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    Guest

    2010 U-Sector Xmas Video

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Every year, the TFC supporters group U-Sector debuts a year in review video at its holiday party.
    This year was no different.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The video is a collection of bits and images that reflect the year that was in Toronto FC land, as seen through the eyes of its oldest supporters group.
    Those who know me personally know that I have been a part of U-Sector for many years. As such, I wanted to share with you, on the best site on the Internet for news on TFC and Canadian soccer, the stellar 2010 version:


    There are a lot of in-jokes and references in there, but also a ton of stuff for any fan of TFC. It's really top-notch by any standards, so check it out if you have a moment.
    Also, if you want to see the previous videos, click here.
    Hat-tip to U-Sector member "superkitten" for putting these amazing videos together throughout the years.
    Guest
    To win 'The Who Are Ya Award' one really has to go the extra mile down that road of failure.
    We're talking Mo Johnston levels of ineptness. We're talking turning-your-back-on-your-country, a country your dad was a national team hero in, kind-of-bad. By comparison to your Who Are Ya accomplishment, the Alberta Soccer Association is a healthy, functional governing body.
    It's not enough to make simple mistakes, you need to have millions of people collectively pointing and laughing at your sorry ass to win The Who Are Ya Award.
    That's why, in a year that was filled with fail, this year's winner stands head and shoulders above the rest. Congratulations to ...
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]


    KEI KAMARA
    Mr. Kamara meets all of the The Who Are Ya qualifications: monsterable failure mixed with astonishing fame.
    Millions viewed the miss heard around the world when Kei flubbed that goalline sitter and earned some Deadspin fame for his trouble.
    Making this choice even easier has been Kei's cocky, pick-on-the-weak, Twitter personality - calling out such MLS superstars as Nick Garcia and Mike Petke during his post-game rants.
    So, Kei Kamara, we salute ya - you're the Wiz and nobody beats you
    Guest

    X-Mas Eve LOLs: Poor Finishing

    By Guest, in Euro File,

    Celebrate the holidays by laughing at the misfortune of others!
    The beautiful game is called that because of the flowing passes, precise movements, and stunning goals that all combine together to form the sport that we all love so. But for every Lionel Messi "slalom through five hapless defenders" wundergoal, there's a brutal "wide open net that just needs a slight gust of wind for a goal" miss that draws equal amount of emotion from supporters, for the opposite reasons.
    Here are some of those.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    How about this Greek Second Division game between Veria FC and Levadeiakos, which featured one of the most pathetic finishing displays in recorded football this year?


    H/T to Steve Goff and 101greatgoals.com
    Another recent display of "Jeff Cunningham in a crucial game"-style finishing comes from FIFA's good friends Qatar, in their national team's Asian Games match vs. Uzbekistan earlier this year:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnoEOeMmt4E
    Dinamo Zagreb give us one of the worst misses of 2009, courtesy of Ilija Sivonjić. He is now out on loan, oddly enough:


    Let's go way back to 2003 for this next one, courtesy of Arnaldo Vera of Libertad:


    If you haven't had your fill, here's a compilation:


    Have a great Christmas Eve, everyone!
    Guest
    For our year-in-review podcast series, we spoke to soccer fans from across the country about their experiences during 2010. A new episode will be released on this site and via our iTunes feed every day, leading up to our own year-in-review special on December 28.
    Time to hit the east coast! Fredericton, New Brunswick, to be exact, where we find major footie fan Ryan MacVicar. Ryan takes us through his highlights and lowlights of 2010, gives us a feel for the World Cup atmosphere in his hometown, and agrees to put aside his intrinsic, Frederictonian disdain for Moncton to explain why he feels Mission Moncton could be successful for his province and the general expansion of Canadian soccer.

    Download the episode directly, or subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. As a Christmas gift to you, tomorrow we'll keep heading east (sort of) for the 10th installment of the series.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Guest

    Mariner to TFC?

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Paul Mariner has been named as a candidate for the vacant Toronto FC coaching job, according to a report.
    Ives Galarcep posted today that the former New England Revolution assistant has emerged as a possible replacement for interim coach Nick Dasovic, who took over the reigns when Preki was relieved of the head coaching duties back in September.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Mariner was most recently the manager at Plymouth Argyle, stepping down from that role last May after a season in charge.
    A source told CSN that Mariner first inquired about the TFC job and met with club officials weeks ago, but Ives bringing Mariner's name up now suggests the possibility that discussions between the team and Mariner may be more advanced.
    More on this story to follow...
    Guest
    This year, picked by a team of editors, the third edition of the Canadian Soccer News Awards (formerly the 24th Minute Awards) will begin rolling out on Christmas morning, but you can still influence the final ballot by casting your votes in the comments. As a reminder, the categories are:


    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    * The Who are Ya Award (screw-up of the year – can be an individual or a specific event)
    * The If Only Football Was Played On Ice Award (Celebrating the inner hoser of our footballing heroes)
    * Canadian goal of the year (best goal by a Canuck – can be scored anywhere in the world. Aesthetic value as well as importance of the goal factored in)
    * Goal of the year (best goal by a TFC player, a Whitecaps player and an Impact player – aesthetic value as well as importance of the goal factored in)
    * Game of the year (best game played on Canadian soil, or involving a Canadian team)
    * Team of the year (best Canadian team playing at any level)
    * Performance of the year (top performance by a Canadian. Although most likely to be for a cumulative effort –-i.e. a full season—it can also be for an individual
    game of even a single goal. Whatever is deemed to be the greatest performance of the year).
    * World performance of the year (top performance by an individual in football. It could be a player or an administrator, a coach or a fan. Hell, it could even be a
    blogger. Whoever is deemed to have made the greatest contribution to the sport over the calendar year).
    * Person of the Year (the top award given to the individual thought to have made the greatest contribution to the betterment of Canadian soccer during the year -- can be a player, coach, official or fan. Likely Canadian, but not passport restricted)
    Last year’s winners were
    The 'Who are ya?' award: Marc Dos Santos
    The 'If only football were played on ice' award: Danny Dichio
    Canadian goal of the year: Simeon Jackson
    TFC goal of the year: Chad Barrett
    Game of the year: Feb. 25 – Montreal vs Santos Laguana
    Team of the year: Trinity Western University Women’s Spartans
    World Performance of the Year: Declan Hill
    Person of the Year: Peter Montopoli
    Guest
    For our year-in-review podcast series, we spoke to soccer fans from across the country about their experiences during 2010. A new episode will be released on this site and via our iTunes feed every day, leading up to our own year-in-review special on December 28.
    On this installment, we extend a full-blooded bonjour to a returning podcast guest, Jeremy Aubry, a member of the Montreal Ultras and writer for OnzeMontreal.com. Jeremy tells us about the massive developments that took place within the Montreal Impact in 2010, takes us through the highs and lows of his first full year as a Canadian national team supporter, and we reminisce about a very special night at Stade Saputo. Plus we somehow get him to make a plea for more HD TV broadcasts of Serbian league games in Quebec.

    Download the episode directly, or subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. For Christmas Eve, we'll make our first stop in the Maritimes.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Guest
    Tout comme Teitur Thordarsson, je vous suggère de ne pas regarder Andy Gray directement dans les yeux. Il peut vous faire croire des choses complètement folles.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Avant le match Manchester City-Everton de lundi soir, les commentateurs Andy Gray et Richard Keys ont surpris plusieurs téléspectateurs en disant que la LIGA n'était pas aussi bonne que la Premier League.
    Gray en a rajouté en expliquant qu'il aimerait bien voir le Barca et Real jouer contre des équipes plus physiques commes Stoke et Blackburn. "Le petit Messi" aurait du mal à jouer au Britannia et à Ewood Park.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gop7ZLIL-g
    À tout ça, je ne peux que dire une chose : LOL.
    Ahh l'esprit d'ouverture et la modestie des Anglais ...
    Guest

    He never said which Christmas

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Earlier this month, TFC consultant Jürgen Klinsmann suggested during a Canadian TV interview that a new manager would likely be in place “by Christmas.” However, as we head into the final stretch of 2010, the interim team of Earl Cochrane and Nick Dasovic remains in charge.
    And Thursday will mark 100 days since Mo Johnston and Preki were fired.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Some fans are beginning to worry. There is concern that TFC’s failure to have a management team in place is hampering the club’s ability to sign players.
    However, MLSE executive vice president and COO Tom Anselmi preaches patience. He says that it’s most important that TFC make the right hire, not the quick one.
    “We continue to focus on finding the right candidate to lead the team and will announce something as soon as possible,” he wrote via e-mail.
    At least one MLS expert agrees. Fox Soccer’s Ives Galarcep says that TFC’s manager search has not reached the panic stage just yet.
    "It's not unheard of for teams to run their searches for new head coaches well into January, and while it isn't ideal, it can keep from being a handicap if the team has some sort of scouting infrastructure in place," Galarcep said.
    Toronto has been active scouting this fall, with Danny Dichio making the rounds during the NCAA tournament.
    Galarcep also pointed out that the New York Red Bulls did not announce Hans Backe as the new manager until the week of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. The Red Bulls interim management staff ran the draft and were still able to grab Rookie of the Year finalist Tim Ream with the first pick of the second round.
    “You could argue that Toronto bought itself some time by trading away its first-round pick, thus placing less emphasis on the draft this time around,” Galarcep said.
    Galarcep argues that there isn’t much of a difference between hiring a new manager before Christmas or in late January. As with Anselmi, he says that only matters that the Reds get it right.
    “If it's the wrong coach it won't matter when he starts -- look at Ruud Gullit.”
    Guest
    Normally I'd use this space to answer questions about recent refereeing decisions, and to address general issues around the Laws of the Game. But with the Premiership snowed out, and everyone busy Christmas shopping, the demand hasn't really been there this week. So instead, for the final edition of Don't Fight The Laws in 2010, I'll be sharing with all of you some of my favourite video clips of the best moments in soccer, the moments when the referee gets to exert their full power and authority.
    That's right, I'm talkin' red cards.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]


    This one's a countdown from a Chinese TV show of some kind. Since I don't speak Mandarin or Cantonese (or even know which one's being spoken in this clip), I have no clue as to how these sendings-off are "ranked". By stupidity of the action? Stupidity of the decision? Flamboyancy of the uniforms?
    #8 and #5 stand out to me, because they showcase one of the sweetest moments in soccer: A player diving, not getting the call and then, to sell the dive, getting ridiculously upset about the non-call and, in the process, being rewarded with an early trip to the locker room.
    Honourable mention to #9 as well. If I were on the bench and Pierluigi Collina came sprinting in my direction, I wouldn't wait for the card, I'd get the hell outta there quick, before I turned to stone (or dropped a brick in my shorts).

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IY7muKcW2E
    This one's a bit bloated, seeing as it follows the recent trend of taking less than a minute of actual footage and stretching it into several minutes by adding "hilarious" commentary on the proceedings from a bunch of nobodies (don't comment that these Brit folks are actually stars over there, I don't give a shit).
    (Also, please don't comment on me taking their commentary and commenting on it further, as you'd just be adding to the horrid online regurgitation snowball).
    It's no surprise to see Collina and David Beckham showing up in this video as well... but Ray Wilkins? Oh yes, folks. For those who know him only as the bald guy who stood beside whoever happened to be managing Chelsea during a given week over the past few years, be aware he holds quite a dubious record as a player too.
    And finally, to any referees worried about getting a bad reaction to a yellow card, perhaps consider this novel approach:


    As I said, this will be the last edition of Don't Fight The Laws for 2010.
    But send in your questions about the Laws of the Game, contentious decisions, or anything about refereeing in general to canadiansoccerguys@gmail.com, and I'll endeavour to answer them in 2011.
    Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to celebrate the holiday season in a very special way:


    Guest
    Arsène Wenger is calling for the Premier League schedule to start in February and run until November.
    The recent spate of harsh wintry weather - and the subsequent match cancellations around Europe - have Wenger pondering the radical change in England and other European nations that play at this time of year, a change that would also allow for the 2022 World Cup to be played in the Qatari winter.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    It's interesting that such a high profile football figure as Wenger sees the benefits of a "summer" schedule, as many on this side of the world endlessly call for MLS to align with the "world" calendar (which doesn't really exist, by the way).
    * Reports indicate that Brazilian Leonardo is tipped to replace Rafa Benitez as Inter Milan's manager.
    While Benitez hasn't yet been officially fired by the Italian club (there are apparently some problems in terminating his contract that still need to be figured out), it's all but known that he will not be back when Serie A resumes in January. This despite the Spaniard leading Inter to its first FIFA Club World Cup championship on the weekend.
    Many Liverpool supporters have already been calling for Benitez's return to the Merseyside, where he was tremendously popular (especially in the fans' war against old owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett). Supporters clamouring for Rafa seems to say much about Roy Hodgson's popularity in Liverpool.
    Leonardo was last seen managing Inter's arch-rival AC Milan last sesaon.
    * Blackburn Rovers have given interim manager Steve Kean another six months to prove his worth.
    Kean took over the reigns of the club after owner Venky's Group surprisingly sacked former manager Sam Allardyce last week. The ownership group stated that Allardyce didn't share their vision for the club, and that they were in "no rush" to replace him on a permanent basis.
    The upheaval has not gone unnoticed by the players, with some speaking out in favour of Allardyce. Most notably, captain Christopher Samba has made it known that he wants to leave the club in the upcoming transfer window.
    Guest
    Hamilton city council voted 9-6 against a motion that would have approved a stadium location that would have been acceptable to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the CFL. Currently there are no sites under consideration that Ti-Cats owner and potential soccer investor Bob Young would consider.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Today's decision is another in a long line of set-backs that have befallen those that want to get a stadium built in Hamilton. City officials have long pushed for a downtown location which would act as a revitalization project for the down market area. The Tiger-Cats have preferred an area that would allow them to control parking revenue and has more development opportunity.
    The Tiger-Cats are significant investors in the project and without them a stadium seems less likely to be built. From a soccer perspective no other investor has stepped up to say they are willing to bring a team to the city.
    There are still a few weeks before the Pan/Am committee's deadline to Hamilton to find a site. However, things have never looked bleaker. It seems highly unlikely that a compromise can be found that would satisfy the Ti-Cats and allow for Young to bring D2 soccer to the city.
    Guest
    For our year-in-review podcast series, we spoke to soccer fans from across the country about their experiences during 2010. A new episode will be released on this site and via our iTunes feed every day, leading up to our own year-in-review special on December 28.
    On this episode, we talk to Kingston, Ontario's own Sam Gregory, an ardent follower of our national teams and, sigh, Manchester United. Sam expresses his love for Gavin McCallum, gives us an update on the burgeoning Kingston chapter of the Voyageurs (it's a work in progress) and talks about the incident that will make Squizz will hate him forever. (Of course, it involves Honduras.)

    Download the episode directly, or subscribe to our podcast on iTunes. On tomorrow's podcast, we make a long-awaited visit to the home of poutine and Patrick Roy.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Guest

    Hostage taking in Ohio

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    That's Columbus technical director Brian Blisson the current state of contract negotiations between the Crew and the enigma that is Jeff Cunningham. It sounds like the Crew picked up Cunningham in a case of sentimentality (he had his best years in Columbus) and aren't going to worry too much if an agreement isn't made.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    What’s more interesting is that the Crew also have failed to get a deal done with former KC player Aaron Hohlbein who was drafted in the first phase of the re-entry draft. By selecting Hohlbein in the first phase the Crew agreed to give him a bona fide offer. So either Hohlbein has a higher opinion of himself than he likely should, or there is something about Columbus that doesn't fit with his personal needs.
    What's unclear is how either player benefited from being selected in the re-entry draft as Columbus now hold both players rights indefinitely. They may not play for another MLS team until that team provides Columbus with compensation.
    So, they are in the same situation as they would have been before the new CBA was negotiated. Both players would have been better off not being drafted. Would there really be a bidding war for player Aaron Hohlbein if MLS just let him try to find a team? Maybe Cunningham gets a few more dollars outside of Ohio than the Crew are willing to part with, but every team is working with the same budget. Say what you want about Cunningham, but he shouldn’t be held hostage. No player should.
    As an aside, the Crew only have 15 players under contract for 2011.
    Guest

    Same old story

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    I have a great idea for a book. It would be a Canadian version of a story told other places. However, we Canucks are just wacky enough that I think it would have a unique angle.
    I want to follow the Canadian national team from the start of a World Cup qualifying cycle through to the end and chronicle its story. I even know what I'd call the book: Kick Hockey - chasing a football dream in a land of ice and pucks.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    It would be a comedy, clearly. It would have to be because our plight in this sport is nothing if not funny (the root of humour being tragedy after all). The only problem is that I'd have to guess right. The story only works if it has a happy ending. I'd have to pick a cycle that Canada qualified out of.
    And that might be a lot of travel for me at 80.
    It's not quite the epic story I dream of telling, but MLSsoccer asked me to write two parts of a series on the state of the game in Canada. The first is up now.
    I don't want to give too much away, but someone well known in the soccer community told me that Canada's best chance at getting back to a world Cup might not come to 2022.
    Like I said...funny.
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