Dunfield says it was “difficult” to hear about Thordarson’s firing 31 May 2011 “It was sort of a surprise to me a little bit,” said Dunfield after the national team practice Tuesday morning at BMO Field. “It’s difficult when you see not only a good manager, but a good person lose his job. But it’s important we move on from that now.”
Canadian Tosaint Ricketts sees his team go from UCL to relegation in an instant 31 May 2011 On the eve of Wednesday's friendly with Ecuador at BMO Field, Canadian national-teamer Tosaint Ricketts got some bad news this morning. His Romanian club won’t be in the Champions League after all; in fact, it won’t even play in Romania’s top flight next season.
Ecuador sets Canada up well for the Gold Cup 31 May 2011 “We specifically went to attract a South American team and we thought that Ecuador physically, beside the obvious style of play, would match against the sort of opposition that we would have to play,” said national-team coach Stephen Hart.
Cherry Beach turf claims TFC defender Adrian Cann 31 May 2011 Toronto FC can’t build its new Downsview training facility fast enough. The artificial turf at the City of Toronto’s Cherry Beach field claimed a victim Tuesday, as Toronto FC defender Adrian Cann was carried off the pitch by teammates after making an awkward turn. His right knee was wrapped in ice and he was taken to hospital.
Mapp earns Player of the Week nod for taking advantage of hapless TFC defending 30 May 2011 Heck, Philadelphia had two multiple-goal scorers in the same game in its 6-2 romp over Toronto FC. And, Justin Mapp got the nod after the votes from the North American Soccer Reporters were tallied. Union teammate Danny Mwanga also had two goals, and helped set up Mapp’s opening goal of the game.
Whitecaps show Thordarson the door after 12 MLS games 30 May 2011 Expansion team or not, the Whitecaps’ brass expected better than winning just one out of its first dozen games in a home-heavy early season schedule. Coach Teitur Thordarson paid for it with his job. The club’s Director of Soccer Operations, Tom Soehn, takes over as the new coach of the club. Before coming to Vancouver, Soehn spent a tumultuous three years coaching D.C. United after being promoted up to the job. After winning the Supporters’ Shield in 2007, the club underwent a decline through the end of his reign, in 2009.
TFC’s rebuilding mantra has been proven wrong 30 May 2011 The significance of Toronto FC’s 6-2 home loss to the Philadelphia Union can’t be ignored. Through five coaches and three GMs/directors of soccer/technical directors, TFC fans have heard of long-term plans, rebuilding processes and the continuing pleas to fans for patience. Philadelphia was a raw expansion franchise last season. It has played a third of its schedule in year two of its existence, and it’s in first place in the East. You could make the argument that the Union is at a better point now than TFC has been any time in its history. When the Union faced TFC — on TFC's home turf — it was men vs. boys.
FIFA’s lack of transparency all too evident in latest scandal 30 May 2011 That’s the rub. The crackdown on corruption in FIFA can’t be taken seriously until FIFA allows someone else to do it. Damaseb spoke of bringing in some top legal minds from around the world as the investigation continues; he praised the fact that Robert Torres, who sat on the disciplinary committee, is the Chief Supreme Court Justice of Guam in his day job. But, Damaseb stressed that, no matter what legal opinions it gets, FIFA will always control the investigation. Just as FIFA forbids political and/or judicial interference in the matters of national associations, it doesn’t want to be judged by, well, a judge.
Blatter claims there is no crisis at FIFA 30 May 2011 “We are not in a crisis,” said Blatter in a press conference Monday from FIFA headquarters. “We are having some difficulties.” Blatter spent the better part of 45 minutes ducking and dodging questions from journalists. When two-part questions were asked, he insisted on answering only one. When questions were asked about FIFA’s reputation, he spoke of gambling in the game. When asked about reforming FIFA, he spoke of zero tolerance for abuse of officials on the field.
Impact’s offensive woes continue in Fort Lauderdale 29 May 2011 While the Montreal Impact’s scoreless tie against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers provided netminder Bill Gaudette with his third clean sheet of the season — in a game that had him not have to make a single save along the way — his success was more than counterbalanced by the Impact’s continuing offensive impotence, an affliction that has plagued the club since its May 1 5-0 rout of FC Edmonton.