Today's News,Saturday, Aug.08

[denime]

Mornin'


Toronto FC trials for Dutch striker Van Dijk (http://www.tribalfootball.com/toronto-fc-trials-dutch-striker-van-dijk-262096)



Reds gets kicked in the Real grass (http://www.thestar.com/sports/article/678286)



Real superstars light up Toronto (http://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/article/678265)



TFC given a Real lesson (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/tfc-given-a-real-lesson/article1245554/)



Real Madrid too powerful for Toronto FC (http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2009/08/07/sp-tfc-real.html)



Madrid lives up to billing (http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2009/08/07/madrid_tfc/)



'They're just that good' (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/soccer/2009/08/08/10398566-sun.html)



T.O. schools to get grass from match (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/soccer/2009/08/08/10398556-sun.html)



Friendly was one hot ticket (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/soccer/2009/08/08/10398576-sun.html)




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

[London]

not much known about the trialist

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominique_van_Dijk

[Martin Groove]

not much known about the trialist

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominique_van_Dijk

appart from that he is another european left over with basicly no credentials to be playing for this team. But good on them to scout out some serious talent that could make such a wonderful change.
:picard:

[Martin Groove]

and i had to point this one out, as someone pointed it out to me, from the sun article titled they're just that good,

Then came the moment everyone hoped for, some Cristiano Ronaldo magic at the end of some surgically skilled passing by the visitors. After Real won a ball in the air, Ronaldo and Karim Benzema played some give and go, with Ronaldo finishing beautifully.
Looking dour most of his two days here, the crown jewel of the cash-crazy Galacticos displayed no emotion at first, then faced the south end crowd and did a quick fist pump to their delight.


great one toronto sun! just superb

[Lucky Strike]

appart from that he is another european left over with basicly no credentials to be playing for this team. But good on them to scout out some serious talent that could make such a wonderful change.
:picard:

Yeah, I don't see what need he fills for the team.

[Martin Groove]

Lovely friendly TFC, yahoo.ca homepage reads "Soccer stars shame Toronto"

Legends Ronaldo, Kaka, and Raul embarrass Toronto FC in the hyped friendly clash.

[Oldtimer]

Some international coverage:

China:


Kaka pleased with Real Madrid debut
2009-08-08 21:29:08

MADRID, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid midfielder Kaka said he was delighted with his debut after his side strolled to an easy win against Toronto FC.

Kaka played the first 45 minutes of the friendly game against the MLS side and was impressive as Real Madrid enjoyed an easy 5-1win.

Two goals from Raul and one apiece for Cristiano Ronaldo, Arjen Robben and Karim Benzema saw Madrid home against weak rivals, however, it was all about Kaka.

The 65-million-euro signing made his first appearance in the famous white shirt and gave extra fluidity to the Real midfield.

"I am very happy with my debut and for being able to play with Real Madrid," he told the club website on Saturday morning.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-08/08/content_11848954.htm

ESPN


Kaka starred on his Real Madrid debut as Manuel Pellegrini's side cruised to a 5-1 pre-season friendly win at FC Toronto.

The former AC Milan star, now in training with his new club after being granted a longer summer break due to his exertions with Brazil at the Confederations Cup, played the opening 45 minutes at a sold-out BMO Field.


http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=665958&sec=global&campaign=rss&source=soccernet&cc=5901

India/Thailand:


Real Madrid showed on Friday why they were the most feared team in the world of football. The premiere club swept away the entire match that was held on Aug. 7th, leaving the Toronto RC staggering at 5-1.
The action packed match was played out in front of a strong crowd of 20,000 Canadian fans packed to the maximum capacity at the BMO field. The fans were not disappointed in any way, as they got their fill of what they had come for.



The home team came in at the 75th minute of the match and Gabe Gala utilized a weak pass from Dudek to put in the consolation goal for his team. The last goal of the match was scored by Arjen Robben just five minutes before the whistle went off.

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/sports/real-madrid-vs-toronto-fc-real-wins-5-1_100229557.html

(Gabe Gala internationally famous!)

India:


Yesterday (August 7, 2009), Real Madrid played Toronto FC in a pre-season friendly in Toronto and our North America correspondent Harmit happened to be there.
It was fascinating to see the game as well how it was built up into a commercial venture by everyone concerned.


Making room for the game

While the European clubs are getting ready for their upcoming season, the MLS (Major League Soccer) is in mid-season. Toronto FC with the blessings of the governing body of MLS was allowed to rejig their existing schedule to accommodate Real Madrid. Real Madrid and Toronto FC are not the only teams playing friendlies so this was by no means an exception.


Marketing the Game

There are rumours that the appearance money for Real was 1.1 million Euros. TV rights, sponsorships and tickets were the way the costs of this one off friendly were monetized.

GolTV, the main soccer channel here is Canada followed a very interesting strategy. Instead of following the expected approach of making this a pay-per-view or a subscriber only event, they allowed this game to be carried at no cost. Their real intention was to hook subscribers to watching the stars of Real Madrid and getting people to sign up to GolTV as they own the rights to LaLiga in Canada.

GolTV also teamed up with Carlsberg, the beer company for a contest that was heavily marketed in the build-up to the game. GolTV also erected a temporary stand in the stadium to raise the seating capacity for this event.

Real, who landed in Toronto on August 6, had a light work out that was open to the paying public. At $ 15 per person, over 15,000 people turned up to watch the men in white practicing. And then of course there were the regular ticket prices (ranging from $140 to $215).


read more: http://www.indianfootball.com/en/news/articleId/1397

[Bobo]

Shame on Paul for that CBC article.

[Roogsy]

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/TorontoFC/2009/08/08/10400826-sun.html

Real Madrid has TO Fans in a tizzy





Thank you Bill Lankhoff.

[Roogsy]

FYI....as most of us have expected...this game did nothing for TFC (and it's profile) other than filling MLSE coffers. I think most people now realize that.

In fact...it may have given naysayers more ammunition about the standard of play in MLS.

[Canary Canuck]

Anyone else getting tired of Molinaro's smugness?

[CretanBull]

^ I like his writing...he writes with style, something that most sports writers don't bother with.

[mlsintoronto]

Shame on Paul for that CBC article.

huh?

[CretanBull]

huh?

I think he meant John :noidea:

Lennon and McCartney had to deal with the same mix up all the time :D

[King Jeff]

Mornin'


Toronto FC trials for Dutch striker Van Dijk (http://www.tribalfootball.com/toronto-fc-trials-dutch-striker-van-dijk-262096)

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

I asked the lead Dutch researcher for Football Manager about this guy. Here's his verdict:



Pretty boy midfielder, offensive - good work rate, good stamina - decent pass and cross - was half decent at Volendam last season and should be a decent player for Toronto. Don't think any miracles, but he could be on a Dave vd Bergh type of level.


I'd take a van den Bergh-level player, definitely.

[Bobo]

huh?

Sorry, meant John.:D


^ I like his writing...he writes with style, something that most sports writers don't bother with.

I think I've stopped liking his writing after this one.

[Redcoe15]

SSG is AOK! :yum: :thumbsup: :D

[Shakes McQueen]

Jesus John, I hope the tone of that article was tongue in cheek. I mean, yeah, we knew they were better than us - far better, in fact - but what was with all of the Shakespearian flowerly stuff about us being "humbled", and the "wheat being separated from the chaff"?

It was a friendly against a world class team - a team that most teams in their own league can't beat, let alone ours.

- Scott