Issey Nakajima-Farran, with Canada back in 2010, PHOTO: CANADA SOCCER
So, we shouldn’t be surprised that we weren’t surprised. For the most part, it’s a squad very similar to what we saw through the first phase of World Cup qualifying, which saw Canada eliminate St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis and Puerto Rico.
Of the 22 men named to the roster, only two — teenager Samuel Piette and veteran Issey Nakajima-Farran, who plays in Australia — would be considered eyebrow-raisers.
Piette, at 17, was a major part of Canada’s team at last year’s U-17 World Cup and the recent U-23 squad that came within one game of securing a berth at the London Olympics. He is reportedly close to a deal with Fortuna Dusseldorf, who earlier this week secured its return to the Bundesliga.
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Popularity: 8% [?]
Joe Cannon: Point-blank save on Nick Soolsma
And when we think of the 2011 Voyageurs’ Cup final, we remember the second leg, not the first. The rainout and subsequent replay turned that second leg into a strangely epic affair, and Whitecaps fans still lament losing a second-half 1-0 lead because a downpour at BMO Field aborted the first attempt at playing the game.
Almost conveniently forgotten was the first leg, which the Whitecaps dominated in terms of possession and chances. But the ‘Caps squandered chance after chance and settled for a 1-1 draw, which set up TFC to take that home leg.
Fast forward to 2012: Again, the Whitecaps get a 1-1 draw at home. A 91st-minute wonder volley from Eric Hassli, which came just minutes after keeper Joe Cannon denied TFC striker Nick Soolsma a vital insurance goal on a point-blank chance, gave the draw a euphoric feel for Vancouver fans.
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Popularity: 6% [?]
Shaun Saiko, left, and Antonio Rago at FCE practice Wednesday at Clarke Stadium.
Rago, a local product and fan favourite, was almost an automatic choice in coach Harry Sinkgraven’s starting lineups throughout the 2011 season. So, when Rago began the year on the subs’ bench, it was an eyebrow-raiser of a move.
But, over the last two weeks, Rago has reclaimed his starting spot. Before Rago came in as a started, Edmonton was winless in four league games. Since he came back, the team has won its two NASL matches by an aggregate 5-0 count and showed very well in an Amway Canadian Championship semifinal loss to Vancouver at BC Place — in which Rago set up Yashir Pinto’s goal for the Eddies.
Rago brings the kind of intangibles that you don’t find on a stat sheet. Intensity and an ability to judge when is the right time to go forward, and when he needs to remain at his post.
And, through the process, he said he never allowed himself to get bitter.
“It wasn’t a surprise (being dropped),” said Rago after FCE completed the first of two training sessions at Clarke Stadium, Wednesday. “The coaches came to me and told me that I wasn’t playing at the level that they knew I was capable of. They didn’t feel like I had a good preseason. And, to be honest, they were right. But I am a team player. I don’t sit on the bench cheering against my teammates just because I am not playing.”
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Popularity: 9% [?]
Colin Elmes
Late last week, Sportstown B.C. Holdings and Total Soccer Systems Inc. filed their suit in the province’s Supreme Court which asks for an injunction that would prevent the provincial soccer body from continuing its partnership with the Vancouver Whitecaps.
All items reported in the statement of claim have yet to be proven in a court of law.
The TSS Academy, based in Richmond, is a for-proft academy that isn’t allowed to become a full BCSA member. And it is angered that the BCSA entered partnerships with the Whitecaps, which is a for-profit MLS team. The Academy believes that is an unfair barrier to its business. According to TSS, the issue is not the Whitecaps, it’s the BCSA.
Even though the case is a long way from being heard, in the meantime TSS and its lawyers are asking for “a temporary injunction prohibiting the Defendant (the BCSA) from receiving any funding from the Vancouver Whitecaps or from the Province of British Columbia” until the case has been resolved.
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Popularity: 40% [?]
Paul Hamilton
Last week, it was Shaun Saiko getting the Offensive Player of the Week award for his hat trick against Carolina. This week, it’s central defender Paul Hamilton, who was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Week after the Eddies shut out Atlanta 2-0 for their second league win in a row.
In Atlanta, Hamilton played his third game in six days and had a keeper — John Smits — who was making a his professional debut. But, despite fatigue and the new partnership in the back, the Eddies soaked up the pressure early in the second half and were able to press their advantage after the Silverbacks went down to 10 men.
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Popularity: 6% [?]
Lee Nguyen, before the Whitecaps let him go
Nguyen scored his first two MLS goals and set up another as the New England Revolution beat the Whitecaps 4-1 on Saturday. That effort earned him the most POTW votes from the membership of the North American Soccer Reporters.
Nguyen’s first goal was the product of being in the right place at the right time, as he banged a shot home after a goalmouth scramble. But his second was a thing of beauty, a 25-yard volley after a throw-in. It will be hard to see anyone beating that for Goal of Week.
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Popularity: 5% [?]
Bob de Klerk
And, tacked into the body of Toronto FC’s press release was mention of an increased role for Director of Player Development Paul Mariner, who will have more of an on-field presence and work with the strikers.
Brennan will join Jason Bent as men who have coached the Academy but moved up to become assistants with the senior squad.
According to TFC, “In this new role, de Klerk will be responsible for Toronto FC’s technical program, including advance and international scouting, as well as serving as the technical conduit between the First Team and Academy program. He will also assist players transitioning from the Academy into the First Team and support the education of Toronto FC coaches at all levels.”
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Popularity: 6% [?]
Stefan Vukovic
Vukovic, who led the CSL in scoring last season as a member of TFC Academy, and was in training camp with Toronto FC in 2012, was cut by the club before the start of the regular season. With TFC having no real academy program for players older than 18, there was no place for Vukovic to go if he didn’t get a contract from the big club.
Vukovic was also on the roster of coach Nick Dasovic’s preliminary U-20 squad that held camp late last year.
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Popularity: 5% [?]
Canada surrendered only its second goal of the CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championship, but it was enough to cost it the gold medal.
The United States got a goal from Amber Munerlyn in the first half and had very few scares as it beat Canada 1-0 in the CONCACAF final Saturday night in Guatemala.
Munerlyn chipped Canadian keeper Kallen Sheridan from inside the box after she made a run through the defensive line. It was the 26th goal the Americans had scored in the tournament (five games). For Canada, it was only the second time it had been scored on in the tournament.
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Popularity: 6% [?]
John Smits
The Eddies, playing their third match in six days, spent most of the second half up a man, but had to endure protect a 1-0 lead, as tired legs set in. But, thanks to some desperate defending and safe hands from Smits in goal, the Silverbacks couldn’t send their fans home happy. A late insurance goal from Ilja Van Leerdam, set up by a headed pass from substitute Paul Craig, made the scoreline seem a tad unfair to the home side, who was in the match for most of the game.
Smits, starting in place of David Monsalve, had a couple of key second-half moments while Edmonton was up by a goal. He made a low, diving stop after Brazilian defender, Rilla, rose up and beat the Eddies’ defenders to a corner. And he came out to successfully challenge Honduran national-team veteran Danilo Turcios, who had got past the Eddies back line.
“Before the game, I knew this was a chance to make a statement to North America that CIS can produce a lot of great players, and we’re often overlooked,” said Smits. “It was a very emotional game for me. There needs to be some kind of draft system for us in North America.”
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Popularity: 17% [?]
Nakajima-Farran, Piette the only real surprises on Canada roster
Deja vu: Whitecaps let TFC escape Vancouver with an advantage, again
Hassli’s thumping volley allows Whitecaps to draw level with TFC
Rago’s return to starting XI has been a major boost for FC Edmonton
Richmond-based club asks for court injunction to stop BCSA-Whitecaps deal
