Today's News,Wednesday,Aug.04

[denime]

Mornin'


DeRo Post game interview-TFC TV_ (http://torontofc.neulion.com/tfc/console.jsp?catid=2&id=2199) :tfc: (http://torontofc.neulion.com/tfc/console.jsp?catid=2&id=2199)


Historic win awaits Reds in Honduras_ (http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2010/08/03/johnston_tfc_champions_league/) :drum: (http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2010/08/03/johnston_tfc_champions_league/)


Win Over Motagua Sets Up Mexican Clash_ (http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2010/08/win-over-motagua-sets-mexican-clash):canada: (http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2010/08/win-over-motagua-sets-mexican-clash)


Toronto FC advances in CONCACAF Champions League_ (http://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/mls/torontofc/article/843629--toronto-fc-advances-in-concacaf-champions-league):flare: (http://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/mls/torontofc/article/843629--toronto-fc-advances-in-concacaf-champions-league)


Toronto FC moves on to group stage (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/toronto-fc-moves-on-to-group-stage/article1661132/):scarf: (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/toronto-fc-moves-on-to-group-stage/article1661132/)


TFC earns 1st Champions League berth_ (http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2010/08/03/sp-torontofc-motagua.html)<3 (http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2010/08/03/sp-torontofc-motagua.html)


TFC draws to win_ (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/soccer/2010/08/03/14914796.html):) (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/soccer/2010/08/03/14914796.html)


No time to celebrate for CCL-bound Toronto FC_ (http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/no-time-celebrate-ccl-bound-toronto-fc):( (http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/no-time-celebrate-ccl-bound-toronto-fc)


Record number of MLS teams reaches final 16 (http://www.socceramerica.com/article/39180/record-number-of-mls-teams-reaches-final-16.html) _:thumbsup:




SUNSHINE (http://www.torontosun.com/sunshinegirl/)_:facepalm:_:drinking:_:hump:

[TFCRegina]

Mornin' D...agreed on all counts...especially the SSG

[keem-o-sabi]

coed girls 1 (http://coedmagazine.com/2010/08/03/miss-coed-bethany-rein/) and 2 (http://coedmagazine.com/2010/08/02/miss-coed-jennifer-dutil/)and bonus 3 (http://coedmagazine.com/2010/07/29/miss-coed-faye-t/) due to SSG. hehe

[lips]

Mornin'

[ForestGlade]

Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[Oldtimer]

Canadian content in Canadian clubs' games:

http://oot-football.blogspot.com/2010/08/mid-term-canadian-content-report.html

Montreal leading the pack, TFC close behind.

[Parkdale]

hahaha... someone's a bit too friendly with the smilies.

[FluSH]

great day to read te news =)

[ManUtd4ever]

What a wonderful day to read the TFC/MLS news section indeed! Great media coverage all around to mark last night's historic achievement for both TFC and MLS as an unprecedented number of MLS clubs are advancing to the CCL group stages...

[FluSH]

I'm not sure if this has been posted elsewhere... but this blog piece is truly great:

http://yorkies1812.blogspot.com/

[rocker]

in other news... Dc fires coach.. i think it's probably time the management there fired itself.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2010/08/dc_united_fires_curt_onalfo.html?wprss=soccerinsid er

[Redcoe15]

SUNSHINE (http://www.torontosun.com/sunshinegirl/)_:facepalm:_:drinking:_:hump:
I think the appropriate icons in this case are :ack2: :puke:

Still can't take away from TFC advancing to the group stage yesterday. :scarf: :D

[Oldtimer]

in other news... Dc fires coach.. i think it's probably time the management there fired itself.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2010/08/dc_united_fires_curt_onalfo.html?wprss=soccerinsid er

They can't fire themselves... they've learned from Mo that the secret is a "Five Year Plan."

[Roogsy]

One source, sympathetic to Onalfo's situation, said that Onalfo "walked into a train wreck and now [United] is panicking."

I'd have to agree. I'd love to play poker with these guys. Giving a guy 8 months and then firing him for their record is just plain stupid. NOw, if in those 8 months he didn't make any moves or preparations for the team's long-term benefit, that's another matter altogether. But my impression of DC is that it needed to be blown up and started over and that is what he was trying to do. The standings are a reflection of that. Not giving him time to do the job is just plain shooting yourself in the foot. I wonder if they are getting team-building tips from MLSE?

[Oldtimer]

I wonder if they are getting team-building tips from MLSE?

If they are, they need to put in as a GM someone who has absolutely no background in it (a la JFJ - maybe OK as a scout, but not a GM).

MLSE did something close to that with MoJo, although he seems to be learning something on the job... not enough to keep him IMO.

[Yohan]

Marquez compared MLS’s level of talent to France’s Ligue 1 and Holland’s Eredivisie and has no concerns about his involvement with the national team.
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2010/08/03/2054985/exclusive-rafael-marquez-ready-for-usa-challenge-with-new

[Darlofletch]

I'd have to agree. I'd love to play poker with these guys. Giving a guy 8 months and then firing him for their record is just plain stupid. NOw, if in those 8 months he didn't make any moves or preparations for the team's long-term benefit, that's another matter altogether. But my impression of DC is that it needed to be blown up and started over and that is what he was trying to do. The standings are a reflection of that. Not giving him time to do the job is just plain shooting yourself in the foot. I wonder if they are getting team-building tips from MLSE?

so reasonable and forgiving. where's this attitude with preki?

[Oldtimer]

I'd agree with Marquez with regards to France (excluding the top 3 or so teams).

[Technorgasm]

We Did It!

[Technorgasm]

Cruz Azul. . the winningest team in CCL in our group... . . . gooo DRAW!

1http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/Flag_of_Mexico.svg/22px-Flag_of_Mexico.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico) Cruz Azul (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C.D.S.C._Cruz_Azul)521969 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1969_CONCACAF_Champions%27_Cup), 1970 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970_CONCACAF_Champions%27_Cup), 1971 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1971_CONCACAF_Champions%27_Cup), 1996 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_CONCACAF_Champions%27_Cup), 1997 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_CONCACAF_Champions%27_Cup)2009 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008%E2%80%9309_CONCACAF_Champions_League), 2010 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%E2%80%9310_CONCACAF_Champions_League)

[denime]

I'd have to agree. I'd love to play poker with these guys. Giving a guy 8 months and then firing him for their record is just plain stupid. NOw, if in those 8 months he didn't make any moves or preparations for the team's long-term benefit, that's another matter altogether. But my impression of DC is that it needed to be blown up and started over and that is what he was trying to do. The standings are a reflection of that. Not giving him time to do the job is just plain shooting yourself in the foot. I wonder if they are getting team-building tips from MLSE?


so reasonable and forgiving. where's this attitude with preki?

Well that's easy,

Yesterday I was told that Roogsy like DeRo and since DeRo doesn't play for DC .... so there you go. :D

[Whoop]

I'd agree with Marquez with regards to France (excluding the top 3 or so teams).

Lower Eredivisie maybe.

Ligue 1, no way.

[denime]

I'd agree with Marquez with regards to France (excluding the top 3 or so teams).

I would say the same in his place,he just signed the contract and this is a just MLS PR,I mean really how he knows about the level of those two leagues or MLS level ?
I don't recall him playing in any of those leagues,no?

[Whoop]

I know Super will kill me but I think MLS is probably on par with the Scandinavian leagues.

[rocker]

interested to hear what DC management wants from the players and interim coach Ben Olsen:
What are your expectations from Olsen?
"I certainly won't put any numerical expectations on him. What I do expect is for our team to start playing more like D.C. United -- fighting hard for 90 minutes of every game, fighting hard in training and standing up for each other

hmmm! that sounds like what Preki always preaches.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2010/08/dc_united_front_office_players.html?wprss=soccerin sider

[Roogsy]

so reasonable and forgiving. where's this attitude with preki?


My attitude does not exclude Preki. If you have followed my position on Preki, I have not pushed nor advocated for his firing at any point. I want him to check his ego at the door and start doing something that actually impresses me. I AM giving him a chance, so far he has produced results but only to a small degree. I think it's a pretty reasonable (and considering the results so far) fair position to have on him unlike some who have praised him to no end for actually doing his job or quite possibly simply because of where he is from.

[Roogsy]

Well that's easy,

Yesterday I was told that Roogsy like DeRo and since DeRo doesn't play for DC .... so there you go. :D


Unfortunately, my blind love of DeRo is not all that disimilar to your blind love of Preki. :D

Unfortunately, DeRo has actually won championships in his role. Preki however...

[pekduck]

My attitude does not exclude Preki. If you have followed my position on Preki, I have not pushed nor advocated for his firing at any point. I want him to check his ego at the door and start doing something that actually impresses me. I AM giving him a chance, so far he has produced results but only to a small degree. I think it's a pretty reasonable (and considering the results so far) fair position to have on him unlike some who have praised him to no end for actually doing his job or quite possibly simply because of where he is from.

for a second, i thought you sign his pay cheque directly and he reports to you :rolleyes:

no, i have no constructive object input to the discussion at hand as i'm positively biased toward preki's style personally... so i'll hush and continue watching

[Roogsy]

for a second, i thought you sign his pay cheque directly and he reports to you :rolleyes:


Wait what??? Did I just read that correctly?



Where is Al-Mo...I need to use an epic facepalm and I want him to see it.

[rocker]

but Roogsy, why do you think DC should have been "blown up" but not TFC? I remember you had a problem with Preki blowing up the roster. DC United finished with 1 more point than TFC last season.

I think this Onalfo example is a great one... clearly management believes the players (their players, not his) are not playing for him now. It would have been better if Onalfo blew up the team and remade it in his image (like Preki did with TFC).
If Preki had kept Amado, for example, or players that he doesn't feel will play for him, then he could be in Onalfo's position right now.

[Roogsy]

You are misapplying my position Rocker. My position has never been about whether or not TFC needed to be blown up and whether or not I am averse to it. When a team needs to be deconstructed, it needs to be deconstructed. That is unavoidable. Doing it in year 4 of it's existance? Am I the only one that has a problem with that?

And this has nothing to do with giving a coach 8 months before firing him. I'd have a problem if it was Preki just as much as I do with it being Onalfo. It's a stupid move and my position on that is pretty consistent.

[scooter]

mornin d

[ilikemusic]

I'm not sure if this has been posted elsewhere... but this blog piece is truly great:

http://yorkies1812.blogspot.com/

"Yo, up in The Scronx, The Skizzy, Scarlem, Scompton - Scarborough... Brrrappp! Brrrappp! I get nuff respect but now it's time for BMO to sing in the 59th Minute for De Ro yo! Enuff of this whack Dichio shizz - Sing in the 59th! Brraappp!" - Dwayne De Rosario speaks in native Scarberian of his pleasure at scoring in tonight's CCL match

:lol:

:scarf:

:canada:

[Roogsy]

At that point 99% of TFC supporters thought this game and TFC's CCL dream was over (admit it - you did!) and during the first half it did look done. But, as he did in Montreal in 2009, team captain and Torontonian Dwayne De Rosario put the team on his back and with the help of Chad Barrett, Maicon Santos and an outstanding Stefan Frei, overcame a dominating Motagua to get the needed draw.

QFFT...

[Whoop]

My issue isn't with Preki per se. I'm more concerned about the future.

[Whoop]

The funny thing is until DeRo scored I was ready to throttle him through the screen. LOL

As poorly as TFC played last night, they still had so many opportunities that they muffed time and time again. That is the players fault not Preki.

Though I still don't understand Preki's decision to start Henry. Wow.

So it's a little column from column A (failure to execute) and a little from column B (tactics).

But again, the bigger picture... who controls the future of the TFC?

[Roogsy]

Failure to execute is a fault of all players and it gets worse the lesser the quality of the league.

Motagua themselves can be blamed for the same thing you state about the players. If we all take our TFC-coloured glasses off for a moment, and remember the game properly, we would recognize that if Motagua had finished THEIR opportunities, TFC would not be looking at August 17 as a fixture date. End of story.

Motagua had literally half a dozen chances that if they were in season form or had just that little bit of extra luck, would have finished the game off 3-1 easily if not more. The only reason we got that second goal is because Motagua left their native style and pressed a lot harder. Had they finished their chances, they would not have been left open at the back for Barrett's nail in the coffin goal.

We could easily be talking today about how TFC failed yet again but we didn't because at the end of the day, TFC and Motagua is not Barcelona and Madrid. Failure to execute is something we need to simply accept in CONCACAF.

As for the future of TFC...I don't see much that gives me inspiration for next year. We will grind out what we can this year and hopefully have some luck along the way and then next year continue to be middle of the pack. Apparently, we should be happy with that. :noidea:

[Whoop]

Failure to execute is a fault of all players and it gets worse the lesser the quality of the league.

Motagua themselves can be blamed for the same thing you state about the players. If we all take our TFC-coloured glasses off for a moment, and remember the game properly, we would recognize that if Motagua had finished THEIR opportunities, TFC would not be looking at August 17 as a fixture date. End of story.

Motagua had literally half a dozen chances that if they were in season form or had just that little bit of extra luck, would have finished the game off 3-1 easily if not more. The only reason we got that second goal is because Motagua left their native style and pressed a lot harder. Had they finished their chances, they would not have been left open at the back for Barrett's nail in the coffin goal.

We could easily be talking today about how TFC failed yet again but we didn't because at the end of the day, TFC and Motagua is not Barcelona and Madrid. Failure to execute is something we need to simply accept in CONCACAF.

As for the future of TFC...I don't see much that gives me inspiration for next year. We will grind out what we can this year and hopefully have some luck along the way and then next year continue to be middle of the pack. Apparently, we should be happy with that. :noidea:

But we can say the same about TFC. If TFC buried their chances last week they would have headed to Honduras with a better advantage. Same thing last night. How many times did TFC push it up the field only to lose around the box due to poor touches? It goes both ways.

As for the future, that's the bigger picture. That's why the Preki question isn't such a huge deal to me. The question is more so who controls the players acquisitions? That ultimately is the bigger concern.

[Whoop]

I mean ultimately I'm not enamored with Preki, but not going to crucify him.

Now Mo... that's a different story. LOL

[Darlofletch]

You are misapplying my position Rocker. My position has never been about whether or not TFC needed to be blown up and whether or not I am averse to it. When a team needs to be deconstructed, it needs to be deconstructed. That is unavoidable. Doing it in year 4 of it's existance? Am I the only one that has a problem with that?

And this has nothing to do with giving a coach 8 months before firing him. I'd have a problem if it was Preki just as much as I do with it being Onalfo. It's a stupid move and my position on that is pretty consistent.

I'm no capologist, but it's widely accepted that we were way over the cap last year due to allocation money.

also, it was widely reported that there were dressing room issues.

put those two together, and i'd say yes we needed to be deconstructed. for that give mo as much shit as you want to. but instead you're saying it didn't need to be done, so you seem to blame Preki for actually doing it, and you're (not in this thread per se but in others) judging him as if he's had 3 and a half years, as opposed to half a year with a messed up squad to start off with.

but it's true, you've never gone as far as to advocate firing preki.

[Roogsy]

I'm no capologist, but it's widely accepted that we were way over the cap last year due to allocation money.

also, it was widely reported that there were dressing room issues.

put those two together, and i'd say yes we needed to be deconstructed. for that give mo as much shit as you want to.

Yup..and my position on Mo is unsurprising to say the least.


but instead you're saying it didn't need to be done, so you seem to blame Preki for actually doing it, and you're (not in this thread per se but in others) judging him as if he's had 3 and a half years, as opposed to half a year with a messed up squad to start off with.

Three things about this. One: This is not the Preki thread. I'd much rather discuss this in that thread.

Two: I have been quite clear that the degree to which the team needed change was not as severe as what Preki insisted on doing. That is where he started to rub me the wrong way. I felt like he did some damage to this club. If we squeak into the playoffs this year it doesn't undo the fact that if it wasn't for the debacle in NY last year, we would have done the same. Casting off players he wasn't using like Cronin to bring in players who are now riding the pine to me was a waste. Particularly since I didn't agree with his refusal to play Cronin.

Three: I have not judged him as if he had 3 and half years. The issues that I have with Preki are current and immediate, not long-term.


but it's true, you've never gone as far as to advocate firing preki.

Which raises the question, if I haven't asked for his firing, could it be because I am indeed giving him a chance as opposed to be portrayed as advocating for his firing when what I really care about are results only? If he takes us deep into the playoffs, I will thank him, if he falls short I will skewer him, is that not how things are judged?

[Pachuco]

But we can say the same about TFC. If TFC buried their chances last week they would have headed to Honduras with a better advantage. Same thing last night. How many times did TFC push it up the field only to lose around the box due to poor touches? It goes both ways.

As for the future, that's the bigger picture. That's why the Preki question isn't such a huge deal to me. The question is more so who controls the players acquisitions? That ultimately is the bigger concern.

I hardly think you can compare TFC (in other words JDG) losing the ball when we get anywhere near their 18 yeard box as opposed to the changes they missed on net. Our chances don't even count as stats in a game. Theirs were all shots that should've all hit the net and atleast half of those should have gone in. We were massivley outplayed, no doubt about it.

Dero carried us on his back. If Dero doesn't step up and put that in the net then the pressure isn't on Motagua to score two goals.

[Roogsy]

I hardly think you can compare TFC (in other words JDG) losing the ball when we get anywhere near their 18 yeard box as opposed to the changes they missed on net. Our chances don't even count as stats in a game. Theirs were all shots that should've all hit the net and atleast half of those should have gone in. We were massivley outplayed, no doubt about it.

Dero carried us on his back. If Dero doesn't step up and put that in the net then the pressure isn't on Motagua to score two goals.

Thank you.

I think a little dose of reality was needed about last night's game. In the euphoria of winning, I think many people have overlooked the fact that we were massively outplayed and luck finally shone a little light on us (lord knows it's always been the other way around). In my opinion, Motagua's lack of form due to being in preseason had a lot to do with it.

[Whoop]

It was more than just JDG giving the ball away. DeRo was at fault just as much as anyone else.

And I agree TFC was outplayed but the opportunities were there for TFC. They just botched them by a) poor first touches or failure to distribute the ball and b) when in position to take a shot failing to do so.

If anyone changed the complexion of the match yesterday it was Maicon Santos.

[Whoop]

I'm just saying it goes both ways. TFC failed to capitalize last week and despite being outplayed last night, especially at the beginning and ending of the match, TFC was still able to push the ball up the pitch. I thought once Maicon came on TFC did rather well and that's not having rose coloured glasses on.

But yes, if Motagua had been in midseason form, last week and this week's performances could have been much different.

P.S. I thought JDG, when playing in a more advanced role, was pretty good. He has better vision than most players on the team. I mean he can distribute the ball, when not fighting to win the ball, better than almost every player on TFC.

[Roogsy]

Giving the ball away is like a must-have for an MLS player resumé. Every player on our team does it, DeRo included. It is maddening.

But I agree that Santos was a game-changer yesterday. His addition to TFC has been crucial. I've been told he is was a Preki recruit...if so, kudos to the boss.

[Whoop]

Agreed Roogsy.

Though I think if the team had some quality wingers they wouldn't be forced to play the ball through the middle all the time and thus turning it over constantly and playing ping pong.

[Roogsy]

Wing....ers? :noidea:

[denime]

Unfortunately, my blind love of DeRo is not all that disimilar to your blind love of Preki. :D

Unfortunately, DeRo has actually won championships in his role. Preki however won

Yugoslav Cup (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yugoslav_Cup): 1984 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984)-1985 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1985)

Kansas City Wizards (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansas_City_Wizards)


MLS Cup (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MLS_Cup): 2000 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_MLS_Cup)
MLS Supporters' Shield (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MLS_Supporters%27_Shield): 2000 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Soccer_2000_Season)
U.S. Open Cup (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamar_Hunt_U.S._Open_Cup): 2004 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Lamar_Hunt_U.S._Open_Cup)

Miami Fusion (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Fusion)


MLS Supporters' Shield (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MLS_Supporters%27_Shield): 2001 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Soccer_2001_Season)



Major League Soccer MVP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Soccer_MVP_Award): 1997, 2003
Major League Soccer Coach of the Year (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MLS_Coach_of_the_Year_Award): 2007
National Soccer Hall of Fame (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Soccer_Hall_of_Fame): 2010


FIXED :poke::D

[Hitcho]

I'm no capologist.

Hah - brilliant quote! And frankly, it's a word that needs to be invented because of the ridiculous rules that MLS is mired in.

[Beach_Red]

Hah - brilliant quote! And frankly, it's a word that needs to be invented because of the ridiculous rules that MLS is mired in.


Here, you can take an eight week course to become a certified capologist:

http://www.sportsmanagementworldwide.com/taxonomy/term/33

[FluSH]

Cruz Azul. . the winningest team in CCL in our group... . . . gooo DRAW!

1http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/Flag_of_Mexico.svg/22px-Flag_of_Mexico.svg.png (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexico) Cruz Azul (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C.D.S.C._Cruz_Azul)521969 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1969_CONCACAF_Champions%27_Cup), 1970 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1970_CONCACAF_Champions%27_Cup), 1971 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1971_CONCACAF_Champions%27_Cup), 1996 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1996_CONCACAF_Champions%27_Cup), 1997 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_CONCACAF_Champions%27_Cup)2009 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008%E2%80%9309_CONCACAF_Champions_League), 2010 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%E2%80%9310_CONCACAF_Champions_League)


We'll be GIANT killers!!! :D

[Roogsy]

[/list]

FIXED :poke::D


:lol:

I didn't know Preki had been coaching that long! :noidea:

[MUFC_Niagara]

It's 5:30am and I am Workie'ing the board!