastic supporters. I am excited to start my coaching career with Martin Rennie and the rest of the staff in Vancouver.”</i>
    And we’re delighted to have you here Carl, but Robinson is not the only newbie amongst the Caps backroom team today. He is being joined by the more experienced Jake DeClute, who joins the Club not only as assistant coach, but also as Scouting Coordinator.
    Like many of the Whitecaps recent additions, DeClute is a man who has worked with Martin Rennie before. He has been Rennie’s assistant at all of his three previous teams (Cascade Surge, Cleveland City Stars and Carolina Railhawks), so it is no real surprise to see the American joining him now in Vancouver.
    DeClute also has a strong collegiate background, both as a player and a coach. He won a National Championship as a player with Illinois’ Wheaton College and has spent five years as Head Coach with Gordon College in Massachusetts, where he helped build a highly respected program.
    He currently holds a UEFA ‘B’ Licence and is working toward his ‘A” Licence.
    With his coaching staff now complete, Martin Rennie is happy with his new look team and is looking forward to the season ahead:
    <i>”Carl and Jake are great additions to the club, as both bring a unique skill set that will complement our current staff.
    Carl has played the game at the highest levels and has a strong understanding of Major League Soccer.
    Meanwhile, Jake has risen through the North American soccer coaching ranks, while also bringing coaching experience from his time in Scotland, and has also shown a keen eye for talent.”</i>
    DeClute’s Gordon College are known as the “Fighting Scots”. Whitecaps fans are hoping that our own two fighting Scots will bring some much sought after success to Vancouver, ably assisted by a Welshman and a Yank.
    Let the pre-season begin.
    <p>
    <p>
    Guest

    An indistinct soccer club

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Jesse Marsch was always an odd choice to be the first MLS coach of the Montreal Impact. A pretty much unilingual American who had a long if unspectacular playing career as a grunt. To use an analogy Montrealers would be familiar with Marsch was a third liner on the Leafs. Montreal is a first line kind of town. Well, at least it likes to think of itself that way.
    It’s also, of course, a French town with a vibrant (if a little nuts) French language media. That the Impact went with a guy that speaks limited French was an unexpected move and one that might hurt them down the road. At the press conference announcing the Impact’s expansion draft picks there were just two questions asked by reporters, both in English.
    Although no (sane) sports fan would want to see the same reaction to Marsch as we saw with the promotion of unilingual Randy Cunneyworth to the head job with the Montreal Canadiens, the same issues that made that appointment problematic apply with the Impact. Language is a sensitive issue in Quebec.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    So far the current fans of the Impact -- predominantly Francophones, it must be said – have not complained. The Impact faithful from D2 are just happy to have a team, I suspect. To their credit they are only interested in Marsch’s ability to win soccer games and are not preoccupied with whether he calls it a four-four-two or a quatre-quatre-deux.
    Of course the old fans loyalty is not at issue – finding new fans to fill an expanded Saputo Stadium is. To win the hearts of Montrealers, the Impact will need to do a good job of not only putting a competitive product of the field, but of also reflecting the community it exists in.
    Is Marsch aware that he not only must manage a football team but also be a social anthropologist? Based on the evidence so far, I suspect not. On the Pitch Invasion podcast today he talked about his philosophy of building the Impact:
    It’s pretty basic stuff, but it speaks to an approach that has been pretty clear to anyone paying attention to the players he’s brought in. Marsch favours workmanlike MLS lifers. Grunts. Plumbers. Mostly college grads. He’s building a team that would brilliantly reflect Toronto. In black and white. The 2012 Montreal Impact are the 1957 Toronto Maple Leafs.
    With just Patrice Bernier to carry the fleur de lis, there isn’t a lot of local character there for a reluctant Quebecor to grab hold of. Maybe it won’t matter, but history tells us that it very well might. The Impact academy had better start cranking out young French-Canadian talent quickly.
    Winning is said to cure all, of course. On that front it’s hard to take issue with what Marsch is doing. There is little doubt that an approach that favours veteran MLSers over risky foreign signings will produce a more competitive team out of the gate (example: 2011 Portland Timbers vs 2011 Vancouver Whitecaps – the former took Marsch’s approach, the latter did not). It seems likely that the Impact will be fairly close to the final playoff position.
    Will that be enough to win over the complicated Montreal sports market?
    I don’t think anyone can know yet.
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