Jeff Parke named MLS Player of the Week 23 May 2011 Seattle defender Jeff Parke got the nod after a runoff vote was needed to break a tie between him and Philadelphia Union forward Carlos Ruiz after the the first round of ballots from the North American Soccer Reporters was counted.
Hart won’t have a lot of time to sort out Canadian squad 23 May 2011 Coach Stephen Hart won’t have a lot of time to prepare his Canadian men’s national side for the June 1 friendly against Ecuador and the June 7 kickoff of the Gold Cup schedule. Hart named Canada’s 23-man provisional roster Monday; those players will be available for selection for the June 1 Ecuador match at BMO Field. From that, 20 will …
Toronto FC’s 0-0 draw in Colorado feels like a win 23 May 2011 Toronto FC didn’t win. It wasn’t a game that would remind anyone of Hungary of the early ‘50s or Brazil of 1970. But a 0-0 draw in the Colorado altitude, with three midfield regulars out of the lineup? Well, TFC coach Aron Winter will take it.
TFC’s Plata will only be available for two of Ecuador’s friendlies 23 May 2011 Toronto FC’s won’t lose Joao Plata for quite as long as originally feared. The club announced before Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Colorado that the Ecuadorean rookie midfielder would only be available for two of his country’s three pre-Copa America friendlies in the coming weeks. He’ll be eligible to face Canada at BMO Field June 1 and Greece in New York June 7. But he won’t be released for the May 28 friendly against Mexico in Seattle.
Montreal loses again: Impact looks nowhere close to being ready for MLS 22 May 2011 A 3-0 loss to FC Tampa Bay Saturday showed just how far behind schedule the Impact are when it comes to being ready for Major League Soccer. Other than keeper Bill Gaudette, who made several outstanding saves to keep the scoreline from being more severe, there wasn’t an Impact player on the pitch who looked anywhere close to being what anyone would call an MLS prospect.
Plata’s Ecuador call will keep him out of TFC lineup for weeks 21 May 2011 Toronto FC fans could be looking at an extended spell without midfield sparkplug Joao Plata. His play has been so good, he’s received the call from Ecuador national coach Reinaldo Ruedo to report to the national team ahead of three friendlies that will be played in North America.
U-17 prospect Aleman, TFC, part ways 20 May 2011 Keven Aleman, TFC Academy’s star of Canada’s second-place finish at the CONCACAF U-17 Canadian championships, has parted ways with the club. Toronto FC announced Thursday evening that the club has parted ways with Aleman, even Aleman, Dino Gardiner, and Jonathan Lao — all members of the Academy.
Match-fixing expert Declan Hill invites CSL, CSA to seek him out 19 May 2011 In an interview today, Hill told The 11 that he welcomes the CSA or the CSL to call him to help with the inquiry — and that there is no excuse for delays. “Right now, innocent or guilty, there is a dark cloud hanging over Canadian soccer,” said Hill. “A court has identified a game that it considers suspicious. Done. Let’s get the investigation started. I am not talking about making arrests. I’m not saying that someone is guilty or innocent. But the investigation has to start right away.”
Whitecaps sure to rue missed chances in NCC draw with TFC 19 May 2011 If, next week, the players wearing the red of Toronto FC hoist the Voyageurs’ Cup over their heads, the Vancouver Whitecaps will rue a second half filled with missed opportunities in the opening leg of the Nutrilite Canadian Championships. The final scoreline on Wednesday read 1-1. But, make no mistake, Vancouver will feel it deserved not just to win the game, but win it handily.
TFC or Vancouver will get Nicaraguan champ in CONCACAF Champions League qualifier 18 May 2011 As Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps prepared for Wednesday night’s first leg of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship final, they learned who the winner will play in the CONCACAF Champions League qualifier. The draw was held Wednesday for the 2011-12 CCL, and the Canadian championship winner will play a Nicaraguan side, either Real Esteli or Walter Ferreti, for the right to advance to the group stage.