PDA

View Full Version : Today's News,Wednesday,Dec.14



denime
12-14-2011, 06:37 AM
Mornin'



TFC TV (http://torontofc.neulion.com/tfc/console.jsp)



Q&A with Toronto FC's Paul Mariner (http://www.torontosun.com/2011/12/13/qa-with-toronto-fcs-paul-mariner)


Morgan Wins National Award (http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/12/morgan-wins-national-award)


Morgan, Pietrangelo named top Canadian U-20 players (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/morgan-pietrangelo-named-top-canadian-u-20-players/article2269454/)


Rowaan: Frei's Liverpool stint a good thing (http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2011/12/13/rowaan_blog/)




SUNSHINE (http://www.torontosun.com/sunshine-girl)


_

pekduck
12-14-2011, 06:48 AM
morning d

Oldtimer
12-14-2011, 07:57 AM
I highly recommend listening to the Score's Footy Show podcast for December 12:

http://blogs.thescore.com/footyblog/2011/12/12/the-footy-show-podcast-dec-12th/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheFootyBlog+%28The+Footy+Blo g%29

It really gives a good inside view on the general disarray that the Whitecaps organization is in, and sheds some light on Barber's departure.

We're discussing Barber's departure in this thread:

http://www.redpatchboys.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=30322

scooter
12-14-2011, 08:08 AM
mornin d

Oldtimer
12-14-2011, 08:26 AM
Very happy to read Mariner's statements in the Sun interview:


MARINER: I’m very, very hopeful that we can get at least two players that can really contribute … We’ve had seven scouts working in the NCAA and we’ve got six scouts working internally in Canada. We’ve got the 50 top players in our view that we feel that are going to the MLS Combine. It’s a question of what we can get at (picks) four and 10. I’m very confident where we are with the draft.

Glad to see they are not giving up on the draft (sometimes one wondered). Also glad to see that the club has 13 scouts working in North America. That is the kind of professional set-up we wanted and never got under Mo.

Technorgasm
12-14-2011, 08:27 AM
Frei at Melwood. . . . God Im so jealous!
he will come back twice the keeper he ever was, just by being around Pepe and King Kenny. . .

brings me such joy to have Liverpool mentioned within the TODAY'S NEWS THREAD!

mdc 77
12-14-2011, 09:07 AM
Anyone know how Lindsay hurt his knee? Mariner talks about a "mistake"? I thought he slipped on ice or something. Either way from those comments it doesn't sound good, using words like "get lucky" when talking about him making it back.

razor787
12-14-2011, 09:21 AM
Hasn't been announced by the club, but rumor has it that it was a snowmobile accident.

ManUtd4ever
12-14-2011, 09:25 AM
Anyone know how Lindsay hurt his knee? Mariner talks about a "mistake"? I thought he slipped on ice or something. Either way from those comments it doesn't sound good, using words like "get lucky" when talking about him making it back.

http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?946-Lindsay-suffered-injury-in-snowmobile-accident



Canadian Soccer News has learned that the serious knee injury suffered by Nicholas Lindsay, for which he will undergo season ending surgery Wednesday, was the result of a snowmobile accident suffered over the holidays.

Several sources within the national team program and around the club today confirmed for CSN that the U-20 prospect and Toronto FC winger had been riding with friends when he was bucked from the back of the machine, tearing his ACL and MCL.

As most professional clubs require players to sign agreements that they will not participate in hazardous activities away from their jobs, it does raise questions about what this young professional was doing on a snowmobile that day.

However, Toronto FC has declined specific comment on the injury but did say “we are fully aware of how the injury occurred” and denied involvement in circling an earlier story that suggested he had slipped on ice.

I’m not about to throw an 18-year-old under the bus - the next year is going to be hard enough. And those around the player who did speak to CSN today repeatedly stressed the quality of his character – both as a professional and as a person.

If there is a silver lining in it for Lindsay it must be, that as a professional, his club has not deserted him.

It bares reminder, players have been dropped for far less in the world of football (Adrian Serioux anybody?) and frankly, after a lack of judgment like this, he’s lucky to still be under contract.

BritSOL
12-14-2011, 09:33 AM
Anyone know how Lindsay hurt his knee? Mariner talks about a "mistake"? I thought he slipped on ice or something. Either way from those comments it doesn't sound good, using words like "get lucky" when talking about him making it back.

http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?946-Lindsay-suffered-injury-in-snowmobile-accident

Canary10
12-14-2011, 09:41 AM
Very happy to read Mariner's statements in the Sun interview:



Glad to see they are not giving up on the draft (sometimes one wondered). Also glad to see that the club has 13 scouts working in North America. That is the kind of professional set-up we wanted and never got under Mo.

I'm generally not seeing any defenders listed as GA candidates. Given that, and that GA salaries don't contribute to the salary cap (and we're tight against it already) and that the draft is heavy on offensive-minded midfielders and strikers, what are the chances we draft two offensive players with those two first round picks and no CBs? I could see drafting a striker to back up Koevs and an offensive/playmaking midfielder to back up Avila and maybe play on the wings the odd game too. Think we still have (small) holes in those positions (unless Vukovic signs). Maybe Billy Schuler and Brian Span?

Canary10
12-14-2011, 09:54 AM
Interesting from MLS insider, suggesting TFC may be partnering with a Ghanian club. The article in the link doesn't name TFC, but with us being linked to that Ghanian goalkeeper, and the suggestion in this below is that it's us.

"Mariner’s ties to Bermuda are well-documented. But is an MLS team getting set to establish a relationship with a club in Ghana? That’s what this report claims in a deal that is apparently being brokered by a UK firm. (http://vibeghana.com/2011/12/13/uk-based-firm-nva-entertainment-group-on-fact-finding-ghana-tour/)"

Yohan
12-14-2011, 09:55 AM
I'm generally not seeing any defenders listed as GA candidates. Given that, and that GA salaries don't contribute to the salary cap (and we're tight against it already) and that the draft is heavy on offensive-minded midfielders and strikers, what are the chances we draft two offensive players with those two first round picks and no CBs? I could see drafting a striker to back up Koevs and an offensive/playmaking midfielder to back up Avila and maybe play on the wings the odd game too. Think we still have (small) holes in those positions (unless Vukovic signs). Maybe Billy Schuler and Brian Span?
if this happens, not the end of the world. TFC always has a few trialists for camp.

Canary10
12-14-2011, 10:00 AM
^Yeah, I agree. We'll be seriously stacked up front though if we get two more offensive players - kind of hope they go that way. Looks like there are some very good ones in the draft. A good defense is good offense as they say.

backbeat
12-14-2011, 10:19 AM
MARINER: He was injured and that’s why he was exposed (to Montreal). If you try and put yourself in Montreal’s shoes, do they want to bring in a player that potentially won’t be able to play until mid-year? It was a calculated gamble on our part but we think that we did the right thing. His rehab has been going fantastically well and he’s a very driven young man. We’ve got strength in the centre of defence positions but we need to get some players in for more competition.

to me that's a head scratcher statement...strength in the centre of defence positions?? really? I thought that is where we needed help the most and AM....Wow

mdc 77
12-14-2011, 10:23 AM
MARINER: He was injured and that’s why he was exposed (to Montreal). If you try and put yourself in Montreal’s shoes, do they want to bring in a player that potentially won’t be able to play until mid-year? It was a calculated gamble on our part but we think that we did the right thing. His rehab has been going fantastically well and he’s a very driven young man. We’ve got strength in the centre of defence positions but we need to get some players in for more competition.

to me that's a head scratcher statement...strength in the centre of defence positions?? really? I thought that is where we needed help the most and AM....Wow


Did you read the last 11 words of his sentence?

Yohan
12-14-2011, 10:23 AM
Houston gets BBVA-Compass (who also sponsors La Liga) as sponsors for their new stadium

http://www.chron.com/sports/dynamo/article/BBVA-Compass-acquires-naming-rights-to-new-Dynamo-2401086.php

trane
12-14-2011, 10:26 AM
Did you read the last 11 words of his sentence?

How do they change the BS of the first statment;"we have strengh in the central defense position"??

I hope Mariner is simply lying. Because if this is his assessemnt of our CB situation then he is lost. [ If centre of defense includes the GK then the statement is partialy not a lie]

Yohan
12-14-2011, 10:28 AM
Like Mariner is going to throw players under the bus with a public statement like 'these bunch suck'

Roogsy
12-14-2011, 10:31 AM
Like Mariner is going to throw players under the bus with a public statement like 'these bunch suck'

Better not to say anything at all than to say something that makes you sound deluded.

Canary10
12-14-2011, 10:35 AM
i don't think they're as worried about the CB position as we think they should be. Don't think they're standing pat either though.

mdc 77
12-14-2011, 10:37 AM
How do they change the BS of the first statment;"we have strengh in the central defense position"??

I hope Mariner is simply lying. Because if this is his assessemnt of our CB situation then he is lost. [ If centre of defense includes the GK then the statement is partialy not a lie]

I was being a bit of an ass, but I guess it depends on how you want to read into that statement.

I'd say that even is Mariner thought his central defence was complete shite he isn't going to say that, he's not going to through them all under the bus. So a gentle way of saying it was to add that line at the end. I mean come on guys, Mariner isn't an idiot.

ManUtd4ever
12-14-2011, 10:41 AM
Mariner was referring to the strength of the central defense with a healthy Cann (and likely Williams as well).

Mariner has also stated many times that they will be adding 1-2 CBs in the off season.

I wouldn't read into it at all. I agree with Yohan, he's just being careful to not be overly (and publicly) critical of Iro, Harden, and Henry, since they will all be returning in 2012 in depth roles.

Fort York Redcoat
12-14-2011, 10:44 AM
We’ve got strength in the centre of defence positions but we need to get some players in for more competition.

to me that's a head scratcher statement...strength in the centre of defence positions?? really? I thought that is where we needed help the most and AM....Wow

After following the sport, hell, any sport, It's common practice of any management to say something positive before something obviously negative about an aspect of their team.

If I were nitpicking I'd say Mariner could've been more exact in saying "we have SOME STRENGTHS in Central Defense" but still the most glaring indicator is the "BUT" that follows that statement.

Those that were at the town hall will remember a similar question being answered about the teams intention to bolster those positions.

trane
12-14-2011, 11:02 AM
Better not to say anything at all than to say something that makes you sound deluded.

Bingo.

rocker
12-14-2011, 12:40 PM
if Williams and Cann are signed and healthy, I think that's some strength in CB. Not to mention that my whipping boy in the early season, Ty Harden, turned out to be decent in the later season -- he'd make a solid CB backup. Not sure how that's delusional on Mariner's part. Secondly, he clearly says they need more in central defense. I agree with that.

Ricky_Portugal
12-14-2011, 12:47 PM
Great sunshine girl today

Canary10
12-14-2011, 01:15 PM
if Williams and Cann are signed and healthy, I think that's some strength in CB. Not to mention that my whipping boy in the early season, Ty Harden, turned out to be decent in the later season -- he'd make a solid CB backup. Not sure how that's delusional on Mariner's part. Secondly, he clearly says they need more in central defense. I agree with that.

Re-reading the quote, this is simply the response of a professional person, trained in media relations. Totally the right response.

PopePouri
12-14-2011, 01:25 PM
BBVA-Compass

That just rolls off the tongue, doesn't it?

backbeat
12-14-2011, 01:36 PM
Re-reading the quote, this is simply the response of a professional person, trained in media relations. Totally the right response.

if that's what it is then that would worry me that it's just media relations - then we'd never know what exactly his responses meant - political speak, i'll give you an answer that can be taken many ways...i understand he wouldn't want to slag active players but frankly i've found Mariner to be pretty honest and straight forward so i believe he's saying we're not too bad at CB just need to add some competition for pre-season - which i disagree with...i think we have a bunch of bench or subs at CB and we really need 2 strong CB's. just my opinion.

ag futbol
12-14-2011, 01:38 PM
Props to Larson on that interview. Every question was on point and relevant.

Nothing bothers me more when I read some TFC piece that is nothing but a bunch of fluff from some guy who'd rather be covering the leafs.

backbeat
12-14-2011, 01:39 PM
if Williams and Cann are signed and healthy, I think that's some strength in CB. Not to mention that my whipping boy in the early season, Ty Harden, turned out to be decent in the later season -- he'd make a solid CB backup. Not sure how that's delusional on Mariner's part. Secondly, he clearly says they need more in central defense. I agree with that.

i agree that Harden was a pleasant surprise but i don't think we have one starting CB on the roster, not one....maybe that will change but i still believe we absolutely need 2 strong CB's to contend - to me that is the most important weakness on the team followed by an AM - but i'd be far happier getting 2 good CB's above anything else right now.

ag futbol
12-14-2011, 01:48 PM
I think either Cann or Decoy Williams can be the "other" CB, but they can't be the leader back there. Neither is dominant enough.

Canary10
12-14-2011, 01:59 PM
I do think, as I said somewhere else, that they're not as worried as we think they should be. Winter's system is very offensive. A huge part of the defense is keeping the other team constantly unbalanced with good ball possession and a really strong attack with a cutting edge. On one level, I think it might actually make more sense to build up our pool of forwards and attacking midfielders, and there are a lot of good draft options to do that.

Then my rational side says we're so bad in the middle of the defence my first thought is crazy.

I do think this year still needs to be viewed as work in progress. We'll be pulling more pieces together, but likely we won't be at our end goal this year. I think we have a core of a team that should get 50 points this year and a playoff spot. But still won't quite be in that 60 plus point mark and challenging LA and Seattle for titles.

KGH
12-14-2011, 02:19 PM
Maybe the plan is to move Frings to the back 4 full time...

__wowza
12-14-2011, 02:28 PM
I do think this year still needs to be viewed as work in progress. We'll be pulling more pieces together, but likely we won't be at our end goal this year. I think we have a core of a team that should get 50 points this year and a playoff spot. But still won't quite be in that 60 plus point mark and challenging LA and Seattle for titles.

thank you for clarifying the "work in progress" remark. i was just going to say i can't consider this year a work in progress; that was last year. yes, we're not title contenders yet.. but i would like to see a playoff game at BMO sometime in my life. winter and co have had ample time to work out the kinks of the league, i expect more from them this year.


Maybe the plan is to move Frings to the back 4 full time...

he's a general that can organize a piss-poor defense, but at the same time that's not where he should be. he'd be far more productive elsewhere. the sooner we get a CB who has a commanding presence like frings does, the better.

Canary10
12-14-2011, 02:32 PM
Agree with both your points above Wowza.

Didn't mean to leave the impression by "work in progress" that anything less than playoffs is acceptable....

DangerRed
12-14-2011, 03:12 PM
When I talked to Winter in November, I said to him I was happy about the attacking additions, but that it's clear that the back line needs improvement. He agreed and said more signings are coming.

I think Mariner's just trying to balance the need to acknowledge the lack of back line depth with the need to praise some of the current players so that they don't feel like shit about themselves. Nothing wrong with that.

moralis
12-14-2011, 04:01 PM
An Ecuadorian reporter is saying LDU Quito Centre Back Geovanny Caicedo has two clubs interested in his services: Toronto FC and Chivas USA.

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

http://twitter.com/#!/CarlosAndresMN...64109911523329 (http://twitter.com/#%21/CarlosAndresMN/status/146964109911523329)

He plays right centre back (Ty Harden and Dicoy Williams play the same position)

He also played in this years friendly between Canada-Ecuador at BMO Field.

Canada vs Ecuador - June 1st 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FStId...eature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FStIdOQnhkI&feature=related)

Another video of Geovanny Caicedo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KybwQiBNtU

Plays for the same club Joao Plata played for. LDU Quito.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...arly-done-deal (http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/12/02/plata-return-toronto-nearly-done-deal)

Shway
12-14-2011, 04:38 PM
he looks solid, the success rate of south american centre backs have been successful in this league. "Hurtado, Olave, Valdes, Júlio César, Conde, ect...

Brooker
12-14-2011, 04:40 PM
Where are the Celtic fans? Who is our new goalkeeping coach? Never heard of him.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stewart_Kerr ???

CoachGT
12-14-2011, 04:43 PM
Mike Toshack, keeper coach, left TFC today and signed with Portland. It is all over twitter.

ag futbol
12-14-2011, 04:45 PM
So Toshack jumped ship eh? I actually had no idea he was still here, surprised he's stuck around this long with all the shit that happened over the years. Good luck to him in Portland.

LDU CB = sounds promising

Shway
12-14-2011, 04:51 PM
So Toshack jumped ship eh? I actually had no idea he was still here, surprised he's stuck around this long with all the shit that happened over the years. Good luck to him in Portland.

LDU CB = sounds promising

Does this mean there is no trace of Mo-blo era anymore?

Oldtimer
12-14-2011, 04:56 PM
Does this mean there is no trace of Mo-blo era anymore?

Earl Cochrane is still here.

CoachGT
12-14-2011, 05:01 PM
Stewart Kerr is the new TFC keeper coach.

Kaz
12-14-2011, 05:02 PM
So Kerr was at Airdrie United prior to his time at Motherwell. He's young has a little bit of skill. And has been in the country since August.

September 2008 to February of 2011 Goalkeeping Coach at Airdrie United FC (Scottish Second Division)
February 2011 - August 2011 Goalkeeping Coach at Motherwell FC (SPL)
been in Canada since August of 2011.

The question then is, was he brought in to be a TFC coach? and they waited till they could get his papers in order as well as finding the right place for Toshack?

or did Toshack ask to leave, and they found Kerr to take his place?

oxygenatedbrain
12-14-2011, 05:04 PM
Frei and Toshack arrived at the same time...wonder why Toshack left? Wait a minute...

trane
12-14-2011, 05:06 PM
Re-reading the quote, this is simply the response of a professional person, trained in media relations. Totally the right response.

Please. If he was trained in media relations, he did not need to say something that on its face is untrue. The good PR response would have been something like " we are always looking to upgrade all positions, central defense is one of them". Had he said something like that no eyebrows woudl have been raised.

Ossington Mental Youth
12-14-2011, 05:47 PM
Maybe the plan is to move Frings to the back 4 full time...

doubtful. ill be pretty pissed if they do, itd be a waste of his talent

moralis
12-14-2011, 06:29 PM
Milos Kocic and ex-TFC player Mista together again:

http://twitter.com/#!/MilosKocic30/status/146260311614300160/photo/1

CretanBull
12-14-2011, 06:35 PM
Interesting from MLS insider, suggesting TFC may be partnering with a Ghanian club. The article in the link doesn't name TFC, but with us being linked to that Ghanian goalkeeper, and the suggestion in this below is that it's us.

"Mariner’s ties to Bermuda are well-documented. But is an MLS team getting set to establish a relationship with a club in Ghana? That’s what this report claims in a deal that is apparently being brokered by a UK firm. (http://vibeghana.com/2011/12/13/uk-based-firm-nva-entertainment-group-on-fact-finding-ghana-tour/)"

It would make sense if it's us - Ghana is a Common Wealth country so that makes the paper work (immigration, work permits, visas etc) a lot easier to sort out. There's also tons of Ghanians in Toronto, a relationship with a team from Ghana might pull in some extra fans.

rocker
12-14-2011, 07:04 PM
Mike Toshack, keeper coach, left TFC today and signed with Portland. It is all over twitter.

Toshack was goalkeeper coach with Houston at the same time John Spencer was an assistant there, so they know each other well.

CoachGT
12-14-2011, 07:59 PM
Frei and Toshack arrived at the same time...wonder why Toshack left? Wait a minute...

Actually, I believe Toshack was brought in because he had previously coached Greg Sutton. It just happened to coincide with Frei.

And Toshack was out of a contract at the end of this season. I'm not surprised the opportunity with Portland came to him. I liked him and would have liked to have seen him stay, and wish him all the best in his new role.

Whoop
12-14-2011, 08:03 PM
Props to Larson on that interview. Every question was on point and relevant.

Nothing bothers me more when I read some TFC piece that is nothing but a bunch of fluff from some guy who'd rather be covering the leafs.

Larson is a football guy first and is well versed having played the game at a high level. Probably the best mainstream media guy in terms of coverage + analysis of the game.

Whoop
12-14-2011, 08:10 PM
Please. If he was trained in media relations, he did not need to say something that on its face is untrue. The good PR response would have been something like " we are always looking to upgrade all positions, central defense is one of them". Had he said something like that no eyebrows woudl have been raised.

But he does kind of say it. He says they have strength in the central defense (ed. likely numbers) but they're bringing in guys for competition.

Odds are the guys they bring in for competition are better and will win the competition. At least I hope.

I think it was a reasonable answer and we're just looking into too much.

The key is to see who they bring in for the competition. Right now they haven't brought anyone in.

Shway
12-14-2011, 10:01 PM
Earl Cochrane is still here.

wouldnt be surprised if there trying to rid him too

Auzzy
12-14-2011, 10:48 PM
Mike Toshack, keeper coach, left TFC today and signed with Portland. It is all over twitter.

Soooo, will the transfer fee be enough to pay for a roof at BMO Field?

:D