But these ticket prices beg the question — now that the Montreal Impact gives local soccer fans MLS action on a weekly basis, will we see the same kind of “friendly fatigue” there that’s become so evident in Toronto, where so many of these international games are now greeted with cynicism?

“It was great. I loved it,” said Edu after the match. “I have nothing but great memories from playing here and I was looking forward to it. "

“When I went to Romania it was like I was re-born because I got playing time, I got confidence from the coaches, the players, everybody. It just felt good. My rhythm got back in the games so I was really happy to get the experience.”

Ricketts was clear that the options that he has on the table all come from European clubs, and that none of them are trials — they are contract offers.

BSC Young Boys released a statement on Thursday on the status of Canadian national-team midfielder Josh Simpson, who broke his tibia, fibula and ankle in Wednesday’s Swiss League finale.

On Wednesday, Simpson left BSC Young Boys’ final game of the Swiss league season, after he was brought down by FC Basel’s German defender, Markus Steinhofer. According to the match report on BSC Young Boys’ official website, Simpson suffered “a broken tibia, fibula and ankle.”

As for that July schedule Montreal goes to Philadelphia on the 14th, hosts New England on the 18th, travels to Houston on the 21st and hosts the Red Bulls on the 28th. With so many games around the date of the friendly, some serious questions would need to be asked of the Impact if any of the first-team regulars get significant minutes for a revenue-generating friendly.

And, tactics, while important, are just part of the game. Let’s be absolutely clear. Tactics do not win games by themselves. Good tactical decisions by managers give their players the best possible chances they have to succeed. But it is still up to the players to provide the intangibles, the skill, the grit, the desire, to win games.

The 11 caught up with Canadian goalkeeper Tomer Chencinski, who has started the last four matches for Swedish Allensvenskan side Orebro SK. The Thornhill, Ont. native has given up four goals in four matches, but enjoyed a 225-minute-plus shutout streak after he replaced Swedish veteran Jonas Sandqvist as the starter, just one game into the season.

Right after the Canadian national women’s team was drawn into an Olympic group with World Cup champs Japan and World Cup third-place finisher Sweden, Herdman told reporters via a conference call that he didn’t think Big Red was in the Group of Death