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    Guest

    Jock Math: Intro and week 1

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Before we begin, a little secret:
    "Advanced stats" aren't all that advanced. They are mostly percentages. Grade 8 math stuff.
    What they are better thought of as is "New ways to think about old ideas while looking to place a value on them," but that's a mouthful.
    So, they get called advanced stats, or new stats, or AN ATTACK ON THE ROMANCE OF THE GAME depending on your perspective.
    The truth is they aren't all that new either. For generations people have tried to find an edge in evaluating team and player performance. It's only recently, however, that massive amounts of data has become available to the average hack like me.
    So, hack away I do. Others will likely put things more eloquently than I (*cough* Richard Whittall *cough*), or with a greater grasp of the whole math thing (*cough* I used to spend all class playing a gambling game called 'quarters' at the back of Grade 12 algebra *cough*), but that won't stop me from jumping in with both feet this year on the stats side of things.
    In the new column Jock Math, CSN will track certain things all year. The focus will be on both the league overall and the Canadian teams in detail.
    Please don't mistake Jock Math as an attempt to "prove" things. Stats don't prove anything. Rather, they illustrate things and ask questions about the game. If read with an open mind they can challenge deeply held beliefs, or, yes, reinforce things you instinctively know are true.
    Ultimately stats should start a conversation and collectively help us understand the game on a deeper level.
    So, let's begin.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    This being week one we must be careful not to read too much into the numbers we are looking at. The n is way too small just yet to even attempt to conclude. For this week, we are more or less introducing the core concepts we'll be looking at.
    Let's start with a team number. For now, it's the only team number we'll look at because the season is too young to expand on it just yet.
    However, the stat is a big one and one we'll spend a lot if time looking at this year. It's Total Shots Ratio (TSR).
    If you're a hockey fan you might be familiar with the stat Corsi. This is soccer's equivalent. Basically it acknowledges that the core concept of any put-the-blank-in-the-net sport is to score goals. However, because goals are so rare it uses shot attempts as a substitute for goals and looks to see what teams are directing the greatest percentage of a game's shots.
    Wait, wait, wait you might be saying. How can a shot be close to the same thing as a goal? I watched Andre Lombardo play at BMO and he shot a lot but couldn't score in that infamous brothel with the familiar handful of cash (I'd have to question where Andre got the cash since he topped out at $35,000 salary, but I digress).
    Well you're right, but also very, very wrong. Taken in isolation any single shot isn't the same thing as a goal. However, taken in isolation any incident is irrelevant when analyzing stats. What you're looking for is trends that happen over a long period of time and then trying to determine whether those trends are predictive.
    TSR is. It's not 100% predictive because no stat is (and if it were I wouldn't be telling you people about it, I'd be on a plane to Vegas). However, it's been tested over a long period of time and has demonstrated itself to be quite reliable it predicting a general league position.
    Let's look at this season's Premiership numbers as an illustration.
    1. City .645
    2. Chelsea .627
    3. Southampton .591
    4. Spurs .573
    5. Liverpool .567
    6. Everton .560
    7. Newcastle .558
    8. Arsenal .548
    9. United .536
    10. Swansea .522
    11. WBA .499
    12. Villa .470
    13. Palace .461
    14. Norwich .455
    15. Hull .444
    16. Sunderland .420
    17. Stoke .411
    18. Cardiff .385
    19. West Ham .383
    20. Fulham .376
    Like I said, pretty predictive. Generally if a team's TSR position is greatly above or below their actual position then you can reasonably predict a correction.
    Reasonably predict does not equal "bet the kid's education fund" because sports doesn't work that way. But, it does suggest those teams might be experiencing more or less luck than others.
    Bringing it back to MLS, we will be tracking this weekly. Last year, a midsession peak at the Impact suggested they weren't truly a playoff team and if Di Vaio dropped off in form the Impact would be in trouble. You're going to have to take my word for that because I wasn't publishing Jock Math then, but we won't have the same problem this year.
    It has next to no predictive value just yet, but the week one TSR numbers for MLS (Chivas v Chicago stats are not yet available):
    1. Galaxy .750
    2. Vancouver .636
    3. Portland .600
    4. Seattle .583
    5. Montreal .576
    6. DC United .550
    7. Houston .512
    8. Revs .487
    9. Columbus .450
    10. Dallas .423
    11. Kansas City .416
    12. Philly .400
    13. New York .363
    14. RSL .250
    Drawing any conclusions from this is foolhardy. One game is not a trend, but it is a base point. As said, this will be a weekly track.
    We will also be tracking individual stats. In addition to highlighting one specific area of the game each week we will provide updates to the leaders in three specific categories: The unique CSN stats of Defensive Involvement (total clearances, interceptions, recoveries and tackles) and Key Passes plus Shots.
    We will also track passing percentage.
    Again, with the caveat it's way early, the week one numbers.
    DI
    1. Jose Goncalves - 22 (this will be expressed as a per 90 min number in future weeks)
    2. Austin Berry - 21
    3. Norberto Paparatto - 20
    4. Bobby Boswell - 19
    5. Aaron Maund - 18
    5. Matt Hedges - 18
    7. Michael Parkhurst - 17
    7. Aurelien Collin - 17
    7. Jermaine Taylor - 17
    10. Diego Chara - 15
    S+KP
    1. Landon Donovan - 10
    2. Robbie Keane - 8
    3. Joao Plata - 7
    3. Marcelo Sarves - 7
    5. Lloyd Sam - 6
    5. Dominic Dwyer - 6
    7. 10+ tied at 5
    Passing percentage (min 50 attempts)
    1. Michael Parkhurst - 92.3
    2. Perry Kitchen - 90.4
    3. Tony Tchani - 89.8
    4. Eric Alexander - 88.7
    5. Will Trapp - 88.0
    6. Ibrahim Sekagya - 87.5
    7. Russell Teibert - 87.5
    8. Federico Higuain - 86.9
    9. Dax McCarty - 82.9
    10. Osvaldo Alonso - 81.3
    Guest
    With the spring thaw comes the start of the new MLS season, welcome back, should be a good one.
    As an extension to Canadian Soccer News’ MLS Week in Review, this article provides a closer look at the performances of the Canadian players who saw the pitch this week.
    Pickings were slim in this the opening weekend of MLS, as only two Canadians started, while a further pair saw action from the bench.
    Top three spots go to Will Johnson, Russell Teibert, and Rob Friend, with Kyle Porter looking bright in his brief cameo appearance for DC United.
    Find out what they did to deserve recognition and who else earned their keep this week.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Will Johnson
    Johnson picked up right where he left off last season, making the start, bossing the midfield and driving the match forward from his defensive midfield position. Alongside Diego Chara, the duo had their hands full with the revamped Philadelphia midfield that featured an impressive Mo Edu, the savvy Vincent Noguiera, and old-hand Brian Carroll.
    The Toronto-born captain nearly played a role in an early opening goal for the Timbers, when his flicked header at the near-post led to a good chance for Pa Modou Kah, but his header rattled off the outside of the back-post. He then laid a solid body-check on Sebastien Le Toux, channeling his Canadian roots. That emotional energy was on display as he remonstrated with Diego Valeri, who failed to spot one of his many late runs into the box, and also gave an earful to Chara when the midfielder played backwards instead of forward.
    It was that emphasis and sharpness that eventual found a last-second equalizer for his side, hustling to take a 93rd minute, right-sided corner kick that was flicked at the near-post by Philadelphia’s Carroll and fell for Sebastian Fernandez at the back-post - play deserving of an assist, but denied by the inadvertent touch from an opponent.
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/SlclIPLdPfY?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    Johnson completed a solid 40 of his 50 passes, had two shots on goal – both blocked, and sent a free-kick hammering into the wall. He won three tackles, made six recoveries, two interceptions, and one clearance, winning all three tackles he was involved in and some five headers, while losing possession ten times.
    In his immediate post-match interview, at the end of the Root Sports broadcast, Johnson’s disappointment at drawing 1-1 on opening day was palpable, beginning his response with a head shake, “Not good man, we were just all over the place, we’ve got to be better than that at home, it’s a really disappointing start, excited to get a goal at the end, but just a poor performance … don’t want to be too negative, ‘cause obviously we battled and got a point, but if we’re going to do anything this year it has to be better.”
    Off the pitch, his reflections turned a little more sober, though still pointed, “Very frustrating. We get ourselves in good spots and, for whatever reason – in the preseason and it’s come into the season a little bit – in and around goal, it’s just not good enough. So that’s frustrating for sure. We need guys who want to score goals, who need to score goals for us to win. That’s why they’re out there. The attacking guys have to look in the mirror and find a way. Watch the video and look at some of those plays and think ‘Could I have done a little more there? Could I have thrown my body at something, made a play, do whatever it takes to get those three points for this club?’ I think, every single guy, if they watch that game back, the answer to that question would be yes, they could have done more. That’s what we have to face.”
    Continuing, “It takes time. It’s not going to be perfect on Day One. But when things aren’t good with the ball, you still have to fight. You still have to work really hard when things aren’t going your way and it’s not going to be the perfect possession. Getting stuck in is not pushing a guy when he’s out of bounds or kicking someone when he’s facing the wrong direction. Being tough and getting stuck in is going for 50/50 balls that are there. I don’t think we were quite there.”
    His efforts with the club were rewarded with a new multi-year contract, though terms were not disclosed – as usual.
    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Pleased to report we have come to agreement with <a href="https://twitter.com/WillJohnson04">@WillJohnson04</a> to extend his contract with the club. Our captain will be in PDX 4 a bit!</p>— Merritt Paulson (@MerrittPaulson) <a href="
    ">March 10, 2014</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
    Russell Teibert
    Teibert was the only other Canadian to start for his side this weekend, taking up an attacking position on the right-side of midfielder in Vancouver’s 4-1 decimation of New York at BC Place.
    With Vancouver having reinforced the midfield with various South American acquisitions, it was important for Teibert, who has yet to really solidify a particular position, to set off on the right foot. He showed that attacking verve and pace with several strong early runs cutting into the middle from his wide position, before exhibiting a deft bit of fancy footwork to work out of a jam on the touchline in tight quarters.
    He had one good lash from distance that was well-parried by Luis Robles and hustled back on defense to force turnovers out of a disjointed opponent, causing all sorts of trouble to Jonny Steele – that defensive work saw him booked for a ‘professional’ pull-back on Eric Alexander in transition. Teibert’s occasional mistouch was displayed, as he snatched at one crossing attempt (on his right foot) after a strong run through the midfield from Nigel Reo-Coker played him into space down the right.
    The Niagara Falls, Ontario-native completed 35 of 45 passes, had one shot – on target, committed a single foul, for which he received his first yellow card of the season, and lost possession twelve times; he made seven recoveries and won all three of his tackles.
    Rob Friend
    Friend, who joined Los Angeles in January, made his first appearance for the club in their 0-1 loss to Salt Lake on opening night, replacing Brazilian forward Samuel in the 77th minute.
    In his thirteen minutes, Friend proved a handful for the opponent’s defenses, enjoying a physical battle with centre-back Nat Borchers that was entertaining to old-school fans. He nearly got on the end of a Landon Donovan cross, Borchers doing just enough to force his header wide, and got the better of the defender on another occasion, but again could not keep his header on target.
    It was his hustle – and a touch of veteran savvy – that won the Galaxy a 92nd-minute penalty kick when he was barged into by Tony Beltran, but Robbie Keane was denied by the inspired Nick Rimando in the final kick of the match.
    The Rosetown, Saskatchewan-native completed two of his five passes, had two headed shots on target, won a single header, and drew that penalty kick with the one foul he suffered. Numbers aside, Friend will prove a valuable role for LA, who at times last season could be accused of being a little one-dimensional, something Friend himself acknowledged in the pre-season - “I’m a different type of player than the team has had in a while. I’m a big target man and they know what they’re getting. I’m not going to take the ball and dribble 10 guys, but I play with my size. I’m a box player and I think that the team has needed a player for Robbie and Landon to play off. I’ll do the dirty work and give more space for them.”
    Post-match he said, “Obviously we want to win. I sniffed around the net a bit where I had some chances, it would have been nice to score. Unlucky not to get the win, I think we deserve to get the win or at least a tie. Obviously Salt Lake is a good team so we move on and learn for our mistakes and get stronger for the next game”, reflected his first MLS experience, “It was perfect; it was really nice, it was great. Good experience for the first time in the MLS, I enjoyed it”, and looked forward to the midweek Champions League challenge, “It makes us more motivated, no one likes to lose, especially in their first game. We expect to win every game so obviously now we are motivated for Wednesday, but I think we got a little bit of extra fire in us now.”
    Donovan offered this on the big man’s introduction, “I thought Rob was pretty good when he came in too, and gave us a different dimension so we are going to have a lot of help in that area this year.”
    Earlier in the year, Friend was asked why now was the time to return to North America - “The timing was right because I didn’t want to come back when I was too old. I think that I have a lot to give and after 11 years in Europe, it was good timing on my part, and hopefully, I have enough in me to contribute.”
    <script height="300px" width="533px" src="http://player.ooyala.com/iframe.js#ec=lmOWFnazrwbVcgI5gIbxbBggOUb3X2k6&pbid=593075e6e23740a1b70140d7cc53cf13"></script>
    It doesn’t hurt that his wife is from nearby Manhattan Beach.
    Kyle Porter
    Porter may have spent most of the match on the bench, only entering in the 82nd minute to replace Jeff Parke with his team already down by two goals, but the forward showed the sort of forward play that earned him a second season in DC.
    Seconds after coming on, Porter proved lively, darting towards goal from the left-side of midfield and unleashing a solid effort from distance that sailed high off-target – never hurts to get in a good sighter as soon as possible, keep the keeper honest.
    In his eight minutes, the midfielder had several half-chances, getting on the end of a corner kick that drew mild panic in the Columbus box, though he could not wrap his foot around a tight-angled, bouncing chance in the dying minutes.
    The Toronto, Ontario-native completed all four of his passes, had that one shot – off target, and lost possession just once in a disappointing result, 0-3 to the Crew, for a DC side desperate to turnaround a forgettable season in 2013.
    The Rest
    Patrice Bernier, Karl Ouimette, and Wandrille Lefevre were unused substitutes on the bench for Montreal in the 3-2 loss to FC Dallas in Texas.
    Welcome aboard to a newcomer to MLS, Dallas’ Tesho Akindele, who was on the bench in their win over Montreal. The Calgary, Alberta-born forward was selected sixth-overall in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft from the Colorado School of Mines – here are a bunch of his college highlights.
    Captain Bernier
    A quick word on Montreal finally naming Bernier as the club captain, in his third season with the club – it’s about time, eh?
    Bernier, as always, was most gracious at the announcement, “I’m honored. It’s a nice recognition, another challenge. It’ll be nice to be the captain, but nothing's going to change too much. I'll have the armband, but I'll be supported by three solid guys.”
    Having always been the heartbeat and metronome of the side, the actual armband will change very little.
    The Impact compiled this handy timeline of his career in Montreal and a social stream as well.
    Still coming into fitness after off-season knee surgery, Bernier was held out of the starting lineup in the season opener, a possibility he foresaw the previous Sunday, "I keep following my own path, and then, I’ll have another week to get in better shape and probably start the next match. But I haven’t set any objective of being in great shape for the Dallas game. Nor am I forcing myself to be ready for a start and 90 minutes in Dallas – that’s a coaching decision. My priority is regaining fitness, maybe playing a few minutes there. We’ll see what happens after that first game."
    All quotes and video courtesy of MLSsoccer.com, unless otherwise noted
    Each week James takes a look at the contributions of Canadians in the league and the league as a whole.
    You can follow James on twitter @grawsee or read more of his writing at Partially Obstructed View
    Guest

    In The Cold Light Of Day: Temper, Temper

    By Guest, in AFTN,

    We decided to wait a couple of days before doing our usual Vancouver Whitecaps post game analysis. You know, just until we saw if the medication wore off. Turns out though Saturday afternoon did actually happen and the Caps looked mighty impressive and a force to be reckoned with.
    The important thing here, and it's a message that Carl Robinson will be getting across to his troops, is let's not get too carried away just yet. One result does not a season make and feet should be kept firmly planted on the ground. It is hard though not to allow yourself some flights of fancy of just how good the 2014 Whitecaps could be.
    It was the nature of the win more than anything has excited success starved Caps fans and caught the attention of those outside of the city.
    If you'd asked the majority of pundits and fans what they thought one of the key talking points would be that they'd take away from the Whitecaps opener against the Red Bulls, tempering expectations may not have been all that high on their list.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    But that is now the position that the Caps and Carl Robinson find themselves in after an attention grabbing First Kick win on Saturday. It certainly wasn't perfect but it did put a spring in the step of everyone of a blue and white persuasion.
    If people weren't looking at the Whitecaps as serious playoff contenders before (and I was one of those in that camp), then Vancouver's 4-1 dismantling of New York has at the very least made people sit up, take notice and look closely at the squad that Robinson has put together.
    As we've discussed before on here and on the podcast, it's been a case of slowly, slowly catchy monkey this offseason. Or in this case catchy red bull. It's been a slow build and Robinson hasn't panicked. He's known the type of players he wanted to get. He's known exactly some of the players he wanted to get. And he's got them.
    There were a lot of unanswered questions for Vancouver going in to the game. Some were unanswered for now but it's far, far too early to say that we got definitive answers to any of them.
    How would new Designated Player Pedro Morales cope with the switch to MLS?
    Well a goal, an assist and a fantastic 25 minute performance would seem to indicate fairly well! But he'll have been pumped up by his debut and the occasion, and opponents haven't had a chance to see what they make of him yet. How he looks after a series of road games and cross country flights will give us the real answer. It was a mouthwatering start though and he's all but confirmed to be starting next week against Chivas.
    Can the Uruguayan pairing of Sebastian Fernandez and Nicolas Mezquida play without each other on the pitch and could they show what they've shown together with other members of the team?
    Again, another resounding affirmative. Fernandez was simply superb throughout. He won the official 'Man of the Match', grabbed a debut goal and is nominated for the MLS 'Goal of the Week', Not a bad start to your Whitecaps career. But it was a lot of the other work he put in that also impressed. He worked hard and moved well off the ball and when he came off and his compatriot came on, he did the same. Mezquida looked hungry, keen to impress and wants to be in that starting eleven. That's just what Robinson wants to see and he's created a midfield battle that will see the players push each other hard. How to keep them all happy and involved is his problem now.
    Can Kenny Miller stay healthy and have a real impact on this side?
    So far so good. He was another player looking hungry and as he told us in our <a href=" http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?5269-The-AFTN-Podcast-Episode-43" target="_blank"><u>recent podcast</u></a>, he's very content to be in Vancouver, happy in MLS and wanting to stay. I still have my doubts how healthy he can remain, especially with the horrible home turf. It's going to take it's toll, but let's enjoy form like that whilst we can.
    Where will the goals come from?
    Everywhere looks to be the initial answer. There's still the whole surprise element in there as opponents try and work out the new Caps players, but they have an attacking threat from all over the midfield and front line, and with Beitashour and Harvey also having the danger up the wings, they just need to work on a centreback actually getting a meaningful header in the box now and again to have the full attacking threat. That last point seems to just not be happening for Vancouver year upon year, no matter who is back there. What that will do for the team is to ease the pressure. Last year, if Camilo and Miller had an off day, the whole team did. This year, fine Miller and Fernandez have an off day, it's ok you have Morales, Mezquida, Manneh and others ready to pick up the gauntlet.
    What Darren Mattocks would turn up this season?
    Still too early to tell. His workrate and footballing brain off the ball seems to have improved, but his finishing hasn't. I made the comment during the first half that every time he was in front of goal, you just felt he wasn't going to put it away. And he didn't. This time. If he plays like that though consistently then it will come and it's another Erik Hurtado situation from last season. He just needs that first goal to come and he could be on fire this year. On the other hand, if he doesn't get it, like Hurtado, and keeps missing great opportunities, those doubt filling gremlins will start to creep in, he'll try too hard and turn into the selfish player we saw last year. His whole demeanour and attitude post-game was different though. He's coming across as a team player at last and his work on the Fernandez goal was first class.
    This time next month we'll be in a better position to see how these questions are taking shape.
    As we said at the start, great win but certainly not perfect.
    The defence wasn't tested too much, but there were times in the first half where you felt Vancouver were there for the taking. Jay DeMerit and Andy O'Brien had a couple of shaky and awry passing moments. Nothing too serious this time. Both players also have a tendency to be a bit handsy in the box and that is a worry with refs being told to clamp down on the manhandling.
    Then there was David Ousted for the goal. Losing a goal in stoppage time when you're cruising is always disappointing. Losing it to weak goalkeeping is even more so. You have to feel that Ousted gave O'Brien the shout that it was his ball on Lloyd Sam's cross. He then has to get there and was nowhere near it. Two mistakes in two games now and you just know there's people out there ready to pounce on him if this continues.
    The Caps created a lot of chances that they also didn't take, but if they want to create and miss a ton and still bang in four, I'll take that. As will I take bringing on even more attacking options when two or three goals up. No more killing off games with Matt Watson this season (although you do need to do that some times).
    I'm really interested to see how this midfield battle shapes up now and how Robinson handles the guys not playing much in all areas of the park. It certainly does put even more pressure on guys like Gershon Koffie and we continue to question his role and position on the team. And he's not alone in generating those thought with us right now.
    So the first game is out of the way. People have already forgotten about Rennie, Camilo and committees. The Caps couldn't have scripted it much better.
    That was some great football to watch but remember temper. The Caps beat Toronto 4-2 in 2011 and look how that ended up. Different animals in many ways, but it doesn't take much for a season to derail. That's not being pessimistic, just realistic.
    What we have now though is Robinson's next big test.
    Two away games coming up at opposite ends of the country. How will Robboball look on the road? Still attack minded?
    I'm not sure this team can actually play any other way.
    From watching Chivas' opener against Chicago, it's certainly shaping up to be a very attractive spectacle. Expect Latino flair and bodies hitting the ground all over the place.
    Don't miss it.
    <center>**********</center>
    <b><u>AFTN 3-2-1:</u></b>
    Our first 3-2-1 of the season is a tough one. So many interesting performances. A close one.
    <b>3 points:</b> SEBASTIAN FERNANDEZ - giving the Uruguayan the nod, not so much for his wonder goal but his all round workrate.
    <b>2 points:</b> KENNY MILLER - a brace would normally be enough to grab you the MOTM honours and our three points, and although he did put in a hard shift and had to track back a lot in the first half, I think overall Fernandez did that little bit more off the ball.
    <b>1 point:</b> PEDRO MORALES - He could have featured anywhere in that top three because they were 25 magnificent minutes. Goal and assist aside, he made 15 successful passes and worked his ass of in the short time he had.
    <p>
    Guest
    For the first time in the long and illustrious history of the Cyprus Cup (established 2008), Canada will not be contesting the final.
    A 2-0 loss to England in their final group-stage game on Monday consigned Big Red to the horrendous indignity of competing in the third-place game rather than rightfully ascending to the championship showdown, as is their birthright.
    Surely, all sorts of sweeping conclusions can be drawn from this game that nobody saw: Fire Herdman, retire Sinclair, blow the whole program up, sack the CSA, etc. etc.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Or, for a little bit of perspective, you could consider that the mighty, infallible Americans have now lost two games in a row (!!!) and are stuck in the seventh-place game over at the Algarve Cup after finishing last in their group.
    Nah, easier to assume that every game Canada loses is a sign of irredeemable catastrophe even if, y'know, nobody saw the damned game.
    And yes, I'm just a mindless cheerleader for the team. Except for those times when I'm accused of being a "hater". Trolls seem to have such trouble keeping their stories straight, strangely enough.
    Four home friendlies this year against top teams. The World Cup is next year. Those are the types of games I plan to lose sleep over.
    A group-stage game in Cyprus isn't.
    .
    Guest

    MLS Week in Review – Round 01

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    After a brief, but eventful, off-season, sixteen teams took to the pitch as the 19th season of MLS kicked off with eight matches (seven on Saturday and a lone Sunday fixture) spread over this past weekend.
    Seven sides would win (just two of those away) while only a single match would be drawn, though many appeared to be heading in that direction before last-minute heroics changed the tide of history.
    26 goals were scored, including four from the penalty spot (a further attempt was denied), while nine came in the final fifteen minutes of the match, four of those in stoppage time, as heavy, early season legs played a factor in the results.
    36 yellow cards were shown and not a single red, though perhaps a few may have been warranted.
    Plenty of players made their debuts, as did a number of coaches with the MLS carousel in full swing post-2013, but the last-minute decision to lock out the referees in the midst of the current labour disputes was certainly a central theme and may even have played a role in some results.
    Before those results, the goals of the round:[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    A trio of beauties for one’s viewing pleasure – in chronological order, up first is Vancouver’s Sebastian Fernandez and his thunderous right-footed strike against New York.
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/iOFCqzpF8Y4?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    Tough to image a better means of introducing oneself to a new league.
    Next, Dallas’ Argentine maestro Mauro Diaz with this unstoppable free-kick against Montreal.
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/uD5UCX_ZYBA?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    Over the wall and back down from such distance, wonderous.
    And finally, Joao Plata’s game-winner against LA, not so much for the finish, as for the seeing eye pass from Kyle Beckerman and the sharp play of Alvaro Saborio to leave it.
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QlLk8ZKFlP0?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    On to the matches.
    Results in Brief
    Seattle 1 – Kansas City 0
    The season began, somewhat fittingly, with the defending champions Kansas City away to Seattle and their voluminous crowd of some forty thousand spectators. MLS resumed pretty much where it left off – Peter Vermes yelling, Aurelien Collin fouling, getting booked, and then appearing surprised, only to risk further punishment with another foul minutes later, and so on.
    With neither side at full strength - Seattle without Clint Dempsey to start, who only just returned from his ill-fated loan to Fulham, and Kansas City nursing a few injuries (full-backs Seth Sinovic and Chance Myers), while keeping an eye on the upcoming Champions League exploits - and each still shaking off the rust of winter, it was a pretty uneventful match that seemed destined to end Scoreless (in Seattle, as some Twitter jokesters christened it at half-time).
    That is until the 86th-minute introduction of homegrown Sounders signing, Sean Okoli, who immediately sparked life into the match, spurring on the eventual breakthrough in the fourth minute of second half stoppage time.
    Osvaldo Alonso surged through the middle of the park before playing up to Dempsey, who swung the ball out wide right to Okoli. His cross towards the near-post was popped up in the air by Matt Besler, falling to Dempsey, whose headed attempt clanged off the bar.
    Dempsey managed to force the ball towards goal on the follow up, despite two KC defenders collapsing on him and Chad Barrett, who was on hand, neatly swiveled a right-footed effort in from two yards to win the match in the dying seconds.
    Sigi Schmid’s Seattle carry their strong pre-season and near-complete dominance of Kansas City forward, with a late, home victory on opening day, while Peter Vermes’ KC begin their title defense on the back-foot, with a daunting five-matches in the first fifteen days of the campaign.
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    DC 0 – Columbus 3
    While it took an entire match to weasel a goal out of the opener, the day’s second match required much less patience.
    DC, who racked up a handful of worst-ever records in 2013, were hoping to put such failures behind them with a dramatically revamped side for the new season; Columbus too saw their year end in disappointment, failing to make the playoffs for a second-straight season, prompting a change in management, as well as several new player acquisitions.
    But it was a few familiar faces who turned the tide in this one, as Jairo Arrieta and Federico Higuain provided the scoring in Columbus’ 3-0 romp in DC.
    Arrieta struck first after 18 minutes, capping off an incisive bit of passing from the Crew. Centre-back Giancarlo Gonzalez played from the back to Hector Jimenez in the attacking third. The former LA midfielder immediately helped the ball on for Josh Williams down the right, taking advantage of space provided by a miscommunication between Nick DeLeon and Cristian Fernandez. Williams hit an early ball beyond the reach of a sliding Bobby Boswell for Arrieta to right-foot past Bill Hamid, into the DC goal.
    Less than nine minutes later it was another defensive miscue from DC that offered Columbus a second chance at goal, this time from the penalty spot. Perry Kitchen grappled with Michael Parkhurst on a Columbus free-kick and the replacement official (more on that later), having overlooked a similar infraction previously, pointed to the spot. Higuain stepped up confidently and lashed his effort past Hamid to firmly put the Crew in front.
    Higuain would find his second and Columbus’ third in the final minute of regulation, touching a low cutback from Justin Meram into the bottom corner of the goal after Tony Tchani and Waylon Francis combined to lay Meram in on the left.
    For Ben Olsen and DC United, it was a rude start to the season, reminding that despite all the changes, there is still much work to be done, while Gregg Berhalter, Columbus’ new manager, picked up his first win in style after an impressive pre-season.
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    Vancouver 4 – New York 1
    The goals kept coming as the third, fourth, and fifth matches of the evening followed in quick succession.
    A half-hour after DC-Columbus kicked off on the Atlantic coast, Vancouver and New York got underway on the shores of the Pacific.
    Like DC, Vancouver too underwent significant shuffling in the off-season: gone is former coach, Martin Rennie, while the Camilo-saga saw the Brazilian take most of the club’s goal-scoring with him to Mexico. Unlike DC, however, their renovations produced immediately, playing a hand (or, more appropriately, a foot) in each of their goals.
    Old-head Kenny Miller notched the first after 34 minutes from the penalty spot, after Matias Laba’s fierce strike struck the outstretched arm of former teammate, Richard Eckersley. Newcomer, Sebastian Fernandez added a second four minutes after the restart with a screamer from outside the box that will turn heads in the goal of the week nominations.
    Miller added his second in the 77th minute, lobbing Red Bull keeper, Luis Robles, after another new acquisition, Pedro Morales, deftly picked out his run to surgically splice open the New York defense. And Morales himself tallied their fourth in the 89th, placing a right-footer from Nigel Reo-Coker’s squared pass neatly into the bottom corner of the goal.
    Celebrations were somewhat muted, and the clean-sheet ruined, by a momentary lapse that allowed Lloyd Sam to pick out Bradley Wright-Phillips with a cross from the left, flicking a finish over David Ousted from the edge of the six, as the two went up to challenge in the first minute of stoppage-time.
    Carl Robinson, who was eventually named manager after the executive panel vacillated over the possible candidates, sees his era start out with a bang - against one of his former clubs no less, though the absence of Thierry Henry, who does not play on turf, was likely a factor; Mike Petke, having last year led the club to their first major trophy, the Supporters’ Shield, heaped the blame on himself post-match.
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    Dallas 3 – Montreal 2
    Meanwhile in Texas, another five-goal outing had begun.
    Dallas too responded to last season’s disappointment with a front office shake up, luring club legend and in situ Colorado Rapids coach, Oscar Pareja back to his former abode; as did Montreal – there is a theme building here – replacing the fiery Marco Schallibaum with Frank Klopas.
    The Impact would strike first after just ten minutes when Justin Mapp sliced through three defenders having collected a weak goal kick on the right touchline, weaving inside Jair Benitez, past Hendry Thomas, and by Moises Hernandez before lofting an inviting ball to the back-post where Sanna Nyassi guided a right-footer beyond the reach of Chris Seitz in goal.
    Fabian Castillo responded six minutes later, somewhat fortunately, when Benitez’s cross from the right found Je-Vaughan Watson, who whiffed on his first attempt, then poked forward, banking off the back of Blas Perez and into the path of Castillo, who calmly touched across Troy Perkins to level the score.
    Dallas found a second in the 24th minute from the penalty spot after Jeb Brovsky was deemed to have fouled – however softly – Mauro Diaz, as the young Argentine strode towards goal on the right-side of the box. Perez would roof his right-footed conversion, leaving Perkins little hope to deny.
    Diaz, who will take prominence in the centre of the pitch with one-time MLS MVP David Ferreira having moved on, showed his quality two minutes after half-time, curling a wonderful free-kick from just outside the box into the top right corner of goal.
    Montreal, with three players (Marco Di Vaio, Andres Romero, and Nelson Rivas) suspended after that meltdown in Houston in last season’s playoff play-in match and newly-minted captain, Patrice Bernier, nursing an injury, could only muster half of the required response. Andrew Wenger darted in front of Hernandez to win the header from a left-sided Felipe cross, flicking the ball down to the right-side of goal from the near-post area.
    Pareja’s Dallas, who led the league through the first half of last year only to crumble through the summer, earned a well-played victory on his debut, while Klopas’ Montreal showed well, but were undone by a little misfortune and the little Argentine in the end.
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    Houston 4 – New England 0
    Simultaneously in another part of Texas, Houston put New England to the sword with a four-goal romp over their Eastern Conference rivals.
    Some 64 seconds was all that was required for Will Bruin to catalyze the mauling, as Houston’s ball movement effortlessly carved through the middle of the New England defenses before coming to the foot of right-back, Kofi Sarkodie. His cross picked out Bruin just inside the box, above the near-post, and forced an uncharacteristic error out of Jose Goncalves. Bruin’s first touch popped the delivery into the air, while his second came in the form of a swiveling, right-footed half-volley that beat Bobby Shuttleworth to the far-side of goal.
    Bruin would mark a second in the 13th minute, after left-back Corey Ashe intercepted a weak Scott Caldwell pass and curled a ball to the back-post, via a sliding right-footed touch. Ten minutes on, Oscar Boniek Garcia would get in on the act, from a Tally Hall goal-kick that found Brad Davis on the left, he played into Bruin, who in turn poked to a streaking Garcia to right-foot high into the net.
    Omar Cummings, who came to life in last season’s playoff campaign after an injury-plagued season, was a menace after joining the fray in the 78th minute, but needed a stroke of luck to add the fourth. Having been denied on several half-chances, a Ricardo Clark shot deflected off his face to handcuff Shuttleworth and close out the match in jovial style.
    Dominic Kinnear and his Houston side are never to be underestimated and if opening day is an indication, they will once more be a factor; Jay Heaps’ Revolution, stocked with young talent, must put this woeful result to the back of their mind, should they hope to return to the post-season this year.
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    Portland 1 – Philadelphia 1
    Opening day closed out with a pair of West Coast matches, up first were Portland and Philadelphia.
    Portland, who so impressed last season under then first-year coach, Caleb Porter, had selectively reinforced, while Philadelphia underwent extensive reconstruction with several high-profile acquisitions in the form of Maurice Edu, Christian Maidana, Vincent Nogueira, and Austin Berry, to name a few.
    It took over an hour, before either side found a breakthrough, and two of Philadelphia’s newcomers proved instrumental in its creation. Maidana swung a useful corner kick in from the right, Edu rose up to meet it at the near-post, flicking towards the middle of goal, where Jack McInerney was, as usual, perfectly placed and unmarked to nod past Donovan Ricketts in goal.
    Portland pressed for an equalizer that would not come… that is until they had a right-sided corner kick of their own in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Will Johnson’s rushed service was absently flicked by Brian Carroll at the near-post and fell kindly to Gaston Fernandez at the back-post to head in the last-ditch equalizer.
    While hardly an impressive outing, Portland reveled in hard-fought points last season, and this one, though not three, will feel like a victory, setting up Porter’s charges for a strong year; John Hackworth’s Union, however, did impress, entering a daunting atmosphere and taking the game to the home side.
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    Los Angeles 0 – Salt Lake 1
    Further down the coast, the headline fixture of the opening round pitted LA against Salt Lake in a rematch of so many intriguing clashes over the past several seasons, most recently, last season’s Western Conference Semifinals.
    The home side took the match to their opponents and looked certain to open the scoring through a strong first half, but several stops from Nick Rimando and a little help from the post, kept LA off the board.
    Salt Lake slowed to life with the second half and appeared to have scored in the 76th minute, when substitute Luke Mulholland tucked in the loose ball after a goalmouth scramble, only for an unusual offside call to rob them of the goal.
    Four minutes later they had their opener, when a slow-rolling Kyle Beckerman through-ball was left by Alvaro Saborio and found Joao Plata behind the defense, shattering the offside trap and finishing through Jaime Penedo with a sweeping right-foot.
    The Galaxy were given a glorious chance to equalize in the third minute of added time, when Tony Beltran was adjudged to have barged into Rob Friend in the box and the referee pointed to the spot for a penalty kick. Robbie Keane stepped up to the challenge, but his attempt was parried by Rimando, once-more keeping the points safe for his side.
    Bruce Arena will no doubt be furious at another late concession costing his side further points after their quest for a third-straight MLS Cup last season was foiled by such an inadequacy; Jeff Cassar, who replaced the departed Jason Kreis in the off-season, continued Salt Lake’s winning ways in his debut as coach, the first Salt Lake boss to see victory in his first match in their history.
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    Chivas 3 – Chicago 2
    A lone Sunday fixture closed out the opening weekend as Chivas USA and Chicago met in the suburbs of Los Angeles.
    One of the stories of the off-season was the re-acquisition of the struggling Chivas-branded club by MLS, who will play out one last year under this moniker as the league looks for investors with a cogent plan. What their future holds is hard to foresee at this point, but enough speculation – this saga will no doubt unfold throughout the year – there was a match to be played.
    Having burned through El Chelis and Jose Luis Real last season, Chivas looked to bring in someone with a little more MLS experience, ultimately going with then Colorado assistant coach, Wilmer Cabrera; Chicago called time on Klopas’ tenure, replacing him with Frank Yallop, who left San Jose midseason last year.
    Playing in front of the ghosts of the 25 thousand fans who attended the Galaxy game the previous night and a few thousand (hundred) spectators, the game struggled to find its rhythm.
    It was jolted to life in the 56th minute, when Cubo Torres, still on loan from Chivas de Guadalajara, worked in alone, only for Gonzalo Segares to drag him down in the box. Torres would calmly place a right-footer to the keeper’s left, having sent Sean Johnson diving the opposite way.
    Three minutes on and hair-style afficiando/SuperDraft pick, Thomas McNamara opened his account as a professional, scoring on debut after Mauro Rosales played Leandro Barrera down the left and his cross to the near-post was deftly cushion in by the rookie.
    Chicago went to their bench for reinforcements and Benji Joya, acquired from Santos Laguna in a league lottery, nabbed his first seconds after being introduced, tapping in the rebound from an Alex shot that was pushed wide by Dan Kennedy after Quincy Amarikwa played in the Brazilian with a stabbed ball.
    Six minutes later, Amarikwa himself leveled, collecting a poor clearance atop the box, making space for and curling a dipping shot beyond the reach of the Chivas keeper into the bottom right corner of goal.
    The minutes ticked away as both looked to have settled for the draw, until an 88th minute corner kick proved decisive. Rosales hit a curling out-swinger from the right that sailed invitingly to the edge of the six yard box, where Bobby Burling, a hulking Chivas centre-back, locked eyes on the ball and decided it was his.
    Towering over – and through – the crowd, Burling out leapt a stationary Bakary Soumare to power in the game-winner, much to the delight of himself, his teammates, and those few in attendance.
    Cabrera begins what should be a fascinating season with a well-earned win; while Yallop’s Chicago begin their season with another disappointment in LA (they lost 4-0 to the Galaxy on opening day last season, thanks, in part, to a Mike Magee hat-trick).
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    CanCon
    As with last season, the expanded Canadian Content section will be posted midday on Tuesday’s – the first week’s offerings were a little slim, but Rob Friend, a recent addition to the league, made his debut for Los Angeles, while Will Johnson and Russell Teibert continued the impressive play that earned them such plaudits last season, plus there was an energetic cameo from Kyle Porter for DC.
    All that, and a bit more, due out tomorrow.
    Overheard
    A pair of dueling quotes in contest for the line of the round, as Chad Barrett quipped, “I couldn’t even hear myself scream. I’m pretty sure I was screaming or I’m going through puberty. It has to be one of the two. It’s just an unbelievable feeling, especially with all 40,000 people staying until the very end”, while Jay Heaps commented on the dispiriting loss in Houston thusly, “Some days you get your nose rubbed in it, and we certainly got our nose rubbed in it today and it didn’t smell too good.”
    Not quite sure what Barrett was getting at, but Heaps’ thoughts were clear as day.
    See It Live
    Plenty of little gems spread throughout the weekend:
    ; David Ousted hitting the BC Place scoreboard with a goal-kick, to much mirth; Omar Gonzalez’s hand-shove to the face of Alvaro Saborio; Robbie Keane striking what appeared to be a sure-goal off the inside of the post – optical illusion; and the return to the pitch of Sair Sene after the devastating injury suffered in Montreal at the end of last year.Tifos were in full effect, as
    and , as usual, out did the rest, while the Chivas fans unveiled banners reading, “Keep our team in LA, the passion is here.’Controversy
    A smattering of controversial incidents: a couple of dicey penalty calls, in DC, in Vancouver, and Dallas; a few rusty horror tackles that may have warranted more than a mere yellow cards, Lewis Neal and Armando; and at least one mysteriously ruled out goal.
    Opinion Poll
    Much of the weekend’s chatter revolved around the replacement referees with MLS and PRO opting to ensure the games went ahead by locking out the union refs. Did the replacement referees adequately carry themselves through the weekend or was there noticeable difference?
    Upcoming Fixtures
    Saturday: Philadelphia-New England; New York-Colorado; Seattle-Toronto; Kansas City-Dallas; Houston-Montreal; San Jose-Salt Lake Sunday: Portland-Chicago; Chivas-Vancouver
    The CONCACAF Champions League resumes at the quarterfinal stage midweek with three MLS clubs figuring in the action. San Jose host Toluca on Tuesday, while Kansas City welcome high-flyers Cruz Azul to Sporting Park and LA face Tijuana in a much-anticipated border clash.
    All video and quotes courtesy of MLSsoccer.com.
    Each week James takes a look at the league as a whole.
    You can follow James on twitter @grawsee or read more of his writing at Partially Obstructed View
    Guest
    Our search for Vancouver Whitecaps and 86ers All-Time Greats is back!
    After some discussions, we went away and tweaked the format a bit to speed things along and ensure the first part of our series can finish and tie in with the big anniversary game against San Jose on May 3rd.
    With three greats down and 33 spots still to be filled, we're looking to vote in another four All-Time Greats this week.
    <a href="http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?5214-Vancouver-Whitecaps-All-Time-Greats-Phil-Parkes" target="_blank"><u>Phil Parkes</u></a>, <a href="http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?5231-Vancouver-Whitecaps-All-Time-Greats-Paul-Dolan" target="_blank"><u>Paul Dolan</u></a> and <a href="http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?5240-Vancouver-Whitecaps-All-Time-Greats-Joe-Cannon" target="_blank"><u>Joe Cannon</u></a> have claimed the goalkeeper spots in the NASL, CSL/D2 and MLS era teams respectively.
    This week we move to the outfield positions, and instead of going position by position, we're going to select our back four for the Whitecaps' <b>NASL XI</b>.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    If you're new to the series, just a quick recap and an explanation of the tweaks we've made.
    In December we <a href="http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?5141-AFTN-launches-our-Vancouver-Whitecaps-All-Time-Greats" target="_blank"><u>announced</u></a> the launch of our interactive series to find the All-Time Greats, position by position, from the last forty years of Vancouver Whitecaps and 86ers football in this, the original Whitecaps, 40th anniversary year.
    The Caps' teams will be split into three eras, selecting the best XI from the <b>NASL days (1974 to 1984)</b>, the <b>CSL/D2 days (1987 to 2010)</b> and the <b>MLS days (2011 to present day)</b>. All teams will line up in a 4-4-2 formation and then a final All Time Greats XI selected.
    Every Sunday(ish) we'll run an article on here to vote for certain positions for one of the era XI's. We'll be splitting the NASL and CSL/D2 weekly sections into goalkeeper, back four, midfield maestros, strikers and managers. We'll chat about some of the possible contenders for the crown and list (hopefully) all the eligible players to jog some memories.
    We're going to complete the NASL team first (because of something else we're working on around that), then move on to completing the D2/CSL era team. The MLS team (Cannon aside) will now all be selected in one week at the end of the first part of the series.
    You can cast your vote in the article comments, on Twitter, on Facebook, and on the Southsiders forum. Voting will run from the Sunday till 11.59pm on the Friday. You don't have to have seen the players play to vote. Just know your history.
    So, summary over, we continue the series by moving into the backline in front of Phil Parkers, as we try and narrow down a back four of defenders from the NASL era.
    <center>**********</center>
    Part of the reason for our delay and tweaking was that over the years, especially in the early days, players played in a variety of positions for the Whitecaps during their career.
    Some started at the back and moved to the midfield, others started in attacking roles and dropped back and some defenders played several positions across the backline.
    Sure it could mean three or four primarily central defenders, or a couple of right backs, but we feel this does the memory of their contributions to the team more service.
    Do you vote solely for their contributions to the Caps, in what the team achieved whilst they play for them and/or how long they played for the club? Do you take other outside achievements in to account? Or do you base your selections purely and simply on skill and talent, no matter how long they played in the blue and white? Then there's those players who played in the NASL for the Whitecaps but later returned to play for the 86ers in the CSL. That's all for all of you to decide!
    So rambling over, which players stand a chance of making it into our NASL All-Time Greats Back Four?
    The Whitecaps had 39 defenders on their squads during their 11 seasons, you can add a couple more into that mix if you include some that primarily played their Caps careers elsewhere but had a one or two in the defence. All but six of those 39 players saw some minutes for the Whitecaps in NASL action.
    We're not going to go through profiles of each and every one for you but we do want to mention the top five appearance makers and some notable others.
    Leading the way is current Whitecaps President and playing legend <b>Bobby Lenarduzzi</b>. The Duze played all 11 seasons for the Caps in the NASL era and his number 5 jersey has long been retired. He made a total of 281 for the Whitecaps, scoring 31 goals and notching 57 assists. Primarily a right back, he dabbled a little in the midfield but it's his tearing runs up the right wing that people remember most.
    Keeping it in the family is his brother <b>Sam Lenarduzzi</b>, who is next in the Caps appearances for defender with 98 in his five year Whitecaps career. One of the versatile players we talked about, Sam could play full back, central defence, sweeper and even in midfield, from where he was named North American Player of the Year in 1978. Sam grabbed 2 goals and 3 assists from his Caps appearances.
    Just behind him in the Caps defenders NASL appearance charts is central defender <b>Bruce Wilson</b>. The Canadian international captained his country at the 1986 World Cup but before that, his 299 NASL appearances placed him second in the League's all-time appearances. 92 of those came for the Whitecaps in four seasons from 1974 to 1977. He grabbed 4 goals and 19 appearances during those. Wilson is the current long-time head coach of the UVic Vikes.
    All three of the above players were in the first ever Whitecaps starting eleven when they faced off against San Jose on May 5th 1974.
    <b>Paul Nelson</b> may not be a name familiar to some of the current crop of Caps fans, but after signing for Vancouver as an 18 year old, he went on to have a seven season Caps career between 1978 and 1984, making 76 appearances and contributing 11 assists. He was part of the 1979 Soccer Bowl winning squad, but did not make an appearance that season and went on to be Reserve team and assistant coach for the Caps/86ers during the D2 era.
    A defender who most certainly did play an important role in the Soccer Bowl winning season was captain <b>John Craven</b> <i>(pictured)</i>. The veteran of 17 years in English football had started off as a striker but made the switch to defender in his later years and that is where he played for Vancouver. He only spent three seasons with the Whitecaps but made an impression and is 5th in Whitecaps defender NASL appearances with 70, contributing 10 goals and 2 assists.
    The Caps have had several legendary names in their defence over the years.
    <b>Colin Todd</b> is a defensive legend in England for his time with Derby County and the national team. He has the unique distinction of playing one season with the Vancouver Royals in 1967 then returning to the city 17 years later in 1984 to play a nostalgic 8 games for the Caps in their final NASL season.
    Another English international was <b>Dave Watson</b>. Most remembered (by me at any rate!) for his times with Sunderland and Manchester City, Watson played the 1983 season for Vancouver, making 26 appearances, with 3 goals and 3 assists. That makes him 13th in our defenders appearance lift and you have to wonder what he could have achieved here if he had played more.
    No recap of Vancouver's NASL defenders would be complete without the mention of Dutch master <b>Rudi Krol</b>. He only had one year in Vancouver, 1980, but his skill is still talked about by those who saw him in his 14 appearances that provided 5 assists.
    The full list, in order of appearances is as follows:

    So that's the contenders for the four spots on offer, now it's up to you guys for the voting.
    Who is your pick to make the <b>Vancouver Whitecaps NASL XI</b> back four?
    Will you go for a straight right back, left back and two central defender combination or are there just two many versatile defenders in there that have to be in the team but may be forced to play in just one of the many positions they could have played or out of position altogether, but you know they can handle it?
    Let us know below, on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/aftncanada" target="_blank"><u>Twitter</u></a>, on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/aftn.canada/" target="_blank"><u>Facebook</u></a> or on the <a href="http://vancouversouthsiders.ca/forum/discussion/4165/vancouver-whitecaps-all-time-greats#Item_1" target="_blank"><u>Southsiders</u></a> forum. You can leave your comment under your name or as anonymous, whatever is easier for you.
    And share your memories and stories of any of these guys for us all to enjoy.
    <p>
    Guest
    Vancouver Whitecaps made it four MLS First Kick wins out of four with an emphatic dismantling of New York Red Bulls on Saturday afternoon.
    Our first post game podcast of the new season takes a look at the day's events with the help of guest <b>Liviu Bird</b>, a contributor at SI.com.
    Kenny Miller's brace, the South American show of wonder, Carl Robinson's winning start as coach and his new post game routine. Is Darren Mattocks the new Missi? What about the replacement refs? And just what does all this mean to the Whitecaps for the season ahead? They're all discussed here.
    And there's still time to have a look at how we think the Western Conference might shape up this year.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    There's a few mic glitches at times during the podcast but we hope that doesn't spoil your enjoyment too much, so have a listen!
    You can listen to this week's podcast on iTunes <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/aftn/id628306235" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>.
    Or download it for your later listening delight <a href="http://aftn.podbean.com/" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>
    We also have an iPhone app, so you can now add our podcast to your phone as an app. Visit the podcast's mobile site <a href="http://aftn.podbean.com/mobile/" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a> and then at the bottom of the screen just click the "Quick Launch" icon and the podcast will be added to your home screen and appear as an app.
    And if that's not enough, we've joined <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/michael-mccoll/the-aftn-soccer-podcast?refid=stpr" target="_blank"><u><b>Stitcher Radio Network</b></u></a>. Download the app and listen to the AFTN podcast on your device, along with over 15,000 shows <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/michael-mccoll/the-aftn-soccer-podcast?refid=stpr" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>.
    Or after all that, you could just listen on the player below!
    <iframe width="100%" height="100" id="audio_iframe" src="http://www.podbean.com/media/player/audio/postId/5085391/url/http%253A%252F%252Faftn.podbean.com%252F2014%252F03%252F09%252Fepisode-45-the-aftn-soccer-podcast-a-big-apple-crumble%252F?skin=3" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>
    <p>
    Guest

    OttCityFootie Pod #1

    By Guest, in OttCityFootie,

    Canada Kicks editor Bill Ault sits down with Brad Fougere after the first Ottawa Fury media scrimmage on March 9 to discuss the team, the performance of some of the players in the game and the future of the NASL franchise.
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    Guest
    The Whitecaps are now four for four on opening day MLS matches after beating New York Red Bulls by a score of 4-1 at BC Place on Saturday afternoon.
    They were led by a brace from Kenny Miller with both Sebastian Fernandez and Pedro Morales scoring in their debuts. It took until added time in the second half for the Red Bulls to get one back when Bradley Wright-Phillips picked up the tally, but that was the only real blip in an otherwise excellent performance from Vancouver.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    It was almost a dream start for the Whitecaps after Jordan Harvey intercepted a ball in the midfield and then sent Miller in for run, but the striker was unable to get his shot from inside the box on target. Minutes later Luis Robles was forced into a diving stop as Russell Teibert unleashed a strike from 30 yards out, as the Caps turned up the pressure on the visitors.
    David Ousted was forced into action just after the ten minute mark when he dove to get his fingertips to a Lloyd Sam shot.
    The Caps came close again as Darren Mattocks was sent in twice in a matter minutes but could not beat the keeper. It was the second one, after a nice give and go between Mattocks and Fernandez, that was the better of the two opportunities but New York held firm.
    The Whitecaps took the lead just after the half hour mark when Miller converted a penalty after a handball in the box was called by the linesman. It was all thanks to the TFC connection as Matias Laba struck the ball from outside the box into the hands of defender Richard Eckersley.
    Once the goal was scored it seemed to spark the Red Bull attack and they pressed the ball forward with more purpose. Bobby Convey had a chance after beating Laba at the edge of the box but his effort was sent past the far post as the Caps lead into the half.
    The Whitecaps started the second half looking to extend their lead and it only took them less than five minutes as Sebastian Fernandez scored his first as a Whitecap. After Mattocks squared the ball to the Uruguayan he took a touch past the defender and blasted his shot past the outstretched hands of Robales into the top corner.
    For the next 25 minutes there was little the Red Bulls could muster as Vancouver’s midfield controlled the middle of the pitch and continually broke up any passes.
    It was one of those interceptions that led to Vancouver’s third goal as Kenny Miller picked up his second of the contest. After the turnover Pedro Morales sent a looping ball over the backline which Miller was able to control and lob over the helpless keeper.
    The scoring wasn't over for the home side however as their new DP scored in his debut, converting a pass from Reo-Coker. The midfielder picked up the ball at the top of the box and rounded defender before sending a pass into the middle where Morales scored his first of the season.
    The Red Bulls would get one back in added time when Wright-Phillips would get in front of a charging Ousted to head it into the net. However it was a little too late for the visitors as the final whistle blew in a 4-1 defeat to the Caps.
    It couldn’t have gone any better for Carl Robinson in his managerial debut for Vancouver, as he seemed to press the right buttons. The midfield outworked their opponents and allowed very little room for the Red Bulls to gain anything in the attack.
    There were too many missed chances in the first half but they were able to take the lead thanks to the penalty call. However finishing was not a problem in the second as they capitalized three times to put the game away.
    The Whitecaps will have to now hit the road as they hope to continue their strong momentum in Southern California against Chivas USA.
    Final Score: Vancouver Whitecaps 4 - 1 New York Red Bulls
    Att: 21,000 (sell out)
    Vancouver Whitecaps: David Ousted; Steven Beitashour, Andy O’Brien, Jay DeMerit©, Jordan Harvey; Nigel Reo-Coker, Matias Laba; Russell Teibert, Kenny Miller (Kekuta Manneh 83rd min), Sebastian Fernandez (Nico Mezquida 73rd min); Darren Mattocks (Pablo Morales 65th min)
    Subs Not Used: Paolo Tornaghi, Johnny Leveron, Erik Hurtado, Gershon Koffie
    New York Red Bulls: Luis Robles, Richard Eckersley, Ibrahim Sekagya, Armando, Bobby Convey, Lloyd Sam, Dax McCarty, Eric Alexander (Ruben Bover 84th min), Jonny Steele (Roy Miller 64th min), Tim Cahill, Peguy Luyindula (Bradley Wright-Phillips 73rd min)
    Subs Not Used: Ryan Meara, Matt Miazga, Kosuke Kimura, Andre Akpan
    <p>
    Michael Mccoll
    Another season, another set of predictions from your AFTN writing team, as we look at what is going to be another fiercely contested battle for the Western Conference title.
    We got all four of our writers to once again rank how they think the Western Conference will finish, from first to last, and who they think will contest this season's MLS Cup.
    There's a bit more consensus of opinions this year as to who will make the postseason but not so much with who will bring home the ultimate glory. Do you agree or are we talking out of collective asses? Let us know your thoughts and predictions in the comments.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Last year's AFTN team predictions produced a mix set of results. We all picked three of the top five teams in the West, with none of us predicting that the Conference winning Portland Timbers would even make the playoffs. Shows you what we know! Jay Duke could claim the bragging rights though after correctly picking Sporting KC to win the whole shebang.
    This year we're going to give our placings and also our thoughts on each team in the West.
    To kick it all off, here's where we place everyone in the West for the 2014 season:

    So all four of us see the LA Galaxy winning the Western Conference title and we all agree that they'll be joined in the playoffs by Portland, Real Salt Lake and Seattle, whilst Colorado and Chivas will be propping up the rest.
    Two of our team are optimistic about Vancouver's chances of making a postseason return but not Steve and myself!
    How did we come to these conclusions? Well here's our individual thoughts on the nine teams in the West and how they'll fare.
    CHIVAS USA:
    Michael: I enjoyed watching the Goats at the start of last year and you almost want to root for them to turn things around, but they still look like the West's whipping boys. There will be a few shocks along the way and you just have the horrible feeling that Vancouver will be on the end of some of those once again. If they don't finish bottom, that would be a success for them.
    Steve: While the Goats have definitely added to the team, they are still Chivas and until they prove otherwise will be picked by most to finish at the bottom of the Western table. However, they should surprise some teams during the season and could very well be battling for a playoff spot. That's so MLS.
    Jay: They've lost the right to be given the benefit of the doubt. A new ownership group will help, and I'm sure in the meantime, the MLS will lead them to all sorts of shortcuts, but they are set to lose their most exciting player in Erick "Cubo" Torres, who was the only reason to watch last year. I expect them to start building a better team in June and next season, but I fear this will be another year where the rest of the league will be milking points off the goats.
    Aaron: Chivas, or LAFC, has a lot to play for. Having no owners might hurt the 4-6,000 fans they had last year by having even less this season.
    COLORADO RAPIDS:
    Michael: I tipped them for the bottom spot in the West last year and they punched well above their weight. The loss of the Oscar Pareja will be huge. He had the team playing some nice football and although the core players are there, the incredible fact that they haven't yet replaced him will cost them dear and they'll be back in the basement again.
    Steve: The surprise team of last season made the playoffs despite most picking them to finish near the bottom of the table and were looking like a team on the rise. However, not only did they lose their manager, which they haven't replaced as of yet, but they also lost a couple of strong veteran midfielders in Thomas and Castrillon. They will need both Brown and Powers to duplicate their rookie seasons and hope neither of them suffers a sophomore slump.
    Jay: While their stunning youth players last year surprisingly vaulted them up the table, I expect to see a couple of sophomore slumps. Not to mention the fact that they've had a lot of player movement and still don’t have a manager, so without anyone to put his foot down, the players may be taking advantage of new pot laws and binging on sour candies and watching Dragonball Z rather than focusing on football.
    Aaron: Their coach leaving so late last season might hurt this team more than people think.
    DALLAS:
    Michael: Talking of Oscar Pareja, Dallas have a good un in their new coach and he has the ability and the players at his disposal to turn the team around. They've promised the playoffs for both of the last two seasons, this year I sadly think they'll deliver.
    Steve: The additions of Oscar Pareja and Hendry Thomas will vastly improve the fortunes of a team that collapsed down the stretch. While the loss of the David Ferreira may be felt in the attack, Pareja should be able to duplicate the success he had with Powers and Brown, with FC Dallas youngsters Fabian Castillo and Mauro Diaz.
    Jay: There are things I like about FC Dallas, namely Mauro Diaz, who I think will be a very able replacement for the cheating bastard David Ferreira. Adam Moffat is a good, experienced addition, but there has been a pretty big overhaul including a new coach. Maybe it's because I'm biased about how morally offensive their team is, but I just don't trust that the club knows what it’s doing or how to improve enough.
    Aaron: New coach this year. No Eric Hassli. No hope for playoffs.
    LOS ANGELES GALAXY:
    Michael: Just can't see past them for winning both the Conference and the Cup again. They've got so much quality and depth and Robbie Keane is threatening to have a major year where I could see him both winning the Golden Boot and MVP. The rest are playing the chasing game.
    Steve: The glamour team rises back to the top of the Western Conference. Their best player, Robbie Keane, will not be missing significant time on international duty like last season. Expect Gyasi Zardes to have a breakthrough season and nullify the loss of Landon Donovan during the World Cup. Of course Omar Gonzalez will be another issue.
    Jay: Hard to question the scouting ability of the Galaxy, as they seem to unearth good talents both on the international market, as well as through the draft and their homegrown program. It's for that reason you have to think that players like Samuel, Ishizaki, and Rob Friend will add to an already good squad.
    Aaron: Added some quality depth players this off season. Will be the team to beat in the West.
    PORTLAND TIMBERS:
    Michael: Still can't believe they actually won the West last year. Caleb Porter certainly made me eat my words and he has a strong squad at his disposal once again and all the foundations are there to build upon what they had last year. They'll take a few steps backwards but whereas others see last season as a blip, I unfortunately see it as the start of some good years for the hipsters.
    Steve: While they had a fantastic season under first year coach Caleb Porter, I see the Timbers sliding back this year. In the final two games of the preseason, in which their starters played, they scored one goal which was helped by a blunder by Ousted. If they suffer any significant injuries or Ricketts has a bad season then the Timbers could miss the playoffs.
    Jay: While they're a quality and deep squad, their back line was a bit of a mess last year and they rode a career year by an aging Donovan Ricketts up the table. Ricketts should fall back to earth, and it may take some time to sort out their new defence, but their strong midfield and numerous attacking options should keep them high on the list.
    Aaron: Had a great season last year. Stumbled in the playoffs. This team is MLS Cup or bust for their supporters.
    REAL SALT LAKE:
    Michael: The Kreis factor hangs over Utah. Will his departure signal a change of fortunes or are the team above just one man at the helm? I always feel the manager's role is often greatly overvalued. RSL have a great team left behind and they'll once again be hard to beat at home and playoff bound. Winning is infectious.
    Steve: Other than losing one of the best managers in MLS, there hasn't been much change to the team that lost in the MLS Cup. The new coach was an assistant with Kreis so there should very little modification to the club's tactics on the pitch. This roster is deep enough to absorb any losses during the World Cup.
    Jay: Not much has changed in Utah, other than the loss of their coach. They still have an experienced, quality group of players who all know how to play football together. Their strength is in their continuity.
    Aaron: Had a great season last year and will look to build on that this up coming season under their new management team.
    SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES:
    Michael: The Quakes are the unknown quantity to me. They could continue how they finished last year or have a similar start to their struggles a season ago. I see them being a middling side, that don't have enough quality to push them into the playoffs but enough to grind out some wins and points to keep them in the mix till late on.
    Steve: They may still have target strikers like Wondolowski, Lenhart and Gordon but the big question is who provides the service into box with the loss of wide players like Beitashour, Morrow and Chavez. The potential of losing their best two defenders (Bernardez and Goodson) could hurt the Quakes during the four match stretch in June.
    Jay: Finished extremely strong last year, but I still just don't see it. I really liked Baca, and the loss of Beitashour and Morrow will mean a big change on the backline. Wondo knows how to score, but other that being the league's dirtiest player and a giant dick, Lenhart isn't really a quality player and it's tough to see where all their goals will be created from.
    Aaron: Added a great player Atiba Harris this season. Expect a big year from him this year.
    SEATTLE SOUNDERS:
    Michael: I so badly want them to fail but hard to see it. People seem to think that Clint Dempsey will redeem himself but I see him flopping. If Seattle get off to a tough start you know they'll just go out and buy their way in the playoffs in the summer window. I think they'll struggle at first but will turn it around.
    Steve: A lot of turnover for the Sounders this offseason after they stumbled late last season. They lost a little firepower upfront but improved on the backend with the addition of Chad Marshall. Two of their main attackers will be missing during the World Cup but no amount of excuses will save Sigi Schmid if the Sounders falter once again.
    Jay: As much as I hate to admit it, I like a lot of what the Sounders did in the off-season. Kenny Cooper is a serviceable striker who should be able to help out in attack without being the distraction that Eddie Johnson was. Chad Marshall is a quality and experienced centre back, and as much as I love to laugh at the major waste of money Clint Dempsey has been, it’s hard to believe he wont improve over the course of the year.
    Aaron: Look to see Clint Dempsey make all his haters regret mentioning how slow his start was last season. Home field will be their fortress again this season.
    VANCOUVER WHITECAPS:
    Michael: I'm picking the Caps for 7th. Temper hopes and expectations then there's more chance of delight come the end of October. The first ten games will be the key as far as I'm concerned. A slow start, which looks likely, will be hard to turnaround. Although there will be some magnificent highs over the season, I'm not sure the quality is there to get the job done when looking at the others fighting for the top five places. That said, a strong start, a string of results and keeping the team healthy and 5th place is achievable.
    Steve: It didn't look good for the Whitecaps in mid-January when other teams were making flashy signings across the league. However, new manager Carl Robinson has slowly put together a roster that may be considered deeper and more talented than last season. Of course there are the 22 goals that made a run for the border and need be spread out among all the attackers.
    Jay: I expect a bit of a shaky start, as the roster, coach, and system has all changed drastically, however, with a glut of creative and attacking options, I would expect a few players to step into the spotlight and really take advantage of their opportunities. The major concern will be how quick the team can gel, and if the backline can avoid injury and regain some of its 2012 form, they may just sneak into the playoffs.
    Aaron: Lots of new faces in the lineup this year. Will need to attack all season long.
    Standings decided, once the season is over, who did we feel will be battling to lift the MLS Cup in December?
    Michael: Los Angeles Galaxy over Sporting KC
    Steve: Real Salt Lake over Philadelphia Union
    Jay: Sporting KC over Seattle Sounders
    Aaron: Seattle Sounders over Sporting KC
    Who'll getting the bragging rights this year? Let's see how this all plays out. It's going to be another interesting season.
    Guest

    2014 MLS Preview: Vancouver Whitecaps

    By Guest, in AFTN,

    <i>The months of waiting are finally over and the new MLS season kicks off on Saturday for most teams. The Whitecaps kick off their fourth Major League Soccer season with their fourth consecutive home First Kick match, this time against New York and not Canadian opposition.
    We have a couple of preview articles for the new campaign coming up today and tomorrow, and we kick things off as Steve takes a look at the 2014 Vancouver Whitecaps and brings you, especially those who haven't been following the Caps' offseason all that closely, bang up to date....</i>
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    <b>Last Season:</b>
    (13-9-12, 7th in the Western Conference) After a strong first half of the season which saw the club near the top of MLS standings, the Whitecaps slipped in the table which saw them miss the playoffs. The disappointment of missing the playoffs saw a coaching change, from Martin Rennie to Carl Robinson, as well as some major player movement.
    <b>Additions:</b>
    MF Sebastián Fernández, MF Nicolás Mezquida, MF Matias Laba, MF Mehdi Ballouchy, MF Pedro Morales, DF Steven Beitashour, DF Christian Dean, DF Ethen Sampson, GK Paolo Tornaghi, GK Marco Carducci
    <b>Losses:</b>
    FW Camilo Sanvezzo, FW Corey Hertzog, FW Tommy Heinemann, MF Daigo Kobayashi, MF Jun Marques Davidson, MF Matt Watson, DF Lee Young-Pyo, DF Brad Rusin, DF Greg Klazura, GK Joe Cannon, GK Brad Knighton, GK Simon Thomas
    <b>Key Addition:</b>
    The Whitecaps have been looking for their "number 10" since Davide Chiumiento left and they may have finally found it in Chilean <b>Pedro Morales</b>. Coming over from La Liga, Morales is expected to deliver creativity and goals from the midfield while providing more quality from set pieces and corners.
    <b>Key Loss:</b>
    If not for the departure of <b>Camilo Sanvezzo</b> it would have been difficult to identify a player that the Whitecaps would miss this coming season. While there were no guarantees that he would have repeated his golden boot effort the Caps will almost certainly miss his 22 MLS goals.
    <b>Underrated:</b>
    With two aging starters in the centre of their backline, the Whitecaps will count heavily on <b>Johnny Leveron</b> as the first man off the bench. The Honduran international plays a smooth game at the backline and will further the attack from the back with excellent distribution. He will also be hungry to succeed and secure minutes in a last hope of getting back into World Cup reckoning.
    <b>Player on Hot Seat:</b>
    There are many in the soccer community that still question the ability of <b>David Ousted</b> being a number one keeper. It didn’t help in the last week of preseason when backup Paolo Tornaghi played stellar and Ousted let in a weak goal against the Timbers. A few sub par games and the pressure will most certainly mount on the Dane, but this could yet bring the best out of him.
    <b>Breakthrough Player:</b>
    Ending the season with a flourish including three goals against Seattle Sounders <b>Kekuta Manneh</b> should be a prime candidate to develop into a star. Would not be surprised to see him in the starting lineup once he shakes off some rust after missing the most of the preseason with an injury. The pressure will be on him though to have that same impact more regularly and it is key for his development that he does not suffer a Mattocksesque sophomore slump.
    <b>Ideal Starting IX:</b>
    (4-2-3-1) David Ousted; Steven Beitashour, Andy O’Brien, Jay DeMerit, Jordan Harvey; Nigel Reo-Coker, Matias Laba; Russell Teibert, Pedro Morales, Sebastian Fernandez; Kenny Miller
    <b>Three Key Questions:</b>
    <b>1. Where do the goals from?</b>
    Robinson stated early in his regime, before the Camilo debacle, that he wanted balanced scoring, which will be more prevalent now that the Caps 22 goal striker is off to Mexico. The biggest factor will be a bounce back season from Darren Mattocks, the rise of Kekuta Manneh and a relatively healthy year from Kenny Miller. Those three should benefit from the improving midfield who will help create more chances.
    <b>2. How long does it take to gel?</b>
    At this point there looks to be 4-5 new starters on Saturday from the team that played most of last season. The importance of the chemistry will be vital up front where the South American additions will add flair and creativity to the attack.
    <b>3. Will the kids play?</b>
    Youth was a big talking point when the new coach was appointed but since training camp has opened the Whitecaps have signed a number of veteran players. As of right now only Teibert, Mezquida and Laba are players under 23 that are likely to be in the starting eleven, with only one addition from the Residency in goalkeeper Marco Carducci. With no reserve league, where will the minutes come for young players like Dean, Alderson and Adekugbe?
    <b>Best Case Scenario:</b>
    They survive any chemistry issues through the first ten games and keep their heads above water. Through the summer Robinson has the team roaring through the schedule as they start piling up victories and enter the playoffs as a fourth seed.
    <b>Worst Case Scenario:</b>
    The Caps suffer injuries to their strikers and are unable to get on the same page which sees them suffer through a long winless streak to start the season. This forces more changes to the club during the transfer window and will see them out of the playoff picture before the summer is over.
    <b>Prediction:</b>
    6th in the Western Conference.
    </p>
    Guest

    Join AFTN's MLS Fantasy Football Leagues

    By Guest, in AFTN,

    It's that time of the year again where we all pick our MLS Fantasy Football squad, with the plan to keep interested for the whole season before things start to get in the way and then you start forgetting to finalise your team in time.
    But this year things will be different, right? Definitely!
    To help you keep that interest alive, why not join one of AFTN's MLS Fantasy Football Leagues? Or better still, join both. We really recommend that route.
    We've decided to set up both a Classic League and a Head To Head League, the latter of which I'm much more excited about because I like that weekly competition.
    Our Leagues are open to fans of all teams and we might even throw some prizes into the mix along the way.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    To get started, head over to the <a href="http://fantasy.mlssoccer.com/" target="_blank"><u><b>MLS Fantasy Football</b></u></a> site, pick your squad and then click LEAGUES then JOIN A LEAGUE.
    To enter our Classic League, the code you need is <b>4568-748</b> (Autojoin Link - <b><u>fantasy.mlssoccer.com/my-leagues/748/join/?autojoin-code=4568-748</u></b>).
    and to enter our Head to Head League, the code you need is <b>4568-747</b> (Autojoin Link - <b><u>fantasy.mlssoccer.com/my-leagues/747/join/?autojoin-code=4568-747</u></b>).
    So join today, share it with your friends and let the battle begin.
    We'll give you some regular updates, and let you know about any prizes we come up with, over the course of the season.
    Good luck everyone!
    <p>
    Guest
    Predictions are for suckers. That's especially the case in MLS where anyone who claims they have an absolute lock on predicting the future is lying. It's likely the most unpredictable league in the world. At least one team will come out of nowhere to contend and at least one will fall off the face of the earth.
    Who knows what those teams will be. Really, it's half guess work.
    But, when you write about the league you have to do it. So, below the jump my 2014 rankings.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    19. Chivas
    Chivas has new ownership which may lead them out of the woods eventually, but when you've spent the last three years making TFC look good...well, it's going to be a while.
    18. Montreal
    Old and owned by a "passionate" owner that actually thinks he is smarter than the rest of the league. He's not. The Impact were as statistically bad as TFC at the end of last season. And, they did next to nothing to improve. Bonne chance, Impact fans. Bonne chance.
    17. Chicago
    Team Magee FC. Chicago seems to be a little MLS 1.0. Yallop's last stand...
    16. Vancouver
    Go ahead. Accuse me of trolling. It doesn't change the fact Vancouver is a dysfunctional mess that could explode at anytime...and they won't have Camilo's goals to save them this year. Hopefully Robbo isn't the fall guy, but I suspect he will be.
    15. DC United
    They made a lot of improvements, but they are coming from even further back than Toronto. And I simply don't believe in Eddie Johnson.
    14. Houston
    This is my crash team for 2014. Some of their old standbys are either running a women's team or about to shed tears under a Forever Orange banner at a retirement press conference. Then again it's Houston so they'll probably make the MLS Cup final again...
    13. Dallas
    It gets a little mushy around here. Dallas seems a year away, but the coaching change combined with the change in direction that went with it makes Dallas hard to predict. There is no position Dallas can finish that will surprise me, so let's throw them in the middle.
    12. Columbus
    (I actually kind of like the direction Columbus is going in, but think they need some more power up front and another year before they break through. However, as a Toronto guy I can't say that)
    Colollolumbus, eh!
    11. San Jose
    Supporter's Shield winners to also-rans in one year...what to make of it. It's all on Wondo to rebound. Hard to imagine he can. Juuuust outside a playoff position.
    10. Philly
    Still a bit raw, but a very nice young core. I think they need someone a little more proven/not over-the-hill up top to move higher, but I wouldn't be surprised to see more additions. Watch out for the Union.
    9. New England
    I see a slight slip back, but, as much as I don't want to admit it, I think Teal Bunbury is going to rebound and be a key figure in putting the Revs back into the playoffs.
    8. Colorado
    The coaching situation is, to put it gently, not ideal. But, the young core showed they are strong enough to be mediocre enough to just make the playoffs. So, why not do it again.
    7. T-O-R...O-N-T...oooohoooohohohoh T-F-C!
    Yes, Toronto will make the playoffs. It's absurd to predict otherwise. With a spine of Cesar-Bradley-Gilberto-Defoe there are few, if any, MLS teams that can compare. Ever. Plus, the supporting cast in starting XI is better than most think (DeRo will win the comeback player of the year award. You heard it here first). Yes, depth is an issue, but depth is an issue for pretty much every other team in the league. They aren't a title contender yet -- unless Henry suddenly meets his potential -- but they are a playoff team. Mark you calendar: TFC v NYRB at BMO Field next November. It will be the party of the year (until "On-Ree" scores in 87th minute to be a Bloody Big Killjoy).
    6. NYRB
    They'll slip back, but I can see this being a very scary playoff team...so long as they make sure they bomb in CCL.
    5. Salt Lake
    It's getting real now. SLC is a class organization that seems to have figured out how to always be a title contender. Just solid everywhere. Are they favourites? No. But, they are always going to be a couple hot weeks away from a title.
    4. Portland
    A lot of people have this team as the MLS Cup favourites. On paper they might be. A lot of smart, technically impressive players here. I have a sneaky feeling they'll get carried away in the CCL and kill their title chances.
    3. Galaxy
    It's the LA Galaxy. The strength they have at every position is, well, frustrating, to the rest if the league and that comes down to one man--the best manager in MLS, Bruce Arena. The Galaxy aren't my MLS Cup pick, but I sure wouldn't lay money against it.
    2. Seattle
    I just have this suspicion that Chad Marshall is going to stay healthy and that he has one more best XI season in him. Seattle is my west pick...
    1. Kansas City
    ...but KC will repeat. With 10 of 11 starters back they simply need to be ousted from the top spot. I don't see it happening.
    Some other picks:
    MVP: Keane
    Golden boot: Gilberto
    Defender of year: Collin
    Goaltender of year: Cesar
    Rookie of the year: Mullins
    Newcomer of the year: Gilberto
    Voyageurs Cup: Vancouver
    US Open Cup: Seattle
    Guest
    Having spent far more of my day than I'd have cared to embroiled in a rather inconvenient situation beyond my control, I find myself woefully lacking in the time necessary to craft the sort of fanciful nonsense that usually comprises these "mostly fabricated synopses".
    These, of course, are the posts I inexplicably churn out after one of our national teams plays an entirely untelevised game, ostensibly to provide some manner of coverage but realistically to provide me a chance to incorporate stupid pop culture references and bizarre fictional narratives into the stuff I write here.
    Anyway, Canada really did play its second group-stage game of the Cyprus Cup on Friday morning, and really did win 3-1 over Italy, following a 3-0 victory in their tournament opener against Finland. A result against England on Monday is what stands between them and a return to the championship final, which Canada has contested every year since this competition started in 2008.
    All of that is true; believe the following at your own peril.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Canada rolled out a starting XI of Labbe, Wilkinson, Zurrer, Buchanan, Nault, Scott, Schmidt, Matheson, Sinclair, Belanger, Leon. You probably ought to believe this part, since I have very little incentive to fudge the lineup.
    Far be it from me to indulge in stereotypes about Italian soccer, but here are two live tweets from the CSA:
    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>And we're underway in Larnaca! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23canWNT&src=hash">#canWNT</a> in red, Italy in blue.</p>— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) <a href="
    ">March 7, 2014</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
    And then, literally just two minutes later:
    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Slight delay now as an Italian player is down receiving treatment. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23canWNT&src=hash">#canWNT</a></p>— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) <a href="
    ">March 7, 2014</a></blockquote><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
    Two minutes into the game for time-wasting has to set a new record. Even the Hondurans will have trouble reaching that lofty mark.
    (Note for the easily "offended": As per the law of standup comedy, I am fully and in perpetuity permitted to take shots at the Italian team, by way of my ancestral heritage. As for Honduras, well, that's my well-established schtick, take it or leave it.)
    Diana Matheson, fully in the zone with the latest episode of the Freakonomics podcast blaring through her earphones (which she wears on the field, FIFA Laws be damned, just 'cuz) opened the scoring in the first half, whereupon she performed the dance move "the robot" with such aplomb that worldwide, the burgeoning population of slowly-gaining-sentience-en-route-to-taking-over-the-world actual robots hung their heads in collective shame.
    But they'll have their revenge. Don't you worry.
    Adriana Leon doubled Canada's advantage later in the half, then celebrated by jumping in a barrel and riding down the nearest waterfall. It was a heck of a trip, since there aren't many waterfalls near Cyprus. Or maybe there are, who knows, this isn't a geography class.
    Kaylyn Kyle -- who recently changed her first name to Kylaylaleenleeleykee, simply so that all of the horrible ways that foreign commentators somehow butcher her name are now somewhat accurate -- finished Canada's scoring on the day, and chose to refrain from celebrating, for the sake of preserving that celebratory energy for the next time she's at the Saskatoon airport, since that's where all the cool parties are held.
    Some Italian player (who presumably speaks with her hands and enjoys tomato-based meals [see "law of standup comedy", above]) also scored a goal but we'll forget about that since history is written by the winners and the winner on the day were the mighty and virtuous Canadians.
    Final game of the group stage is, as mentioned, Monday against England. There actually won't be a "mostly fabricated synopsis" for that one, so you'll have to follow the CSA's Twitter account for sporadic live updates and then fill in the imaginary blanks yourself. Life as a Canadian soccer supporter, huzzah!
    .
    Guest
    MLS has locked out its referees.
    A flippant response to this by a fan might be "good, they sucked anyway." And, while we'd all like to see the referees be a little more consistent -- as I'm sure they themselves would like to be -- MLS fans are likely to discover just what "sucks" really means with the replacement officials.
    A recent example would be the NFL referee lock-out from two seasons ago. It took a comically bad call that directly cost a team a game in that dispute for the NFL to come to its senses there.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The money involved in this dispute is peanuts compared to what MLS owners make through Soccer United Marketing. Whenever you hear MLS crying poor they are being disingenuous with the numbers they use. Prior to the 2010 season, The 24th Minute was provided with documents that showed that every team in the league was profitable once the SUM money was included.
    Although the the figures provided are nearly 5-years old now, it's difficult to imagine teams being less profitable now that we've seen another round of expansion fees come into the league.
    There is a theory out that suggests MLS is playing hardball with the refs as a warning to its players ahead of the 2015 CBA negotiations. It's possible, but it is also small thinking.
    As part of a global marketplace, MLS players might have more power than people believe -- especially since many of the rules MLS uses to restrict movement and control costs only survive legal challenge because they have been collectively bargained.
    But that battle is still a year away. As it relates to the current lock out, MLS had best sort it out before March 22 or March 29.
    Why that day? Some British Columbia labour law is below for your enjoyment.
    Maybe the players can referee the game on the honour system during Vancouver's home opener?*
    *The issue could be forced a week earlier in Quebec, where a similar law exists. However, there might be a loophole in the Quebec law that allows MLS to use current, non-unionized employees.
    ----
    Replacement workers
    68 (1) During a lockout or strike authorized by this Code an employer must not use the services of a person, whether paid or not,
    (a) who is hired or engaged after the earlier of the date on which the notice to commence collective bargaining is given and the date on which bargaining begins,
    ( who ordinarily works at another of the employer's places of operations,
    © who is transferred to a place of operations in respect of which the strike or lockout is taking place, if he or she was transferred after the earlier of the date on which the notice to commence bargaining is given and the date on which bargaining begins, or
    (d) who is employed, engaged or supplied to the employer by another person,
    to perform
    (e) the work of an employee in the bargaining unit that is on strike or locked out, or
    (f) the work ordinarily done by a person who is performing the work of an employee in the bargaining unit that is on strike or locked out.
    (2) An employer must not require any person who works at a place of operations in respect of which the strike or lockout is taking place to perform any work of an employee in the bargaining unit that is on strike or is locked out without the consent of the person.
    (3) An employer must not
    (a) refuse to employ or continue to employ a person,
    ( threaten to dismiss a person or otherwise threaten a person,
    © discriminate against a person in regard to employment or a term or condition of employment, or
    (d) intimidate or coerce or impose a pecuniary or other penalty on a person,
    because of the person's refusal to perform any or all of the work of an employee in the bargaining unit that is on strike or locked out.
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