MLS confirms new 10-team playoff format 23 Feb 2011 With less than a month to go before First Kick, Major League Soccer has finally confirmed the new playoff structure for 2011. As hinted by commissioner Don Garber at last year’s MLS Cup in Toronto, the playoffs will expand to 10 teams from eight.
Cold weather keeps fans away from Crew Stadium 23 Feb 2011 The announced attendance was officially 4,665 but the few brave souls that turned out to Crew Stadium for the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal numbered less than that.
Canadian defender Jakovic eyes successful 2011 campaign 23 Feb 2011 If his preseason is any indication, 2011 is going to be a busy year for Dejan Jakovic. The 25-year-old central defender had been in camp with D.C. United for a two-week stretch before receiving the call to join up with Canada for the Feb. 6 friendly over in Larissa, Greece. Jakovic went 90 minutes in the 1-0 loss to Greece, and the hectic travel schedule required him crossing half the globe and back as his club team continued MLS preparations in Florida. However, after a couple of days off, he jetted out to Oxnard, Calif. well rested, where he’ll spend this week continuing to prepare for the 2011 MLS season
“More of a battle than a soccer game” says RSL coach about cold-weather CCL in Columbus 23 Feb 2011 Football in February. It’s rare in Ohio. And for good reason. With the temperature clocking in below the freezing mark, the 10-man Columbus Crew and nine-man Real Salt Lake battled to a first-leg 0-0 draw in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals in extreme conditions at Crew Stadium.
Canada qualifies for U-17 World Cup; Aleman scores wonder goal 23 Feb 2011 Canada is going to the U-17 World Cup for the first time since 1995. A headed goal from Chris Nanco, and an absolute rocket (and candidate for goal of the tournament) from TFC Academy’s Keven Aleman gave Canada a 2-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago Wednesday in the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF U-17 Championship in Montego Bay, Jamaica.