Today’s News, Saturday , Jun.28
Good Morning, it's a GAME DAY :)
Revolution's teenage Gambian star goes AWOL
Coach Nicol unhappy that Mansally isn't back after international duty
MORGAN CAMPBELL
FOXBOROUGH, MASS.–As the New England Revolution took the practice field in yesterday's 32C heat, defender Pat Phelan ran though drills looking confident. After riding the bench with Toronto FC, the rookie defender has started twice since his trade to New England.
Meanwhile, star striker Taylor Twellman looked comfortable. A bad ankle has sidelined him since mid-May but he resumed full-speed practice this week.
And New England's teenage sensation Kenny Mansally?
Well, the division-leading team is still looking for him.
Mansally, who plays for Gambia's national team, was one of several Revolution regulars away on international duty during their loss at Real Salt Lake last weekend, though midfielders Khano Smith and Shalrie Joseph are both back for tonight's game against TFC.
Gambia's last game was on June 20 and the first-place Revolution expected Mansally back in camp by the middle of this week, but by yesterday afternoon he still hadn't arrived and his coaches weren't sure the 19-year-old striker would rejoin the team.
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Reds get ready for Revolution
By DEAN MCNULTY, SUN MEDIA
Toronto FC coach John Carver won't need an introduction to New England Revolution's coach Steve Nicol before today's MLS game in Foxboro, Mass.
Carver was often up close and personal with Nicol during their time in the English Premier league when the TFC field boss was on the coaching staff at Newcastle United and Nicol was starring on the pitch with Liverpool.
"I have followed his career in North America," Carver said. "You always want to keep track of fellows from back home."
In just his first year at TFC, Carver has a way to go to match Nicol's record of getting his club to the MLS conference final in six consecutive seasons.
"He has a good record there," Carver said. "We know we'll be facing a well-prepared side."
In TFC's visits to Gillette Stadium last season they were trounced, 4-0 and 3-0.
But as defender Jim Brennan said, this is not the same team from 2007.
"They're a very good side,'' Brennen said. "They're a club that's always there at the end and always up at the top of the table. It's a tough place to go and get a result, but we'll get things right and look to get something."
Carver agrees.
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Robinson is just a family guy
By DEAN MCNULTY -- Sun Media
When Toronto FC players arrive in Boston today for their game tomorrow against the New England Revolution, midfielder Carl Robinson almost certainly will have his cellphone to his ear.
He'll be getting an update on the daily activities of his two children -- a girl and a baby boy -- from wife Laura back here. For Robinson, it's much more than a perfunctory "We have arrived safely" call.
The man his teammates call "Robbo" takes being a husband and father just as seriously as he does playing Major League Soccer at BMO Field.
"When I am on the pitch, that is all I care about," the Welsh international said yesterday. "But once we're off, it's family time."
The 31-year-old native of Llandrindod, Wales, said he learned the value of family from his mom and dad.
"I came from nothing," Robinson said of his childhood. "My dad has had the same job for 35 years as a lorry (truck) driver, who would leave for work at five o'clock in the morning and not be back until seven o'clock at night. He and my mom sacrificed everything so I could play football."
It is with the same sort of dedication that Robinson plans to raise his young family.
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SUNSHINE:noidea:
