Quite the week ahead for fans of the Canadian game and it begins with what might be an ending this Wednesday night as Toronto takes to the grass at Swangard Stadium for Match #4 of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. For Toronto the Voyageur's Cup is within reach but hosts Vancouver Whitecaps will yet have their say as to whether the MLS side retain the silverware or not.
Toronto have been enjoying a run of form and a period of success of late which included eliminating the chances of Montreal Impact winning the Vs Cup by scooping a 1-nil victory away at Stade Saputo last Wednesday and securing their place atop the Cup table on 6 points. Toronto has two matches remaining and they're both against Vancouver.
The 'Caps on 1 point after 1 match are quite obviously in a tough spot. Should defending champions Toronto win they retain their title after only 3 matches. And while a draw on Wednesday wouldn't be the end of the world a victory for the 'Caps could put into motion a grandstand finish to this 3rd edition of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. Turning things around to the point where on Vancouver's visit to BMO Field on June 2nd for the final Cup fixture we could be seeing TFC in a must win predicament against a 'Cap side which has recently enjoyed more than it's fair share of success against the reds.
And that would be a fun way to end a championship. On the last day, winner take all. Perfect.
But it's one step at a time, starting this Wednesday at Swangard. A fortnights more worth of drama or the re-crowning of the Canadian champions?
Nutrilite Canadian Championship
Vancouver Whitecaps vs Toronto FC
Wednesday, May 19th
Swangard Stadium, Burnaby BC
10:30 PM EST
Roger's SportsNet East & West
A week today Canadians will be celebrating Victoria Day in all manner, fashion, and style. For Stephan Hart and the Mens National Team they'll be forgoing the bar-b-ques, trips to cottage country and civic fireworks displays for the honour of being Argentina's final warm up test before the South American giants jet off to South Africa and the World Cup finals. All the same, bar-b-ques and fireworks are sure to follow as Monday's fixture is part of the celebrations on the bi-centenary of Argentina's Revolution Day, May 25th so it's very possible the Canucks will get a nice bit of steak and a show yet.
Fingers and toes crossed the Argentinians keep the best shows off the pitch. It was always going to be a tough, tough, match for Canada and with manager Stephan Hart bringing a fresh group of faces south with him he really does have his work cut out for him.
So there you have it. Canada and Argentina both celebrating a part of their colonial pasts on Monday in entirely different contexts, but on the same field of play. In a way that says just about everything important that there is to say about the beautiful game and why there is no other like it.
Argentina vs Canada
Monday, May 24th
Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti, Buenos Aires, Argentina
3:30 PM EST
Roger's SportsNet
So enjoy the next 7 days Canada, it seems like the last few weeks of spring we always do. Here's hoping this year is no exception.