denime
03-21-2009, 07:31 AM
Mornin'
Hope springs eternal for TFC
PAUL ATTFIELD
TORONTO — Like a beacon of light on the horizon, the first day of spring came bursting into focus yesterday — at least on the calendar — signalling the end of the long, dark days of winter with the promise of better things to come.
That's certainly the hope at BMO Field. After spending the first two years of their existence stuck in Major League Soccer's doldrums, Toronto FC are anticipating the dawning of their third season Saturday night in Kansas City will bring about a change in their fortunes.
Read More (http://sports.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090320.wspt-soc-tfc-20/GSStory/GlobeSportsSoccer/home)
No more excuses for TFC
Some talented off-season arrivals and a new, winning attitude have Toronto FC players hopeful the team can finally make the MLS playoffs this season
Daniel Girard
Dwayne De Rosario has never missed the playoffs in his eight seasons of Major League Soccer.
Now, the four-time MLS Cup champion is being called on to keep that streak alive while wearing the uniform of his hometown team.
De Rosario, 31, a Scarborough native and Canadian international, is Toronto FC's biggest acquisition. He also represents the brightest hope for local sports fans suffering through a lost season by the Maple Leafs and Raptors, a maybe-next-year mantra from Blue Jays brass and a rebuilding Argonauts squad.
Read More (http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/606002)
Soccer in baseball park is 'a different environment'
By LANCE HORNBY (lance.hornby@sunmedia.ca) AND SUN WIRE SERVICES
TFC defender Jim Brennan wasn't sure whether to pack his soccer cleats or baseball glove on this trip to Kansas City.
The Wizards' pitch is set up on the home turf of the independent-league Kansas City T-Bones at Community- America Ballpark. When the Wizards moved out of Arrowhead Stadium, they opted for more intimate surroundings.
"It's a different environment, you're playing on a baseball diamond," Brennan said. "It is smaller, but we've been training as well on a smaller pitch."
The Wizards do not view their home as being below standard. At 110 yards by 70, it's just five fewer yards longer and five fewer yards wider than BMO Field.
Read More (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/soccer/2009/03/21/8832646-sun.html)
Carver to TFC: Stay in the game
Coach wants 11 players on pitch at final whistle
By LANCE HORNBY (lance.hornby@sunmedia.ca), SUN MEDIA
Toronto FC coach John Carver made himself clear from the end of last season up to the eve of tonight's 2009 opener in Kansas City:
To make the playoffs for the first time, the Reds must score more on the road, win more on the road, while making sure to finish with 11 men on the road.
Carver loves a team that plays with an edge, but the second-year skip bristled when TFC finished two of three games in the exhibition Carolina Challenge Cup a man short because of ejections.
Read More (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/soccer/2009/03/21/8832651-sun.html)
TFC-KC
By MIKE LIPKA,
Toronto FC (http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/teams/tor/;_ylt=Aq2lgAZK4SKq4F5IsaH4XhSjBLoF) is hoping another big improvement in its third season leads the team to its first-ever postseason appearance.
It’s also hoping a native son can lead it there.
Toronto native Dwayne De Rosario (http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/players/749/;_ylt=AqixGqmSR0H_KxLe7lu_gAWjBLoF) will headline a trio of players who could make their Toronto FC debuts when the team opens its 2009 season Saturday night against the host Kansas City Wizards (http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/teams/kan/;_ylt=Ar45iD3lEvzzJaH9wCSEJ_qjBLoF), who are also looking to rise in the standings after a strong finish last year.
After a dismal first season that included only 25 goals and six victories, Toronto FC showed signs of improvement in 2008, finishing 9-13-8 and adding nine goals to its total.
Read More (http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/preview;_ylt=A0wNdbZ5ZsRJNjQBZACkvrYF?gid=20090321 06)
THE THIRD DATE
The love affair between Toronto FC and its passionate band of supporters has reached season No. 3. Can the club finally consummate the relationship wth a winning campaign and a trip to the playoffs?
Sean Fitz-Gerald, National Post
It seemed different back when everyone was just happy to be there. They still used words like "pressure" and "playoffs" every now and then, but it felt like they were just trying them out, test-driving a flashy sports car for kicks. It was harmless, and not at all like it was this week.
John Carver was not being entirely playful when he was discussing the pressure his team would be under this season. He wanted his players to have fun playing, and took the unique step of asking reporters to aim all pressure-related questions at him, and not at his still-congealing Toronto FC roster.
"I'm saying to all you guys, all you press guys, put the pressure on me and keep off the players," the coach pleaded.
Read More (http://www.nationalpost.com/related/links/story.html?id=1412158)
Hometown advantage
Toronto FC is banking that a local boy with a championship pedigree can lift them to new heights
Eric Koreen, National Post
Dwayne De Rosario was not ready for the scene that was waiting for him on Tuesday.
With the Maple Leafs and Blue Jays in Florida, and the Raptors taking a day off, the only place to be for the sports media in this city was at BMO Field. It was Toronto FC's only availability this week before today's season opener.
"Do you want me to freestyle or what?" Toronto's marquee midfielder said before the questions started flying.
Read More (http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=1412191)
SUNSHINE (http://www.torontosun.com/sunshinegirl/)
COED (http://coedmagazine.com/category/girls/daily-snapshot-girls-2/)
Hope springs eternal for TFC
PAUL ATTFIELD
TORONTO — Like a beacon of light on the horizon, the first day of spring came bursting into focus yesterday — at least on the calendar — signalling the end of the long, dark days of winter with the promise of better things to come.
That's certainly the hope at BMO Field. After spending the first two years of their existence stuck in Major League Soccer's doldrums, Toronto FC are anticipating the dawning of their third season Saturday night in Kansas City will bring about a change in their fortunes.
Read More (http://sports.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090320.wspt-soc-tfc-20/GSStory/GlobeSportsSoccer/home)
No more excuses for TFC
Some talented off-season arrivals and a new, winning attitude have Toronto FC players hopeful the team can finally make the MLS playoffs this season
Daniel Girard
Dwayne De Rosario has never missed the playoffs in his eight seasons of Major League Soccer.
Now, the four-time MLS Cup champion is being called on to keep that streak alive while wearing the uniform of his hometown team.
De Rosario, 31, a Scarborough native and Canadian international, is Toronto FC's biggest acquisition. He also represents the brightest hope for local sports fans suffering through a lost season by the Maple Leafs and Raptors, a maybe-next-year mantra from Blue Jays brass and a rebuilding Argonauts squad.
Read More (http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/606002)
Soccer in baseball park is 'a different environment'
By LANCE HORNBY (lance.hornby@sunmedia.ca) AND SUN WIRE SERVICES
TFC defender Jim Brennan wasn't sure whether to pack his soccer cleats or baseball glove on this trip to Kansas City.
The Wizards' pitch is set up on the home turf of the independent-league Kansas City T-Bones at Community- America Ballpark. When the Wizards moved out of Arrowhead Stadium, they opted for more intimate surroundings.
"It's a different environment, you're playing on a baseball diamond," Brennan said. "It is smaller, but we've been training as well on a smaller pitch."
The Wizards do not view their home as being below standard. At 110 yards by 70, it's just five fewer yards longer and five fewer yards wider than BMO Field.
Read More (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/soccer/2009/03/21/8832646-sun.html)
Carver to TFC: Stay in the game
Coach wants 11 players on pitch at final whistle
By LANCE HORNBY (lance.hornby@sunmedia.ca), SUN MEDIA
Toronto FC coach John Carver made himself clear from the end of last season up to the eve of tonight's 2009 opener in Kansas City:
To make the playoffs for the first time, the Reds must score more on the road, win more on the road, while making sure to finish with 11 men on the road.
Carver loves a team that plays with an edge, but the second-year skip bristled when TFC finished two of three games in the exhibition Carolina Challenge Cup a man short because of ejections.
Read More (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/soccer/2009/03/21/8832651-sun.html)
TFC-KC
By MIKE LIPKA,
Toronto FC (http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/teams/tor/;_ylt=Aq2lgAZK4SKq4F5IsaH4XhSjBLoF) is hoping another big improvement in its third season leads the team to its first-ever postseason appearance.
It’s also hoping a native son can lead it there.
Toronto native Dwayne De Rosario (http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/players/749/;_ylt=AqixGqmSR0H_KxLe7lu_gAWjBLoF) will headline a trio of players who could make their Toronto FC debuts when the team opens its 2009 season Saturday night against the host Kansas City Wizards (http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/teams/kan/;_ylt=Ar45iD3lEvzzJaH9wCSEJ_qjBLoF), who are also looking to rise in the standings after a strong finish last year.
After a dismal first season that included only 25 goals and six victories, Toronto FC showed signs of improvement in 2008, finishing 9-13-8 and adding nine goals to its total.
Read More (http://sports.yahoo.com/mls/preview;_ylt=A0wNdbZ5ZsRJNjQBZACkvrYF?gid=20090321 06)
THE THIRD DATE
The love affair between Toronto FC and its passionate band of supporters has reached season No. 3. Can the club finally consummate the relationship wth a winning campaign and a trip to the playoffs?
Sean Fitz-Gerald, National Post
It seemed different back when everyone was just happy to be there. They still used words like "pressure" and "playoffs" every now and then, but it felt like they were just trying them out, test-driving a flashy sports car for kicks. It was harmless, and not at all like it was this week.
John Carver was not being entirely playful when he was discussing the pressure his team would be under this season. He wanted his players to have fun playing, and took the unique step of asking reporters to aim all pressure-related questions at him, and not at his still-congealing Toronto FC roster.
"I'm saying to all you guys, all you press guys, put the pressure on me and keep off the players," the coach pleaded.
Read More (http://www.nationalpost.com/related/links/story.html?id=1412158)
Hometown advantage
Toronto FC is banking that a local boy with a championship pedigree can lift them to new heights
Eric Koreen, National Post
Dwayne De Rosario was not ready for the scene that was waiting for him on Tuesday.
With the Maple Leafs and Blue Jays in Florida, and the Raptors taking a day off, the only place to be for the sports media in this city was at BMO Field. It was Toronto FC's only availability this week before today's season opener.
"Do you want me to freestyle or what?" Toronto's marquee midfielder said before the questions started flying.
Read More (http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=1412191)
SUNSHINE (http://www.torontosun.com/sunshinegirl/)
COED (http://coedmagazine.com/category/girls/daily-snapshot-girls-2/)