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    Guest
    A date has been officially set for the, as yet to be named, stadium's completion but some unreported incidents may be cause for concern and responsible for the delay
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    While I respect and value the date given to us, my concern is that perhaps we are not out of the woods yet. A large push will be put on construction over the next 4 months. By most accounts it took the construction team a little longer than expected to get the last couple masts up and there was not much given in the way of explanation as to why. Read between the lines on that quote and take note of the mention of safety and employees because sources around the project have told me that two incidents occurred between Dec. 1 and Jan. 10 (when the last mast was erected) that are cause for concern.


    Incident # 1. One of the massive support cables that will hold the roof slipped from its lift and came crashing to the ground and fell within a short distance of a skid steer operator and multiple other workers. No one was hurt.
    Incident # 2. While removing the centre crane from the stadium one of the cranes used to remove it struck one of the support masts, dislodging it.



    Now it is unclear as to how much of a delay these two accidents caused and how much the poor weather in December had to do with matters. Either way it is a relief to know that everyone is OK and that things are back on track with the dome. If the Sept. 30 unveiling is correct then it should make sense for us to see at least one Women's Olympic Qualifier match held in BC Place in December of 2011.
    Guest

    The gender divide: CSA funding breakdown

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    CSN has received documentation that confirms that the women’s national team was budgeted $550,000 more than the men’s team for 2010.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    In total, the CSA was directly budgeted to contribute $1,653,000 to the women’s program last year, versus $1,099,000 for the men.
    The gap grows when you factor in youth teams. With the caveat that 2010 was a World Cup year for girl’s youth teams, total spending on women and girl’s programs was budgeted at $2,653,000 in 2010. The boys, who were in an off year, and men were budgeted $1,611,000 for the year.
    You can see the full breakdown here.
    CSA officials confirm that the total 2011 budget for the women’s senior team is $3.1 million. That figure includes $1.425 million from the Own The Podium program. There is a proposal under review that could increase the women’s budget by as much as $500,000. There is also a possibility that more of the near $300,000 that FIFA provided for making the World Cup will be added to the team’s budget. If the full amount is forwarded, and the $500,000 injection is approved, the Canadian budget would be in line with the estimated $4 million that the US women’s team is thought to receive.
    The men will receive $2.5 million in total in 2011, a figure that includes both the direct funding from the CSA as well as sponsorship money, ticket sales and appearance fees.
    It was stressed by several people that the numbers alone don’t tell the full story. However, what is suggested is a federation committed to equality in funding between the men’s and women’s programs.
    Guest

    First response from Alberta

    By Guest, in Onward Soccer,

    On Saturday, I called on Alberta Soccer Association executive director Richard Adams to help us understand why Scott Chen and Ray Calvin, Alberta's representatives at Saturday's CSA SGM, voted against the first two governance reform plans -- despite apparent unanimous support for the original plan from all the Alberta districts which registered an opinion.
    Here is his initial response:
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    ---
    From: Richard Adams
    Subject: RE: Alberta's SGM reform votes
    To: Ben Knight
    Received: Sunday, February 6, 2011 5:11 PM
    Mr. Knight,
    I am waiting for a meeting with the two board members to get further explanation as to their choice of vote. They are both back from Ottawa and I expect to speak to both of them tomorow on a conference call. After this time I can hopefully provide our members (and you) a more detailed explanation.
    I trust this will be satisfactory for now as it would be inappropriate to guess as to the reasons for their choice. On that note you can take this as notice that following their departure for Ottawa I was not consulted further or provided notice in advance of their vote choice. I am on the record as late as Friday night (via e-mail to both board members that I know they read) saying we should be following the direction of the members vote (that being the vote the took place at our recent SGM) and vote in favour of the May 2010 AGM Governance Model.
    More information to come (hopefully).
    Richard Adams
    ---
    This clearly suggests that Chen and Calvin flew out with clear instructions to vote in favour of reform. So what conversations did they have when they reached Ottawa -- and with whom?
    Much more to follow.
    Onward!
    Guest

    A trip down memory lane (Video)

    By Guest, in Some Canadian Guys,

    With the men's national team set to play Greece on Wednesday, it's worth taking a trip down Canadian soccer memory lane, to highlight some of the great moments for Les Rouges (and yes, there have been such moments).
    Keegan, a senior member of the Voyageurs, has put together a five-minute video (after the jump) showcasing some of those moments. Give it a watch, and try not to get goosebumps (note: there is no prize for suppressing the appearance of goosebumps through psychological or chemical means).
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]


    Members of the Voyageurs have also compiled an ever-growing collection of old footage of the men's national team in action -- featuring some of the highest highs, lowest lows, and borderline-inexplicable oddities.
    If you're new to the Canadian soccer scene, I encourage you to peruse these clips. We're not the most decorated soccer nation in the world, of course. But it's this collection of moments (which will hopefully be added to on Wednesday) that binds us all as Canadian soccer supporters -- whether you were in Mexico in 1986, or just stumbled upon this site yesterday.
    Allez Les Rouges!
    (Canada v. Greece kicks off at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT on Wednesday on Sportsnet One and at sportsnet.ca. You can also follow the live blog/chat here on Canadian Soccer News).
    .
    Guest
    The fall-out of last night’s article about Carolina Morace’s alleged demands was immediate. Within minutes of publishing several high profile people involved in the women’s game attacked its accuracy on Twitter.
    Included in those criticising the article was former national team player Kara Lang. Via direct messaging, I engaged Lang in a lengthy discussion about the article into the early hours of Monday morning. During that exchange, I invited her to write a response that I would publish unedited. That invitation remains open and does not have a due date.
    In the meantime, in the interest of fairness, a summary of the concerns that were voiced to me:
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]In the original article I wrote that the women’s funding was “mostly” directly coming from the CSA. After listening to concerns from Lang, and clarifying things with one of my sources, I edited the article to more accurately reflect the funding sources. About half to two-thirds comes from the Canadian Olympic Association and the Own the Podium program. Lang correctly pointed out to me that the men would be eligible for OTP funding as well if they qualified (although likely only to the U-23 program).
    Although my numbers were not directly refuted, the idea that the women received more funding then the men was dismissed as “ludicrous.” If anyone can provide me with the line item budget for both the men’s and women’s programs I will be happy to publish that information.
    In terms of expenditures, what is known is that in 2010 the women played 19 matches and had 122 days of camps (11 camps averaging 11 days each). Each camp had an average of 25 players and 12 staff. The men played six matches and, in addition to the preparation time associated with the friendlies, had one camp that lasted 10 days. There was an average of 19 players and nine staff per camp. Morace’s salary is said to be “six figures,” and is comparable to Stephen Hart’s
    Lang took issue with the quote in the article that questioned whether Morace had ever spent time in her Mississauga apartment. Actually, she informed me that she had just come from the apartment. When asked to give an example of Morace directly working with young players and coaches I did not receive a response.
    Lang said that Morace was only asking for “as much power as she had been promised in her contract,” and insisted that the CSA prevented the program from spending money on several occasions. She gave specific examples of a request to buy matching backpacks for the team that was rejected, as well as a request for new socks that was turned down.
    Guest

    Morace's demands

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Carolina Morace is a great coach, but not an irreplaceable one.
    That is the message of multiple sources familiar with the CSA and its dealings with the women’s program. Those same sources are suggesting that the coach’s demands to the CSA were unreasonable and, if accepted, would have given Morace more power than any coach has ever had in Canada. Actually, she would have more control than most national team coaches – men or women – have anywhere in the world.
    Currently, Morace must keep a manager on her staff that represents the CSA’s interests. Up to now, the only restriction that manager has placed on Morace is that she keep spending within the budget that has been set. Morace has balked at even that, demanding that she be provided with total control.
    “She doesn’t want to report to anyone,” a CSA official said.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The CSA took a mostly hands off approach to the women’s program under Even Pellerud. With no controls on his spending he consistently was $300-$500,000 over budget.
    And it’s not a small budget. Canada is likely the only country in the world that is currently spending more on its women’s program than it is on the men’s. CSN was told that the women receive about $500,000 more than the men, despite generating next to no sponsorship money. The entire men’s budget is funded from ticket sales, appearance fees and sponsorship deals. The women are funded directly from the CSA membership as well as the Canadian Olympic program/Own the Podium. About $1.5 million comes from Olympic sources.
    Off record, a CSA official confirmed that the women’s budget was between $2.5 million and $3.5 million. That amount is more than enough to properly compete, insiders say.
    “What are they going to do with $10 million,” a source asks. “They are already going to Brazil, China, Cyprus and are spending 12-weeks in Italy.
    “The women’s support staff is much larger than any other CSA team – Morace still travels with two translators. She’s been here for two years. Why does she still need two translators? -- I’m not sure what they want if they think that’s too little.”
    It’s estimated that no more than five countries in the world have a larger budget for women’s football.
    One area of concern with the women was the money received by the team for winning the CONCACAF championship. Previously, CSN has been told that cash was “prize money.” However, CSA officials deny that. Rather, the $300,000 is money FIFA provides to teams that have qualified to the Worlds Cup and is to be used to prepare for the tournament. Despite that the CSA did distribute about $100,000 back to the players, one source claims.
    Additionally, the CSA has been willing to overlook a great deal of other things with Morace. When she was hired it was expected that she spend a significant amount of time in Canada working with young players and coaches to help build for the future. That hasn’t happened.
    “She’s never here,” a Canadian soccer insider said. “An apartment in Mississauga was arranged for her when she took the job. I don’t think she’s ever been in it.”
    Morace insisted that she be granted total control over her staff and it was granted. There is only one Canadian on the staff – Andrea Neil – and she has been given no real responsibility.
    “(Morace) was supposed to work with (Neil) and help develop her,” the source said. “She’s done nothing for her. She’s a token so if someone points to her and says ‘where’s the Canadian’ she can point to Andrea.”
    The consensus in the CSA is that Morace has found another job opportunity and is aware that her demands are unreasonable.
    “They are going to try and fix this,” a source said. “They are going to go to her and see if she will be reasonable. But they are prepared to let her walk if she won’t back down.”
    Guest
    In preparation for Wednesday's friendly match between Canada and Greece, we spoke to midfielder/striker Tosaint Ricketts, who's hoping to win his first cap for the men's national team this week.
    He talks about what it means to play for Canada, how he feels he can best help the team, how he's settled in with his new club in Romania, and his thoughts on playing in Europe's premier club competitions. We also talk about his hometown FC Edmonton, his favourite celebrity on Twitter and, for some reason, LeBron James's decision to take his talents to South Beach.
    Listen to the interview (mp3)
    Subscribe to Some Canadian Guys Talking About Soccer on iTunes
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

    (SCG trivia: Ricketts is the second member of the 2007 U20 team that we've interviewed. Name the other and get a shoutout on our next full podcast.)
    Guest
    So we kinda let a few stories slip through our fingers here at the Vancouver Insider over the last 7 days and I figured maybe I could try to get you back up to speed on Vancouver v. Seattle, The Introduction of the HPL, and Alexander Marrello [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The biggest bit of news was that the Whitecaps lost to Cascadia Cup rivals Seattle Sounders FC on Friday in a preseason scrimmage. By all accounts Seattle had very few chances in the game until they capitalized on a defensive turnover in The 'Caps end. Coach Teitur Thordason put the miscue down to a lack of familiarity between his back line, and gave credit to his group for not allowing Seattle to have any real chances before or after that.
    Davide Chiumiento is flourishing in his new striker role (and trying to make me eat my previous statements). The move might prove crucial as the coaching staff will look to creative players like Chiumiento to create havoc in the opposition's end all year long. It's been said here before that he is likely too small and lacks the pace for a midfield position in Teitur's squad. A move up front would give him a chance to showcase his touch on the ball and his offensive mindset. Dede (Chiumiento) managed 2 shots by the 24 minute mark of the first period. Vancouver and Seattle played Three, 35 minute periods.
    According to my sources Long Tan missed a couple pretty good chances including sending a header off the Seattle crossbar. Salgado also had a few chances in the late stages where he sent screaming shots just wide of the target.
    The Vancouver Whitecaps lineup appears to have been set up as follows...
    1st Period
    Nolly



    Leathers Janicki Duckett Wagner
    Selinas Dunfield Koffie Tiebert
    Harris Chiumiento

    2nd Period
    Nolly



    Leathers Janicki Duckett Wagner
    Davies Dunfield Koffie Tiebert
    Tan Chiumiento

    '54 Hartmann subbed Dunfield
    '59 Boxall subbed Janicki
    '59 Khalfan subbed Tiebert
    3rd Period
    Sylvestre



    Knight Boxall Duckett Bedoya
    Davies Hartmann Porter Khalfan
    Tan Salgado

    '82 Anderson subbed Tan
    '99 Dunfield subbed Hartmann
    Notice the German Trialist Lennart Hartmann. I don't know a whole lot about the guy so I'll direct you to his Wiki Page which says his trial is over...
    Alain Rochat, Cornelius Stewart, and Jeb Brovsky did not make appearances in the game.
    Joe Cannon, John Thorrington, Ryan O'Leary, and Jay DeMerit remain on the IR
    Michael Nanchoff, Mouloud Akloul, Bedri Gashi, Ridge Mobulu, and Alex Morfaw still have not joined the club in Arizona.
    The 'Caps next preseason match is on Tuesday vs. Columbus.
    Moving down to the Vancouver Whitecaps Academy program....
    Canada's men's U-17 team has announced its roster for the upcoming camp in Sunrise, FL, USA. Coach Sean Fleming has selected 23 players that will participate in the camp from 5-13 February. The roster includes 6 Whitecaps prospects at this point.
    Canada is currently preparing for the 2011 CONCACAF Men's Under-17 Championship. Coach Fleming will only be able to select 20 players for the CONCACAF competition in Montego Bay, Jamaica, so ahead of him are three final cuts from this selection in Sunrise, FL.
    CANADA
    GK- Maxime Crépeau | CAN / Académie Impact Montréal
    GK- Xander Huggins | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
    GK- Quillan Roberts | CAN / Brampton East
    D- Ismaïl Benomar | CAN / Académie Impact Montréal
    D- Luca Gasparotto | CAN / Ajax Strikers
    D- Marco Lapenna | CAN / Académie Impact Montréal
    D- Adam Polakiewicz | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
    D- Parker Seymour | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
    D- Daniel Stanese | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps Residency
    M- Bryce Alderson | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
    M- Keven Aleman | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
    M- Wesley Cain | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
    M- Shadrack Mmunga | CAN / Académie Impact Montréal
    M- Christopher Nanco | CAN / Sigma FC Academy
    M- Matteo Pasquotti | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
    M- Michael Petrasso | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
    M- Samuel Piette | FRA / FC Metz
    F- Dylan Carreiro | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
    F- Jay Chapman | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
    F- Yassin Essa | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency
    F- Jordan Hamilton | CAN / Ajax SC
    F- Sadi Jalali | CAN / Edmonton Juventus
    F- Omari Morris | CAN / Toronto FC Academy
    [PAGE][/PAGE]
    staying on the player development end...
    HIGH PERFORMANCE LEAGUE (Please find a way to get Castol on as a sponsor!)
    On Tuesday News broke (via Marc Weber of The Province) that The BC Soccer Association has set forth a plan to align its top tier's playing season to when the rest of the top teams in the country are playing; March through November. No longer trying to make full use of the region's mild winters; and causing a misalignment with key dates in the national training programs calendar.
    In the end this plan calls for the development of a new more concentrated top tier of youth soccer in the Province which will be called the High Performance League.
    The "franchises" would run programs for the u-13 to u-18 age ranges .
    The Following Clubs/Communities have expressed an interest in acquiring franchises and joining the league.
    - Abbotsford Soccer Association
    - Coquitlam Metro-Ford Soccer Club
    - Lower Island Soccer Association / Upper Island Soccer Association
    - North Shore / Burnaby
    - Pitt Meadows Soccer Club / Golden Ears United Soccer Club
    - South Fraser Soccer Club
    - Sportstown FC
    - SurDel Pegasus FC
    - Surrey United Soccer Club
    - Thompson Okanagan Football Club
    - Vancouver / Richmond
    A few notable names that are all a part of this new group are Paul Barber, Paul Mullen, and Jason Jordan. Barber is the current CEO of the Vancouver Whitecaps, Mullen is the U-17 National Mens Team Coach, and Jordan is a former member of the Vancouver Whitecaps and CMNT Player Pool and now the Technical Director at Vancouver FC.
    Alexander Marrello
    Bruce Constantineau of The Vancouver Sun wrote a great piece on Alexander Marrello, a 22 year old Midfielder from Burnaby who has made the jump to play in the Dutch 2nd Division after a successful career at the University of Buffalo. He will be playing with BV Veendam for the rest of their season.
    Guest

    Background on Alberta's 'No' votes

    By Guest, in Onward Soccer,

    Author's note: The e-mail exhange reproduced in this story was NOT forwarded to Canadian Soccer News by either of the participants.
    This is troubling. Walk with me:
    This past Thursday, Barrie White, executive director of the Edmonton Interdistrict Youth Soccer Association, sent an e-mail to Richard Adams, executive director of the Alberta Soccer Association.
    Mr. White was seeking clarification on how Alberta would vote on the original CSA governance reform package:
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    From: Barrie White
    Sent: Thursday, February 03, 2011 7:42 PM
    To: Richard Adams
    Subject: CSA Governance
    Dear Richard
    I note with interest that several members responded to your January 27 and 28, 2011 email requesting member views on the CSA governance model to be voted upon at the CSA SGM this weekend. All of the emails that I saw indicated support for the Original proposal of the CSA but I also appreciate that there may have been other responses that you received.
    Can you please advise whether you did receive responses that were not copied to the entire membership and what the position of the ASA will be at the CSA SGM this weekend with respect to the CSA governance models that will be presented.
    Thank you.
    Barrie White
    Richard Adams responded the following morning:
    From: Richard Adams
    Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2011 09:28:45 -0700
    To: EIYSAMAC2
    Subject: RE: CSA Governance
    Barrie,
    Everyone below supported the original model (May 2010 AGM). Every other district or associate member has not contacted me. 3 life members (Adrian Newman, Peter Hancock, Bill Gillhespy) support the May 2010 AGM model as well.
    Supported
    CMSA – 42
    CWSA - 15
    CASA - 15
    SSDSA - 9
    ADSA - 7
    EIYSA - 7
    EDSA - 35
    SASA - 11
    RDCSA – 12
    BRSA - 8
    TOTAL – 161 (47.6% of total available votes)
    Richard Adams Executive Director
    Alberta Soccer Association
    Adams is saying that all ten districts which have responded unanimously support full CSA reform. Note, however, that all ten together total less than half of the possible votes.
    White noticed this, and quickly followed up:
    From: EIYSA COO
    Sent: Friday, February 04, 2011 9:47 AM
    To: Richard Adams
    Subject: Re: CSA Governance
    Thank you Richard for the quick response.
    Curious, will ASA carry this recommendation forward, even though it has less than 50% of votes (responses)
    Who is representing ASA
    Barrie White
    Seven minutes later, Adams responds:
    From: Richard Adams
    Date: Fri, 4 Feb 2011 09:54:40 -0700
    To: EIYSAMAC2
    Subject: RE: CSA Governance
    Ray Calvin and Scott Chen are going to Ottawa. I am speaking to them tonight about the final direction of the board but I believe they are following the direction of the membership despite the lower then expected response from the members.
    Calvin and Chen are the last surviving members of the deposed, anti-reform Mario Charpentier ASA board.
    They did, indeed, go to Ottawa, and as we all now know, voted against each of the first two governance plans, before joining the unanimous agreement over the final plan – complete with the full-year implementation delay.
    Earlier today, Chen and Calvin e-mailed the membership, explaining the vote:
    From: ray calvin
    Sent: Saturday, February 05, 2011 3:08 PM
    To: Richard Adams
    Cc: District 8; District 4; District 1; HS EDM 2; District 4; District 12; District 9; District 8; District 8; District 17; AUAA South; District 16; District 5; District 13; District 6; District 18; District 8; District 6; District 7; District 3; Matemisz, John; District 18.2; District 18; District 15; District 4; ACAC; District 12; District 10; District 8; District 15; AUAA North; District 4; District 4; District 4; District 17; District 1; District 8; District 5.2; District 2; District 3; District 14; District 11; Kim Letkeman; District 2; District 16; District 13; District 3; HS EDM 1; District 9; District 17; District 14; Adrian Newman; Mike Traficante; Peter McKenzie; Sean Kiernan; Bill Gilhespy; Jim Fleming; Mike Traficante;
    Subject: CSA SGM results
    Dear Members,
    We are pleased to inform you that at the CSA’s special general meeting earlier today to consider the three governance models, the third proposal (compromise proposal to be implemented in 2012) was unanimously passed by the CSA members. The third proposal was amended to phase out the potential for provincial representation (up to 3 provincial representatives) over a period of three years.
    We understand that there have been many comments sent to Richard about how we voted. Although we took into account the feedback we received from our members (and we did note that a majority of the members based upon votes effectively abstained), we also felt that we had to consider the best interests of the nation. We considered the various arguments both for and against each of the proposals. In our discussions we were particularly struck by the speed of implementation of the first and second proposals which would have resulted in a substantial turnover in the CSA board in May 2011. Such a sudden and significant turnover did not appear to be in the best interests of the nation, and our discussions with the CSA Board and other Provincial Delagates affirmed our view. Therefore we decided this morning that we would oppose the first two proposals and support the third one. This was the sole decision of the two voting members of the ASA’s board. Although there were some tense discussions after the vote on the first proposal, ultimately the members reached a unanimous consensus with the amendment to the third proposal.
    We hope that our members recognize the importance of the unanimous support for the amended third proposal and understand the reasons for our decisions today. We look forward to assisting the CSA with implementing this important change to its governance structure.
    Sincerely,
    Scott Chen and Ray Calvin
    The reason this matters is that – everything else being equal – Alberta’s “no” vote killed the first two governance models.
    I have an in-box filled with furious e-mails from Alberta soccer people who feel their wishes were not considered. Remember that, as soon as Charpentier and six others were hoofed from the board, Alberta enacted a reform model every bit as stringent as the toughest CSA plan.
    Yes, less than half of the ASA membership went on the record for change. But of those who DID speak up, ALL wanted reform package one to pass.
    Who, exactly, does this serve? It’s very unlikely Chen and Calvin will survive the ASA’s spring AGM. The extra year is nothing to them – but very significant to other CSA directors who know their time on Metcalfe Street is coming to an inevitable end.
    CSA director-at-large Mike Traficante, for example. Implicated by deposed ASA president Chris Billings in the Charpentier fiasco, he is also CC'd in Chen and Calvin's e-mail.
    Over to you, Mr. Adams.
    Onward!
    Guest
    In a letter circulated to the membership of the Alberta Soccer Association (credit: ReformAlbertaSoccer.com), Scott Chen and Ray Calvin (the province's voting representatives at Saturday's special general meeting of the Canadian Soccer Association) take it upon themselves to explain why they decided not to support the original CSA governance reform package.
    ... we were particularly struck by the speed of implementation of the first and second proposals which would have resulted in a substantial turnover in the CSA board in May 2011. Such a sudden and significant turnover did not appear to be in the best interests of the nation ... therefore we decided this morning we would oppose the first two proposals and support the third one.
    The "third" proposal, which passed unanimously, keeps the current CSA board structure intact until 2012, after which a maximum of three provincial association reps may serve on the CSA board. By 2015, no provincial association reps may serve on the CSA board of directors.
    The "first" proposal -- widely supported by followers of the game across the country, including 100% of ASA members who responded to Chen and Calvin's request for input -- would have eliminated all provincial association reps from the CSA board this year.
    In the letter, Chen and Calvin state that their province's rejection of the first proposal "was the sole decision of the two voting members of the ASA's board" -- i.e. the two of them.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Such a statement will likely do little to quell the outrage felt by members of the Alberta soccer community, whose stated wishes were seemingly ignored by the two men who ostensibly represent them at the national level. It will also likely do little to assuage the fears of those who suspect that Chen and Calvin's decision may have been influenced by staunch anti-reformers either within the Alberta soccer community or the CSA itself.
    Either way, there appears to be little merit to their claim that the first proposal would have been too much, too fast. Its parameters were established at the CSA's annual general meeting last year. Everyone involved has had plenty of time to understand and digest exactly what's at stake. Many -- including Ron Smale, the leader of the country's largest provincial association, the Ontario Soccer Association -- wholeheartedly endorsed implementing full reform now.
    Not in 2012. Not in 2015. But this year.
    Chen and Calvin, of course, were thrust into the ASA spotlight in the aftermath of last month's special general meeting, in which most of the ASA's board was ousted by the membership. Perhaps Chen and Calvin hadn't been paying close enough attention to what was going on at the national level. Perhaps they didn't understand that the question of governance reform has been mulled over, ad nauseam, for many years.
    Perhaps there's no nefarious scheme at play here, and these two individuals simply didn't know any better.
    But in any event, the grim truth is that, had Chen and Calvin chosen to support the first proposal, we likely would have seen full governance reform implemented in 2011.
    Instead, we will need to wait another four years for the board of directors of Canadian soccer's national governing body to be a fully modern, professional entity. This is not to diminish the significance of what took place on Saturday. Many long-suffering fighters in the Canadian soccer trenches likely thought they'd never see the day.
    Yet the release of this letter will leave many wondering ruefully about what might have been. Only Chen and Calvin know for sure what was in their hearts when they cast their votes in Ottawa on Saturday morning. Maybe they truly, earnestly believe that what they did was "in the best interests of the nation".
    It's unclear how many others in the Canadian soccer community would agree with that sentiment.
    Guest

    So deeply, deeply Canadian!

    By Guest, in Onward Soccer,

    Just before we rolled tape last month on what turned out to be a significant interview on the road to Canadian Soccer Association governance reform, I locked eyes with Ontario Soccer Association president Ron Smale.
    Normally, I’d give him a quiet little set-up chat about the interview to follow. But he looked so certain, so ready – and he had his communications guy there filming the whole thing.
    “So, we both know what we came here to do,” I said.
    “We do,” he answered.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    What followed was the best, most impassioned, most committed pro-reform argument I’ve heard in a decade – from a man who was willing to give all to vote himself off the CSA board.
    As we all now know, that day is coming. Nothing will change for a year, but then, gradually, by 2015, all provincial and territorial soccer association presidents will be gone from Metcalfe Street for good.
    For VERY good.
    Smale’s role was fascinating. He was under significant pressure – from the CSA, the provinces and his own organization – to back the compromise plan. He was beyond adamant that he would not.
    This begged the question – and lots of folks were asking it – what would Ontario do if the original plan failed? Smale never betrayed his hold card until the vote was over. And then he dropped his brilliant bomb.
    He proposed – and it was accepted – that the compromise be modified to mandate the three-year phasing out of whatever provincial presidents remained.
    The danger (and I saw it right away) was that a sharper compromise would strengthen the opposition’s resolve, and it did. Quebec, Alberta, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador all voted nay, and the first compromise plan died.
    But then Quebec – of all vague and silent and difficult places – took the last compromise standing (the one that delays everything by a year) and incorporated Smale’s three-year phase-out plan. That was adopted … and passed unanimously.
    And suddenly, seemingly impossibly after what had come before, real reform lit up the distant early warning radar screens of your Canadian Soccer Association.
    How utterly … Canadian!
    Where else, but in a country that funds its national teams with the registration fees of amateur players, would a governance reform package be voted on ONLY by the people it’s designed to put out of business?
    And where else – we STAND on GUARD for THEE! – could any version of said plan end up passing unanimously?
    Ron Smale is a player, folks.
    I find, after a decade in this fight, I’m feeling more drained than relieved. Elation will come, but, like the reforms, it will be … delayed.
    My heartfelt thanks go out to the provincial presidents, who ultimately found a way to do the right and necessary thing. They should never have been put in such a situation, and it’s to their credit that they managed to see that the ultimate long-term good of the Canadian soccer dream did not include them sitting at the board table.
    Whatever else was going on in Ottawa this day did not, in the end, amount to disaster. Questions will still be posed (Hi, Alberta!), but the outcome cannot be rescinded now.
    We
    (All of us)
    Actually
    Freakin’
    DID
    IT
    !!!!!!!!!
    … And may we all be cheering Canada in the World Cup in our dreams tonight.
    Onward!
    Guest

    We Sacked the CSA!

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    The CSA voted unanimously today to undertake a four year process to fully professionalize its governance model.
    It wasn't perfect. Perfection would have been total change starting today. Actually, it was the least perfect outcome outside of a complete rejection of any reform. However, if you have been following the long and twisted history of CSA governance you'll understand that the change today was significant.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The changes aren't scheduled to start until 2012 and due to wrap up by 2015 (speculate amongst yourself if the possibility of being part of the show at the 2015 women's World Cup played a role in the decision to defer). But the dates don't really matter. The screw is turning and the delay is the old guard's last grasp at holding onto old, ineffective models. Make no mistake today was an historic day for the sport in this country. As I wrote yesterday, it comes after four years of pressure from fans, players and the professional clubs.
    At the time of the Black Wednesday protest it was understood that "sacking" the federation was not meant to be literal. Rather, it was a call for a sacking of old attitudes and power interests. There was never going to be an eureka moment for the movement, but today came close. The attitudes we fought against that day were shown the door today. Even the most resistant to change -- Quebec, Alberta, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland all voted against the more aggressive reform proposals -- seem to understand that attitudes have changed. In the end even those provinces voted for reform.
    Believe it: We really did Sack the CSA!
    There is still work to be done. How the board of directors is set-up in 2012 will be interesting and there is still the potential of provincial attitudes ruling the day when future boards are selected. However, those that have demanded change up to today seem unlikely to ease up now. Change will happen.
    Actually it did - today. So, enjoy it Canadian fans. Work can wait until tomorrow. Celebrate today because we've earned it.
    Guest
    For a revolution, it didn’t have the most dramatic of starts. A single orange pylon sitting atop a nearly 10-year-old red Honda Civic marked the gathering spot for the participants. There, a 30-something dad from suburban Toronto, handed out t-shirts for $5 a pop to people who introduced themselves by screen names, from a somewhat obscure internet discussion board.
    The message on those t-shirts was direct – Sack the CSA – but the road traveled to get to that day was not. For years the supporters of Canadian soccer fought indifference and isolation in their effort to draw attention to the failings of the sport’s governing body. On rare occasions when a member of the traditional media would respond to their cries, they were told that although they were right – the CSA was most certainly a mess – no one cared. It didn’t involve ice and pucks or a big American league. Therefore, it had no traction.
    Yet things were changing that day, a beautiful September evening in 2007. Toronto FC had shocked everyone by selling out its first MLS season. Its rowdy fans were the talk of the town. Meanwhile, Canada had hosted a very successful U-20 FIFA World Cup, where more fans showed up to watch than had anywhere else in the world. Some were calling it the Summer of Soccer and it felt like the sport had finally broken through to the mainstream.
    For those that had been banging their head against the wall for many years it was an empowering summer. Suddenly there was a feeling that something could be done that went beyond complaining on a discussion board to like minded people. With a Canada friendly scheduled for Toronto a chance to voice their opinion to a national audience was too good to pass up.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    So, the Sack the CSA slogan was thought up, Dino Rossi (the 30-something suburban dad) found a good deal on printing and a revolution was born. Although it would be silly to draw a direct line from a bunch of fans wearing black T-shirts to tomorrow’s CSA reform vote, the momentum that lead to it really started that day. Before, no one cast light on CSA governance issues. Now, not so much.
    That’s why there is no bad result of today’s reform vote (stay with me for a minute). If the CSA membership does the right thing and adopts the reform measures, then we can finally move past the issue and allow the organization to grow into an effective governing body. If things go sideways and they vote with their head firmly planted up their own asses, then all hell is going to break loose.
    Black t-shirts will be the least of the CSA’s worries. They have been exposed for too long now by too many people.
    Reform will happen. It’s only a matter of when.
    Guest

    #CSAreform

    By Guest, in It's Called Football,

    Jason deVos, national team legend and now CBC broadcaster, has called it the biggest vote in modern Canadian soccer history.
    This Saturday, the Canadian Soccer Association membership will cast their ballots on the reform packages that are before them. And it will either mark the beginning of real change at the CSA or, if the vote goes in the direction refomers fear most, it will mark the night the torches were lit and Metcalfe St. burned to the ground.
    It will be a day of much speculation and then, when the vote news breaks, rapid reporting - in a way that only social media knows.
    If you're on Twitter - use the hashtag #CSAreform to talk about the vote. Using a single hashtag helps to raise the profile of an issue and when it begins to trend, brings that knowledge to a whole new group of people.
    If you're not on Twitter you can still follow what's going on by watching the following accounts:
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Jason deVos - he will be representing the national team alumni and at the meeting
    Kara Lang - also representing the national team and at the meeting
    Canada soccer - the official twitter account of the CSA
    The following CSN writers will be covering and tweeting about the event through their sources
    Duane Rollins
    Ben Knight
    Some Canadian Guys
    Rudi Schuller
    Ben Rycroft
    You can also follow this list which documents a number of other Canadian soccer writers
    Canadian Soccer Writers
    Get on board and get involved.
    Guest
    Blame pointyball. It's the coming of the Superbowl that has thrown lovers of internet streams of dubious legality into a tizzy, as their favourite streaming sites were shut down to protect the TV rights of (American) football's biggest night.
    As previously reported, Atdhe.net went black on Tuesday, after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security took a break from, y'know, hunting murderous terrorists, and slap some legal whatnot on a whole host of live streaming sites that fans of European footie know and love. Channelsurfing.net, rojadirecta.com and a bunch of other sites joined Atdhe on the U.S. government's naughty list.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]"The illegal streaming of professional sporting events over the Internet deals a financial body blow to the leagues and broadcasters who are forced to pass their losses off to the fans in the form of higher priced tickets and pay-per-view events," U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in a statement, urging the court to order the Web site operators to permanently forfeit the domain names.
    "With the Super Bowl just days away, the seizures of these infringing Web sites reaffirm our commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to protect copyrighted material and put the people who steal it out of business."




    (Thanks to Cnet.com for the quote)
    But the internet is smarter than all of us, thankfully, and Atdhe has already re-emerged in a new home. Not at Atdhe.me, which popped up right after the original site went down – that's a fake site and is probably up to all manner of nefarious doings – but at Atdhenet.tv. As ever, the Internet's bad apples are quicker on the jump than the authorities are.
    So all is well again in the world of live streaming soccer.
    Nervous disclaimer: The author of this post, Some Canadian Guys and Canadian Soccer News aren't advocating any specific course of action regarding the use or non-use of any of the aforementioned sites, and don't officially promote or advocate the illegal streaming of copyright-protected material. We're just sayin' is all.
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