An optimistic look ahead to the 2011 Voyageurs Cup

Posted in CONCACAF Champions League, Canada, Nutrilite Canadian Championships with tags , , , , , on February 9, 2010 by squizz

As reported by Rollins (who else?) this morning, it seems as though Canada will have a fourth fully professional soccer team in 2011, the NASL’s Edmonton Drillers. Now, this has yet to be “officially” confirmed (though I don’t doubt the validity of Duane’s sources), and there’s the tricky issue of what, exactly, will become of the NASL in 2011 (will it continue to function alongside the USL under the USSF Division II banner, or break away on its own?) And will the league attain sanctioning by the USSF, without which its member teams would be ineligible to compete in the CONCACAF Champions League (the endgame for the winner of the Voyageurs Cup)?

For now, let’s defer all of those questions. There was much talk of revamping the format of the Voyageurs Cup after the debacle in the closing game of last year’s tourney, wherein the Whitecaps were deprived of the crown by a listless, disinterested Montreal B-squad allowing Toronto FC to thump six goals past them. But as I said on an episode of It’s Called Football last week, there’s really only so much you can do with a tournament that only has three teams involved. With four, the possibilities are much wider.

Here are some ideas for how the 2011 Voyageurs Cup might look, and feel free to add your own. Read more »

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Super Bowl XLIV most watched television event ever!* (*excluding several other television events)

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , on February 8, 2010 by Grant

The Associated Press has it. Super Bowl XLIV is officially the most-watched television program in history.

But don’t forget the to-be-sure paragraph: Nielsen also measures only the United States, and it’s possible some World Cup soccer games were seen more worldwide. Accurate measurement of television audiences outside the United States is spotty at best.

If only those god-damned non-U.S. television audiences were less spotty they’d be a heck of a lot easier to measure.

Read more »

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Oh, those referees and their assumptions…

Posted in Other with tags , on February 8, 2010 by squizz

Interesting piece over on the Wall Street Journal’s website today, about a study that claims referees give unconscious preferential treatment to shorter players, and are more likely to call a foul on a larger player when two opponents collide. This got me to thinking about what other unconscious biases and assumptions referees have and act upon (and some of the ones that, maybe, they should have). If you’ve got any good additions, leave a comment below.

The linesman is always right. Now, sure, it’s impossible for the referee to patrol the entire field by himself (and even with the help of two assistants, it’s still extraordinarily difficult). So the ref, for practical reasons, needs to have faith in every call made by one of his assistants. But you have to wonder: how often does the ref see a flag waving, think “I’m not sure about that”, but blow his whistle and make the call anyway? Surely it’s easier for everyone involved for the man in the middle to always trust his linesmen… but it’s not always right (for evidence, drop the name Benito Archundia on the Voyageurs forum and see what happens). Read more »

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Dispatches From Scallywags #4 (now with women!)

Posted in Arsenal, Chelsea, EPL with tags , , , , , , on February 7, 2010 by squizz

Welcome, one and all, to our fourth installment of Dispatches From Scallywags, wherein Squizz documents the slow, inevitable unravelling of his co-authors’ psyches as Arsenal and/or Chelsea compete in a big match, live from our local watering hole. Today, it’s the Gunners and the Blues in a Premiership matchup with massive implications in the title race. Should be a good one.

New for DFS #4: an actual live blog! (Not just text that I post afterward!) And… both Grant and Jamie have brought along some, ahem, special ladies to “enjoy” the experience with them. Here’s hoping they both have damned good plans for next weekend in order to make up for this mess. Enjoy!

The archive of Dispatches From Scallywags #4

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Coming this Sunday: Dispatches From Scallywags #4!

Posted in Arsenal, Chelsea, EPL, Other with tags , , , , on February 5, 2010 by squizz

That’s right, folks. Arsenal v. Chelsea. Titanic Premiership showdown. Two storied clubs fighting for the top of the table. Two storied Canadian soccer bloggers trying not to fight each other. It must be time for a new edition of Dispatches From Scallywags.

The clash between the Gunners and Blues will be live on The Score at 11 a.m., so while you’re relaxing and tuning in, why not also fire up your laptop and head over here for our live blog of the action? And by “the action”, I mean a running commentary on my two fellow bloggers, Jamie and Grant, losing their minds as their respective teams do battle. As the name would suggest, the fun emanates from Scallywags, one of Toronto’s foremost soccer pubs, where things often get a bit heated during big games.

And as a special bonus for our fourth edition, we’ve got a few special guests. Yes, Jamie and Grant will both be dragging bringing along the special ladies in their lives, who I’m sure would love nothing more than to spend their Sunday morning cooped up in a pub with a bunch of footie weirdos. While the action unfolds on the pitch, will there also be explosive action at a booth in midtown Toronto?

Who knows? But you’ll have to follow to find out. So head back over here for 10:45 on Sunday and follow us live. Leave some comments on the live blog or, if you’re in the area, drop into Scallys and say hello. It should be a hoot.

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TFC’s Canadians face May fixture clash

Posted in Canada, International, MLS, TFC with tags , , , on February 5, 2010 by Grant

Canada’s top domestic based players may face tough choices this May if the heavily rumoured friendlies against South American competition actually happen.

TFC plays away to Vancouver on May 19 in the Voyageurs’ Cup, home to New England in the league on May 22, away to San Jose in the league on May 29 and home to Vancouver in the V’s Cup on June 2.

One of the friendlies – said to be against Argentina – is also said to be on May 25. I assume the other match would then be on either the weekend of the 22nd or the 29th, which would conflict with TFC’s league matches. While some of TFC’s finest have turned down Canada before (most notably during the Gold Cup last summer), something tells me that all of Toronto’s Canucks will want to play against Argentina, in Argentina. I suppose it also depends on how TFC’s top brass feel about letting the players go?

In addition, Canada’s best in Europe – the Rob Friends and Kevin McKennas of the world – will be free come May, and I’m sure Stephen Hart will want his absolute best team possible. The TFC players in question would likely be Julian de Guzman, Dwayne de Rosario, Nana Attakora and Ali Gerba.

Check out the discussion here on the Voyageurs board.

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It’s Called Football: February 3, 2010

Posted in Podcasts, TFC with tags , , , , , on February 4, 2010 by squizz

Hey, here’s something to put the world into perspective: Toronto FC’s season opener is next month. Yeah. Suck that, snow on the ground! Accordingly, we’ve got plenty of TFC talk on this episode: What will DeRo’s injury mean for his ability to fit into Preki’s system? What will become of Adrian Serioux? How is the regular season schedule looking for the Reds? Could they play host to Manchester United this summer? And how will that wacky Voyageurs Cup look this season (and, should the format be changed)?

We also talk to the only manager to ever lead Canada to the World Cup, Tony Waiters. He talks about what it will take to get Canada to where the USA is (hint: it’s a legitimate national league), as well as what it was like at Mexico ‘86, what our priorities should be when it comes to player development… and a comment or two on John Terry’s alleged dalliances.

It’s Called Football: February 3, 2010 (mp3)

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Toronto FC’s 2010 schedule released!

Posted in MLS, TFC with tags , , , , , on February 3, 2010 by squizz

Well, along with the schedules of every other MLS team.

The Reds open their campaign with a pair of away games, at Columbus on March 27 and at New England on April 10, before their home opener against the expansion Philadelphia Union on Thursday, April 15.

Of note: the team’s longest homestand is four games, from the beginning of June to mid-July (with the World Cup break and, probably, some Voyageurs Cup games sandwiched in there), and the season’s final month (October) sees TFC playing three of their four games on the road, with the regular season finale coming at DC United on October 23.

All of this is, of course, contingent on the owners and players hammering out a new collective bargaining agreement by February 12. So, we’ll see. But if you’re convinced that it’ll happen, check out the team’s full schedule and begin planning your year accordingly.

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So, yeah, about Simeon Jackson…

Posted in Canada, Coca-Cola Championship, EPL, League One with tags , , , , on February 2, 2010 by squizz

Canada’s new golden boy is, for the time being, still stuck in League One. Despite all of the hubbub towards the end of last year about Jackson’s potential moves to a bigger club in the Premier League or Championship, here we are with the winter transfer window closed, and the 22-year-old striker is still plying his trade for Gillingham.

Frankly, I blame George W. Bush.

Not to get too obtuse here, but his ideologically-driven deregulation and intentional non-oversight of the securities markets led to the subprime mortgage crisis, the recession and, subsequently, the reluctance of most clubs to spend any cash this January.

Well, OK, that’s not entirely fair… Read more »

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Massih Wassey! Massih Wassey!

Posted in CONCACAF, Canada, International with tags , , , on February 1, 2010 by Grant

My enduring memory of Canada v. Jamaica international friendly on January 31 will be the sheer delight two Jamaican radio commentators took in repeating the name of Canada’s newest international. I can’t recall two grown men taking such enjoyment from mocking someone’s name since Dave Letterman and Paul Shaffer during the heady days of Sirajul and Mujibar.

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Canada-Jamaica: Matchday

Posted in CONCACAF, International with tags , , on January 31, 2010 by Grant

My apologies. The brain hurts too much to throw anything coherent about tonight’s match up here tonight. But please come back tomorrow. In the meantime, check out our Tweets from during the match. We basically live-blogged a radio broadcast.

Despite our best efforts, #CMNT proved unable to knock Lady GaGa from the worldwide trending list….

The Canada-Jamaica friendly kicks off at 6 p.m. ET. Apparently there is no live broadcast of the game, but you can try Jamaican radio here, or follow the CSA’s tweets live from Kingston. (Likely the best bet.)

There’s also the Voyageur’s forum match thread, and a livechat at The Canadian Stretford End (though you’ll have to stomach a blog post about Wayne Rooney’s class).

Read more »

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John Terry: Fit to continue as England captain?

Posted in International with tags , , , , , on January 31, 2010 by squizz

Even for those not partial to salacious gossip, the recent revelation that England and Chelsea captain John Terry allegedly slept with national teammate Wayne Bridge’s ex-girlfriend has presented an interesting conundrum: to what extent do we as fans expect (or compel) players wearing the armband to uphold a certain level of off-field conduct?

An editorial in The Mirror is unambiguous in its assessment: “It goes without saying that he is not fit to remain England’s captain.” Is it? According to the author, “[a]s England’s football captain, he is as central to public life as government ministers or captains of industry – more so, in fact, as his exploits are followed by countless children too.” David Walsh of The Times Online takes the same perspective: “What matters here is that Terry has had a relationship with the partner of a teammate — a teammate who happened to be one of his closest friends. Even in a locker room as morally ambivalent as football’s, that is considered beyond the pale.”

Canadian soccer fans, though — at least the ones I asked — don’t seem to think Terry’s indiscretions should have any bearing on his status as England captain. Read more »

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Two new coaches, two new directions

Posted in Canada, Women's with tags , , , , , , , on January 29, 2010 by squizz

The fervent “sack the CSA!” brigade was forced to temper their passion somewhat for most of 2009. After the men’s national team’s monumental failure in attempting to qualify for this year’s World Cup, things looked universally grim for Canadian soccer. But early in the year, under pressure from the Voyageurs, the Canadian Soccer Association bit the bullet and fired Dale Mitchell as head coach of the men’s national team. Stephen Hart, for the second time, took on the “interim” tag in that role for most of the year, before having his job solidified in December. During that time, Canada got some good results at the Gold Cup and the CSA announced several friendlies for 2010. Progress was indisputably being made.

On the women’s side, the national team was similarly without a head coach entering 2009, after the departure of long-time gaffer Even Pellerud. In February, the CSA shocked the world (by which I mean a small cadre of soccer geeks) by introducing former Italy head coach Carolina Morace as Pellerud’s replacement. Morace’s credentials spoke for themselves, and the move was almost universally regarded as a positive. She pledged to take the teams under her control (the national and U20 squads) in a different tactical direction, abandoning “route one” footie for a more controlled, possession-oriented style. Early results weren’t good (including a 4-0 thrashing by the USA at BMO Field), though Morace is being given plenty of leeway as she attempts to put her own signature on Canadian women’s soccer.

Two new head coaches, facing new years. Both highly regarded by Canadian fans, and both wanting to take their respective sides in a new direction. Those directions, though, are about as far apart from one another as they could possibly be. Read more »

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The future of WPS matters to us all, and here’s why.

Posted in Women's with tags , , , , , , , on January 28, 2010 by squizz

This was supposed to be a triumphant week in the off-season for Women’s Professional Soccer. WPS is, of course, the top-tier women’s league in North America, having started play last season to fill the void left by the demise of the WUSA in 2003. In its inaugural season, the league attracted a good amount of attention, thanks in part to the star appeal of Brazilian Marta, who scored 10 goals in 19 appearances for the WPS’s Los Angeles Sol, and went on to win the FIFA award for female player of the year.

The league also has an astonishing 250,000 followers on Twitter, showing there is clearly a burgeoning interest in the women’s game on this continent (or an awful lot of spambots who were drawn to the word “women” like moths to a flame). And, in what was supposed to be the good news story of the week, the Atlanta Beat (who will begin play as an expansion team this year) officially announced the opening of the first women’s soccer-specific stadium on the continent (they’ll share the 8,300-seat facility with the Kennesaw State University women’s soccer program).

However, all is not rosy for the league. Steve Goff is reporting today that the Los Angeles Sol are “on the brink of disbanding” after failed attempts to sell the team this offseason. The Sol made it to the championship game last season, and led the league in attendance. They also have the rights to one of the women’s game’s most recognizable players (not to mention Canadian keeper Karina LeBlanc and veteran defender Martina Franko). As Goff notes, if the Sol were to disappear, it would represent “a major setback to women’s pro soccer in America.” (Updated, 4:08 p.m.: It’s now official, the LA Sol will fold.)

I can already sense you rolling your eyes. “Who cares about the women’s game?” you’re asking yourself. “If they can’t play soccer, maybe they can get back to ironing my shirts and making my lunch. Blah blah blah.” Read more »

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It’s Called Football: January 27, 2010

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on January 28, 2010 by squizz

This episode gets a bit meandering and silly (just the way I like it!) but there’s still plenty of legit discussion to be had. To wit: Adrian Serioux has no contract, while Jim Brennan has apparently been re-upped; what does this mean for the future of Toronto FC’s backline? And what does the departure of several high-profile stars mean for MLS’s marketability — is Freddie Ljungberg the new face of the league?

And how is it that the Atlanta Beat of Women’s Professional Soccer have a nice new soccer-specific stadium, while several MLS teams still languish without one? (The latter question somehow dovetails into a debate about the usefulness of social media in building soccer in North America.)

Plus, we talk to Chivas USA and Canadian men’s team defender Ante Jazic about the national team’s prospects, Preki as a coach, the ongoing CBA negotiations… and donairs. Mmmm.

It’s Called Football: January 27, 2010 (mp3)

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