From a Different Point of View – 4th Week of March Edition

Some Things You May Have Missed From the Last Week


MLS

    Change is afoot at the MLSsoccer.com head offices as the MLS Insider, Shawn Francis, signs off after three years of his unique coverage of the league's day-to-day goings on. Best of luck on the new venture, whatever the future brings. Shawn has returned to his original handle The Offside Rules; be sure to check out the spectacular blog as well.

    It may be of some interest that Jeff Cunningham, given his Cult Hero status in Toronto, is reveling in his Guatemalan tour.

    A few announcements this week. The first – venerable as Nevio Pizzolitto, long-time servant to the Montreal Impact has hung up his boots, announced his retirement. The second – less so as it has finally been announced that Luke Rodgers' visa has been denied and his contract terminated.

    Too often the good work done for the community by MLS clubs is underreported - The Portland Timbers announced and expanded adopt-a-club program for this season; excellent project

    Who doesn't love a good, old match-day program? Colorado has taken it a step beyond the traditional – paperless.

    In retroactive punishment news Adam Moffat was suspended for his studs up tackle on Ossie Alonso, while Alvaro Fernandez was fined for his embellishment in the same match. This comes hours after Colin Clark was disciplined for the much publicized incident at the start of the affair. Friday nights, eh? Moffat recognized that the tackle was worse than he had initially thought.

     It is just a matter of time before FIFA takes umbrage with the work MLS is doing in this field – unless of course it is in the best interest of growing the game in a culture that understands and respects such a venture; can video replay be very far behind?

    MLS Reserves continue their in-depth look at the game played out beyond the ninety and off the pitch as they examine the plights of the equipment manager and the team administrator.


Canadian Youth

     Searching for information on Canadian U-23 forward Lucas Cavallini turned up this little autobiographical note from his days with the Clarkson Sheridan Soccer Club in Mississauga.

    There has been some measure of flak thrown Vancouver's way for the lack of Canadian talent in their current lineup. This feature – which should be a regular one – profiles some of the future talents that will perhaps one day grace the pitch.


TFC in CCL – Gomez's Words Update

     Be sure to listen to Duane Rollins' interview only edition of It's Called Football with Herculez Gomez regarding the quotes that were attributed to him post first leg action that caused some ire in Toronto; fine work as always from the folks over at Canadian Soccer News.


Kuper on Barcelona

     An article on Barcelona from the esteemed Simon Kuper came to prominence this past week.


Villa on Tour

    Aston Villa announced their upcoming North American tour dates this past week, check out this wonderful pair of articles on the links between them and one of their summer rivals – the Portland Timbers – Part I – Part II. Penned by Michael Orr, better know as Mao.

    Kristian Jack of The Score writes this warm piece about Stiliyan Petrov, Aston Villa's Captain the week it was announced that he has been diagnosed with Acute Leukemia. Best of luck in your battle Stan.