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    Guest
    A beautiful night at BMO Field, when the home crowd were able to watch the newest jewel in the MLS treasure chest, who the Toronto GM thought would be a better fit on a different club.
    #GetUsedToIt (I think we can own this, at least for awhile)
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]







    Guest
    Episode 17 of <i>"There's Still Time"</i>, the AFTN podcast, is a San Jose post game pod.
    With the MLS Western Conference so tight right now, every game has a cup final feel about it and the Caps pulled out a vital 2-0 victory over San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday afternoon.
    We look at the main talking points from the match and hear some post game audio from <b>Martin Rennie</b>, <b>Nigel Reo-Coker</b>, <b>Camilo Sanvezzo</b> and <b>David Ousted</b>.
    There's also still time to look ahead to the Colorado game, Kenny Miller turning out for Scotland against the Auld Enemy and to pick over some individual player performances.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    This episode was recorded at BC Place right after the San Jose game, so enjoy all the background noises and horrible acoustics! We like to think of them as ambience.
    You can listen to this week's podcast on iTunes <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/aftn/id628306235" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>.
    Or download it for your later listening delight <a href="http://aftn.podbean.com/" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>
    We also have an iPhone app, so you can now add our podcast to your phone as an app. Visit the podcast's mobile site <a href="http://aftn.podbean.com/mobile/" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a> and then at the bottom of the screen just click the "Quick Launch" icon and the podcast will be added to your home screen and appear as an app.
    And if that's not enough, we've joined <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/michael-mccoll/the-aftn-soccer-podcast?refid=stpr" target="_blank"><u><b>Stitcher Radio Network</b></u></a>. Download the app and listen to the AFTN podcast on your device, along with over 15,000 shows <a href="http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/michael-mccoll/the-aftn-soccer-podcast?refid=stpr" target="_blank"><b>HERE</b></a>.
    Or you could just listen on one of the players below!
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    <p>
    Guest
    <i>[Match report and post game reaction from Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 win over San Jose Earthquakes]</i>

    <b><u>Report:</u></b>
    Another strong second half performance brought Vancouver Whitecaps a vital victory against San Jose Earthquakes at BC Place on Saturday afternoon, in a game which had huge implications for the playoff race no matter the result.
    In an ever tightening Western Conference, a Vancouver win kept them in the playoff spots ahead of the teams breathing down their neck, whilst a San Jose win continued their momentum and put them right back in the playoff mix and was the result most in the West were not wanting to see. A draw was what neither side really wanted but the visitors would take it.
    In the end, second half goals from the Whitecaps' in form striking due of Camilo Sanvezzo and Kenny Miller did the damage in the 2-0 win, but a return to form of Nigel Reo-Coker played a big part in the result.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The <a href="http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?4402-The-Wall-San-Jose-v-Vancouver-played-out-on-Facebook" target="_blank">last meeting</a> between the two sides was lively to say the least and with that history and recent form, fireworks were expected once again in this one. They never really materialised.
    San Jose came in looking for their fourth win on the bounce, with their previously forlorn playoff hopes looking revived once again of late. Vancouver's results were going in the opposite direction and they were looking for their first win in four.
    Vancouver made two changes from the team that started last week's draw in Portland, with Gershon Koffie coming back from suspension and Kenny Miller returning from injury up front. Despite nearing full health, it was felt too soon to risk centreback Andy O'Brien and he found a place on the bench.
    It was the home side who had the first chance of the game when Camilo whipped in a free kick from the left and Miller's flicked header went inches over and landed on the roof of the net.
    San Jose's response was a low long range effort from Rafael Baca, which was fumbled by David Ousted on his home debut and put out for a corner.
    The action settled and became something of a midfield battle and the tight game that was expected.
    Miller had a nice turn and shot on the edge of the box in the 27th minute but that was about the closest either side came.
    As half time approached, the ball broke to Cordell Cato on the edge of the Caps' box in the 39th minute and the former Sounder unleashed a fierce, low drive but Ousted got down quickly to produce a fantastic save.
    There was no further real action in the half and it was already looking like it was going to take a piece of individual magic or a mistake to break the deadlock in a tight game.
    That piece of magic nearly came from Camilo eight minutes into the second half when he went on a mazy from the left wing into the box, but his shot was deflected for a corner when he was eventually closed down.
    San Jose came the closest yet to opening the scoring in the 55th minute when a deep free kick found Clarence Goodson at the back post and his goalbound header was acrobatically tipped away by Ousted. It looked like the ball was going to fall for Chris Wondolowski, with an open goal three yards out, but the ball fell just behind him and it was the Earthquakes DP that ended up in the net and Nigel Reo-Coker blasted the danger clear.
    It was a huge let off for the Caps, but the game was now more open with both teams creating more chances and finding more space.
    The breakthrough finally came a minute after the hour mark and it was a goal of perfection that did it for Vancouver.
    Young-Pyo Lee did well to dispossess Cato on the edge of the Caps box and found Reo-Coker at the halfway line. The Englishman went on a bulldozer run, leaving three Earthquakes in his wake before creating the time and space for himself to play the perfect cross into Camilo in the box and the Brazilian finished off the move with some perfection of his own, getting on the goalside of Steven Beitashour and directing the ball into the bottom left hand corner.
    San Jose quickly pushed for the equaliser and had the Vancouver defence working hard. There were a few scrambles in the penalty box and Cato shot wide, but the Caps was holding firm.
    That strong defending reaped dividends when the Caps hit the killer second in the 74th minute.
    Camilo's cross field pass found Russell Teibert on the edge of the box. He took a touch and played it inside to Reo-Coker who mishit his shot completely but managed to direct it straight into the path of an unmarked Miller and the Scot made no mistake in firing home.
    San Jose just couldn't find a way past the Vancouver defence and the closest they came was when substitute Jaime Alas curled a free kick inches over with minutes remaining.
    Vancouver easily saw out the rest of the match and had some late trickery from Camilo and Heinemann nearly pay off.
    The result lifts Vancouver up to second place in the West for now. If they can continue to get results in the upcoming huge Western Conference clashes, then they'll be there or thereabout for while to come. A few bad results and they could fall out of the playoff spots altogether.
    It's tight and that's just what MLS want.
    FINAL SCORE: Vancouver Whitecaps 2 - 0 San Jose Earthquakes
    ATT: 20,100
    VANCOUVER: David Ousted; Young-Pyo Lee, Carlyle Mitchell, Johnny Leveron, Jordan Harvey; Gershon Koffie, Nigel Reo-Coker, Daigo Kobayashi (Matt Watson 75); Russell Teibert, Kenny Miller (Tommy Heinemann 86), Camilo Sanvezzo [subs Not Used: Brad Knighton, Andy O'Brien, Jun Marques Davidson, Erik Hurtado, Kekuta Manneh]
    SAN JOSE: Jon Busch; Steven Beitashour, Clarence Goodson, Victor Bernardez, Jordan Stewart; Cordell Cato (Jaime Alas 76), Sam Cronin, Rafael Baca (Adam Jahn 90+1); Shea Salinas, Chris Wondolowski, Steven Lenhart (Alan Gordon 67) [subs Not Used: David Bingham, Justin Morrow, Jason Hernandez, Mehdi Ballouchy]
    <p>
    <u><b>Reaction:</b></u>
    <b>Martin Rennie on the game:</b>
    "Really pleased with the overall performance. I think in the first half we kept the
    ball quite well without creating too many chances, but we were comfortable defensively, and then in the second half we created more opportunities and we've got a couple of strikers who put the ball in back of the net."
    <b>Martin Rennie on overall team performance:</b>
    "Today was definitely a game where you could look at every player and say you know what, they had a good game today."
    <b>Martin Rennie on defence playing physically:</b>
    "It's always a physical game against San Jose. They play a lot of direct balls, a lot of balls that you have to challenge for and if you don't challenge then you're going to be in a difficult position."
    <b>Martin Rennie on Koffie as DM:</b>
    "Really, really good. A lot to build on. I think that's one of his best performances for a long time. He did so much of the things we'd been asking him to do. I was actually really pleased with him."
    "I really think he's got the attributes to play that position really, really well and I think that's the best balance we've had in the midfield this season."
    <b>Martin Rennie on Ousted's important saves:</b>
    "Those kinds of saves win you games, win you points."
    <b>Camilo Sanvezzo on the team scoring more goals this year:</b>
    "I think we play more forward this year and we have more good players who can find a pass and this makes it easier."
    <b>Nigel Reo-Coker on his mishit assist on the second goal:</b>
    "I'm just happy a teammate got on that and we got the goal and we got the result."
    <b>Nigel Reo-Coker on the win:</b>
    "Make no mistake, that wasn't an easy game. It was a tough fought game. First half was very tight but to come through that and get the result, and at home, 2-0, it's a fantastic result for us."
    <b>Nigel Reo-Coker on what is expected from this team:</b>
    "Everyone has to work hard. Put in a shift for each other, covering for each other and then after that you have to go and play football. Express yourself, show people how much of a good team you are and how far we've come this season. For me, that was the best we've played this season....We're showing a lot more football intelligence."
    <b>David Ousted on home debut:</b>
    "It was perfect. A 2-0 win, the fans made it a really good experience. They were loud and they were singing, so it was great."
    <b>David Ousted on his defence:</b>
    "I think they did well again today. They were really good on set plays."
    <b>Gershon Koffie on playing as a DM:</b>
    "To play in the midfield you have to know both positions, so it's not difficult for me to stay back or to move forward, but I can make that run too sometimes."
    <p>
    Guest
    August has arrived and one of the more potentially interesting playoff races in MLS history is starting to heat-up in the Western Conference. As it currently stands only 8 points separate first place (and Supporter’s Shield leading) Real Salt Lake from the 8th place San Jose Earthquakes.
    The Seattle Sounders, Toronto FC’s opponents this weekend for a rare Saturday evening home game, currently sit just outside the playoff positions in 7th in their conference but, when you take into account their games in hand, actually have a points-per-game that would put them in 4th ahead of the Los Angeles Galaxy. Even with the Reds coming off back-to-back victories for the first time in over a calendar year the Sounders will likely view a game in Toronto as a great opportunity to make up lost ground on their rivals.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Earlier in the season I referred to the Houston Dynamo as “the anti-TFC”. The Seattle Sounders are another club that title could be properly bestowed upon. Since joining the league in 2009, two years after Toronto FC, the Sounders have had one head coach, made four straight playoff appearances, and consistently played some of the more attractive football in MLS. If anything, the only thing TFC-like you could aim at them is their ability to win domestic cups!
    2013 has been more of a struggle for the Sounders than previous seasons. A terrible start to the year, with a misfiring offense that just couldn’t seem to score, initially left Seattle well back of the playoff pack. Since the middle of spring, however, the Sounders have been winning more than they’ve been losing and the goals have started to flow.
    The major news of the last week in MLS, the addition of American national team captain Clint Dempsey on a heretofore unheard of transfer fee in MLS, only adds to a star-studded attacking group that also features former Internationale and Newcastle player Obafemi Martins, Dempsey’s American national team teammate Eddie Johnson, and club captain Mauro Rosales. Injuries had largely prevented that trio from clicking in the early parts of the season but now, with the addition of Dempsey, you would be hard pressed to find a more dangerous quartet in the league.
    With Toronto management failing to bring in the major attacking talents they targeted in the transfer window the Reds will have to rely on defense to continue to carry the team. With the exception of the back-to-back games where they conceded three goals against Montreal and Kansas City, Toronto has been able to hang around in games because they don’t often allow multiple goals.
    That finally paid off in a first 1-0 victory last weekend but, even disregarding the goal line clearances that kept New England off the scoresheet, it should be concerning that TFC’s goal came from a play that didn’t involve a single pass between Reds teammates and was Matias Laba’s first professional goal. It’s hard to imagine Toronto’s stuttering offense keeping up with Seattle if the game becomes an open end-to-end shootout.
    Even the return to availability of Robert Earnshaw is unlikely to spark much in the way of attacking initiative from Toronto. Since scoring 5 goals in TFC’s first six games of the season Earnshaw has cooled off dramatically. Once penalties are removed (which he converted but did not win), his 4 goals from open play in 1368 minutes is actually slightly less productive than the much derided Justin Braun’s 2 goals from 605 minutes. What Earnshaw does do is generate shots: he’s credited with 48 so far on the season, more than double the next best TFCer Jeremy Brockie’s 22. Considering that only 15 of those shots ended up on target, however, one has to question Earnshaw’s decision making around the box, and the fact that he is yet to register an assist in 2013 becomes less surprising.
    The other major line-up question facing Toronto head coach Ryan Nelsen is whether or not to hand Spanish midfielder Alvaro Rey his first start in MLS. Rey made a substitute appearance against Columbus but the need to protect the early goal saw him held out of the match in New England. He looked bright in the mid-week friendly against Roma, and more or less single-handedly created the play that lead to the own goal that got Toronto on the board, but had to go off after a heavy tackle.
    Considering that Rey is, to date, the only attacking player added by Toronto this summer (other than Academy graduate Manny Aparicio) there will be considerable pressure to get him on the field. Whether he can have the hoped for impact remains to be seen.
    Guest
    Whenever criticism of Kevin Payne has surfaced a loud and determined portion of the fan base has shouted it down, saying that he needs to be given more time.
    When other first round draft picks were performing at a higher level than either of TFC's first round picks, those fans would say that we needed to wait until we saw what Payne did with the allocation money received in the draft day trades.
    When TFC sent Chivas the No 1 selection in the returning player allocation order those fans again preached patience.
    When Luis Silva was shipped out the call to wait and see was once again made.
    Well, we've seen. Whatever allocation was going to be used this year has been used. Once the transfer window slams shut no more significant signings can be made. As I type this, it shuts in 13 minutes.
    So, this is it. You can make your assessments on how Payne handled the draft and the other transactions.
    I'm not going to bore you by repeating my position. I'm simply going to urge you to start judging current TFC management on what they are doing, not what those before have done.
    The first major judgement could come soon. Namely, what the club does regarding Maxi Urruti.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    That Urruti is a transfer target of the Reds is not news. This is a public courtship that has been going on for several months. However, the stakes changed significantly in recent days.
    When Urruti left Newell's Old Boys and NOB then claimed that he was in breach of contract this no longer was a simple transfer story. That was further illustrated when NOB issued a formal warning to TFC and the CSA to stop negotiating with Urruti and instead talk to them.
    TFC seems to be suggesting that Urruti is right and that he's a free agent. Thus, the Reds say they can sign him outside the window.
    If they're right then I jumped the gun at the top of the article. Payne does still have some time to bag his man and it's still too soon to judge the draft and moves.
    But, if they are wrong...well, they'd really best not be wrong here.
    The last time a MLS team found itself in the position TFC is was this past spring when Seattle was in hot pursuit of Obafemi Martins.
    The problem was that Levante wasn't happy about the Sounders efforts. A similar warning that was issued by NOB was given to the Sounders.
    This is where the story differs. Seattle, at the urging if MLS, backed off. It ceased direct negotiations with Martins and instead worked with Levante to find a solution.
    They did--a $4-million buyout clause. Martins was a Sounder.
    The reason Seattle compromised was because the consequence of being found guilty of the charge was too grave. In addition to paying Levante, Martins would have been banned for 4-months and the club would have been banned from registering players for two transfer periods.
    It's FIFA statute 17.4 in the transfer regulations if you care to look it up.
    If TFC continues on the path it seems to be taking with Urruti, and is found to be in the wrong, then this is the risk they will be taking.
    It's possible TFC is right and NOB's claim is frivolous. Truthfully, we don't know. But, TFC had better damn well know for sure.
    The better alternative seems to be to negotiate with NOB, only that would likely mean delaying his arrival until the next transfer window.
    Or, maybe there's a loophole and they can find a way to bring him in now. Regardless, it's going to take either some savvy or long-term thinking to get it done.
    Hopefully, Payne can demonstrate that he has both in the immediate days ahead.
    If he can, that's something we all could get used to.
    Guest

    Still Not Used To Kevin Payne

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Earlier today I had a brief Twitter exchange with Jason deVos to clarify why he used the phrase "supporters groups" [my emphasis] in his question to Kevin Payne that prompted the "get used to it" response.
    I pointed out to Jason that there is far from consensus inside both main groups about friendlies and that a great many non-SG members find friendlies equally needless distractions. You can read part of the coversation here:[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/BHTC_Mike">@BHTC_Mike</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/bgnewf">@bgnewf</a> It was very evident in the booth how quiet the stadium was, because of the absence of the SGs. No atmosphere at all.</p>— Jason deVos (@jasondevos) <a href="https://twitter.com/jasondevos/statuses/365468199879311360">August 8, 2013</a></blockquote>
    <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
    Sadly, judging by the comments here on CSN, because of deVos’ phrasing a great number of people already see this as an issue of the groups versus everyone else. Apparently, to some, “putting supporters groups in their place” is still a way to win admiration.
    DeVos’ point was that, at the time he was asking the question (with the groups basically taking the night off), the atmosphere in the stadium was absolutely moribund outside of an occasional cheer for Totti. I was there myself and cringed and felt sorry for the few folks trying to raise cheers for TFC. For long-time Canadian soccer supporters, being embarrassed to cheer for the home team is not the sort of environment we want to return to. In that sense, I’d also take issue with Payne’s assertion that the reasonably big crowd meant that TFC fans were enjoying themselves at the game.
    In light of that, I think it's worth reflecting on what the groups bring to TFC. Yes, being in the cheap seats means that they contribute proportionally less revenue directly but, in essence, they're partners in marketing to the people who do. No, people shouldn't be going to "see the supporters" but a good atmosphere adds to the game-day experience and the organization has never been hesitant to sell that. In fact, stadium atmosphere ranks right beside the attraction of seeing live local soccer in the way that MLS has marketed itself as a league since the advent of TFC (and before in a few markets, notably Payne's DC United).
    There was a time when TFC didn't have to worry about atmosphere and the groups were only part of the mosaic of the vocal portion club's in-stadium support. But seven years of losing and four years of price increases destroyed that in large parts of the stadium, including the South End. Isolated pockets still exist but there are times where, during regular league games, I can see up to half of 115 and 116 sitting during TFC games. Far less than half participate in songs and chants. Even fewer contribute to the visual atmosphere through flags, banners, or more elaborate organized tifos.
    So, in that context, when the groups take a night off the thing that most set the TFC match experience apart from the rest of the Toronto sports scene basically disappears. That IS important and means that their legitimate concerns should be listened to. That isn't to say that the supporters groups should be running the club - Lord, help us! – or have a veto on any decision but dialogue should be a minimum.
    And “get used to it” isn’t a dialogue. In fact, it sounded much more like exasperation at (maybe one particular member of) the media's consistent raising of the issue of supporter dissatisfaction with the practice.
    For the record: I’m a rare supporter who endorses mid-season friendlies. I think that there are a whole lot of soccer and non-soccer reasons that they’re useful in an emerging league like MLS. I’ve generally looked forward to their announcement and tried to attend, so long as the ticket prices were reasonable, even if I’ve never really left satisfied that the game matched my expectations and that attending was a good use of my time.
    But Payne's comments were, in my opinion, inarguably needlessly disdainful, contemptuous, and arrogant. If you listen to the clip you can hear Jason DeVos laugh awkwardly in response while he searches for a way to rationalize what he just heard. Payne didn't carerfully explain the competing priorities that TFC is balancing when scheduling a friendly and why they're useful: he started with the premise that the opinion of those who don't like them doesn't matter.
    And that should be the concerning thing if you want to believe that TFC finally has the right people in charge because contemptuous, disdainful arrogance was a part of Kevin Payne's reputation when he left DC United. It hadn’t been all sunshine and roses there for quite a few years and there was a not insignificant portion of United’s fan base and media that had long since grown weary of Payne’s attitude. It's a part of his record that TFC hasn't been mentioning (obviously) and a lot of fans are happy to ignore.
    Of course, there’s a fine, fine line, mostly assumed through hindsight, between arrogance and confidence. Success has a lot to do with it.
    Some might suggest that a new President, happy to ignore prior failures at his new club, hiring a completely inexperienced head coach, who was still an active player at the time, because he was absolutely confident that he could project said hire's suitability to coaching was a symptom of that arrogance. Or regularly suggesting big name signings and raising fan expectations before the deals are completed. Or being, charitably, somewhat hyperbolic in the description of an Israeli centre back.
    Whether Kevin Payne is remembered in Toronto as confident or arrogant is, rightfully, years away from being decided. But to simply ask the question, or point out uncomfortable prior history, seems to be offensive to some members of the TFC community. Bearing in mind the history at this club and of Kevin Payne, that seems to me at least, more than a little unfair itself.
    Guest
    Toronto FC played AS Roma on Wednesday night, in the biggest international friendly our country has seen since Kitchener-Waterloo United of the fourth-division USLPDL played 18-time Portuguese Primiera Liga winners Sporting Lisbon. (Yes, that really happened.)
    Like many people, I found other ways to occupy myself, having made my opinion of these mid-season exhibitions abundantly clear in the past. But when returning home (by which I mean Twitter) at the end of the night, I noticed that the prevailing sentiment in my timeline was that team president Kevin Payne had apparently made shocking, arrogant and unacceptable comments during an interview conducted with Luke Wileman and Jason de Vos during the second half of the game broadcast.
    So, did he?
    Well, that's dependent on who you ask, of course. But below is a full transcript of that interview. Decide for yourself.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]Wileman: Kevin, talk to us a little bit about what this night means to Toronto FC, to have a club like Roma here.
    Payne: Well, y'know, it's a great night. Obviously we want to play these kinds of games against major international opponents. I think that our fans are getting a huge kick out of it; you can see how good the crowd is here tonight, very animated. It's been a good game. I mean, the quality of football's been very good, and I think our team has played very well.
    de Vos: Kevin, the supporters groups that have created such a great atmosphere here have voiced their dislike of games like this. They've, in many respects, some of them (have) not shown up tonight. What do you say to fans to try to get that balancing act (inaudible) ... try to be competitive in MLS first?
    Payne: We're gonna play these games.
    de Vos: So it's as simple as that?
    Payne: It's as simple as that.
    de Vos: So the supporters clubs, they don't want it to happen...
    Payne: They should get used to it. We're gonna play these games. I don't think it's a detriment. This would be the hard day of training for our team anyway. For our young players that are on the field now, for instance, how much is this game worth, to play against teams like this?
    de Vos: No doubt there's experience to be gained. There are no Academy players on the bench. They were involved last year (in a friendly against Liverpool). Is there a reason for that?
    Payne: Well, Canada took Manu (Manny Aparicio, who has just signed a first-team contract with the team) off to the U18 camp; we were hoping Manu would be available to play in this, but they wanted him to come to the U18 camp. So unfortunately he's not here. We have enough numbers without using the Academy kids. There's a couple of guys here that haven't gotten a lot of time with the first team, like (Mark) Bloom. We have new players like (Alvaro) Rey and, um...
    Wileman: We're going to see Michael Thomas coming in soon as well.
    Payne: And, yeah, (Jonas) Elmer. So we wanted to make sure that they get a good, long run. A solid run.
    Wileman: No Ryan Nelsen tonight; away on business, we're told. Could you shed a little light on that?
    Payne: Not a whole lot. I can just tell you he's away. Obviously our (transfer) window closes (Thursday) night, and he's away trying to see if we can get something finalized.
    de Vos: You've said in weeks past that you're going to be adding attacking talent, hopefully designated-player attacking talent, in this transfer window. (Anyone) you're expecting to unveil to the fans (Thursday)?
    Payne: Well, I don't know about (Thursday). One of the guys we're looking at probably isn't really subject to the transfer window, and he's probably actually a free player, because of a technicality, a legal matter.
    de Vos: Is that Max Urruti?
    Payne: (laughs)
    de Vos: I'm putting you on the spot here, Kevin.
    Payne: It might be.
    de Vos: Because there's been reports out of Argentina that there's been a lot of confusion about his status, whether he's still under contract at Newell's Old Boys or if he is able to leave the club and (join) Toronto FC, if you were interested in him. Is that one of the players that you're speaking of?
    Payne: Well, he certainly is a player that we've pursued. We thought we had a deal done with Newell's way back in January. So he's a player we like a lot, who we think would make a huge impact. He's got a... complicated relationship with Newell's, put in that way. So we'll see how that all works out. There are other players that we're looking at as well. We may not end up adding the DP player that we'd like to. We're not going to force it.
    de Vos: Do you look at the Luis Silva trade, which you made to free up room to bring in these attacking talents... if those deals don't come off, do you look at that Luis Silva trade as a mistake now?
    Payne: No, not necessarily. Luis has done well in D.C. [editor's note: three goals in three games, to be precise], and we're happy for him, we like Luis. But Luis leaving is going to mean more time in the middle of the park for Jonathan Osorio, which is where we think his position is going to be.
    de Vos: Do you think Osorio has the quality (inaudible) for that dominant, attacking force you need in midfield in Major League Soccer?
    Payne: Probably not today.
    de Vos: Long-term, though, you see that as his role?
    Payne: Yeah. He definitely could be a very effective player if we ended up playing more of a 4-3-2-1-type system. If he's the second midfielder, he's very technical then. He's not necessarily the steamer, the guy who can run the show, yet. He's only 20 years old. But we think he's as good as any young player in Major League Soccer.
    (game play-by-play)
    Wileman: Kevin, I want to get your thoughts on basically what nearly everybody across North America in the soccer community has been talking about over the last few days, and that's Clint Dempsey's arrival back in Major League Soccer. ... There has been a little bit of controversy about the way he got (to Seattle) and that maybe it's the rich getting richer, but is this just a great move for Major League Soccer as a whole?
    Payne: Well, it's pretty safe to say that Clint was only going to go to the rich; he's not making minimum salary. No, I personally don't have any issues with the way it happened. I think there was a lot of transparency within the league, not necessarily with the media. But I think Clint Dempsey's in a place that he wanted to end up, and it's a club that can properly monetize it and make sense out of that investment, and I think it's going to be great for the league.
    de Vos: Do you think the league have overpaid for him? He's not going to get that kind of money anywhere else in the world.
    Payne: Well, I don't know what kind of money he's getting, Jason. Maybe you know more than I do. (laughs all around) Look, obviously a player like Clint has value to us in ways he wouldn't have in Italy or even England. (inaudible)... because of his national-team credentials.
    The "get used to it" line quickly became a rallying point for disgruntled fans on Twitter, who used the hashtag #GetUsedToIt to show their disdain for Payne and, well, lots of other things about the team (as happens often with TFC). Of course, as you can see, Payne also spoke about transfer targets, Jonathan Osorio's role and Clint Dempsey's return to MLS, so it's not as though the bulk of the chat was used to trash the fanbase. Still, the "get used to it" sentiment seemed to resonate loudest with some of the team's most ardent fans.
    I'm not in a position to tell anyone what to think about this, or where they sit on some imaginary TFC supporter hierarchy. If you're a season-ticket holder who happily attended the Roma friendly and thinks Payne's remarks are right on the money, nobody's in any position to say you're less of a fan, or that you care less about the team. I've long said that I'll gladly stand (or sit) beside anyone who has a legitimate emotional connection to the side, even if the nature of that connection is a bit different than mine. "All For One" and all that, right?
    At the same time, while I've never been a season-ticket holder or a member of any supporters group, I know plenty of very good people who strongly identify as members of U-Sector or the Red Patch Boys. And though I've never been fully on the inside, I've gained enough of a view to know that while a love of Toronto soccer is what brought these people together in the first place, they've also formed very close bonds with each other and with their group identity.
    And, oh yeah, there is the indisputable fact that for most of the club's existence, throughout all of the losing, the turmoil and the constant roster turnover, the club has used the supporters as a marketing tool. "Come down to BMO Field, be a part of the jumping, signing, dancing, the signs, the tifos, the experience!"
    All of which were, of course, predominantly the product of the time, effort and investment of the supporters themselves. This does not give the supporters carte blanche or the right to everything they want, of course, nor does it mean their status is beyond reproach. But for a team to act as though people who, of their own volition, have gone the extra mile to enhance the gameday experience for all fans (and by extension, the club itself) are nothing more than passive, disposable consumers is disingenuous at best, and self-destructive at worst.
    This is not to say that was Payne's intention with his comment. While Payne has much more experience speaking into a live microphone than I do, I can tell you that things don't always come out in the way you intend. Word choice and tone of voice can be misconstrued and endlessly over-analyzed. And while previous comments by Payne (again, about the Roma friendly and supporters' thoughts on it) suggest he doesn't put much weight in the rapidly-tweeted thoughts of supporters, there is every possibility that his remarks during Wednesday's interview were simply clumsy, rather than malicious.
    Even so, the sense of tribalism that's innate to sports fandom gets kicked into overdrive when people have consciously demarcated themselves along specific lines. So whatever the merits (or lack thereof) of a comment by a team president when it comes to supporters, the people who mindfully self-identify as such will quite often feel as though they're personally being praised/insulted/ignored/etc. It's human nature.
    While I don't take personal offence to what Payne said, his cavalier attitude towards the deeply-held feelings of some supporters does annoy me. More so than anything, it just seems like a questionable business practice, don't you think?
    Still, some people are really pissed off. As they have every right to be.
    Some people think this is a tempest in a teapot, and that the friendlies are a great thing. As they have every right to think.
    And a whole lot of people -- the sort who head down to BMO Field on a Saturday afternoon on a whim, because they heard "the FC" was playing -- will never read this, don't know what CSN is, and would probably recoil in confused disgust if they ever heard the word "Squizz".
    That last group? That is the largest group of all, by far, in the city of Toronto. The group that Payne, and previous TFC regimes, and the management of other MLS clubs, see as their key targets for growth. The soccer-aware group who may hear "Real Madrid" or "Liverpool" or "Roma" and think "hey, cool, why don't we go see that?" and then, ideally, come back to the MLS park a few more times down the road.
    Whatever the supporters (myself included) may want to tell ourselves, that group does exist (to what degree, no one knows). And whatever we may want to tell ourselves, clubs (including ours) will continue to pander to that group in an effort to sell tickets and increase their own profit margin. (That seems like a less questionable business practice.)
    We don't have to like it or embrace it. But surely we have to understand that it's the truth... which, ultimately, is probably exactly what Payne was trying to get across in the first place.
    Ultimately, Kevin Payne can personally come to my home and call me every swear word in the book; if it means that he'd be the man to finally right the ship at TFC and turn the squad from a perennial laughing-stock into a perennial contender, I would take that deal in a heartbeat.
    At the same time, I still believe these friendlies are a waste of time, and take away (both in terms of perception, and resources) from what should be the team's main goal: Success in the games that actually matter.
    And I'm going to continue to express that opinion on this website, on Twitter, and through whatever other means I have at my disposal, even if management appears to believe that those who feel the way I do should simply shut up and accept precisely what we're given.
    Get used to it, Mr. Payne.
    .
    Guest

    Looking through the....transfer window

    By Guest, in AFTN,

    Tick tock counts down the clock and today Humpty wants to look through the....transfer window.
    The latest MLS international transfer window closes tomorrow and Vancouver Whitecaps are going to have to act quick if they are to strengthen their squad from outwith Major League Soccer.
    Whilst this window closes, there are still other options open, with the roster freeze deadline not until 5pm ET on Friday September 13th. Unlucky for some? Well it could be for the Caps in the ever tightening Western playoff race if they don't make some smart moves. Their main rivals certainly have.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    The current secondary transfer window means that the Caps have until the end of today to add a player who is currently under contract in another country. They can still undertake trades in MLS, sign out of contract free agents and add homegrowns.
    The Whitecaps have made it clear for many months now that they are not going to do a mass clear out of playing personnel like we saw last summer.
    Whilst that tinkerfree statement is good for stability, it also painted them somewhat into a corner. What if they needed to make more wholesale changes because what they had wasn't working, as early season form was close to suggesting?
    As it stands, a major upturn in form has seen Martin Rennie consistently talking about just adding one or two players and being happy with the squad he has.
    As things stand, goalkeeper David Ousted is that one player.
    There is no doubt that all of last year's tinkering affected the team dynamics and results on the pitch suffered as a result. If you've been reading this blog or listening to our podcasts of late you'll already know that I feel that although the dynamics and harmony of the Caps squad right now are great, the depth isn't.
    If they want to build on their start so far and make that final push to not just make the playoffs, but to actually go a little deeper in them this time around, they need to make some additions and strengthen the depth of the squad.
    It doesn't look like it's going to happen and we probably won't see most of the cuts or trades I'm looking for till after the season finishes, but I'm all for shipping out some players.
    When injuries and suspensions kick in, as they did for the game at the weekend in Portland, you need to have players on the squad capable of coming in to the gameday eighteen, sitting on the bench, and giving some hope that they can step up to the plate if needed.
    When that bench at Piggy Park consisted of Aminu Abdallah and Greg Klazura, you know you have some problems in the depth department.
    We'll come back to our horribly light midfield in a bit, but starting at the back, we need two additions in defence to get us through to the end of the season, then a full re-evaluation of all of the positions.
    We are two full back injuries away from some serious problems.
    YP Lee will retire at the end of the year and has had a mixed season so far. Whilst Nigel Reo-Coker is nice cover there, it is a waste of his talents and we badly need him in the middle of the park.
    As much as we've championed Greg Klazura, you have to feel his days are numbered in Vancouver, so a new right back is a must. The necessity of getting in Lee's replacement in this transfer window is not pressing. Getting a capable back up in to see us through to December is.
    Some fans had hoped that Canadian international Adam Straith would be that guy, but his training spell in Vancouver is over and he had headed back to Germany to join third division team SV Wehen Wiesbaden.
    As we first mentioned back on <a href="http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?4804-Whitecaps-looking-to-add-Batt-man" target="_blank"><u>July 21st</u></a>, that seemed to be leading the way to the signing of English lower league journeyman Damian Batt.
    Batt looked steady in training and played in Sunday's reserve game in Portland. He didn't look bad, had a few nice touches, a few not so nice, but wasn't really in the thick of the action anywhere near enough to really judge how he would do at MLS level, but we can guess. From what we have seen though, he surely is only a short term solution at very best. An upgrade on Klazura, but maybe not by too much.
    He wasn't at training on Monday and when pushed as to what was happening with him, all that Rennie would say was <i>"no announcement on that yet"</i> before adding later on that day on Whitecaps Daily that there may be <i>"something later this week"</i>.
    The general feeling is that both parties wanted a deal to be done if the price was right and that's the whole stumbling block in all of this - cap management.
    The Whitecaps aren't thought to have much wiggle room on their cap space unless they get rid of some deadwood or poor value players.
    Batt may not be the ideal person to come in, but we do need that coverage and add a left back in there whilst we're at it. Could it be Sam Adekugbe? They may be waiting for next season before they'll do that, as the money and contract is not there for him right now.
    Our midfield is weak. I can't emphasise my feelings on that enough.
    Nigel Reo-Coker has been ok. Started great, but is fading a little now and is not playing like a player I want to give a DP contract to next season. Or much of a wage increase.
    As unpopular an opinion as this will be with many, I would drop Gershon Koffie from the starting eleven in a heartbeat if we could bring in an attacking midfielder that can stamp his authority on the game and keep his discipline under control (another booking for Koffie in the reserve game on Sunday).
    I've never been as high on the Ghanaian as everyone else seems to be due to his inconsistency. Sure, when he's on his game he's great. Stringing a run of those games together is the problem.
    Daigo Kobayashi played on Saturday and did a reasonable job. Much better than we've seen out of him lately, but he is not going to be the guy we need down the stretch if more injuries and suspensions kick in and there's no way the latter isn't going to happen. Matt Watson is a steady and reliable guy to have in there for emergencies, but we need another like him, with the added ability to be a game changer.
    From what I've seen of him in PDL and Reserve action, Abdallah needs to come off the MLS squad asap and that space go to a midfielder that can make a difference for us right away if money can be freed up.
    The midfield, especially the lack of dominance and creativity, has killed us a lot already this season and there isn't a lot to make you think that's going to change with the squad as is.
    Up front is pretty much set, if everyone can stay healthy. Russell Teibert isn't the same player since he came back from the Gold Cup but there are other options for his role and Kekuta Manneh is the main one.
    I also still have faith in Erik Hurtado, who has impressed me in recent weeks and seems close to that breakout game in MLS action. We'll see a different player, and a key one, once he has it.
    Corey Hertzog seems to be going on a loan deal with Edmonton, which would allow him to be recalled when needed. He's definitely struggled as the season has gone on and hasn't lived up to some early promise. Playing time with the Eddies will decide his future fate in Vancouver.
    This is likely to see more room for Tommy Heinemann to see more minutes, after tearing it up in the reserve league, along with our number one trade target Darren Mattocks.
    If Mattocks had been healthy these last few weeks I still think we'd have seen him traded for a fullback or midfielder. We still can of course. He just needs to get healthy and maybe score another goal.
    The biggest striking concern is Kenny Miller's health. It would have been nice to bring in another luxury striker, but it's not a luxury our cap provides for without getting rid of a Cannon or Kobayashi sized salary.
    Those teams around us seem to be strengthening their weak areas considerably. The Whitecaps are falling behind.
    The key Caps needs are to add two full backs and a midfielder before the roster freeze at the very minimum and ideally in this transfer window. There's still time but all we have right now is a new goalkeeper.
    Last year's mass summer changes was a risky strategy that was nearly the Caps' downfall. This season's opposite approach could have an overall worse outcome.
    <p>
    Guest
    He is right.
    If Toronto FC and Kevin Payne decide to play big name friendlies every year there is very little the supporters can do about it.
    If that's the choice they make supporters will just have to get use to it.
    And, many will -- by getting used to not going to watch TFC games.
    It's supposed to be a really nice day in Toronto next Saturday. Could be a good day to get out to the cottage. Taste of Danforth is on too.
    Just saying.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Here's the thing: The majority of TFC fans I talk to can actually deal with the losing and high prices for food and beer. Many were even indifferent to tonight's game and pretty much all would have moved on if Payne had shown an ounce of respect in his answer to Jason deVos tonight.
    However, the majority of TFC fans -- and not just the ones that associate themselves with Red Patch Boys or U-Sector -- are pissed right now. They are pissed because they just listened to the team's GM tell a national broadcaster that their concerns don't matter.
    The arrogance of the man -- a man who has failed to build a playoff team in five of the last six seasons he's run an MLS team -- is staggering.
    At their core, the only thing most supporters really want is to be respected. They weren't tonight, which is why this is no longer about whether playing friendlies is a good idea. Rather, it's about being disrespected and taken for granted.
    See, for all of the club's failings, for the most part, they've given the fans respect over the last six and a half season. Sure, they lost the plot on pricing and haven't been able to win, but they've always been appreciative of what supporters bring.
    When they screwed up on pricing a couple years ago they acted. Eventually, they fixed it and they learned their lesson when they priced this season.
    But, tonight was different. The level of contempt and arrogance was different from the run of the mill corporate greed we saw back then.
    Bluntly put, tonight felt like a giant "fuck you" to those who have been the most loyal the longest.
    The club shouldn't be surprised if more than a few supporters say it right back to them.
    And, I'm not sure if there is anything they can do to fix it.
    Guest

    #GetUsedToIt

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    Toronto FC played some team from Europe Wednesday night. They lost.
    But the real news - news that had Twitter buzzing following halftime - was the interview from TSN's Jason De Vos with Toronto FC general manager Kevin Payne.
    Payne, who had already been vocal about his support for these types of games at the original press conference, took it a step further - more likely a step too far - and gave TFC's long suffering supporters a fairly blunt assessment of his thoughts on their opinions of the mid-season friendlies.
    If you missed it, there is a brief transcript of his thoughts, after the jump
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Jason De Vos: Kevin, the supporters groups that have created such a great atmosphere here, have voiced their dislike of games like this. They've obviously in many respects, some of them, not shown up tonight. What do you say to fans, to try and get that balancing act, to try and bring games like this to Toronto, but obviously try to be competitive in MLS first?
    Kevin Payne: We're going to play these games (emphasized)
    Awkward pause
    De Vos: So, it's as simple as that?
    Payne: It is simple as that.
    De Vos: So the supporters clubs that don't want them to happen, they're - you know - out of luck?
    Payne: They should get used to it (emphasized). We're going to play these games, I don't think it's a detriment, this would be the hard day of training for our team anyway, for young players on the field now for instance, how much is this game worth, to play against teams like this?
    ----
    Get used to it? If you didn't catch that interview, you really have to see it to understand the contempt. We'll post the video if it goes up. In the meantime, you can download his comments here. Stream it here.
    But for those who saw it live or just listened to it now - how did you react to Payne's comments?
    Guest
    Football is such a subjective experience. What one person sees as greatness, the next sees as Julian DeGuzman. While I remain firmly in “the JDG was unappreciated for the work he did, even though he was paid too much to do it” camp, a long since dead debate, it perfectly frames the nature of a current ongoing conversation.
    Is Toronto FC actually playing better over their last two games? Or more accurately, can this be called an upswing in performance?
    They’re winning. So, if you’re a ‘points are all that matter’ person then, yes, this is a team on the rise.
    Toronto FC’s head coach, certainly thinks so.
    “I think we showed the difference between this game and the last time we played here,” TFC head coach Ryan Nelsen told the team website following the game. “We looked like a much tougher unit. I thought it was a top class performance from the guys. It really showed their character and mental strength. They worked ever so hard and stayed organized and in a really good shape.”
    Those are all vague assessments on performance. That isn’t meant as a criticism of Nelsen's statement. There is certainly some unquantifiable element to winning that is a mix of confidence and perhaps heavenly luck. But there are other things that can tell more of the story when it comes to how a team did on that field.
    According to Nelsen, this is a squad that played much better than the last time they faced New England. However, if you look at nearly every category from those two games, it appears that Toronto was, in fact, the worse team on the day.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    May 25 vs New England


    August 4 vs New England

    That won’t shock many who saw that Toronto were lucky to escape the first half without being down 4-1. But they were also worse over their own performance from the previous game, which is a little disconcerting. In attempts on goal, shots on target/off target total, corners won, crosses in, duels won, duels %, total passes, pass accuracy and possession there were all reductions, not evolutions, in performance.
    A decrease in possession over those two games can be accounted for by the early goal in the August fixture and their subsequent attempt to sit behind the ball more. As can the increase in fouls as they attempted to stymie New England's flow. But to be worse in every other category over the previous game runs contrary to the conventional belief that they've improved.
    Additionally, there isn’t much that can be pointed to from that recent game which says ‘Here is why they won’ — other than perhaps Toronto’s sudden aptitude for goal line clearances, Matias Laba's sublime run and the poor finishing by a New England side that are teetering into the bottom third in MLS scoring.
    Things become even less clear when looking at the two games against Columbus.
    May 18 vs Columbus

    July 27 vs Columbus

    If you throw out the ten final deluged filled minutes, you can see that Toronto played virtually the same game as they did months earlier, minus the late heroics.
    For some, that will show that this is a squad that hasn’t seen a great deal of improvement. Conversely though, if you follow Nelsen’s narrative, perhaps they actually were unlucky to not get more results earlier in the year. Either way, by looking critically at these two games, it's hard to make the case they've improved — even if the so called 'bounces' and results have finally turned in their way.
    This may not matter to most readers because, well, Toronto won. Few will care how they won. All that matters is that they went home feeling lifted for once. It’s not something that has happened often this year. Or over the last seven. And that’s all well and good.
    But if we’re going to dissect the team while they’re not getting results, we should probably do the same when they’re on the trot. Otherwise, given the statistics, that's tantamount to admitting that this squad was in the same shape when it was losing, as it is now - which if you remember the first third of the season - is a pretty terrifying thought.
    Some questions to ask, for those who want to look for more from these wins, might be:
    Is Jonathon Osario better serving the team playing in a more advanced attacking midfield role? And does it clash with Nelsen’s system from earlier in the year? The answer is likely yes to both.
    Has Toronto’s attack actually stagnated over the course of the year? Or was Robert Earnshaw’s earlier stellar performances simply a case of a new player to the league being an unknown commodity? Again, likely yes to both. And likely telling, in their own way, about what has
    Is this team actually continuing to improve - as the club, head coach and executive have continued to preach?
    That one is harder to answer. Results don’t always tell the tale, just as the losses Toronto have experienced this year haven't either. But with Toronto playing New England and Columbus once more each before August is out, those looking for clear indications of whether or not this team is truly starting to make a 'difference,' could look to those games as benchmarks from which to pinpoint their performance.
    Guest
    [ATTACH=CONFIG]3489[/ATTACH]
    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.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    (You can read part one on the goalkeepers <a href="http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?4954-Keep-Trade-or-Release-2013-Part-One-Goalkeepers" target="_blank"><u>HERE</u></a> and part two on the defenders <a href="http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?4955-Keep-Trade-or-Release-2013-Part-Two-Defenders" target="_blank"><u>HERE</u></a>).
    Here's our thoughts. We want to read yours below....
    <b><u>Midfielders:</u></b>
    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.
    <b>Aminu Abdallah</b>
    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.
    <b>Bryce Alderson</b>
    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.
    <b>Jun Marques Davidson</b>
    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.
    <b>Daigo Kobayashi</b>
    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.
    <b>Gershon Koffie</b>
    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.
    <b>Nigel Reo-Coker</b>
    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.
    <b>Russell Teibert</b>
    <i>We're putting him in with the midfielders as that is his natural position.</i>
    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.
    <b>Matt Watson</b>
    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.
    <center>**********</center>
    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.
    <p>
    Guest

    Lessons from Roma

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    The big day has finally arrived.
    Just two days after Roma held an open practice in front of 19,000 empty seats at BMO Field, the Italian side takes on TFC in an international friendly.
    There are plenty of seats still available on Ticketmaster, Stubhub and other well-known Internet marketplaces, including discount sellers like Groupon.
    CSN's position on the value of these games is well established and our opinion has remained consistent - the value is limited, and they shouldn't be played.
    As a quick re-cap of our position: the games devalue the importance of the league campaign by putting undue strain on a limited roster. Additionally, they seek to pander to an audience that has mostly already turned its nose up at the local football team.
    Some will suggest that CSN's opinion is overstated and that the vast majority of fans are at worst indifferent about these games. Many, it's suggested, actually enjoy them.
    Additionally, it's argued, the high profile of the games helps to sell the sport here in Toronto and allows lesser used players on the roster to see playing time.
    That's certainly the opinion of Kevin Payne as it was expressed in the press conference announcing the game back in late June.
    Below, a relevant exchange from that press conference.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    CSN: You mentioned that a lot of your fans like these kind of games, but there is a significant and vocal minority that don't like them at all. Can you speak to them?
    Kevin Payne: I don't know how significant it is. I think it's probably vocal -- there's a lot of Tweeting about it and things like that -- but when I met with people, particularly through the winter, I heard many, many times that they were looking for significant international games and they wanted to know why we haven't played more of them.
    I understand that the naysayers on something like this are going to be somewhat vocal, but I think it's the right thing to do and it's something that we're going to continue to do.
    (Later in the press conference)...
    Kurt Larson (Toronto Sun): Are you both (Payne and Roma CEO Italo Zanzi) confident that the game will sell out?
    Zanzi: (laughing) Well, that's his job (points to Payne), but I can't see why it wouldn't.
    Payne (also laughing): I certainly hope so! I certainly hope so (clarifies that game sold separately from season ticket package)...we're certainly hopeful that the game will sell out.
    Keep hoping.
    Anyone with an ear to the ground in this market knew that the game would struggle to sell out. Roma is a big club compared to TFC, but the only way these games still sell out in Toronto is if it's a true world brand -- think Barcelona, Juventus or Manchester United, etc.
    Even Liverpool failed to sell out last summer, attracting a little over 30,000 to Rogers Centre, few of whom paid full price. And, Liverpool is a much more popular club than Roma.
    The market has outgrown these games.
    We're not a bunch of rubes from the hinterland. We know that we're paying above market prices for a pre-season friendly between a middling European team and a bad MLS team that plans to use a bunch of academy kids in the second half.
    So, for the moment, forget the philosophical opposition to these games and instead focus on the pure business of them.
    How is playing this game in front of 5,000 empty seats (and based on the amount of tickets still floating around -- not to mention that it's raining in Toronto today -- that's being generous) possibly a good business venture?
    How can they not be losing money?
    And, if they are losing money, why would they book one of these games again?
    You don't need to bring in Roma to get a game for the academy kids and lesser used players -- there are plenty of smaller reputation teams that could give everyone a nice run out. And, if you want to increase your "brand" awareness at home and beyond the best way to do that is to actually win something of significance.
    Which brings us back full circle to the (apparently) insignificant philosophical point of those fans opposed to playing these types of games...
    Trophies not friendlies and please, Mr. Payne, listen to what the empty seats at BMO Field are telling you tonight.
    Guest
    We're one year less a day away from the kickoff of the 2014 U20 Women's World Cup -- and we now know where exactly those kickoffs will take place.
    The matchday schedule has been released, with Montreal's Olympic stadium set to host the final on Sunday, Aug. 24. Moncton (!!!) is set to host one of the semifinals (Montreal will host the other), with the quarterfinals spread across all four host cities (Edmonton and Toronto being the other two).
    As for Canada's schedule? We now know they'll play at Toronto's BMO Field/National Soccer Stadium on Aug. 5 and 8, before moving to the Big O on Aug. 12.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    None of the tournament's other 15 participants have been decided yet, though the four European qualifiers will be known by the end of this month (and will be some combination of Denmark, England, Finland, France, Norway, Sweden, Wales and Germany). The other confederations will determine their qualifying countries in competitions ranging from this October to next January.
    Most eyebrow-raising, of course, is the fact that Toronto -- which wasn't initially expected to play any hosting role whatsoever in Canada 2014/2015 -- will host the Canadian team twice (and would host them a third time, in the quarterfinals, if Canada happens to win their group).
    Of course, the other 2015 host cities (Vancouver, Winnipeg, Ottawa) either weren't prepared or weren't willing to host in 2014, while Edmonton gets to host the senior team twice in the 2015 Women's World Cup. Montreal also gets to host Canada at least twice (once in 2014, once in 2015); possibly more depending on the teams' fortunes.
    So realistically, the only folks with a valid gripe here are probably those from Moncton. Not that that'll stop others from complaining, but hey, figured I give it a shot.
    At the last U20 Women's World Cup, held in Japan last year, a Canadian team featuring recent CanWNT call-ups Adriana Leon, Danica Wu, Christabel Oduro and Rachel Melhado fell short of the knockout round, after a 6-0 drubbing of Argentina was followed by consecutive losses to Norway and North Korea.
    Of course, the beauty of these youth tournaments is the inevitable massive roster turnover, and the unpredictability that it creates; the most notable name on this Canadian squad will likely be defender Kadeisha Buchanan, who's already made a name for herself with the senior national team. Beyond her, well, we'll leave the prognosticating about that until we get a bit closer to the tournament itself.
    So we don't know who'll be playing for Canada or who they'll be playing against... but we now know why, when and where they'll be playing. Three out of the five Ws covered -- not bad at all.
    .
    Guest
    An extension to Canadian Soccer News’ MLS Week in Review, this article provides a closer look at the performances of the Canadian players who saw the pitch this week.
    With so few Canadians playing in the league, this weekend provided a rare treat for viewers north of the border, as two matches pitted Canadian vs. Canadian - DC’s trio and Montreal’s Patrice Bernier squared off, while Will Johnson’s Portland hosted Russell Teibert’s Vancouver.
    It’s always good fun to watch National teammates duel on the pitch.
    That said, the top three spots this round go to Doneil Henry, Ashtone Morgan, and Dwayne De Rosario.
    Find out what they did to deserve recognition and who else earned their keep this week.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

    Doneil Henry
    Henry started his third-straight match for Toronto in their surprise 0-1 win over New England on Sunday. It was his ninth start and tenth appearance of the season.
    Paired once more with Steven Caldwell, as the left-sided of the centre-back duo, Henry was immense to help TFC keep just their third clean-sheet of the season (their second in their last three matches) – the other two coming in scoreless draws against Houston and New York.
    From the off he had New England’s lone striker, Dimitry Imbongo, firmly in his pocket, stepping in for timely interventions, making a nice recovering tackle when Imbongo had gotten behind him, showing flashes of speed when caught a little short, and generally dominating his opponent.
    As with Columbus’ Jairo Arrieta last week, he did once get too tight and was turned, but was able to quickly adapt and was not caught again.
    Even when Imbongo drifted out wide, Henry was able to keep tabs on him, assisting Ashtone Morgan when Imbongo and Sene pushed up the attacking right.
    The Brampton, Ontario-native completed only three of fourteen passes – Toronto was in emergency launch mode for large parts of the match – and turned over possession eleven times – again, largely due to headed clearances and boots up-field; while those numbers aren’t great, his defensive stats are immense – winning seven headers and all six tackles he was involved in, making nine clearance, six interceptions, and four recoveries without committing a single foul, he did win one after cutting off Imbongo, who was drawn into a whistle.
    He got forward for one corner kick, where his exuberance resulted in taking the ball of the head of the better positioned Matias Laba – for which Henry got a little talking to (in English?) – but the hunger to get on the end of a chance is admirable, if, as with all young players, he needs reminding that others may on occasion be better placed.
    Ashtone Morgan
    Morgan made his fourth-straight start for Toronto – his ninth of the season and eleventh appearance – strengthening his hold on the left-back position, important given the acquisition of Jonas Elmer, a nominal replacement.
    His most influential play of the match was the 13th minute goal-line block on Diego Fagundez, protecting TFC’s one-goal lead by backing up his keeper under pressure.
    It’s fair to say that at times this season Morgan has not looked as engaged as one would like a player to be, a passive defender can work, but for this nasty left-back, he looks better when he is feeling it.
    His awareness to back up his keeper was excellent, even with Saer Sene lurking to the left of the area; as for the nasty left-back, well he reared his head a little too, leaving a boot in on Andrew Farrell who bared his thigh in protest to little avail.
    That bit of edge was an aspect of his game when Morgan was at his best, it is evidence of a certain confidence, and its return could be a portent of things to come.
    Aside from that massive play, Morgan was tasked with the incredibly difficult job of keeping tabs on Sene, who is a handful, and Fagundez – no slouch himself – when they swapped flanks. Add to that the ability of Farrell to get forward on the overlap and width becomes a significant facet of the New England attack. Morgan did well to limit that threat.
    The Toronto, Ontario-native completed just nineteen of 36 passes, losing possession eighteen times – including from five throw-ins – indicative of a need to improve his concentration, but, as with Henry, he was impressive defensively, winning four headers, all three tackles he was involved in, making three clearances, a pair of blocks, and one recovery, though he did commit a pair of fouls.
    TFC coach Ryan Nelsen spoke highly of Morgan’s recent performances in a recent interview, when asked if he would be losing his spot with the arrival of Elmer; this match will have gone some way to have solidifying his inclusion for the time being.

    Dwayne De Rosario
    De Rosario made his first start since the end of June in DC United’s 3-1 win over Montreal on Saturday after subbing into their match last weekend; it was his eleventh start and fifteenth appearance of the season.
    Playing at the tip of a near striker-less formation, De Rosario was very dangerous, ranging all over the attacking third to pop up wherever he could best cause trouble.
    The Scarborough, Ontario-native completed a tidy 22 of 29 passes, took two shots – one on and one off target – and only lost possession three times, while winning three fouls and making two recoveries.
    His best chance was a blistering shot from distance that forced an alert tip over the bar from Montreal keeper, Troy Perkins, while an earlier chance whistled just wide of the left-post.
    De Rosario even had the gall to attempt an overhead bicycle kick – he connected well, but was offside (and Perkins saved it anyway) – but it was evidence that he is feeling fit and hungry. Later his shot from a tight angle on the left struck Kyle Porter; De Rosario could be heard to shout “Aww!” in frustration.
    He had several run-ins with Montreal’s Patrice Bernier, who hacked him down as he shielded the ball and juggled away from his fellow Canadian, Bernier later tripped him to snuff out a counterattack, prompting a quiet word with the official – De Rosario may have been lobbying for Bernier to get booked (which he would have deserved, but escaped).
    De Rosario was also flattened by a heavy lunge from Davy Arnaud, but shook it off quickly; perhaps that tackle and the risk of the match getting chippy prompted Ben Olsen to replace his talisman with Conor Doyle shortly thereafter, in the 64th minute. No need to risk or tire out De Rosario with a very important US Open Cup Semifinal on Wednesday.
    The veteran may have his detractors, but when he is on it is a joy to watch him attack and with some useful, young legs surrounding him, do not be surprised if he is a different player for the rest of this season; fitness allowing.

    Jonathan Osorio
    Osorio made his fourth-straight start for TFC; it was his ninth start and nineteenth appearance of the season.
    Paired in the centre of the midfield with Matias Laba, Osorio was, in part, tasked with clogging the middle of the pitch, stifling New England and forcing them out wide.
    He completed an impressive 31 of 40 passes, won a tackle and a pair of fouls, conceding one, while losing possession ten times; adding thirteen recoveries and four clearances.
    Putting in a shift defensively – blocking off the run of Farrell from deep on at least one occasion, while constantly looking to create, the Toronto, Ontario-native showed some genuine class – his dragged pass to Bobby Convey was dirty and he once turned away from the attentions of two Revolution defenders, but had no target once in space.
    It was his well hit corner kick to the back-post that Henry stole off the head of Laba, all while still tracking deep; he, perhaps luckily, avoided conceding a penalty when a New England ball bounced off his head as he spun, and may have inadvertently touched his hand – it was hard to tell – but the referee waived play on.
    With TFC in need of a more active and offense central midfield presence, do not be surprised if Osorio locks down that spot until those long-discussed reinforcements arrive. It may even be fair to ask if TFC really needs anybody given how Osorio has flourished wherever he has popped up.
    Kyle Porter
    Porter made a second-straight start for DC against Montreal – his fourteenth start and nineteenth appearance of the season.
    From the left-side of midfield, Porter was again a driving force of the DC attack; it is his fearlessness and willingness to take chances that has made him a bright spot for the club this season.
    That attacking instinct served him well on his best chance of the game, when he took a great forward touch to set up a rasping right-footed strike from distance that took a slight deflection, but still just missed the right-post.
    He then had a slaloming run cut out by a strong intervention by Jeb Brovsky and made an excellent run from the outside to get on the end of a Nick DeLeon ball, but Perkins was out well to save his shot.
    The Toronto, Ontario-native completed 32 of 44 passes, took three shots – one on and two off – and lost possession sixteen times, while making three recoveries, winning and conceding a foul, for which he was booked – he hauled down Justin Mapp on the counter (it was his third yellow card of the season).

    Dejan Jakovic
    Jakovic also started DC’s win over Montreal, making his second-straight start at right centre-back after a long injury layoff.
    He got away with a late challenge on Sanna Nyassi early in the match, that may have drawn a booking later, but was generally solid at the back – anybody who keeps Marco Di Vaio off the score-sheet has done a good job – providing some much needed solidity to the DC backline.
    He completed an impressive 22 of 26 passes, made eight interceptions – a mark of his reading of the game – adding four clearances and an equal number of recoveries, while losing possession a mere six times. He committed that one foul early against Nyassi, but was spotless for the rest of the match, though he did lose two of three tackles, an indication that his timing and sharpness are still returning after the long two month layoff.
    The Croatian-born defender best showed his invaluable awareness when he spotted that Daniel Woolard had overcommitted to a bouncing ball allowing Felipe to break in down the right – Jakovic calmly stepped in front of him, blocking the Brazilian out and knocking him to the ground with surgical precision.

    Will Johnson
    Johnson made his third-straight start for Portland – twentieth of the season – in their 1-1 draw against Vancouver.
    Alongside Jack Jewsbury at the base of the Timbers midfield – with Diego Chara still nursing an injury – Johnson was allowed to play more advanced than usual, with the purely defensively-deployed Jewsbury covering behind.
    He was extremely active, but struggled to find space to do much, in a very tight match that suffered some over judicious officiating. Johnson drew a yellow card after just ten minutes, when Daigo Kobayashi was late into a challenge.
    The Timbers Captain completed 40 of 53 passes, had one shot – a free-kick that was well high of the target – won three fouls and four of six tackles, while conceding possession eighteen times (rather more than usual, but an indication of him pushing forward and taking chances). Defensively he added nine recoveries and one each of interceptions and clearances.
    The Toronto, Ontario-native still did his fair share of tracking back, once to cut out a Jordan Harvey cross and even chasing the much speedier Russell Teibert, fruitlessly, before knocking him to the ground once the ball had left the vicinity.
    His best attempt of the match was snuffed by a firm challenge from Nigel Reo-Coker, whose sliding block negated a powerful shot and sent Johnson tumbling – a strong, old-fashioned challenge both will have enjoyed.
    Johnson has not been his influential-self recently, whether a result of the lingering effect of that Gold Cup virus, the usual MLS midseason slump, his team not being as sharp, or his midweek appearance at the All-Star Game, is hard to say; it’s probably a confluence of all those factors.
    Michael Bradley, a long-time friend of Johnson’s, was in town with AS Roma for the All-Star match, prompting some remembrances of their relationship stretching from early days in Chicago to Holland.
    Both Johnson and Patrice Bernier were guests on a special edition of MLS Extra Time Radio, its well worth a listen.

    Russell Teibert
    Teibert started his third-straight match for Vancouver in Portland; it was his thirteenth start and fourteenth appearance of the season.
    Once more on the right-side of the three-man attack, Teibert was very active, but failed to impact a tight match that lacked any real flow – these Cascadia Cup matches really tighten down the attacking space, limiting his effectiveness.
    The Niagara Falls, Ontario-native completed only 25 of 41 passes and turned over possession sixteen times, but made seven recoveries and three interceptions, while winning a pair of tackles.
    His first attempt at getting in a cross was cut out, though he did set up Erik Hurtado for a shot – it was sent over – and put an excellent ball to the back-post in stoppage-time, but no one was there to get on the end.
    Teibert whiffed on the one solid chance that came his way, his weak connection on a Camilo cross squirreled out for a corner kick.
    He did have one significant run in with Will Johnson, his Canadian National Team roommate, that saw Teibert surge away from Johnson, who eventually dumped him to the ground after catching up with him – a little lesson on etiquette from the captain.

    Patrice Bernier
    Bernier made his fourth-straight start in Montreal’s latest surprise loss – it was his eighteenth start and 21st appearance of the season.
    The Impact trotted out their three-man midfield, which allowed Bernier more freedom with Arnaud nominally behind him; but the 3-1 loss was Montreal’s third in their last seven matches - a spell in which they have won just once.
    The Brossard, Quebec-native completed 28 of 38 passes – it is no coincidence that Montreal’s struggles have featured Bernier getting less and less time on the ball – and lost possession a staggering twelve times – a huge number for the precise Bernier. Defensively, he made four recoveries, two interceptions, and a block, winning a pair of tackles and a foul, conceding two.
    His tenacity saw him strip Porter after a DC short corner, but one of his turnovers led directly to a De Rosario chance.
    Bernier’s battling with De Rosario was worth the watch alone, fouling his National teammate on one occasion and then tripping him up later to stifle a counter – he could have been booked for that one – before being replaced by Daniele Paponi after 70 minutes, perhaps with a forward eye on Wednesday’s Champions League match against San Jose and his involvement in the midweek All-Star game considered as well.
    The Rest
    Wandrille Lefevre was the only player tracked to not feature this round; he was on the bench for Montreal.
    Each week James takes a look at the contributions of Canadians in the league and the league as a whole.
    You can follow James on twitter @grawsee or read more of his writing at Partially Obstructed View
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