Gerba’s gaffe sends fortunate Whitecaps to NCC final 5 May 2011 But, the Montreal Impact should be the one going through. All Gerba had to do was convert what was a pretty automatic scoring chance in the dying seconds of extra time. But, with Whitecaps keeper Jay Nolly at his mercy and no defender in sight, Gerba's header crashed off the post. The Whitecaps escaped with a 2-1 aggregate win; a 1-1 draw on the night.
Are there winds of goalkeeping change blowing at FC Edmonton? 5 May 2011 The fact that Lance Parker supplanted Rein Baart — the Dutch veteran who had been FCE’s No. 1 to this point — in goal for Wednesday’s Nutrilite Canadian Championship semifinal second leg in Toronto wasn’t really a surprise. But what was surprising that Baart wasn’t even dressed. Jaswinder Gill had the back-up duties last night. And the club confirmed Thursday that Baart’s absence from the starting lineup and the bench was a coach’s decision. There wasn’t an injury situation.
Barbara wins NASL Player of the Month honours 5 May 2011 Etienne Barbara has been named the NASL player of the month. The physical Maltese forward from the Carolina RailHawks is tied for the league scoring lead with four markers, and has victimized both Canadian NASL teams in the first month of the season.
The 11 and IMSoccer News chat about FC Edmonton 4 May 2011 Our good friends at IMSoccer News, a fantastic spot to catch up on the happenings of Div. 2, have their latest podcast up, and it features an interview with NASL commissioner David Downs. As well, yours truly talks with host Brian Quarstad about FC Edmonton’s struggles in their recent two all-Canadian match-ups, in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship against Toronto FC and in NASL action Sunday against Montreal. FC Edmonton lost those games by an aggregate score of 8-0.
FC Edmonton’s Lemire, Baart get one game each 3 May 2011 The NASL’s disciplinary committee decided not to lengthen the red-card suspensions of FC Edmonton keeper Rein Baart and forward Chris Lemire.
Stephen Hart chats about Jackson, DeRo and NASL 3 May 2011 Canadian men’s national team coach Stephen Hart held a conference call Tuesday to discuss the team’s preparation ahead of the Gold Cup and the June 1 friendly against Ecuador at BMO Field. Hart touched on a number of topics, from mixed messages over the availability of attacking midfielder Dwayne De Rosario for the Gold Cup, where Simeon Jackson will play in the Canadian lineup and the possibility that Montreal Impact or FC Edmonton players could get call-ups.
Impact exposes FC Edmonton’s defence, goalkeeping 2 May 2011 The Montreal Impact sent all of NASL a message on Sunday night. And FC Edmonton showed some serious defensive and goalkeeping frailties. The Impact routed FCE 5-0 in the first NASL game played at Foote Field, with league commissioner David Downs in attendance.
Bruin’s hat trick earns him MLS Player of the Week honours 2 May 2011 Will Bruin is, through, the first seven weeks of the MLS season, the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year honours. With a hat trick in Houston’s 4-1 win D.C. United on Friday, Bruin earned Player of the Week honours after the votes from the North American Soccer Reporters were counted. Bruin became only the player in MLS history to notch a hat trick in his rookie campaign.
Toronto FC fails major road test in Seattle 1 May 2011 So, Saturday’s road date in Seattle — one of the big boys in the West, and sure ro be inspired in its first game after losing midfielder Steve Zakuani thanks to a horror tackle from Colorado’s Brian Mullan — was arguably the first true exam of TFC’s credentials. And, it showed us the club has a long way to go. A long way. All of the pundits who have been placing TFC at the bottom of their MLS power rankings were proven right as the Reds stumbled to a 3-0 loss.
Canadian keeper Labbe suffers knee injury in Sweden 1 May 2011 Canada’s national women’s team has another injury scare to contend with ahead of the World Cup. Goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe injured her knee Sunday in a Swedish league match. Labbe, who plays for Pitea IF, collided with a Kristianstad striker in the 21st minute. According to the Norrbottens Kuriren Labbe tried to continue, but had to be subbed off five minutes after the incident.