Coup at CONCACAF? Blazer tags Warner, Bin Hammam with bribery allegations 25 May 2011 Less than a month away from the Gold Cup, it looks as if a civil war is brewing within CONCACAF.
TFC’s Plata will only be available for two of Ecuador’s friendlies 23 May 2011 Toronto FC’s won’t lose Joao Plata for quite as long as originally feared. The club announced before Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Colorado that the Ecuadorean rookie midfielder would only be available for two of his country’s three pre-Copa America friendlies in the coming weeks. He’ll be eligible to face Canada at BMO Field June 1 and Greece in New York June 7. But he won’t be released for the May 28 friendly against Mexico in Seattle.
Brampton’s Hoilett scores for Blackburn in EPL finale 22 May 2011 But the Brampton, Ont. native keeps teasing Canadian fans, with yet another goal.
Plata’s Ecuador call will keep him out of TFC lineup for weeks 21 May 2011 Toronto FC fans could be looking at an extended spell without midfield sparkplug Joao Plata. His play has been so good, he’s received the call from Ecuador national coach Reinaldo Ruedo to report to the national team ahead of three friendlies that will be played in North America.
Shh. Canada’s women drew Switzerland Sunday. It’s a secret. 16 May 2011 Canada’’s national women’s team drew Switzerland 1-1 in a World Cup warmup match Sunday in Rome. But you’d need to be a decent detective to find out about the game — or be fluent in German. Only the Swiss federation put up a match summary on its site (in German). The Canadian Soccer Association had match stats up, but no report of any kind.
Hart: Only one TFC player to get Gold Cup call 10 May 2011 Only one member of Toronto FC is expected to be named to Canadian national team coach Stephen Hart’s roster for the upcoming Gold Cup. Hart confirmed that he has only one Red on his list during a conference call Tuesday.
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.
MLS needs to build on Real Salt Lake’s run in Champions Leagues to come 28 Apr 2011 Real Salt Lake finally lost a home game, the first since 2009. With a 1-0 win in the second leg, thanks to a goal from Chilean national-teamer Humberto Suazo, Monterrey took the CONCACAF Champions League title.
FIFA’s letter to The 11 on the Alberta debate 15 Apr 2011 FIFA, in response to a query by The 11, has stated its policies on government interference into soccer. The letter is published, unedited, in full.
FIFA’s letter is a troubling development for Canadians 15 Apr 2011 Being a great country is FAR more important than being a good FIFA member. Maybe it’s time for us to set an example for other countries to follow. FIFA can’t decide Saturday to suspend the Canadian Soccer Association. A suspension of a program is a process that usually takes months to complete. Board meetings have to be held. Reports have to be prepared.
