FIFA threats take effect: Contentious Alberta reform proposal taken off the table 15 Apr 2011 The 11 has learned that notice has been given to kill a a proposed resolution that would have deleted Article 32 from the Alberta Soccer Association’s bylaws, and allowed for the courts to rule on the longstanding battle over the leadership of the ASA. The Edmonton Interdistrict Youth Soccer Association, which had given notice it would table a motion at Saturday’s ASA annual general meeting to delete the bylaw, has written a letter stating it will withdraw that plan.
Good move: RSL to get date change for CCL boost 13 Apr 2011 Major League Soccer has announced that it has moved the Philadelphia Union-Real Salt Lake match originally scheduled for April 23 to Sept. 3. Of course, the move was made to ensure RSL had a full seven days between its two legs of the CONCACAF Champions League Final against Monterrey.
TFC’s 4-3-3 philosophy bleeding into junior ranks 13 Apr 2011 The evidence of Aron Winter’s top-down approach to remaking Toronto FC isn’t only seen in the first team’s adoption to the pass-and-move 4-3-3 system. The effects are being felt all the way down to the junior feeder programs that send talent to TFC Academy. “Basically, the club (TFC) has a philosophy, now,” said Michael Stefano, technical director of the West Toronto United FC program, which is the first within the city’s borders to become an official partner of the TFC Youth Academy Program. “The club now has an identity, and let’s run with it.”
FC Edmonton to decide soon on Porter, Leroy 12 Apr 2011 Wednesday will be cut-down day for FC Edmonton coach Harry Sinkgraven. Well, sort of. The team spent a week in Florida with its full roster complement of 23 players — and trialists Kyle Porter and Adrian Leroy — ahead of Saturday’s NASL-opening 2-1 win over the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
Jackson scores equalizer for Norwich City 12 Apr 2011 Simeon Jackson made the most out his 32-plus minutes on the pitch. Jackson, who has struggled to get onto the pitch for League Championship and promotion candidates Norwich City, scored a 69th minute equalizer as Norwich City drew Watford 2-2. He pounced on a ball headed over to him by teammate Grant Holt and made no mistake from just a few yards out.
Ferreira named MLS Player of the Week for two-goal night 11 Apr 2011 The reigning MLS MVP is also the Player of the Week. David Ferreira scored twice and provided the corner kick for Winnipeg native Ugo Ihemelu’s opening marker as FC Dallas thrashed the previously undefeated Colorado Rapids 3-0 on Friday night.
Whitecaps finally come crashing to Earth 11 Apr 2011 The Whitecaps and their fans can have no complaint about the result — a 3-1 loss to the Houston Dynamo. Indeed, you could argue that things could have been a heck of a lot worse. A four- or five-goal margin would have reflected the run of play.
Gordon scores again as TFC draws with Quakes 10 Apr 2011 Last week, Toronto FC and Chivas USA played to a 1-1 draw at BMO Field. On Saturday night, the Reds drew 1-1 with the San Jose Earthquakes at Buck Shaw Stadium. Same scorelines, two radically different feelings. Saturday’s draw represented a decent result for TFC, securing its first road point of the season. Last week, a home draw against a poor Chivas side was a missed opportunity.
Impact misses numerous chances in 1-0 loss to FCTB 10 Apr 2011 Takuya Yamada got the 87th minute winner, but the person most responsible for ruining the Montreal Impact’s 2011 NASL season opener was FC Tampa Bay keeper Daryl Sattler. Sattler stymied the Impact time after time, holding his team in the match until the home side could muster a charge in the final 10 minutes to win the game 1-0.
What a weekend! Four Canadian teams in action 8 Apr 2011 Program the PVR. Make sure your Internet connection is fast enough to allow for multiple streams. This weekend marks a landmark in Canadian soccer. Four professional clubs are in action; FC Edmonton and the Montreal Impact kick off their NASL campaigns Saturday with road games in Florida. And MLS? Toronto FC visits the San Jose Earthquakes Saturday night. And the Vancouver Whitecaps head to Texas to take on the Houston Dynamo on Sunday. Of the weekend’s action, only Montreal and FC Edmonton overlap.