Archive for January 18th, 2013

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Canada names roster for Denmark, U.S. friendlies: Miller says no conflict in Porter callup

By
Steven Sandor
– 01/18/2013

Kyle Porter in action against Atlanta.

Interim national-team head coach Colin Miller has called in a squad that mixes youth and experience for Canada’s two upcoming friendly.

FC Edmonton’s coach is taking the reins of the national side for a Jan. 26 date with Denmark in Tucson, Ari. and a Jan. 29 clash with the U.S. in Houston. He then reports back to FC Edmonton in time for the NASL combine.

While mainstays such as keeper Lars Hirschfeld and Canada’s all-time leading scorer, Dwayne De Rosario, are on the roster, Miller also gave nods to Philippe Davies, who spent last season in the USL, and Kyle Porter, who spent two seasons in the NASL.

The average of the team is 25.

If there is any one spot on the roster where anyone would question the division of Miller’s loyalties between his club and country, it’s the decision to include forward Kyle Porter in the squad.

Officially, Porter is one of five unattached players Miller has called into team, as the forward has yet to accept a new contract offer from FCE. Miller has previously confirmed (CLICK HERE FOR THAT STORY) that the Eddies have given Porter, who has scored 12 times over the last two NASL seasons, a deadline to sign the offer, or else the club will move on without him.
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De Santis assesses Impact’s four draft picks

By
Mike Wyman
– 01/18/2013

Blake Smith

The Montreal Impact was unable to improve its draft position between Wednesday afternoon and noon ET Thursday and, as a result, missed out on the best Canadian available, picking up a quartet of U.S. collegians instead.

The team now has three goalkeepers from Ohio but only a pair of Canadian players.

Drafting eighth, the Impact chose midfielder Blake Smith, born 22 years ago today in Boeme, Tex. The 5-foot-10 midfielder spent his college years at the University of New Mexico. On Wednesday, De Santis said the Impact coveted Canadian Kyle Bekker and would try to move up in order to select him. But Bekker went third overall — to his hometown team, Toronto FC.

“Blake Smith was our second choice. From all the reports and all the work that has been done by our staff and the feedback we got from different coaches in college, we’re extremely happy with the pick,” said Impact Sporting Director Nick De Santis after mentioning that he had tried last night to obtain the first or second draft position and that this morning was devoted to going after the third and fourth. “His qualities are his technical skills, the quality of his centering passes. He’s a player who can find room for himself one-on-one or getting into the middle of the pitch to make decisive passes. Now it’s a matter of taking a look at him with the first team and figuring out how long it’ll take him to adapt.”
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