Now, two years later, it’s looking like the cabal of Miller critics owe the man an apology — at least for the criticisms of how he handled the national side. While Canada flounders through another goalless Gold Cup (as Morrissey once sang: Stop me if you think you’ve heard this one before), Miller’s FC Edmonton leads the NASL in goals scored.

I want you to know that I am very happy to be back home, the team that opened the door, I am very happy to be in Quito,” Plata was quoted on LDU official website.

The Reds were not able to pull out a win but still managed a positive result on the road to earn deserved 1-1 draw against FC Dallas in hot and humid conditions in Frisco, Tex.

"A couple of weeks ago we had some clubs ask us about his services," Cochrane said. "We've toyed with the idea and continued to kind of think about whether to loan him out. Quito was one of those clubs, and a couple of clubs in Mexico also."

In two matches at the FIFRA world club championships, the University of Sherbrooke Vert & Or have yet to score, and have surrendered, cough, 19 goals.

After teams from the Canadian Major Indoor Soccer League could not make the trip, the University of Sherbrooke’s Vert & Or team, augmented with selected players from the Quebec Elite Soccer League, has accepted the invite to head down to Mexico and represent our country at FIFRA’s world club championships.

Ecuador coach Reinaldo Rueda left a parting gift for the soccer fans in Toronto. Joao Plata, that is. Toronto FC confirmed today that Plata will not travel with his national team to New York City, where it faces Greece June 7.

Tosaint Ricketts picked a fine time to score his first goal for Canada — an injury time strike to rescue a 2-2 result against Ecuador. Trailing 2-1 at the 90-minute mark, Canada was desperate to push forward for the equalizer.

“We specifically went to attract a South American team and we thought that Ecuador physically, beside the obvious style of play, would match against the sort of opposition that we would have to play,” said national-team coach Stephen Hart.

The script was reversed on Saturday. The fireworks came early at Empire Field, and then the Vancouver Whitecaps and New York Red Bulls played out a tense chess match in the second half as the club drew 1-1. When the Whitecaps play at home, Canadian soccer fans have become used to seeing last-second comebacks, second-half momentum changes and thrills right before the final whistle.