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.”

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.

It’s hard to use the term “business as usual” for a club that played it’s first NASL game on Saturday, but FC Edmonton coach Harry Sinkgraven continues to put his team through the paces in Florida, away from the Alberta cold, as it prepares to try and make it two wins a row this Saturday against the Atlanta Silverbacks. The furthest thing from the minds of the club’s brass — and the players — is the current dispute between the Alberta Soccer Association and the Canadian Soccer Association. “No one from any body has contacted us,” said FCE spokesman Andreas Morse.

And, there were no shocks in the script. Mexico thumped Canada 3-0. By making it to the semifinals, Mexico qualifies for the U-20 World Cup.The Canadian kids get their tickets home.

Despite reports from AP this morning suggesting Canada, Costa Rica and Spain could replace Japan as one of the guest teams in this summer’s (or, in South America, winter) Copa America, the Canadian Soccer Association confirms no one from CONMEBOL has reached out to it.

Sweden got an early goal, and some outstanding goalkeeping, and hung on to a 1-0 win over the Canadian women’s team Saturday in a Rome friendly. Swedish coach Thomas Dennerby started his “A” lineup, save for one position. He wanted to have a look at Sofia Lundgren, usually the No. 2 keeper in the set-up. She ended up being huge in the match, making a series of saves.

Canada lost twice Friday at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship in Guatemala. The Canadians were overwhelmed 3-0 by Costa Rica in their final group-stage match. And, if not for some wonderful saves from Julien Latendresse-Levesque, the scoreline could have been much, much worse.

When Toronto FC and FC Edmonton meet April 27 in the first leg of their Nutrilite Canadian Championship semifinal series, fans will likely see 4-3-3 vs. 4-3-3. While FCE will be the heavy underdog, there will be similarities in the Dutch influenced style it plays with that of TFC. After all, FCE coach Harry Sinkgraven and TFC technical director and head coach Aron Winter were classmates when they went to get their coaching certificates.

It was played in an empty stadium in Antalya, Turkey. There was no television coverage. Fans had to follow the game through Sportsnet’s live chat or on Twitter. But this is what we know: despite coach Stephen Hart putting together a lineup that was heavy on European-based players, an MLS man got the goal that gave Canada a 1-0 win over Belarus in a friendly on Tuesday.

Russell Teibert’s inspired second-half performance helped save Canada from an embarrassing opening to the CONCACAF U-20 Championship. The Vancouver Whitecaps’ winger set up both second-half goal as Canada rallied to beat Guadeloupe 2-1. Guadaloupe is so tiny, it’s not a FIFA member — so it can’t qualify for the U-20 World Cup even if, by some great upset, got to the semis of this tournament in Guatemala.