Today’s News, Thursday , Jun.05
Roster spot opens but TFC unlikely to land McBride
Club wants 'something big' since it owns rights to striker who insists he wants to play in Chicago
MORGAN CAMPBELL
Toronto FC created roster space for one more international player yesterday, but that doesn't mean American striker Brian McBride is any closer to joining the team.
TFC yesterday traded rookie defender Pat Phelan to the New England Revolution and received an international roster slot in return.
The deal gives TFC 12 international rosters spots, including the one occupied by New Zealander Jarrod Smith, who was promoted to the senior roster yesterday.
Of those 12 spots, only 10 are occupied, meaning Toronto has the roster space to bring in a non-Canadian.
But after yesterday's practice, the club's director of soccer, Mo Johnston, wouldn't say whether the trade was a prelude to a move for McBride, a U.S. national team standout, whose MLS rights belong to TFC.
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Jazic's late goal earns Canada tie vs. Panama
Final friendly before facing St. Vincent in World Cup qualifier
Jun 05, 2008 04:30 AM
Ante Jazic's goal with eight minutes left helped Canada earn a 2-2 tie against Panama in a friendly at Sunrise, Fla., yesterday.
Jazic, a midfielder with the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer, received a pass from Tam Nsaliwa and converted an eight-yard shot which bounced inside the left post.
Panama took a 2-1 lead on Jose Luis Garces' goal in the 48th minute. Juan Perez's cross from the right wing found Garces near the far post and he scored from 10 yards out.
Canada opened the scoring when Jamie Peters scored in the 33rd minute.
Panama tied it nine minutes later on Luis Tejada's penalty kick.
The CONCACAF teams used the match as a prelude to regional World Cup qualifiers later in the month.
Canada will play the first leg on the road of a home-and-home set against St. Vincent June 15.
SPAIN EDGES U.S.: Spain remained undefeated for a 16th straight game when it defeated the United States 1-0 in its last warm-up for the European Championship at Santander yesterday.
However, while Xavi Hernandez's goal in the 79th minute was impressive, the overall display was nervy and disorganized.
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Toronto FC trade rookie Phelan to Revs
FOXBOROUGH -- The New England Revolution today announced that it has acquired first-year defender Pat Phelan from Toronto FC in exchange for the rights to one of New England’s eight international roster spots through the 2010 season.
Phelan, 23, was originally selected by Toronto in the first round (10th overall) of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft out of Wake Forest University. He did not make a first-team appearance with Toronto this season, but did start three MLS reserve-division matches with TFC.
"We are pleased to be able to add Pat to our squad,” Revolution Director of Soccer Michael Burns said. "We followed his career closely at Wake Forest and we’re looking forward to him joining us."
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Loss to Brazil vaults Canada in rankings
ZURICH, Switzerland -- Argentina extended its lead over Brazil at the top of the FIFA monthly rankings published Wednesday, with England entering the top 10.
Argentina has 1,559 points and Brazil 1,513.
Canada improved two spots to No. 60 after posting a 3-2 loss to Brazil over the weekend. The Canadians have 524 points and are tied with Panama, the team they were scheduled to play Wednesday night in Florida.
Top-rated since October 2007, Argentina's margin over Brazil increased from two to 46 points. World champion Italy remained third with 1,424 points, Spain was fourth and Germany fifth.
England moved up two places to ninth. Portugal dropped two spots to 11th.
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TFC sends defender Phelan to Revolution
Toronto FC announced yesterday that it had opened up an international roster spot after trading first-year defender Pat Phelan to the New England Revolution.
Under Major League Soccer rules, TFC was allowed to trade for an extra international roster spot after beginning the 2008 season with only nine.
"We have a very deep squad this year, and it's been tough for him to get playing time," general manager Mo Johnston said of Phelan.
Forward Jarrod Smith of New Zealand makes the move up to the senior roster.
SPAIN LACKLUSTRE IN WIN
Spain remained undefeated for a 16th straight game when it defeated the U.S. 1-0 yesterday in its last warmup before the European Championship begins this Saturday.
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SUNSHINE
