Today’s News, Wednesday , May.13

[denime]

Mornin'


Handling the pressure
Ryan Johnston
The two incidents happened 40-odd minutes apart, but in their own way provided insight on how different players learn the game of soccer.
To begin, observe the still frame evidence to the right (For the record, there is perfect video evidence, but the digital rights to show such things far exceed the value of this blog):

http://www2.sportsnet.ca/images/croninwynne.jpg
LEFT: Sam Cronin | RIGHT: Marvell Wynne

READ MORE (http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/blogs/2009/05/12/johnston_pressure/)


De Rosario's scoring appetite satisfies TFC
`You know he's hungry,' says coach Cummins of midfielder's return from hamstring injury
Daniel Girard
Asked what's behind the stellar performances Dwayne De Rosario has turned in since returning from injury, Toronto FC coach Chris Cummins has a simple explanation.
"I think it's down to coaching if I'm honest with you," Cummins deadpanned yesterday as TFC finished preparations for tonight's second game of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship against the Montreal Impact at BMO Field.

Read More (http://www.thestar.com/sports/article/633355)



De Rosario determined to avoid last year's collapse by TFC
PAUL ATTFIELD
TORONTO — One down, three to go.
Toronto FC got the 2009 Nutrilite Canadian Championship campaign off to a cracking start with last week's 1-0 home win over the Vancouver Whitecaps, and will be looking to complete the BMO Field double over their Canadian rivals with tonight's game against the Montreal Impact.
Of course, as they know only too well, the Reds were in exactly the same situation last year, having won their first match of the competition at Montreal. But that's when things started to go awry, and the team failed to register another victory on its way to finishing runner-up in the three-team tournament it was widely expected to run away with against lower-league opponents.

Read More (http://sports.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090512.wspttfc13/GSStory/GlobeSportsSoccer/home)



Toronto FC ready for Montreal
Canadian Championship continues Wednesday
By Mark Polishuk / MLSnet.com Staff
TORONTO -- The Montreal Impact are a walking reminder of what might have been for Toronto FC. If only the Reds had converted one of several late-game opportunities in a 1-1 draw with the Impact last July 22. If only TFC had done a better job of defending the corner kick that the Impact converted to equalize the game after an early Reds goal. If only TFC had been able to overtake Montreal and win the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, then it might well have been 55,000 fans at Toronto's Rogers Centre in February, rather than at Montreal's Olympic Stadium for the Impact's CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal home tie with Santos Laguna of Mexico.

Read More (http://toronto.fc.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20090512&content_id=252169&vkey=news_t280&fext=.jsp&team=t280)



Upset stomach, upset result?
By STEVE BUFFERY (steve.buffery@sunmedia.ca)
Toronto FC coach Chris Cummins plans to unveil the club's secret weapon for tonight's Nutrilite Canadian Championship match against the Montreal Impact at BMO Field.
A gigantic bottle of Pepto-Bismol.
Actually, the Reds apparently are recovered from a bout of food poisoning that levelled at least four players prior to the club's game last Saturday against DC United at RFK Stadium, although Cummins admitted yesterday that forward Danny Dichio still was not feeling great, nor was midfielder Carl Robinson, who was forced to miss the enthralling 3-3 draw.

Read More (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/soccer/2009/05/13/9441116-sun.html)



Toronto FC does not worry impact
Last Year's Winners
Eric Koreen,
John Limniatis is fine if soccer fans belittle the hope of his Montreal Impact in their quest to repeat as victors in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship tournament.
"Toronto is the favourite, but at the same time, all the pressure is on them to represent Canada," Limniatis, the head coach of the Montreal Impact, said yesterday. "Last year Toronto didn't put much [energy] into the tournament but I think they quickly realized they missed the boat."

Read More (http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/story.html?id=1590447)



Ibrahim selected to U.S. U-20 squad
Forward named to 20 man roster for camp
Toronto FC announced Tuesday that forward Fuad Ibrahim has been selected to the U.S. U-20 Men's National Team domestic training camp roster.
Ibrahim, 17, will join up with the national team departing after Toronto FC's game against New England on May 23. He will return to the team and be available for selection for their match in Houston on Saturday May 30,

Read More (http://toronto.fc.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20090512&content_id=252039&vkey=news_t280&fext=.jsp&team=t280)



Impact has Grande plan for Toronto FC
By Randy Phillips,
MONTREAL — Sandro Grande is back in the Montreal Impact’s good graces, and just in time.
The veteran midfielder — one of the team’s key players — has returned to the club after being fined and suspended for a week for undisclosed reasons. He could be in the starting lineup when the Impact faces Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC at BMO Field in Toronto on Wednesday night as the Impact begins another run for a spot in CONCACAF Champions League.

Read More (http://www.leaderpost.com/Sports/Impact+Grande+plan+Toronto/1589039/story.html)



CSL commissioner has expansion dreams :canada:
By STEVE BUFFERY (steve.buffery@sunmedia.ca)
Canadian Soccer League commissioner Cary Kaplan unveiled aggressive plans for his league yesterday.
Kaplan shocked onlookers at the annual CSL kick-off media conference by announcing that he hopes to expand his 17-team league by 13 more teams, including at least six in western Canada -- most likely Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg and Red Deer.

Read More (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/soccer/2009/05/13/9441111-sun.html)



SUNSHINE (http://www.torontosun.com/sunshinegirl/)

[werewolf]

Interesting how that Johnston fellow makes no mention of the ball being deflected of Serioux's shin less then a meter from Wynne, compared to Cronin having the time to see the guy lining up for a shot...but anyway...

[Chewy Unikronik]

Interesting how that Johnston fellow makes no mention of the ball being deflected of Serioux's shin less then a meter from Wynne, compared to Cronin having the time to see the guy lining up for a shot...but anyway...
That and they both appear to be going in completely different directions and speeds, based on the provided photos.

[denime]

Deflected or not,fast or slow,when in penalty box,hands back.

Wynne should know that better by now,this wasn't the first time..

[DOMIN8R]

The example he provided was to illustrate the posture and body positionning of the players not whether the players were in a position to avoid contact with the ball.

Ryan earned my respect today. Few T.O. journalists would have taken the time, taken the risk of displeasing the team and not made a direct accusation or criticism to make an effective point.

Well done, Johnston.

[Batman]

NIce to see the expansion plan of the CSL, as well as the desire to have a team invited to the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. I hope it happens.

[keem-o-sabi]

Co-ed Girl (http://coedmagazine.com/category/girls/daily-snapshot-girls-2/).

I don't think I can blame Wynne for that, it took a deflection right in front of him. Defenders providing support don't put their arms behind their backs (that I have ever seen at any level). The Defender providing the pressure on the ball is the one who does this usually (as illustrated in those pics). That was more a ball to hand than hand to ball situation in the DC match.

[werewolf]

The example he provided was to illustrate the posture and body positionning of the players not whether the players were in a position to avoid contact with the ball.

Ryan earned my respect today. Few T.O. journalists would have taken the time, taken the risk of displeasing the team and not made a direct accusation or criticism to make an effective point.

Well done, Johnston.


On the other hand, he lost some respect from me.

If he wants to make a point, thats great, even if it does "displease the team", but at least explain the whole situation...

[drewski]

Tic Tac Tabernac, what a great day to beat up the Limp Act

[Carter]

Mornin D,

SSG :D:D

GAME DAY!!!!!!!

[Stouffville_RPB]

Mornin D,

SSG :D:D

GAME DAY!!!!!!!


What he said.

Oh and Co-ed:hump:

[Waggy]

Oh my god! The SSG is ACTUALLY attractive!! And this is what, 3 days in a row of decent or better?! Clearly someone at the Sun is about to get fired haha. Well, now I'm ready for game day! COME ON YOU REEEDDDDSSS

[Fort York Redcoat]

CSL will have a big challenge with travel cost the first years of expansion but if they weather it this could be the start of a league of our own with a merger with the PCSL.

[TFCREDNWHITE]

Deflected or not,fast or slow,when in penalty box,hands back.

Wynne should know that better by now,this wasn't the first time..


+1 This is very very true!!!

Wynne's hands/arms should be postioned better.

[sweetlemon69]

+1 This is very very true!!!

Wynne's hands/arms should be postioned better.

+1 to this.

How can people even argue? *sigh*

[Oldtimer]

De Rosario also credited Cummins with doing "a fantastic job" in changing formations and adapting a more attack-focused game plan. Often employing three strikers, TFC has created many more scoring chances as the defence is forced to spread wider and gaps are also opening for those in the midfield.
"It's not only suited to my style. I think it's suited to the team's style," said De Rosario, who came in an off-season trade from Houston.


We've noticed, and the players have noticed Cummin's good tactical ability.

[scooter]

mornin d

game day rocks

[Yohan]

Oh my god! The SSG is ACTUALLY attractive!! And this is what, 3 days in a row of decent or better?! Clearly someone at the Sun is about to get fired haha. Well, now I'm ready for game day! COME ON YOU REEEDDDDSSS
well, not big fan of freckles but she's got this farmgirl look on her

[Technorgasm]

They have never beaten us. And they won't tonight.

We will plunge the rusty spoon of revenge into their chests and dig out their putrid French filth.


We will complete the plan we have waited a year for!
The board is set. The pieces moving and from here there is only one outcome ......



ANIHILATION. EXTIN TION. DESTRUCTION!!!



The zombie told me so

[Chewy Unikronik]

Deflected or not,fast or slow,when in penalty box,hands back.
Wynne should know that better by now,this wasn't the first time..

+1 This is very very true!!!
Wynne's hands/arms should be postioned better.

+1 to this.
How can people even argue? *sigh*
Really guys??? Then how would you explain Serioux's hand positioning just prior to the ball going off of Wynne???

It could have just as easily been Serioux getting the hand ball call.

http://www.redpatchboys.ca/forums/picture.php?albumid=58&pictureid=1576

[maninb]

We've noticed, and the players have noticed Cummin's good tactical ability.

That and Cummin's willingness to change things around QUICKLY through formations or subs. Which is one thing Carver seemed VERY reluctant to do, not sure if he was just being stubborn or he actually couldn't grasp the situation.

[Technorgasm]

nowhere To Run!!

Nowhere To Hide!!

[Technorgasm]

We will eat their children.

After tonight they will be a broken withered lifeless husk.

GAMEDAY!!!

They can not deny our destiny. In DERO we trust!

[C.Ronaldo]

20 teams in the GTA?

that cant good for business.


unless the GTA extends to oakville and milton

2 mississauga
1 brampton
1 caledon
1 bolton
1 woodbridge
1 north york
2 vaughn/markham
2 scarborough
1 north york
5 downtown
1 etobicoke
1 oakville
1 milton
1 peterborough



This could work.
you only need a few hundred fans per team anyways.
Too bad we dont have the facilites for all these teams to have paying fans.
Maybe the BIG highschools can expand their stands. (like in the states highschool football)

[billyfly]

Love the CSL in Nutrilite idea since I read Ben's blog.

[Redcoe15]

We will eat their children.
OK, now you're starting to go down the Mike Tyson road. Do you really want to do that? ;)

[Chewy Unikronik]

20 teams in the GTA?

I think they're including the International teams in there.

[ExiledRed]

NIce to see the expansion plan of the CSL, as well as the desire to have a team invited to the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. I hope it happens.

Yes a team called 'Korea FC' or 'Greece' would be perfect to represent Canada in the CL.

[Wagner]

Yes a team called 'Korea FC' or 'Greece' would be perfect to represent Canada in the CL.

too funny.
(because it's true)

[C.Ronaldo]

Wow, theres some serious L'Impact hate


cue the gangsta beat

I won't deny it
Ima straight ridah
you dont wanna f*ck with me

[Kaz]

This is my first post on the forums so hopefully I don't make s fool of my self, with this :) I'm only been following football since the TFC started and have fallen in love with the game, and want to see it do well, so the CSL expansion is of concern to me. With so many small markets, in Canada the way the CSL is expanding seems dumb to me, and I could be wrong but wouldn't it make more sense to create a 3 or 4 regional league system, to help minimize travel costs, and develop the sport through out the country, and then have the top two or three teams from each regional league play in a CSL?

It seems to me that would allow, the sport to increases it's profile in the Prairies, and Atlantic Canada, as well as help develop infrastructure, while allowing a small national league that help minimize travel costs.

Canada is a vast little populated nation, I can't see this type of league expansion being able to work well.

In truth I don't have anything by my own logic system to base this on, but am I the only one that thinks this expansion is bad? and that Soccer Canada really needs to be kicked in the head?

oh also, can we have some cheese curds and gravy ready to give as a thanks to Montreal for the 3 points tonight?

[rocker]

Ryan Johnson's picture comparison was a good one.
but there's an even better moment if you look for it... Cronin was IN the box at one point, facing a ball played in diagonally, and Cronin moved through the box with his hands behind him. nothing came of the moment (not like when he got smacked in the head) but it was good careful posture.

[Blizzard]

CSL will have a big challenge with travel cost the first years of expansion but if they weather it this could be the start of a league of our own with a merger with the PCSL.

It's always been my understanding that the PCSL is keen to retain its amateur status so IF that is indeed the case, I can't see your scenario taking place.

In terms of travel costs, if they were going to interlock a schedule between west and east, agreed.

I doubt they'd do that though. It wouldn't make sense. Play regions and have a weekend championship final.

They are a shoe string operation so will have to live within their means.

[rocker]

Limniatis says:

The club [TFC] earned a 1-0 win over Vancouver in the tournament opener last week. It was not a victory that left Limniatis in awe."I didn't think there was anything too impressive about it," said Limniatis, who attended the game. "Vancouver was always in the game as far as I'm concerned."

that's Vancouver... one of the best in the USL right now. You're in the basement, winless, Limniatis. Don't assume the way Vancouver played is the way you're shitbox squad will play.

[RPB_RED_NATION_RPB]

http://www2.sportsnet.ca/images/croninwynne.jpg

[Maple Leaf Red]

"Last year Toronto didn't put much [energy] into the tournament"

And they still beat Montreal once and drew the other time. Imagine if they cared like they do this year?

[Yohan]

Limniatis says:

The club [TFC] earned a 1-0 win over Vancouver in the tournament opener last week. It was not a victory that left Limniatis in awe."I didn't think there was anything too impressive about it," said Limniatis, who attended the game. "Vancouver was always in the game as far as I'm concerned."

that's Vancouver... one of the best in the USL right now. You're in the basement, winless, Limniatis. Don't assume the way Vancouver played is the way you're shitbox squad will play.
what else would limiatis say? he shat his pants because TFC was so good?

you don't want to bring down your own team's morale and be intimidated

[Damien]

20 teams in the GTA?

that cant good for business.


unless the GTA extends to oakville and milton

2 mississauga
1 brampton
1 caledon
1 bolton
1 woodbridge
1 north york
2 vaughn/markham
2 scarborough
1 north york
5 downtown
1 etobicoke
1 oakville
1 milton
1 peterborough


B-O-L... *clap clap*... T-O-N... *clap clap*... OOOOOOHHH BFC! :D

[Parkdale]

^ banned.

[Cashcleaner]

So the commissioner of the CSL figures there is room for 13 more teams to join their little bush-league semi-pro organisation? Yeah, pull the other one, Gary. I'll believe it when I see it.

At least he's somewhat admitted that the International Division is kinda stupid, sorry, I mean "controversial". That scores him some points, though he loses them again when he insists that the CSL is the only All-Canadian professional league. Professional league, Gary? Really?

[Damien]

^ banned.

I'll give you a ban!

[Fort York Redcoat]

It's always been my understanding that the PCSL is keen to retain its amateur status so IF that is indeed the case, I can't see your scenario taking place.

In terms of travel costs, if they were going to interlock a schedule between west and east, agreed.

I doubt they'd do that though. It wouldn't make sense. Play regions and have a weekend championship final.

They are a shoe string operation so will have to live within their means.

Yes. I've mentioned elsewhere to have an east meets west final to determine the Canadian Champion would be a good start to growing into a nation wide league. Other leagues in this nation grew that way.

[trane]

The example he provided was to illustrate the posture and body positionning of the players not whether the players were in a position to avoid contact with the ball.

Ryan earned my respect today. Few T.O. journalists would have taken the time, taken the risk of displeasing the team and not made a direct accusation or criticism to make an effective point.

Well done, Johnston.

Agreed. It is good to see some real analyses of on field play. Few others in the main stream media to it. Jloome being one exception.

[keem-o-sabi]

This is my first post on the forums so hopefully I don't make s fool of my self, with this :) I'm only been following football since the TFC started and have fallen in love with the game, and want to see it do well, so the CSL expansion is of concern to me. With so many small markets, in Canada the way the CSL is expanding seems dumb to me, and I could be wrong but wouldn't it make more sense to create a 3 or 4 regional league system, to help minimize travel costs, and develop the sport through out the country, and then have the top two or three teams from each regional league play in a CSL?

It seems to me that would allow, the sport to increases it's profile in the Prairies, and Atlantic Canada, as well as help develop infrastructure, while allowing a small national league that help minimize travel costs.

Canada is a vast little populated nation, I can't see this type of league expansion being able to work well.

In truth I don't have anything by my own logic system to base this on, but am I the only one that thinks this expansion is bad? and that Soccer Canada really needs to be kicked in the head?

oh also, can we have some cheese curds and gravy ready to give as a thanks to Montreal for the 3 points tonight?


Speaking with Cary, it's going to be set up regionally. He and I spoke at length about this last October. It will like our NPSL in the states, that's why he and I were speaking. They aren't going to be hoping across the country having a group from BC playing a Toronto team during the regular season.

[rocker]

sounds fine to me... I remember when MLB didn't have crossover play.. so the national league was it's own thang that only competed with the american league in the world series. of course, each league had its teams all over the country so it wasn't done for regional travel reasons, but it still worked fine. so if they bring it together at playoff time, that would be pretty cool.