Every year winter weary Canadians from coast to coast to coast eagerly go through the annual ritual of checking off their list of tell tale signs that unofficially qualify spring as having finally sprung across this gianormus country we call home. Melting snows and swollen rivers. Those 1st shoots of green on branch and lawn and of course the return from warmer climes of the red breasted robin not to mention every motorists favourate yearly event, pothole season. But nothing announces Spring is again in full bloom in Canada with quite the same authority as the return of domestic soccer. So with the arrival of April it's safe to once again put away those heavy coats and winter boots for another year, footie has returned to The Great White North and as with every year, it hasn't arrived a moment too soon.
For Toronto Football Club what more can possibly be said for Season #4 that hasn't been said over and over again already? For want of a colourful term some observers might call the Major League Soccer franchise bi-polar. Others, would use a term like schizophrenic. Local supporters would likely be more kind and describe their home town team as complicated. But using whatever terms you like there is no denying that one of MLS's most successful franchises is a creature with a real Jekyll & Hyde nature. An organization which can't place a wrong step off the field is also looking no closer to on-field success than it did in Season #1. Again. It remains to be seen whether TFC can take there expanded stadium, world class natural grass pitch, commanding media presence and that knowledgeable fanatic base which would be the envy of any soccer team in the world, and manage to blend it all into the concoction which will slay for once and all the ugly Mr Hyde which has been to date the teams sometimes sorry on field product.
It's too early to make any judgment but the franchise's 4th coach in as many years, former American international Preki, has been given license to make this team his own, and he is certainly doing so with some enthusiasm as he reshapes the squad into what everyone hopes will be a winner in 2010. Whether or not Preki can make in-season the team he couldn't put together in pre-season we're not going to know at the beginning of April but the signs are already there that we'll know the answer by the end of it, for better or worse.
New England vs Toronto
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough MA
Saturday, April 10th
7:30 PM EST
GolTV
For theVancouver Whitecaps it's their United Soccer League swan song. With the organization set to move to Major League Soccer and eventually their new home at a freshly renovated BC Place in 2011 it will also be the last we're likely to ever see of the Whitecaps' scenic long time home, Swangard Stadium. And to be honest, it's about time. Vancouver long ago outgrew both the league and the venue and there could be just no having traditional rivals Seattle and Portland competing in another league without the 'Caps. Nope. That just wouldn't be right. USL's loss in the Pacific North West is MLS's massive gain. Of that there is no doubt.
All looks good for the 'Caps this final season as head office has been busy putting into place all the bits, bobs, and structure which any soccer organization needs to make claim to a truly professional reputation.
And while it would be impossible for those around the team not to help but look towards the longer term, 2011 and beyond, no one expects the Whitecaps to do anything but their best to leave 2nd division soccer in proper style. Joining MLS with a couple of titles to their name and a bit more silverware crowding the trophy case has to be the goal.
For defending USL 1st Division Champions Montreal Impact, similar expectations must exist. For one of the most successful soccer organizations of any shape or stripe north of the Rio Grande, last seasons dramatic finish offered some redemption for a team and city which had suffered some stinging defeats, both on and off the field, earlier in the year. And while it is certain the good people throughout the Montreal Impact organization are hoping nothing but the best for their rivals in Vancouver as they play their way towards MLS's greener pastures it is also certain that these same good people aren't willing to see that happen at their expense.
For Montreal it's a year of defending their Championship title, returning the Voyageur's Cup to it's traditional home in the Impact trophy case, and once again showing North America's soccer culture that they can play some winning football out of Saputo Stadium, and they don't need MLS to do it.
Vancouver vs NSC Minnesota
Swangard Stadium, Vancouver BC
Sunday, April 11th
7 PM EST
Austin vs Montreal
House Park, Austin TX
Sunday, April 11th
7 PM EST
All USSF 2nd Division fixtures are suppose to be streamed live on the internet once again this year. Check into the club websites for links and details.