MLS unveils new unbalanced scheduling format 20 Nov 2011 Under the new format, each Eastern Conference team will play each Western Conference opponent only once in a season. The home and road dates alternate from season to season. So, for example, if TFC hosts the Whitecaps in 2012, TFC will go to BC Place in 2013.
De Rosario makes history with MVP nod 18 Nov 2011 Major League Soccer announced Friday that DeRo is the league’s MVP. He becomes the first Canadian to ever win MLS’ highest individual honour. He becomes the first player in North American pro sports history to take an MVP award in a season in which the winner played for three teams. He’s the first player from a non-playoff team to ever win the MLS MVP.
Chencinski enjoys breakout season in Finland, hopes for Hart’s call 18 Nov 2011 The question is, to where will Chencinski go next season? Will it be VPS, the Finnish club where he’s become the undisputed No. 1? Or will it be Swedish side Orebro SK, where he trialed right before he came back to Toronto?
Hassli finishes third in MLS Newcomer of the Year balloting 16 Nov 2011 Vancouver’s Eric Hassli, who is likely to win the Goal of the Year for his stunning volley against Seattle, and who scored 10 times this year, finished third in voting, behind Rosales and New York Red Bull Luke Rodgers.
Ex-TFC defender Dunivant becomes one of league’s best with Galaxy 14 Nov 2011 His teammate, David Beckham, was named MLS Comeback Player of the Year on Monday; but you could make an argument that it should have been Dunivant, not Becks, who should have got that nod. At 30, Dunivant had his best-ever season in Los Angeles, playing in 33 of 34 games with one of the stingiest defences in North American soccer.
Hart ponders “subtle” defensive shuffle for key World Cup qualifier 10 Nov 2011 In training sessions ahead of Friday’s match (which will be streamed at sportsnet.ca begnning at 7 p.m. ET), Hart has moved Mike Klukowski from the left side to a centre back slot, and moved Adam Straith out from the centre to the right side.
Gonzalez’s Defender of the Year nod highlights Toronto FC’s draft-day mistake 9 Nov 2011 The scene: The 2009 MLS Superdraft. With the second pick, Toronto FC chose midfielder Sam Cronin, passing up on University of Maryland defender Omar Gonzalez, who the Los Angeles Galaxy took with the third pick. On Wednesday, Gonzalez became the youngest player, at 23, to ever be named MLS Defender of the Year.
TFC draws the Galaxy in CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final 8 Nov 2011 Toronto FC will face the Los Angeles Galaxy in its CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final. The two teams were matched together during Tuesday’s quarter-final draw at CONCACAF headquarters in New York.
Why was Koevermans AWOL on Newcomer of the Year ballot? 8 Nov 2011 Danny Koevermans’ name wasn’t on the ballot for voters to select. And while his body of work, 10 MLS games, might not be enough to dislodge Rosales, he deserved to get some notice from the voters.
De Rosario, Davis or Shea? Predicting who voted for whom 8 Nov 2011 And, while other cities will be toss-ups, the key to DeRo winning the MVP award may just be the thing that some think would hold him back — playing for three teams in just one year. He still has support in Toronto, New York voters will use the pre- and post-DeRo Red Bulls as a measuring stick, and he has D.C. in the bag.