On CONCACAF, Canada and the CCL: One-on-one with RSL’s Will Johnson 1 Mar 2011 The11 caught up with Will Johnson at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, in the midst of final preparations with Real Salt Lake for the final leg of their CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinal matchup against the Columbus Crew. We asked Will about the rumors swirling that FIFA may be set to grant CONCACAF a fourth spot for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, and about Team Canada’s important summer this year in Gold Cup action.
Orlando City bullish on MLS future, while FC Edmonton content to build its brand 1 Mar 2011 rlando City has yet to play a regular-season game in its central Florida home, but the USL side is already talking about a move to Major League Soccer. On its official Facebook page, the club has launched a new initiative by urging fans to buy tickets and to let family and friends know about the new soccer team. And the club has made it clear the end goal is to grow to the point where MLS can’t ignore the city.
Poor defending costs TFC in loss to Dynamo 25 Feb 2011 In a game filled with trialists, some old problems haunted Toronto FC. Despite twice taking the lead, TFC lost 3-2 to the Houston Dynamo Thursday in their opening match of the preseason Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic in Orlando, Fla.
Great day for former TFC players 25 Feb 2011 Thursday was a good day for ex-Toronto FC players. Maurice Edu, the No. 1 pick in the 2007 SuperDraft and rookie of the year that same season, scored the goal that sent Rangers through to the final 16 of the Europa Cup a minute and a half into stoppage time against Sporting Lisbon.
TFC does the right thing with Brennan, Dichio and Dasovic 24 Feb 2011 Wednesday’s decision to make Danny Dichio the coach of the senior TFC Academy squad, and place Jim Brennan in charge of the junior Academy players, is a step in the right direction for this club.
Timbers chop down Impact in preseason play 24 Feb 2011 Eddie Johnson scored against the Montreal Impact for the second game in a row. The Portland Timbers prospect, a veteran of the English lower leagues, scored for his new club in a 1-0 exhibition win over the Impact Wednesday in Arizona.
MLS confirms new 10-team playoff format 23 Feb 2011 With less than a month to go before First Kick, Major League Soccer has finally confirmed the new playoff structure for 2011. As hinted by commissioner Don Garber at last year’s MLS Cup in Toronto, the playoffs will expand to 10 teams from eight.
Cold weather keeps fans away from Crew Stadium 23 Feb 2011 The announced attendance was officially 4,665 but the few brave souls that turned out to Crew Stadium for the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal numbered less than that.
Canadian defender Jakovic eyes successful 2011 campaign 23 Feb 2011 If his preseason is any indication, 2011 is going to be a busy year for Dejan Jakovic. The 25-year-old central defender had been in camp with D.C. United for a two-week stretch before receiving the call to join up with Canada for the Feb. 6 friendly over in Larissa, Greece. Jakovic went 90 minutes in the 1-0 loss to Greece, and the hectic travel schedule required him crossing half the globe and back as his club team continued MLS preparations in Florida. However, after a couple of days off, he jetted out to Oxnard, Calif. well rested, where he’ll spend this week continuing to prepare for the 2011 MLS season
“More of a battle than a soccer game” says RSL coach about cold-weather CCL in Columbus 23 Feb 2011 Football in February. It’s rare in Ohio. And for good reason. With the temperature clocking in below the freezing mark, the 10-man Columbus Crew and nine-man Real Salt Lake battled to a first-leg 0-0 draw in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals in extreme conditions at Crew Stadium.