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    Guest
    On this post game edition of Off the Woodworkx, you will hear Frank Klopas's Press Conference and comments from Dilly Duka, Dom Oduro and Baky Soumare!
    Until next time, have a great soccer!
    @OfftheWoodworkx
    @KevLaramee
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    Guest
    The winner from the 2 legs moves on to face Vancouver in the semifinals, with the winner of the tourney guaranteed a spot in the 2016/17 CONCACAF Champions League. As you can guess, tonight’s game is a massive one for Ottawa and Edmonton fans.
    The two clubs faced off at the same stage in 2014, with a 0-0 draw in Ottawa in windy conditions followed by a 3-1 win for Edmonton at home in the 2nd leg, enabling the Eddies to progress. They would go on to lose to Montreal in a heart-breaking fashion in the 7th minute of 2nd half injury time in the 2nd leg, due to a brutal call from the referee.
    The Impact went on to win the 2014 V Cup, and have progressed throughout the year in the 2014/15 CONCACAF Champions League, and are playing the 1st leg of the CCL Final tonight. The connection from the 1st leg of the preliminary round a year ago to the CCL final today seems profound today.
    There are a ton of talking points for today’s game, and a ton of trash talk flying on Twitter at this very moment as well. This game is notable for being both the first fixture in the 2015 V Cup, as well as the number of Canadians that will get minutes on both sides today.
    – Fury FC notes: Richie Ryan picked up a knee injury in training over the weekend and has been ruled out for 3 to 4 weeks, joining Phil Davies on the sidelines.
    While Chris Hofley had been hinting at a possible rotation in for Mason Trafford and Mike Randolph for this match, Richard Starnes has published what he believes to be the full starting XI, with the only player rotated in being Andrew Wiedeman, while Sinisa Ubiparipovic makes his return from injury to the CAM role for Carl Haworth, who is struggling with a bout of the flu.
    Canada MNT captain Julian de Guzman makes his return to the Voyageurs Cup, after having won it 3 times from 2010 to 2012 with Toronto FC, while Ubiparipovic boasts one cup triumph as well with Montreal in 2013.
    Rafael Alves and Tom Heinemann were named to the NASL Team of the Week for matchday 3 for their respective defensive and offensive performances vs. Minnesota, in a huge morale-boosting 1-0 win on Saturday.
    – FC Edmonton notes: The Eddies had a couple players of their own named to the NASL TotW, with Sainey Nyassi, and Tomi Ameobi earning the plaudits after the 3-2 comeback win over Ft. Lauderdale on Sunday.
    Lance Laing has been the key man for the Eddies for the past two seasons, and Ottawa is no stranger to his runs on the left flank, while Nyassi patrols the opposite flank. Laing’s corner kick goal from last year has remained a bit of a sore spot for Fury fans.
    Eddie Edward makes his return to Ottawa, which is always sure to be greeted by his family and friends in Ottawa, with the player born and bred in the nation’s capital and having come up through the youth academy and PDL side in Ottawa, and making a MLS appearance as well with Dallas.
    ---
    2015 Fury FC Canadian Championship (Voyageurs Cup) – Preliminary Round, 1st Leg – Ottawa Fury FC vs. FC Edmonton Preview
    When: Wednesday, April 22, 2015 @ 7:30pm EDT
    Where: TD Place Stadium, Lansdowne Park, Ottawa, ON (Watch at OttawaFuryFC.com, CanadaSoccer.com; Listen at 580 CFRA AM)
    Ottawa Injuries and Suspensions: CM Phil Davies (out – arm, 6-8 weeks), DM Richie Ryan (out – ankle, 3-4 weeks), RW Carl Haworth (doubtful – illness)
    Ottawa Possible Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1) (R to L): Peiser; Richter, Rafael Alves, Falvey, Poltronieri; de Guzman, Paterson; Oliver, Ubiparipovic, Paulo Jr.; Wiedeman
    Ottawa Possible Bench: DeBellis, Beckie, Trafford, Randolph, Misik, Haworth, Heinemann
    Edmonton Previous Matchday Lineup – 3-2 W – (4-1-4-1) (L to R) – VanOekel; Moses, Watson, Roberts, Edward; Raudales (Granitto); Laing, Burt (Jalali), Jones, Nyassi; Jonke (Ameobi)
    Edmonton Players to Watch: Lance Laing, Sainey Nyassi, Eddie Edward
    Previous Match: Oct 18, 2014 – NASL – Ottawa Fury FC vs. FC Edmonton – 0-2 L – https://offcreview.wordpress.com/2014/10/20/nasl-2014-matchday-25-ottawa-vs-edmonton-review/
    ---
    The Fury FC picked up a 1-0 victory over MLS-bound Minnesota on Saturday in their season home opener.
    I was standing in the supporters section with the Bytown Boys on Saturday and have yet to have had the chance to rewatch the match fully on YouTube, due to a very busy week.
    The quick observations that can be taken from the match is that the new 4-2-3-1 formation is paying off significant dividends for the Fury, with JDG, Nicki Paterson, Richie Ryan, Patryk Misik and Mauro Eustaquio all more than suitable for the 2 DM positions.
    JDG in particular had an outstanding 2nd half, making tackles left and right, while Tom Heinemann scored the winner in the 67th minutes off a side-footer after nifty footwork to beat a Minny defender. Paulo Jr. has proven to be the x-factor for the Fury with his dynamic wing play, which has added an extra dimension to what the Fury have had in 2014.
    The Fury FC had picked up what was only their 2nd victory at TD Place in history, since their move during the 2014 summer break. The players were ecstatic after the match, with at least 5 players jumping into the supporters section in Section W after the game to receive the plaudits from the supporters.
    ---
    2015 Fury FC NASL Season – Matchday 3 – Ottawa Fury FC vs. Minnesota United FC Review – 1-0 W
    When: Saturday, April 18, 2015 @ 3:00pm EDT
    Where: TD Place Stadium, Lansdowne Park, Ottawa, ON (Watch at OttawaFuryFC.com, Rogers TV 22, RogersTV.com, TSN Go, ESPN 3; Listen at TSN 1200 AM, 94,5 Unique FM)
    Ottawa Injuries and Suspensions: CM Phil Davies (out – arm)
    Ottawa Returnees: LW Paulo Jr. (short-term knock – return to starting lineup); DM Richie Ryan, AM Sinisa Ubiparipovic (mid-term injury – return to bench); CM Julian de Guzman (1-game suspension)
    Ottawa (4-2-3-1) – Peiser; Poltronieri, Falvey, Rafael Alves, Richter; de Guzman, Paterson; Paulo Jr. (Ryan 76′), Oliver (Misik 87′), Haworth; Heinemann (Wiedeman 68′)
    Ottawa Subs: DeBellis, Trafford, Beckie, Ubiparipovic
    Minnesota (4-1-4-1) – Ndjock; Davis, Calvano, Dias, Kallman; Vicentini (Alhassan 67’); Steele, Ibson (Pitchkolan 33’), Ibarra, Mendes (Campos 74’); Ramirez
    Ottawa Goal/Assist – Heinemann 67′
    Minnesota Goal – None
    You can follow Namu Yoon on Twitter at @BBSC_SeoulBro and @OFFCReview, and his Canadian Soccer News articles on Ottawa Fury FC at http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/index.php?/page/articles.html/_/ottcityfootie and https://offcreview.wordpress.com.
    Michael Mccoll
    Ambleside's Friday night lights just add to the feel and atmosphere of the Provincial Cup action and we've seen some cracking ties played on the turf these past few years.
    Friday night's encounter between VMSL champs West Van and a Richmond Hibernians side that finished 18 points, and five places, behind them in league play this past season, wasn't one of those thrilling games. But the Hibs pulled off the shock with a controlled performance that saw them untroubled for most of the match and deserving 1-0 winners in the end.
    Despite their midtable finish, Richmond were the third highest scorers in VMSL this season with 47 goals, and they took the game to West Van from the start and had some close calls, without being too threatening. It was West Van who came the closest to opening the scoring in the first half when they had a headed effort tipped over from six yards out.
    Goalless at the half, Richmond came out strong at the start of the second and after seeing a goalbound shot deflected for a corner, Gavin Barrett headed the resulting corner narrowly over.
    West Van enjoyed the better of the possession but Richmond were enjoying the better of the chances and they took a deserved lead, with what proved to be the only and winning goal of the game, in the 78th minute with a lovely finish from Lucas Barrett.
    A great win for the Hibs and a shock that throws the A Cup wide open. Richmond's reward is a home tie against fellow VMSL side EDC Burnaby on Saturday evening.
    The full A Cup first round results were as follows:

    West Van (VMSL) 0 - 1 Richmond Hibernians (VMSL)North Delta Lions (VMSL) 1 - 0 Nanaimo United (VISL)
    Vic West (VISL) 0 - 3 EDC Burnaby (VMSL)
    Port Moody Lordco Gunners (FVSL) 1 - 4 Bays Utd (VISL)
    ICST Pegasus (VMSL) 4 - 2 Saanich Fusion (VISL)
    Metro-Ford Wolves (VMSL) 0 - 1 Inter FC (VMSL)
    Westcoast Selects (FVSL) 1 - 5 Langley Hurricanes (VMSL)
    Cowichan (VISL) 3 - 3 Abbotsford Utd (FVSL) [Cowichan win on pens]
    With the eight B Cup Preliminary Round matches in the books last weekend, the First Round proper kicked off with a further eight games and some early shocks.

    Our featured tie of the round took us to Burnaby Lake on Saturday afternoon to watch the defending champions, South Burnaby Fighting Irish, take on VISL side Saanich Fusion Campus Honda.
    The Irish came in to this year's competition having finished 5th in the BMSL First Division, 14 points behind the champions, Persia FC. Fusion finished their league campaign as runners up in VISL Division 3A.
    South Burnaby dominated the game in terms of possession, but Saanich were clinical in front of goal, happy to play on the counter and finishing off pretty much every chance that was presented to them on the way to a 4-2 victory.
    The Islanders took the lead in the 14th minute on a quick breakaway and with their first chance of the match. Nick Takeda, who stepped up from the Fusion U18 side for the game and was a problem for the Irish throughout, raced in on goal and hit a superb finish over the South Burnaby keeper, who was left rooted to the spot.
    The defending champs continued to take the game to the visitors but the final ball was lacking and Saanich were bending but not breaking. George Diaconu came closest to levelling things in the 25th minute but his run and shot to the near post was kept out by the legs of Fusion keeper Michael McCue.
    Despite their pressure, South Burnaby fell further behind in the 32nd minute when they were caught with another quick counter and Jan Wandel got past the Irish keeper and slotted the ball home into the empty net.
    The Fighting Irish were given a lifeline just before half time when Diaconu looped the ball over McCue from 45 yards out and when the same player was brought down for a penalty five minutes into the second half, which was converted by Derek Patrao, it looked like the only team that were going to win the game would be the defending champs.
    But credit to the Fusion. They didn't folder under the increasing pressure and were looking dangerous on the times they did get forward, as South Burnaby left gaps at the back as they looked for a winner.
    Two goals in a five minute spell were to prove to be the eventual undoing for South Burnaby.
    Takeda grabbed his second of the game, and the Fusion's third, in the 72nd minute when he finished off a nice run with a 25 yard lob which gave the Fighting Irish keeper no chance.
    Saanich then sealed their victory with 14 minutes remaining when Paul Moroney pounced on a poor clearance by the Burnaby keeper. He headed into the box and slipped the ball past the keeper but his first effort was blocked by a lunging Adam Chitticks. The rebound came straight back to Moroney who made no mistake in firing home and it was lights out for the defending champs.
    You can find some (very hit and miss) highlights of the game below. We managed to switch the camera to video mode just in time to capture some of the goals, but we've got all the celebrations!

    AFTN photographer Tom Ewasiuk (www.residualimagephotography.com) was there with us covering the game, and here's his Flickr slideshow:

    Saanich Fusion Campus Honda will now host a quarter final against the B Cup favourites, Guildford FC, who beat Aldergrove Red Devils 3-0 in their first round match up on Saturday night. Guildford won a VMSL Division 2A and Division 2 Cup double this season, going undefeated along the way.
    The full B Cup first round results were as follow:

    Richmond Athletics (RASA) 4 - 2 Mundiavocat (BMSA)South Burnaby Fighting Irish (BMSL) 2 - 4 Saanich Fusion Campus Honda (VISL)
    Langley Utd Dynamo (FVSL) 1 - 2 Meralomas (VMSL)
    Langley Utd Sparta (FVSL) 1 - 0 Burnaby Hotspur (BMSL)
    Guildford FC (VMSL) 3 - 0 Aldergrove Red Devils (FVSL)
    Powell River Villa (VISL) 0 - 1 Port Alberni Athletics (VISL)
    Persia FC (VMSL) 1 - 0 Richmond All Blacks (RASA)
    Jugadores (RASA) 3 - 2 South Delta Royals (VMSL)
    The quarter finals in all the Cups will be played over Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend. You can find the complete schedule HERE. Try and get out to a game if you can and #SupportLocalSoccer.
    Michael Crampton
    The first time TFC changed coaches mid-season was in their third year, 2009, when John Carver "jumped/was pushed" and was replaced by Chris Cummins. That was actually the team’s best season in terms if points-per-game and the closest they've ever come to making the playoffs.
    It happened again the next year when Preki was fired and replaced by Nick Dasovic for the final third of the season. A team that had slid out of playoff contention did not get better -- but, note, did not really get worse -- and missed the playoffs. Interestingly, that team had TFC's highest ever league finish, 11th, and would have made the playoffs if the play-in round positions were not distributed on a cross-over basis with the Western Conference.
    Any discussion of Aron Winter's time in-charge of TFC always opens a can of worms but it largely goes unnoticed that Winter's replacement by Paul Mariner in 2012 did actually improve the team's MLS performance that season. Mariner took over a 1W-0D-9L team, on pace for a 10 point season, and had them go 4W-4D-2L over his first 10 games before a grinding winless streak, toxic fan relations, and the hiring of Kevin Payne in the off-season made his position untenable.
    Finally, just last year, Ryan Nelsen was let go with the team sliding, but still in a playoff position, and the reigns were handed to current incumbent Greg Vanney. Vanney had little success in the “results based business” of turning the team around, the implosion continued over their final 10 games, and there was little doubt in the end that they weren’t a playoff calibre side.
    The important things to note are threefold. First, arguably half the time, a coaching change mid-season has actually improved the team’s results; the other half the time it merely failed to improve the team, or only made them marginally worse. The time they got marginally worse was under the current head coach. Second, it’s generally worked better when the change comes earlier rather than later. Waiting to make sure that a coach has failed might be a greater risk than the disruption of a change. And third, every single mid-season replacement has come from inside the organization: Cummins, Dasovic, Mariner, and Vanney.
    For all their managerial turmoil Toronto FC have never actually recruited a new head coach in mid-season. They’ve simply taken the easy route of grabbing the next guy in line in the organization and kicking the can down the road to the off-season. Greg Vanney, the worst performing of those “promote from within” appointments, relative to the coach they replaced, is the only one to get to keep the job over the off-season.
    So, if the rumors floating through the TFC-internet have a basis, and Greg Vanney’s position really is in jeopardy, it actually would not be “typical-TFC” if the reason is that there is a specific hire they’d like to replace him with. “Typical-TFC” would be to wait until the team goes on another losing streak, fire Vanney because of results, and then let Robin Fraser see out the rest of the season before radically changing directions again later.
    The wrong argument to have is whether Greg Vanney “deserves” to be fired after only 15 games as head coach. If there is a better candidate available, and TFC see their long term future with him, then what’s really happening is that Greg Vanney is being told “thank you for keeping the seat warm, but you were always just an interim appointment.” And really, it’s not like it’s possible to argue that Vanney has done anything during that interim-ship that would be an argument for keeping him, other than the fact that this team has too much history of changing coaches.
    Do TFC need to change head coaches because a tough start during a long road trip? No. But do they need to keep Greg Vanney if there is a willing candidate who they have more confidence in? No, they don’t need to do that either.
    Guest
    Until later tonight for another special show, have a great futbol!
    @OfftheWoodworkx
    @KevLaramee
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    Guest
    , former Mexican International and now President and Technical Director of Club America gave us is feelings ahead of the ConcaChampions Final, his thoughts on the Montreal Impact, hist thoughts on the recent 4-0 destruction at the hand of Queretaro and Ronaldinho and he even gets angry at a journalist! ( I was told, me no habla espanol) No players were made available today by America because it is not in their habits to have players talk to press on a Tuesday!
    Until later with sound from the Impact's practice, have a great futbol!
    @OfftheWoodworkx
    @KevLaramee
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    James Grossi
    Russell Teibert
    Teibert, sporting the Captain's armband with Pedro Morales suspended, returned to Vancouver's starting eleven for their 0-1 win in Salt Lake on Saturday night – it was his fifth start and sixth appearance of the season.
    Fielded in a more-advanced midfield position, atop a central triangle based by Matias Laba and Gershon Koffie, Teibert was a force on the night, giving an early indication of his intent with a thunderous challenge on Olmes Garcia inside the five five minutes of play. He would receive a booking for his trouble – his first of the season – and have to be careful for the remaining 85 minutes, lest he see another card from the official. He would go on to commit two further fouls, for three total by the final whistle.
    Playing as that first line of defense, a high-pressure destroyer, the Niagara Falls, Ontario-native was clearly told to clog up that part of the pitch, disrupting Salt Lake's ability to build out of the midfield, long been a strength of theirs.
    Faced with his presence, the hosts attempted to escape it, operating in wider and wider positions, to which Teibert easily adapted, roaming out wide to snuff out any threat from such wide attacks.
    Misplacing just five of some fifty-plus passes on the night, Teibert's other numbers were modest: three recoveries, two clearances, an interception, and a tackle. His role was to apply pressure, not necessarily apply the stop himself.
    But, as it turned out, his most vital contribution to the night was a bursting run up the left as Vancouver took a short free-kick, dishing off to Sam Adekugbe and then hustling up the touchline to latch onto the banked 'pass' and fling a cross into the middle in the 80th minute.
    His delivery would be met sweetly by Darren Mattocks in the middle, rising up, virtually unchallenged, to direct his header on to the far-side of the net for the first goal of the night; it would turn out to be the winner.
    Vancouver stumbled last week, losing to San Jose, but with the help of Captain Teibert, they ended a two-match winless run, retained their spot atop the league, and nabbed their first-ever win away to Salt Lake.
    Post-match, he commented: “Great result for us. We talk about making history and we had the opportunity to do so tonight. We took a chance playing a different formation and we adapted well and showed how intelligent our squad is and how we are willing to work in whatever formation our manager puts us in. We have never won here before so not only is it a big win tonight but it is also a big win for our club."
    His full-interview can be viewed here – while some hi-jinx with his road-roommate, Adekugbe, can be seen
    .Marcel de Jong
    De Jong started his third-straight match for Sporting KC in their 2-1 loss to Los Angeles on Saturday night – it was his fifth appearance of the season, all of which have been starts.
    From his left-back position, de Jong was under pressure early, tasked with keeping a lid on the problematic Stefan Ishizaki, who twisted him up on occasion to get in crosses. He then had his MLS education continued, with Dan Gargan this time the guilty party, welcoming de Jong to the league with a heavy challenge that earned him a yellow card – and sent the Canadian airborne. It was one of two fouls he won that night.
    Despite a necessary defensive role, de Jong was able to get forward, twice getting off shots at goal – the first required an excellent save from Jamie Penedo; the second dribbled wide of the far-post. It is nice to see that kind of confidence and aim from a full-back; he will score a few goals this season.
    Solid on the ball – the Newmarket, Ontario-native completed 21 of his 28 attempts – de Jong put in a defensive shift, racking up six recoveries, two interceptions, two clearances, and a tackle, but it was going forward that he really impressed, once nicking the ball off of Gargan, only for Tommy Meyer to interrupt his route to goal.
    He would make way for Amadou Dia in the 75th minute with the game tied at ones – KC would concede the latest of winners in the 94th minute.
    Prior to the match, de Jong's progression was applauded by Peter Vermes. “He's getting there. He's slowly getting there. I thought last game was a really good game for him. That was his best game so far for us. I think one of his things is getting fitter, to play the way we play. He's also understanding some of the responsibilities that go along with playing that position in the way that we play. Every day, he gets a little closer to what we want to be.”
    Vermes continued, “He's a very good server of the ball. He also has a cannon from distance, which you haven't seen yet. He really does. I'm sure at some point, that'll come out in one of the games, because he can hit the ball.”
    And de Jong is enjoying his new abode: “It's amazing. The first time I stepped on the pitch, I got goosebumps all over my skin, because there was such a nice feeling when I stepped on the field – all the fireworks and everything. Not what I'm used to in Europe. But it's amazing.”
    Good to see he is settling in, hopefully he can carry his form into World Cup Qualification and the Gold Cup; with a little less travel to concern him, it can only be good for Canada.
    Sam Adekugbe
    Adekugbe too returned to Vancouver's starting lineup on Saturday night, having sat out the second match of a double-game week last weekend, to make his sixth start of the season.
    In his familiar left-back position, a spot he has all but made his own of late, the London, England-born defender experienced some struggles, making a few rash clearances that allowed Salt Lake to build some pressure early. Most notable was a terrible sliced clearance that fell into a dangerous spot above the box, leading to an attempt at goal from Jordan Allen; fortunately David Ousted was alert to the threat, getting down well to spare any further embarrassment.
    Having survived that scare, Adekugbe would compose himself for the remainder of the match, showing his usual qualities on the left. His passing, 11 of some 35 incomplete, left a little to be desired, but he more than made up for any losses of possession with five interceptions, five clearances, four tackles, three recoveries, and a block; winning a pair of fouls, conceding only one.
    He showed that same willingness to get forward that has earned him praise, rampaging up that side. And though he probably did not mean to bank a pass off a Salt Lake defender to set-up Teibert's cross on the game-winning goal, it was a pretty solid bit of attacking intent – even if the execution was found wanting.
    Adekugbe showed a touch of veteran savvy – or youthful impetuousness, taking a yellow card for delay of game, for picking up the ball and walking away in the final ten minutes, eating up a precious bit of time with the lead in tow.
    And he kept his focus to help see out the narrow win. Salt Lake may have been down to nine men, but Demar Phillips refused to relent with Adekugbe his match, cutting out a pair of late crosses – though that same clearing problem, of putting live balls into potentially troublesome places, resurfaced.
    Steven Vitoria
    Vitoria, the CanCon Review's resident iron-man, continued his ever-presence with a pair of starts for Philadelphia this week, as they closed out a home-and-home series against New York City with a 1-1 draw on Thursday before falling 1-2 at home to New England on Sunday – he has now started each of the Union's eight league matches in 2015.
    Maintaining his left-sided centre-back position in each, Vitoria was paired with Maurice Edu in both matches.
    Against New York, he did a solid job of keeping a tight lid on both City strikers – David Villa barely managed a look and Adam Nemec threatened just once, from a corner kick, that saw Vitoria do just enough in his marking to put off the attacker, who guided his header off-target.
    Completing 21 of his 31 passes, Vitoria compiled some impressive figures – in both matches – making ten clearances, four interceptions, three recoveries, three blocks, and a tackle in New York. And was again a calming presence at the back, though Edu was displeased at times by the lack of support the back-line got from the midfield.
    And though he will not record an assist, he had a role in CJ Sapong's late equalizer, occupying Andrew Jacobson just enough to give the striker the space for the 86th minute goal.
    Three days later, the Toronto-born defender was back on Philadelphia's home pitch for another match, against an altogether more threatening foe.
    The short-rest showed a little, as Vitoria backed off a little too much early, allowing Andy Dorman a shot from the top of the box, but was a strong presence in the air – far more than either Charlie Davies or Juan Agudelo could handle.
    He was lucky to escape a booking for bundling over Lee Nguyen in the midfield as the defender rushed to recover with New England in transition – that lack of pace would be an issue later in the match.
    Vitoria exhibited his strength and awareness, shielding Davies away from one ball and making the executive decision to clear rather than await further help, before putting in a wonderful slide tackle in the box to nick the ball off the foot of Scott Caldwell, whose eyes had grown big with the path to goal and loose ball presenting itself before him.
    But he would be caught up-field in the 76th minute, stepping into the midfield only to expose gaps at the back that, in part, led to Teal Bunbury's game winner.
    There has been little word as to whether Benito Floro has whispered any sweet-nothings into the ear of the big defender of Portuguese extraction, but with a busy summer ahead and the lack of depth along Canada's back-line, it may not be a bad idea.
    Kofi Opare
    Opare started his third-straight match for DC as they tied Houston 1-1 on Saturday night – it was his fourth-consecutive appearance of the season since coming on for the injured Steve Birnbaum at the end of March.
    Paired with Bobby Boswell as the left-sided centre-back, Opare had a quiet match – it was a largely uneventful first half, aside from the Chris Rolfe goal that put DC ahead.
    The second half would see a little more action. The Niagara Falls-raised defender would miss his lunging challenge on Ricardo Clark, allowing Giles Barnes to get off a shot on the hour-mark that struck the base of the post. Opare would see his strong run forward ended by a shove in the back from Will Bruin. And he would suffered a pretty heavy tackle from Rob Lovejoy, crashing in late, after Opare had already released his pass.
    He was confident on the ball, completing 28 of his 37 attempts – an equal mix of forward and sideways – ending the match with one each of interceptions, recoveries, clearances, and tackles.
    Ashtone Morgan
    Morgan made a third-straight start for Toronto in their lightning-infringed 3-2 loss to FC Dallas on Saturday night – it was his fourth appearance of the season.
    Starting in his familiar left-back spot, with Justin Morrow against drafted into the middle, Morgan could only watch in horror as Fabian Castillo shredded the opposite flank to pieces, blowing up any game plans with a goal after 29 seconds and adding a second inside of ten minutes. Morgan, recognizing the danger (it was rather obvious) would even find himself tracking all the way over to the far-side of the pitch to cut out a potential Castillo counter after the ball was cleared following a TFC attack.
    The Toronto, Ontario-native was not without blame in the three first-half goals: the third was in part the result of his back-header off a Je-Vaughan Watson throw. Damien Perquis had plenty of time to deal with the ball, only to have Collen Warner get in his way, turning over the ball to Blas Perez, who made no mistake with his fortune.
    Despite the weather and the unfriendly start, Morgan got forward regularly, was solid in his passing – completing some 24 of roughly 30 attempts – and accumulated an impressive six interceptions, four recoveries, three clearances, and a pair of tackles, before making way for Robbie Findley in the 86th minute with TFC chasing the game by two goals.
    Tesho Akindele
    Akindele, who has made some waves since it was reported by Benito Floro that the Canadian head coach expected an answer on his availability shortly, was on the bench for Dallas against Toronto on Saturday, coming on, after the long delay, in the 66th minute for Michael Barrios.
    With the match all-but decided – or so it seemed at the time – the Calgary-born forward was only marginally involved, the game had slowed to a virtual crawl, but completed eleven of his fourteen passes, making one clearance; winning and conceding a foul.
    But the real news is that after Floro made his pronouncement, Akindele responded, stating: I’ve been in contact with [Canada] lately, so that’s about it. There’s a lot of big stuff coming up for everybody with the Gold Cup, so I think by then it will be finalized.”
    Adding, “I’ve talked to people that I value their opinion, people in my family, people who have coached me in the past, also people on this team that have been international players and got their opinion on what they think would be best for me.”
    Mysterious.
    Cyle Larin
    Larin, fresh off his first professional goal, remained in the starting lineup for Orlando City on Saturday, making a second-consecutive start and fourth appearance of the season.
    But, given the circumstances of Raphael Ramos' silly 34th minute red card, the Brampton, Ontario-native would be forced to make way two minutes later for Tyler Turner as Adrian Heath shuffled his formation, bringing on an extra defender.
    It was a brief outing, but Larin still showed his quality, leading the line himself away from home. His best chance of the match came from a Brek Shea goalmouth ball from the left that was just a little too far out of his reach. Larin's only true attempt at goal was blocked.
    He completed all six of his passes, which is cool.
    Jonathan Osorio
    Osorio started a fifth-straight match for Toronto on Saturday in Dallas, maintaining a minor iron-man streak of his own – has has been substituted in three of those matches, so is no threat to Vitoria's every-minute title.
    Swapping over to the left-side of midfield, with Jackson taking up the right, Osorio again looked out of sorts.
    His passing was excellent – completing all but three of some fifty-plus attempts – and he was active, making four recoveries, two tackles, winning a foul and conceding two. But something remains off for the Toronto, Ontario-native.
    He had one attempt at goal – it was blocked – and had a glorious chance to make something when Sebastian Giovinco's ball fell to him at the left-post, only for a horrendous first touch to almost ruin the opportunity. Osorio would recover possession and send a lot ball through the goalmouth, but it was handily cleared.
    Osorio would make way in the 68th minute, just as Toronto started to show signs of life, replaced by Luke Moore.
    It is difficult to be overly critical of Osorio, while he adjusts to an outside role; TFC has been a gong-show, a mishmash of styles and ideas, though their first five matches. But more is required of him if the club is to escape their funk and he is to retain his place in the starting position.
    The Rest
    Kyle Ouimette was again an unused substitute for Jesse Marsch as the New York Red Bulls rolled out 2-0 winners over San Jose on Saturday.
    Each week James takes a look at the contributions of Canadians in the league. He can be followed on twitter @grawsee and more of his writing is available at Partially Obstructed View
    Michael Mccoll
    Toronto tied things up through Jay Chapman in the 57th minute, somewhat against the run of play and with the help of a referee that blocked Tyler Rosenlund and inadvertently set up the chance.
    That goal sparked TFC2 into life and they looked like the only team that was going to win this thing, missing a couple of great opportunities to do so. Their cause was helped further when Victor Blasco picked up two yellow cards in the space of five minutes and was sent off in the 68th minute.
    The couldn't make their man advantage tell and the Whitecaps were then thrown a lifeline in the 77th minute when Mark Anthony Kaye picked up his second yellow of the game, after sending Ben McKendry flying, and the teams were level in personnel once again.
    Both teams had chances to win it. The 'Caps got in the better positions and will be disappointed to come away with only a draw, remaining with just one win now from their first five games.
    AFTN photographer Tom Ewasiuk was there to capture all the action before, during and after the game and here's his "Story In Pictures", with a full Flickr slideshow at the end.
    [Also check out his website www.residualimagephotography.com for more of his photos and work].

    A packed Thunderbird Stadium ready for WFC2's home openerThe teams come outMarie Hui belts out the Canadian national anthemBen McKendry has a chance at making history with WFC2's first home goalOh! So close, but Quillan Roberts comes up with the saveCaleb Clarke is next to try his luck but Roberts thwarts him as wellBut the goal finally comes in the 33rd minute as Caleb Clarke coolly slots home past RobertsAnd the team celebrate the occasionBubble football - It's the futureAnd the band plays onTFC II come storming back into the game with Jay Chapman's 57th minute equaliserBooooooooooooooooThe Whitecaps' cause receives a further set back when Victor Blasco is sent off in the 68th minuteAnd the Spaniard is off for an early bathBut numbers are levelled up nine minutes later when Mark Anthony Kaye hacks down Ben McKendryAnd Kaye picks up his second yellow and is sent offBut neither team can break the deadlock and the game ends as a 1-1 draw'Caps goalscorer Caleb Clarke scrums after the gameAs does WFC2 head coach Alan Koch You can see a Flickr slideshow of all of Tom's photos from the game below:

    Michael Mccoll
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    Or after all that, you could just listen on the player below!

    Aaron Campbell
    THE GOOD
    David Ousted Gets Another Clean Sheet
    Sure I could have picked Darren Mattocks because he scored the game winning goal. I could have picked Matias Laba for his brilliant play clogging up the midfield. Or I could have picked Kendall Waston for shutting down all RSL forwards in the defensive box.
    They were all excellent but I picked Ousted because he has been solid all season and he continued his dominant performance and got his third clean sheet in four games on the road this season.
    With all the road woes this team has had since joining MLS, this season's road success is critical. These points could mean the difference between fighting for the last playoff spot in the last game at the end of the season again to sitting comfortably in the second or third spot in the standings and getting a home playoff date. Maybe even more.
    Ousted made four saves. They weren't amazing saves but he always seems to do just enough to make sure that the team in front of him has that chance to win. Yeah they wait until the last minutes and it's not always pretty, but an ugly win is worth just as much in the standings as a pretty win.
    That is all you can ask from your starting keeper.
    THE AVERAGE
    Octavio Rivero's Past Two Games
    Don't sound the panic alarms, but Rivero hasn't scored in two straight games!
    Of course there will be times this season where Rivero has these type of games, but even though he isn't scoring he is still contributing to the team with all the other aspects of his game. He is holding the ball up well, still making dangerous runs in the box and always showing hustle on the pitch. This is something we haven't seen with the other strikers Vancouver has and have had since joining MLS.
    Even though he hasn't gotten the service he has wanted the last two games he is still making those runs off the defender's shoulders time and time again. It's not his fault that his teammates aren't giving him the ball on his run.
    He showed frustration a few times in this game when Darren Mattocks or Sam Adekugbe had their heads down and didn't see him making a run into the box, missing the chance to make the pass. Even with all these missed opportunities he is still trying and running his heart out for this team.
    THE BAD
    Sam Adekugbe
    The Whitecaps improve to 5W-0L-1D with Adekugbe in the starting line up this season. He has shown he has the ability to get up into the play down the flank and get involved in the offense. This game was no different for the young player.
    The problem in this game was he looked rushed on all his crosses. He didn't take his time to make sure he got a decent serviceable ball into the box. Time after time the RSL defenders were stepping in and knocking the ball out before it could make in anywhere close to a Whitecaps player. With this only being his 11th MLS game he is still learning and will only get better with time.
    He also turned the ball over a few too many times for my liking. He seemed to play every ball a few yards too far ahead or too far behind the player he was looking for. He needs to play the ball through his midfield more. He kept trying to go over the top and down the wing straight to Rivero and Mattocks. When you have players like Laba, Russell Teibert and Gershon Koffie to play through, that is usually the best option.
    Michael Mccoll
    REPORT:
    Vancouver Whitecaps' Carl Robinson served up a tactical masterclass down in Sandy, Utah on Saturday night. Gone was the usual 4-2-3-1 formation, to be replaced with what amounted to three defensive midfielders on occasions, splitting to form a diamond midfield at others.
    It was introduced at short notice and it worked "to a tee" as Robinson said afterwards, as the Whitecaps played out a defensive first half before controlling play in the second.
    A fine Darren Mattocks header ten minutes from time was the difference between the two sides, as Vancouver left Rio Tinto with three points and Salt Lake finished the game with nine men.
    Robinson made four changes to the team that lost to San Jose last week, with the enforced one of the suspended Pedro Morales being the most significant one.
    Vancouver had a lucky escape four minutes in when Pa Modou Kah completely misjudged a long ball forward allowing Alvaro Saborio to run in on goal, but the Costa Rican's wild shot flew wide right.
    RSL threatened again in the 16th minute when David Ousted had to get down quickly to keep out Jordan Allen's low shot from the edge of the box.
    Vancouver had a good spell of pressure midway through the half that kept Salt Lake penned in for a couple of minutes, but once again they failed to muster a single shot on target during the first 45 minutes.
    It was very much a stop-start half, with neither side able to get into any kind of groove.
    The second half at least had some flow to it, as Vancouver dominated possession, but without threatening the Salt Lake goal.
    Saborio was allowed a free header eight yards out in the 63rd for RSL, but directed it straight at Ousted and Vancouver responded with a long range Nicolas Mezquida effort that flew over and then Octavio Rivero couldn't get a good bounce and hit over as well.
    Recent games between the two sides have been feisty affairs and when Russell Teibert picked up a yellow card in the 5th minute, you had to think we were in for another chippy night. But it wasn't to be a dirty game.
    That all changed in the 76th minute when RSL sub Sebastian Saucedo saw a straight red for a horrendous tackle on 'Caps sub Mauro Rosales that left the Argentine writhing in agony on his first game back after injury, with the Salt Lake player's studs going into the top of his foot.
    Vancouver made their man advantage pay just four minutes later when a Sam Adekugbe pass was deflected into the path of Russell Teibert and the Canadian whipped in a perfect cross on to the head of Mattocks, who rose superbly to head what was to be the winning goal past Nick Rimando.
    RSL went down to nine men in the final minute of normal time when Jamison Olave picked up his second yellow of the match after tripping Mattocks.
    With six minutes of stoppage time RSL actually had some of their best pressure of the game, but the Caps also had a couple of chances to add to their tally.
    In the end Vancouver held out comfortably for their third away win of the season and their fourth clean sheet. The Whitecaps have also still only allowed one goal on the road all season.
    With three of their next four MLS games at home, the 'Caps will be looking to strengthen their lead at the top of the standings, before the tough summer schedule kicks in.
    FINAL SCORE: Real Salt Lake 0 - 1 Vancouver Whitecaps
    ATT: 20,414 sell out
    SALT LAKE: Nick Rimando; Tony Beltran (John Stertzer 83), Jamsion Olave, Elias Vasquez, Demar Phillips; Kyle Beckerman, Luke Mulholland (Devon Sandoval 88), Luis Gil; Jordan Allen (Sebastian Saucedo 64), Alvaro Saborio, Olmes Garcia [subs Not Used: Jeff Attinella, Aaron Maund, Abdoulie Mansally, Wellington Paeckart]
    VANCOUVER: David Ousted; Steven Beitashour, Kendall Waston, Pa Modou Kah, Sam Adekugbe; Gershon Koffie, Matias Laba, Darren Mattocks (Erik Hurtado 90), Nicolas Mezquida (Mauro Rosales 71), Russell Teibert; Octavio Rivero [subs Not Used: Paolo Tornaghi, Jordan Harvey, Deybi Flores, Kekuta Manneh, Robert Earnshaw]
    REACTION:

    VANCOUVER WHITECAPS
    CARL ROBINSON
    Overall thoughts on game:
    “It’s a good result for us. We come here with a game plan and made some tactical adjustments prior to the game and it worked to a T, so we’ll take the 3 points.”
    On Vancouver’s formation:
    “We just made one or two adjustments. Obviously playing two forwards was a plan we wanted to use. We know Salt Lake are a very good attacking team, and like to get their fullbacks high. We just thought that maybe we could isolate the center back to certain areas. It was 60 odd minutes. They cancelled us and we cancelled them. As the game opened up a little bit, then obviously we were lucky enough to take our chance and they didn’t take their chance.”
    On the overall play on the road:
    “My team has got character. Sometimes the performance levels aren’t what they should be, but character, heart, grit and determination was absolutely spot on in there and that gets results sometimes, and today I think it got us a result. It was fantastic individual performances. Today, and sometimes football isn’t pretty I’m afraid, and when it’s not pretty it’s important that you get something out of the game. That’s what we did today.”
    On using versatility to find a win:
    “It’s very important. Whenever you come to Salt Lake, and our records speak for themselves, we have never won here. That’s credit to Salt Lake, because they’re so good at home. We knew it was going to be a difficult game, and as I said, I tactically adjusted it and set up the game plan. But I got to give my players credit today, because we spoke about it yesterday for the first time about how we were going to play, and they took the information on board. I know they’re fantastic individuals and they’re talented players, but what I learned today is they’re smart players as well and the next stage of us continuing development. We got a long way to go. We enjoyed it today, but we will get back to work on Monday, because we got a big home game next week.”
    On Darren Mattocks stepping up the defensive side:
    “He’s worked his socks off today. Not just Darren, but every single player on my team and you’re going to have to do that, especially in places like Salt Lake. We did it today. He got his reward with a goal and as the game opened up, and obviously the referee made one or two decisions which changed the flow and the dynamic of the game. It opened up and we could have got another one or two, but the difference, we took our chances. They didn’t take their chances.”
    RUSSELL TEIBERT:
    Thoughts on the match:
    “Great result for us. We talk about making history and we had the opportunity to do so tonight. We took a chance playing a different formation and we adapted well and showed how intelligent our squad is and how we are willing to work in whatever formation our manager puts us in. We have never won here before so not only is it a big win tonight but it is also a big win for our club."
    DARREN MATTOCKS
    Thoughts on the match:
    “Great shift defensively. Third win on the road in eight games. That's amazing. We have a bunch of guys that are so talented, but we are also willing to put in the work defensively even though that's not always fun to do.”
    On Teibert's contribution to the winning goal:
    “Russell Teibert. What a hard working great player he is for us.”
    REAL SALT LAKE
    JEFF CASSAR
    On the officiating:
    “It is what it is. Sometimes, when you leave your feet like that, you leave yourself susceptible for the referee to make an impact the way he did. So there are definitely coaching points there. This game isn’t about the officiating for sure.”
    On what he wants to see differently from his team:
    “I thought we started off well. We started off aggressive, and then we maybe just took our foot off of the gas a little bit. I thought that a goal was coming, and when you’re getting that momentum you want to keep pushing and pressing for that goal. I thought we kind of maybe took our foot off of the gas a little bit. We have areas to improve on. I’m super proud of the effort from the guys tonight, but we need to improve on some things.”
    On Vancouver’s goal:
    “It was really a broken play. We were actually in good spots. They went to cross the ball and Luke [Mulholland] made a good effort to stop a penetrating ball. It goes off of his shin, down into the corner, and they get a cross. It was a bit of a broken play, maybe where we took a bit of a mental lapse. I have to go back and look at it, but we were all in good spots when the play happened, it was just that when it deflected off Luke, everything kind of went south from there.”
    On if he plans on appealing either red card:
    “We’ll have to look at it. I don’t know what to say on those right now. I want to stay positive. We had two red cards, they had none, and they could have had a few of them. But we’re not talking about them; I’m not going there. It’s just teaching points. You’re leaving it at the mercy of the referee, and that’s not always a good thing.”
    On why he subbed offensively at the end:
    “We were losing. We had to try to get as many goal scorers and size on the field that we could, and still keep speed on the field. Credit to the guys, they really kept pushing all the way to the end. I thought the subs worked out well for that fact, but we just couldn’t get it in the back of the net.”
    SEBASTIAN SAUCEDO
    On his red card:
    “I didn’t intentionally try to tackle him. Obviously I can’t argue about getting a red card. If it’s a red card, then it’s a red card. And I can’t argue about it or anything like that. I tried to get the ball and I tried to do it as cleanly as possible, but it led to something else. I can take the blame for getting a red card and obviously it led to their goal. It’s something that I have to overcome. It’s my first opportunity to play more minutes in a game and it just went by really quickly with the red card, so we’ll see what happens in the future.”
    LUKE MULHOLLAND
    On if he was pleased with the officiating tonight:
    “Pleased? No. We felt hard done by. As the home team, you know fifty-fifties usually go in favor of the home team, didn’t feel like we got that tonight. Then the first challenge that happened at the end of the first half, when a Vancouver player had on our player kind of set the tone for the game; if they can do that then we should be able to get away with the Saucedo tackle. We felt like we were hard done by. I didn’t think that both tackles were great but I think that one was worse than the other.”
    On helping teammate Sebastian Saucedo cope with his red card:
    “Yeah it’s a teaching moment, he came in here tonight and he looked really distraught. He feels like he has let the team down. But as a player we just remind him that tonight is done with. We like to see the fight in him. We know he is not a malicious player so it’s a bit unlucky. I guess he just wanted it too much. You can’t really go in like that. Like I say, he is young and inexperienced. But he will learn and grow from those decisions.”
    On how he felt that he played personally tonight:
    “I’m starting to enjoy the position alongside Kyle. Giving him the freedom to go forward and I’ll fill in for him. Otherwise, a lot of teams will not really worry about Kyle. We’re finding a balance of giving and staying. But yeah, I’m enjoying it. Kyle is great player and especially when you have Javi or Luis in front of us I don’t think that there is a better midfield three. The key in tonight’s game was to get the ball out wide to Tony or Jordan. We have to do that quickly. It felt like they were going to be the ones to win the game for us, players like Phillips. They were creating better chances for us.”
    TONY BELTRAN
    On the red card suffered by Sebastian Saucedo:
    “It’s a tough moment for sure. In a situation like that where he is playing at home, and he’s home town kid, and he is a very talented kid. That’s soccer. There are highs and lows. I remember my first year we were playing in Kansas City, it was the 80-somehting minute, I get an own goal and we lose one to nothing. Soccer is about perspective. That is not going to be the theme of his career. He’s going to go on and be a very, very good player in MLS. So, this will be a learning opportunity for him.”
    On giving up a goal with only one shot on goal allowed tonight:
    “It was unfortunate the way it happened. We were in great defensive shape, Luke makes a great play and it just goes to their wide guy who puts in a good ball. Maybe unlucky there, we can always get better defensively. Maybe on another night we finish one of our chances. It’s early in the season. The goals will come. I have the utmost confidence in our forwards. So we’ll just ride this out and get better.”
    On the overall game:
    “Yeah I think it was tough, I’ve seen a lot of weird nights. But that happens. But the game was very stop-and-start. There were a lot of ticky-tacky fouls that the ref was calling. There really wasn’t a flow. It’s a shame because sometimes it takes away from the spectacle and it makes it hard for teams to get into a rhythm and I think that that played into Vancouver’s advantage tonight.”
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