Whitecap Camilo named Player of the Week 4 Apr 2011 The Vancouver Whitecaps have their first ever Player of the Week honour. Brazilian striker Camilo da Silvo Sanvezzo won the weekly poll of the North American Soccer Reporters for his two stoppage-time goals in Vancouver’s improbable 3-3 draw with Sporting Kansas City.
Whitecaps’ stunning comeback overshadows Bunbury’s goals 3 Apr 2011 It was as if the script was written by Vince McMahon. The heel takes some early liberties. Then, the crowd roars as the hero gets off the mat. In this case, the heel was Teal Bunbury — the Sporting Kansas City forward scored twice to stake his team to a 3-0 lead over the Vancouver Whitecaps at Empire Field. The hero? Camilo da Silva Sanvezzo, who scored twice in stoppage times as the Whitecaps roared back to snatch a 3-3 draw in what has to go down as one of the most exciting games in MLS history.
MLS officiating crackdown already taking its toll 27 Mar 2011 Before the kickoff of the season, MLS headquarters instructed its officials to crack down on fouls in the box and to make absolutely certain that a player was in an offside position before raising the flag. More penalties, more cards, less offside calls — the recipe to boost scoring. We are clearly seeing the effect of the mandate. Fans will likely have to get used to seeing the flag stay down more often than not.
Bravo! Mexican star named MLS player of the week 22 Mar 2011 Omar Bravo won the hearts and minds of soccer reporters across the continent, capturing the first Player of the Week award of the MLS season. Bravo, Sporting Kansas City’s Mexican Designated Player, scored twice as his new club travelled to Los Angeles and edged Chivas USA 3-2. As Bravo once starred for Chivas Guadalajara, the irony was too good to pass up.
MLS finds “no evidence” to fine players involved in abandoned match 17 Mar 2011 Last week’s preseason brawl between Real Salt Lake and Sporting Kansas City has resulted in some supplemental justice from MLS. RSL defender Jamison Olave got a US$250 fine for Tweeting about his displeasure for the match official after last Wednesday’s game was abandoned in the second half because of the fisticuffs. That’s right. The fighting and fouling hasn’t earned anyone a suspension or fine as of yet — but Tweeting about a referee losing control of the game… well
The super-duper MLS season preview 14 Mar 2011 It’s become obligatory for every sports journalist to provide season previews for the league he or she covers. It’s automatic, and a great space killer! In that vein, The 11 presents its “waited until the last possible second before the regular season” season preview! Why the wait? Because it’s hard to figure out the East. The West? Wow, a lot of power and depth there. As for the East? Last season, New York and Columbus and six other mediocre to bad to awful clubs were in the conference. New York and Columbus left them all in the dust.
MLS needs to step in and stop preseason ugliness 9 Mar 2011 On Tuesday night, a preseason game between Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake was abandoned in the second half because of what’s being described as an ugly brawl.
EPL motive would explain Bunbury’s national team flip-flop 21 Dec 2010 If, despite Sporting Kansas City’s protests, Stoke City does sign Teal Bunbury after he finishes his week on what the Potters are calling a “trial,” there could be a chance that Canadian soccer fans could forgive the striker. Could is the key word. Is it coincidence that Bunbury received a look-see from Stoke manager Tony Pulis just weeks after he made his debut for the Stars and Stripes — after famously deciding against playing for Canada — in a friendly against South Africa?
Stoke City links itself to Bunbury move 17 Dec 2010 Sporting Kansas City’s position, that Canadian-born U.S. national team striker Teal Bunbury is not on trial with Stoke City, continues to be refuted by the English Premier League club. On Thursday, Stoke City posted a list of eight players it is linked to in possible transfer-window deals and, voila, Bunbury is on the list. Bunbury, who won the M.A.C. Hermann Trophy in 2010 as the most valuable player in the NCAA, scored five goals in his first MLS season with the then-named Kansas City Wizards.
To trial or not to trial: Stoke City and Sporting Kansas City have different takes on Teal Bunbury 15 Dec 2010 Is Teal Bunbury switching sides again? The Hamilton, Ont.-born son of Canadian national-teamer Alex Bunbury, recently alienated most soccer fans on this side of the border when he decided to play for the United States rather than the country of his birth. Now, is he also hoping to leave Sporting Kansas City? Stoke City has officially stated that this might be the case. Bunbury appeared with Stoke’s reserve side Tuesday and, paired with former Chelsea and Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen, was reportedly very impressive. Bunbury scored against Wigan’s reserve side.
