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    Supporters Section Canada vs Peru

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    The CSA has reserved four sections at BMO for use by the Voyageurs at the upcoming Canada vs Peru friendly in September.
    112, 113, 114 and 127
    If you would like a group order form please contact voyageurstickets@gmail.com
    If you would like to purchase a smaller quantity PM socceronly on the board.
    Thank you,
    Jamie
    Guest

    Lessons Learned

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    [attach]261[/attach]
    Things which can be learnt from the two September friendlies Canada played against Peru and Honduras respectively (outside of the obvious "we still have a long ways to go" bit):
    1. More attacking options need to be tried up front. We need to try Rob Friend alongside another striker to see if he can be more effective in a 4-4-2 with someone to play off, as it seems unlikely in the 4-5-1 that Coach Stephen Hart employs that an avalanche of goals will come from the striker, or even to Ali Gerba levels of productivity. With the style Canada prefers to play - keeping the ball on the ground rather than aiming long balls at the second coming of John Catliff up front (and even he was almost always utilized in a 4-4-2) - it's easy to see why Der Cucumber Bomber is often more effective and productive for Canada than Friend, who seems to thrive much more with service in the air - which he doesn't often get playing for Canada. Occean needs to be given another look, and yes, Hart must do everything in his power to convince Bunbury and Hoillet to play for Canada - not to mention getting Jono De Guzman to switch back. And lets give Marcus Haber (in the SPL) and Julian Uccello (in Serie a look. We really have nothing to lose.
    2. Our offensive central midfield options are somewhat limited - both Bernier and De Ro are in their 30's already. Pedro Pacheco, our recent Portugese signing, could provide part of the answer here, a shame that he was injured and therefore not called.
    3. Terry Dunfield could be a valuable addition to the national team player pool. Nothing flashy in the d-mid role, but his distribution was very good, always keeping his team in possession against Honduras and I don't think he gave the ball away once. Playing for the Whitecaps in MLS next season will hopefully get him acclimatized to Concacaf officiating, which he got a taste of in Montreal. Simeon Jackson and Adam Straith also look like regulars for the future. It would be nice to get young Eddie Sidra in there as well for some speed coming out of the back - hopefully his club situation sorts itself out soon. And we still need an explanation for what the heck happened with the non playing of Nana Attakora, since we wasted a golden opportunity to see the kid try his luck at the international level.
    4. One spot Canada actually now has some decent depth in is central defense. Outside of the three central defenders who did play in the two games, we didn't play Nana, and Adrian Cann and Andrew Hainault weren't called from their MLS clubs - making the non-call of David Edgar somewhat of a rare luxury for Coach Hart. It would be nice to get David back in the fold however, but also nice for him to start playing regular first-team football.
    5. The CSA's goal at this point for home games needs to be filling the stands with Canadian fans. Team up with the pro clubs if necessary or let them run the marketing for the games in each respective city. There has been talk even from the Mayor of Toronto that the CSA needs to do more promotion, but charging more money for friendlies than the pro clubs do for games that "count" is part of the problem that hasn't been discussed. The game in Toronto was promoted well enough that the city's Peruvian community (many of who mistook the Canadian team for the Peruvian one when Canada came out to warm up, indicating how much - or rather how little - they follow the Peruivan team) came out to watch the match, whereas few Canadians outside of dedicated supporters did. This suggests a lack of interest by more general soccer fans (as opposed to "supporters") for the national team - at least for friendlies - and you aren't going to get them into the stands by charging more money than they are used to paying for games that count. I would like to think that most people would see supporting the national team as being more important than a club team, but not everybody does - and the distinction between "real games" and "exhibition matches" is far more prevalent with the average sports fan that is often realized.
    Guest

    Lessons Learned

    By Guest, in 24th Minute,

    [attach]262[/attach]
    Things which can be learnt from the two September friendlies Canada played against Peru and Honduras respectively (outside of the obvious "we still have a long ways to go" bit):
    1. More attacking options need to be tried up front. We need to try Rob Friend alongside another striker to see if he can be more effective in a 4-4-2 with someone to play off, as it seems unlikely in the 4-5-1 that Coach Stephen Hart employs that an avalanche of goals will come from the striker, or even to Ali Gerba levels of productivity. With the style Canada prefers to play - keeping the ball on the ground rather than aiming long balls at the second coming of John Catliff up front (and even he was almost always utilized in a 4-4-2) - it's easy to see why Der Cucumber Bomber is often more effective and productive for Canada than Friend, who seems to thrive much more with service in the air - which he doesn't often get playing for Canada. Occean needs to be given another look, and yes, Hart must do everything in his power to convince Bunbury and Hoillet to play for Canada - not to mention getting Jono De Guzman to switch back. And lets give Marcus Haber (in the SPL) and Julian Uccello (in Serie a look. We really have nothing to lose.
    2. Our offensive central midfield options are somewhat limited - both Bernier and De Ro are in their 30's already. Pedro Pacheco, our recent Portugese signing, could provide part of the answer here, a shame that he was injured and therefore not called.
    3. Terry Dunfield could be a valuable addition to the national team player pool. Nothing flashy in the d-mid role, but his distribution was very good, always keeping his team in possession against Honduras and I don't think he gave the ball away once. Playing for the Whitecaps in MLS next season will hopefully get him acclimatized to Concacaf officiating, which he got a taste of in Montreal. Simeon Jackson and Adam Straith also look like regulars for the future. It would be nice to get young Eddie Sidra in there as well for some speed coming out of the back - hopefully his club situation sorts itself out soon. And we still need an explanation for what the heck happened with the non playing of Nana Attakora, since we wasted a golden opportunity to see the kid try his luck at the international level.
    4. One spot Canada actually now has some decent depth in is central defense. Outside of the three central defenders who did play in the two games, we didn't play Nana, and Adrian Cann and Andrew Hainault weren't called from their MLS clubs - making the non-call of David Edgar somewhat of a rare luxury for Coach Hart. It would be nice to get David back in the fold however, but also nice for him to start playing regular first-team football.
    5. The CSA's goal at this point for home games needs to be filling the stands with Canadian fans. Team up with the pro clubs if necessary or let them run the marketing for the games in each respective city. There has been talk even from the Mayor of Toronto that the CSA needs to do more promotion, but charging more money for friendlies than the pro clubs do for games that "count" is part of the problem that hasn't been discussed. The game in Toronto was promoted well enough that the city's Peruvian community (many of who mistook the Canadian team for the Peruvian one when Canada came out to warm up, indicating how much - or rather how little - they follow the Peruivan team) came out to watch the match, whereas few Canadians outside of dedicated supporters did. This suggests a lack of interest by more general soccer fans (as opposed to "supporters") for the national team - at least for friendlies - and you aren't going to get them into the stands by charging more money than they are used to paying for games that count. I would like to think that most people would see supporting the national team as being more important than a club team, but not everybody does - and the distinction between "real games" and "exhibition matches" is far more prevalent with the average sports fan that is often realized.
    Guest

    Voyageur's Cup Match #2

    By Guest, in Voyageurs,

    It's May, it's Wednesday, and that means another Nutrilite Canadian Championship contest live on the box thanks to the good folks over at Roger's SportsNet. It'll be action from the Left Coast tonight as the Vancouver Whitecaps continue their 2010 "Farewell to Swangard" tribute by hosting divisional rivals Montreal Impact. And for fans of Canadian footie it's their 1st chance to see if there is still any bad blood lingering between the two clubs. The 2009 calender left the Vancouver Whitecaps 2nd best in both the league and cup and their cross-country rivals played a deciding role in both instances.
    Predictions are hard to make at this point into the young season as all three clubs are still trying to find their on-field rhythm and everyone knew that would be the case when the Cup calender was announced but it's doubtful anyone could have predicted the unpredictable silliness would grip this competition so early on when in Match #1 last Wednesday the Impact once again kept with their recent wretched form against Toronto with a far from finest hour display of sport and sportsmanship.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Toronto Football Club stands top of the V's Cup table on 3 points and in this short tournament there is no room for error, Vancouver or Montreal really has to come out of Swangard tonight with maximum points. For both sides a draw tonight is an ill afforded loss of ground on Toronto. That's Cup football, all-in, every match.
    TFC failed to come anywhere near to reproducing Montreal's fantastic CONCACAF Championship run of 2008, an international Cup run which earned the Impact an international reputation. Last year Vancouver missed out at their chance at re-establishing their international reputation in part due to a Montreal team which gifted the Voyageur's Cup to TFC on the last day at Saputo Stadium. For an MLS bound WhiteCaps organization that stinging loss of opportunity is one which does not look worth repeating.
    It's the Vs Cup, the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, and the gateway to the CONCACAF Champion's League where the honour of collecting MLS and Primera Division scalps awaits the winner.
    Nutrilite Canadian Championship
    Vancouver Whitecaps vs Montreal Impact
    Wednesday, May 5th
    Swangard Stadium, Vancouver BC
    10:30 EST
    Roger's SportsNet East & West
    Guest
    Today, we're joined by Kara Lang - UCLA alumni, Whitecaps star and Canadian national team player - to talk about her road back from injury, where the lady Whitecaps will be next season and where her future in football lays.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    We'll also be joined by Dino Rossi, president and owner of Milltown FC, to help set up the CSL playoff picture and give us his take on Milltown's success this year.
    TFC v Chivas, Whitecaps v Portland and Montreal v Austin will all get broken down as we take a look at each Canadian club's upcoming game.
    <embed src="http://itscalledfootball.podhoster.com/FlowPlayerLight.swf?config={embedded:true,videoFile:%27http://itscalledfootball.podhoster.com/download/2540/20333/oct9.2010final.mp3%27,initialScale:%27scale%27,controlBarBackgroundColor:%270x778899%27,autoBuffering:false,loop:false,autoPlay:false}" width="400" height="25" scale="fit" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>
    Guest
    Today, we're joined by Marc Weber from the Vancouver Province to help set the Caps playoff picture, talk about what pieces to the puzzle this team still needs before heading into MLS and what the goal has been for them this year.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    We also get into what TFC's goal for Earl Cochrane's is right now, talk about Nick Dasovic calling out his players, Ali Gerba leading the Montreal Impact to a fine playoff result and what the return of the MLS reserve division will do for the league next year.
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    Guest

    Losing the plot

    By Guest, in Onward Soccer,

    It’s been a long and blessed while since any key member of the Canadian Soccer Association braintrust has freely admitted in public he has no idea whatsoever what is really going on in the Canadian game.
    That streak got blown to Pluto this week, when CSA veep Victor Montagliani ripped into Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps over changes to what constitutes a “domestic player” in Major League Soccer.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    In a nutshell, Canadian MLS teams used to have to give six roster spots to Canadian players. Now, they don’t have to give any.
    “We feel let down a little bit by MLS, but the Canadian clubs have really let us down,” Montagliani told the open microphone of Vancouver Sun sports scribe Bruce Constantineau.

    If you’re a soccer fan and this move sounds disastrous to you, stick around and I’ll happily talk you through it.
    If you’re a member of the CSA and you don’t see the problem here – well, I’ll try to kind and patient, but no promises.
    Under the old system:
    - Toronto FC tried hard to develop young Canadian players for the pros. In four years, only one such player has been able to crack the starting lineup, and meaningfully contribute. That would be Nana Attakora, of course, and any future gifts he gives the national team will owe a significant debt to TFC.
    - Other than Nana, the gulf between kicking-around-Canada and playing MLS soccer has been insurmountable. Gabe Gala got to score a cracker of a goal against Real Madrid, but has almost no playing time to show for four years. And the 2007 public self-destruction of young Canadian striker Andrea Lombardo wasn’t good for anyone.
    - If one Canadian MLS team can’t find contributing stay-at-home Canucks, howzabout two? … Or three? The system had to change, because there simply aren’t enough local pros who aren’t playing in Europe who can usefully fill that many roster spots. Not even close.
    Under the new system:
    - Somewhere in the vicinity of a dozen or more Canadian soccer prospects will not be forced into high-pressure jobs they simply aren’t ready for. That has to be a good thing.
    Montagliani wasn’t done:
    “This just goes to show you can’t rely on professional clubs to develop Canadian players,” he gaffed. “They can wax poetic that they’re here for Canadian development but at the end of the day, their number-one priority is to put a winning team on the field, regardless of where the players come from.”
    Three things:
    - All three Canadian pro clubs are investing heavily in youth soccer academies. The Whitecaps toss a million bucks a year at player development, some of which they nicely recouped when hot young goal-poacher Marcus Haber was sold on to West Bromwich Albion of the English Premier League.
    - Toronto FC recently signed two players from its academy – Doniel Henry and Nicholas Lindsay – to pro contracts. The club is also racking up frequent-flyer miles to Mexico, studying the gigantic youth soccer set-up at Pachuca. Huge investment in training facilities is imminent.
    - Compare that – and similar, more modest efforts by the Montreal Impact – to the rag-tag mesh of provincial rep teams that have been under-developing generations of Canadian soccer talent. Compare solid, wealthy, motivated backing to a national set-up that still actually funds national teams primarily by boosting fees charged to amateur players.
    And another thing:
    MLS relies heavily on the American NCAA college soccer system to produce the bulk of its players. Canadian teams have some big problems with that.
    While the NCAA is loved passionately by its fans and undoubtedly produces some entertaining games, it is globally poor as a player-development system. NCAA graduates tend to be 22 or 23 years old, ancient for starting pro careers on the world stage, and have spent four key development years playing really-not-that-many-games against honestly-not-very-strong competition.
    That produces a decent crop of MLS pros – guys who can contribute in the league for five years and are no threat to ever depart for Europe. Sam Cronin, if you will. If that’s how they want to develop talent Stateside, good luck God bless to all concerned.
    Up here, though, we have a huge sucking vacuum where our player-development system ought to be – and we’re not content to drink the NCAA kool-aid.
    Rather than waiting for the CSA to get its muddled act together, the Canadian clubs are doing what should have been done generations ago – spending real money and creating a genuine ladder for promising potential pros to climb.
    Victor, I know Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi was in town this week. I ran into him in that interminably awful elevator at BMO Field on Tuesday night. I know everyone was talking player development, and I know he was squarely in your sites when you lost the bigger plot.
    Are you seriously comparing your vision of the game to that of a guy who played for Canada in the 1986 World Cup, coached the Canadian national team in World Cup qualifying, and a huge driving force behind the present player-development revolution taking place in B.C.? Do you honestly think the Whitecaps can’t handle the twin goals of fostering the future of Canada’s national teams – and being competitive in MLS?
    Frankly, sir, I’ll take his word for it over yours.
    I understand these issues are confusing. I understand how – on first, cosmetic site, it might look like TFC and the ‘Caps are wriggling out of their Canadian commitments.
    I do not understand – will not understand – how someone as highly placed in the CSA as Victor Montagliani could be this wrong.
    It speaks to deeper problems that still must be addressed, and is a ringing endorsement for the sweeping governance changes the CSA is glacially considering.
    Onward!
    Guest
    Today, we're joined by CSA Vice-President Victor Montagliani, to talk about his recent comments regarding Canadian MLS clubs giving up the Canadian quota, what the CSA is planning in terms of development and their incoming plans for a national league.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    We're also joined by Dave Clark from Sounder at Heart to help set up TFC's game in Seattle and dispel the myth that Freddie Ljungberg's departure lead to their success.
    And we'll get into a planned protest of the MLS Cup, the Globe's article on 'MLSE: Too big to win' and the Canadian Women's National Team win over China.
    <embed src="http://itscalledfootball.podhoster.com/FlowPlayerLight.swf?config={embedded:true,videoFile:%27http://itscalledfootball.podhoster.com/download/2540/20211/oct1final.mp3%27,initialScale:%27scale%27,controlBarBackgroundColor:%270x778899%27,autoBuffering:false,loop:false,autoPlay:false}" width="400" height="25" scale="fit" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>
    Guest
    Today, we're joined by John Molinaro of CBC Sports to talk about Dwayne DeRosario's controversial goal celebration, if he's worth DP money and if should he stay on as captain after this year.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    And we also get into what the fallout will be from TFC missing the playoffs once again, if its time for MLS to re-think its DP strategy and which Canadian soccer personality you'd want on your side in a fight.
    <embed src="http://itscalledfootball.podhoster.com/FlowPlayerLight.swf?config={embedded:true,videoFile:%27http://itscalledfootball.podhoster.com/download/2540/20158/sept28final.mp3%27,initialScale:%27scale%27,controlBarBackgroundColor:%270x778899%27,autoBuffering:false,loop:false,autoPlay:false}" width="400" height="25" scale="fit" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed>
    Guest

    In the first days past the break-up

    By Guest, in Onward Soccer,

    Author’s note: If you like your blogs clear and simple, artless and dry, y’all might want to sit this one out. If that didn’t toss ya, let’s walk:
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    And sure, you knew it was inevitable for the longest time.
    It all started out so well, but such an aching chasm of hurtful time ago. The situation opened doors. It validated your deepest dreams. It was all so giddy, so impossible – so good.
    Not that folks didn’t tell you from the start this could be trouble. You’re in there working it with all your heart, but The Other Side is so cold and distant. You can’t find anything in your many interactions that actually seems overtly hostile, but what’s all this distance? And why does everything seem so cold?
    Moment one: Toronto FC’s 2010 season, up to the D.C. United loss on September 11.
    All that spring and summer, voices all around were screaming it was time to break up. Abuse stories were rampant, and like any good little victim, you weren’t telling your story to anyone.
    It couldn’t really be that bad, could it? You’re still doing what you love to do. It’s still a pretty cool life.
    But you’ve seen The Other Side do this terrible thing where someone just like you gets it all torn away and stolen, while someone else you secretly swear can’t do half of what you do gets protection and approval, like some pampered cat that purrs and smirks and turns into a slathering monster of doom-slash in your dreams at night.
    Try waking up from that and dancing through your daytime like there’s nothing wrong.
    Everyone In Here smiles and says it’s fine. But everything You touch out there goes south. It’s ridiculous! You have to be better than this, right? How’d you get here in the first place if you aren’t?
    You heard tell, long ago, of bad people who rise in the world by sucking the talent, dreams and joy out of good folk. And then a dear friend whispers on a midnight sidewalk that you’re dealing with “a terrible, terrible, terrible man.”
    And though your conscious mind would never tell you this, your deeper, inner self is seeking a way to fall, plummet, hurtle deep and deep and downwards – all in just the tiniest, most desperate hope that someone’s going to – has to – catch you.
    And then, on a screaming, noisy stage, on a day you can and must succeed, you see The Other Side smirking, and realize that the one and only way you can win today – is lose.
    And you do.
    Moment two: Toronto FC 1 at Seagull City SC 4, CONCACAF Champions League, September 15.

    The break-up came so fast you almost missed it. The serpent’s gone. Heck, they even sucked the poison out, too.
    Suddenly you’re on a plane, out of town, in the air … on your own.
    You feel like you’re standing on a mountain top – and look at that! You are! It’s so beautiful and simple now. No one’s really expecting anything. The year’s essentially been written off. Anything good that happens now is a bonus.
    And in those giddy opening moments, you feel free and creative and six-years-old and great. Simple moves that seemed so hard just days ago are flowing, popping – scoring! You’ve got one, and could easily have two more. This is freedom! This is fun! This is … EASY!
    And it avalanches downhill from there. The setbacks mount up. In the end, you’re buried. And don’t you just hear the abuser’s voice, saying you’re not that good; never were that good; never will be that good?
    This is when the doubt pours in. This is when you could actually miss the way things used to be. Coming so soon, this hollow landing is a saddening shock. Maybe you were actually better off before. Maybe you never were that good after all. Maybe you’re just another of those myriad mistakes The Other Side made.
    But – for a few reckless, fleeting moments there, free and frolicking in the twilight of this new day that has unexpectedly dawned – wasn’t it …
    Fun?
    Moment three: Toronto FC 2 at Houston Dynamo 1, MLS, September 18.
    Tonight, it’s just the same old disconnected bag of crap. No flow. No link-up. Nothing going right. Keeps on like this, and people are going to start thinking it wasn’t His fault after all.
    And that’s when The Anger kicks in. Anger was a dangerous emotion before. You lived in a soap-bubble world of illusion, where any outburst could destroy something you’d really prefer to cling to.
    But He’s not Here now. So let’s start calling a spade a damn shovel! The work, right now, is horse****. What are You – free of Him – going to do the effing heck about it?
    Explode.
    But not in some random, unfocused, just-tear-it-all-down-and-die bout of destruction. This is going to be … surgical. Some pressure here, some daring there. All to create the possibility. All to stand in the moment. All to have the chance, see the goal – and connect.
    Twice.
    And just like that, you did what you had to do. You beat the doormat, and stood astride the rival town. You’re battered and exhausted, and you can’t go home just yet. But at least you’ve crawled back into the river, and there’s faltering sails ahead you might yet catch.
    Perfect time for an impulsive trip to Mehico, yes?
    Moment four: Toronto FC 0 at Cruz Azul 0, CONCACAF Champions League, September 21.
    Okay, let’s be honest. No one really wants to be here tonight. So a few crazy friends decided to travel down and offer some support, and they’re just having themselves Ye Grande Olde Tyme. Makes you smile. Feels good.
    But this is a grim bit of business tonight. Something to be survived more than anything to be won.
    No point offering your best. You’ve been through too much, and will desperately need every ounce of anything you can muster when you finally go back to face the mess at home.
    And you’re not even that good, right? Really?
    And they come at you. In waves. You feel the kill-shot coming any minute. It’s exactly like that last time out before the break-up. Just lose, and leave.
    But the kill-shot never comes.
    And what the heck does that mean? This is that nightmare you can’t wake up from, where the Big-Time Boxer is pounding you from one end of town to the other, and there’s no referee to stop the fight.
    It’s not like you were at your best tonight. Bless your heart and pass the clams, you weren’t even close to your best tonight. Yeah, they dogged it, too, but they had everything they needed to wipe you out, and the kill-shot never came.
    It’s a funny game, sometimes!
    And ain’t this the moment when The Other Side would be phonin’ up the FAN590 demanding to get on the air to preen and strut after refusing to talk to Anyone about Anything for three whole years?
    But he’s gone. You’re still here. And this – is a famous achievement. Your achievement. History, it turns out, is rarely written on anyone’s best night.
    Time to go home, feel your power, claim your space, and – whatever yet may happen – begin your new and single life for real.
    Onward!
    Guest
    Today, we're joined by Carmine Isacco, former TFC assistant and now coach of the York Lions and Portugal FC, to talk about their season's, the need for more Canadian coaches and the role of CSL in development.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Then we're joined by TFC director of business operations, Paul Beirne, to talk about the recent rise in ticket prices and what the motivations were.
    We'll set up the TFC game vs San Jose and talk about a Wall Street journal story that points out that 5 players account for 30% of the salaries in the league.
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    Guest

    Mo must – you know

    By Guest, in Onward Soccer,

    Okay. Time for a bit of quiet reflection.
    The decision that ultimately killed Toronto FC 2010 was not made by any player, coach or general manager of Canada’s soon-to-be-not-only Major League Soccer franchise. Nor was the fatal decision made in 2010.
    Ye goode shippe TFC IV was delivered to the port pre-sunk – thanks to the 2009 decision by owners Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment to retain Mo Johnston as admiral.
    … And I am so bleepingly tired of being right about this.
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] Mo is little more than a glad-handing snakeoil frontman, who’s been consistently able to sell himself as a soccer impresario to a highly successful sports organization that has always been painfully naïve and deeply unaware of what it takes to succeed in any professional sport.
    I don’t blame Mo for any of that. Paycheques are scarce in this world. Good luck, and go for it!
    But can we all please – finally and unanimously – drop the optimism?
    On August 11, Toronto FC was two points back of second-place New York Energy Drink, entering a home-and-home series that could have lifted them out of the wild-card free-for-all, setting the table for the team’s MLS playoff debut.
    Since then:
    TFC 0 @ NY 1
    TFC 1 vs NY 4
    TFC 0 vs SLC 0
    TFC 0 @ DAL 1
    TFC 0 @ CHI 0
    TFC 0 vs DC 1
    That’s your team, kids. More to the point, that’s Coach Preki and the helm of Coach Preki’s team. By any fair definition, this was a six-game make-or-break stretch by which all concerned can be fairly judged.
    And sure, the schedule sucked. But the schedule always sucks. And sure, the CONCACAF Champions League didn’t help. But the CONCACAF Champions League never helps.
    A lot of fans are piling on the newer players, saying Nick LaBrocca and Dan Gargan aren’t as good as Amado Guevara and Marvell Wynne. Well, Guevara wasn’t coming back anyway, and I’ll take Gargan over Wynne anytime, anywhere.
    Toronto FC isn’t freefalling out of contention because of Nick LaBrocca. The team is dying because no one on the roster is scoring any goals. Certainly, there have been injuries – but there are always injuries.
    In these six brutal games, Toronto has shown virtually no creativity in attack. TFC’s Big Play right now is Dwayne de Rosario hoofing one over the crossbar from twenty-something yards out. Opposing goalies don’t even have to guess right on this one – or even be standing on their feet. The ball is gonzo over the bar. There is no chance of scoring.
    At BMO Field, there is a strong, prevailing wind that lifts shots high into the air – particularly at the south end. Everyone knows this. DeRo’s hoof-jobs have done a decent enough job of reaching out and touching TFC fans in the supporters’ section, but far too few have found the net.
    Yes, the defence is better, but the hopelessly slow Nick Garcia is still getting lapped out there. Young Canadians Adrian Cann and Nana Attakora have calmed things down nicely, but Nana had a dreadful game against DC United. In the first half, a bad Nana clearance immediately got rung off Toronto’s goalpost. In the second, he mis-kicked himself right out of the play on DC’s winning goal, leaving an easy sitter for former TFC high draft pick Julian James.
    Why can’t this team attack? Can’t Preki convince them that having attacking options is a good thing? What the heck is any coach good for if the team scores just one goal in a critical six-game stretch?
    How odd that an injury to improving striker Chad Barrett is being cited as a key factor in TFC’s surrender. A year ago, an internal dispute over the chronically under-achieving Barrett’s playing time ripped the team apart.
    And the common denominator – in all of this – is Mo Johnston.
    Yep, he tried something different. A name coach and a new roster. But here it comes showtime, and everything turns into blu-uch.
    They’re not good enough – again. And Mo Johnston is the man in charge – again.
    Right now, there is a nasty divide among supporters’ groups about whether it’s okay to turn on the team in the stadium while the games are going on:
    Thousands of people – in all the groups – have invested time, money, dreams, love, faith and optimism in this team. As far as I’m concerned, after this much time, anyone who’s done all that can react any blessed way they want to. I’m a fan, too, but the TFC side that face-planted against the last-place DCers on Saturday deserved to be booed off the pitch.
    It’s over, Mo. At least the team lost for different reasons this year. But shouldn’t that just clarify – once and forever – that a change has to be made?
    Right now?
    Dear MLSE: There are plenty of people out there who know soccer better than Mo Johnston. This was made clear to you from thousands of voices and directions a year ago, but you chose to stand by your man. And while all concerned are eternally grateful to have this team – and fully acknowledge how much you guys did to make that happen – The Support is achingly tired of The Suits not getting the message.
    So, just to clarify: Toronto FC fans are NOT Toronto Maple Leaf or Raptor fans. That stadium isn’t two-thirds empty at kick-off because of chronic holes in the GO-Train schedule.
    The fans won’t follow Mo. If you don’t drop him – hard and quickly – why should any of us follow you?
    Onward!
    Guest

    Who I’d keep

    By Guest, in Onward Soccer,

    Now that it’s over, now that we know Dwayne de Rosario, Julian de Guzman and natural grass at BMO won’t get Toronto FC into the playoffs, let us drop all hint of sentiment.
    The team isn’t nearly good enough. Here’s my case for the very few players I think ought to return:
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    Dwayne de Rosario: Best outfield player on the squad, hands-down. Decidedly not a captain, but no one else here is either. DeRo’s biggest drawback is going to be his insistence on becoming a Designated Player. I suppose he’s earned it, but how many other teams in the league would consider him one? As long as there’s a few of them, fine. But if not, the rebuilding Reds could end up severely over-paying for a man who somehow isn’t content to earn darn-near half-a-million playing in his hometown. If you’d told him that was even remotely possible when he broke in with the Toronto Lynx in 1997, I wonder what kind of funny look he’d have given you?
    Julian de Guzman: Here’s where the mess Mo Johnston left behind will really need some cleaning up. Julian didn’t really want to come here when he did. He was in a nasty back-salary dispute with Deportivo la Coruna, and was still hoping to land one more contract in Europe. When it didn’t come, Mo was waiting. Julian didn’t exactly leap at Mo’s offer, but it was worth over a million a year, so he came home at least a year or two early. He’s been good for TFC, but far from great. I want him back for his many and wonderful skills. But those DP slots are going to be crucial to the rebuild, and if DeRo gets one, there will be serious pressure for Julian not to. Thanks a bucket-load, Mo!
    Stefan Frei: Just a great little season for TFC’s Swiss goaltender. He could count on his defence a bit more this time around, and it gave him the confidence to uncork some marvelous saves – particularly in the air. I suppose he’s a tradable commodity, but I just want to see him play more. Could be worth a big transfer fee in another year.
    John Conway: Whatever diverse ways the Reds destructed, it sure wasn’t the backup goalie’s fault. Conway barely got a minute, but had some fine showings in the Champions League, and his long, bullet throw that set up Jacob Peterson for TFC’s CCL goal against Salt Lake was simply astonishing. Fine cover for Frei, and I hope he gets some league games in 2011.
    Chad Barrett: I was hugely critical a year ago, but Barrett’s undoubted grit and hustle are finally settling into MLS dependability. I think he’d be better used as the winger Toronto FC has famously never had. Still young – and famously under contract.
    Maicon Santos: Yeah, he doesn’t have Mista’s skill-set. But Mista’s not producing, while Santos can hold the ball up nicely, and gets opposing defences bent out of shape. A huge bargain over Mista, who is going to need to be shipped out so his DP spot can go to someone who can actually help.
    Nana Attakora: Rumours walk the night that the only young Canadian TFC has ever developed into a consistent starter would like to move out to a bigger, better club. Couldn’t blame him in the least, but he’s certainly welcome if the Reds can find a way to give him what he wants.
    Adrian Cann: TFC’s Canadian feel-good success story of oh-ten is 30 years old now, and could use a nice, long, comfy contract. Whoever gets Toronto’s GM gig should take care of that quickly.
    Dan Gargan: Perfect MLS support player. Can defend and play the midfield, and those long, hard throw-ins would be a dandy weapon if the team can find a more creative way to utilize them.
    Nick LaBrocca: Also an MLS support guy, but you need those guys if you happen to play in MLS. Nice touch, can create, and I like his work rate. I’ll certainly take him over Peterson.
    Any and all young Canadian kids and Academy grads: … Assuming they can make the roster and actually help out.
    Everyone else (Garcia, Harden, Hscanovics, Ibrahim, Mista, Nane, Sanyang, Saric, Usamov, White): Gonzo!
    (Is Emmanuel Gomez still out there? Sure liked what I saw before he got hurt.)
    Thoughts?
    Onward!
    Guest

    Lessons Learned

    By Guest, in Voyageurs,

    Things which can be learnt from the two September friendlies Canada played against Peru and Honduras respectively (outside of the obvious "we still have a long ways to go" bit):
    [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
    1. More attacking options need to be tried up front. We need to try Rob Friend alongside another striker to see if he can be more effective in a 4-4-2 with someone to play off, as it seems unlikely in the 4-5-1 that Coach Stephen Hart employs that an avalanche of goals will come from the striker, or even to Ali Gerba levels of productivity. With the style Canada prefers to play - keeping the ball on the ground rather than aiming long balls at the second coming of John Catliff up front (and even he was almost always utilized in a 4-4-2) - it's easy to see why Der Cucumber Bomber is often more effective and productive for Canada than Friend, who seems to thrive much more with service in the air - which he doesn't often get playing for Canada. Occean needs to be given another look, and yes, Hart must do everything in his power to convince Bunbury and Hoillet to play for Canada - not to mention getting Jono De Guzman to switch back. And lets give Marcus Haber (in the SPL) and Julian Uccello (in Serie a look. We really have nothing to lose.
    2. Our offensive central midfield options are somewhat limited - both Bernier and De Ro are in their 30's already. Pedro Pacheco, our recent Portugese signing, could provide part of the answer here, a shame that he was injured and therefore not called.
    3. Terry Dunfield could be a valuable addition to the national team player pool. Nothing flashy in the d-mid role, but his distribution was very good, always keeping his team in possession against Honduras and I don't think he gave the ball away once. Playing for the Whitecaps in MLS next season will hopefully get him acclimatized to Concacaf officiating, which he got a taste of in Montreal. Simeon Jackson and Adam Straith also look like regulars for the future. It would be nice to get young Eddie Sidra in there as well for some speed coming out of the back - hopefully his club situation sorts itself out soon. And we still need an explanation for what the heck happened with the non playing of Nana Attakora, since we wasted a golden opportunity to see the kid try his luck at the international level.
    4. One spot Canada actually now has some decent depth in is central defense. Outside of the three central defenders who did play in the two games, we didn't play Nana, and Adrian Cann and Andrew Hainault weren't called from their MLS clubs - making the non-call of David Edgar somewhat of a rare luxury for Coach Hart. It would be nice to get David back in the fold however, but also nice for him to start playing regular first-team football.
    5. The CSA's goal at this point for home games needs to be filling the stands with Canadian fans. Team up with the pro clubs if necessary or let them run the marketing for the games in each respective city. There has been talk even from the Mayor of Toronto that the CSA needs to do more promotion, but charging more money for friendlies than the pro clubs do for games that "count" is part of the problem that hasn't been discussed. The game in Toronto was promoted well enough that the city's Peruvian community (many of who mistook the Canadian team for the Peruvian one when Canada came out to warm up, indicating how much - or rather how little - they follow the Peruivan team) came out to watch the match, whereas few Canadians outside of dedicated supporters did. This suggests a lack of interest by more general soccer fans (as opposed to "supporters") for the national team - at least for friendlies - and you aren't going to get them into the stands by charging more money than they are used to paying for games that count. I would like to think that most people would see supporting the national team as being more important than a club team, but not everybody does - and the distinction between "real games" and "exhibition matches" is far more prevalent with the average sports fan that is often realized.
    - Gian Luca
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