CSL 2010 Week 1 (only game TFC Academy vs Portugal FC)

[Rocket Robin 2]

Result of the CSL game of Saturday May 8, 2010 between TFC Academy and Portugal United played at BMO Field in Toronto at 7:00pm.

78 min...TFCA Doneil Henry GOAL...TFCA Brennan McNicoll chips 40 yard freekick even with goal to wide left of net where TFCA Nicholas Lindsay blocks ball on end line then from 5 yards chips PFC goalie Sotiri Varlokostas guarding one yard out off left post for Henry to head ball into open net from 1 yard.

Final Score:........TFC Academy..........1.............Portugal FC..........0..........

Attendance started at about 100 people left over from the about 17000 people who watched the MLS game between Toronto FC vs Chicago Fire that had ended one hour earlier. (official attendance at that game had been announced as 20060 but many people didn't show up to put up with the intermittent rain and high winds. This CSL game was actually played in better conditions as there was no rain and the wind had somewhat slowed down but still gusted a lot. About 40 people watched the second half which would be the proud parents who usually watch their sons play.

Portugal FC started off the better team despite running into the wind but by the 20th minute, the Academy played at least their equals for the rest of the game.

Brennan McNicoll took almost all the cornerkicks and freekicks in the game. Last year's specialist Jonathan Lao was sometimes used as a decoy. Keith Makubuya and Nicolas Lindsay were the Academy forwards and had a few chances each.

Portugal FC had five former players that I could link with the TFC organization which is only in the fourth year of their history. Andrea Lombardo was a member of the senior Toronto FC team through 2007 and part of 2008. Sotiri Varlokostas was the PFC goalie tonight. (Last year's starter Mike Silva was on the bench). He was a starter last year for the Academy but is now older than 19 and in the Academy's "Logan's Run" imposed age policy was not brought back by the team. (Academy head coach Jason Bent had warned me about that possibility at the CSL press conference earlier in the week). Defender Jamaal Smith had won the 1000+ player TFC roster tryout spot in their initial season and has since played for various CSL teams. Adrian Pena played for the Academy until his parents' famous meltdown incident but still won the CSL Rookie of the Year award in 2008. Richard Asante was a draft choice with TFC during their initial season.

Matt Stinson the CSL Rookie of the Year in 2009 is captain of the Academy this year. Sergio DeLuca is the captain of Portugal FC which pretty much means he won't be back with the PDL Toronto Lynx this year.

Garrett Cyprus earned the shutout for the Academy aggressively making some key catches of crosses into the box which was made more difficult with the wind blowing.

Sylviu Petrescu was the referee in today's game and gave out a few Yellow cards but this was certainly not a rough game.

The stadium had an operating scoreboard with team names and count-up clock working and the fourth official held up the same lighted signboard that the pros use for substitutions. Long-time CSL voice Ennio was in the broadcast booth making announcements.

With almost empty stands, the seagulls swirled around even landing on the corners of the field.

TFC Academy next plays next Saturday a home game at nearby Lamport Stadium (as the MLS team is out of town) at 6:00pm against Hamilton Croatia. I'll probably like that better as when I made my way over to the broadcast booth during halftime to get rosters for the teams, the stadium security staff made me feel most unwelcome...then undoing all their good by leaving as soon as the game ended with all their priceless equipment unattended.

Rocket Robin

robing@eol.ca

[BugerKing]

"Logan's Run" - that was clever. I wonder if they'd fudge the rules if they had a player who the felt was close to making the jump to the senior team? Glad to hear they operated the scoreboard, they never bothered during the reserve games of a couple years back. Thanks for the report.

[SR]

RR can you please post the rosters for both teams since the CSL site has not been updated. Seriously the season has started and you have no idea who is playing on each team.

[Rocket Robin 2]

I won't be able to keep rosters going once I start going to three games a week but here was the rosters of last night's game.

http://22066.vws.magma.ca/10csl016.htm

[hamiltonfan]

Hamilton Signs Defender from Croatia

May 6th, 2010

Razumović likely to fill void left in central defence

Frank Perin – With the recent news of Andrew Saulez’s departure Hamilton Croatia wasted very little time finding a solution for the vacancy left behind at the central defence position.

On Monday the team announced the signing of Croatian professional Ivan Razumović. The 24 year-old was transferred from Croatian Third Division side NK Belišće.

“We’ve been working hard to bring in some talent to compliment what we already have. We think Ivan will be a great addition to the team,” said Vice-President and Director of Soccer Operations Allan Perin.

The 6-foot native of Osijek arrived last Friday and has already practiced with the team.

“It will be a bit of an adjustment for him. He’s played abroad before but this will be his first experience outside of Europe,” remarked Perin.

Razumović was with Belišće from 1994-2003 for over 500 matches before moving to NK Valpovka. There he played in 93 matches over a two-year span and also chipped in with six goals.

After stops at FC Konigsbrunn in the German Landesliga and PFC Vidima Rakovski in the Bulgarian First Division, Ivan re-joined NK Belišće where he played from 2008-09. There he recorded 50 caps and five goals, and his solid defensive play earned him regional all-star status in Slavonija and Baranja.

Perin also explained, “He’s got a ton of experience and that’s a hole we were looking to fill on the back end after losing Saulez. I’m sure he’ll get along in our squad and community just fine – we’re excited to have him.”