Archive for March 20th, 2012

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Whitecaps lose striker Mattocks to a… cooking injury?!?

By
Steven Sandor
– 03/20/2012

Darren Mattocks

Athletes probably don’t suffer freak injuries at a rate any higher than us average Joes. But, because they are in the spotlight, we hear about them.

So, add Vancouver Whitecap Darren Mattocks to the list. The Whitecaps announced Tuesday that the 2012 second-overall SuperDraft pick will be out indefinitely thanks to injuries suffered Sunday in an, ahem, cooking accident.

The burns to his arm and shoulder are serious enough that he was still in hospital Tuesday, when the Whitecaps made the announcement.

“It was an unfortunate accident, but Darren is handling everything well and remains in good spirits,” said Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie in a release issued by the club. “We will have a better understanding on the recovery time and course of action later in the week, but we fully anticipate Darren to make a complete recovery in due time.”
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Hoilett keeps scoring as Blackburn edges away from relegation zone

By
Steven Sandor
– 03/20/2012

Junior Hoilett

Blackburn Rovers are now six points clear of the relegation zone, and Brampton, Ont.’s Junior Hoilett is a major reason why the club is pulling away from the trailing pack.

Hoilett was in the right place at the right time Tuesday, as he scored the winning goal as Rovers defeated Sunderland 2-0. In Blackburn’s previous match, Hoilett scored both goals as Blackburn defeated Wolves 2-0.

Those two wins have helped give Blackburn some needed breathing room from the relegation places. In those two wins, Rovers have scored four times — and Hoilett has accounted for three of those goals.
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Canadian U-23 coach Fonseca cuts older players, goes with youth for Olympic qualifiers

By
Steven Sandor
– 03/20/2012

Keeper Adam Janssen made the cut. PHOTO: CANADA SOCCER

Canadian U-23 coach Tony Fonseca has made four cuts — and is going with a very young lineup for the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament, which begins Thursday night in Nashville.

The Canadian roster features only four of 20 players who were born in 1989, the earliest birth year for eligible players. Seven of the 20 were born in 1992 or later. And, it was the younger charges who stayed, while the older players were cut. Huddersfield Town keeper Simon Thomas, who turns 22 next month, isn’t on the squad. FC Edmonton forward Kyle Porter, 22, was not on the final roster. The same fate befell Mozzi Gyorio, the midfielder who turns 23 this year. Gyorio was on trial at Sporting Kansas City and reportedly mulling over an offer before coming to the Canadian camp. Defender Tristan Grant, at 20, was the youngest of the cuts.

Meanwhile, two members of the team that went to the U-17 World Cup in 2011 are on the side, Vancouver Whitecaps Bryce Alderson and FC Metz midfielder Samuel Piette.

“One thing I am very positive and comfortable about, is their will to go out and play,” said Fonseca.
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Frings to miss TFC home opener, CONCACAF Champions League dates

By
Steven Sandor
– 03/20/2012

Torsten Frings

Toronto FC will be without its anchor for not only Saturday’s home opener, but for its CONCACAF Champions League semifinal against Mexican powerhouse Santos Laguna.

The club confirmed Tuesday that Designated Player Torsten Frings will miss the next four to six weeks with a right hamstring strain. Frings had to leave Saturday’s MLS season opener in Seattle just after the 20-minute mark after he extended himself to make a sliding, saving challenge.

Of course, saving Toronto’s defensive bacon is part of Frings’ job description. Throughout the preseason and through the CCL quarter-final upset of the Los Angeles, Frings has been slotted into a sweeper role, acting as cover for Ty Harden and Miguel Aceval in the centre of the Reds’ back line. Frings is also TFC’s best option to move the ball out of the back. With Frings in against Seattle, the Reds were out of step against a very quick Seattle attack; with Frings out of the lineup, the Reds simply looked lost.
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