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    Guest

    PLAYOFFS! BOOK IT!!!

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Book the date!
    Speaking at a Toronto business lunch, MLSE head honcho Tim Leiweke forcefully made the announcement that all TFC fans have dreamed of.
    Our Reds are making the playoffs next year! The pain is over!! BUTTER!!!*
    Leiweke guaranteed it so it must be true. After all no MLSE manager has ever said something solely to appease the paying masses before. No manager has ever pandered.
    Only truth.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Of course they are sometimes wrong. And, with MLSE, by sometimes I mean all the time, every year, always.
    So, maybe they should just shut the **** up and fix it without making promises that have no way of knowing they can follow through on.
    Or they could just keep on doing what they always do as an increasingly indifferent fan base increasingly decides to do other things with their entertainment dollar.
    Either or, really.
    *old, bad inside joke.
    Guest
    Everything?
    OK, that was cheap. Not far from accurate, but cheap. As we wrote in part I, there were a few good things about 2013. However, in a season that was only marginally better than 2012 (which was widely understood to be the bottom) it's difficult not to see negative everywhere.
    All of TFC's issues in 2013 can be summed up by one overriding issue -- a complete lack of stability. It has been a major issue since the Mo Johnston days and it remains so today.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]It was supposed to be different. When Kevin Payne was brought in a little less than a year ago that's what was promised.
    "Don't worry, TFC fans," it was said. "This time we get it. We understand that we need to bring in a solid, young core that we can build around."
    Not long after, the annual 12-player dump occurred. "No worries," management said. "The reinforcements are coming soon."
    Then we waited. And waited. And waited some more. Soon the season was weeks away and some of us started to think that the management team hadn't really learned any lessons and that maybe we were in for more of of the same.
    Sure enough the Reds scrambled to bring in a bunch of "plan z" signings -- this time loan signings under the guise that it was better to go short-term than be burdened by bad contracts.
    Bad contracts are, well, bad, but the answer to that problem is to not sign players to bad contracts. Playing the first three months of the season with what seemed like half the players on trial was every bit the disaster anyone with any sense would have assumed it would be.
    It created more instability and did nothing to identify the young core we were promised. It wasn't until the season was already toast that the club finally started to lean on the kids in an effort to find that core. Even then, players like Kyle Bekker sat rotted to the bench deep into the season.
    And, all this is just the tip. We haven't touched on the biggest self-handicap.
    They changed management direction. Again. Toronto FC seems determined to become a particularly absurd Kids In The Hall skit.
    Anyone that read this space this year knows that I was not a big supporter of Kevin Payne. In fact, I was pretty convinced he was both arrogant and incompetent--not the best qualities in a manager. However, even I was stunned by how quickly TFC pulled the trigger.
    And, although I do think it was the best move for the long-term health of the team, I can't yet see how the Reds are better off now. Not with Ryan Nelsen and Tim Leiweke looking to once again change direction, which will once again necessitate wide-spread changes.
    (Deep breath)
    (OK. That's better)
    Sadly, It's becoming exceptionally difficult to find any hope in the eternal mess that is TFC.
    Which sets up tomorrow's Part III nicely -- What went really wrong.
    Guest

    U-17 girls roster set

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    The roster for the Canadian girls u-17 team is below the jump:
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    GK- Rylee Foster | CAN / Woodbridge SC
    GK- Devon Kerr | CAN / Glen Shields FC
    D- Easther Mayi Kith | CAN / Laser de Joliette
    D- Mika Richards | CAN / Brams United SC
    D- Rachel Jones | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite
    D- Nadia Pestell | CAN / Brams United
    D- Bianca St-Georges | CAN / Laser de Joliette
    D- Simmrin Dhaliwal | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite
    M- Jenna Baxter | CAN / Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite
    M- Jessie Fleming | CAN / London NorWest SC
    M- Sarah Kinzner | CAN / Calgary Foothills
    M- Avery Lakeman | CAN / Edmonton Drillers
    M- Karima Lemire | CAN / Varennes
    M- Sarah Stratigakis | CAN / Woodbridge SC
    F- Emily Borgmann | CAN / Burlington SC
    F- Nadya Gill | CAN / Vaughan SC
    F- Anyssa Ibrahim | CAN / Terrebonne
    F- Marie Levasseur | CAN / Haute St-Charles
    F- Jessica Lisi | CAN / Woodbridge SC
    F- Marie-Mychèle Métivier | CAN / Armada Chaudière-Est
    The team travels from Florida, where they held their pre-tournament camp, to Jamaica on Tuesday in advance of their opening game of the competition against Guatemala on 31, October. Two days later, the team will take on Trinidad and Tobago before wrapping up the group stage on 4 November against the defending champions from the USA.
    The top two teams in the eight-team tournament earn berths in next year’s 2014 FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup to be held in Costa Rica.
    --text from CSA press release
    Michael Mccoll
    Episode 25 of "There's Still Time", the AFTN podcast. It's "The End Of The Season As We Know It" episode, our last post game podcast of the season, but fear not, as we've plenty more episodes to bring you before the end of the year.
    We recorded this episode at BC Place after the 3-0 win over Colorado and before the breaking news we brought you on Monday that Martin Rennie was no longer the manager of the Caps, so there's a few moot discussion points!
    Vancouver Whitecaps finished off their season in style and we look back on the game and hear post game audio from captain Jay DeMerit, debutant Sam Adekugbe, the retiring YP Lee, MLS Golden Boot winner Camilo Sanvezzo and in what was his last game as Whitecaps boss, Martin Rennie.
    We soon turn our attentions to the future and what lies in store for Martin Rennie and the Whitecaps, and speculate about Frank Yallop taking over the reigns.
    And there's still time to have a look at the MLS playoffs. Who do we want to do well? Who do we think will do well? And what teams would we like to see beat each other to a pulp?
    Listen and find out!
    You can listen to this week's podcast on iTunes HERE.
    Or download it for your later listening delight HERE
    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 HERE 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 Stitcher Radio Network. Download the app and listen to the AFTN podcast on your device, along with over 15,000 shows HERE.
    Or you could just listen on the player below!
    Guest
    The Renniesance is over.
    After weeks of rumours and murmurs, Martin Rennie's reign as Vancouver Whitecaps manager has come to an end and former Canadian international Frank Yallop is expected to be announced as the new Caps boss.
    We've been told that Rennie was given the news today, with the club looking to go in a new direction under a new management team, with the two time MLS Cup winning Yallop favourite to be at the helm.
    The Caps ownership has felt that the club failed to show enough progress in Rennie's second year at the helm and the failure to make the playoffs this season has been the straw that broke the Scotsman's back.
    Rennie leaves the Whitecaps after being in charge for 77 games (69 MLS and 8 Voyageurs Cup). His MLS record saw him with a 34.8% win percentage and an overall record of 24 wins, 19 draws and 26 defeats, taking 44% of points available. The Caps scraped in to the playoffs last season but failed to lift Vancouver's first ever Voyageurs Cup in either season.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    He did lift two pieces of silverware during his time with Vancouver - 2012's Walt Disney Classic Cup and this year's Cascadia Cup. In the grand scheme of things, they mean little except for some bragging rights and a bit of pride. In the cutthroat, must win environment of modern day football management, such things are nice but not enough to keep your job.
    Rennie's downfall can be pinned on a number of factors. Two key ones are the failure to achieve either of Vancouver's two main goals this year (reaching the playoffs and securing Champions League qualification through the Canadian Championship), along with the perceived lack of sufficient progress by many when comparing the club to rivals like Portland, who overtook them big time this season.
    Add in a rigid formation, playing players out of position, endless spin and what many feel has been a failure to learn from his mistakes, the writing was always looking on the wall for the Scot as soon as Colorado sealed Vancouver's playoff fate.
    There is no doubt that the Whitecaps have improved under Rennie.
    They went from worst in 2011 to a playoff team last year, but two late season collapses have taken the shine a little away from all of the other achievements. Rennie's legacy to us is that he got the Caps playing some exciting, attacking and entertaining football at home, but struggled to know just what to do with his team on the road.
    Wherever the future takes him, we wish him all the very best.
    The sacking and Frank Yallop's likely appointment is sure to be a polarizing decision for some fans, but we feel it's the right way to go. What the Whitecaps need right now is someone leading them with experience and proven success in the game as both a coach and a player, especially a coach that knows MLS and knows how to win in the league.
    And Yallop certainly knows how to do that, although it can also be argued that much of that success was a while ago now and the game has changed, especially in MLS.
    After retiring as a player in 1998, Yallop went into coaching and was named as the Head Coach of San Jose Earthquakes in 2001, winning the MLS Cup in his first season in charge and being named 'Coach of the Year'.
    He won his second MLS Championship two years later, before leaving club football to take up the role of the Canadian national team manager in January 2004.
    Yallop stayed in that job for two and a half years before resigning and returning to club football with LA Galaxy in June 2006, then going back to San Jose for a second stint the following year.

    The Canadian Hall of Famer stayed with the Earthquakes for five and a half years, guiding them to the 2012 Supporters' Shield, before his surprise sacking in June this year following the Quakes horrible start to the season.
    It was a sacking that shocked his San Jose team, with Chris Wondolowski describing the decision as leaving him <i>"speechless"</i>, <i>"devastated"</i> and <i>"gutted"</i> at the departure of the man named as MLS 'Coach of the Year' just a few months previously.
    Even his ex players were taken by surprise, showing the respect he has built up as a coach. Joe Cannon took to twitter and commented <i>"Absolutely stunned by Frank Yallop leaving. I can't understand this."</i>.
    As a player, Yallop was capped 52 times for Canada and played 14 seasons in England with Ipswich Town, before returning to North America to play three years with Tampa Bay Mutiny in the early days of MLS, winning the Supporters Shield in his first season in 1996.
    This is the type of experience, as player and manager, that helps a coach garner respect from his squad, especially those more veteran and experienced players who have also played at the top level of the game, some of whom have been quite vocal privately about the direction that the team was going under Rennie.
    Yallop would come to Vancouver with a MLS coaching record of 145 wins, 99 draws and 131 defeats from his 375 games in charge. That gives him an overall winning percentage of 38.7% and 47.5% of available points taken.
    Not stunningly more than Rennie but sustained over eight more years in the League and with two Championship and one regular season title to show for it.
    There is no word on the rest of Rennie's management team but it is thought that Yallop would bring in a lot of his own personnel.
    Paul Ritchie will likely be moving on to pastures new. This is disappointing to us, as we feel he was an excellent coach and his experience in playing at the top level was an asset to the club and earned him respect. He was never afraid to be the one to dish out the necessary bollocking after games or at training and we're pretty sure he's going to go on to be a great coach in his own right.
    We fully expect Carl Robinson to stay at the club. He is well respected in the dressing room and MLS Golden Boot winner Camilo, was quick to heap praise on the former Welsh international yesterday for helping his game to become as successful as it has. We also wouldn't be surprised to see Robbo groomed to take over as a future head coach himself one day. He certainly has all the right qualities.
    It will also be interesting to see what role Joe Cannon may get under Yallop, with the pair having a good relationship going back a number of years.
    Yallop will have had months to watch the Whitecaps in the second half of the season. He will already likely know which players he'd like to keep around and which ones need to go. We also expect him to hold a postseason evaluation/training camp, which may start as early as this week, although don't expect too many wholesale changes.
    The lingering question many will now have is whether Yallop is the right man for the job. Is his experience and success in MLS exactly what the fourth year team are now needing in this league? Or was his 2012 Quakes a blip and he is a manager whose best days are behind him and he is coming to the team with outdated ideas that won't be a success here?
    Yallop didn't haven much of a playing budget to bring in top players at San Jose but spent wisely on talent. Will he get more to play with in Vancouver?
    I guess we'll soon find out, but we're pretty confident that the right decision has been made and we'll see the fruits of this next season. And we have to, because the Whitecaps cannot afford to take any backwards or even sideways steps with this appointment. This is a key one for the Caps footballing future.
    Interesting times ahead in Whitecapsland.
    <p>
    <i>[Apologies that you are unable to leave comments here at the moment but that's due to continuing site issues. If you want to leave a comment, you can do so on our resurrected Blogger site <a href="http://aftncanada.blogspot.ca/2013/10/frank-yallop-set-to-be-announced-as-new.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> and we'll transfer them all over to here once we can post them again. Thanks.]</i>
    <p>
    Guest
    It's tempting to just write 'nothing' and call it a day.
    If we're being charitable we might say 'Jonathon Osorio.' If we're being charitable.
    Not much went right for TFC in 2013. They had slightly more points than they did in the horror show that was 2012, but such "progress" is relative. Take out the 0-9 start of 2012 and Ryan Nelson's team had less points per game than the Reds of a year ago.
    Still, there are a few straws to clutch.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The local boy Osorio making good is one. Those that are more technically inclined than I say his game needs work yet (especially mentally) but he's a great prospect that should get better.
    That, sets up a nice problem in the midfield where three young guys -- Kyle Bekker, Matias Laba and Osorio -- look like they have minutes to give.
    The situation at the back isn't nearly as good, but not totally bleak. Doneil Henry improved greatly under former defender Ryan Nelsen and Ashtone Morgan seemed to emerge from his 6-month funk.
    Add Joe Bendik between posts and you have a very young core that, for once, looks likely to return whole. Sticking with a young core worked for New England this year and it could work for TFC next.
    They need to supplement things with the right vets. And that's where the biggest hope can be gained. Toronto has a ton of cap room, MLSE's money, the No 3 spot in the returning player allocation order and all that 'you suck' MLS allocation money that is supposed to create parity.
    If they know what they are doing they should be ready to turn the corner. It's all there.
    Except there is no evidence they know what they are doing and plenty that they don't. Years and years of evidence across multiple sports.
    Did MLSE finally hire the right guys? Blind squirrels do get the occasional nuts. That's not much to hold onto but after seven years of incompetence TFC fans take what they can get.
    Guest

    MLS Week in Review – Round 35

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    The final weekend of the 2013 MLS season took place over the weekend – a dramatic, tense, sometime pulsating, other nerve-wracking – often depending on whom one supports – round of matches.
    Ten games were played – one on Wednesday, four on Saturday and a whopping five on Sunday (hence the late posting) – resulting in an impressive four away-wins and a single draw.
    31 goals were scored – a perfect three for three from the penalty spot – including several jaw-dropping finishes.
    The referees kept to themselves for the most part, though they could have justly awarded more spot kicks and missed at least one major call in Seattle, while handing out some thirty yellow cards and a single red – they waited until that match was all but over to resort to a dismissal.
    The last two weekends of the season, with nearly every team in the league fighting for a seat at the playoff table, have been excellent; a fitting appetizer for the impending MLS Cup Playoffs indeed.
    Before the results, the goals of the round:[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Four beauties to choose from this weekend; in chronological order, up first, is San Jose’s Chris Wondolowski and his near-post roof job:
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tQIuiq_OweM?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    Not bad for a man with one good foot.
    Rockets don’t do it? Prefer the more subtle approach, well how about Diego Valeri’s sumptuous, yet delicate chip for Portland at Chivas:
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/TV5u-KpYzP0?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    Why rip when one can feather?
    Solo efforts don’t always encapsulate the beauty of this sport, where teamwork and passing is king; how about this bit of interplay from New England, featuring Juan Agudelo and Lee Nguyen:
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/OFFlJhWCF3Q?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    No wonder the Revolution refused to let Agudelo head off to Stoke early.
    And finally, leave it to Thierry Henry to provide a goal such as this:
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/HKkrjgoCROM?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    Unstoppable, and crucial too, as it set New York on their path to a bit of history; on to the matches…
    Midweek Result in Brief

    Goals courtesy of Alvaro Saborio – from the penalty spot in the 49th minute after Edgar Mejia handled Joao Plata’s chipped pass - and Plata himself – curling a low left-footed shot into the bottom left corner of the goal from the arc – just three minutes later were enough to put Salt Lake in place to potentially win the Supporters’ Shield with a victory in their final match of the season – pending the weekend results, of course – despite Julio Morales clawing one back for Chivas after a glorious long pass from Carlo Chueca in the 77th.
    Results
    Philadelphia 1 – Kansas City 2
    Saturday’s first match was rife with playoff implications for the Eastern Conference, as Philadelphia needed to win – and see other results go their way – to have any chance of moving on, while Kansas City had a chance to put themselves in the Supporters’ Shield lead, if only for a night.
    The best of the early chances in a hard-fought match fell the way of the visitors - Dom Dwyer hit a low shot just wide and Jacob Peterson wasted a wonderful chance after Graham Zusi’s free-kick fell to him, wide open, behind the Philadelphia back-line only for him to shoot meekly, straight at the keeper – before emotions began to boil over heading into half-time with Peterson and Danny Cruz exchanging words moments prior to Conor Casey and Aurelien Collin seeing yellow for doing the same, more emphatically.
    The deadlock was broken two minutes into the second half when Lawrence Olum flicked on a Matt Besler long throw from the right at the front-post to the back, where Zusi had found some space to nod in.
    The Union brought on attacking substitution in desperate need of a goal and nearly found one, only for Seth Sinovic to clear Jack McInerney’s attempt off the line in the 77th minute.
    Eleven minutes later, however, McInerney had his goal after a goalmouth scramble led to a weak clearance that was headed back in behind the Sporting back-line by Jeff Parke and McInerney stole in from the left to finish past Jimmy Nielsen with a calm right-footer.
    Needing to win, Philadelphia continued to push forward and were caught on the break in stoppage-time – a long Nielsen goal-kick was collected by Peterson in the right corner, his cross was over the head of Josh Gardner at the near-post, but fell to Teal Bunbury on the left, who cutback to tee up Olum for a left-footer past Zac MacMath to secure the full points.
    The loss eliminated Philadelphia from the playoffs for a second-straight season – the third time in their four years of existence – though it was their own fault, having won just two of their last ten matches to close the campaign.
    Manager John Hackworth looked forward to next season post-match, “I think there are a lot of guys in the locker room who are going to be back here next year and are really going to have profited this year and the experiences that this team has had. It is hard for me to sit here and tell you guys that I think the future looks bright, but in fact, I really believe that it does.
    “We have a couple of pieces that we need to change, and we have some tough decisions in the off season, just like any other team.* But I would look at it very optimistically because there are a lot of guys in that locker room have great futures ahead of them. I think our team is one that is building. We are getting better and better.* You look at it and you think there are a lot of pieces that are going to be good next year."
    With the three points, Kansas City take the lead in the Supporters’ Shield race – in front of New York by two points – and will enter the post-season on a four-game unbeaten run.
    Peter Vermes spoke about the difficulty of making the playoffs, "I say this all the time, everybody*thinks making the playoffs in this league is a lay-up, and there's no chance. When you look at, over the course of a season, the parity and how close everyone is right now in both conferences, except for a few outliers.
    “That parity gives you*the opportunity to beat anybody week in and week out. If you take the EPL and made the comparison and said Man U is going to play against Norwich this weekend, well it is not a question whether or not they're going to win...it's whether it's by four or three goals. We don't have that in this league and I think that is a great thing and the entertainment value for all of our fans."
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/-I4JT12nFdk?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    Toronto 1 – Montreal 0
    An hour after the match in Philadelphia kicked off the second game of the day was getting underway in Toronto, with eliminated TFC hosting Lower Canada-rivals, Montreal.
    The season ended for Toronto months ago, but Montreal were nervously looking over their shoulder, having struggled through the final months of the season.
    Once the darlings of the East, dominant atop the conference, the Impact’s lead shrunk until they were overtaken and now they needed to win to assure their qualification, lest they rely on others to help them back into the playoffs.
    Toronto came out flying, playing some of their best football of the year, against a Montreal side who looked turgid at best.
    It took sixteen minutes for the home team to open the scoring.
    Bright Dike forced a bad pass out of Montreal centre-back, Wandrille Lefevre; it was intercepted by Jonathan Osorio, who fed Dike up the right flank. Dike cut into the box, tried to take on two defenders and failed, but the ball squeaked through to Osorio above the near-post. His right-footed shot was aimed towards the far-side of the goal, but Robert Earnshaw deflected the effort, catching Troy Perkins wrong-footed and sending a finish into the right-side of the goal.
    The first half ended with the one-goal lead intact – despite rookie, Kyle Bekker, smacking a left-footer off the bar from outside the box – but not before Earnshaw was involved in an incident that may have altered the outcome – swatting at Hernan Bernardello as the two argued over the placement of a free-kick. On another day he may have seen red, but Bernardello oversold the transgression and both were shown yellows for their troubles.
    Toronto would look to add a second, failing repeatedly to hit that final ball, and Montreal appeared to level midway through the second, only for the goal to be ruled out as Marco Di Vaio directed it into the back of the net with a stray arm.
    Though dominant, TFC were forced to rely, as usual, on Joe Bendik, who twice came up huge to deny both Davy Arnaud and Andres Romero from tying the match.
    With the win, Toronto end their season on a high note; vanquishing their feted foes and, if not ending their season, at least ensuring a nervous Sunday of result-watching.
    Post-match, Ryan Nelsen heralded his side, “I thought the first half was absolutely fantastic and the guys passed the ball extremely well and controlled the game,” before pointing out the obvious, “the only thing that disappointed me was that we didn’t get that second goal. We knew if we had got that second goal that we probably would have gone on to win by a bit more.”
    Though they will enter the final day still sitting third in the East, with the loss Montreal are at risk of falling out of the playoffs, should other results not go their way, and they end their regular season with just one win in their last eight matches.
    Marco Schallibaum was disappointed in the poor account his side gave of themselves, “The way we played in the first half, was not very good. There were too many individual mistakes, too much nervousness. We complicated matters at the back as well. In the second half, I saw a reaction, with clear opportunities created, but we didn’t put them in and you’re not going to win that way.”
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_jgRGJlbGmg?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    San Jose 2 – Dallas 1
    As the Toronto-Montreal match wound down, the first of two Western matches was getting under way in San Jose.
    With both sides all but eliminated – San Jose needed to win and score thirteen goals and hope that Colorado lost, while Dallas were already doomed – this match was as much about the retirement of Ramiro Corrales, the last remaining MLS Original, as it was about the result.
    Having secured progression in the Champions League midweek, Mark Watson gave Corrales the start, as well as backup keeper, David Bingham – both would play key roles in the action.
    Kenny Cooper looked to have opened the scoring after seventeen minutes, putting a deftly clipped Peter Luccin free-kick in off the post, but the offside flag denied him the honour. Ten minutes later that responsibility fell to Walter Martinez, though at first it appeared as though Steven Lenhart had earned the plaudits.
    Justin Morrow surged up the left and played up to Martinez, who cut onto his right-foot and sent a slow roller towards the near-post area. Lenhart and Walker Zimmerman collapsed on the delivery, but neither got a touch, freezing Dallas keeper Chris Seitz, who could only watch in agony as it trickled past him into the right-side of the goal.
    Dallas would go in search for the equalizer and Bingham would repeatedly come up big in his first and only start of the season – making a huge stop on Blas Perez five minutes into the second half.
    It was San Jose who scored next - Shea Salinas burst into the box from the right and was blocked off by Zimmerman, the loose ball fell to a retreating Lenhart moving back from the left and he swept a pass towards Chris Wondolowski, who settled the ball and then roofed a left-footer at the short-side.
    Dallas would find their goal – and ruin Bingham’s clean-sheet – in the final minute of regulation, when a long free-kick was swatted wide right for Perez to collect. His cross into the middle was won by Stephen Keel, rising impressively over Victor Bernardez, to head on to the far-side.
    Though the playoffs were beyond reach, San Jose enter the off-season in high spirits having gone unbeaten through their last seven matches.
    Interim coach, Mark Watson – who is rumoured to returning next season on a permanent deal (more on that in tomorrow’s Canadian Content), took the opportunity to praise Corrales - more on Corrales’ retirement in the See It Live section.
    Conversely, Dallas head into the winter having won just one of their last seven matches and in the midst of a search for a new boss, with Schellas Hyndman stepping down.
    With this being Hyndman’s last match at the helm, it seems fitting to allow him to elaborate on his time:
    “What I would like to say to the FC Dallas fans is that this has been a wonderful experience for me for the last five-and-a-half years coaching their team. Our fans should be excited about the future and I look forward to FC Dallas competing in the near future.
    “I’ve always looked at myself as an educator. I coach like a teacher. I try to educate, I try to motivate, I try to do all of those psychological things and obviously being in the game as long as I have, I have a fair set of knowledge of the game. I think the best way for me to say what all this means is I have really been blessed to be in a sport that I love for as long as I have been in it and I hope it will continue.
    “I’ll say that when I count my blessings that I have in life, I count soccer twice.”
    Well said. Hyndman will remain a consultant with the club, responding whenever they need a bit of sagely advice.
    <iframe width="533" height="300" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Y4VQs36R3eg?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
    Chivas 0 – Portland 5
    Saturday’s final match was the Diego Valeri show, as Portland asserted their supremacy in the West with a thorough victory in Los Angeles against Chivas.
    The Argentine Maestro scored the first two – collecting a loose ball above the left-post and slotting a right-footer into the bottom left corner of the goal after sixteen minutes and a second thirteen minutes later with a sumptuous right-footed chip from above the arc after intercepting a Jaime Frias pass and sauntering towards goal – and set up the third – tracking down a long Futty Danso ball into the right corner, cutting to a stop and shirking the challenge of Josue Soto, before rolling a pass into the path of Rodney Wallace, who touched a left-footer on to the far-side of the goal – before bowing out for the second half.
    His teammates picked up the slack with the Johnsons – first Ryan, then Will – adding a fourth and a fifth to complete the thrashing.
    Ryan Johnson potted in the 72nd minute, tapping the rebound from a Wallace shot into the empty net after Tim Melia parried a goal-bound shot straight to the striker and Will capped off the night in the 76th minute with a dipping free-kick from the left-edge of the box bound for the far-side of the goal.
    Chivas’ only chances of the night came through Cubo Torres, who had a penalty shout turned away and saw his header denied by Donovan Ricketts in the final ten minutes; will he return next season or is he Guadalajara bound?
    The horror-showing ends a miserable year for Los Ameri-Goats, who close out with five-straight losses, while conceding five goals against in three of those last five.
    Jose Luis Real looked to the future post-match, “This is a project, and it's important to say I came here to install a style, and it's a project that normally takes about three years to be fruitful ... It's going to take time. It's a complicated project” adding, “We know who will be here and who won't be here next season. Who we'll be bringing, and we also have a very clear idea the style we're going to play” but threw his own role into question, “Independent of whether I'm here, [or] I'm not here, the idea is going to remain the same, with or without me. The most important part is everyone has the commitment to move forward and move the project forward next season.”
    With the impressive five-goal performance, Portland clinch top spot in the West, will enter in fine form having gone unbeaten through eight matches, and, more importantly, their first playoff berth in their third year of existence, while equaling the league-record for fewest losses (five) in a season.
    Caleb Porter summed up the season with an eye to next weekend, “We all realize that it has been a good year. It’s been a fun season, but I think we are all going to continue to remain grounded, humble, and hungry and keep business as usual because that’s the process we have been following all season long. We don’t want to celebrate or reflect too much because we are focused on not just being in the playoffs, but we want to win it all. I think we have a group of guys in that locker room that believe that we’ve got a good chance to do it.”
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    DC 1 – Houston 2
    Sunday’s opener was the first of three matches that would decide the fate of the Eastern Conference.
    Houston needed to win heading into already-eliminated DC – a draw may have done, but they would then be at the mercy of other results – and it took them just eleven minutes to find that precious opener.
    Oscar Boniek Garcia lifted a ball over the DC back-line for Giles Barnes to run onto and James Riley was deemed to have done enough – with a slight tug after putting his hand on the forward’s shoulder from behind – to warrant a penalty kick.
    Garcia stepped to the spot and firmly slotted a right-footer to the goalkeeper’s left, Bill Hamid guessed correctly, but could not reach the well-placed finish.
    DC would come to life, calling upon Tally Hall to make a huge save on Chris Korb, before they responded in the 27th minute.
    Dwayne De Rosario fed Luis Silva atop the left-side of the box and he in turn laid a ball down the side of the area for the overlapping Chris Pontius. Pontius beat Bobby Boswell with a move and hung a cross up to the back-post from the end-line for Kyle Porter to nod down for the equalizer.
    Twelve minutes later Houston reinstated their lead from a set-piece – of course – when Brad Davis’ in-swinging corner kick was met at the near-post by Barnes, who got away from his marker, Silva to flick a header on to the far-side of the goal.
    The Dynamo would nearly extend their advantage before the first half closed; calling on Hamid to make a fine double-save on first Will Bruin then Brad Davis to keep the score tight heading into the second frame.
    Pontius would again be the centre of a DC attack and may have earned a penalty when Eric Brunner stuck in a foot, upending the attacker, but the referee waived play on, and neither side would score again.
    The loss – their 24th this season - doomed DC to one of the worst seasons in MLS history, setting a new mark for fewest wins (three) and having own-goal win their golden boot with four goals (scored on them, by them, not for them), though they avoided being the club to have scored the fewest goals in a season with Porter’s header pushing them up to 22 in total.
    Ben Olsen preferred to look forward to next season rather than reflect on this year’s ignominy, “I have a lot of faith in a majority of these guys. With the things that are given to us by the league, we’re going to have a very competitive team next year and I’m looking forward to it” adding, when asked what they needed for 2014, “Goals would help. Guys that can provide the last pass would help and getting more athletic and getting better on set pieces. Sure up our back line even more; you name it, we can get better.”
    The win – combined with losses from Montreal and Philadelphia on Saturday – assured Houston a spot in the playoffs for the seventh season in eight years, though they failed to find the same form that has served them so well in the past – winning four of their last eleven matches.
    Dominic Kinnear agreed it was not their usual surge to the post-season, “It was probably more of a different road than years past. We started out well, hit a rough patch in the middle and I think we finished pretty strong. I think we’ve lost one of our last seven, so in six of our seven we’ve picked up points, which has been crucial to get to the playoffs here.”
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    Columbus 0 – New England 1
    With Houston taking one of the three remaining spots, it fell to New England to win the return leg of their home-and-home series with Columbus and ensure they would have a place in the post-season ruckus.
    The Crew started the brighter of the two and the Revolution’s hopes looked dim when stalwart centre-back, Jose Goncalves, picked up a knock in the open minutes and looked to be hobbled.
    But Goncalves played through the pain and New England weathered the initial pressure to open the scoring before the half-hour mark with Juan Agudelo tallying in the 28th minute.
    Agudelo received a pass on the right-edge of the Columbus box from Andrew Farrell with his back to his marker, he back-heeled into the path of Lee Nguyen, attacking the box from further right, and peeled towards goal, receiving a return ball and finishing with a left-footer that found its way through Andy Gruenebaum, back in goal for the hosts.
    The match descended into a war of attrition with Columbus pressing forward and New England looking to hold onto their lead; it got scrappy and there were plenty of whistles – 33 fouls - and stoppages - injuries to Aaron Schoenfeld, Kevin Alston, and the goal-scorer, Agudelo - stifling any momentum.
    Those frustrations came to a boil when Dominic Oduro lashed out at Kelyn Rowe in the first of eight minutes of stoppage-time and was shown a straight red card for his efforts.
    Columbus, who were officially eliminated last weekend, will miss the playoff for a second-straight season and close out the run with a third-straight loss.
    Interim boss, Brian Bliss, was not surprised by how the match played out, “I expected that, when you’re down a goal and you make a couple of subs and you move some guys around the field you tend to lose a little bit of your continuity, that’s to be expected. The game was very sporadic, choppy, in terms of the flow, there was no rhythm. Between guys getting injured, guys laying down on the field, them doing what they needed to do in terms of eating up the clock, there was no rhythm to the game unfortunately, that’s just the way it was, it was their game plan and it worked and I can’t fault them for that.”
    And feels he is the right man to take the helm next season, "I know how I view the game. I know how I feel the game should be played and what needs to happen in training every day in order to get that end result. I still believe in those methods and views of the game. I'm biased. I would say I think I got us on the right track, but that's for others to determine."
    The win vaults New England above Montreal and Chicago, level with Houston on 51 points, but into third by dint of outscoring the Dynamo – 49 goals vs. 41 goals – to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2009.
    Jay Heaps was pleased with the accomplishment of his side, “Obviously you play for the playoffs. I think that we had our ups and downs this season, but I really think that we are coming together as a group. We are getting our young guys big minutes, big games, and they are winning games. They are finding results. I think that is really important for the development of players. You can talk about developing players and put them in tough situations and I think when you put them in tough situations they do well that learning curve is expedited.”
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    New York 5 – Chicago 2
    As the second half got underway in Columbus, the third Eastern match was about to begin – and what a match it was.
    Both teams had plenty to play for: New York were looking to win their first major trophy by vaulting back over Kansas City into top spot in the league and Chicago needed to win – or draw in a high scoring manner – to break their tie with Montreal.
    Red Bull(s), Metro-stars, the New Jersey Energy Drink, call them what you will, New York has a history of failing at the final hurdle, and six minutes in it looked as though a pair of alumni would doom them once more to that ‘Oh So Metro’ fate.
    Dilly Duka collected a pass from Arevalo Rios on the left, cut in-field and drilled a right-footed blast across Luis Robles. The New York keeper got his hands to it, but could only push the rebound straight to Mike Magee, who tucked a right-footer in at the right-post to open the scoring.
    It was a wide open match with chances coming at both ends and after struggling to string passes together through the opening twenty minutes, Thierry Henry would settle the nerves of the home side.
    In the 24th minute, the much-maligned Peguy Luyindula collected a ball from David Carney in the centre-cirlce, turned, and lofted a ball towards his fellow Frenchman. Henry took the delivery down on his chest, let it bounce and settle, before pinging a sweet right-footed half-volley towards the top right-corner of the goal where it dinked off the intersection of post and bar to level the match at ones.
    The sides entered the lockers at half-time level; when they returned, something had changed.
    Three minutes into the second half, Lloyd Sam was tripped up and from the ensuing free-kick, taken by Henry, Dax McCarty was denied by a brilliant save from Sean Johnson. Unfortunately for the Fire, the loose ball was touched by Ibrahim Sekagya then ping-ponged around, striking Tim Cahill, then Sekagya before bounding across the line.
    The goal was officially awarded to the centre-back, though who got the last touch was difficult to verify.
    Seven minutes later - in the 56th minute - the celebrations began in earnest, when a devastating counterattack doubled the Red Bull advantage. Robles rolled a throw out to Luyindula, who charged up-field before laying out wide to Sam on the right. The winger cut-back onto his left-foot and unleashed a curling effort into the top left-corner of the Fire’s goal.
    New York would add a fourth in the 77th minute – Eric Alexander, again from Luyindula (his third assist of the night) blasting a tight-angled shot through Johnson to the far-side netting from the right – and a fifth in the 84th – after a lovely touch inside from Henry and a curling goalmouth ball that was touched in by the left-boot of Jonny Steele – to send the home crowd and first-year manager, Mike Petke, into raptures.
    Chicago would grab hollow consolation for the five unanswered goals in the final minute of regulation, when Quincy Amarikwa – another short-term Bull – nodded in a Joel Lindpere corner kick – Lindpere too was once a New Yorker – but it would change little.
    The win ended eighteen years of waiting, as New York would clinch top spot in the East and hoist the Supporters’ Shield, as the team with the best regular season record, in front of a teeming South Ward
    Mike Petke gave an impassioned address to the fans post-match, “This is a great moment, for the players, for the staff, for the supporters, especially. It’s been a long time… It’s been a long time coming and these guys earned it. It doesn’t matter what’s written, it doesn’t matter how we played in certain moments, these guys gave me everything they had this year and this season. I’m at a loss for words” going on to emphasize, "This is history; tomorrow, we go back to work."
    For Chicago, the loss ended their hopes of participation in the 2013 MLS Cup playoffs, awarding the final spot in the East to Montreal – separated by a mere three goals-scored.
    Frank Klopas reflected the feeling of his dressing room, “Right now it’s a lot of emotions. I’m proud of the guys just the way the second half of the season [went] and we were probably the best team in the league in the second half of the season. Through adversity you learn and you become better but I think the group fought all the way to the end, it’s just unfortunate that early on if you get one more win it’s a different thing. I take my hat off to the guys because they competed. I know it’s disappointing right now for sure, but you have to learn from every situation and move on.”
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    Vancouver 3 – Colorado 0
    With the East all settled, it fell to a pair of Western matches to decide the final seeding for the playoffs.
    Up first was a chance for Colorado to stake a claim for a higher seed with the possibility of moving into third spot, at least until after the final match of the round sorted out the standings.
    Vancouver were eliminated when they lost the first leg of their home-and-home in Colorado last weekend and were hungry for a measure of revenge.
    From the off, it was clear Sunday was the Camilo-show, as the Brazilian forward went in search of the Golden Boot with a pair of early chances, each turned away by Clint Irwin.
    It looked as though the visitors would steal the lead in the 27th minute with Edson Buddle nearly turning in a chance only for some excellent defensive work from Brad Rusin and goalkeeper, David Ousted, to deny the big striker.
    Vancouver finally found their break-through three minutes before half-time when Kekuta Manneh was sent in down the left-side of the box and was tripped by Marvell Wynne, forcing the referee to point to the spot.
    The fans may have wanted retiring legend YP Lee to take the spot kick, but he deferred to Camilo, who blasted a right-footed finish straight down the middle.
    Buddle was again denied – by both the offside flag and a big save from Ousted – before Camilo doubled the advantage after 74 minutes receiving a pass from Matt Watson on the left before cutting past two defenders with an inside-outside move and finishing across the goalkeeper from a tight angle with his right-foot.
    Watson would almost set up the hat-trick – and Golden Boot clinching strike – nine minutes later, unselfishly setting up his teammate, only for Drew Moor to clear off the line, but Camilo would not be denied his award and Russell Teibert teed him up with a lifted ball over the back-line for Camilo to touch in with his right-boot in the 84th.
    Post-match Martin Rennie hailed a “fantastic result and a great performance” before showering praise on Camilo and Lee.
    The loss left Colorado sitting in the fifth and final spot in the West, meaning they would be forced to go through the play-in round on the road before reaching the playoffs proper.
    Oscar Pareja was disappointed with the performance, “When you lose a game like that, you can’t say that we came out prepared. It didn’t happen today for many lapses of the game, and we paid for that” something he will hope to address before the playoffs begin.”
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    Seattle 1 – Los Angeles 1
    And finally, the last match of the weekend – and the season – was a high-profile clash in front of some 66-thousand fans in Seattle with the Sounders hosting the Galaxy as they jockeyed for final positions on the Western table.
    With Portland and Salt Lake having locked up the top two spots and Colorado bringing up the rear, all that was left to be decided was who would be third and who would be fourth; fourth being forced into a play-in round.
    Desperate to turnaround a woeful run, Seattle came out the more aggressive of the two, taking their first shot within three minutes and turning the ball in after eighteen, though Eddie Johnson was flagged offside.
    They would have to wait until the thirtieth minute to take the lead – it was a goal they had been waiting for for some time.
    A poor Greg Cochrane ball up the attacking right was cut out by Brad Evans, who headed into the path of Johnson steaming up the right. He dished off further wide-right to Lamar Neagle to hit a looping cross to the back-post where Clint Dempsey managed to turn it in with a flick of his right-foot to tuck in his first goal in MLS – 590 minutes after making his debut.
    Unburdened, Dempsey nearly added another – curling a shot wide, before controversy struck to deny Los Angeles an equalizer.
    In the 42nd minute, Omar Gonzalez headed a Landon Donovan corner kick towards goal where it appeared to trickle over the line – replays showed it definitely did – before Osvaldo Alonso, who was inside the net, could swat it away.
    Neither the referee, nor his assistants, was certain, and play carried on, much to the chagrin of the Galaxy.
    Justly LA would find their leveler in the 78th minute when Gonzalez nodded a bouncing ball towards Hector Jimenez on the right-side of the Seattle box and he cushioned a header back to Robbie Keane, who sent a right-footed chopper bouncing towards the right-side of goal where Michael Gspurning could do nothing to prevent it crossing the line.
    A point each maintains the status quo – with LA in third and Seattle in fourth – so the Galaxy have a week to rest, while Seattle must suit up midweek to fight their way to the conference semifinal on the weekend.
    For Seattle, the draw did snap their four-game losing streak, but extended their winless run to seven matches – not the way one hopes to enter a winner-takes-all match against Colorado, who pounded them mercilessly quite recently.
    Sigi Schmid was thankful for the little things, “The most important thing is that we play well and get results. I think today it was important, as well, to stop the bleeding a little bit… We also played the team that’s the two-time defending champions and we played them even, and even had more at times. We just have to continue to know what that did for us and build upon it” continuing hopefully, “maybe luck is turning for us a little bit.”
    LA, meanwhile, face a difficult series against Salt Lake, but get some much-needed rest.
    Bruce Arena was his usual loquacious-self, “It was a good game in preparation for the playoffs for us. We’re pleased with that” adding, “We’ve done a good job and we’ll hopefully be healthy by the weekend when we play. We’ll be in a good position to be competitive and hopefully win the first series.”
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    CanCon
    As usual, the extended look at the Canadian contributions will be posted tomorrow (Tuesday) with plenty to look out for: a pair of goals, two assists, a sweet left-footer off the bar, one new face, the return of an old one, and perhaps, a contract.
    Overheard
    Apparently Chris Wondolowski has been playing with a broken foot since end of June.
    Mike Petke’s speech to the Red Bull fans after his side claimed the Supporters’ Shield:
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    Plenty of plaudits for Ramiro Corrales from his San Jose teammates on the eve of his final match, but first from the man himself: “It was very emotional before the game with my family there and friends were there. It’s been fantastic for 18 years. I’ve felt comfortable here the last few years. This has been one of the best locker rooms I’ve experienced in my career” adding, “My teammates are unbelievable. They made me feel very special tonight. I’ll never forget this night.”
    Mark Watson noted, “It was important to honor him,” interim head coach Mark Watson said. “He’s been great. He’s the last of the originals and he needed to play a part. He can still play at a high level. He’s truly a legend.”
    While Rafael Baca pointed out, “He deserves everything. He was the first to start the league and the last to leave. He’s done it all. He’s a great role model and it’s been great getting to know him.”
    And Chris Wondolowski summed it up nicely, “I’m so proud to have stepped on the same field as Ramiro.”
    A tip of the hat to Ramiro Corrales.
    See It Live
    Plenty of wee gems for one’s viewing pleasure:
    Be it, Javier Morales’ defense-splitting nutmeg pass for Grabavoy against Chivas, or Ramiro Corrales being carried off the pitch to raucous applause.
    Peter Luccin’s bear-hug on Walter Martinez in San Jose was comical, Bill Hamid’s double save was spectacular, and there was an on-field halftime marriage proposal at RFK Stadium – hopefully things go better for them than they did for DC.
    And DC had two goalkeepers on their bench and were still short a substitute.
    Thierry Henry’s move and pass for Jonny Steele’s goal was special, as were the scenes when it became clear that New York would win their first trophy – the Tim Cahill-Mike Petke hug, New York-native Petke welling up a bit at the emotion, then Henry walking his manager over to the fans to present the shield.
    Then there were some serious defensive heroics: first from Vancouver duo Brad Rusin and David Ousted to deny Edson Buddle, and then from Drew Moor to deny Camilo after Matt Watson’s unselfish play.
    Controversy
    A couple of decent penalty shouts were turned away – Chivas’ Cubo Torres PK shout was shouldered down in the box by Portland’s Diego Chara and Chris Pontius appeared to be tripped up by Houston’s Eric Brunner in DC.
    The only red card this round was shown to Columbus’ Dominic Oduro – did he deserve it or the referee just trying to defuse a chippy match as it came to an end?
    And what about the Omar Gonzalez goal that clearly crossed the line, only to be missed by the officials? Video Technology!
    Opinion Poll
    A little bit of un-fair play from DC’s Dwayne De Rosario who did not return the ball, preferring to play on against his former club, Houston, after Brad Davis put the ball out thinking De Rosario was injured?
    Fair game or a bit foul?
    Should the referee be the one to decide when play stops or are the players right to take matters into their own hands?
    Upcoming Fixtures
    The 2013 MLS Cup Playoffs are set.
    Teams that finished fourth and fifth in each conference – Houston and Montreal in the East and Seattle and Colorado in the West – face a short turnaround as they return to the pitch on Wednesday and Thursday for the one-match play-in round to decide who moves on to the Conference Semifinals which begin on the weekend.
    In the East, Kansas City will play New England, while New York await the winner of Houston-Montreal; out West, Salt Lake meet Los Angeles and Portland take on whoever emerges from Seattle-Colorado.
    Wednesday: Seattle-Colorado. Thursday: Houston-Montreal.
    Really it would be best to watch them both.
    A hearty congratulation to Red Bull New York - and especially their fans - on ending the long wait; proof-positive that there is hope for all the long-sufferers out there.
    All quotes courtesy of MLSsoccer.com
    For those who missed them, Rounds 33 and 34 are now available.
    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
    For the generation of Canadian players that burst onto the scene a decade ago and climbed the mountain to the Olympic podium last summer, there are still headlines to be made and hearts to be won.
    Christine Sinclair is -- almost as a matter of routine, by this point -- nominated for FIFA Women's Player of the Year (though it's tough to imagine she'll win, after inexplicably finishing outside the top three in voting for her career-defining 2012 performance).
    Melissa Tancredi, after taking a year off to go to school and prepare for a rapidly-approaching post-playing life, will be playing in the NWSL and returning to the women's national team setup next summer, head coach John Herdman revealed earlier this month. And Kara Lang's comeback from forced retirement continues positively, as she'll be on the bench (though not on the roster) as Canada plays a friendly against South Korea in Edmonton on Wednesday, as a means of reintegrating her into the team.
    But while Wednesday's game will give fans at a surely-chilly Commonwealth Stadium a chance to see their Olympic heroes up close and personal (even as we approach the point where we're closer to Canada 2015 than to London 2012), the real groundwork for the program's future will be getting put down in much more temperate climes.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The CONCACAF Women's U-17 Championship gets underway in Montego Bay, Jamaica on Wednesday, with the tournament serving as the qualifying competition for next spring's U-17 Women's World Cup. Canada has been drawn into a group with Guatemala (Oct. 31), Trinidad & Tobago (Nov. 2) and the United States (Nov. 4), and will need to reach the final of the eight-team tournament to reach the World Cup.
    And while the safe money is on Canada to reach the semifinals, the days of coasting to the finals of such competitions are long gone. While Canada and the U.S. are still the region's dominant squads, Mexico (Canada's potential opponent in the semifinal) has shown itself fully capable of big victories on the women's side in recent years. So qualification for the U-17 WWC, while likely, is by no means automatic anymore.
    Back in 2002, when the FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship (the precursor to the U-20 WWC) was held in Canada, 19-year-old Sinclair and 15-year-old Lang grabbed the tournament by the throat, scoring 13 goals between them and leading the host nation into the final at Commonwealth Stadium, where more than 47,000 fans watched a heartbreaking 1-0 extra-time loss to, who else, the United States.
    Eleven years later, with the senior national team playing at Commonwealth once more, Sinclair and Lang (despite not playing for more than three years) are still the centerpieces of the women's program -- but who will follow them? Who will be the next players to barrel their way into the senior team and make their presence felt?
    One good bet would be 18-year-old Kadeisha Buchanan, who won't be in Edmonton due to school commitments (as is the case with many potential members of this CanWNT team) but who has already entrenched herself as part of the senior team mix. Defender Sura Yekka, just 16, will be making her first appearance on the CanWNT roster in Edmonton, after impressing Herdman et. al. earlier this year.
    Whatever potential those two may possess, though, it's tough to imagine a pair of defenders having the same explosive impact on a team as, say, a pair of attack-minded players like Sinclair and Lang would.
    There are attack-minded players coming through the Canadian system who, again, are missing the Edmonton game due to school commitments. Summer Clarke, an 18-year-old freshman from Richmond, B.C., is the top scorer for Louisiana State University, with eight goals in 18 games, while 21-year-old Nkem Ezurike of Lower Sackville, N.S. is leading the way at the University of Michigan, with 10 goals in 17 games.
    Both Clarke and Ezurike have had success with the Under-17 team as well; Clarke scored a goal in the 2012 U-17 Women's World Cup, while Ezurike scored two of Canada's three goals at the 2008 tournament. With Sinclair and Tancredi both in their 30s, the senior team is aching for new blood to step up and fill a soon-to-be-growing goal-scoring void. Clarke, Ezurike and Adriana Leon -- who will be with Canada for Wednesday's friendly -- are three promising candidates in that regard.
    While Canadian fans should fully enjoy seeing Olympic heroes Sinclair, Diana Matheson, Desiree Scott and all the rest in action on Wednesday, and anticipate the return of beloved stars Tancredi and Lang, the long-term picture of the program's health is actually going to be getting painted elsewhere -- by players like Clarke and Ezurike, and by whichever promising youngsters step up for the U-17 squad down in Montego Bay.
    Because with Herdman now locked in until 2020, Canadians fans will need to get accustomed to the idea that Canada's squad at the senior World Cups in 2015 and 2019 will, necessarily, look much different than the squad that through determination, guile and good fortune, saw the flag rise in 2012. That, of course, means that the final results could also look quite different (though it's too early to reasonably guess at how different).
    For the time being, Herdman and the program find themselves at a crossroads -- wanting and needing to stay competitive, while trying to foster the development of that next generation of stars.
    All that can be done, as the old cliche goes, is to take things one game at a time. And that next game goes Wednesday night, 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT on Sportsnet One.
    It may not be a game that we'll still be talking about a decade from now -- but if this generation of players has proven anything, it's that they'll be up for giving the hometown fans a show.
    .
    Guest
    It's over.
    The long, frustrating, madding journey is complete. We all can nap now. The burden of our hopeless obsession is now on hold until next March.
    It ended ok. Just ok, really, because a win over Montreal, while nice, hardly made up for the disaster we have watched for the last 18-months. A little context about that: Toronto just became the first MLS team of the so-called MLS 2.0 era (post-2005) to finish two consecutive seasons with less than 30 points.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    It's historic bad. It's driven a once vibrant supporters culture into the ground and has made people legitimately worry about the future of the club.
    Many of us our numb. Anger is too engaged an emotion at this point. We listen to Tim Leiweke make noise about BIG.NAME.SIGNINGS. but it's just words. We've had words. We need action.
    If you are one of the last true believers out there that finds hope in this mess then God Bless. This is the sixth time I've written a season ending post. I simply can't join you in that thinking.
    I simply can't get excited by another meaningless late season win. It's better than a loss, but it's still two wins in two months and 29 freakin points.
    The only joy I have today is that it's done. I suspect I'm not alone.
    But, we will soldier on. As always, we will roll out our five part season ending review over the next five days. It will start later today with part I: What went right.
    The rest is as follows:
    Tuesday-- Part II - What went wrong
    Wednesday -- Part III - What went really wrong
    Thursday -- Part IV - Player report card
    Friday -- Part V - The way forward
    Onward, I guess.
    Michael Mccoll
    (Catch up with the series: Part One - GOALKEEPERS / Part Two - DEFENDERS / Part Three - MIDFIELDERS).
    Here's our thoughts. We want to read yours below....
    Forwards:
    It's been a good year for goals for and you have to wonder just how many more there would have been had there been some creative midfielders in there.
    Caleb Clarke
    Steve: (KEEP) - The residency player disappeared on and off the pitch at the beginning of the season which could have been an injury/fitness issue or some disagreements with the current staff. Clarke is currently on loan with German team Augsburg until the end of the European season at which the Caps could get an in form striker who could be an ideal fit for a new system.
    Michael: (KEEP but we'll sell him) - Really disappointed with the way the Caps have handled Caleb's development, although a lot of it has not been of the club's making as well. He has shown he is an out and out goalscorer and should have been ahead of Hertzog and Heinemann in the pecking order in my view. Now impressing in Germany and training with the Augsburg first team. He'll not be back and we'll sell him to the Bundesliga 2 side, but we could have used him this year.
    Christopher: (TRADE) - With Sam, Bryce, Gershon, Russell, Simon, and Camilo whenever his paperwork is processed, the club are not in danger of having too few Canadians. I say sell him for as much as we can get, and make sure we get a decent sell-on clause in the transfer.
    Jay: (TRADE) - It seems like the Whitecaps and Caleb just can't get it figured out. I find it hard to believe that Hertzog or Heinemann are that much better than Clarke to warrant their inclusion in the squad. Either way, it may be best to get a nominal transfer fee from Germany and take some lessons learned into future negotiations with our next promising young residency striker who can't help but score goals, Brody Huitema.
    Tommy Heinemann
    Michael: (KEEP) - I flip flop a lot on the hairy one. I loved what he was showing in the Reserves and was calling for him to get MLS minutes, then he did, but didn't impress me much. Giving him those minutes earlier in the season would have possibly helped. Still not convinced he is MLS quality, but he is at least a big striker who is good in the air and you'll struggle to find what he has the potential to bring to the team at a better value than his $51,975 salary.
    Jay: (KEEP) - There's something I kind of like about Tommy, and he's really excelled in reserves. If he could develop just a <i>little bit more</i>, he'd be a very useful bench player or occasional starter. Either way, he comes cheap so he can be retained without too much worry.
    Christopher: (KEEP) - Tom proved his value in Montreal. He represents a different kind of forward to the rest of our group and has done well in the reserves, often captaining them.
    Steve: (Keep) - The team's only striker with size excelled in the Reserve league and even had some bright spots with the first team. I expect the Whitecaps to bring in a couple of strikers and if each of them have decent size and ability to score from a header then Heinemann could be gone.
    Aaron: (KEEP)
    Corey Hertzog
    Christopher: (TRADE) - His skillset is similar to other players who are assured of their place in the squad. Might as well see what we can get for him, and make room for another project, or perhaps Ben Fisk.
    Jay: (RELEASE) - Unless he returns from FC Edmonton with a glowing report card from Colin Miller, I can't see why Hertzog should be favoured over some of the other youngsters coming up through the residency.
    Steve: (TRADE) - Another striker who had bright moments but was unable to do anything consistently and eventually was loaned to FC Edmonton for the remainder of the season. At this point I see Hertzog going but he could also stay depending on who the Caps bring in and some others who might stay.
    Michael: (KEEP) - I like Hertzog. I think he'll be a good striker and if I had to choose between keeping him around or Heinemann, I would pick Hertzog. I'm saying to keep them both as I think that both Clarke and Miller will be away and we need to develop one of them as our third choice striker. Not sure they will both make it through the summer if they do stay. But he needs to play to develop and if he is going to be pushed down the depth chart then it would probably be better for him to be released and go to the re-entry draft. His cheap at around $60k and I'm not sure we can bring in too much better for that price.
    Erik Hurtado
    Jay: (TRADE) - Unless the Whitecaps are playing a post season friendly with the BC Lions, Hurtado has shown that the Caps have players who are better, or younger, or both, and the problem will only get worse if Salgado returns. Time to see if the Whitecaps can trade Hurtado and get something back for that high draft pick.
    Steve: (TRADE) - The first round pick didn't have a great season and clearly was not the player marketed by the Caps and others at the beginning of the season. The fact that Hurtado is not a Generation Adidas player hurts as his guaranteed salary of $81,500 currently counts against the cap and there are better options like Ben Fisk in the system.
    Michael: (TRADE) - There were times this year I thought Hurtado may just make the breakthrough and we'll never know what an early goal might have done for the player. He was one of the most consistent Whitecaps players - regularly being let down by his first touch, and often his second and third as well. I'm not sure how much others will see in his potential for a trade and his salary will definitely make some baulk. I'd try and package him with one of our first round draft picks for a MLS veteran fullback or midfielder.
    Christopher: (KEEP/TRADE) - Vancouver doesn't have to trade him, but it's worth exploring what Portland, Chivas, or someone else would be willing to part with. The jury's still out on him. These are the kinds of problems clubs love to have.
    Aaron: (KEEP) Had a season goal of 5 MLS goals. Wasn't even close to that. Needs to work in his first touch and finishing for next season.
    Kekuta Manneh
    Aaron: (KEEP) - Has been a pleasant surprise this year. Needs to work on his on ball strength for next season. Still only 18 years old and his future his bright.
    Jay: (KEEP) - I've been high on Manneh since we drafted him. No reason to believe he can't continue to develop either. Hopefully, by the end of next season, he will be an integral part of the Whitecaps attack.
    Steve: (KEEP) - With his late flurry of goals the 18 year old has jumped into third on the team in scoring and when you consider his age and limited playing time it makes the feat even more amazing. While he may not be a regular in the eleven Manneh should at least be the first or second option off the bench when the team needs an equalizer or a winner.
    Christopher: (KEEP) - An 18 year old, domestic, Generation Adidas player, who when all is said and done, may be the star of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft when we look back on that class in a few years time.
    Michael: (KEEP) - Will be interesting to see how Manneh's terrible twos year turns out. There is a lot of pressure on him now to perform at the top level but I think we've also seen in the recent games that his touch can be wild, as can his shots. I like how Rennie managed him to an extent, bringing him on slowly, it's just felt too slow. Will be happy to see him as out first choice sub and occasional starter next year at the very least.
    Darren Mattocks
    Steve: (Trade) - After a decent rookie season Mattocks has regressed this season despite being given every opportunity to succeed as the primary striker. He will surely graduate from his Generation Adidas contract which makes the one dimensional striker way too expensive for the Whitecaps.
    Michael: (TRADE) - And possibly many other teams too. He needs to be shown the door. Hopefully he doesn't miss the opening. Disappointing second year where it seems that like Samson with his locks, we took all the undisciplined aggression out of his game and his skill and finishing went with it. Woeful misses and looking like a one trick pony. He could thrive in a team that plays the long ball game, but he's been found out and can't seem to bring anything else to his game.
    Christopher: (KEEP) - I would say trade, but it's a case of high risk, low reward. His value isn't too high right now, and in the right situation, he could become a superstar in this league.
    Jay: (TRADE) - He has the physical tools to be very useful, and will probably score a lot of goals in MLS. I just don't think it'll be on a winning team. He doesn't seem to <i>get</i> the game, and makes poor decisions, poor passes, and is generally just lazy.
    Aaron: (KEEP) - Let's face it, he was never going to replicate what he did last season. Had some bad luck and will need to regain his mental toughness.
    Kenny Miller
    Christopher: (TRADE) - He'll celebrate his 34th birthday before the start of the 2014 season. A decline is coming, and it will be rapid. Get as much money as you can, while you can.
    Jay: (TRADE) - As integral as he was to our attack, it may be time to cash in on the aging Scotsman. I wouldn't mind keeping him, but paying $1.12 million for an oft-injured poacher, who, if we're honest, isn't really great at poaching anymore, is pretty poor business. Time for his Rangers swan song.
    Aaron: (KEEP) - Contract extension shows he wants to be here. Hopefully he can stay healthy and continue his current success. If Demerit isn't brought back he is likely our new captain.
    Michael: (RELEASE) - The whole contract extension baffles me a little. I saw it as a ploy to shut some media up but also to try and get some sort of a transfer fee. Except who is going to pay it? Rangers may want him but he's ageing and they're flying through the lower leagues with their new crop of young talent. They also don't have much money to spend on fees. I'm a Miller fan, but he is too costly for what he can bring next season and all the injury risks. If they can release him without any sort of cap repercussions, that would be my way forward. Cite the old family couldn't settle excuse.
    Steve: (Trade) - When Miller was healthy he was valuable enough to earn his Designated Player status with his work rate and finishing ability. However he was injured for large chunks of the season and seems to be headed back to play somewhere in the U.K. with the only question being if the Caps can get something for him.
    Omar Salgado
    Jay: (KEEP) - One year on bargain basement salary numbers to see if he can still run or if his feet are indeed made of glass.
    Michael: (Prefer RELEASE but probably KEEP) - I still don't think we'll ever see him play in a Whitecaps jersey in MLS again. And we still don't know just what he can consistently give us. He was poor, then changed positions and seemed good, then have the injury mare. Have to feel for the kid, but agree with Jay that if we can get him in on a bargain basement salary then keep him around, at least until next summer to get a look at him. There has been no decision yet as to whether MLS will allow him to continue on a Generation Adidas contract.
    Aaron: (TRADE)- Next year could still be his first year where his salary isn't Generation Adidas. I don't see him being back next season in a Caps kit.
    Steve: (KEEP)- Another wasted year for Salgado who was unable to get on the pitch because of a chronic foot injury. The only way he stays in Vancouver is if the secret MLS council grants the striker another year on a Generation Adidas player as his cap charge is too rich for the risk of another injury.
    Christopher: (KEEP) - Out of contract, but with a club option and he's probably still a Generation Adidas player. I say exercise the option and hope for the best. Low risk and high reward makes it an easy choice.
    Camilo Sanvezzo
    Michael: (KEEP if we can) - There's no way the Whitecaps wouldn't want to keep him in any circumstances, but with the team failing to make the playoffs, getting rid of one of your few shining lights in the season would be a PR disaster. All that said, I think we have to be more worried about someone in Europe, especially the UK, looking at the stats and the salary and snapping him up in the winter transfer window. The hole that would leave in our attack is a frightening prospect.
    Steve: (Keep) - There is no question that the Brazilian has been the best player for the Caps leading the team in goals and helping create quite a few as well. He has professed his love for Vancouver as well as Canada and there may be a riot if he leaves but if a mid seven figure transfer is offered will the front office have something to think about.
    Jay: (KEEP) - There's no question Camilo is one of the greatest talents in the league. Let him have another 12+ goal season next year, and then get out the DP pen, and hand him a blank cheque.
    Christopher: (KEEP/TRADE) - Camilo is at something of a crossroads. He'll want another pay raise. He's working to become a Canadian citizen. And his trade value is at an all-time high. A bit of a sadistic choice really. Either way, it could come back to haunt the Whitecaps.
    Aaron: (KEEP) - Has got a raise every season since he has been in Vancouver. Has shown he is a true finisher. May be hard to live up to these goals next season.
    So that's our look at the strikers. Let us know your thoughts below.
    Lot of questions around a few of the guys though and who can rise to the occasion for another stellar goalscoring year. When you look back at the all the missed opportunities though, we probably do need to strengthen with a decisive poacher or two.
    And that now concludes our series, with the proposed look at the management team now shelved!
    Guest
    <i>[Match report from Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0 win over Colorado Rapids at BC Place on Sunday afternoon in their MLS season finale. Plus post game reaction from Martin Rennie, Camilo Sanvezzo, Sam Adekugbe, Jay DeMerit, Young-Pyo Lee]</i>
    <b><u>Report:</u></b>
    Camilo Sanvezzo hit a stunning hat-trick to win the MLS Golden Boot in some style and give Vancouver Whitecaps a winning 3-0 season send off over Colorado Rapids at BC Place on Sunday afternoon.
    The Brazilian's three goals took his season tally to 22 and gave him the outright Golden Boot title from Chicago's Mike Magee, in a comfortable team performance that just raised more "what if" questions.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The other big storyline of the day was the changing of the guard at fullback, with veteran YP Lee retiring and Residency graduate Sam Adekugbe making his professional debut.
    Camilo was needing two goals to win the MLS Golden Boot and he started lively, forcing Clint Irwin into a one handed save in the 10th minute from eight yards out.
    Irwin produced another stunning one handed stop four minutes later, when Camilo collected a ball from Kekuta Manneh and tried a curler into the top corner.
    The Whitecaps kept the pressure on, winning a corner, and Brad Rusin got on the end of it but headed straight into the goalkeeper's arms.
    The Rapids weren't posing too much of an attacking threat but had their best chance in the 27th minute when Gabriel Torres surged forward and fired off a shot which David Ousted could only parry before recovering and stopping Edson Buddle's scrambled effort on the line.
    Both teams exchanged chances, with Camilo coming close once again.
    The Brazilian finally got the goal he was craving when Manneh was sent flying in the box by a clumsy Marvell Wynne tackle in the 43rd minute and the referee pointed to the spot. The Caps top scorer hit a rocket down the middle to give Vancouver a 1-0 lead at the half.
    The second half soon settled into having an end of season feel about it, which was particularly surprising with Colorado needing the points for playoff placing. Both teams, Vancouver in particular, had some good build up play but no killer balls at the end of them.
    It felt as if the game was going to play out as a single goal win when the Caps doubled their lead from pretty much nowhere in the 74th minute.
    Matt Watson played a short pass to Camilo on the edge of the box and the striker twisted and turned Wynne and Drew Moor inside and out before slotting the ball past Irwin for his league equalling 21st of the season.
    He wanted one more to give him the sole lead and it nearly came in the 83rd minute when substitute Matt Watson unselfishly cut the ball back from the byeline and Camilo could only look on it disbelief when his goalbound effort was cleared off the line by Moor.
    The Brazilian only had to wait another minute before he got his magic moment.
    Russell Teibert played a delightful chip over the Colorado defence and Camilo took it first time to fire past Irwin for his hat-trick and his Golden Boot winning 22nd goal of the season.
    There was still time for the stadium to give YP Lee a standing ovation and the Korean legend came off in stoppage time to bring the curtain down on an illustrious career.
    It's been a season of ups and down for Vancouver, but it finished with a bang and not a whimper. The Whitecaps won. At the end of the day it all meant nothing, apart from the well deserved personal honour for Camilo. There were at least some promising signs to end it all.
    Bring on 2014.
    FINAL SCORE: Vancouver Whitecaps 3 - 0 Colorado Rapids
    ATT: 21,000 sell out
    VANCOUVER: David Ousted; Young-Pyo Lee, Jay DeMerit, Brad Rusin, Sam Adekugbe; Gershon Koffie, Nigel Reo-Coker, Russell Teibert, Daigo Kobayashi (Darren Mattocks 61); Kekuta Manneh (Matt Watson 73), Camilo Sanvezzo [subs Not Used: Brad Knighton, Andy O'Brien, Jun Marques Davidson, Erik Hurtado, Tommy Heinemann]
    COLORADO: Clint Irwin; Marvell Wynne, Drew Moor, Shane O'Neill, Chris Klute; Nick LaBrocca (Martin Rivero 57), Nathan Sturgis, Gabriel Torres, Hendry Thomas, Deshorn Brown (Dillon Serna 77); Edson Buddle (Jaime Castrillon 67) [subs Not Used: Matt Pickens, Anthony Wallace, Atiba Harris, German Mera]
    <p>
    <b><u>Reaction:</u></b>
    <b>Martin Rennie on the season:</b>
    "We finished the season really well tonight. The margins this season have been so small...It's one of those years where teams have done extremely well and I think we have."
    <b>Martin Rennie on the team's performances this year:</b>
    "We feel that we haven't really underperformed this year. We feel that
    we've actually done extremely well. Obviously we want to do better."
    <b>Martin Rennie on Camilo:</b>
    "We've really seen his development and progress this season, which has been fantastic for us."
    <b>Martin Rennie on Sam Adekugbe's performance:</b>
    "I thought he did a great job. Real credit goes to the people who work in our academy...I thought he really strolled through the game. He did extremely well. he hardly put a foot wrong."
    <b>Camilo Sanvezzo on winning the Golden Boot:</b>
    "It's very important for me. At the start of the season, no one believed. Just me and my family."
    <b>Camilo Sanvezzo on Carl Robinson:</b>
    "The coaching staff help me a lot, especially Robbo. After training I say, Robbo, please help me with some finish and every single day he's there with me, helping me a lot."
    <b>YP Lee on his retirement:</b>
    "I have retired from soccer tonight but I am feeling so happy this moment because it is exactly what I wanted."
    <b>YP Lee on his time in Vancouver:</b>
    "I will never forget the last two years in Vancouver in my life. So this club will remain in my mind as my club at all times."
    <b>YP Lee on having captaincy in his last game:</b>
    "I'm a captain but you know, there's many difference between imitation and original. I'm an imitation captain today!"
    <b>Sam Adekugbe on his MLS debut:</b>
    "It was really exciting. Once I got a few touches on the ball I was able to do some of the stuff I can do best but overall I think it was definitely a great experience."
    <b>Sam Adekugbe on making it as a professional:</b>
    "Growing up as a kid, I remember talking to my brother and saying I wanted to make my debut by at least 18 years old. This has to be one of the best experiences of my career. It's just the start but hopefully things will come in the future."
    <b>Sam Adekugbe on what he will take back to his Residency teammates:</b>
    "Just to show them that it's just another stepping ladder. We're able to get to that position. Just to show them that we can do what they can do. We just have to build ourselves as players, become more confident, work on the things that we need to work best on and things will open up....Hopefully a lot of guys can come through."
    <b>Jay DeMerit on the win:</b>
    "We want to end on the right note because it's a team that cares and it's a team that wants to get better and tonight proved that."
    <b>Jay DeMerit on Camilo:</b>
    "Throughout a long season it takes a consistent goalscorer to win the Golden Boot. These things aren't by flukes. It shows the qualities that Camilo has and brings to our team."
    <p>
    Guest
    Of course Toronto FC saved that performance for the final game of the season.
    Of course it was the final game of the year, long past the point of playoff contention, long past the point of meaningful soccer, that TFC decided they'd give the BMO Field faithful a fleeting, tantalizing glimpse of what they're truly capable of.
    And of course it's going to mean that the diehard fans who made it out to the "national soccer stadium" on Toronto's lakeshore on an ugly Saturday afternoon will read far, far too much into things as we head into another tumultuous MLS offseason.<break>
    TFC dominated the game and fully deserved the result. About this, there can be no question, even amongst bitter Impact fans.
    The real question was - what the hell has happened to Montreal?
    A team that seemed destined to coast into then playoffs - and may yet do so - stumbled into Toronto and made the third-worst team in the league look utterly sensational. Seriously, the final score could easily have been 3- or 4-0, if not for the fortuitous intervention of the crossbar and Troy Perkins' outstretched glove.
    I'm in no real position to discuss what issues may or may not be afflicting the Impact, though. My real purpose here is to say that at least - at the very least - the Toronto FC faithful get to end yet another blighted season on a positive note.
    Joe Bendik made a game-saving stop late in the second half. Stefan Frei, ever classy, took all sorts of time after the final whistle to meet with fans in what was surely his swan song in Toronto. The back line held firm - except for that Montreal goal that was notched off due to a handball call (whew).
    Kyle Bekker started the game (WTF?) and acquitted himself well (double WTF?!), while the upfront duo of Robert Earnshaw and Bright Dike looked, well, dangerous.
    Enjoy the moment, TFC fans. Because if history is any guide, most of the players who took the field on Saturday won't be part of the roster four months from now when the 2014 season gets underway.
    No, there will be another great purge (so long and good luck, Frei and Eckersley) and there will be more artificial hopes inflated (hello, aging European "stars", whoever you may happen to be).
    But what the hell. We've been through enough that we're entitled to enjoy a substantive victory over a hated rival, even if it's only for one night, and even if it's ultimately meaningless in the grand scheme of things.
    The TFC brass will ultimately talk about "progress", but of course that's bullcrap. Toronto FC finished with only one more win and six more points in 3013 than they had in 2012. Yes, in the strictest sense, that qualifies as progress. But the 2012 season -- one of the most dysfunctional, horrendous seasons by any club in the league's history -- should not be used as a benchmark for anything, other than sheer ineptitude.
    Even so, at least Toronto will have a lingering positive memory of the 2013 season, even if it's utterly undeserved. The reality in Toronto, despite all of the reports of the death of the city's supporter culture, is that BMO Field is still a tinder box. All the place needs (desperately) is some string of success to set things alight.
    The city is aching, painfully, for a winner, and will shower no end of love and praise upon the individuals who can finally make that happen.
    There's no use musing, at this point, about whether we'll see that in 2014 since, as mentioned earlier, we still haven't gotten to the great annual TFC roster purge.
    But for the time being, a comprehensive victory over Montreal - one that will, if nothing else, delay and obstruct their playoff aspirations somewhat - is not a half-bad way to end a season, by any stretch of the imagination.
    One would desperately hope that in future years, TFC can play its final game of the season with something on the line other than the chance to indulge in utter schadenfreude.
    For the time being, though, the team is what it is. And Saturday was what it was - a sign that TFC felt it appropriate to leave the best for last.
    Oh well, at least Tobias didn't show up. We've got that to be thankful for.
    Michael Mccoll
    The 2013 MLS season is all over bar one last shouting for Vancouver Whitecaps.
    There needs to be changes and there will be, of both players and management, and they will start happening from next week. Should these be wholesale or should the Caps keep a core and build around them?
    We got all of AFTN's writers for this season to take a look at the current Whitecaps squad and say whether they would keep them around for next season, trade them for more valuable assets or to fill positions of need, or just release them into the wild altogether.
    We continue the feature with a look at the midfielders.
    (You can read part one on the goalkeepers HERE and part two on the defenders HERE).
    Here's our thoughts. We want to read yours below....
    Midfielders:
    It was clear to everyone from early on that the Whitecaps midfield was the weakest area of the field, with no effective depth and very little creativity. Everyone but Martin Rennie it appeared, who was quite happy to keep the players he had and not strengthen in the transfer window. The results were clear to see for most of the season until the late change to the diamond formation paid off with some decent displays. Next season though has to see changes.
    Aminu Abdallah
    Jay: (RELEASE) - I've seen nothing which suggests Abdallah deserves the contract or development time ahead of someone like Alderson (or Fisk, or Froese, or Bustos.) Time for Aminu to bid adieu.
    Steve: (RELEASE) - This season's version of Tiago Ulisses or Alex Morfaw, Abdallah has shown very little in PDL and Reserve action to warrant a spot on the team next season. There were a number CIS and academy players that outperformed the Ghanaian and the fact that he takes up an international spot seals the deal.
    Michael: (RELEASE) - I'm prepared to go one step further and say he was one of the worst players I've ever seen in a Whitecaps jersey. Some horrible PDL performances. If he can't even shine at that level, what's the point? Have to really question how the hell he was allowed to not only fill a MLS spot but also a valuable international one at that. Give that $46,500 to a Residency prospect asap.
    Christopher: (KEEP) - I expect Aminu's career path to mirror Carlyle's. He's not ready yet, but he'll be well worth the wait.
    Aaron: (KEEP) - Will more then likely be loaned out next season to give him quality minutes to help with his development.
    Bryce Alderson
    Christopher: (KEEP) - He's 19 years old, Canadian, and homegrown. No reason to ask this question for at least another three years.
    Aaron: (KEEP) - Had a good season in Charleston but needs to start playing at a MLS level. Still young enough to be loaned out again but decisions will need to be made on his future.
    Steve: (KEEP) - He started the season with a knee injury, which hampered his ability to get a spot on the Charleston Battery right away. He is still way too young to give up on and should either go out on loan or be a depth player where he will get his minutes in Reserve matches.
    Jay: (KEEP) - We're getting close to time to make a decision on the one promising youngster. Perhaps one more season spent on loan, or even working him in to a few reserve games and substitute appearances.
    Michael: (KEEP) - Agree. Next season is going to be a make or break one for Bryce with the Whitecaps. His injury was frustrating to all, but the 2012 season was more frustrating for me as he showed well in preseason then wasn't given any chance to show what he had. I feel he's lost nearly two years development and really needs to have a good 2014, somewhere.
    Jun Marques Davidson
    Aaron: (RELEASE) - He been the fans whipping boy all season long. Can't see him being here next season. Sure his $78,019 guaranteed salary is a third of others but he hasn't played well at all.
    Steve: (TRADE) - People either liked Davidson or couldn't stand how he played negatively in the midfield. If the Caps are going to bring in a couple of midfielders I don't see them keeping him as a depth player. Not sure if any team will want him in a trade so a full release is possible.
    Michael: (KEEP) - Couldn't disagree more. He's played excellently much of the season. People criticise his defensive style but he is clearly playing the way Rennie wanted him to as a DM, otherwise he wouldn't have kept getting starts. I don't think he'll be a starter next season but definitely want to keep him on the squad as back up and for certain away games.
    Christopher: (KEEP) - I've always said that Davidson is at his best when you can't remember him doing anything. In that, he's the anti-DeMerit. He doesn't need to make a last minute tackle because he's usually already broken up the play through his awareness and positioning.
    Jay: (KEEP) - As critical as I've been of Jun at times, I do feel there's a place for him and his contract value isn't terrible. Ideally, I'd love an upgrade in his position; someone who could both be the smart defensive support, but also someone who can spring an attack as well. However, this is not our position of greatest need, so we should hold on to Jun unless something magical appears.
    Daigo Kobayashi
    Michael: (RELEASE) - Too little, too late from the Japanese midfielder. Was it due to Rennie playing him in the wrong position or just that he isn't up to the standard needed for MLS. In all honesty, it's probably both. His linking up with his friend Manneh was good the last few games, but I'm not prepared to give him another expensive season to see if he can do this for more than a couple of games a season. A busted flush and can't see anyone wanting to trade for him, so set him free.
    Aaron: (KEEP) - Fourth highest paid Whitecap at $238,833 guaranteed this year and third highest on base. That was the biggest surprise when the salaries where made public. I think he has had the Kenny Miller type freshman slump. Next year will be the season where he has to prove he is worth the pay.
    Steve: (TRADE) - When Kobayashi was brought in at the beginning of the season, most believed he would replace the playmaking ability of Chiumiento. Unfortunately he was put in a wide position by the coaching staff where he was invisible to the point that he could not get into the starting eleven. He showed flashes but was it enough for Rennie or a new coach to keep him at such a high salary?
    Christopher: (KEEP) - He reminds me of another Japanese number 10 who can't seem to catch a break in his preferred position. When he's on, he can be amazing. He has too much talent to let go. But he's not a winger.
    Jay: (RELEASE) - I've been a big supporter of Daigo's all year. I do feel he's been misused and if he had been played in a number 10 role all year and the rest of the squad had been focused on building the attack through him, that he would have flourished. Unfortunately, he only got a look there late in the season. Too little, too late, and we can't gamble on him finding his feet at that expensive salary.
    Gershon Koffie
    Steve: (KEEP) - There will be questions as to what happened to Koffie down the stretch of the season. Did the coaches mess with his game to the point where he got confused or does Koffie need to show more consistency and edge to his game. He has too much potential to give up on and next season should be given a chance to possibly play DM full time.
    Jay: (KEEP) - After two seasons of big steps forward, Gersh took a sidestep. Developed certain parts of his game, but stalled in others. At times it seems like there hasn't been enough room out there for Koffie when Reo-Coker is on the field, but there is still plenty of reason to believe Gersh can contribute.
    Christopher: (KEEP) - He's had an up and down season. It feels like he's been around forever, so it's easy to forget that he just turned 22. As much as I personally loathe the practice, Vancouver's 28 may one day be held in the same regard as 5, 10, and 21.
    Aaron: (KEEP) - The selling Gershon to Europe talk has stopped lately. Has benefitted from Reo-Coker's experience this season. Needs to start controlling his body on challenges to get the yellow card count down.
    Michael: (KEEP but TRADE if a good deal came along): I just don't get this love affair people seem to have for Koffie. What is it that they're seeing that I seem to be completely missing? He has a couple of great games a season, scores a couple of goals, but on the whole is far too inconsistent and can't control his tackling and often his wild shots. He looked ok as a DM and this could be the role for him as he certainly isn't the attacking or creative midfielder that the Caps are needing as a starter. I would gladly trade him for a more experienced, reliable and consistent MLS midfielder if one was to come along. He is not a $176,000 MLS player right now.
    Nigel Reo-Coker
    Jay: (KEEP) - I had written this big long bit about why we should release Nigel. Missing in action during the most important moments of the season, poor defending, goes missing for giant swaths of games. He's going to want a salary bump. Quite frankly, he doesn't deserve it. However, the one thing Nigel has going for him is that without him, our midfield would have been a complete abomination. Unless we go out and completely revamp our midfield, I think he must be brought back if only because we have no other options.
    Steve: (KEEP) - He may have faded a little in the final stages of the season but you definitely have to say where would the Caps be without Reo-Coker in the midfield? On some nights he was the only factor in the middle and made some incredible runs. However he hasn't shown enough to earn a DP contract that was rumoured in the preseason but should get a bump in his salary.
    Michael: (KEEP but only on right deal and there is dressing room harmony) - Can't disagree with any of the above. I wrote an article of NRC a few weeks back and nothing has changed my mind since then. He was the only midfielder to really come away from this season with any credit but isn't worth too much more of a payrise above his guaranteed $237,362 and certainly not DP money. Will he want to stay for that amount of money when he could definitely get more back in the UK? Can the right deal be done? How much harmony or disharmony does he actually bring to the dressing room? If the answer to all of these questions is positive, then glad to have him around for 2014. If not, happy to see him go and sad at the same time.
    Christopher: (KEEP) - He's performed as expected and no doubt will be a designated player next year. He may even end up as Captain on a permanent basis.
    Aaron: (KEEP) - Has been a reliable midfielder in a horrible midfield season this year. Needs to work on his finishing for sure. Still don't think he deserves DP money next season.
    Russell Teibert
    We're putting him in with the midfielders as that is his natural position.
    Aaron: (KEEP) - Has shown what a young prospect can do when they get quality MLS minutes. Will need to add more scoring touch to his game for next season. Adding 7-10 lbs of muscle can only help him attacking defenders.
    Steve: (KEEP) - The 'broken' Canadian emerged as a threat in the attack and established himself as a starter in MLS leading the team in assists with 8, despite suffering through a period of illness. Here's hoping the coaching staff next season recognizes how well his game is suited centrally where he can be a playmaker and penetrate the backline with his runs.
    Christopher: (KEEP) - In 2012, Paul Ritchie personally took Russell under his wing. Now he's learning from Nigel Reo-Coker. There's a reason he's nicknamed Canadian Soccer Jesus. He has nowhere to go but up.
    Michael: (KEEP) - As with Alderson, next season is going to be a vital one for Teibert's future with the Caps and maybe in MLS. He had a good two months this year, but that was about it and for me he is a little overrated, as his play the rest of the time showed. He definitely has potential and skill but these will need to be utilised properly next season to show consistent growth. Without it, I could see him moving on down the line, but I also feel that we won't have to worry about that as I think a new coach will bring the best out of Teibert. I do like his cheapness at $65,600.
    Jay: (KEEP) - A real rollercoaster year for the trendy youngster who at times dominated his side of the park, and at the end of the year lost his starting spot to Matt Watson. Either way, his technical ability and unreal work ethic is worth keeping him around.
    Matt Watson
    Christopher: (KEEP) - Even if Matty weren't a fan-favourite, an Englishman, and a decent footballer who deserves to play at this level, I'd still recommend keeping him around. His tireless work rate on the training ground can be infectious. He has a positive impact on those around him.
    Steve: (KEEP) - An honest effort and a high work rate is what you're going to get when Watson is on the pitch for the Caps. He may not be the most gifted player but MLS teams need players like him at his rate on the roster. He is a fan favourite and one of the unsung players on the team.
    Aaron: (KEEP) - Has been a decent all season. They need a player of his skill set to fill holes next season. At $79,251 guaranteed, he can fill many needs when injuries occur.
    Jay: (KEEP) - Runs all day, trains hard, seems like a genuine guy that everyone likes, and he's on a cheap salary. Don't see why you would get rid of him.
    Michael: (RELEASE) - Funny you should say that. I'll tell you why! Hard work and a lot or running can only get you so far and at the top level of the game you need more to be an impactful midfielder. As great a guy as Matty is, he doesn't have the skills to pay the bills. He can't finish, as he showed us last week in Colorado. Watson role in the squad is primarily to be the go to guy to fill in for injuries, out of form players, or to bring a refreshing change. We need a better player than he is to fill that role. If he took a pay cut and was the third or fourth in the midfield depth then maybe I'd keep him around, but otherwise not only can we do better but we should be expecting that we get better.
    So that's our midfield round-up. Do you agree with the guys? Or are we, or some of us at least, talking out of our ass?
    Let us know your thoughts below.
    Tomorrow, it's the striker's turn.
    Guest
    Well, on the positive side, Toronto FC supporters have got what they wanted: an opportunity for their team to play a role in denying the Montreal Impact a first ever place in the MLS Cup playoffs. Maybe, if they’re lucky, it’ll be a two hour reprieve from the monotony of 2013; meaning in a by and large meaningless season. It’s a narrative the club has been happy to embrace as they struggle to keep fans engaged as the clock runs out on another losing season on the north shore of Lake Ontario.
    Then again, this is Toronto FC. Would anyone find it even remotely surprising if they were to disappoint their fans one more time? What seems to have been forgotten is the necessary corollary of the Reds opportunity to play (potential) spoiler: the Impact can clinch in the home of their erstwhile rival. After seven years of waiting how painful will it be if the team celebrating a first playoff berth on the final day of the season at BMO Field is the one wearing blue?[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Of course, the Impact shouldn’t even be in the position of needing a result in Toronto. While it was always unlikely that they would maintain the blistering pace of the first part of their season over the entire summer and fall, the Impact’s collapse in the last month and a half has been nearly catastrophic. From Supporter’s Shield contention and nearly guaranteed a playoff spot to just barely hanging on. If Montreal had not successfully turned over the Philadelphia Union last weekend in their last home game they’d be on the outside looking in.
    One player who is unlikely to be taking part, however, is Alessandro Nesta. Listed as out with a “lower body injury” on the league’s official website there was nothing about the way the Italian left the field in the late stages of the Philadelphia game that would give anyone confidence that he’d be ready to return a week later. While much was made of the Impact’s reliance on older players, their staff have actually done a reasonably good job of keeping the majority of them available late into the season. It’s tempting to blame Montreal’s swoon on the tiring of those players but, even if that’s accurate, the Impact have still won more games out of their last ten then Toronto.
    That said, most teams have won more games in their last ten then Toronto FC. It hasn’t always been embarrassing but Ryan Nelsen’s (and Kevin Payne’s) 2013 edition is right up there with the other terrible teams of the Red’s recent history. Without a win, they’ll equal the low achieved last season of a meager five wins in a 34 game season. Even with a win, they’ll fail to reach the 30 point threshold and finish well behind the 33 points earned in Aron Winter’s first season.
    Yes, that’s right: Aron Winter’s full season in charge was actually more successful. If you told a Reds supporter, at the end 2011, that the next two seasons would both be worse would they have even thought that possible? The only thing believable is that Toronto has, unsurprisingly, had two more managers in that time!
    Maybe in a couple more seasons 2013 will be remembered differently. Maybe it will look like a necessary turning point that leads to a different Toronto FC. A young rookie manager was given a chance, a significant foreign signing was made, an MLS capable journeyman was acquired, and a young Canadian made an unexpected rise from the fringes of the squad to a regular starter. Maybe in a couple years there won’t be frustration over failed loans, missed opportunities in the draft, fan favourites frozen out, and talent seemingly given away for little immediate return.
    That, if it ever happens, will be in the future. For now it’s time to close the book on 2013. For Toronto supporters still invested in the travails of their stumbling club, simply getting to the end is an achievement itself.
    Michael Mccoll
    The 2013 MLS season is all over bar one last shouting for Vancouver Whitecaps.
    There needs to be changes and there will be, of both players and management, and they will start happening from next week. Should these be wholesale or should the Caps keep a core and build around them?
    We got all of AFTN's writers for this season to take a look at the current Whitecaps squad and say whether they would keep them around for next season, trade them for more valuable assets or to fill positions of need, or just release them into the wild altogether.
    We continue the feature with a look at the defenders. (You can read part one on the goalkeepers HERE).
    Here's our thoughts. We want to read yours below....
    Defenders:
    With YP Lee retiring, we already know that there's a big right back void to fill, but will there also be a clear out elsewhere in the defence?
    Sam Adekugbe
    Michael: (KEEP) - An obvious keep but we have to include him! Everyone needs to temper their expectations of Sam a little so as not to put him under too much pressure to perform. We're one of the worst I know, but we rate him very highly from watching him these past few years. He's a level headed young pro with a bright future in the game, hopefully for the Caps for many years to come. Next season may be too early to see him claim the starters spot but it will happen, and who knows? As Yedlin has shown in Seattle, it's talent, not age, that matters most.
    Jay: (KEEP) - An easy decision, with the only question being when he will appear regularly for the first team. No reason to believe it can't be sooner rather than later. If Harvey is kept, I hope it's with one eye towards Sam overtaking the starter spot by the end of next season.
    Christopher: (KEEP) - Sam won't replace Jordan in 2014 and maybe not even in 2015, but at some point he will become Vancouver's starting left full back, and remain in that role for the rest of the decade.
    Aaron: (KEEP) - At 18 years of age he may be 2-3 years away from being a MLS starter. Whitecaps need to start playing the young prospects more with meaningful minutes moving forward.
    Steve: (KEEP) - He's already shown in MLS Reserves that he not only can hang playing at that level but he can excel against men. Adekugbe will be the primary backup at the left back position and will see starts with the first team and the Reserve league where he will show that his age will not be an issue.
    Jay DeMerit
    Jay: (TRADE) - It'd be a bit of a heartless move, considering his recent marriage to a Vancouver gal, but with the emergence of Leveron and Mitchell, and O'Brien's new contract, DeMerit is good value to be shipped out. Perhaps he's just allowed to sign elsewhere, considering his contract is up, but it'd be nice to extend him now and trade him at the beginning of next season.
    Michael: (TRADE) - I don't think we can keep two ageing, injury prone, high salaried central defenders around. Something's got to give. I've never thought that DeMerit was as good as we needed from a captain and a player at a guaranteed $375,000. In the air yes. On the ground, scary. I feel he has great trade potential to some clubs and could get us the return we need in another position, but we will only retain his rights if we make an attempt to re-sign him. I'd keep him around if we could get him on or just above Brad Rusin money. If it's an offseason of upheaval, it will be hard to get rid of the club's poster boy from a general fans perspective.
    Christopher: (KEEP) - I'd like to see him take a bit of a pay cut. A rolling contract would be preferred, but it may take the security of a multi-year contract to convince him to accept reduced terms. His recovery from a potential season-ending injury has been phenomenal. Underestimate him at your own peril.
    Steve: (KEEP) - The Captain worked hard to get back into the lineup after suffering what seemed to be a season ending injury and he performed well late in the season. They can't keep both DeMerit and O'Brien. If he is willing to take a pay cut then he should be welcomed back as he is the "face" of the franchise and is a domestic player.
    Aaron: (TRADE) - They may not be able to afford keeping him moving forward. With his injury history it may be time to move on and look towards the future.
    Jordan Harvey
    Christopher: (KEEP) - The much maligned fullback has scored some important goals for Vancouver this term and earned one of the five nominations for the club's most valuable player. In a budget league, he's value for the money.
    Steve: (TRADE) - How do you trade a player who is the leader amongst defenders in goals? First, he is inconsistent in going forward and delivering a decent ball into the box. Second, Harvey is very poor defensively and seems to be always out of position. His goals currently give the left back a high value and could bring in some decent assets that will help the team get better in other positions in addition to looking for a more dynamic fullback.
    Aaron: (KEEP) He has had some highest of highs and lowest of lows this season. At $112,500 this season he hasn't played to his potential. I give him a 50/50 chance of being on the roster at the beginning of next season.
    Jay: (TRADE) - Harvey has a neverending engine, and puts himself in smart attacking positions consistently, but is rather poor positionally, isn't particularly good at 1v1 defending, and doesn't really provide quality service. He will have value, though, as a MLS veteran and having a career year in the goal column.
    Michael: (TRADE) - I fully expected him to be traded before the first transfer window closed in May this year. I do like what he's brought to the team in an attacking sense and always preferred him in a LM role. Defensively though, which is why he's there, he's been picked out by teams as the weak link and been attacked in a lot of games. There would be a number of teams keen to trade for his services and I can see him heading back East. His presence off the pitch would be missed, as he is a rare find these days, a player with a real personality that is a joy to interview and livens up the dressing room.
    Greg Klazura
    Jay: (RELEASE) - Although a quality squad guy, his early promise quickly diminished and it's clear he's no longer trusted. Time for the intelligent young man to go use his education.
    Aaron: (RELEASE) - Hasn't been given a chance this season. Too far down the depth chart. Don't see him coming back next season.
    Christopher: (RELEASE) - As much as I want to see Greg succeed, it won't be in Vancouver. Best to let him go and develop an academy player or draftee instead.
    Michael: (RELEASE) - It's just not worked out for Greg. We liked what we saw of him in the 2012 training camp when he played left back and championed him along the way. In MLS play though he had a mare and just doesn't look top flight quality. Rennie described him as a "project", but it looks like that's now over. Could see him concentrating on his medical career after leaving Vancouver. We wish him well wherever he ends up and will miss what became our traditional gameday elevator chats!
    Steve: (RELEASE) - It's apparently clear that Klazura is not ready for the primetime of MLS, even if he excels in training and in reserve matches. I don't think the Caps can get anything for him and if he is looking to continue his career in football then it will have to be in a lower league.
    Johnny Leveron
    Steve: (KEEP) - It took a while for the Honduran international to get into the lineup but when he did there was no doubt he was capable of playing in MLS. Next season Leveron will be the competition for a starting spot in either a central defender or a holding midfielder role.
    Aaron: (KEEP) - With all the injuries he was called upon to step up and he did just fine. May be switched to a holding MF moving forward but will be a big part of this team next season and a bargain at $71,187.
    Christopher: (KEEP) - In Johnny and Carlyle, Vancouver has their centre back pairing of the future... today. When they play together at the back, the Whitecaps are 4-1-1, and conceded a mere 6 goals.
    Jay: (KEEP) - Leveron is young, cheap, and has ice in his veins. Honestly, if you told me Johnny would be one of our starting centrebacks next season, I wouldn't complain.
    Michael: (KEEP) - You have to keep him, but you also have to use him or lose him. Where though could be the problem. Will he retake a CB spot or move to DM or even LB? Will be a key year for the young Honduran, but he is too quality a player to not utilise.
    Carlyle Mitchell
    Michael: (KEEP) - The surprise package of the year. We were fans of his but didn't know he was ready to be just as good as he proved to be. Great to see a player seize the opportunity presented to him with both hands. With a likely coaching change, preseason will be key for Mitchell or I see him falling into the back up role again. He's cheap as chips at the moment and deserves an increase on his $46,500.
    Steve: (KEEP) - No one could have expected Mitchell to be where he finished the season, especially when he started fifth on the depth chart and was loaned to FC Edmonton. He quickly established himself as one of the better defenders in the league after injury issues signalled his return to Vancouver, where despite a couple of hiccups became a solid defender for the Caps.
    Aaron: (KEEP) - Has shown he needs MLS minutes moving forward. Has played like a beast all season. I see him starting as a CB next to O'Brien next season.
    Christopher: (KEEP) - Although Russell and Camilo have given him a run for his money, I would say that Carlyle has been Vancouver's most improved player. If not for numerous and sustained injuries, he might have spent the entire season in Edmonton. Instead, he's made a case for himself as a starter next year.
    Jay: (KEEP) - Easily the best on the squad in the air, and one of the most dominant in the league. Mitchell and Leveron could be the starting centreback combination for years to come.
    Andy O'Brien
    Aaron: (KEEP) - With his contract extension you expect that he will play a huge part next year. Hoping he continues his mentoring of Mitchell moving forward.
    Michael: (KEEP) - I'm glad about that extension as I want to see him as the starter next season, but we can't keep both him and DeMerit and I have a fear that public pressure will see DeMerit kept on a lower salary and O'Brien will move on and probably back to England, which would be a mistake by the Caps.
    Steve: (TRADE) - After DeMerit went down it was O'Brien who became the leader on the backline but he couldn't avoid his own injury issues being away for big chunks of the season. His taking up an international spot would be the only reason that I would think he would leave. Of course if a deal with DeMerit can't be completed then O'Brien should return as a starter.
    Jay: (KEEP) - While he's getting on in age, O'Brien proved yet again to be a reliable leader at the back. He seems to genuinely be happy in Vancouver, and his no nonsense yet clever defending has earned him another year.
    Christopher: (KEEP) - For a while there, he was probably Vancouver's most valuable player. When match fit, he should play. Cheaper than DeMerit but still expensive at $230, 012.
    Brad Rusin
    Christopher: (TRADE) - Like the rest of Vancouver's centre backs, he's had more than his fair share of injuries. If DeMerit and O'Brien are going to be sticking around, he has to as well. If one of them were replaced by a younger player, he might find himself on the trading block.
    Jay: (TRADE) - He's done well when called upon, but it's clear both Mitchell and Leveron have moved passed Brad on the depth chart. He's too expensive to be your 4th choice centreback, so the Whitecaps would be wise to trade him to a team with defensive woes like TFC for another high draft pick.
    Michael: (RELEASE) - I don't know what it is about Rusin, but I've never really taken to him on the team. Just don't feel he's good enough for the top level. He's last in the pecking order now for me and his $120,000 salary can't justify that. If we could get a trade, then great but I can't see anyone wanting him on the current salary and with his injuries and lack of gametime this year.
    Steve: (TRADE) - There was nothing particularly wrong with Rusin's play this season as he showed he can be a solid depth player and a spot starter in MLS. However at his salary and the emergence of Mitchell, as well as Leveron, the defender should be traded. He could bring some allocation money which will help elsewhere.
    Aaron: (KEEP) - Has had such bad luck with all the injuries this season. Hopefully he can stay healthy and been a dependable CB sub next season.
    So that's the end of the second part of our 2013 player analysis. On the whole consensus was reached but some of the more contentious players are a little more polarizing, which I'm sure many also are to those reading this.
    In part three, we'll take a look at the midfielders, which yes, the Whitecaps did apparently have a few of this season.
    But leave your thoughts on what you'd like to do with the Caps' current crop of defenders.
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