Magical strike from Morales has RSL in great shape in CONCACAF Champions League 21 Apr 2011 It was a moment of brilliance. We can speak of David Ferreira, Chris Wondolowski and, yes, even Landon Donovan. But, is there a player in MLS who can carry a team quite like Javier Morales? The Argentine midfielder conjured a goal in the 89th minute, allowing Real Salt Lake to leave Mexico with a 2-2 draw against Monterrey in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final.
Toronto FC unveils plans for new facility 18 Apr 2011 Toronto FC unveiled its plans Monday for a new Academy and training facility to be constructed at Downsview Park in the northern part of the city. “Today is a great day,” announced Tom Anselmi, executive vice-president and chief operating officer, MLSE. “It’s about the future of our club and more importantly though, the future direction of soccer in Canada.”
TFC hopes for better start when it faces the Crew 18 Apr 2011 “A few seasons ago it was last five to 10 minutes we were giving up goals and now right when the game starts,” said defender Nana Attakora. “First 10 to 15 minutes, that’s not acceptable. We should start off fired up. Even if you need to kick it out, do what you need to do to not give up a goal. I feel like we’re killing ourselves right now starting off slowly. Even against L.A. we got lucky. All the coaches pointed it out. It’s something we need to fix.”
Rodgers named MLS Player of the Week: The 11 picked Pontius 18 Apr 2011 Luke Rodgers, who scored twice and set up Thierry Henry’s first goal of the season, was named the MLS Player of the Week after the ballots from the North American Soccer Reporters were counted.
Whitecaps need to have more of the ball 17 Apr 2011 There is a very real trend that has become evident in Whitecaps match after Whitecaps match. Win, lose or draw, the Whitecaps will allow their opponents to have more of the ball and, in the case of Saturday’s 0-0 draw at home to Chivas USA, a lot more of the ball.
Impact loses for the second time in a row 17 Apr 2011 While the tornadoes that touched down in the Raleigh area earlier today may have kept some fans away from WakeMed Soccer Park, the weather did not put a damper on the Carolina RailHawks, who defeated the Impact 2-1, handing Montreal its second straight loss to open the NASL season.
D.C. United buries Toronto FC with early goals 17 Apr 2011 Another match, another slow start for Toronto FC. The Reds found themselves down two goals after just 10 minutes on Saturday night against D.C. United, and the deficit proved to be too much for TFC to overcome in an eventual 3-0 loss. "It's not good to start that way," said defender Danleigh Borman. "It's really tough on a team and it's really tough to get back from that. I think the guys tried to fight back but unfortunately it didn't happen for us today."
TFC adds new defender, will announce training-ground plans 15 Apr 2011 The club will hold a press conference Monday where it will unveil plans on a new training facility for the club and TFC Academy. For the past four years, Toronto FC did most of its training at home on at the Opine Glen Soccer Centre in Oakville and at an artificial-turf field at Cherry Beach on Toronto’s east side. As well, Toronto FC announced a loan deal that will bring former Manchester United prospect Richard Eckersley to Canada from Burnley. The deal keeps Eckersley, who has made only three appearances with Burnley since signing with the club in 2003, with Toronto FC until January, 2012.
Change is the only constant for Toronto FC 15 Apr 2011 Five matches into the 2011 season and Toronto FC is still looking to find the right chemistry on the pitch. Perhaps that should not come as a complete surprise considering the club did trade away its captain and the face of the franchise after just the second match of the season. The constant changes to the lineup sure haven’t helped the cause in the short-term as management continues to preach patience to the fans and media who want the team to win now. The players can’t be feeling too secure, since coach Aron Winter has been public in his assertion that he is nowhere near finished making changes to his squad.
Whitecaps date with Man City could come back to haunt them 14 Apr 2011 The right opponent, in this case, is Manchester City. But is it the right date? The Whitecaps announced Thursday that it will play Manchester City on Monday, July 18 at Empire Field. It’s part of the World Football Challenge series. But, how will that game stretch coach Teitur Thordarson’s ranks? A high-profile international is a great PR exercise. But, the Whitecaps are scheduled to play at home to the juggernaut that is Real Salt Lake on July 16, and then travel to San Jose on July 20.