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    Guest
    This morning, the Montreal Impact showed us a glimpse of what Saputo Stadium will look like when we'll join the MLS next year.
    Designed by Provencher, Roy & Associés, the stadium capacity will increase from the current 13,034 to 20,341, making way for an additionnal 7,000 seats.
    A new 3500-seat grandstand will be built on the West side and an additional 1,000 seats will be added to both the North and South stands. Add another 1,250 seats to the new Southeast and Southwest areas.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Joey Saputo unveils the new and improved Saputo Stadium


    A tunnel leading to the players rooms will be built underneath the West grandstand which should eliminate the annoying traffic on the North Stand before and after games. (Fans had to wait for the players to go through before leaving the stadium.)
    The Stadium will boast a roof on all four stands, which will, according to executive VP Richar Legendre, cover more than 30 per cent (6,948 seats exactly) of the crowd, which will represent the 9 or 10 highest rows of each stand (expect the season tickets to be relatively high for those covered sections).
    Speaking of ticket prices, both Joey Saputo and Legendre stressed the importance of keeping the stadium 'accessible' to all fans.
    The details of season tickets have not been released but Legendre mentionned that they would range from $250 to $1,250. In comparison, current season tickets go from $160 to $1,400$ For the business side of things, up to 30 corporate boxes will be added to the current 16 and will be located all around the stadium.

    As for the financial details, the renovations will cost an extra 23 millions, which will be financed by the Quebec government. A synthetic training ground will also be built next to the stadium and will be covered by the amount financed by Quebec.
    Photo : Impact de Montréal / Pépé
    Vidéo : Le 12e joueur
    Guest
    Day by day, e-mail by e-mail, interview by interview, the truth of the Dominic Maestracci story is coming clear. There’s still a baffling lack of concrete detail, but an overall consensus – soft leader, impulsive interventionist – is emerging.
    The president of the Canadian Soccer Association rarely speaks, and when he does, the waters get muddier, not clearer. I have tried – repeatedly and on many fronts – to get Canadian soccer people to say positive things about the man who leads them.
    It isn’t happening.
    So please consider this an open call for good news, and positive perspective.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Anyone out there with something significant and favourable to say about Maestracci’s contribution to Canadian soccer, please speak up.
    Shed light on his role in landing the 2015 Women’s World Cup for Canada. Clarify his leadership in governance reform. Where in his background areas of expertise – officiating, Quebec soccer – has he made a true and telling difference?
    I want everything you’ve got.
    Make me – make all of us – believe there is more to this man than the odd, strange things he so very rarely says in public.
    The comments section is yours.
    Onward!
    Guest
    Congratulations to the Canadian women's national team, which claimed its second straight Cyprus Cup trophy earlier today. Now, here's hoping it's our last.
    Strange, I know, considering this country's dearth of footballing hardware, that I should be advocating such a thing. But I'll get to the future momentarily. For now, the glorious golden present.
    Cobbled-together social media reports suggest Canada opened the scoring in the 20th minute, when high winds turned a simple Dutch back-pass into an adventure, and Jonelle Filigno was able to capitalize. But Claudia van den Heiligenberg then became the first player to score on Canada in the tournament, equalizing five minutes before halftime.
    A rainy second half couldn't produce a goal, but in extra time an unlikely hero emerged (just like in last year's Cyprus Cup final) when Emily Zurrer potted the winner, her second of the tournament, following a corner kick.
    Today's result is a great thing, no doubt, and I'm not trying to diminish the accomplishment. But given Canada's reaffirmed status as an elite side in the women's game, I think we've outgrown the Cyprus Cup.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The tournament has been occasionally referred to as a "World Cup tune-up", which is technically accurate, of course. But consider that Canada, at #9, was the second highest-ranked team participating in this year's Cyprus Cup (France is #8, while North Korea [#6] pulled out shortly before the tournament began). Canada's opposition in the Cyprus Cup final, Holland, comes in at #15. (Paragraph edited to correct earlier error.)
    Now, granted, England (#10) is only a single point behind Canada in the FIFA rankings, and Italy comes in next at #11. Canada faced (and beat) both of these sides during this year's Cyprus Cup... and the final against the Dutch was definitely no cake-walk either. In fact, it was a hard-fought game where, to use the ol' cliches, Canada had to "dig deep" to find a way to win. Those are the sorts of games that build character and camaraderie.
    But consider some of the opposition at the Algarve Cup, running concurrently over in Portugal: the USA (#1), Sweden (#4), Japan (#5), Norway (#7) and China (#13). In an odd twist, though, it's #17-ranked Iceland up against the States in today's final.
    Canada may not win the Algarve Cup (if we did, it certainly wouldn't be easy), but the experience gained from tough battles against those quality opponents would certainly do wonders for the players in the long run.
    On the youth side, most in the Canadian soccer community are clamouring for a greater emphasis on player development, where wins (and trophies) matter less than maximizing an individual player's talents and potential. With the men's national team, head coach Stephen Hart has arranged friendlies with highly-ranked opponents such as Ukraine and Greece, specifically to provide a learning experience for his players.
    The women's national team should follow the same path. The Algarve Cup is by invitation only, and Canada hasn't been there since 2004*. I have no idea if there are political reasons behind Canada's long-running exclusion, but I can only imagine that if, in 2012, Canada said "hey, Algarve Cup, how 'bout us?", the organizers would drop a team like Romania in a heartbeat (sorry Romania).
    This Canadian women's national team, from everything I've heard the players say since Carolina Morace came on board, is a squad that has reveled in being given the opportunity to learn, develop and grow. The four trophies in the past 13 months have been nice icing on the cake, for sure.
    But if these players were told that they'd be stepping up to a new plane of competition, where the only thing guaranteed was a tough fight, I get the sense they'd gladly accept the challenge. If anything, they'd take it as a compliment, as affirmation of all the hard work they've already put in toward re-establishing Canada as a dominant force in women's soccer.
    That's how this suggestion is meant. Not as an attempt to belittle today's accomplishment, or of the efforts put into achieving it. Rather, as a self-evident statement about the women's national team, based upon their performance over the past 18 months:
    Canada is a big fish once again. It's time for a bigger pond.
    *Paragraph edited to correct error, re: Canada's last appearance at Algarve Cup.
    Guest

    2011 MLS preview, part II

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    In part two of our MLS preview we look at teams ranked No 13 through No 9.
    Part one can be read here.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    No 13 – Portland Timbers
    Portland did things the tried and true way in building as an expansion side. As such, many observers are ranking the Timbers just slightly ahead of Vancouver at this point of things. That’s likely fair as Vancouver seems to be set up for an either or type of season, whereas Portland looks to be just a typical mediocre expansion side.
    They do have Kenny Cooper, who has scored in bunches at MLS before. However, Cooper needs service and it’s unclear whether he’ll get any. With a back line that is going to have tough days it could be a long season for the Timbers.
    Except in the stands -- The Timbers Army are coming to MLS and that’s a great thing.
    No 12 – Columbus Crew
    Schellotto had to retire sometime and the Crew were bound to take a step back when he did. However, Columbus compounded the rebuild by dumping several other veterans from the recent glory years. They are relying on a Chad Marshall led back-line to keep them in the mix in 2011.
    The wildcard is Jeff Cunningham. If his return to Columbus – where his best years were – is successful the Crew’s dip will be less pronounced.
    It says here Cunningham is about done. If he is, so are Columbus’ playoff chances.
    No 11 – Philadelphia Union
    The keeping errors of 2010 should be gone now with the addition of Colombian international Faryd Mondragon. It’s a short term solution as the player is closer to 45 than he is to 30. There were flashes of something there to make one think that the Union will compete for a playoff spot.
    The caveat here is that the Union were entirely too reliant on Sebastian Le Toux scoring last year. It’s a big ask to expect a repeat performance in 2011. If Le Toux isn’t scoring, who is?
    However, if the Union can find that who they could be the surprise team of the year.
    No 10 – Toronto FC
    The most vocal (violently, actually) critics of TFC are its own fans. In some circles it seems like fans are relishing in the negativity. It’s like more losing will solidify their belief that MLSE is incompetent.
    There are a lot of problems with this team. It lacks depth and, if Aron Winter isn’t playing possum in the preseason, they are struggling to learn the new system. Scoring could be scarce and God help them if DeRo gets hurt.
    However, there is a core here that, if healthy, can keep the Reds on the edge of the playoff race until the system can be implemented.
    Julian de Guzman could be the key. If his talent can be harnessed TFC will have a one-two puch in the midfield as good as anyone in the league.
    No. 9 – Houston Dynamo
    As much as any manager in the league, this is Domenic Kinnear’s team. The slip-back in 2010 was to be expected, but if it wasn’t for some untimely injuries Houston might have had a chance at the playoffs. They’ve gone a bit younger this year and in a weak East the Dynamo will be in the hunt.
    They will be solid through the mid and the ageless Brian Ching is always dangerous.
    Replacing Pat Onstad’s leadership will be hard. Replacing his shot blocking from 2010 will not. The quasi-retirement of the veteran could actually be a blessing in disguise.
    Tomorrow: No 8 to No 4
    Guest

    Champions League continues...

    By Guest, in Euro File,

    The UEFA Champions League continues today with more second leg Round of 16 matches, as two more teams will advance to the quarter-final stage.
    The focus shifts to London and Gelsenkirchen, after a thrilling match yesterday in Barcelona and a steamrolling of a waning Italian power in Donetsk.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Arsenal and Barcelona provided all the drama yesterday as the Catalans needed a two goal victory to advance, and they got just that.
    In a game that probably shouldn't have been mired by controversy but ended up so, Barcelona bossed the possession as was expected by just about everyone who has watched football in the past five years. Referee Massimo Busacca had a howler of a match, clearly influenced by the intimidating throng assembled inside the Camp Nou.
    Not that it mattered, of course, as Barca thoroughly controlled the play for the lion's share of the match. Yet still, a tying goal off a set-piece blunder by Barcelona defender Sergio Busquets put Arsenal back into a match they had very little business being in, giving the Gunners a bit of hope on what was shaping up to be another embarrassing night in Catalonia.
    A mere three minutes after Busquets' own-goal breathed life into the visitors, referee Busacca ejected Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie, showing the Dutchman his second yellow card for shooting the ball after an offside call. It was a soft call to say the least, and one that completely sucked whatever life Arsenal had left.
    A 71st minute (legitimate) penalty, awarded to Barcelona after Busacca had already indicated a goal kick on the same play, sealed the deal for the Blaugrana. Still, just a goal behind and with the away goals rule looming large, Arsenal would have much preferred to have Van Persie on the end of a last-minute breakaway pass rather than Nicholas Bendtner.
    One can only guess how Van Persie would have handled the pass, but it isn't hard to imagine that he'd do far better than the "lead-foot first touch straight to the keeper" act that Bendter pulled off.
    Over in the Ukraine, Roma's self-destruction continued as host Shakhtar Donetsk further dismantled the once-proud Italian side.
    After a dreadful 3-1 losing performance at the Stadio Olimpico, Roma went one better and didn't bother to score a goal in the return leg, succumbing to a much better Donetsk side 3-0.
    It's a bit saddening to see Roma as a mere shadow of its former self, but they are a side that was in need of an overhaul quite a while ago, and perhaps this unceremonious two-legged thumping at the hands of an (relatively) unfancied Ukraining team is the impetus for change.
    Shakhtar now has the honour of facing Barcelona in the next round. It was a good run while it lasted.
    On to today's matches...
    Tottenham vs. AC Milan (Spurs lead 1-0)
    Spurs have had a storybook run through this competition, gaining particular plaudits for their performances against Italian sides.
    After putting Inter in their place, Tottenham has moved on to AC Milan without skipping a beat. The North Londoners edged out a 1-0 win at the San Siro, although Spurs dominant wing play opened up the game far more than the final score indicated.
    Heading back to White Hart Lane, Tottenham have to feel confident about their chances. They've exposed Milan as a narrow, slower side that can be exploited through sheer athleticism and guile. That said, if Milan can slow down the match, they certainly have the talent and experience to take over and pot a couple of goals.
    This certainly looks to be the match of the day.
    Schalke 04 vs. Valencia (Series tied 1-1)
    By far the lesser light pairing of the Round of 16, the first leg flew under the radar and will likely do so again today.
    Neither side is particularly glamourous, but both have proven that they can play solid soccer worthy of this competition.
    From the first leg, there is very little to separate the two sides, as Real Madrid legend Raul tallied a the crucial away goal for his new side Schalke that has put the German club in the driver's seat.
    Schalke has yet to lose at the Veltins Arena in this tournament, having only conceded a single goal while pouring in eight. Valencia has shown that it can be an offensive force in the Champions League against weaker opponents, but it stands to reason that this may be the end of the line for the Spanish side.
    Guest

    2011 MLS preview part I

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    With a week to go before First Kick it’s time to roll out out predictions for the 2011 MLS season. Over the next four days we will provide our rankings of each team from 18 to 1. A more comprehensive preview of the Canadian MLS teams will be presented next week.
    Each Canadian Soccer News writer submitted their rankings and those were added to the votes of our readers to determine the final order. After the final part of the preview is released on Friday the fan’s rankings will be revealed so we can compare what readers thought versus what the so-called experts decided.
    Today we start with the bottom – number 18-14
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]No 18 – Chivas USA
    There is no there, there with Chivas. Preki huffed and puffed his way into terrorizing the no-name Goats into a couple solid years, but he’s gone now. And the problem with Preki-ball is that it’s cynical and unsustainable. It’s going to take another year for Chivas to recover from him.
    This is a club with just average defence, terrible keeping and next to no offensive creativity. So, they’ll be boring, let in bad goals and struggle to score. That’s not good.
    No 17 – New England Revolution
    Shalrie Joseph was arrested for allegedly refusing to leave the hallway of the team’s hotel after he’d been kicked out of a party at 3 a.m. This is the Revs captain. Although the story that has since trickled out from the Revs camp seems to paint a picture of an overzealous cop you have to question the judgement and leadership of Joseph to ever be in a position to have a run-in win cops at 3 a.m.
    You hate to pile on, but this is what Steve Nicol is dealing with. Well, that and a general lack of talent. The Revs are weak in all positions and, if history is any indication, New England fans should not expect reinforcements in the summer.
    Nicol has squeezed a lot out of a little in the past, but 2011 seems too big of an ask.

    No 16 – DC United
    A lot will depend on Charlie Davies. If the American international can re-find his pre-accident form United could make this pick look foolish. However, without a massive improvement on the back-line there is only so far the original MLS dynasty can climb.
    Of interest also will be the play of Andy Najar. Still a teen the talent is there. However, the maturity might still be developing (if his “what country should I play for” Twitter stunt is any indication anyway). It’s likely a bit much to expect a player to lead a team to the playoffs before they are old enough to vote.
    No. 15 – Chicago Fire
    The Fire loaded up for a run at the cup in 2009 and they are still paying the price for that. Gone are the expensive and older talent that formed the backbone of that side.
    They are young and green. Sometimes in MLS young teams can surprise, but questions at every position – including the manager – make it difficult to see for the Fire in 2011.
    Of interest will be watching Chicago’s home form. Over the past two years the Fire have really struggled at home, which goes way off form in a league that sees about 75 percent of home teams win. Creating a home fortress is an absolute necessity for any team – especially those that are as talent thin as Chicago.
    No 14 – Vancouver Whitecaps
    The Caps are doing things a little differently than other MLS expansion teams and, as such, they are hard to handicap. Although some people see the ‘Caps as capable of matching Seattle’s remarkable success out of the gate in 2009, most are defaulting to a wait and see attitude. Most expansion teams are horrible. There isn’t overwhelming evidence to suggest the ‘Caps will be any different.
    This is a club that struggled to score at the D2 level and hasn’t added an established MLS scorer. That includes French DP Eric Hassli. Maybe Hassli converts his form from the Swiss league in 2009; maybe he doesn’t. If the Caps are to compete the way some of their fans thing they will, he absolutely needs to do something special.
    Where the Caps will be solid is at the back. Jay DeMerit is a player that any club in the league would have wanted and Vancouver knows how to play defensive football. They likely won’t allow many goals.
    They’ll just score even fewer.
    Tomorrow No 13 to No 9...
    Guest

    TFC tempting NCC fate

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Most people in Western Canada don't need much prompting to get a good hate-on for Toronto. So, this probably won't go over well.
    FC Edmonton? More like FC After Thought. In case you don't like to follow links, tickets for the Nutrilite Canadian Championship final game, to be held at BMO Field, went on sale today. Circle May 25 on your calendar.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    As stated, those in Western Canada will ignore that TFC likely didn't have much if anything to do with Ticketmaster's decision to post the game before it was set, nor will they appreciate it's not TFC's fault that FC Edmonton is the only football club in the world to make the Reds look high functioning. No, the angry Albertans will just rant about Centre of the Universe this and Eastern Bias that.
    But that just makes the Voyageur’s Cup fun.
    Guest
    -Vancouver
    The 'Caps returned to training today in East Vancouver after a weekend that could only be rated as a success after coming away with a draw against Portland, and a hard fought victory against Seattle. Practice is practice, and not really the most exciting thing to sit though and watch, so forgive me if you find these insights to be benign. In an effort to get the inside scoop on what's really going on sometimes it is all just a matter of collecting as many observations as my notepad can handle. So bear with me.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Russell Teibert - continued to shine with his intensity and ball control. It really is pretty incredible to watch him track up and down the field and maintain his consistency for the duration of a training session.
    Nizar Khalfan - We got a glimpse of his new found desire to score from anywhere on the pitch, when he smashed a ball into the net from distance against Seattle over the weekend. While the goal didn't count it was still a very impressive to those of us who are highly skeptical of every move these guys make. He continued the trend today by burying just about every ball that came his way in the final third of the pitch.
    Davide Chuimiento - Still not back to full health, but the team announced after today's training session that he has just signed a contract, and had been added to the roster effective immediately. The club gave fans a bit of insight into this signing earlier in the week with the announcement of their new DP Eric Hassli. It would be hard to see the club not signing a player after they make it public that they went to him for input on a potential signing. He stated that it took a little weight off his shoulders finally letting it be known that he is on the roster and not actually still trying out for the team. If this trend holds true, you can expect to hear Mouloud Akloul's signing soon, he has been featured on the websites countdown promotion today.
    Jay Nolly - He lost a contact, it took a while to get it back in there. I realize that it seems really silly to mention this but team captain Jay DeMerit injured his eye in a similar manner and there was the potential for it to ruin his career.
    Jay DeMerit - Captain! Our Captain! Took a knock to the face towards the end of practice, immediately called to the trainer and got the old tampon in the nose treatment and went back to talking shit to the rest of the guys about how great his team was in the scrimmage.
    Atiba Harris - I'm sorry but, really, he can't hit the broadside of a barn. I'm not saying it to be mean, he can't finish. I have honestly never seen a guy miss so many shots from in close. He did hit the crossbar at one point but that's still not in the net right...
    Cornelius Stewart - Honestly, I don't know what this guys deal is, he almost always seems to run into positions where he's taken out of the play. Disappointing, as I had him pegged as one of the players from last season's USSF D2 squad who would make this year's team.
    Mouloud Akloul - Got his stretch on for the majority of the training session and did a couple sprints. It was good to see him finally with a pair of boots on and back in good spirits.
    And other than Davide's contract announcement, the only real excitement today was that the club announced it has released an additional 2,500 tickets for the home opener — which, they are expecting to sell out pretty quickly since the last release sold in less than 24 hours. I know for a fact that even the most casual of fans, some that I am friends with, pounced on this new release and had their tickets purchased by 3:00pm. If you are looking to take advantage of this release you might want to get on this asap.
    Guest
    Just a quick news hit: The Canadian men's national team has been drawn into Group C at this summer's Gold Cup with the USA, Panama and Guadeloupe. The showcase game will be the first game of the group stage, Canada v. USA on Tuesday, June 7 at 8 p.m. at Ford Field in Detroit.
    Details about traveling support will appear on Canadian Soccer News and the Voyageurs forum in the coming weeks and months. Till then, book your time off work/school/relationship/whatever and get ready.
    Oh, and if you somehow need additional motivation, a few videos:
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]




    Guest

    Setting up Champions League Tuesday

    By Guest, in Euro File,

    Today sees the crucial second legs of two Round of 16 ties, both matches coming on the heels of upsets.
    Both Roma and Barcelona had to be considered the favourites heading into their respective Round of 16 pairings, but a surprising first matchday saw Shakthar Donetsk and Arsenal come out on top. Will today see different results, or will the underdogs progress to the next round?
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Shakhtar Donetsk vs. AS Roma (Shakhtar leads 3-2)
    The Italian side looked slow and uninspired in Rome and Shakhtar took full advantage, scoring three away goals in securing a 3-2 victory in the first leg.
    Heading back into Donbass Arena, one would have to favour the Ukrainian hosts to take full advantage of their home stadium. It's hard to see how Roma can overcome a deficit that requires them to win by at least a two-goal margin, at least not if they play as poorly as they did in the opening leg.
    Barcelona vs. Arsenal (Arsenal leads 2-1)
    Arsenal earned full marks for their come-from-behind 2-1 thriller of a victory a couple of weeks ago at the Emirates, but they would know as well as anyone that as tough as Barcelona is, they are on a completely different level at the Camp Nou.
    In last year's quarter-final round, the Gunners held Barça to a 2-2 draw in London, only to be thoroughly demolished 4-1 in Barcelona on the strength of a triumphant four-goal performance from Lionel Messi. One would hope that Arsene Wenger has learned from that humbling experience and will be ready for it this time around, and with the Robin Van Persie will-he-play-or-won't-he saga being perpetuated in the English press, perhaps Wenger is showing that he can indeed play the mental games sometimes needed to gain an edge at this level.
    Regardless, Cesc Fabregas, Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere are all Arsenal stalwarts that have been bitten by the injury bug as of late, so the fate of Van Persie may not matter if those other three are not at their best.
    Who do you see winning today's matches?
    Will Arsenal be able to escape the Camp Nou unscathed? Does Roma have the mettle to get the required number of goals to advance?

    Guest
    Today, in an interview only edition of It's Called Football, we're joined by CBC Sports' John Molinaro to speak about Toronto FC's pre-season moves, his thoughts on Adrian Cann's departure, when Julian DeGuzman will return, who has come in during the meantime and where the Women's National team ranks compared to the rest of the world.
    The regular live show will return on Wednesday when our guests will then include two new full time writers who are joining CSN. Their first columns will appear Mar. 11 but tune in Wednesday at 10 pm EST to hear what you're in store for.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Listen here
    Download from iTunes here
    Guest
    Boycott, shmoycott.
    Two weeks ago we wondered if the women's national team would even take the field in the Cyprus Cup. Now they've got three wins from three games, no goals conceded, and are set to face The Netherlands in the championship final on Wednesday.
    Last year, the ladies won the Cyprus Cup final 1-0 over New Zealand on a rare goal from stalwart midfielder Diana Matheson (video at the bottom). Since then, they've played 20 matches, piling up 13 wins and 4 draws (not to mention two trophies and a World Cup berth). They've scored 41 goals and conceded 18, with the goalkeeping trio of Karina LeBlanc, Stephanie Labbe and the now-healthy Erin McLeod compiling 12 clean sheets.
    In this year's tournament, they've blanked Scotland (ranked #24), Italy (#11) and, earlier today, England (#10). Now they've got the #15-ranked Dutch on tap who, as you may recall, got taken out behind the woodshed by the Canucks at last year's Four Nations Tournament in Brazil. Matheson and Christine Sinclair each had a brace in that one, with Josee Belanger also notching a goal in a 5-0 shellacking.
    So I'll say something you've surely heard and hopefully come to understand by now: This team is quite f'ing good, and should be getting the wholehearted support of every soccer fan in this country (not just because they're doing well, but the success does make it easier, it's true).
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The games aren't being shown or streamed anywhere that I know of, but the CSA is providing text updates via Twitter (which I've been subsequently retweeting, usually with stupid comments). Kickoff between Canada and The Netherlands is Wednesday at 10 a.m. ET.
    Best of luck to the ladies in the pursuit of their first (and hopefully not last) trophy of 2011.
    Matheson's winning goal in the 2010 Cyprus Cup final:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R80elfvE_4M
    LeBlanc's reaction to winning the tournament:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNDuCvPdedg
    Oh, and a final note. I no longer have any patience for the hackneyed, mindless "duh, who cares about the women's team?" comments, or any other idiotic misogyny. So if you're considering leaving such a remark, two things: 1. You're a jackass, and 2. Don't bother, because I'm just going to delete it anyway. Thanks.
    Guest

    The Spirit of Hannover 96

    By Guest, in Voyageurs,

    By: Ed Swain
    I don’t normally have much to say about the Bundesliga unless there’s a Canadian involved, but I saw something this past weekend that wouldn’t go away. Just ten games left in the season, mighty Bayern Munich are sitting in fifth place in the top flight. Bayern have missed an appearance in the Champions League just once in the last eleven years. But on Saturday, the money and prestige that goes with those wonderful mid-week matches that draw world-wide audiences were in jeopardy. They were playing away, against a club in form, two points and one place ahead them in them in the standings.
    And what team was that? Hannover 96.
    Hannover 96. Not the most glorious name in German football and I’d be surprised if many North American fans would be able to name more than one or two players who have ever appeared on their roster. But I followed them for a time; very intently, in fact, starting when Julian de Guzman made his move there over the summer of 2002.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Back then, Hannover was a club with no modern pedigree. They were a top flight team from the inception of the Bundesliga through to the mid-70's, but fell off the radar for most of the following twenty years. It took them a while, but at the end of the 90’s, they had finally emerged as a Bundesliga 2 team with ambitions for promotion. Julian joined them as they began their first Bundesliga 1 season in a generation.
    Julian was brought in as a promising young player. He had caught the eye of a Spaniard who’d moved onto Hannover after a stint with FC Saarbruecken. It was in Saarbruecken where - championed by his amateur team coach, Dieter Ferner - Julian resurrected his professional career after being jettisoned by Olympique Marseille.
    But it was in Hannover that Julian learned his trade, apprenticing, if you will, under the likes of Albanian Altin Lala - not a big name, but a consummate pro. And it was with Hannover where Julian transformed himself from an attacking player to a top-level defensive midfielder. He then brought that game to Deportivo La Coruna in Spain's La Liga, becoming the first Canadian to play in that league.
    The team did also generate some level of North American interest, at least south of the border. There was a storyline worthy of a movie script with Clint Mathis moving over there for the 2004 season. Mathis, dubbed ‘Cletus’ by US fans, was initially a big hit
    . But his second season saw the start of his end in the Bundesliga, when he unwisely embarrassed his veteran coach Ewald Lienen. Brought on as a sub, evidently much too late in the game, he made a spectacle pointing to his watch after scoring the game winner. Needless to say, the Yank known for his Mohawk hairstyle was not invited to the Stammtisch and was back in North America before too long. Another North American has been with the squad his entire professional career. Stephen Cherundolo left the University of Portland after his sophomore year and joined the club. I am sure you could wallpaper your room with printouts on his achievements from the BigSoccer.com Yanks Abroad forum, but you’d have to say that Hannover 96 hasn’t had a truckload of stars over the past decade.
    Yet the team managed to survive in the very competitive Bundesliga 1, although they never managed to reach the top half of the table.
    One man did emerge from that team as a top player in the league: Goalkeeper Robert Enke. Enke joined Hannover after a tumultuous career as a young player. After one season as a pro with a club in East Germany, he jumped to Borussia Moenchengladbach where he made attracted attention. A stint in Portugal with Benfica, and suddenly the young keeper was with FC Barcelona. He made but one appearance for the Catalan giants over two years with brief loan spells abroad. He returned to Germany over the transfer season of 2004, to Hannover. And with Hannover, he was a stalwart. And over the years, with Oliver Kahn retired, and then Jens Lehmann stepping down in 2008, he had a real shot at establishing himself as Germany’s number one goalkeeper.
    But Enke had some personal issues. He had been suffering from depression for some time. His depression was deeply compounded by the death of his young daughter Lara in 2006. And on 10 November 2009, reportedly after visiting her grave, Enke jumped in front of an express train, leaving behind his wife and an infant daughter the couple had just adopted.
    Understandably, the club was shattered narrowly avoided relegation last season. But this season has been eerie. A traditional mid-table club, they are sitting in fourth place getting down the stretch with only two losses over the 24 games to date coming into the match with Bayern.
    The fans were loving it, displaying a banner for the visitors that read, ‘No Title, No Cup, No Hope’. And their club delivered in kind, with two goals in the first half against a Bayern side that boasts arguably the most creative French player in the world in Franck Ribery, Dutch star Arjen Robben and some of the core of the new German national team with Philipp Lahm and Thomas Mueller. Bayern does come back with with one, but Hannover stun the giants with a third goal. The home supporters could feel it, their famous opponents were on the ropes. And with 20 minutes left, the Munich side are left in complete shambles as Mueller takes a red card. On the final whistle Hannover stands victorious, now third place in the table.

    After years where the only goal was ‘Klassnerhalter’, literally ‘holding your class’ (i.e., staying up in the Bundesliga 1), Hannover 96 have a chance to be in the Champions League next season. A twelfth man is with them this season.

    Ed Swain is a long time Voyageur who has had his writings published in Inside Soccer Magazine. He coaches youth soccer in Alberta, and got his start following German football when he who cannot be named went over to Bayern Munich as a youth player. Ed keeps fellow Canadian fans in the loop through his "Canucks in Germany" updates on the Voyageurs forum.
    Guest
    The Montreal Impact will be holding a press conference this Wednesday (March 9th) in which they are set to present the details concerning the expansion of the Saputo stadium.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

    The stadium capacity, currently at 13 034 spectators should be increased to 21 000. The exact number has not yet been announced, although Executive Richard Legendre had previously stated that it would definitely boast more than 20 000 seats.
    Released in May 2010, this video should give us a general idea of what Saputo may look like come Spring 2012.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x5S7qeVut8
    Club President Joey Saputo as well as executive VP Richard Legendre will be making the announcement on Wednesday morning. I will be present and will have more details on the expansion plans of the Saputo stadium.
    54 weeks left...
    Guest
    Anyone who follows Canadian soccer will be stirred by the happy goings-on in the past few days: we were awarded the 2015 Women's World Cup and, even if CONCACAF didn't get a fourth spot for the 2014 World Cup, we didn't lose anything either. On balance, we come out ahead.
    Anyone who reads this site regularly should be familiar with Ben Knight's fantastic efforts to expose the festering sore that is the Alberta Soccer Association (ASA) governance debacle. And, if you're paying attention, you might have realized that Friday's development in that mess – the thunderous judgment handed down by and Alberta court – could be very, very bad for Canadian soccer indeed. If have a hugely pessimistic and hypothetical imagination, like me.
    Forget the good week we had, there could be dark clouds on the horizon.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The Background
    Without going into too many details of the twisting and turning tale (you'll find the whole story over on Ben's page), the gist is this that, last year, the ASA elected a reformist president. Non-reformist elements in the ASA suspended the president and his supporters, allegedly with the backing of the CSA. The ousted president and his supporters took the issue to court; the CSA is alleged to have pressured ASA members not to join the lawsuit or to act as witnesses for the litigants.
    It all played out in the litigious he-said-she-said manner that such things do, and, being a matter of provincial soccer in Canada, got no real attention from the mainstream press. (More kudos, then, to Ben for taking up the task.) But a judgment that came down on Friday, relating to an appeal on the reformists' part, hints at possible repercussions that could have an impact across the Canadian soccer landscape.
    The Judgment
    Friday's judgment overturned a previous decision to stay a judicial review of the whole mess. Of particular note, the judgment (find the whole thing here) also made a special note of a legal issue that – while it was not relevant to the specific appeal at hand – it couldn't let go unmentioned. Specifically: criminal obstruction of justice.
    From the judgment (note: "respondent" = CSA):

    [15] There is another important aspect which the reasons of the chambers
    judge did not discuss,
    but is relevant to both sides of the balance of convenience (and likely to
    irreparable harm).
    [16] Everyone in Canada has a constitutional right of access to Her
    Majesty’s courts as a litigant or as a witness. The punishment impending here (and imposed against the
    other litigants in the parallel proceedings) is for doing just that.
    ...
    [18] One must also note s. 139(3) of the Criminal Code on obstruction of
    justice by attempting to dissuade someone from giving evidence, by means
    of threats.
    [19] We must emphasize that the issue here is not merely litigating in
    some forum topics such as who has jurisdiction, or when proceedings
    are premature. This is a question of express threats to harm someone for
    going to court or acting as a witness in court. Or of punishing him for
    having done so and (partly) won.
    [20] This is not judicial review of a jurisdiction decision, still less
    judicial review of a decision
    on the merits of an election. It is judicial review of punishment for
    merely having gone to court. The respondent is going beyond
    supervising the superior court, which would be
    upside down. It is emasculating the superior court.

    Now, I'm not a lawyer, and that's just so much legalese. But what I glean from it isn't good. Contravening section 139(3) of the Criminal Code (find it here) is no mean matter.
    Here's what could, maybe, hypothetically, if you want to see the darkest of all domino effects, go wrong.
    The Worst-Case Scenario
    Again, I'm no lawyer, so I'm not even going to try to speak to the legal ramifications to the parties involved under Canadian law. And – of course – I'm not actually accusing the CSA or anyone involved in the CSA of anything: that's the job of the courts. Moreover, the CSA isn't on trial and as far as I know the organization and its members have done nothing illegal. I'm just looking at the judgment handed down on Friday and setting out a series of "what ifs?"
    The judgment, from what I can tell, frees up a judicial review into whether the CSA (the respondent) "emasculated the senior court," and issued "express threats to harm someone for going to court or acting as a witness in court." What if, when it's all said and done, that is proved? What if the courts find individuals within the CSA to be implicated personally? Even senior people in the CSA? That's a big black mark on the face of Canadian soccer.
    But it could get worse from there: FIFA is sure to be watching developments. As we've seen in the past, FIFA takes a very hard line against government meddling in the running of national soccer associations. If Canadian courts intervene in CSA business, would FIFA step in – even to suspend the CSA?
    Sound unlikely? I hope it is. But it FIFA does seem to take a very dim view of the idea that national FA's should be subject to the courts of their countries – Friday's judgment itself makes note that the CSA "[gave] evidence (likely hearsay) that an international body may discipline them if they do not discipline the appellants." And FIFA is not afraid to flex its muscles against what it sees as "government involvement" in a national FA.
    Any court actions that might come against the CSA might not be "government interference" in the same vein as with Iraq or Peru, that's true. But the last thing FIFA needs is another scandal. Especially with the brouhaha about the Qatar's hosting of the 2022 World Cup, FIFA will be loathe to be seen as having just handed the 2015 WWC to a scandal-ridden association.
    So let's pretend the CSA gets suspended by FIFA. (And who knows when that could even happen? On the one hand, legal business takes a long time; on the other, FIFA may want to act before things are too far gone.) What would it mean?
    Goodbye to this summer's Gold Cup? Goodbye to Germany 2011? Maybe that's too soon, even for the doomsday scenario I've got going here.
    Goodbye 2014 World Cup qualifiers, slated to kick off later this year or early in 2012? It's not impossible.
    Goodbye 2015 Women's World Cup? Maybe FIFA decides to sate the anti-corruption dogs at its door and make an example of Canada. We could prove a tempting target: we carry no great weight in international soccer, and no one will cry for us if we get the chop.
    What else? If CSA bigwigs topple in scandal, how will that affect governance reform? It could potentially boost it, true, by scandalizing and ousting a few bad apples, and by blowing in undeniable winds of change. But it could quash reform, with the skittish CSA opting to dig in, batten down the hatches and put off any major changes.
    Goodbye to all of the progress of the last few years?
    A Brighter Outlook
    The CSA knows that FIFA is watching. They know that reform is in the air and that any of the cronyism of years past won't fly anymore. Being – for all our complaining – comprised overwhelmingly of good and decent men and women working honestly for the betterment of soccer in Canada, the CSA could act swiftly and decisively against again anyone who turns out to be guilty of something nefarious.
    Maybe, then, the CSA purges itself, and FIFA doesn't intervene from above, as it were, could be avoided. Criminal proceedings may or may not continue against individuals, certainly, but the CSA as an organization could be spared.
    And we all look back on this mess as the death rattle of the pre-reform era in Canadian soccer.
    Here's hoping.
    Note: Please forgive the preponderance of question marks, and overuse of the words "hypothetical" and "what if," but I think you'll all understand my desire to stay firmly on the legalistic safe side here, now that that the lawyers are out in full force.



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