BMO Field still unplayable; NCC match moved to July 2 26 May 2011 One night wasn't enough to dry out BMO Field. After Wednesday night's Nutrilite Canadian Championship final was abandoned due to lightning and a waterlogged pitch, plans to replay the game on Thursday morning at 11 a.m. EST were also canceled.
Fans needed to help Jay DeMerit documentary get to the screen 25 May 2011 DeMerit played in the Premier League with Watford, but archived Premier League footage costs, gulp, $20,000 per minute. And the film just can’t work without game footage. Money has to be paid to the national federations if they use footage of DeMerit playing for the U.S. national side. So, as more and more artists look to fans to finance their projects, DeMerit and the two filmmakers are taking it a step further. They doing a little more than simply reaching out to fans to help fund the project. So far, a total of 437 fans have pledged US$51,374 (as of the morning of May 25) to help get the film ready for distribution. But they will be guaranteed merchandise from the movie, soccer gear or even autographed memorabilia depending on how much they spend
Catching up with Geoff Aunger, the first Canadian to win MLS Cup 24 May 2011 There is one honour that belongs to Geoff Aunger that no other Canadian soccer player can ever take from him. Aunger, the Red Deer, Alta. native who was capped 44 times by the national team, was the first Canadian to ever play on an MLS Cup winner, the D.C. United side of 1999 that some would argue is still the greatest team to ever play in the league. “Making it in that league at that time was very difficult,” said Aunger, who now works in New York as a private banker. “At the time, we, the Canadian players, counted as import players."
Jeff Parke named MLS Player of the Week 23 May 2011 Seattle defender Jeff Parke got the nod after a runoff vote was needed to break a tie between him and Philadelphia Union forward Carlos Ruiz after the the first round of ballots from the North American Soccer Reporters was counted.
Hart won’t have a lot of time to sort out Canadian squad 23 May 2011 Coach Stephen Hart won’t have a lot of time to prepare his Canadian men’s national side for the June 1 friendly against Ecuador and the June 7 kickoff of the Gold Cup schedule. Hart named Canada’s 23-man provisional roster Monday; those players will be available for selection for the June 1 Ecuador match at BMO Field. From that, 20 will …
Toronto FC’s 0-0 draw in Colorado feels like a win 23 May 2011 Toronto FC didn’t win. It wasn’t a game that would remind anyone of Hungary of the early ‘50s or Brazil of 1970. But a 0-0 draw in the Colorado altitude, with three midfield regulars out of the lineup? Well, TFC coach Aron Winter will take it.
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.
Montreal loses again: Impact looks nowhere close to being ready for MLS 22 May 2011 A 3-0 loss to FC Tampa Bay Saturday showed just how far behind schedule the Impact are when it comes to being ready for Major League Soccer. Other than keeper Bill Gaudette, who made several outstanding saves to keep the scoreline from being more severe, there wasn’t an Impact player on the pitch who looked anywhere close to being what anyone would call an MLS prospect.
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.
U-17 prospect Aleman, TFC, part ways 20 May 2011 Keven Aleman, TFC Academy’s star of Canada’s second-place finish at the CONCACAF U-17 Canadian championships, has parted ways with the club. Toronto FC announced Thursday evening that the club has parted ways with Aleman, even Aleman, Dino Gardiner, and Jonathan Lao — all members of the Academy.