It was a respectable result for Toronto FC against Benfica of Portugal at BMO last night. Although
the score may not show it, the game offered some excellent soccer. Benfica who played with a
makeshift lineup had some excellent sequences, yet rarely tested the Toronto net. Toronto's defence
led by
Jim Brennan and
Marco Reda in the first half was able to
keep Benfica at at bay.
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Wow. Another shocker.
Jeff Cunningham is officially in the fold. Add yet another
MLS big name player to the revolving door down at BMO. I just hope Cunningham was made aware of and
consulted regarding the trade before the heard the news
(see Mulrooney,
Guevara).When news broke of a trade sending Esky to RSL this morning, I immediately thought Toronto was
bringing in Toronto native
Andy Williams or Jack Stewart who would both count as
Canadians on the roster.
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- DC UNITED MAN OF THE MATCH: BALDOMERO TOLEDO- Mr. Toldeo was wearing yellow - but he should have clearly worn the DC United colours today as he
was their twelfth man. It wasn't only that Brazilian
Luciano Emilio clearly
embellished and dived on the penalty call, as he had on several occasions all afternoon, - there
appeared to be contact from Wynne in fairness, rather Mr.
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MLSE are apparently reviewing policies about allowing umbrellas into the stadium during matches. I
hope the ban on "large" Canadian flags will also be reviewed in time for July!!!! How about some TV
monitors around the concourses so fans can follow the game while below the stands - near the
washrooms or "rest rooms" would be great considering the line-ups.
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DC United roll into Toronto today. As many Toronto fans are still unfamiliar with MLS and its
history, DC United is the club that set the standard during the leagues early years. After a tough
start in 1996, they pulled it together to win the inaugural MLS Cup. The team included the likes of
Bolivian great
Marco Etcheverry, Jaime Moreno, Raul Diaz Arce, John Harkes, Eddie Pope, and
Tony Sanneh.
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With Dale Mitchell officially announced as the new Canadian Men's National Team coach today, a
preliminary roster was submitted to CONCACAF for the upcoming Gold Cup. Interim Coach Stephen Hart,
who was announced as the team Canada Assistant Men's coach today, will lead Canada at the
tournament. This is only a preliminary roster, changes can be expected as the tournament
approaches.
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The raucous gatherings at the first four events held at BMO Field - three Toronto FC matches, and
the Canada/Argentina International last Friday, have caused structural problems at the new stadium.
Engineers and stadium officials will be very busy over the next few days as bolts have been falling
from below the stands on the west stand. I can confirm that a bolt bounced near me under the east
stand on Saturday, while waiting for my order to be completed near the Subway Sandwich cart next to
Gate 2.
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The thunderstorms that swept through the GTA last night claimed my match preview for the Houston
match. I'll provide a brief summary below.
* All that rain last night will ensure a very slick pitch for the match this evening
* Rain is in the weather forecast for today and Saturday as well
* 1/5 of the Toronto FC's inaugural season will be completed by the end of the Houston match
* Former Toronto FC defender
Richard Mulrooney played right back for Houston in
their last match
*
Kevin Goldthwaite the player Mulrooney was traded for has been a pleasant
surprise for Toronto.
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After CSA President
Colin Linford was not able to get the approval from the CSA
Board of Directors for the hiring of Brazilian
Rene Simoes as Men's National team
coach,
Dale Mitchell the current Canadian Under-20 and former Canadian
International is now set to become the National team boss (according to reports in the Toronto Star
& Globe & Mail).
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Mo Johnston confirmed during a radio interview on the FAN 590 this afternoon, that
Trinidad International
Collin Samuel has experienced immigration problems entering
into Canada. His trial has therefore been delayed.
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What a great couple of days for soccer fans in our area. The sun was shining on Toronto FC today
and they came through with their second solid performance at home, and this time with a much
deserved win. Like I said in the preview, we were "due". All is well at the moment in TFC land, and
the losing streak is behind us. Patience is required by all involved, it is an expansion year after
all, with many hills and valleys yet to come.
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As the saying goes - Toronto FC are "due". If not for a win, Toronto are certainly "due" for a
result, or at minimum a goal. At this point TFC are on pace to become the worst expansion team in
the history of MLS. That said, I'm not suggesting Saturday is a must win, though fielding a
competitive side for the full 90 minutes would be nice change. With DC United finally winning on
the weekend, Toronto remains in a battle with Real Salt Lake, as the two teams left in MLS still
chasing a win.
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According to
Nigel Reid at the FAN 590 and the CBC,
Alecko
Eskandarian is out for this weekend against Chicago. This is a huge loss for Toronto who
is already short on the depth charts. Esky has apparently gone down with a calf injury. With
Abbe Ibrahim still apparently not allowed to play in Canada, Toronto FC have
requested Canadian Under 20 striker
Andrea Lombardo be made available for
Saturday.
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Here are the preliminary rosters released for the match on Friday evening at Toronto's BMO Field.
This will be the same Argentina side that will face
Freddy Adu and the US National
U-20's next Tuesday across Lake Ontario in nearby Rochester, New York at Paetec Park.
ARGENTINA ROSTERGabriel Mercado
Santiago Malano
Matías Sánchez
Gonzalo García
Agustín Marchesin
Santiago Villafañe
Juan Daniel Forlin
Federico Scoppa
Emiliano Centeno
Facundo Coria
Nicolás Dul
Jorge Sotomayor
Leandro Morales
Lionel Vangioni
Diego Braghieri
Milton Joel Caraglio
Diego Perotti
Alejandro Gómez
Marcelo Cardozo
Jonatan Chaves
CANADA ROSTERKeegan Ayre
Asmir Begovic - Portsmouth/Maccasfield town
Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgault
Michael D'Agostino - University of Kentucky
David Edgar - Newcastle United
Alex Elliott - University of Portland
Gabe Gala - Toronto FC
A.
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