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    Guest

    DeGone DeGain

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Dwayne De Rosario has been traded for the second time this season.
    The New York Red Bulls have moved DeRo to DC United for Dax McCarty.
    The move means DeRo will not play a regular season MLS game in against Toronto in Toronto this season.
    More as it develops.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Guest
    Today, we're joined by CBC and TSN soccer analyst Jason de Vos to talk about Canada's performance vs. Germany, what awaits the Canucks in the France game and what Oakville soccer is looking to do to help with home crowds for home teams
    We'll also debate what Vancouver and Toronto should do: rest or sit players in preparation for the Nutrilite Voyageurs Cup final, talk about how many of the U-17 team we expect to see in 2018 and 2022 and add to the growing list of Christine Sinclair 'facts'.
    Schedule for the rest of the week:
    Wednesday night: No live show
    Thursday morning: Archived post-game podcast of Toronto FC v Vancouver
    Thursday night 10pm ET: Live post-game podcast of Canada v France Women's World Cup
    Friday 2pm ET: Regular show. We're joined by Marc Weber of the Province.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]<embed src="http://itscalledfootball.podhoster.com/FlowPlayerLight.swf?config={embedded:true,videoFile:%27http://itscalledfootball.podhoster.com/download/2540/24122/jun272011final.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>
    Guest

    Beyond the 90: Building on the hype

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Throughout the World Cup, Beyond the 90 will look at the issues facing women’s football with particular attention given to what affect the Canadian team could have on the game here in Canada
    There is little doubt that the Canadian women’s team is receiving unprecedented attention right now. Pretty much every major newspaper in the country has a reporter in Germany and yesterday’s game was front and centre on the major Canadian sports networks.
    That attention has led some to speculate that we are at the cusp of a major breakthrough in popularity, with Canadian stars like Christine Sinclair to become household names.
    It was within that context that I engaged in a debate with several people last night, including CSN’s Daniel Squizzato, about the potential audience for a women’s friendly. With Germany committed to play in Canada later this year one of the people debating with me, Bill Ault, suggested that such a game would draw close to 20,000 (note: the debate assumed the game was to be played in Toronto, which it likely would be. It’s also assuming that Canada beats France and advances to the knock-out stage). Ault went on to sat that the “low end” draw was 15,000.
    I was a little more cynical.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]Having been to the last three women’s friendlies at BMO Field I suggested that 15,000 was a highly optimistic high end prediction. Although the CSA announced attendance at around 10,000 for the China and USA games and close to 14,000 for the Brazil game in 2008 anyone who was there would tell you that those numbers were grossly exaggerated. Against China the North and south stands were closed along with the upper deck.
    Promotion for the China game was limited and it was on a Tuesday night, but those factors weren’t at play for the other two games. Actually, the Brazil game was intensely promoted for weeks prior to the game.
    Clearly a deep run by Canada has the potential to have an echo effect. If by “deep run” you mean “makes final.” Anything short of an appearance in the final would likely have minimal affect on the casual sports fan that would be needed to fill the stadium. Hockey starts back up in September, after all.
    If Canada were to go to a final and Sportsnet pushed the game hard and the local soccer clubs got behind it and the tickets were priced right and the game was played on a weekend and TFC wasn’t in conflict and men’s World Cup qualifying was still a few weeks away then, maybe, you might come close to selling out BMO Field for the game.
    If the CSA promoted it right.
    So, expect a crowd of about 12,000 then, which would be an improvement.
    Look, I hope I’m wrong. However, I live here. I’ve seen the evidence. I’m not convinced a few positive column inches this month will dramatically change things.
    There is one way that you could grow the game and to build on the success – to play lots and lots of games in Canada and to have lots and lots of camps and appearances by the players. Getting more fans out in Canada will require a constant effort at engaging the potential audience. A lot of the girls you see on your local pitch are as likely to consider Wayne Rooney their hero as they are Christine Sinclair simply because they see Rooney on their TV more. Expose them to Sinclair more and maybe that changes.
    The problem with that is that the plan for the women is to encamp back in Europe again next year. Before that they will be back with their clubs or university teams.
    The major sticking point in the dispute between Carolina Morace and the CSA was where the team would base itself out of. Morace insisted that she be allowed to base the team out of Europe, the CSA wanted them back in Canada more. The CSA was also under the impression that Morace would be doing more to help build the game at the grassroots. However, that boat has sailed.
    Unless you want the women to give up their limited vacation time this summer following the World Cup there is limited opportunity to expose the players to the young girls that will be engaged over the next few weeks.
    And, the window for taking advantage of the World Cup bump will be small.
    Guest

    Your morning WWC links: Day 2

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Today's best reading on the WWC below the jump:
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

    In Germany, 14.08 million people watched the Canada v Germany game yesterday. I’d have to imagine that was the most people to ever watch Canada play soccer. Good thing we scored.
    Anjali Nayar cheers from the press box. Good for her. No, really.
    The great All White Kit tells us what they learned from day 1 of the World Cup. Read what here, here and here.
    Stephen Brunt tells us why Christine Sinclair is the quintessential Canadian athlete.
    AP has a nice little chat with the US’ Heather Mitts
    Mia Hamm tells us why women footballers are morally superior to those diving diva men
    CNN asks if Germany 2011 can spark the popularity of women’s football



    Guest
    For the first time in its 100 plus year history, 33 time Argentina champion River Plate was relegated today following a 1-1 draw with tiny Belgrano at the Monumental.
    Belgrando was promoted to the top flight with the result.
    Even before the final whistle River Plate supporters began to react violently to the relegation. Authorities tried to push the fans back with power hoses and riot police.
    Images of the events can be seen below the jump.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]


    Guest
    Canadian soccer has a lot of problems. And, every now and again, it's tempting to think that Christine Sinclair is the solution to all of them.
    Today, in Canada's opening match of the World Cup against Germany, as Sinclair forced her way back on the field with an obviously broken nose – only to score Canada's only goal against a dominating German side – I saw further proof.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Sure Sinclair scores goals – lots of them – and wins consistent international praise as one of the greatest talents in the women's game today. But what makes her so important goes beyond that. It's that she provides those little moments that win the heart of supporters, those honest-to-goodness glimpses of a fiery and unabashed dedication to her team. Its something to see.
    First we had the shush. The now-famous (amongst Canadian soccer fans, at least) finger over the lips to the hometown Mexican fans in celebration of the goal that sealed Canada's 3-0 victory in the Gold Cup. There's not much worth writing about this moment that Squizz didn't hit on in his wonderful post after that match. Suffice it to say that that gesture warmed the hearts of Canada's long-suffering supporters.
    And today we got another glimpse of the competitive fire that burns in Sinclair's belly. Down 2-0 and in hostile territory once again, the shot to the nose Sinclair endured at the hands (well, elbow) of a German defender was clearly painful: the shocking crook in the Canadian captain's nose showed clearly the extent of the damage.
    Few would have faulted Sinclair for allowing herself to be substituted: Canada was losing a game we never counted on winning, and looking overrun. Sinclair could reasonably have thought ahead to the more winnable matches against France and Nigeria, and Canada could have pulled off the wounded star striker and saw the game out without her.
    But Sinclair was having none of it. Physically refusing medical treatment, she pleaded to be let back on the field. "Let me play." You didn't have to be a lip-reader to get the message. She probably didn't even need to say it: You could see it in her battered face that she wasn't leaving the game for anything.
    And back on she went, with a crooked nose and a renewed spark in her step. It makes her goal – an oh-so-sweetly struck free kick in the 82nd minute – all the better.
    <iframe width="516" height="337" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/y1hmesTnXgI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    More than that, it further cements Sinclair's place in the hearts of Canadian supporters. For Canadian supporters – forgive me for speaking for the collective, and please do correct me if I'm wide of the mark – Sinclair's determined pleas to be allowed back on the field reach beyond the medics trying to keep her on the sideline for treatment: Those words are a huge (if completely unintentional, on her part) "fuck you" to those who don't appreciate as she does what an honour it is to represent one's country. Canadian soccer has long suffered through the defection of our best players to other, more successful, nations and through what appears to be the cynically careerist dithering of our most promising MNT prospect.
    It's hard to say how nice it feels, as a supporter, to see a player show that they care about our country as much as we do; more, even. Much more. Seeing Christine Sinclair literally bleed red for Canada and refuse to quit until the final whistle is blown, even in a high-profile loss, is soothing to the supporter's soul. It's proof that Canada can produce not only world-class footballers, but also the kind of players that are willing to sacrifice themselves for their country's cause. I'm not a little girl, but hell: I want to be Christine Sinclair when I grow up.
    I know that I'm writing this directly post-match, and I'm a bit caught up in the enthusiasm of the thing. But that's the whole point: Christine Sinclair, her dedication, grit and sheer overwhelming ability, generates enthusiasm for soccer. Canadian soccer. And, as most supporters know and lament, the widespread lack of such enthusiasm might just be the very biggest problem Canadian soccer faces.
    Guest
    Although one should be careful not to draw too many comparisons to the men’s game, allow one here: Canada’s opponent today was Brazil 1970. Within the context of women’s football it’s possible that Germany is every bit as powerful as that famed team. So, if you think of it that way, a 2-1 loss is not that bad, is it?
    Add a truly world class goal by an undeniably world class (and very Canadian ) Christine Sinclair and you have a nice story to carry you through to the game against France.
    There were some great moments. Sinclair could have made it 1-0 early on a nice bit of play and the Canucks came damn close to tying it just after Sinclair’s goal on a nicely run corner kick. Germany looked better, but Canada didn’t look out of place. The German fans agreed, giving the Canadians a nice ovation as they left the pitch.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    But, it was loss and in the World Cup every loss is huge. Good feelings aside, Canada still sits at the bottom of Group A after the first match day. They need to be perfect the rest of the way. Based on the play of France and Nigeria in the first game of the group that looks possible, but opening games can be misleading.
    There were issues. The back-line looked disorganized and Germany was killing them down the flanks. Canada (outside of Sinclair), like many Canadian teams of the past, lacked a certain something in the final third. So, there is plenty to fret about in the days ahead.
    Overall, however, the story is going to be about a resilient and gritty team that fought hard against the big, bad Germans and represented Canada well. No one really expected a win out of this game, it will be explained, and the Canadian public will respond.
    News of Sinclair’s broken nose will spread and, perhaps, The Tragically Hip will write a song about her performance. Canadians like to win, yes, but we really like to win through grit and determination. Sinclair could have scored 12 free kicks like that and not been noticed. Do one with a broken nose and, well, she’s set.

    Eh.
    Guest
    (Original credit for the "Sinclair hat trick" goes to Colin Dickinson, with an assist to Sonja Missio).
    Allow me to introduce the Christine Sinclair Hat Trick, in the style of the Gordie Howe Hat Trick:
    1. Become injured during the course of the match (bonus points for waving off the medical staff as they attempt to attend to something that's broken)
    2. Chirp an opponent for what you perceive to be an exaggeration of a foul (bonus points if you have the opportunity to "shush" someone in the process)
    3. Score a goal (bonus points if it's a highlight-reel cracker)
    Sure, Canada lost on Sunday. And sure, in some alternate universe, the final tally was 6-1 for Germany. But in the universe we occupy, it was a one-goal margin against the reigning World Cup champions and in-all-but-name No. 1 team on the planet, in their own backyard, in front of 73,000+ partisans.
    To ignore the negatives would be mindless homerism. To ignore the positives would be needless contrarianism. So let's split the difference, shall we?
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Not that it needed any proving, but Sinclair once again showed that she's ready and willing to step up when it counts the most, essentially ignoring a broken nose and pulling one back for her team with a wonder-strike free kick, against a there's-no-way-they-were-actually-10-yards-away German wall. In the aforementioned alternate universe, she potted a brace, what with the glorious chance presented to her in the opening minutes of the match. But c'est la vie.
    Coach Carolina Morace showed off some of that "brilliance" that the team continually refers to, opting to -- in nearly all cases -- take a non-traditional approach to set pieces, particularly corner kicks. It made perfect sense; against a team as technically sound as the Germans, the chances of scoring on a regular "thump it into the area and hope for a header" corner was almost certainly not going to cut it. The Canadians' final chance on goal was wonderfully worked, going from the corner to a wide-open Emily Zurrer's foot, eight yards out, in a matter of moments.
    In the alternate universe, Zurrer stays composed, takes a touch and buries it. Then again, in that alternate universe I imagine she's still a centre-back, so perhaps not.
    On the subject of Zurrer, she and central defending partner Candace Chapman had a solid evening -- thank goodness, since the Germans seemed willing and able to burn the starting fullback tandem of Marie-Eve Nault and Rhian Wilkinson. Nault, in particular, had a hand in both German goals and was rightly replaced at halftime by Robyn Gayle. One would imagine, based on her 45 minutes of play, that Gayle gets a spot in the starting 11 over Nault next time out.
    Kaylyn Kyle also got yanked at halftime, which confused me somewhat, as I thought her first-half performance was generally solid. Perhaps Morace wanted a different look in midfield -- or perhaps Morace knows a hell of a lot more about tactics than I do. (The latter is certainly true.) Kyle was one of several new additions to the team (Jonelle Filigno was another) who seemed to get lost in the moment on a few occasions. As human beings, it's tough to blame them; but as professional athletes, they need to be soulless automatons at all moments, and any momentary lapse is an invitation to scorn and ridicule. Right?
    Worthy of no scorn on the night was Sophie Schmidt. Playing in her second World Cup, she was tenacious all night in the centre of midfield, helping keep the Germans somewhat under control as well as instigating a number of Canadian counterattacks. It's a role Diana Matheson once filled, but with Schmidt anchoring the midfield, the diminutive spark plug can feel more confident moving into the attacking third.
    Perhaps I'm drifting too far towards the "mindless homerism" side of things. Statistically and optically, Germany ruled this game. They were denied a legit penalty claim, and hit the crossbar on two occasions. On many occasions, they were able to play ruthlessly precise through balls. Hell, their squad is so deep and so talented that they could afford to bring on Fatmire Bajmaraj -- nominated as a 2010 world player of the year finalist -- as their third substitute. (Not to mention that their talismanic leader, Birgit Prinz, was also nominated for the top honour last year.)
    In the end, they don't ask how, they just ask how many. And Canada emerging from the opening affair in this tournament with a -1 goal differential and the motivational spark afforded them by the inspirational performance of their own talismanic leader (Sinclair, that is)... well, there's plenty of good to be taken from that.
    In fact, having seen France and Nigeria plod along in the day's first encounter (a 1-0 victory for the French), there's no reason whatsoever that Canada won't emerge from this group. Given the way the brackets break down, and this opening performance, a march to the semifinals seems to be on the agenda over the next few weeks.
    It's soccer. Of course, anything can happen. A loss is never a good thing -- but any Canadian supporter who didn't come out of Sunday's game at least somewhat emboldened probably isn't paying close enough attention.
    Guest
    Before you start raging against the machine about TFC’s 3-1 loss to Salt Lake City last night, consider this:
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]Stefan Frei, Richard Eckersley, Doneil Henry, Ty Harden, Danleigh Borman, Dan Gargan (Nick Soolsma 66), Nathan Sturgis, Gianluca Zavarise, Javier Martina (Matt Stinson 46), Maicon Santos, Joao Plata (Mikael Yourassowsky 46).
    Factor in the unused subs as well:
    Oscar Cordon, Ashtone Morgan, Demitrius Omphroy and Milos Kocic
    The point being, of course, that this was hardly a first choice line-up, nor what Aron Winter would have anticipated he’d be rolling out on the road against arguably the best team in the league. The injuries are piling up and are a significant factor.
    TFC was always going to be a work in progress this year, as beat up as they are, it’s simply dire.
    If you are looking for half-full talking points, consider that four academy products were on the squad last night, two played and one, Doneil Henry, started. Henry is quickly becoming one of the few bright spots in this apparent lost season. He makes two or three terrible errors a game, yes, but he also makes four or five incredibly athletic and ballsy plays as well.
    Throwing him out there week after week is good news for the club.
    In MLS, if you are going to lose, you might as well lose young and from within. By playing with kids you leave a lot of room on the cap to find those key parts needed to actually be competitive.
    The transfer window opens in two weeks.
    Guest
    Canada’s mainstream sports media focus on the Women's World Cup in Germany, at least in Canada, has been impressive. Perhaps it’s because of the gulf between the success of the men's and women's team; or the lack of other important tournaments in the summer; or that Canada is hosting this tournament in four years' time, but outlets beyond those with a ratings stake like the CBC and Rogers Sportsnet have posted interviews, op-eds, and even newspaper editorials on the FIFA tournament to kick off in Berlin tomorrow.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    While much of the reporting is jingoistic in tone and unrealistic in expectation, there is an absence of the familiar cultural stereotypes when it comes to soccer in Canada, like how interest in the game is driven by recent immigrants, and the old wrangling over whether soccer will ever get a foothold in Canada's sporting mainstream. Why? Mostly because questions about sexism, about the future of women's professional sports in general, and the spectacular growth of women's soccer in Canada, take up most of the oxygen.
    Still, women's soccer holds a unique place in the sporting landscape in this country, which is part of why women's football is very much Canada's sport. Major Canadian sports media desks love a winner, and Canada, while far from tournament “favourites,” are certainly a shout for the finals. Canada also embraces amateur and collegiate athletics, a model that has served the women well in this country in the past several years, who make up 43% of registered players in this country, double from eight years ago. It’s a good news story, and many look to the sports pages to counterbalance the doom-and-gloom of the front section.
    Even with the volume of reporting, there is a sense some of the underlying issues between players and the Canadian Soccer Association have been papered over for brevity or convenience. The fight by the CSA to secure the Italian head coach Carolina Morace’s commitment to the national team has been painted as a “triumph”, rather than an exercise in major damage control. There is also a pernicious belief among some pundits that the women are somehow more comfortable with the current state of the CSA than the men, simply because they have achieved more success in international football. Women have the same overall goals for player development reform in this country as men. Success for the CWNT in Germany does not represent a victory for the status quo.
    But that’s the boring stuff. If we’re to take anything away from largely positive domestic media coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, it’s that mainstream sports media will take notice of football when a Canadian team has a chance to make history. It’s not an optimal state-of-affairs, to be sure, but it reminds us that media will do their job when Canadian soccer does its job. I’ve blamed Canada’s sports media for their failure to cover soccer in the past, but no kid has ever wanted to be Sidney Crosby because they read a Stephen Brunt column; they wanted to be him because they watched him play. It’s up to us, the soccer people, to help usher things along with soccer reform, to help make the changes required to secure soccer’s bright future in Canada, before we can expect any help from our friends in the MSM.
    Guest
    Join us at 11:45 a.m. EDT for a live blog of Canada's first game at the Women's World Cup.
    CoverItLive below the jump:
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]<iframe src="http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php/option=com_altcaster/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=9ce57e839e/height=550/width=470" scrolling="no" height="550px" width="470px" frameBorder ="0" ><a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=9ce57e839e" >Women's World Cup - Canada v Germany</a></iframe>
    Guest
    Okay. Pop quiz.
    How many successful Canadian coaches are out there winning stuff in professional or international soccer?
    I've got Frank Yallop.
    How many are out there trying to win stuff?
    Stephen Hart.
    (Okay, Hart's from Trinidad, but he did all his coaching certifications after he came north to St. Mary's University in the Maritimes as a somewhat younger man.)
    I'm sure I'm missing someone. Check that. I'm not sure I'm missing someone. And that begs a big, interesting, unanswered question.
    Why are there next to zero Canadian-trained coaches tearing it up in the global game?
    I have absolutely no blessed idea. But I'm going to find out.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    In the weeks and months to come, Canadian Soccer News will probe the entire issue of coaching development in Canada. The vital question -- where are all the Canadian coaches? -- is dwarfed by the bigger puzzle -- what are the obstacles standing in their way?
    Are the opportunities not here? Are there bureaucratic boundaries that have not yet been addressed? Does the relative lack of professional soccer teams up here strangle the development of many? How has the Canadian Soccer Association's long wander in the wilderness hurt the prospects of any sharp young soccer minds this country has produced, but not been able to get over the top?
    It can't be that we're not good enough. Canadians can do absolutely anything if they get a fair shot.
    So -- why aren't our soccer coaches getting their fair shot?
    I'm aiming to talk to everyone. Yallop, Hart, the best from the CSL, and anyone I can find who should have been a contender, and is now coaching out the string in obscurity with a local club, a college program, or Raging Jackass Falls Wanderers FC.
    This is going to take some time to unravel, but the effort begins today.
    As always, I approach this not knowing the answers. I have no pet theory I'm out to prove.
    There is obviously a wall out there, and it's costing us -- and the world -- a useful supply of talented soccer minds.
    It's time to find out why ... and what on earth can be done to tear the barrier down.
    Onward!
    Guest
    Germany are the favorites to win and rightly so, but they are ripe for picking. After their last World Cup victory several of their top players retired, potentially ending the golden era of German dominance in the women's game. Having won the previous two World Cups they are going to be under immense pressure and scrutiny playing at home. This will not be the same team that we are used to seeing from Germany.
    While there will be many familiar faces, there has been a slight changing of the guard; much like we have seen everywhere else in women's soccer. This changing of the guard has led to a closing of the gap between many of the world's first and second tier squads. While Germany will be trotting out their old war horses like team Captain Birgit Prinz, the average age on the team is 25, the average level of experience is over 60 caps per player. With that in mind; if you remove the whopping 212 games played by Prinz the average experience level drops to 54 caps for the Germans.
    Things are about to get pretty nerdy after the jump.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Look for Nadine Angerer to get the lion's share of playing time this tournament, she has 98 caps while her two back ups have combined for five caps. She managed a clean sheet for every match in the last World Cup and has not shown any signs of a dip in her performance, but maybe, just maybe her age is starting to catch up with her.
    Taking a quick look at the back line, the average height is just under 5'8 and nobody is taller than 5'9. While not exactly giants they should be able to cope with most teams on corners and set pieces. Germany's defender's average 37 caps. Anike Grahn, 25, is the most experienced and leads the defense with 66 caps. Germany did not concede a single goal in the previous World Cup of 2007. However things have changed since '07. During the 2009 European Championship they only allowed one goal in the group stage to France, and then in the knockout rounds proceeded to allow at least one goal a game to Norway and Italy on their way to the final. In the final they let England net two! So it is in fact possible to score on the once impenetrable German defence.
    The middle of the pitch more than make up for the lack of experience on the back line. When you break it all down, the midfielders average 75 caps per player. Ariane Hingst, 31, leads the way with 173 caps. While the average age is 25, this group of women will be the back bone of this German squad. Kerstin Garefrekes has been dominant over the last several years, and in previous tournaments her solid play has been tantamount to the German attack as any other contribution. Kim Kulig, 21, will be one of the up and comers to watch in this year's tournament and tournaments to come. The attacking Midfielder has a nose for the goal and is renowned for her playmaking ability. The name that you should expect to hear a lot of during the group stages is Fatmire Bajramaj, she was the most sought after woman in Germany, and she will be become the most expensive player in the Bundesliga after her transfer from Potsdam to Frankfurt.
    Coach Silvia Neid decided to only list four forwards on her squad and they average 29 years old. It is interesting to think that the bulk of their experience comes from their front end players. The most seasoned veteran is team captain Birgit Prinz having scored 128 goals over her 212 appearances. She made her international debut just over 18 years ago scoring a 89th minute goal against our very own Big Red.
    Unfortunately, for the Germans, she injured herself during training a few weeks prior to the first match of the tournament. If she should be sidelined, there is a potential heir to her thrown in 21 year old sensation Alexandra Popp. Popp was the Golden Boot and Golden Ball winner in last summers U20 World Cup and she has an unreal tally of nine goals in 12 games since joining the full women's team.
    Germany are the team to beat, but if ever there was a setting where the circumstances were just perfect for an upset; this is it.
    Guest
    Aron Winter has been doing more shuffling these days than your average blackjack dealer at Casino Niagara, but unlike those tuxedoed purveyors of false hope, the Toronto FC coach is the one whose hand is being forced.
    Injuries have hit the club hard, taking an already hugely underwhelming side and gutting it to the core. Now they travel to one of the toughest places to place in Major League Soccer, looking for something -- anything -- positive to bring back home ahead of a double-dip versus Vancouver next week.
    The good news? Well, that's two-fold.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Firstly, Real Salt Lake may be hit just as hard as TFC right now, with injuries and lack of form affecting what was just a couple of months ago the consensus best team in the league. Secondly, (and this is largely a result of the previous point), RSL's vaunted home advantage has faultered as of late, with the Utah side going 1-1-1 at the Rio Tinto Stadium in their past three MLS matches.
    RSL's list of ailing players may just be more devastating than Toronto's when considering how good Salt Lake were beforesuccumbing to the injury bug. Javier Morales and Fabian Espindola, RSL's dynamic attacking duo, both look to miss the match (Morales is definitely out with a nasty ankle injury, while Espindola was forced to leave RSL's midweek match at Chicago after just seven minutes), while returning Gold Cup participant Alvaro Saborio is in a huge funk and doesn't figure to be of much help up top.
    Other RSLers bitten by the injury bug include El Salvador international Arturo Alvarez, defender Chris Wingert, and striker Paulo, Jr. -- all players that can contribute in big ways to the well-oiled machine that Jason Kreis has built.
    On the TFC side, the absences of Jacob Peterson, Julian de Guzman, Tony Tchani, Adrian Cann, Dicoy Williams, Nana Attakora and (sometimes) Alan Gordon have led to a number of changes in Toronto's roster over the past few weeks, including the use of former doghouse residents (Nathan Sturgis) and the blooding of a few youngsters, perhaps a little too early for Winter's taste.
    To their credit, the guys who have stepped in have done a fair job, most notably Doneil Henry who has done yeoman's work as a substitute centre back despite being a rail-thin 18-year-old. That said, a "fair job" is not what the Reds need right now, given that -- despite how awful Toronto have been -- they are still only six points out of the final playoff spot thanks to residing in a truly mediocre Eastern Conference.
    The old sports adage is that you're never truly out of the race until you're actually out, meaning that until TFC are mathematically eliminated from contention, they need to continue on as if they are still in it. That's how a team grows and learns how to face adversity, so this injury spell -- while likely very damaging to Toronto's actual playoff prospects this year, as minimal as they are -- may actually be a good thing for the Reds in the long run as the kids and lesser lights figure out how to function under the pressure of expectation.
    With all of that in mind, TFC actually seem to play better on the road than at home, and despite RSL's recent woes they are still a very good opponent playing in a very tough environment. For Toronto to get anything out of the match, we'll need to see more of the positive play from youngsters like Henry and Oscar Cordon, while also getting the most out of a resurgent Sturgis.
    They'll still have problems scoring goals until big changes are made up top, and that seems to be Winter and co.'s biggest priority, so hoping for an out-of-left-field win seems a big far-fetched. Truth be told, I really only see this match unfolding in one of two ways: a hard-fought, low-scoring draw; or a lopsided goal-fest for the Utahans.
    Let's hope for the former.

    Real Salt Lake v. Toronto FC
    Saturday, June 25, 2011. 9:00pm EDT.
    Rio Tinto Stadium. Sandy, UT.
    Watch: GolTV Canada, MLS MatchDay Live
    Listen: FAN590.com

    Rudi Schuller occasionally contributes Toronto FC and Canadian national team content to the 24th Minute. He manages the Euro File here at Canadian Soccer News, and is MLSsoccer.com's beat writer for all things concerning Canada's men's national teams. Follow Rudi on Twitter, @RudiSchuller.
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