Ecuador sets Canada up well for the Gold Cup 31 May 2011 “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.
Mapp earns Player of the Week nod for taking advantage of hapless TFC defending 30 May 2011 Heck, Philadelphia had two multiple-goal scorers in the same game in its 6-2 romp over Toronto FC. And, Justin Mapp got the nod after the votes from the North American Soccer Reporters were tallied. Union teammate Danny Mwanga also had two goals, and helped set up Mapp’s opening goal of the game.
TFC’s rebuilding mantra has been proven wrong 30 May 2011 The significance of Toronto FC’s 6-2 home loss to the Philadelphia Union can’t be ignored. Through five coaches and three GMs/directors of soccer/technical directors, TFC fans have heard of long-term plans, rebuilding processes and the continuing pleas to fans for patience. Philadelphia was a raw expansion franchise last season. It has played a third of its schedule in year two of its existence, and it’s in first place in the East. You could make the argument that the Union is at a better point now than TFC has been any time in its history. When the Union faced TFC — on TFC's home turf — it was men vs. boys.
TFC apologetic after humiliating loss to the Union 28 May 2011 Toronto FC's busiest stretch of the season came is finally over, but if the Reds had a choice, they'd want to take the pitch again tomorrow to get the bad taste of Saturday's result out of their mouths. TFC allowed a franchise-worst six goals in a 6-2 loss to the Philadelphia Union and, incredibly, the scoreline may have flattered the Reds given all their defensive breakdowns. "It was humiliating," said Toronto head coach Aron Winter.
Do the right thing, TFC; start the replay with an own goal 26 May 2011 Yes, the Canadian Soccer Association’s rules are quite clear. A match that is abandoned must be replayed in full. But Winter can still do the right thing. He can order his troops to take the opening kickoff and then fire the ball into their own goal.
NCC final abandoned; CSA not sure if field will be ready for Thursday replay 26 May 2011 "The match is abandoned this evening," said CSA General Secretary Peter Montopoli. "We were in a position to try to have the match played this evening but once we got to that position, being on the field, the referee decided that the pitch is not playable. "The regulations are very clear. The match will be replayed in its entirety tomorrow at 11 a.m., here at BMO Field. We start from zero time."
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.
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.