A pair of MLS posts are up over at Canadian Soccer News, the MLS weekend review and the extended subsection following the play of the Canadians in the league.
Check them out – MLS Review and Canadian Content.
Tuesday, 30 April 2013
Saturday, 27 April 2013
Beyond POV-FS – Know Your Enemy: New York Red Bull – Parts One & Two
Preview of this afternoon’s match between Toronto FC and New York is up over at Waking the Red.
Check them out – One & Two
Check them out – One & Two
Wednesday, 24 April 2013
Beyond POV-FS – Voyageur’s Cup: Toronto FC vs. Montreal Impact – Pre-Match Notes at Waking the Red
Some assorted notes, videos, and links previewing tonight’s match between Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact at BMO Field is up over at Waking the Red, in lieu of the usual Know Your Enemy feature.
Check it out.
Check it out.
Tuesday, 23 April 2013
Toronto FC – The Voyageur's Cup: Another Chance to Injure the Opponent’s Centre-Back
On the eve of the 2013 edition of the Voyageur’s Cup, it seemed a good time to bring up a peculiar development over the first two MLS clashes between the Canadian clubs.
Toronto FC has been responsible for key personnel losses to their opposition.
In the opening match against Vancouver, it was Jay DeMerit who went down a mere eight minutes into the contest with an Achilles injury. In Montreal, it was Alessandro Nesta who left the fray, lasting slightly long, after eleven minutes with a muscle concern.
Neither injury was the result of dangerous or overly-aggressive play, DeMerit went up for an aerial challenge with Robert Earnshaw, landing awkwardly and rupturing the tendon. Nesta, lunged to get his head on the end of an Earnshaw cross in the first minute of play, hitting the turf-hardened ground knee first, presumably jarring his muscle in the process.
Earnshaw, one of the newest members of the club, was the protagonist – antagonist? Suppose it depends from which side one observes – in both cases; not through foul play, but through a tenacity that has helped define the new reiteration of the club.
In truth, DeMerit should never have been risked, having been troubled by tendonitis in the area throughout preseason. And Nesta, well, his ability to stay fit for an entire season – and his importance to the side – has been questioned repeatedly.
Both injuries were eventualities, but curious that fate would strike when confronted by TFC.
Matteo Ferrari, Montreal’s other high-profile, experienced centre-back, had the good sense to get himself injured, meaning he will likely miss the series.
But what odds on the fit-again Nesta, should he feature in either match, not lasting the full match, let alone the first half?
Heading into the Voyageur’s Cup, Toronto has some additional voodoo over their Canadian rivals. To many it is baffling that a club that has struggled so mightily throughout its existence has maintained their run of four straight national titles against seemingly superior opposition - opposition perhaps better constructed and more eager for a chance at regional glory, well, regional play.
As stated before, this year’s rendition of the four-team tournament looks set to be the best ever, with all three MLS teams seriously contesting the championship – Edmonton is unfortunately an afterthought at this point, though an upset of Vancouver in the first round - ahem, semifinals - would provide some much-needed drama on the Western side of the country.
While this may be one of the smaller national cup competitions in the world and one of the newer ones, as well, it always manages to provide some drama and more than a few talking points to those who take the time to follow its, albeit, brief progress.
It all kicks off tomorrow night (Wednesday, April 24th) with Toronto hosting Montreal and Edmonton welcoming Vancouver with the return legs to be played a week later (Wednesday, May 1st).
If possible, get out to a match, if not, be sure to tune in on television. In the future, these years will be the basis of a grander competition and a part of national heritage and pride. May as well get in on the ground floor, eh?
Sportsnet will be airing both matches on their regional channels; with Toronto-Montreal kicking off at 7:30 pm EST and Edmonton-Vancouver at 9:30 pm EST.
Toronto FC has been responsible for key personnel losses to their opposition.
In the opening match against Vancouver, it was Jay DeMerit who went down a mere eight minutes into the contest with an Achilles injury. In Montreal, it was Alessandro Nesta who left the fray, lasting slightly long, after eleven minutes with a muscle concern.
Neither injury was the result of dangerous or overly-aggressive play, DeMerit went up for an aerial challenge with Robert Earnshaw, landing awkwardly and rupturing the tendon. Nesta, lunged to get his head on the end of an Earnshaw cross in the first minute of play, hitting the turf-hardened ground knee first, presumably jarring his muscle in the process.
Earnshaw, one of the newest members of the club, was the protagonist – antagonist? Suppose it depends from which side one observes – in both cases; not through foul play, but through a tenacity that has helped define the new reiteration of the club.
In truth, DeMerit should never have been risked, having been troubled by tendonitis in the area throughout preseason. And Nesta, well, his ability to stay fit for an entire season – and his importance to the side – has been questioned repeatedly.
Both injuries were eventualities, but curious that fate would strike when confronted by TFC.
Matteo Ferrari, Montreal’s other high-profile, experienced centre-back, had the good sense to get himself injured, meaning he will likely miss the series.
But what odds on the fit-again Nesta, should he feature in either match, not lasting the full match, let alone the first half?
Heading into the Voyageur’s Cup, Toronto has some additional voodoo over their Canadian rivals. To many it is baffling that a club that has struggled so mightily throughout its existence has maintained their run of four straight national titles against seemingly superior opposition - opposition perhaps better constructed and more eager for a chance at regional glory, well, regional play.
As stated before, this year’s rendition of the four-team tournament looks set to be the best ever, with all three MLS teams seriously contesting the championship – Edmonton is unfortunately an afterthought at this point, though an upset of Vancouver in the first round - ahem, semifinals - would provide some much-needed drama on the Western side of the country.
While this may be one of the smaller national cup competitions in the world and one of the newer ones, as well, it always manages to provide some drama and more than a few talking points to those who take the time to follow its, albeit, brief progress.
It all kicks off tomorrow night (Wednesday, April 24th) with Toronto hosting Montreal and Edmonton welcoming Vancouver with the return legs to be played a week later (Wednesday, May 1st).
If possible, get out to a match, if not, be sure to tune in on television. In the future, these years will be the basis of a grander competition and a part of national heritage and pride. May as well get in on the ground floor, eh?
Sportsnet will be airing both matches on their regional channels; with Toronto-Montreal kicking off at 7:30 pm EST and Edmonton-Vancouver at 9:30 pm EST.
Beyond POV-FS – MLS Week in Review and Canadian Content Subsection at Canadian Soccer News
A pair of posts up over at Canadian Soccer News yesterday.
First, the standard MLS Weekend Review, results, videos, a peculiar goal of the round, and some other notes from the weekend.
Second, an extended look at the Canadian on-pitch contributions – top three performers: Nana Attakora, Will Johnson, and Dejan Jakovic.
First, the standard MLS Weekend Review, results, videos, a peculiar goal of the round, and some other notes from the weekend.
Second, an extended look at the Canadian on-pitch contributions – top three performers: Nana Attakora, Will Johnson, and Dejan Jakovic.
Saturday, 20 April 2013
Beyond POV-FS – Pre-Match Notes – Toronto FC vs. the Houston Dynamo at Waking the Red
Some last-minute notes prior to this afternoon’s match between Toronto FC and the Houston Dynamo at BMO Field is up over at Waking the Red.
Check it out.
Check it out.
Friday, 19 April 2013
Beyond POV-FS – Know Your Enemy: Houston Dynamo at Waking the Red
Preview of Saturday’s match at BMO Field between Toronto FC and the Houston Dynamo is up over at Waking the Red.
Check it out.
Check it out.
Thursday, 18 April 2013
Beyond POV-FS – What Just Happened? Toronto FC @ Philadelphia – The Union’s Late Game-Tying Goal at Waking the Red
Detailed analysis of the late-goal conceded by Toronto FC at Philadelphia on Saturday is up over at Waking the Red.
Check it out.
Check it out.
Tuesday, 16 April 2013
Beyond POV–FS – MLS Week in Review – Round 7 at Canadian Soccer News
Review of this past weekend’s MLS action is up over at Canadian Soccer News.
Canadian content, video highlights, Will Johnson’s free-kick, Alan Gordon’s slur, and more; all the sights and sounds from another round of MLS play.
Check it out.
Canadian content, video highlights, Will Johnson’s free-kick, Alan Gordon’s slur, and more; all the sights and sounds from another round of MLS play.
Check it out.
Saturday, 13 April 2013
Beyond POV-FS – Pre-Match Notes- Toronto FC at Philadelphia Union at Waking the Red
Some additional pre-match notes prior to the match between Toronto FC and the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park this afternoon is up over at Waking the Red; a supplement to the Know Your Enemy feature.
Check it out.
Check it out.
Friday, 12 April 2013
Beyond POV-FS – Know Your Enemy: Philadelphia Union at Waking the Red
Preview of tomorrow’s match between Toronto FC and the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park in Philly is up over at Waking the Red.
A projected lineup, recent form, etc. – all the good stuff.
Check it out.
A projected lineup, recent form, etc. – all the good stuff.
Check it out.
Monday, 8 April 2013
Beyond POV-FS – MLS Week in Review – Round 6 at Canadian Soccer News
Review of Round Six of MLS play is up over at Canadian Soccer News, featuring video highlights, goal of the round, results in brief, Canadian content, and a few other juicy tidbits.
All one needs to keep up with the weekly goings on.
Check it out.
All one needs to keep up with the weekly goings on.
Check it out.
Saturday, 6 April 2013
Beyond POV-FS - Pre-match Notes – TFC vs. FC Dallas at Waking the Red
Some additional notes prior to the match between Toronto FC and FC Dallas at BMO Field is up over at Waking the Red as a supplement to the Know Your Enemy feature.
Check it out.
Check it out.
Friday, 5 April 2013
Beyond POV-FS – Know Your Enemy: FC Dallas at Waking the Red
Preview of Saturday’s match between Toronto FC and FC Dallas at BMO Field is up over at Waking the Red.
Check it out.
Check it out.
Tuesday, 2 April 2013
Good Listens – MLS Podcast Round-Up
Highlighting a trio of North American podcasts from the past week or so:
Beyond POV-FS - MLS Week in Review – Round 5 at Canadian Soccer News
Review of this past weekend’s MLS action is up over at Canadian Soccer News, including a spotlight on Canadian Content and all the highlight videos one could ask for.
Check it out.
Check it out.
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