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    Hi! Glad you made it over.

    Welcome to our new home on the ‘Net.

    In Canadian soccer, aren’t these the best and silliest of times?

    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

    It’s wonderful that the Vancouver Whitecaps are champions of USL-1; that the Montreal Impact will soon be out kicking shins in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League. And sure, Toronto FC had a grinding, disappointing sophomore season in MLS, but the fan base is solid, passionate and strong, and soccer in Canada’s largest city has never been so consistently colourful – and fun.

    And how silly that the Canadian Soccer Association is tying all our international soccer dreams to a vague, jargon-ridden strategy called “Wellness to World Cup.” I’ve heard lots of people say – with considerable sincerity – that they understand the plan. No one alive has been able to explain it to me.

    Now we wait to see if Ottawa and/or Vancouver will be granted the right to pony up $40-million (U.S.) to claim a place in MLS. Montreal has been excused, because owners Joey Saputo and George Gillett don’t believe the privilege is worth the price tag. I deeply sympathize, and tend to agree.

    And so, with so much poised to happen, I happily offer you a brand new place to read, relax, think, laugh, get annoyed – and talk about it all.

    Hey! I’m a fan, you’re a fan. Let’s have … a conversation.

    This past year, writing the On Soccer blog for the Globe and Mail, I was delighted every day by the wide range of comments you wonderful people concocted. In the past few months, we were actively creating one of the best and most pertinent soccer discussion sites on the web.

    Well, it’s tough times in the major media, and On Soccer is gone.

    Onward Soccer starts here and now.

    I’m pleased to tell you name sponsors are watching this blog, ready to buy ad space if the numbers are intriguing. There’s also a PayPal donations box over on the right-hand side. I promise you I’m neither down nor out, but if you value this kind of soccer writing, that’s a way you can contribute, and really make a difference. (And I thank you all, in advance.)

    In return, I am going to write my tail off -- the who, the how, the why, the what-the-hell? New stories will be going up daily for now – about TFC, Canada, Vancouver, Montreal, (Ottawa), MLS, the EPL, UEFA Champions League and whatever else will fire up a good rack of comments.

    Also – and bear with me here – I want to move beyond anger in the CSA story. Not that the situation isn’t exasperating, but Onward! is going to be a rallying point for new and useful ideas, and practical steps forward.

    We are never going to get a Royal Commission, and the present board is not going to be overthrown any time soon. But there is real pressure on them now, and we – together – can make a major contribution. Pressure causes cracks, and cracks tend to be filled by the best idea out there.

    We out here in the opposition have Metcalfe Street out-numbered, out-financed and out-idea’ed. As long as we keep our ideas out there – growing and getting stronger through everyone’s contributions – the chance to change things is always there.

    So – please – take a moment and register, and start leaving comments. Let’s carry the On Soccer community forward without missing a beat.

    I want this to be a dynamic, thrilling place, where we share our limitless excitement about the beautiful game. And I want each and every one of you to be part of whatever happens next.

    I’m pumped! Let’s go have some fun!

    Onward!



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