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    Guest
    So that's it for Nana Attakora at Toronto FC, huh?
    Being a passionate person brings with it a certain tendency towards the maudlin, so hopefully you'll indulge me for a few paragraphs here. We all knew him as Nana -- perhaps because of familiarity and affection, perhaps because it is just fun to say. His most memorable episode as a member of TFC may have been when he dropped the "Gyan" from his last name, mostly because no one could figure out why it happened.
    But the trade of Nana (see, you can't not do it, right?) is more than simply the moving of an underused central defender. Nana represented -- and still represents -- all of the promise, and all of the tumult, that has defined Toronto FC's four and a half years of on-field existence.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Attakora (alright, you can force yourself not to do it) was, as many fans know, the final remaining member of the roster from TFC's inaugural season in 2007. He's also a local kid, who many see as an "academy graduate" even though he joined the club before the TFC Academy existed. He was on a TFC roster alongside such north-of-the-border luminaries as Adam Braz, Marco Reda and, yes, Andrea Lombardo in that first season.
    The team, as was expected, filled toilet upon toilet with its performances in that initial campaign, but the excitement of having top-level pro soccer back in Toronto couldn't be suppressed. Most of the Canadian-quota contingent found themselves shipped out of town soon after, but Attakora stuck around. There was promise. There was a time when some local pundits (one of whose last names may rhyme with "is blotto") dreamed that Attakora could follow in Maurice Edu's footsteps in being sold off to a European side.
    We dreamed big of the potential for not only the current men's national team, but what Attakora's ascension could mean for the civic profile of Toronto FC. A local kid, brought up through the local team, then shipped off to some high-profile squad where he proudly represents Canada on both a club and national-team level.
    None of that has come to fruition, of course. Attakora has developed into a solid MLS centre-back, though he hasn't found his way into the national team setup. Of course, he's still fairly young, and could very well develop into a national team player. That would be terrific, actually -- almost as terrific as if he were a young, raw striker who showed signs of promise that could bloom into a contributor to Canada. But I digress.
    No one knows where Attakora's career will go from here, on either a club or country level. Some have suggested, quite feasibly, that the Canadian connection between him and Earthquakes coach Frank Yallop will mean good things. Here's hoping that that's true.
    But -- and here's where the maudlin part kicks in -- Nana was the last, lingering link to a time of unfettered excitement in Toronto about the team and about what it could represent. In the intervening years, we've seen a revolving door of coaches, unbridled hatred toward the general manager, open revolts from supporters groups, dwindling attendance and, oh yeah, losses upon losses upon losses. Nana's continuing presence was a small, regular reminder of what was -- or rather, what could have been.
    He was never going to single-handedly right the ship, of course. And the trades that took place on Thursday could very well help TFC improve its win-loss record, draw more fans and get back on the optimistic track under Aron Winter and company.
    But one thing's for sure: The promise of the Nana Attakora era in Toronto has been diminishing for years, to the point of near oblivion. With Nana now gone, the team must start delivering on some of it. Soon.
    Guest

    Trader Aron

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    It turns out that Aron Winter is a man of his word. Just days after he said that he would be spending the mid-season break trading players, he did just that. Gone are underused Nana Attakora, overpaid Jacob Peterson and unhealthy Alan Gordon. In are unfortunate Terry Dunfield and underperforming Ryan Johnson, plus an international slot. Allocation was also sent TFC’s way, which was more than likely (MLS never gives details on allocation) sent back to Vancouver in the Dunfield trade.
    It is arguably the most dramatic trade in TFC history and one of the more intriguing recent swaps in all of Toronto sports.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]Suggesting that there is a clear winner or loser in these deals is more than a bit foolhardy, although it is a bit difficult to understand Vancouver’s reasoning. We’ll come back to that, but first with the San Jose trade. There, a lot will depend on which of Attakora or Johnson most regains past form.
    Johnson is a player that has scored in this league and that’s a skill that is always going to cost. When Winter made the proclamation that he was going to trade players, the thinking Reds fan had to understand that he wasn’t going to get anything worthwhile for the players (no need to name them here) that are in every fan’s doghouse. You have to trade assets to get assets and Toronto did just that today.
    Emotionally, losing Attakora hurts, but logically the loss is not that impactful. He wasn’t playing and wasn’t in Winter’s plans. Moving him was in Attakora’s best interests and most will hope that he regains the form that saw him as a consistent starter in 2010. However, Attakora has never been quite as good as many TFC fans thought – promising, sure, but as a starting centreback he was in the bottom half of the league talent wise – and he will need to battle to get playing time in San Jose. However, he should get a fair look and that would seem to be more than he was getting here.
    As stated, Johnson is a guy that has scored in this league before. Although his form has dropped since 2009, his potential value is likely higher than Attakora's. He’s also a player that would seem to fit Winter’s preferred system. It’s likely TFC will use him up front, on the left, and ask him to play more of a winger's role within the 4-3-3.
    Moving Gordon is the most difficult part of the transaction to understand. The addition of Danny Koevermans combined with the injury struggles likely made him expendable in Winter’s mind. It’s also been suggested that Gordon quietly asked to be moved back to California, where he has played his entire MLS career up until this year.
    Jacob Peterson has one of the worst contracts in MLS. And, although he took a pot-shot at the organization on the way out of town, he should probably thank Mo Johnston every time he opens his paycheque. Moving him was a contract dump, and all-told the moves today freed up about $95,000.
    That’s the other part of this deal. It’s no secret that Toronto needs help at the back. One would have to think that everything done today was setting Winter up to get the defender he wants and desperately needs.
    One position he doesn’t need help at is holding midfield, where the acquisition of Dunfield gives the Reds four players that can and have played the position at a high level – Dunfield, Torsten Frings, Julian de Guzman and Tony Tchani. That’s led some to speculate that the move could be a precursor to de Guzman leaving. And, it must be said, the rumour mill has been working overtime in that regard.
    We’ll have more from the Vancouver perspective later, but it’s hard to see any way that getting Dunfield for basically nothing is a bad move for TFC. He’s an honest player that gives a full effort every night and, as a bonus, Canadian. If he gets playing time, he’ll become a fan favourite.
    On the whole, you have to call this trade a draw for now. However, you also have to give credit where it is due. Whereas past management at TFC was often criticised for failing to take the type of bold steps needed, today’s moves show that Winter is not afraid to be aggressive. If it works and TFC pulls itself back into contention in the second half of the season he’ll be a genius.
    And if it doesn’t? Well, it can’t be much worse than it is now, can it.
    Guest
    It wasn't supposed to end like this. When Vancouver native Terry Dunfield returned to his hometown in 2010 to suit up for the Whitecaps after stints in England with Manchester City, Bury, Worchester City, Shrewsbury Town and Macclesfield Town, it seemed like the perfect story. Dunfield's English career started with plenty of promise, but it was soon derailed by injuries and he wound up seeing limited duty in the lower divisions. A return home looked like the perfect cure for him, and he soon became a crucial part of the Whitecaps' Division II side. He continued his promise at the MLS level this year, and although things didn't work out well for the team as a whole and Dunfield <a href="http://www.theprovince.com/Dunfield+dismay+says/5070946/story.html">struggled along with the rest at times</a>, the solution the Whitecaps eventually arrived at was yet another in a season of odd moves. In the end, they <a href="http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?1986-Nana-Goodbye">traded him to Toronto</a> Thursday <a href="http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Dunfield+gets+boot+traded+Toronto/5102968/story.html?cid=megadrop_story">for allocation money and future considerations</a>.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Axing Dunfield for so little in the way of tangible returns certainly doesn't look good from many standpoints, and one is the Canadian soccer perspective. Dunfield was one of the fan favourites on this squad, and also was the only player with any sort of B.C. connection. The Whitecaps only have <a href="http://www.whitecapsfc.com/players">three other players</a> on the senior squad born in Canada at the moment, including Quebec-born Alain Rochat (who has played for Switzerland internationally). Philippe Davies (Quebec) and Russell Teibert (Ontario) are now the only guys on the Whitecaps ever likely to see any time with the Canadian national team. It's also worth noting that Dunfield's effort and grit made him <a href="http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Reaching+tipping+point/5100841/story.html">a favourite for many fans</a>, not just his passport.
    In and of itself, trading a player like Dunfield isn't necessarily a critical problem. It's generally more advantageous for teams in any league to field the best possible squad than one stocked with local or national heroes, and if there was clear evidence that trading a local hero made the Whitecaps a better team, it would be easier to support. That evidence doesn't exist at present, though, and it's not going to exist for a while if it ever does. Sure, Dunfield hasn't had a perfect season, but there's a fair bit to suggest he was still one of the team's most effective central midfielders when healthy. At the very least, he was certainly a guy who should be in the mix, starting some games and perhaps coming in in relief in others. The Whitecaps' midfield, which has been a troubling area for much of the year, is weakened without him. In a season where so much else has already gone wrong and where there are few positive signs at the moment, that's hardly a good thing.
    That's not to say that the Whitecaps got nothing in return. Allocation money and future considerations (perhaps a conditional draft pick) could certainly help them down the road, but it all depends on how they use them. It's worth pointing out that this isn't a rebuilding team trading an aging veteran to build for the future, though; Dunfield's only 29, and his current level of play would suggest he can continue to be an effective contributor at the MLS level for years. Vancouver may be looking to the future here, but Dunfield could have been a part of that too.
    The rationale here could be that Dunfield was one of Teitur Thordarson's guys and didn't fit in new head coach Tom Soehn's system. Dunfield <a href="http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Dunfield+gets+boot+traded+Toronto/5102968/story.html?cid=megadrop_story">started 11 of the 12 games he played</a> for Vancouver this year, but nine of those starts came under Thordarson, and Soehn left him on the bench for the team's loss to Colorado Saturday. If that's the logic here, though, that just adds to <a href="http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/top/blog/canada/post/With-Thordarson-firing-are-Whitecaps-on-TFC-s-p?urn=top-358832">the case that firing Thordarson midway through the team's first MLS season was the wrong move</a>. At the moment, they're rebuilding what was already a rebuilding roster, and they've just axed one of their solid players and fan favourites for zilch in immediate returns. We'll see down the road if this move pans out once it's determined how Vancouver uses the allocation money and future considerations, but at the moment, the indications aren't particularly promising. For now, it looks like just another low point in a season full of them.
    Guest
    Nana Attakora has been traded to San Jose along with Jacob Peterson and Alan Gordon. In exchange the Reds received the Earthquakes 2009 leading scorer, Ryan Johnson, an international slot and allocation.
    TFC wasn't done. They also traded allocation to Vancouver for Canadian international Terry Dunfield. The Caps also receive future considerations, thought to be a conditional draft pick.
    The moves free up about $95,000 in cap space for Toronto, with the club still desperate for a centreback. Former Montreal Impact CB Kevin Hatchi is rumoured to be joining the club as early as tomorrow, but that move is likely for depth only.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Dunfield was traded just four days before he was scheduled to play against Manchester City, a club that he played as a youth for and for which he maintains a strong connection to.
    The Whitecaps thanked him for his service.
    "We want to thank Terry for the contribution he made to our club over the past year," said Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi said in a release. "Being from Vancouver, Terry took pride in helping us make our move up to Major League Soccer, so today's trade was a difficult decision to make. We wish him all the best for the future at Toronto FC."
    Aron Winter said he was impressed with the effort Dunfield brings.
    "We are pleased to add Terry to our midfield, he is a passionate player and he will fit in well, " said Toronto FC Head Coach and Technical Director Aron Winter. "He has played well this season for Vancouver and we have seen first-hand what he is capable of."
    We've yet to hear from most of the players, but Jacob Peterson was active on his Twitter account saying that he was”off to greener pastures."
    Guest
    Ron Davidson was OSL coach of the year for 2009, and followed that up with CSL coach of the year honours in 2010 – all for his stellar work with his former club, Hamilton Croatia.
    Davidson makes plain the differences between developing players – and developing professionals.
    Thanks to Ben Rycroft, for this interview which appeared on the July 8 edition of “It’s Called Football.”
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    ---
    CSN: You’ve coached at the OSA and CSL levels, and have been awarded with coach of the year at both those levels, in 2009 and 2010. What we’re trying to get at right now is why Canadian soccer isn’t developing more professional-level coaches. Where are the links breaking down, and what does Canada need to do to start building better coaching pathways, so we can start developing better local coaches?
    RD: I think one of the main things, definitely, is that coach education needs to increase. If there’s only one course here, and coaches don’t have the ability to make it on those certain dates, then they have to wait another year. And a year gone past without any further development is a year lost. So definitely the CSA and OSA need to increase the coach education that is available to coaches. And also look at other systems around the world that are working, and maybe send some coaches to those systems, to monitor how they’re doing things, and develop that program within our own country.
    CSN: One of the things we’re continuing to hear is that there’s a major difference between developing youth players and developing professional players. Those who are making the jump, a lot of times, look to go overseas. So they go to Italy, or they’ll go to Spain to try and learn their pathways. Can you accentuate the differences between coaching youth and coaching professional players, and why that’s such a jump?
    RD: It’s a vast difference. When you’re coaching youth players, you’re actually developing them, depending on what age you get the kids at. If we say we take an eight-year-old, 10-year old, 12-year old, you’re developing them from the basics, right through the entire coaching manual, if you want to call it that. When you enter into the professional game, and you’re working with senior players, they’re already developed. You’re coaching more of an organized structure. Organizing the players, systems, knowing the other team – it’s a completely different path that you’re looking at. Players that come to you at senior level pretty much are developed. If you look at the professional game in the U.K. or Europe, at Manchester United, Alex Ferguson doesn’t buy players that he has to develop. They’re already developed. They just have to work in his system. So it’s a big difference.
    CSN: Does part of our development shortcomings at the coaching end, as well as on the youth end, begin with the fact that outside a few prominent youth clubs, most of youth soccer is run by volunteers in this country? If that’s so, how do we go about changing those things, and putting in more of a professional environment?
    RD: I think it all leads back to the one thing, called money. Money has to be invested back in the game – and a lot of money. You can look at south of the border, as a good example. They definitely invested in the game after they hosted the World Cup. It paid dividends for them. So money definitely has to go into the game, to develop coaches and restructure the entire system, because it is not working.
    CSN: It’s clearly not working right now. We’ve been looking for numerous people to be able to stand up and represent Canadian coaches, and they’re few and far between. What would you like the CSA to do? What would you like the OSA to do specifically, aside from fund coaching programs? I mean, money is the end-all, be-all in this sport, but unfortunately Canadian soccer isn’t blessed with that. Are there other things the organizing bodies can do in the interim, until they are able to get corporate partnerships to help develop coaching and youth coaching along those pathways?
    RD: The CSA and OSA are limited in what they can do with their funding. I think you have to go and look at the youth clubs as well. As an example, the large clubs that have a lot of revenue should be doing greater coach development. Maybe they can work along, as well, with the OSA and CSA to help the situation in terms of funding. Definitely, the CSA needs to restructure, and look at the coaching education program. Coaches within the country here – there was one question that came up: “Why are there not enough coaches working in Europe?” There are an awful lot of coaches over there that are superior in qualifications and knowledge of the game. You’re asking a coach from Canada to go over and, let’s say, coach in the English Championship. Do the coaches from over here know the players that are available to them? Do they know the system? And the answer is no. No. So that is one of the reasons why there are not a lot of Canadian coaches getting an education in Europe, because we just don’t know the system over there. We need to build an internal system here, in terms of a professional league. That really needs to happen, and it would have to be a D-2 sanctioned league.
    CSN: You believe that the D-2 sanctioned league here in Canada would, in fact, help to develop the coaches that are now sort of floundering in the youth ranks?
    RD: Absolutely. Absolutely. You’re going to be exposed to some imported players. You’ll be exposed to some coaches coming in that you can learn from. And you’re competing against a higher level of competition, so you can only learn from that. It definitely has to be D-2 and not D-3.
    CSN: Why is that the major difference for you? Because D-3 doesn’t have as many import players or is there another reason?
    RD: The D-3 league, in terms of the CSL is, for all you want to push professional, it really is a semi-professional league. There’s some good players and good coaches in the league, but it is definitely semi-professional. You want to get into D-2, where the players are full-time, and they’re training every day. That can only help the player and help the coach develop the game – and the youth, as well. The systems around the world seem to work. That being, you have your professional team, you have your reserve team, your youth team and your development academy. That seems to work in Spain, England, Italy, South America. So we need not to be anything different. We can be the same as them, because that’s what’s working.
    CSN: Right now, the OSA is undertaking a number of efforts to transform the way we develop youth and soccer in this province. One of the main efforts is to eliminate promotion and relegation from the youth ranks of Ontario football. That’s something that has been met with great discussion over the last little while. Can you give us your take on that? Is it beneficial to the long-term development of youth players in this country to eliminate promotion and relegation within those ranks, or is it something that fosters competitive spirit, and is part of the sport?
    RD: I would have to agree with the OSA on that. It’s a positive step. There’s too much emphasis here on the kids winning, and coaches stacking their teams, and then they fall out with the club and go to another club, and take all those players with them. That’s not developing the game. That’s a selfish decision for the coach. So I do agree with what the OSA hopefully will implement. You don’t need promotion and relegation. We need to develop our kids. And it’s not developing a 15, 16, 17-year-old. We should be developing and starting a serious program from eight years old – like everywhere else in the world – and taking away the promotion and relegation.
    CSN: If you can just expand on the promotion-relegation argument: if you could identify the factors of why that’s actually detrimental to the development of youth players?
    RD: At one point I said one coach will just go and stack his team, and you’re playing against weaker opposition. You’re not being challenged, which means you’re not developing. You’re dominating, and that’s not good for the sport. The players are not developing doing that. The development program where – even if you tier it, like tier one, tier two, tier three – something like that where not every kid and player is going to have the same ability, but at least when all tier-ones are playing, you’ll have a competitive environment. And that’s what kids learn from. They don’t learn by winning 10-0.
    CSN: Another thing that’s been brought up of late, in terms of turning this into a more professional environment, was the idea that clubs who develop players, if a player wants to leave and go on, that the club should have to be paid a transfer fee, and that would in some way help prevent the constant movement. What do you think of that as a concept for youth sport?
    RD: I agree with it. I think if a club has a kid from nine or 10 years old until the time they’re 15 and they move on, and they spend a lot of time and money developing that player, and it’s like anywhere else in the world … again we come back to that point. I don’t know if it’s a transfer fee other than a development fee. That could be worked out, and would have to be set in structure. It’s difficult to sell a youth player from a youth club to a pro club, and get a fee for it. So maybe it’s a development fee – or an ongoing fee, where that player is still property of the youth club. I know it may sound a bit far-fetched, but in Europe and the U.K., all these players – 14, 15 years old – they already have agents. If the player is transferred somewhere, that agent takes care of that, and the youth club that developed them gets something back.
    CSN: What would a fee like that be? Obviously the numbers will be different overseas, but if something like that were to be implemented here, how much money are we talking about?
    RD: That’s a difficult one, to be honest. I really couldn’t put a number on it, because it’s never happened here. I think you have to judge it where that player ends up. Too often here, players say they are down in the U.S. playing in a pro league, and then you find out they’re making 600 bucks a month. That’s not playing pro; that’s living your dream. When you’re looking at a youth player, I think it will all depend … you know, I heard something this week about a kid from England who is over visiting Barcelona, doing the tour around the stadium, and outside there were some kids on a field doing a kick-about, and he joined in. And now Barcelona are interested in him! I think he’s 12 years old. That’s an example. Could that happen to a Canadian kid? Now you’re on a different level. What is it worth to Barcelona to pay?
    CSN: I want to take it back to Ontario for a second, and get your take on the rise of private academy options in Ontario and B.C. Do they present a good alternative, in your opinion, for youth players to develop? There’s a certain debate over whether or not this is a viable system: if it can work within Ontario soccer, and currently, as it stands, it doesn’t. Are some of the best coaches going there? What is your take on private academies in Ontario and B.C.?
    RD: I think there’s a place for them, for sure -- if it’s done properly and run professionally. And I think the OSA and the governing bodies need to look at the academies and make sure that they are following the rules. Too many academies just pop up for one year, and then disappear again. They’re not really developing kids. They’re just taking money, and that I totally disagree with. I think you have to have an academy that has a long-term plan. It’s definitely a viable option. I disagree with it if it’s not done properly – like anything. There are some excellent coaches in some of the academies that I know from this area. People always say they’re going there because they are well-paid, and that’s okay. If the clubs would then would start paying their coaches, maybe they would stay with the clubs. But there are some excellent academies doing an excellent job of developing their players. You can see it in terms of players getting the opportunity to go to Europe. That’s one thing I don’t see the clubs doing a lot of, is giving the kids that option to leave here. Club teams would be afraid to lose a player. They want to keep them all the time. Academies are happy to develop a player, and create an opportunity for them elsewhere.
    CSN: That’s interesting. The academies that I know of in Ontario are a couple of the Russian academies, as well as SAAC. They do develop players, and they do take them overseas, etcetera. But like you said, the clubs perhaps have more of an inclination to get in registration, as opposed to developing youth players. Do you agree with that?
    RD: Yeah. It’s a numbers game. They want the player to stay; they don’t want the player to leave. In soccer, the ultimate goal for your club should be to develop the player. You’ve had a player in your system that goes to the next level, and let’s say in Southern Ontario the next level is to play for Toronto FC. If you’ve got a 15-year-old who is an excellent prospect, why keep him? Your club is not going to go under if you lose five, six, 10 players in a season. That player should be going to the next step – to TFC or to Europe or the U.K., and the ultimate goal is to play for your country. If you keep a kid, and say you can play from U-11 to U-18 in our system, it’s removing that opportunity to further develop, and move on and play for Canada – which, in my opinion, for the youth clubs, should be the ultimate goal, and have the most pride with the picture on the wall, in the clubhouse.
    Guest
    Numerous questions have been asked over the past month about how best to fulfill Canada’s ongoing quest for respect and success in international football. Or at the very least, moderate doses of both.
    One country that fought similar battles and appears much closer to actually winning them is Australia. The land Down Under shares many similarities with Canada, including a large population of angry men and women who have historically viewed soccer as a game solely for foreigners and homosexuals.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Hence the title of 2002 book: “Sheilas, Wogs and Poofters, An Incomplete Biography of Johnny Warren & Soccer In Australia.” I’ve been meaning to read this for some time but I now know enough to confirm it details how Warren helped grow the game in Australia and his fight against hostile mainstream attitudes.
    Before he died in 2004, Warren said he wanted his legacy to be a simple response to his detractors, “I told you so.” In the lead-up and during the 2006 World Cup that phrase served as a something of a rallying call for Australian supporters and even as the studio backdrop for one network’s soccer programming. Warren always maintained soccer could be popular in Australia and that his country was not only capable of being decent at the game but of being extremely good at it.
    A catchphrase can be stupid, ironic, hilarious or some weird combination of them all (think of the sitcom Ricky Gervais’ character in Extras! developed for the BBC: “Are you having a laugh?”) but it can also serve as a powerful force. You could argue that a catchphrase helped elect the first black U.S. president. Turning to two obvious soccer-related examples, we have Barcelona’s “More than a club” (which is more of a motto) or Manchester City’s “Thirty-five years and we’re still here.”
    No, the myriad of problems stacked on top of Canadian soccer won’t magically be swept away with the introduction of a simple phrase. But for the sake of assuming such a phrase might actually help, what would Canadian soccer’s be? And here I’m referring specifically to fans and supporters of the national teams, no matter where their club allegiances lie.
    “I told you so” was centred around Warren’s heroic struggles, and the fact he passed away before seeing Australia qualify for the 2006 World Cup lent it a celebratory air. A classic tale of overcoming the odds and winning the prize to inspire every right-thinking Australian. Without that hero, I think a similar call to defiance would actually come across as somewhat vindictive in the Canadian context, like flipping a big middle one at half of the country when everyone’s finally paying attention.
    A catchphrase, war cry, rally call, whatever you call it, shows how a particular group defines themselves and whatever they see as their cause. Barcelona’s points to a noble purpose, serving a greater good by nourishing the beautiful football from the ground up; Man City’s hints at solidarity, loyalty and defiance. But what about Canada and its fans?
    Usually the way these things work is that the writer suggests something and then asks for better ideas. But I’m stumped. When I think of the game in Canada and its most passionate supporters the words and phrases that pop into my head include: desperation, blind hope, resignation, borderline insanity, fierce loyalty, insurmountable odds... and despite all the depressing stuff on the field, a barnstorming fuckload of fun. This phrase would desperately need to be inclusive. There’s plenty of naysayers but circling wagons is the last thing Canadian soccer supporters should be doing.
    So, Canadian soccer. What’s the catchphrase?
    Guest
    Today, we're joined by the head coach of the Vancovuer Whitecaps Tom Soehn about their decision to go with Mustapha Jarju as their designated player, his goals for the club during the remainder of the season, how he's dealt with moving to the head coach role and gives a strange answer to the question of Mouloud Akloul's status.
    We'll also look back on the Toronto FC's first half of the year, talk more about who could be on their way out of town and we'll also discuss the success of the Nutrilite Voyageurs Cup vs the disdain certain U.S. teams show for their domestic cup.
    The archived show is now up.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Who do you think has been a standout for Toronto? Who stunk it up? And iis Soehn right - can Vancouver turn it around?
    <embed src="http://itscalledfootball.podhoster.com/FlowPlayerLight.swf?config={embedded:true,videoFile:%27http://itscalledfootball.podhoster.com/download/2540/24426/july132011final.mp3%27,initialScale:%27scale%27,controlBarBackgroundColor:%270x778899%27,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>
    ___
    Also, we're looking at doing less live shows and recording more in house. So, let us know how you feel about that and how do you listen to the show? On the site? On iTunes? Live?
    If we were to do one live show a week and two recorded shows, which day would you like to the live show to be? Let us know what you want in the chat.
    Guest

    What to do about the TFC?

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Aron Winter was blunt. Following the final whistle of Toronto’s last game of the first half of the season (unofficially, Toronto has already played more than half of its games), the coach said that no one on the club was safe. He would be making changes, through trade or signing.
    With that in mind, we undertake our midseason review of the Reds. However, rather than go about this in a traditional letter grade format we’re going in a different way. The player’s will be placed in four different categories:
    1) Bigger role – Winter needs to use this player more in second half of season if Toronto is to improve and set itself up for the future
    2) Same role – Winter is using this player about as effectively as possible and should continue utilizing him in same way moving forward
    3) Less role – Winter needs to scale down the amount that he is utilizing the player. TFC should keep him, but should not rely on them as a regular
    4) No role – Winter needs to ship them out of town, or back to the academy for more training.
    The rankings:
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] More role
    Nana Attakora –
    A lot has been said about Attakora and a lot has been speculated about his future. He did struggle on the ball early in the year and Winter wasn’t wrong to challenge him, but if he is healthy and not about to bolt to Europe (and I can’t imagine much interest now) then both sides need to get over themselves and get him back on the pitch.
    Alan Gordon –
    Injuries have been the problem, but it’s clear: Alan Gordon makes this team better. Even with the recent additions up front Gordon has shown more than enough to demand that Winter find a way to keep him on the pitch when healthy.
    Doneil Henry –
    No, I don’t want him starting every game, but if given the choice between a journeyman MLS player and a young Canadian that, as a home grown, won’t count against the cap moving forward I’m going to take Henry and the occasional error every time. The kid could be good and if the season continues down the path that it’s on (and the playoffs are out of the question in September) then I do want to see him out there every week.
    Milos Kocic –
    Frei’s been great, but he’s looked tired the last two outings. Kocic should get some time in second half for the benefit of both him and Frei.
    Demitrius Omphroy –
    They’ve developed him slowly in the reserves and by all accounts he’s shown well. Increasing his role doesn’t mean starting him. It just means getting a good look. We need to have a look.
    Ashtone Morgan –

    Like Henry, Morgan has shown enough to deserve more minutes in the second half – especially if the season goes into the toilet.

    Gianluca Zavarise –
    Like Gordon, injuries have been the biggest thing holding him back. However, the club likes his tactically and attacking abilities and it’s likely that we will see a lot more of the Vancouver native in the second half. That’s probably a good thing, as he’s one of those domestic glue players that every successful MLS side needs.
    Same role
    Oscar Cordon
    Unlike Morgan and Henry, I think Winter has struck the right balance with Cordon. He’s been consistently used the same way all year and that should continue.
    Richard Eckersley –
    Next to Frei Eckersley might be the first half MVP. You can’t really use him more and you don’t want to use him less. So, use him the same way.
    Jacob Peterson –
    Peterson has surprised and emerged as a key player in Winters plans. I don’t expect, or want, to see that change in the second half.
    Julian de Guzman –
    It’s next to impossible to have a rational conversation about de Guzman. And, although he might not warrant a DP slot, he most certainly deserves to be starting consistently. If he is still around in second half then he needs to be on the pitch. No more, or no less than he is now.
    Tony Tchani -
    Tchani has shown to be a solid professional with good upside. He’s been a regular and should remain so
    Dicoy Williams –
    When he was healthy he was one of the most consistent defenders on the squad. If he can recover from injury, he should continue to be run out.
    Mikael Yourassowsky –
    Yourassowsky is on the cusp between same role and less role, but his professionalism and adaptability makes him just useful enough. Every MLS team needs a “utility player” and Yourassowsky is that for the Reds. Although not irreplaceable, the position is not easily upgraded so it’s just as well to keep him around.
    Maicon Santos --
    All TFC fans would like to see more consistency from the Brazilian, but to get that you’ll need to run him out the same amount as we’ve seen in the first half.
    Nathan Sturgis – He’s a depth player being used as such. Carry on.
    Less role
    Danleigh Borman
    He’s not horrible, but when that’s the best praise you can come up with you might need to raise the bar. Fullback isn’t the most important area to upgrade during the break, but if a player is available then the Reds need to jump on it. Borman might be useful as trade bait.
    Stefan Frei -
    This placement is totally based on the need to give the man some rest from time to time.
    Dan Gargan –
    Release the Gargan? Maybe, but not before reinforcements can be found. He lacks pace and is a basic player prone to a couple bad errors a game. However, his adaptability and intelligence might be enough to keep around. He just needs to be in a much smaller role. There is nothing wrong with Gargan as the 24th man on a winning team. Gargan in the starting XI is likely the sign of a losing team.
    Matt Gold
    He hasn’t really shown much in the (albeit limited) time he’s been on the pitch. We have no issue with keeping him around to play reserves, but he should not see the pitch for the first team. If there isn’t significant improvement by the end of 2012 training camp, then let him go in time to find a D2 side.
    Joao Plata – Plata is too small and too young to be effective in the grind of a season. He’s been brilliant at times, invisible at others. Winter had the right idea at the start of the year to work him in and out of the line-up. Hopefully, they can get back to that in the second half. He plays the type of game that could excel in the CCL.
    No role
    F Nick Soolsma
    Even if he wasn’t paid about twice what he’s worth and took up an international spot it would be hard to justify his continued employment. Perhaps exhibit 1A of how Winter underestimated the talent level of MLS.
    M Matt Stinson –
    We’re not advocating for the young Canadian to be released, but he should not yet see first team football – it would be in no one’s interest. Find him time in the reserves, or back with the academy.
    D Ty Harden –
    You can’t really get rid of him until you get help at the back, but it’s clear the Harden needs a change of environment to regain his confidence. Winter has asked way too much of him and that’s set himself up to fail. And fail he has.
    F Javier Martina –
    Exhibit 1B of Winter’s failure to understand the talent level of MLS. The Portland game aside, he’s been next to invisible all season. You can do much better. You can especially do much better with an international spot.
    Not applicable – have not played enough, or are out with injury for season.
    M Elbekay Bouchiba
    D Adrian Cann
    F Keith Makubuya
    M Nicholas Lindsay
    Guest

    Rohan Ricketts scores a hat-trick!

    By Guest, in Euro File,

    Former Toronto FC midfielder and TSN soccer analyst Rohan Ricketts is back at it, still trying to catch on in Europe.
    Today, he suited up for League Two's Southend United in their preseason friendly against Great Wakering Rovers of the Ishtmian League Division One North (English eighth tier) and hit for three goals, leading Southend to a 5-0 victory. Ricketts' performance was impressive enough for Shrimpers manager Paul Sturrock to talk openly about offering the one-time TFCer a contract.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    "I was impressed by Rohan and will now be talking to his agent and seeing what figures are mentioned," Sturrock told southendunited.co.uk.
    "Rohan wants to play football and has shown his commitment by coming down on the train from Coventry to play in a trialist game and then again on Tuesday night. He isn't at full match sharpness yet so there is more to come but he`s hungry to play and he did very well."
    Here at CSN, we've chronicled his post-TFC attempts at latching on with a club in written articles and discussion on It's Called Football. While he provided a bit of light-hearted fodder at times with his seeming penchant for placing his media career over his supposed football career, we wish nothing but the best for him.
    League Two isn't exactly the big time, but it just may be a suitable level for a man who had seemingly lost his way. At least he'll get paid if he latches on with the Shrimpers, unlike one of his previous gigs.
    Guest

    Soccer has arrived! (again)

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    The Boston Globe has a small item up today that most North American soccer fans would have read before. The circumstances will have been slightly different, but someone, somewhere writes a Soccer Has Arrived article every couple of years.
    What's interesting (and I use the word loosely) is the comments section below the article. If you've ever taken a look at reader feedback below 99 per cent of soccer articles posted in US publications you'll find a curious phenomena of non-soccer fans yelling at soccer fans about how stupid/gay/un-American/sissy/evil soccer is. It's a truly spectacular display of ignorance, racism and homophobia.
    Soccer fans don't help the situation through their attempts to "debate" with the guy that felt compelled to write about the "dirty fa---t foreigner that isn't a real athlete like a real American offensive lineman."
    It's all a bit pointless.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    As are the articles. Of course soccer has arrived. It's been here for more than a hundred years. The debate, such as it is, is whether soccer has broken through to the mainstream and is on the cusp of being treated the same way as football, baseball, basketball and hockey in the traditional sports media.
    Who cares? The sport is growing in popularity just fine without that attention and it will keep growing to the point that it will demand it.
    So, the next time you, the soccer fan, see a Has Soccer Arrived article do yourself a favour. Skip it. Instead, go read anyone of the thousands of publications that covers the sport now.
    The Canadian Soccer News is a good option.
    Guest
    When the New York Red Bulls took the pitch today for its US Open Cup game against Chicago their starting line-up was as follows:
    Coundoul, Albright, Keel, Lassiter, Jones, Schneider, Rooney, Kassel, da Luz, Ballouchy ©, Hertzog
    If you’re unfamiliar with some of those names, you wouldn’t be alone. It was the very definition of a second choice line-up. This is, of course, not uncommon in the US Open Cup, where many MLS clubs have treated the competition with disdain. There have been notable exceptions – the Seattle Sounders have famously treated the competition with a great deal of respect during their first two seasons in MLS.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Actually, over the past few years there has been a noticeable increase in the amount of clubs that give the Open Cup the ‘ole Junior College try. The Red Bulls choice to go entirely with reserves tonight is the exception now, not the norm (in the main draw. In the qualifiers, it’s still a reserve-fest). Part of the reason for that has been an increased interest shown by the hardcore fans.
    Those fans don’t take kindly to being shown a less than full effort by the clubs. They particularly don’t take kindly to seeing that when they have travelled from New York to Chicago to watch the game. Understandably, the Red Bulls are getting all kinds of flack from MLS fans tonight. If the Sounders gave their fans money back for playing poorly last year, I can only imagine what those 15 or so Red Bulls fans deserve to get from the club for traveling tonight.
    Squad rotation is a fact of life and every team has the right to do what they think is best. However, when you demonstrate the level of contempt for a competition that the Red Bulls did today (they lost 4-0, by the way), it does cause one to take pause.
    Consider for a moment that New York is the last original MLS team to have a bare trophy case – no Supporter’s Shields, no MLS Cups and no US Open Cups (they do have a Western Conference trophy, which only counts as a significant award in Don Garber’s mind). They only needed to win three games to end that drought. Alas.
    Regardless, it’s stuff like this that should make Canadian fans thankful for the popularity and success of this county’s much younger trophy. The Voyageurs Cup may not have the history of the US Open Cup, but the competition matches it for passion right now.
    Guest
    The acquisition of new designated player Mustapha Jarju has put the Vancouver Whitecaps on the front pages for all the right reasons. For once, instead of people talking about a two-win season with ten losses, a Voyageurs Cup loss, and some hapless play, they're talking about something more positive. Vancouver has leapt onto the Major League Soccer trend of signing rising young guns as designated players: Jarju has scored in the Belgium first and second divisions and, at twenty-four years old, will get better. He's a good balanced offensive player who scores with both feet and can set his teammates up like none of the other Vancouver forwards are capable of. With a four-year contract the Whitecaps can be almost assured of holding onto the Jarju for the best years of his prime. Nothing is certain in soccer but Jarju looks like a good bet; if he works out Tom Soehn has done a magnificent day's work.
    That said, Jarju is a forward and if there's one position where the Whitecaps are looking good that's it. Eric Hassli, our existing designated player, needs no introduction. The Whitecaps have also gotten plenty of production from diminuitive Brazilian Camilo. Davide Chiumiento has been used as a withdrawn forward in recent weeks, young Omar Salgado has had his moments of effectiveness, and at some point Atiba Harris is going to return from his knee surgery. They're not the New York Red Bulls, but the Whitecaps don't look like a team that desperately needs forward.
    Mustapha Jarju may be a talented player. But where does he fit in the Vancouver Whitecaps system?
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    It clearly won't hurt the Whitecaps to add another body up front. The depth of the Whitecaps forward crew is a bit chancy: Salgado is young and has a lot to learn while even if you rate Harris nobody can tell for sure how his surgically re-constructed knee will hold up to an MLS pounding. There's the lingering possibility of player departure. You'll remember that Camilo has been linked with a transfer to Kuwait: there's been no movement on that front and it's possible it was all smoke, but there's still a chance that somebody will move somewhere. Given Eric Hassli's suspension and injury history, a bit of reliable help is a very good idea.
    Mustapha Jarju, though, isn't "reliable help". He isn't Charles Gbeke. He's a designated player, given big money and a long contract term and expected to help lead this team to glory.
    Fortunately, Jarju brings some different tactical options to this team. He's most comfortable as a withdrawn forward, and despite his accurate two-footed finishing he's won a reputation as a nice playmaker in Belgium. If employed behind Hassli in a 4-4-2, it's not tough to see where Jarju fits in: given how hideously Chiumiento has struggled as a number ten, Jarju will take the pressure off Chiumiento and allow him to concentrate on the pure playmaking that is his forte.
    Jarju provides flexibility throughout the lineup. He's played some attacking midfield in his career, meaning that in case of injury or tactical need he can move back into the middle of the pitch and assist a midfield that's seriously lacked reliable offense this season. With Jarju in the fold we've hopefully seen an end to the spectacle of Terry Dunfield or Jeb Brovsky trying to run an offense.
    A 4-4-2 diamond with Gershon Koffie, Russell Teibert, Shea Salinas, and Davide Chiumiento in the midfield feeding balls to Jarju and Hassli isn't elite, but it's a serious upgrade on anything the Whitecaps have fielded to date. You may quibble with some selections: you might want Terry Dunfield as a defensive midfielder instead of Koffie, or you might think Camilo is a better choice than Teibert on the left, or you might prefer Nizar Khalfan as a right winger. If Jarju's arrival gives the Whitecaps a series of viable options in the event of injury or struggle, though, that's just another point in his favour.
    Jarju could also be a good link between the midfield and the target man when Hassli is out of the lineup. Omar Salgado is clearly athletic and talented but he struggles generating his own chances at this point of his career. With Jarju's help doing some of the scoring and passing the ball, we might see a sudden and dramatic improvement in Salgado's performances.
    This team still needs the ball-holding central midfielder everyone is always talking about as well as no small number of other pieces. Jarju can't bring the Whitecaps into the playoffs on his own. Yet, if he pans out, his impact on this lineup will go beyond his own skills.
    Guest
    Sometimes a midseason break is as much for the fans as it is the players. That’s kind of where things are at for Toronto FC in 2011.
    The Reds are sort of like a really hot, but clingy, girlfriend/boyfriend. You don’t want to dump them, but God do you need a little space from them right now. A week or so apart might be enough to remind you of their good qualities and, by doing so, it might stop you from diving in front of a bus.
    Saturday against Houston was only entertaining in the most abstract of ways. There was a famous line in the classic 90s movie Reality Bites that suggested that sex was a lot like pizza – even when it was bad, it was still pretty good. Substitute sex for football and you’ll have an idea of what it looked like.
    No shots, no chances, no passion and no chance. Another road game and another loss. And, so it goes. It’s hard to get worked up about something when you know the result going in. The WWE is less predictable than a TFC road game right now.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]The most interesting thing about the game came after the final whistle when Aron Winter threw the whole team under the bus. Apparently he’s spending the break trading players. Good luck getting assets back Coach.
    Clearly something has to change. Even the most loyal and positive TFC fans are at a bit of a breaking point. The 11 day break is great, but it’s only temporary. It will be Wednesday, Saturday every week again soon enough. Logically, most understand 2011 is about building a foundation, but emotionally it can be hard to deal with the negative outcomes week after week.
    The thing about breaks is that as much as they can refresh they can also remind us that we are better off alone. Sure, sometimes things are great, but are those fleeting moments worth the pain and insanity of the rest of the time.
    Most of us have signed up for TFC for the long haul, but, based on e-mails I receive and comments to CSN, this club might not be for everyone.
    Enjoy the break. Hopefully, most of you will be back for more in eight days time.
    Guest

    Caps add DP

    By Guest, in West Coast Soccer Podcast,

    The Vancouver Whitecaps have made Mustapha Alasan Jarju the first African DP in MLS history. As per MLS policy terms of his contract were not released, but his cap hit for 2011 will be $167,500.
    He was out of contract in Belgium where he played last season for RAEC Mons in the second tier. He scored 21 goals.
    CSN asked the Whitecaps to clarify whether Mustapha would be a DP for the duration of the contract, or whether signing bonuses pushed him into DP status for 2011 only. As of this writing the club has not responded.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Guest
    In Part 2 of our latest interview with Ingrid Green, managing director of sport for Play3rSport.com, we discuss Canada's performance at the Women's World Cup, what we can learn from it, how to fix things here at home, what's next for Carolina Morace and whether or not a domestic women's league is (or will ever be) viable.
    If you missed Part 1, an overview of Germany 2011 thus far, subscribe to the Some Canadian Guys iTunes feed or just click below. The latter is easier, but the former is oh so rewarding.
    What's next for women's soccer in Canada -- Part 2 (mp3)
    The Women's World Cup overview -- Part 1 (mp3)
    Subscribe to Some Canadian Guys Talking About Soccer on iTunes
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
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