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    Guest
    Plus a jam-packed edition of the Canadian Review with coverage of all the MLS and NASL Canadian scores plus the Gomez acquisition by TFC and the Patrice Bernier situation in Montreal!
    Until next time, have a great soccer!
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    Michael Mccoll
    Have a listen!
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    Or after all that, you could just listen on the player below!

    Michael Mccoll
    Carl Robinson had previously told us that he wouldn’t add just for the sake of adding right now and in the short term. He has some pieces lined up to add in January already. He also indicated that just adding squad players wasn’t of interest to him and that anyone he brought in would have to be a difference maker.
    That makes it interesting to see that the ‘Caps have added Costa Rican right back Jordan Smith on loan from Kendall Waston’s old club Deportivo Saprissa.
    The deal is until the end of the season and is clearly to have a look at the 24-year-old. If he impresses, the trigger will be pulled on a full transfer. What this will mean for the future of Steven Beitashour at the club will be the interesting aspect of all this.
    The veteran is on big money but not producing the performances to merit it. His deal will be up at the end of the season and his reputation would see him in demand from elsewhere in MLS.
    Smith has been brought in for right-back cover right now of course. Tim Parker can play and do well there, but you have to feel Robbo could see Parker as a starter in the centre back role by the end of the year.
    Of course there already is a back-up for Beitashour’s position in Ethen Sampson. The South African has failed to impress this season and has been playing left back in USL in recent games.
    We’ve been told that Robinson is trying to secure a loan deal to take him off the ‘Caps roster numbers and free up an international spot. I’d be surprised to see him back on the MLS roster this time next year.
    Wednesday night’s Champions League game against Seattle was last chance saloon for Sampson as far as I’m concerned. He didn’t excel and looks set to mosey on off into the sunset.
    The first of many depth players to move on? Make that the second, as it’s already started.
    The Whitecaps also confirmed this morning that Erik Hurtado has been loaned to Norwegian side Mjøndalen IF till the end of 2015. Robinson says that he is still very much part of the club’s plans, but I don’t think we’ll have too many people pining for him now that he is in the fjords.
    Erik the Viking’s move has been on the cards for a while. Robinson and Greg Anderson were seen in deep discussion with him after the game on Wednesday, with a “keep the chin up son” feel to it all. He needs to play, but not for the ‘Caps in MLS. So a great move for both parties.
    Hurtado and Sampson are great examples of how shallow the Whitecaps depth actually is. Wednesday night was a frightening example that the 12 to 22 spots on the roster may not be as deep as we thought. At the very least, they can’t play together as a team.
    The first warning signs were there with the performances of many of the players with the USL team. WFC2 play considerably better when the likes of Hurtado (not that he went down much!), Sampson and Rodriguez and their peers are not down there playing with them.
    There’s been a couple of times this season where there’s been nearly a full USL starting eleven of the ‘Caps MLS depth guys. They haven’t done well together there. The last time was a 4-2 defeat at Portland last month where there was little fight, spirit and competency shown outside of Robert Earnshaw, Marco Bustos and Kianz Froese. So it was no surprise to see that again and a lack of any cohesion and team chemistry midweek.
    Put some of these players (Parker, Dean, Froese for example) into the first team with the majority of MLS starters and they thrive. Make too many changes and chuck them all into together and it ends up looking like they met for the first time in the car park.
    One of Robinson’s most interesting postgame comments on Wednesday was, ”It gave me a few answers to questions I had in my mind with some players, which was good”. Good for him, not for the players in question you have to imagine.
    Cold fact is that some of the fringe guys are simply not MLS starting quality. Some will maybe do for one game at a push, but if they have to cover for a long time, there could be issues.
    That’s why Smith has come in. That’s why Hurtado has, temporarily for now, moved on.
    You have to think that Diego Rodriguez’s days are also numbered. I had high hopes for the Uruguayan but with, first, his injuries, and then a loss of confidence, he’s not going to be here too much longer. Factor in some poor performances in USL, the form of Parker and Dean, and Wednesday’s nightmare marking job that led to Seattle’s goal, his confidence must be close to shot just now. Shame. Nice guy and does have talent.
    With Hurtado gone, it’s hard not to see another attacker being added in to the mix pretty soon. Might already have been filled and still to be announced or a free agent from elsewhere.
    What is certain is that Smith’s addition and Hurtado’s departure should be the final warning to many of the ‘Caps current depth of shape up or you’ll most certainly be shipped out and replaced.
    Michael Crampton
    TFC, however, may have caught Sporting at just the right time. Not only is the match versus RSL looming, KC have lost two important starters in the lead-up to their visit to Toronto. Midfielder Roger Espinoza fractured his foot in SKC’s match versus Houston and co-leading-scorer Dom Dwyer will be out for yellow card accumulation.
    Admittedly, Toronto’s already wobbly defence will be down regular veteran starter Damien Perquis, who has also been ruled out due to yellow card accumulation. On the other hand, with the return of Jozy Altidore from suspension and Michael Bradley from injury, the Reds will have their full complement of designated players available for the first time in over a month. The last time the American duo lined-up with Sebastian Giovinco was on June 27th versus D.C. United.
    Another superlative laden performance from Giovinco in midweek has more than cemented the Italian’s status amongst TFC supporters as the best player to pull on the club’s colours. Three more goals mean that he has taken over first place in scoring in the league, with 16 goals, while also reaching double digits in assists with 10.
    Ahead of Giovinco on the assists list, however, is a player that the Reds would do well to remember on Saturday. American Benny Feilhaber is having an MVP-calibre season of his own at the centre of KC’s midfield. He’s added seven goals – more than one of them just as spectacular as anything Giovinco has produced in MLS – to his eleven assists, while not shirking defensive responsibility.
    In Espinoza’s absent Paolo Nagamura will have to fill in and it will be interesting to see whether this switch limits Feilhaber’s ability to influence the game. With the threat of Michael Bradley making runs in support of Giovinco and Altidore, one would suspect that Nagamura will have his hands full. As we are so often told, it is easy to overlook the contribution a solid defensive midfielder makes to both defense and offense.
    Toronto FC head coach Greg Vanney stuck with Jackson at right back for the match against New York City, even with Ashtone Morgan’s return from injury and availability at left back. The Brazilian had a second straight good performace and, forced into a change due to Perquis’ suspension, Vanney may seek what continuity he can keep along the rest of the backline by persisting with the approach. Warren Creavalle’s trade to Philadelphia means that that experiment is finally definitively over, but it’s not clear whether Josh Williams is meant to be cover or a first choice option now that it has been confirmed that Mark Bloom will not play in 2015. Regardless, one way or another, TFC will be trying a brand new line-up for the first stime as their other newcomer Ahmed Kantari is yet to start without Perquis beside him.
    The last time Toronto FC beat Sporting Kansas City was back in Ryan Nelsen’s first match in charge. There has been heartbreak and agony since then, with wins turning into draws, and draws into losses. Meanwhile, Toronto have yet to find consistency since spring turned into summer. Ending both those trends is well within the Reds control this weekend. If TFC want to be considered actual contenders, rather than just another team who’ll benefit from a weak Eastern Conference, this is precisely the sort of match they need to win.
    Duane Rollins

    TFC rescues Herc

    By Duane Rollins, in 24th Minute,

    Outspoken for years about the absurdity of a team holding onto a player’s rights long after he left the league, many -- Gomez likely included -- felt that he would never play in the United States again. It turns out they were right. He’s coming to Canada.
    In a series of moves this morning – trading Warren Creavalle to Philadelphia for a second round draft pick to open up some cap and roster space then flipping Kansas City some MLS magic beans for the “right of first refusal” to allow them to select Gomez – the Reds finally ended Herc’s exile from MLS.
    Most TFC fans won’t care about the long running drama about Gomez’ situation though. They will just want to know how he helps TFC now. Many will wonder why TFC didn’t add a defender and instead went after yet another American forward.
    The simple answer to that is that another American forward was what was available. If centrebacks (that can fit into a MLS salary structure) grew on trees three quarters of the league wouldn’t constantly be looking for them.
    For better or worse you win in MLS by outscoring the rest of the league. That’s what TFC is trying to do. They will try and win games 3-2.
    It’s a sports cliché that “offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships.” It’s also wrong, especially in MLS. Since 2007, the highest scoring team in MLS has won a major trophy in six of eight years. The best defensive team? Two of eight and only once when it wasn’t always the highest scoring.
    Of course you have to be somewhat competent at the back. Whether TFC has reached the heights of “somewhat competent at the back” remains to be seen.
    Meanwhile Gomez will come in and add depth to the attack. He’s here to back up Altidore and to add some veteran leadership. It’s not definable, but Gomez has won everywhere and should be a great influence in the room.
    Regardless, the rest of the year should be fun. Whether it ends in glory or not.
    Guest
    Until next time have a great soccer!
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    Guest
    Until next time, have a great soccer!
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    Michael Crampton
    Wednesday evening’s opponent, Orlando City, snapped a three-game losing streak of their own on the weekend with a 5 – 2 win over the Crew. The Lions’ five goals in that game followed three that they put past New York City in a 5 – 3 loss the week before.
    At the heart of this offensive explosion is Brampton, Ontario’s Cyle Larin. The Canadian forward, selected number one overall in this season’s SuperDraft, scored three in loss in New York and another two versus Columbus. That brought his season total to 11 goals, tying the rookie record. While it is still former FIFA World Player of the Year Kaka who will bring casual fans out to the stadium, it is Larin that dedicated MLS observers will want to keep their eye on.
    Success stories in Canadian men’s soccer have been too far and too few between in the last decade, and Larin’s emergence as a bona fide MLS star, in a league that is far more visible in Canada than it was even five years ago, could have tremendous knock-on effects for Canadian player development. Quota or no-quota, Larin is proving that MLS still provides a pathway to professionalism for young Canadian players with the talent and drive to make an impact at this level. Even as that level continues to improve.
    TFC’s own offense was muted on the weekend in New England. Jozy Altidore’s red card in the first half of that game means that he’ll be absent against Orlando while serving a suspension. Sebastian Giovinco’s halftime substitution was almost certainly precautionary, with thoughts of this game in midweek taking priority over trying to rescue a two-goal disadvantage while a man down.
    The status of TFC’s captain, Michael Bradley, is the real question. The American international has been absent since leaving for Gold Cup duty with his national team, and returned with a calf injury. Collen Warner’s return from suspension should prevent Greg Vanney from being forced to play Robbie Findley in midfield. With Altidore unavailable, however, that means there should be a place for Findley at his natural position of forward.
    Unless Vanney surprises by handing rookie Jay Chapman a start -- Chapman has been seeing regular minutes as a substitute recently -- the only other real option at forward is Luke Moore. But lack of production from Moore and Findley points to one of TFC’s weak spots: over-reliance on their Designated Players. Yes, it is remarkable that Giovinco has scored or assisted on over two-thirds of the team’s goals, but that level of importance has a necessary corollary: shut down Gio, and you’ve probably shut down TFC.
    Finally, at the back, the great right back question of 2015 will probably be back to the only solution that has ever really worked. If Ashtone Morgan is available to return to left back, that means that Justin Morrow can be switched over to the right. Jackson had a non-disastrous outing in the position on the weekend, but his usefulness off the bench in midfield as an impact sub, either offensively or defensively, mitigates against another start on the backline.
    Like much of TFC’s summer the stakes are clear: win, and everything will feel alright again. Losing to an expansion team, at home, has already happened once this year. That was unfortunate. To lose again might seem like carelessness.
    Duane Rollins

    TFC TFCs

    By Duane Rollins, in 24th Minute,

    Ole Gunnar Solskjær is being linked to TFC. Yes, that one. Manchester United cult figure. Cardiff City leading off a cliff figure. The type of big name MLSE loves figure.
    The reports out of Norway are suggesting that he’s coming to take over Greg Vanney’s job. No one close to the team – literally no one – thinks that report is true. Vanney’s job is not in jeopardy.
    Since this is TFC we should probably repeat that: Vanney isn’t getting fired. At least not now and not to bring Ole Gunnar Solskjær in to replace him.
    However, the reports aren’t completely wrong. Solskjær has been in Toronto talking to MLSE – for the currently non-existent Club President role. MLSE likes having that extra layer of management and they’ve been searching for a President since Tim Leiweke took a step back a year ago or so.
    Today’s reports suggested that Solskjær’s hiring was imminent. CSN was told that such reports were exaggerated – that they will be making a hire and it might be Solskjær, but that he’s just one name among others like it that’s being considered.
    Guest
    Until next time, have a great soccer!!
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    Michael Mccoll
    Now 21-years-old, Cain is about to enter his senior season with the Wright State Raiders this fall.
    A Canadian youth international, Cain first headed to the University of Northwestern Ohio, where he led the team in scoring in his Freshman year with ten goals. He then made the cross state transfer to the Wright State University in Dayton where he added a further two goals in 19 games of his second year and two in 21 games this season just past.
    Although the college route isn't for everyone who graduates from the 'Caps Residency, opportunities were few and far between just three years ago, but Cain has loved his time in the college game.
    "It's a lot different in America than it is in Canada," Cain told us. "It's a great experience. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I've learned a lot living there and I've grown up a lot too. It's a different game and it makes me adjust. It's good."
    As we said, Cain will be going for PDL Championship glory this Sunday when his K-W United side face New York Red Bulls U23s at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Washington.
    After a strong season, the striker can't wait for a chance to lift the trophy.
    "It's great," Cain told us. "It's a great feeling. I haven't been in a big final since I played with the Whitecaps and that was years ago. So it's going to be great."
    K-W United got to the Championship game after a dramatic last-second win over Seattle Sounders U23s on Friday night.
    Cain came on as a second half sub in that game, but with most of those watching expecting the match to head into extra time, the striker watched German midfielder Julian Buescher win it late with his free kick.
    "Julian's great on the ball on set plays," Cain said. "I was hoping it was going to go in, but I didn't know. Before the free kick, I thought it was going to go to extra-time but we pulled it together, riled up the gang and got it in."
    This is Cain's second season with K-W United, but it's not his first experience of PDL play and he played for Whitecaps U23s in the league in both the 2011 and 2012 seasons.
    And the reason he's currently at K-W in the first place is due to another Vancouver connection, his former Residency coach Stuart Neely.
    "My first year I came here because Stuart was coaching," Cain told us. "I got in contact with him and he told me to come. It's a great team. We had a great season last year but fell a bit short. This year, once again we're strong again and this time we feel like we're going to do it."
    After that Cain will be heading back to Wright State for his final year, where he is studying Media Relations.
    And after that?
    "My focus is to become a professional," Cain told us. "I'm really determined. I really think I can make either a USL team or a MLS team. My goal after college is to go on some trials with some clubs and see what I can do."
    With the Whitecaps not keeping homegrown rights on Cain, he will be free to be picked up by any club side now, but he's also looking at overseas as an option. So does he have access to an European passport that opens doors for so many players here?
    "Unfortunately I don't," Cain said. "I just have a Canadian passport, but because I'm half Jamaican, I'm working on getting a Jamaican passport to try and get over. It'll be easier with that in England."
    We wish Wesley (and Adam) all the very best in today's big PDL Championship game with New York Red Bulls and don't forget you can follow his college progress, and that of all the other 'Caps Residency alumni, in our regular "Caps In College' feature come the fall.
    Michael Mccoll
    REPORT:
    With two games in five days against Seattle, competition priority was a hot topic in Vancouver this past week. In the first match of a busy eight game August, 'Caps coach Carl Robinson put out the strongest line-up available to him for the MLS encounter at the Sounders. And it worked a treat.
    A two goal burst from veteran center back Pa Modou Kah at the start of each half had Vancouver looking comfortable. Pedro Morales' late free kick stunner had them ecstatic.
    Vancouver looked in an attacking mood from the off and took the game to their fierce Cascadian rivals. And they got the reward for their endeavours early.
    The 'Caps won a free kick to the right side of the box six minutes in. Nicolas Mezquida floated the kick in and it was met by the head of Kendall Waston but his effort was straight at Brad Evans' chest. The rebound bounced off the Sounders defender straight into the path of Kah, who showed remarkable composure and skill to volley home the opening goal.
    The Whitecaps kept pressing and the Uruguayan trio of Mezquida, Cristian Techera and Octavio Rivero were linking up superbly.
    Rivero had a couple of half chances, then Mezquida forced a save from Stefan Frei as the 'Caps went for the killer second, but it wasn't to come.
    Seattle had a couple of what couldn't even really be called half chances, and David Ousted was having a quiet night.
    The 'Caps nearly got that second with six minutes of the half remaining when Rivero played a neat touch outside to the overlapping Jordan Harvey but the left-back's fierce shot rattled of the stanchion from a tight angle.
    Vancouver survived a penalty shout on a handball on Kah and a subsequent goalmouth scramble that saw Ousted produce a fine point blank stop and the 'Caps went in at the half with a one goal lead.
    If there were fears that Seattle might regroup and come out looking a different team, then Vancouver extinguished them quickly and added a second four minutes into the second half, and it was that man Kah again!
    The 'Caps won a corner on the left and Techera played it short to Kekuta Manneh, who had all the time in the world to give it back to the Uruguayan who hit a low first timer into the box and Kah deftly backheeled it into the net.
    It was some goal and gave Vancouver a little bit of breathing space.
    Mezquida nearly added a third when his free kick crashed of the left post on the hour mark and Laba nearly got in on the act minutes later when his fierce rising long range drive was just held by Frei.
    Seattle pushed to try and get something going but they fell three behind in the 75th minute when substitute Pedro Morales curled a beautiful free kick through the wall and past Frei from 20 yards out.
    The Sounders had a couple of chances for a consolation but nothing too threatening, with Lamar Neagle's deflected shot that landed on the roof of the net, the closest they came.
    It was a great win for the 'Caps. One of their best in MLS. We've been here before though. It counts for nothing if they can't keep it going. The way the team is playing though, you feel that this time could be different.
    FINAL SCORE: Seattle Sounders 0 - 3 Vancouver Whitecaps
    ATT: 53,125
    SEATTLE: Stefan Frei; Tyrone Mears, Brad Evans, Chad Marshall, Dylan Remick; Erik Friberg, Gonzalo Pineda (Cristian Roldan 60), Osvaldo Alonso, Thomas (Andy Rose 76); Clint Dempsey, Chad Barrett (Lamar Neagle 63) [subs Not Used: Troy Perkins, Oneil Fisher, Darwin Jones, Zach Scott]
    VANCOUVER: David Ousted; Steven Beitashour, Kendall Waston, Pa Modou Kah, Jordan Harvey; Matias Laba, Gershon Koffie, Cristian Techera (Russell Teibert 85), Nicolas Mezquida (Pedro Morales 72), Kekuta Manneh (Darren Mattocks 79); Octavio Rivero [subs Not Used: Paolo Tornaghi, Tim Parker, Deybi Flores, Erik Hurtado]
    REACTION:
    VANCOUVER WHITECAPS
    CARL ROBINSON
    On the match:
    "It was a really positive and strong performance by the guys tonight and I’m absolutely delighted for all the guys because they put a huge amount of work in, which is what you need to do when you play Seattle away. And you get your rewards and we got our rewards tonight so we’ll enjoy it. The performance was absolutely fantastic and every single one of my players tonight carried out the instructions I asked them to do because we need to be organized and disciplined to play against a very good team. They did it to a tee so I’m delighted about that."
    On starting the upcoming stretch against Seattle in this way:
    “Yeah, but they beat us in our backyard, which was a tough one to take even though we played very well. We played very well today and won the game so we’ll enjoy it, but get back to work on Monday because we’ve got another huge game against Seattle on Wednesday. We need to try and get as many fans out as we can – Vancouverites – to put them under pressure because this is a hostile place. It’s tough to play.”
    On taking the initiative in the counterattack in the first 10 minutes:
    “It was a little bit the personnel that I have. We were very young in the front six players – I think the oldest player we have is 23 years of age. We just thought the enthusiasm of the young players – we’ve got a young squad – and the energy they can bring to the table would go out and surprise them a little bit. And that’s exactly what happened – we played some of the best football of the season in the first half.”
    On playing a down Seattle team:
    “We got the result today. They’re a top team, without a doubt, but going through a tricky patch at the moment. Every team goes through tough patches. You just look across the league – last year as an example with New England. They didn’t win nine or 10 games then managed to get to MLS Cup Final. Without a doubt, [seattle] is a good team.”
    On the unlikely heroes tonight:
    “Yeah, it’s a team effort. As I say, there’s no ‘I’ in team – that’s a big slogan in our dressing room and I make sure the boys know it. It’s not about any individual – it’s about the team. I think spreading the goals is nice, but when our strikers catch fire, we’ll be okay.”
    On Pa-Modou Kah’s finishes:
    “He says he [has good finishes], but he talks a lot. I haven’t seen them, but I’m delighted for him because he’s been brilliant since he joined the club at the start of the year. He got a little bit of criticism early on – unfairly criticized because he’s so important to me. From a young manager’s point of view, you need your senior players to come up big from Monday to Friday and sometimes on Saturday, and that’s what he’s done today. He’s so important in the locker room for me.”
    On if Kah’s performance sends a message to the critics:
    “Listen, football is a brilliant game and opinions in this game vary. Some people think you’re the best player and some people think you’re the worst player. No one is right and no one is wrong –it’s the reality of the game we’re in. He’s played better this season for me, but I’m sure you’ll talk about him more this game than games where I think he’s played better for me.”
    On Matias Laba:
    “We talk about Mati week in and week out. I said when I signed him that he’s arguably the best midfield player in the league, or one of the top, top midfielders, without a doubt. He’s getting stronger and better and continues to improve. He’s the youngest one in the league, but he’s outstanding. I wouldn’t swap him for anyone, I’ll tell you that. And I mean it.”
    On expecting a little more chippy match between these teams:
    “Well, we’re not playing netball, we’re playing soccer, so that’s what happens.”
    On the decision to be more aggressive with the fullbacks:
    “I thought they were trying to get Clint underneath, and Clint is a massive danger for you if he gets underneath to one strike you. I thought it would be Obafemi, but it wasn’t, it was Chad [barrett] so we gambled a little bit with the fullbacks. We were aggressive and it worked tonight because we got a positive performance and a good result. If it didn’t, and the result was the other way, I’m sure you would’ve said why did you attack with your fullbacks so much so today is our day.”
    On getting the players’ chemistry going:
    “I keep stressing to you – we’re young. And when you’re young, you make mistakes. When you make mistakes, sometimes people are overly critical. When you’re critical, players lose confidence. I try to be super positive with these guys. Yes, they make mistakes, but I’ll back them to the hilt, and I’ll continue to do that because I haven’t met a player yet that plays brilliant every single minute of every single game. The group I’ve got in there, it’s a pleasure to work with day in and day out. I’m going to push them because I think they’re a special group, but they’ve got to be willing to buy into that. You see today that they are, and all season they have been.”
    On how big of a statement this result makes:
    “We won the game. It’s not a big statement for us at all. We take three points off Seattle, which is going to be there without a doubt to win the Supporters’ Shield. We’ll enjoy the occasion and we’ll get better with Monday so for me, no statement.”
    DAVID OUSTED
    On the clean sheet by the defence:
    “Yeah I thought we played well. Kah’s two goals is one thing, I congratulated him, but even better I thought we defended fantastically all night The back four was very solid and the midfield did an incredible job. So, I’m delighted to come here and get a clean sheet and a big win.”
    On the importance of a big win in Seattle:
    “I think the performance is a huge milestone for us, I haven’t seen us play this well in a very, very long time. And that’s almost more important than the result for me. Seeing us obviously win, but with a performance like that is massive.”
    On why they were able to play so well:
    “You know what, I think we had a good idea of what we had to do. We had good tactic coming in here, we needed to move the ball and not get in too much of a scrap with them. They’re a physical team, and they’re a good team at that [physical play], so moving the ball and keeping them away from us and the ball was huge. We did that so well tonight.”
    On the importance of playing Seattle again on Wednesday in CONCACAF Champions League:
    “It is [important], we want to do well in CONCACAF. Obviously it’s a little weird having them three days after this one. But, we go in with a lot of confidence now and we know what we have to do Wednesday. It’s going to be more tough on Wednesday because they want to get revenge for this one coming into our backyard, so we need to be on our toes.”
    On the importance of the entire group scoring goals:
    “I think it says that things are starting to work now. I think we are a team who could be really good on set plays, and we haven’t scored enough goals so far. Now they’re coming. Hopefully we’ll continue doing that, and hopefully Mati [Laba], Pa [Modou Kah], and Mauro [Rosales] continue and a few other guys step in. Pedro steps in today and makes an incredible free kick goal, and we know what Octavio [Rivero] can do, we know what Nico [Mezquida] can do, so I believe the goals are coming. We train hard, and hopefully that pays off.”
    PA-MODOU KAH
    On both his and the team’s performance:
    “First of all, I am very happy with the team. The way we played today was a really true professional football game, like from the first minute to the 90th minute we played fantastically. It’s just amazing because we have a special group here and we can go a long [way], but every day we have to come in to work and work hard, and we really did that today. It’s also good for the team, and also for the Cascadia rival, because it’s a derby game and you come in the backyard of one of the best fans in the league and you beat them 3-0.”
    On the Whitecaps’ tactics in the game:
    “I think it was not only about counter [attacking], like I think we also played very well in possession. We kept the ball and we were cutting them through the middle, and they really had no answer to us. You know, that’s the way football is. But today, we played very well. The whole team, I’m very proud of the guys. But that’s something we have to keep going because we can always improve, and we are going to keep on improving. Now this game is done, because we have the first-ever Champions League game for the Whitecaps coming up Wednesday, against the same opponents. So it’s up to us now to prove that what we did today, we can also do on Wednesday.”
    On whether he has scored as good goals as he did today:
    “Yes. I have one of the best goals, when I was playing Holland it was one of the best goals of the year. It was crowned one of the top 20 goals of the year in Europe. But, to have two finishes like this today it is just unbelievable, especially two days after my 35th birthday. Like I said earlier, there’s ten goals a year [on set pieces]. I put my two goals so I’m done for the year hopefully. Now it us up to Octavio [Rivero], Kekuta [Manneh], and the rest to score.”
    On the importance of Ousted’s kick-save toward the end of the first half:
    “Like I said, there is a reason David’s an All Star, and he proved it today again. That was a wonderful save. He didn’t have much to do, but when he was called upon he came strong and that is what we need.”
    SEATTLE SOUNDERS
    SIGI SCHMID
    On the overall game:
    “Obviously it was a disappointing match for us…It’s one of things where a team is already in a rut and then you take an early goal, and everyone’s head drops a little bit. I think it took us a while. I thought towards the end of the half we started to play a little better – I thought we could come back in the second half and do well – and we take another early goal in the second half off of their corner kick, and everyone’s head drops a little bit. We got ourselves a bit back into the game – obviously we had more looks on goal, more shots than in the previous few weeks – at the end of the day it wasn’t good enough.”
    On Clint Dempsey:
    “The plan was for him to go all 90 minutes. We weren’t worried about that based upon what he had done, so his performance was like everybody else’s. Sometimes I felt we forced some balls into him, we needed to go somewhere else with it. I thought Vancouver did a good job of killing that space in front of their center backs, making it tough to play into Clint.”
    On the starting line-up:
    “It’s a disappointment because we had different starters from the last game, and I don’t think anyone in that locker room is pleased with the result. It’s disappointing because we felt we had a good week of practice, even though Clint and Chad Marshall weren’t here the whole week, but it is something we need to do better.”
    On establishing connections between players:
    “It’s never going to be that easy. I tried to caution people who thought, ‘OK everybody is back so it will be snap of the fingers and it’s going to all happen again.’ That’s not the way it works. You’ve got to get players back to playing again and on the same page. [Erik] Friberg has never played with Dempsey before, today is his first game playing with Clint – we tried him in a slightly different position to begin the game, so that was an adjustment. Clint hasn’t play with Thomàs, so there are connections there that aren’t established.”
    On the reaction of the Vancouver players at the final whistle:
    “They went out and celebrated on our field a little bit and that pisses us off. We’ve got to make sure that we right that and we pay them back for that. I don’t think teams should come in here and be taking snapshots and pictures on our field. It pisses me off and I think it pisses off our players. When you play back-to-back and close together, that maybe heats up things.”
    STEFAN FREI
    On what he could have done differently on the goals:
    “I have to go back and look at it. There’s always something you probably could have done better but disappointed to give up three goals on set pieces.”
    On giving up goals on set-pieces:
    “Well the third is probably a good finish. In general we just gave away too many silly free kicks around the box and maybe one was just in a nice sweet spot for him to take advantage and obviously he took advantage of it. A center back with two goals for them is right spot at the right time but still we have to be in the right spot at the right time. You can’t just always say it’s bad luck. We have to win individual battles, we have to be sharp defensively on set pieces and do better.”
    On the need for the team to come together as a team:
    “It’s huge; I think we’ve been trying to take it one game at a time. People might say this is an important game or that is an important game. I think any game is a chance to get out of a slump and any game is a chance to get back on a run. Whether that is on Wednesday or the following game, right now Wednesday is our next game and we have to prepare for that so tomorrow we have the day off. We’ve got to make sure we take care of our bodies and after that we have limited time on the field to get ready but we have to make sure we get better in those limited days.”
    On Vancouver's celebrations at the end of the game:
    "To me, if you take a team picture like you just won a trophy on an enemy's field , so to speak, I take that personally. If somebody comes up to me and tells me I played a good game and laughs in my face, I take that personally."
    BRAD EVANS
    On the potential for revenge on Wednesday:
    “Yeah, not so much revenge. We’ve just got to back to playing our style of soccer and get back to our winning ways so our focus is on us, not on the other team.”
    On what went wrong:
    “Three set piece goals. The first one takes a deflection off my hip and bounces straight to Kah and he bangs it in. The second one, short corner, shoots, and Kah gets another cheeky little touch, little back heel. And the third one the wall separates and he bangs it in. So that’s a consolation goal at the end and team-wise we have to defend as a team and offensively as a team too so not good on both ends tonight.”
    On the loss being different with more guys back:
    “No, I think every loss is crappy, obviously. Considering the circumstances and losing so many in a row now is not an ideal situation but the only thing we can do is put a smile on, come into practice and get back to work. I say put a smile on but we’ve all got to have good attitudes moving forward so we can’t sink the ship right now. So, if changes need to be made that’ll come from up top but we’ve all got to come in and work. We’ve got a big one on Wednesday night.”
    Michael Mccoll
    It was no more than K-W deserved, after coming closing on numerous occasions during the match, hitting the woodwork three times and causing numerous goalmouth scrambles.
    Leading scorer Ben Polk had a shot cleared off the goalline in the 18th minute. The rebound fell to Oyvind Alseth on the edge of the box but his shot cannoned off the crossbar. When Sergio Camargo hit the left post with a rasping shot in the 32nd minute, you wondered if it wasn't going to be the Canadian's day. Even more so when Polk hit the crossbar again six minutes into the second half.
    Seattle also had their chances, in an entertaining and fast-paced game that was swinging end to end, with Joseph Gjertsen coming within inches of giving the host the lead five minutes in and Guillermo Delgado doing everything right to create a chance out of nothing a minute before the break, but lobbing hit final effort just over.
    The Sounders were looking lively in the closing stages after bringing on sub Derek Johnson, with Whitecaps Residency alumni Wesley Cain causing Seattle problems with his pace up front for K-W, before Buescher grabbed the late winner.
    "We had the better chances but Seattle were a very, very good team," Pozniak felt. "Very organised and very quick on transitions, so it was always a little bit dangerous. But in the end, a little bit of quality and we scored a great goal."
    So when Buescher lined up that game winning free-kick, what was going through Pozniak's mind? Was he already planning his tactics for extra time?
    "No, no," Pozniak told us. "Actually I've seen Julian bang those in during training all the time, so I had a feeling it was going in."

    The K-W head coaching position is Pozniak's first stint in management at the senior level and what a start to his managerial career.
    Pozniak retired at the end of 2012, having played club football in five countries and being capped for Canada internationally. The defender played in MLS with Toronto FC in their inaugural season and also had a stint with Chivas USA in 2008. Many AFTN readers will also be familiar with Pozniak for the three seasons he spent with the Whitecaps from the 2008 USL Championship winning side up to 2010.
    To reach the Championship game in his first season in management means as much to him as it does the players, but he puts a lot of the success down to the earlier work done by another ex-Whitecap, former PDL coach Stuart Neely.
    "It's fantastic," Pozniak enthused. "I couldn't have asked for a better start to coaching at this level. I've had great support and we've also recruited some fantastic players, which made it easy for me.
    "We had great groundwork from the year before from Stuart Neely, my predecessor. So the returning players, who are our captains, Sergio Camargo and Nate Ingham, set the tone already. So it made my job easier the first couple of weeks and ever since then it's gone uphill."
    But the job is only halfway done and K-W United will now face New York Red Bulls U23s in Sunday's PDL Championship game.
    The Red Bulls had a dramatic late semi-final win of their own at Starfire Stadium. Having taken an early lead, then wasting several chances to kill the game off, New York let Florida side Ocala Stampede tie things up late in the first half. The second half then became an edgy affair, with no further goals to break the deadlock.
    With penalties looming, Ocala's Anthony Arico was sent off for a lunging challenge in the New York box and the Stampede were punished when Joe Farrell hit a stunning looping effort into the next with six minutes of extra time remaining.
    It'll be a tough game, but a very winnable one and K-W United are top seeds for this Final Four.
    New York won the Mid Atlantic Division and then the Eastern Conference Championship and have a number of returning players and from their successful academy.
    How much does Pozniak know about them and did he get an opportunity to watch any of their semi-final?
    "I got the chance to watch their first half," Pozniak told us. "We were warming up so we didn't see the second half (or extra time) but we've got a pretty good idea of how they play and what they're about."
    The PDL Championship game kicks off at Starfire at 2pm on Sunday afternoon, with admission only $10. If you're staying down in the area after the 'Caps game at the Clink tonight, then get yourself along and cheer on the Canadians to lift the trophy.
    Good luck to K-W United. And we'll leave you with some photos from Friday's semi-final win.
















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