Archive for December 6th, 2011

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FC Edmonton defender Farenik restarts career after trio of brain surgeries

By
Steven Sandor
– 12/06/2011

Justin Farenik

Justin Farenik was eight months into his European soccer career when it happened.

After three years at Trinity Western University, the left-footed defender crossed the Atlantic to begin building a European career. But, as he played for lower-division Belgian side RRFC Montegnee, he began suffering from headaches.

Then he woke up one morning, and he couldn’t see.

A tumor on his brain had pressed against his pituitary gland and had interfered with his optic nerve. He lost strength, as his muscles began to atrophy.

Four years and three, yes, three brain surgeries later, and Farenik is heading the ball with ease as FC Edmonton continues its off-season training at the Victoria Soccer Centre in the north end of the city. As one of the club’s newest signings, the Calgary native is bullish about his prospects and the club.
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Canadian women’s pre-Olympic roster features one glaring omission

By
Steven Sandor
– 12/06/2011

For fans of reigning W-League MVP Mallory Outerbridge, there will be disappointment.

The Regina native was the most notable name left of John Herdman’s preliminary roster ahead of the Olympic qualifying tournament.

Outerbridge scored 17 times in 12 regular-season games for the Fury, and led Western Kentucky University with 14 goals in 22 games (the next-best player on WKU had three).

National coach John Herdman had been in contact with her and the Ottawa Fury about playing in some of Canada’s recent friendlies, but sources have indicated that she wasn’t available because of WKU commitments. In the end, that might have cost Canada’s most exciting up-and-coming women’s player a shot at the Olympic qualifying roster.
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Whitecaps announce opener against Impact, signing of Korean defender Lee

By
Steven Sandor
– 12/06/2011

Young-Pyo Lee

The Vancouver Whitecaps will face their fiercest Canadian rival on opening day; the question is, how many Canadians will actually be on the field?

The Whitecaps announced Tuesday that they will host the Montreal Impact for the March 10 MLS First Kick at B.C. Place. And, as expected, the club also announced the signing of South Korean veteran defender Young-Pyo Lee.

The Impact and the Whitecaps have a long, bitter rivalry that runs through the Nutrilite Canadian Championship and years of Div.-2 play. But, in those games, there was always plenty of Canadian content on the field. Will it be so on March 10?
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Canadian keeper Chencinski signs with Orebro

By
Steven Sandor
– 12/06/2011

Tomer Chencinski

Canadian keeper Tomer Chencinski’s trial with Swedish side, Orebro SK, has been successful.

Chencinski has confirmed that he will be with the club in the 2012 season, and has completed a transfer from VPS, the Finnish first-division side where he starred in 2011.

“Great club, and very happy about it,” wrote Chencinksi in an e-mail to The 11. “Will open up new doors. Like I always said, hard work pays off, but it doesn’t stop now.”
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Stuart Neely leaves TFC Academy

By
Steven Sandor
– 12/06/2011

Toronto FC announced Monday that Stuart Neely has stepped down as the head of the club’s academy.

“We are disappointed to learn of Stuart’s resignation. He has contributed a great deal to our Academy program,” said Toronto FC Head Coach and Technical Director, Aron Winter, in a release. “Under Stuart’s watch, six players have joined the first team and he deserves a lot of credit for this accomplishment. On behalf of everyone at Toronto FC, I’d like to thank Stuart for his countless contributions and wish him well in his future endeavours.”

Neely was promoted to Academy head in January of 2011, and has been with the club since day one.
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