One good thing to come out of the whole sorry Dwayne De Rosario at Celtic affair is that it helped the club move away from what would have been a depressingly underwhelming decision. According to Canadian Soccer News, up until yesterday, the club were ready to go with Paul Mariner as coach/manager, with Earl Cochrane kept in place above him in a more administrative/president of soccer type role. But now, there's a new name that is suddenly being considered, so the process is once again on hold, with a decision expected "by mid-January at the latest".
Now maybe it is actually the case that a new option has suddenly become available, and it's just a coincidence that the decision was changed after the De Ro fiasco, but the source quoted did say it suspected it was a reason for them to be looking elsewhere, though they still expected Cochrane to get the GM job when all is said and done.
My own impression is that TFC were hoping to quietly announce it while people weren't paying attention, or were hoping that supporters anger had dissipated after a relatively quiet period so would have been more ready to accept this lacklustre appointment from within. But now supporters are back in angry mode, so management have gone back to the "big name to appease the supporters" plan, or are at least pretending to until the furore dies down in a couple of weeks.
Though nothing surprises me with TFC, and though over the last few months I've shifted from laughing at suggestions Cochrane would end up with the job, to actually worrying that he might, to feeling resigned to the fact that he'd get it, I still can't really believe that it's going to happen.
Let's once again remind ourselves of what was promised to all TFC fans in an email sent out after October's townhall meetings and posted on their website.
With change comes the opportunity to make important decisions about our future. We're working hard to assemble a management team that is second to none in Major League Soccer. We are looking for leadership that will establish the vision for this team and create a winning culture so that Toronto FC will consistently compete for a championship.
Second to none. Is there anyone out there that thinks Earl Cochrane is second to none among MLS executives? Is anyone impressed with his handling of the De Ro situation, allowing things to get to this stage, then being less than forthcoming with the media about what had actually happened?
Paul Mariner isn't a terrible option, given the limiting fact that TFC is probably the most dysfunctional club in what is still a minor league. He has MLS experience from his time as an assistant at New England, and though his first head coaching job at Plymouth Argyle led to relegation from the Championship, that was a very poisoned chalice due to problems at Plymouth at the time, so it would be very harsh to judge him on that. But again, second to none. Is there anyone out there who'd rather have Mariner than Bruce Arena, or Sigi Schmid or other successful coaches currently in MLS?
The other big question is what happened to Jürgen Klinsmann. Given all his experience and contacts in Europe, is Earl Cochrane really the best option he and SoccerSolutions could come up with? Really? The "second to none" guy was under our noses the whole time? I really hope he's earned his consulting money elsewhere, perhaps with recommendations about the academy, because that is thoroughly disappointing.
Of course I should wait until it's official before getting too depressed about it, and who knows, maybe Earl Cochrane and Paul Mariner would do an excellent job. I'll freely admit I would have been unimpressed with the coaching resumes of Jason kreis and Gary Smith before they won the last 2 MLS cups, so whoever is appointed should get some time to prove themselves. However TFC is skating on some very thin ice, and a Cochrane/Mariner combo would make it thinner.
If given a big name and sold a grand vision, supporters would be more forgiving of any early struggles while a foundation for future success was laid. But with an unspectacular appointment, the results would need to come fast to avoid disappointment. I'm sure MLSE doesn't really care too much what bloggers or the supporter's forums say, but anger and protests among the committed would translate to apathy among the casual, and that's what they need to be afraid of. There were a lot of empty seats throughout last year, if that trend continues, well there are plenty of sports teams who can tell them how hard it is to get Toronto fans to come back once they've gone.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Oh captain my captain.
Well, I guess I can't complain any more that nothing's happening at TFC. The last few days have seen the unthinkable happen and the club sink to new lows of confusion, half-truths and embarrassment.
It started with harmless enough rumours of captain and star player Dwayne de Rosario going to Celtic on trial, with a view to a loan until the MLS season started, or until the end of the Scottish season, with De Ro joining TFC again mid season. This was firmly denied by Interim Gm Earl Cochrane, seemingly putting the story to bed, until the next day when photos of De Ro training with Celtic surfaced, leading to a long day of accusations and carefully worded clarifications as to who knew what and whether De Ro actually had the necessary approval and paperwork to be going on trial, before it became clear that no, he never did have that paperwork which is now being worked on. And oh yeah, De Ro certainly did his bit for tourism in Scarborough.
So what exactly was De Ro thinking? Theoretical approval of him being able to go on trial is one thing, and something he apparently did have, but this sort of thing requires official paperwork, and surely that's a very tangible thing that you either have or you don't. It may be that he thought his agent had sorted that out, and he's as embarrassed as anyone, though we don't know as he hasn't spoken publicly about it all yet, but surely he must have known. If so, it can only be seen as a very aggressive move to put some pressure on TFC to resolve his contract situation, pay him or trade him if you will, and I can't help but think that a trade would be his preferred choice.
I personally believe that when he did the cheque signing goal celebration back in September that he thought TFC supporters would be on his side and would pressure management to give him what he wanted, which was to stay with the Reds but with a higher salary. He was initially very vocal and unrepentant, only apologising a few day later after public opinion had criticised the move as selfish and poorly timed. Surely he must know how this sudden appearance with Celtic, without TFC's explicit permission would look to supporters. He must know that they wouldn't react with approval and that rather than bolster his case, their disdain would actually make it easier for management to deny him a raise. If not, a quick glance at the supporter forums over the last couple of day would have confirmed that.
No, to me this seems like a trade request, burning his bridges by going so publicly behind the clubs back. Hopefully for him, the trial with Celtic will go well and a deal with TFC can be arranged. If not, well then things could get very interesting, I really can't see a way he'd be happy to come back to Toronto without getting the pay raise to Designated Player status that he feels he deserves and that TFC seems reluctant to give him. Even if he does come back, I can't see any way at all that he can keep the captaincy, after embarrassing management and having his representatives come out and accuse the club of lying.
It's a remarkable achievement to be able to take all the goodwill and support that TFC fans had given him when he arrived less than two years ago, excited to have one of the best Canadian players on their team, add over 30 goals in two seasons, and still turn it into a situation where most people feel it's for the best that he should move on. Who knows how his repeated complaints about his salary have affected his standing in the dressing room, but this really brings to mind Nick Garcia's recent comments about a lack of leadership being one of the problems that has held TFC back.
As for how TFC come out of this, well that's not good either. Though it can be argued that they are the hapless victims in this situation, and that it was De Ro who caused the whole mess, that would be overlooking the very large part they've played in how things reached this point. The possibility of De Ro training with Celtic was brought to their attention about a month ago and appparently they just did nothing with that. The other option is that TFC did give their permission and are now lying about it, or MLS gave permission on their behalf, wouldn't Celtic check into that sort of thing before letting any player join them in training?
Anyway, a fully stafffed and competent front office could have done a couple of things, either just flat out denied permission to avoid potential for injury to their star player, or, recognising this as a good move that could help De Ro be a better player, and provide good publicity for the team and for the league, as well as help mend the strained relationship with De Ro, they could have actively helped the process, making sure the paperwork was completed and ready to go. If they really don't want to give De Ro his raise, this could have been seen to be a good opportunity to shop him around and get a transfer fee or player in return and move on.
But instead they gave their approval and left it at that, which sadly, is in no way out of character for them. Since before he even signed his initial contract with TFC, De Ro's been unhappy and felt he should have got more. After the September cheque signing incident, Tom Anselmi publicly said that De Ro's contract would be one of the things looked at by the new permanent manager, and this is where TFC's culpability really comes in to play.
Now it's been suggested that it's fine for TFC to have waited this long (over 100 days now since Mo Johnston was fired), that finding the right man was most important, and that there's nothing that couldn't be handled by the interim team in the meantime. Maybe that's right, after all, the release of last year's dead wood was a straight forward process with few causes for argument, and the re-entry draft really didn't offer that much for rebuilding purposes.
But this one pre-existing issue has always loomed large over proceedings. Would TFC keep De Ro happy by giving him the pay raise to DP status, but thus reduce their options for bringing in other players, or would they deny him that, and instead actively seek out trade opportunities? Well for now they won't do either of those, as even when trying to talk himself up Earl Cochrane admits that he "doesn't think making those decisions in a vacuum is the best thing to do.”
So for over 3 months now since his very public pushing of his agenda, De Ro has been left twisting in the wind, with no answer as to his future with TFC, so though you may not like the way he's done things, can anyone blame him for wanting to explore opportunites elsewhere?
It's sad that it has come to this, it could and should have worked so well, a bona fide MLS star coming to play for his hometown team should be win-win. De Ro could have been adored by the fans, cashed in on the endorsements, and retired with the team before moving into his post football career with a mountain of local goodwill behind him. Toronto could have built around De Ro, and become a stable successful club, establishing themselves as Canada's team, before Vancouver and Montreal got a chance to take that mantle. Instead it ends with this latest shambolic episode in MLSE's "how not to run a successful football club" handbook.
If it's sad, it's also unsurprising, even when at a successful and well run club at San Jose/Houston De Ro still caused his share of dramas with public complaints about his pay. Her obviously has an ego and pride to match his unquestioned talent and goalscoring ability, and doesn't seem the type to tolerate what he sees as disrespect. TFC, well, whether intentionally or not, and I genuinely believe most of the time it's not intentional, disrespecting people seems to be what they do best, causing frustration to even the most professional of players. The list of players and coaches who have left the club under a cloud, some publicly complaining, others not, is a long one. Those tendencies, thrown together with De Ro's character into the power vacuum that currently exists was in retrospect always a recipe for disaster.
It started with harmless enough rumours of captain and star player Dwayne de Rosario going to Celtic on trial, with a view to a loan until the MLS season started, or until the end of the Scottish season, with De Ro joining TFC again mid season. This was firmly denied by Interim Gm Earl Cochrane, seemingly putting the story to bed, until the next day when photos of De Ro training with Celtic surfaced, leading to a long day of accusations and carefully worded clarifications as to who knew what and whether De Ro actually had the necessary approval and paperwork to be going on trial, before it became clear that no, he never did have that paperwork which is now being worked on. And oh yeah, De Ro certainly did his bit for tourism in Scarborough.
So what exactly was De Ro thinking? Theoretical approval of him being able to go on trial is one thing, and something he apparently did have, but this sort of thing requires official paperwork, and surely that's a very tangible thing that you either have or you don't. It may be that he thought his agent had sorted that out, and he's as embarrassed as anyone, though we don't know as he hasn't spoken publicly about it all yet, but surely he must have known. If so, it can only be seen as a very aggressive move to put some pressure on TFC to resolve his contract situation, pay him or trade him if you will, and I can't help but think that a trade would be his preferred choice.
I personally believe that when he did the cheque signing goal celebration back in September that he thought TFC supporters would be on his side and would pressure management to give him what he wanted, which was to stay with the Reds but with a higher salary. He was initially very vocal and unrepentant, only apologising a few day later after public opinion had criticised the move as selfish and poorly timed. Surely he must know how this sudden appearance with Celtic, without TFC's explicit permission would look to supporters. He must know that they wouldn't react with approval and that rather than bolster his case, their disdain would actually make it easier for management to deny him a raise. If not, a quick glance at the supporter forums over the last couple of day would have confirmed that.
No, to me this seems like a trade request, burning his bridges by going so publicly behind the clubs back. Hopefully for him, the trial with Celtic will go well and a deal with TFC can be arranged. If not, well then things could get very interesting, I really can't see a way he'd be happy to come back to Toronto without getting the pay raise to Designated Player status that he feels he deserves and that TFC seems reluctant to give him. Even if he does come back, I can't see any way at all that he can keep the captaincy, after embarrassing management and having his representatives come out and accuse the club of lying.
It's a remarkable achievement to be able to take all the goodwill and support that TFC fans had given him when he arrived less than two years ago, excited to have one of the best Canadian players on their team, add over 30 goals in two seasons, and still turn it into a situation where most people feel it's for the best that he should move on. Who knows how his repeated complaints about his salary have affected his standing in the dressing room, but this really brings to mind Nick Garcia's recent comments about a lack of leadership being one of the problems that has held TFC back.
As for how TFC come out of this, well that's not good either. Though it can be argued that they are the hapless victims in this situation, and that it was De Ro who caused the whole mess, that would be overlooking the very large part they've played in how things reached this point. The possibility of De Ro training with Celtic was brought to their attention about a month ago and appparently they just did nothing with that. The other option is that TFC did give their permission and are now lying about it, or MLS gave permission on their behalf, wouldn't Celtic check into that sort of thing before letting any player join them in training?
Anyway, a fully stafffed and competent front office could have done a couple of things, either just flat out denied permission to avoid potential for injury to their star player, or, recognising this as a good move that could help De Ro be a better player, and provide good publicity for the team and for the league, as well as help mend the strained relationship with De Ro, they could have actively helped the process, making sure the paperwork was completed and ready to go. If they really don't want to give De Ro his raise, this could have been seen to be a good opportunity to shop him around and get a transfer fee or player in return and move on.
But instead they gave their approval and left it at that, which sadly, is in no way out of character for them. Since before he even signed his initial contract with TFC, De Ro's been unhappy and felt he should have got more. After the September cheque signing incident, Tom Anselmi publicly said that De Ro's contract would be one of the things looked at by the new permanent manager, and this is where TFC's culpability really comes in to play.
Now it's been suggested that it's fine for TFC to have waited this long (over 100 days now since Mo Johnston was fired), that finding the right man was most important, and that there's nothing that couldn't be handled by the interim team in the meantime. Maybe that's right, after all, the release of last year's dead wood was a straight forward process with few causes for argument, and the re-entry draft really didn't offer that much for rebuilding purposes.
But this one pre-existing issue has always loomed large over proceedings. Would TFC keep De Ro happy by giving him the pay raise to DP status, but thus reduce their options for bringing in other players, or would they deny him that, and instead actively seek out trade opportunities? Well for now they won't do either of those, as even when trying to talk himself up Earl Cochrane admits that he "doesn't think making those decisions in a vacuum is the best thing to do.”
So for over 3 months now since his very public pushing of his agenda, De Ro has been left twisting in the wind, with no answer as to his future with TFC, so though you may not like the way he's done things, can anyone blame him for wanting to explore opportunites elsewhere?
It's sad that it has come to this, it could and should have worked so well, a bona fide MLS star coming to play for his hometown team should be win-win. De Ro could have been adored by the fans, cashed in on the endorsements, and retired with the team before moving into his post football career with a mountain of local goodwill behind him. Toronto could have built around De Ro, and become a stable successful club, establishing themselves as Canada's team, before Vancouver and Montreal got a chance to take that mantle. Instead it ends with this latest shambolic episode in MLSE's "how not to run a successful football club" handbook.
If it's sad, it's also unsurprising, even when at a successful and well run club at San Jose/Houston De Ro still caused his share of dramas with public complaints about his pay. Her obviously has an ego and pride to match his unquestioned talent and goalscoring ability, and doesn't seem the type to tolerate what he sees as disrespect. TFC, well, whether intentionally or not, and I genuinely believe most of the time it's not intentional, disrespecting people seems to be what they do best, causing frustration to even the most professional of players. The list of players and coaches who have left the club under a cloud, some publicly complaining, others not, is a long one. Those tendencies, thrown together with De Ro's character into the power vacuum that currently exists was in retrospect always a recipe for disaster.
Friday, December 24, 2010
So, no coach by christmas then.
"So this is christmas, and what have you done?" Well, that's a good question John Lennon, and as far as TFC's concerned, the answer is depressingly little. Jürgen Klinsmann's talk of appointing a coach by Christmas is clearly not going to happen, so the milestones will keep on coming. It's now been:
- 101 days since Mo and Preki were fired, with Earl Cochrane and Nick Dasovic's "interim" reigns started.
- 94 days since 2011 season ticket renewal emails were sent out, with all the price increases and extra games that fans would surely lap up.
- 87 days since we lost against San Jose and it became clear the firings weren't going to motivate a run for the playoffs. That game also saw De Ro's cheque signing gesture, anything happened with his contract negotiation yet? Didn't think so.
- 84 days since we were knocked out of the Concacaf Champions League, a crowd of 10,581 for a huge game in the only competition we still had a chance in exposed Tom Anselmi's bullish "supply and demand" talk as laughable.
- 72 days since the "royal screw up" was admitted to and the apologies and townhall meetings started.
- 69 days since the supporter protests reached their apex at the last home game of the season.
- 63 days since a further apology email was sent out with news of the free home opener and a price freeze for 2012, as well as a promise that We're working hard to assemble a management team that is second to none in Major League Soccer. We are looking for leadership that will establish the vision for this team and create a winning culture so that Toronto FC will consistently compete for a championship.
- 62 days since the 2010 regular season ended.
- 51 days since Jürgen Klinsmann and SoccerSolutions were officially announced as helping out, fully 50 days after the Mo/Preki firing.
- 41 days since Klinsmann attended a press conference to explain his role, only another 10 days gone by, what's the hurry.
And then....nothing. The odd rumour floating about, the Sportsnet interview when the "new coach by Christmas" line was thrown out, an occasional tweeted tease from Paul Beirne about managerial candidates, and that's it. Though Tom Anselmi does basically tell us "It's Christmas time, there's no need to be afraid" in this article
In the meantime, many players have been released, the expansion draft and re-entry draft have come and gone, all under the control of Earl Cochrane, and all we've got to show for it is Nathan Sturgis for a first round pick, and a third round pick for Nane Joseph.
The appointments of this "second to none" management team are crucial for the long term future of Toronto FC, and maybe the fact it's taking so long is a good sign, but it just seems like the club is drifting along and my optimism that it will work out well is diminishing by the day. When should supporters hope to have appointments made? In time for the NCAA Superdraft? In time for the pre season trip to Turkey to check out European based triallists? I'd like to think we'd have someone in place soon in order to be able to have a full and settled squad for the start of the season for once, but that's looking less and less likely.
"So here it is merry Christmas, everybody's having fun. Look to the future now, it's only just begun" Wise and unavoidable (in Britain at least) Christmas words from Noddy Holder and Slade. I wish I could look to the future Noddy, I wish I could, but 101 days and counting and it still hasn't bloody begun yet.
- 101 days since Mo and Preki were fired, with Earl Cochrane and Nick Dasovic's "interim" reigns started.
- 94 days since 2011 season ticket renewal emails were sent out, with all the price increases and extra games that fans would surely lap up.
- 87 days since we lost against San Jose and it became clear the firings weren't going to motivate a run for the playoffs. That game also saw De Ro's cheque signing gesture, anything happened with his contract negotiation yet? Didn't think so.
- 84 days since we were knocked out of the Concacaf Champions League, a crowd of 10,581 for a huge game in the only competition we still had a chance in exposed Tom Anselmi's bullish "supply and demand" talk as laughable.
- 72 days since the "royal screw up" was admitted to and the apologies and townhall meetings started.
- 69 days since the supporter protests reached their apex at the last home game of the season.
- 63 days since a further apology email was sent out with news of the free home opener and a price freeze for 2012, as well as a promise that We're working hard to assemble a management team that is second to none in Major League Soccer. We are looking for leadership that will establish the vision for this team and create a winning culture so that Toronto FC will consistently compete for a championship.
- 62 days since the 2010 regular season ended.
- 51 days since Jürgen Klinsmann and SoccerSolutions were officially announced as helping out, fully 50 days after the Mo/Preki firing.
- 41 days since Klinsmann attended a press conference to explain his role, only another 10 days gone by, what's the hurry.
And then....nothing. The odd rumour floating about, the Sportsnet interview when the "new coach by Christmas" line was thrown out, an occasional tweeted tease from Paul Beirne about managerial candidates, and that's it. Though Tom Anselmi does basically tell us "It's Christmas time, there's no need to be afraid" in this article
In the meantime, many players have been released, the expansion draft and re-entry draft have come and gone, all under the control of Earl Cochrane, and all we've got to show for it is Nathan Sturgis for a first round pick, and a third round pick for Nane Joseph.
The appointments of this "second to none" management team are crucial for the long term future of Toronto FC, and maybe the fact it's taking so long is a good sign, but it just seems like the club is drifting along and my optimism that it will work out well is diminishing by the day. When should supporters hope to have appointments made? In time for the NCAA Superdraft? In time for the pre season trip to Turkey to check out European based triallists? I'd like to think we'd have someone in place soon in order to be able to have a full and settled squad for the start of the season for once, but that's looking less and less likely.
"So here it is merry Christmas, everybody's having fun. Look to the future now, it's only just begun" Wise and unavoidable (in Britain at least) Christmas words from Noddy Holder and Slade. I wish I could look to the future Noddy, I wish I could, but 101 days and counting and it still hasn't bloody begun yet.
Monday, December 20, 2010
All we are saaaaaaay-iing...
Things have been quiet recently with, aside from Canada's women racking up yet another tournament win, and Sepp Blatter switching from trying to get MLS to conform to a winter schedule to openly musing about switching the World Cup to conform to the MLS schedule, not much really going on. The snow and cold has brought football to a standstill in England, and there's only so many times you can despair about nothing happening with TFC's GM/Coach search before you give up and/or readers start rebelling in the comments section.
There were a couple of interesting tidbits over the last few days, firstly Earl Cochrane saying “I absolutely have the ability to make decisions, but I do not think making those decisions in a vacuum is the best thing to do.” which to me is an encouraging sign that there's going to be someone else coming in to be the guy who makes the big calls. Also Nick Garcia musing about the problems with TFC last year "I think it boils down to communication. There were not enough veteran guys on the field guiding and leading the team." as well as embracing his inner grumpy old man, complaining about the young players being too into Twitter and text messaging.
But that was about it, so it was a welcome relief today when the minor news of the 2011 season First Kick games was annnounced, with Toronto opening their season on March 19th at Vancouver, before having their home opener on March 26th against Portland.
I'm not a huge fan of either of those games. The Whitecaps game, it could be a great roadtrip for TFC fans, and a great opportunity to show off their traveling support, but it seems like a bit of a waste for Vancouver. The home opener, their first ever game in MLS was always going to be a big event with plenty of media coverage across Canada, and now they're going to have to partially share that attention with Toronto. It would have made much more sense to have them play a different team and then have the first all Canadian MLS game as another high profile game later on. As for the Portland game, March 26th? At BMO Field? That's going to be cold, and potentially snowy, I guess MLSE is really going to make the season ticket holders work for their free home opener announced back in October.
The other obvious angle to this is that we start off with 2 games against the expansion clubs, which should be a gentle start and at least 4 points, but could be a very embarrassing banana skin if TFC once again goes into the season under prepared and without a full squad. Hopefully this will serve as added motivation to speed up the new management search, the latest rumours mentioned Paul Mariner, former assistant to Steve Nicol at new England, and coming off a failed coaching job in a very tough situation at Plymouth Argyle, which is a bit underwhelming and quite the step down from other names mentioned like Roberto Donadoni, Franco Baresi and Carlos Quieroz.
Jürgen Klinsmann previously mentioned a new coach may be in place by Christmas, which is coming up very quickly. While that's not really that important of a milestone, let's hope at least someone is in place by the time the January transfer window comes around. I'm happy that Earl has done plenty of work and has some people lined up, and equally happy that he's going to wait for the final decisions, trades/signings etc to be made, but with a very under-manned roster right now, I'd rather not wait too long. All we are saying? Give us a coach!
There were a couple of interesting tidbits over the last few days, firstly Earl Cochrane saying “I absolutely have the ability to make decisions, but I do not think making those decisions in a vacuum is the best thing to do.” which to me is an encouraging sign that there's going to be someone else coming in to be the guy who makes the big calls. Also Nick Garcia musing about the problems with TFC last year "I think it boils down to communication. There were not enough veteran guys on the field guiding and leading the team." as well as embracing his inner grumpy old man, complaining about the young players being too into Twitter and text messaging.
But that was about it, so it was a welcome relief today when the minor news of the 2011 season First Kick games was annnounced, with Toronto opening their season on March 19th at Vancouver, before having their home opener on March 26th against Portland.
I'm not a huge fan of either of those games. The Whitecaps game, it could be a great roadtrip for TFC fans, and a great opportunity to show off their traveling support, but it seems like a bit of a waste for Vancouver. The home opener, their first ever game in MLS was always going to be a big event with plenty of media coverage across Canada, and now they're going to have to partially share that attention with Toronto. It would have made much more sense to have them play a different team and then have the first all Canadian MLS game as another high profile game later on. As for the Portland game, March 26th? At BMO Field? That's going to be cold, and potentially snowy, I guess MLSE is really going to make the season ticket holders work for their free home opener announced back in October.
The other obvious angle to this is that we start off with 2 games against the expansion clubs, which should be a gentle start and at least 4 points, but could be a very embarrassing banana skin if TFC once again goes into the season under prepared and without a full squad. Hopefully this will serve as added motivation to speed up the new management search, the latest rumours mentioned Paul Mariner, former assistant to Steve Nicol at new England, and coming off a failed coaching job in a very tough situation at Plymouth Argyle, which is a bit underwhelming and quite the step down from other names mentioned like Roberto Donadoni, Franco Baresi and Carlos Quieroz.
Jürgen Klinsmann previously mentioned a new coach may be in place by Christmas, which is coming up very quickly. While that's not really that important of a milestone, let's hope at least someone is in place by the time the January transfer window comes around. I'm happy that Earl has done plenty of work and has some people lined up, and equally happy that he's going to wait for the final decisions, trades/signings etc to be made, but with a very under-manned roster right now, I'd rather not wait too long. All we are saying? Give us a coach!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Another trophy? Yawn!
Today saw Canada's Women's team play against Brazil in the final of the 4 team Torneio Internacional Cidade de São Paulo in Brazil. Despite coming off a long unbeaten streak, without conceding any goals in 8 games over this tournament and the Concacaf World Cup Qualifying tournament which they won in November, Canada were definitely underdogs against the 3rd ranked team in the world. They'd played earlier in the tournament, with Canada being outplayed but earning a 0-0 draw, but results in the other games, against the Netherlands and Mexico meant Canada topped the group, so only needed a draw to clinch the trophy.
A goal from Josée Bélanger gave Canada the lead just before half time, before Brazilian superstar Marta equalised. A very harsh handball decision gave Brazil a penalty, as well as seeing Marie-Eve Nault sent off, by no means the only refereeing decision that went against Canada, and Marta scored again to give Brazil the 2-1 lead. Down to 10 players and 2-1 down against Brazil in Brazil, with less than 20 minutes left, things were looking bleak, but enter Captain, and recently crowned Canadian player of the year, Christine Sinclair, who scored a fantastic goal, curling the ball from outside the box into the far top corner of the goal.
Canada's 10 women survived a nervy finish to clinch the tie and the trophy, their third of a remarkably successful year, that gives real hope leading up to next year's World Cup in Germany. Extended game highlights are available here, Sinclair's goal is at 6:50, or on it's won and from a better angle here and the Canadian medals/trophy celebrations start at about 12:00 in.
Congratulations to all of the players, and head Coach Carolina Morace, who has really turned the team around since taking over in Febuary 2009.
A goal from Josée Bélanger gave Canada the lead just before half time, before Brazilian superstar Marta equalised. A very harsh handball decision gave Brazil a penalty, as well as seeing Marie-Eve Nault sent off, by no means the only refereeing decision that went against Canada, and Marta scored again to give Brazil the 2-1 lead. Down to 10 players and 2-1 down against Brazil in Brazil, with less than 20 minutes left, things were looking bleak, but enter Captain, and recently crowned Canadian player of the year, Christine Sinclair, who scored a fantastic goal, curling the ball from outside the box into the far top corner of the goal.
Canada's 10 women survived a nervy finish to clinch the tie and the trophy, their third of a remarkably successful year, that gives real hope leading up to next year's World Cup in Germany. Extended game highlights are available here, Sinclair's goal is at 6:50, or on it's won and from a better angle here and the Canadian medals/trophy celebrations start at about 12:00 in.
Congratulations to all of the players, and head Coach Carolina Morace, who has really turned the team around since taking over in Febuary 2009.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Another Interim-Job.
The second round of the re-entry draft sees a lot of players still available, but without the heavy contracts that their original clubs declined, so there are a lot of decisions to be made and different tactics to consider. First of all is deciding which players could be useful for TFC next year, or could be used as trade bait. Do they try and get Nick Garcia back, at a lower salary to fill out a defensive spot on the bench, or do they go for one of the other experienced defenders available such as Jimmy Conrad or Frankie Hejduk? Do they take a risk on a relatively big salary for someone like Juan Pablo Angel, or do they save the salary cap space for other players currently outside of MLS? Do they use a DP spot, or do they have to be saving those for Dwayne de Rosario or some other potential star player? Then there's when to pick them, do they use the 6th overall pick, or hope the player is still available in the 2nd round, or even trade other assets to move up or down in the draft? After that comes the negotiating of a new salary, though hopefully preliminary work has already been done here with regards to what sort of numbers players would be looking for, and whether they'd even be interested in playing for Toronto. A further wrinkle to be taken into account is that "should no agreement be reached and an offer is made, the club will hold on to the player's rights in MLS". So even if we don't end up signing a player, is it worth picking someone to hold on to their rights for a potential trade in the future?
There are many different things to be considering and 17 other management teams to be competing against/co-operating with/trying to take advantage of, so forgive me if I'd rather have someone more experienced and a little less interimmy in charge. Without the benfit of hindsight, it's difficult to predict how Cochrane will do, but with yet another expansion draftee being traded today, Jordan Graye from Portland to Houston for a 4th round superdraft pick in 2014, his giving up of a 2011 first round pick for Sturgis doesn't speak highly of his negotiating skills.
In a Sportsnet interview on Saturday, as well as being amusingly dismissive of the way MLS is set up (some pros and a lot of cons) Jürgen klinsmann mentioned how he and whoever else is involved in the search hope to have a head coach in place before Christmas. That suggests an announcement should be coming soon, but no mention was made of a GM, or some kind of Director of Soccer who'd be in charge of the overall implementation of Klinsmann's ideas. To me, that suggests we're likely to only get one new man in, a more traditional football type of manager, in charge of player acquisition as well as the coaching, rather than the North American GM and Coach model, which depending on who it is may or may not be a good thing. Klinsmann also mentioned the need for people who know MLS inside out to assist a potential coach brought in from Europe or South America, and that's the part that worries me.
Given MLSE's oft-repeated committment to developing North American coaches and executives, and how "they wanted to start investing in Jim Brennan and turn him into a soccer pro, they've been investing in Nick, investing in Earl, creating a team of people that can grow together and build on the expertise that exists.", I don't expect much more than a reshuffling and re-titling of the currrent interim and assistant management team. You know, the one that has less than a year's actual management experience between them (Three months as interim GM for Cochrane, and just over 8 months now for Brennan as assistant GM). It also sounds unlikely that there'll be anyone above this new hire, someone not as involved in the day to day running of the club, but always available to act as a sounding board and assist in keeping the club on track with whatever philosophy Klinsmann has decided we are to have, and to be another footballing brain between Anselmi and the shareholders and the day to day team, though maybe that's where Cochrane will end up.
Whether the new coach comes with a track record of success in MLS and is looking for a new challenge and a big payday, someone like Dominic Kinnear or Steve Nicol, or is someone being brought in from elsewhere, let's hope he's good and able to hit the ground running, as I don't think he's going to have a lot of good help. Once again, I'm hoping I'll be proved wrong, and maybe in the longer term I will be, but Wednesday's draft will be another opportunity for the new guy to build his team that has passed before he even gets here. Instead, we'll get another interim-job, and after three months, that's really not good enough.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
It was 20 years ago today. December
Part 5 of my look back at Darlington's 1990/91 season, click the links for August, September, October and November. Be sure also to read the comments as there's a lot of good extra stuff there that I hadn't remembered.
With Mission Impossible advertising a pantomime "Goldilocks and the Three Mares, featuring Frank Gray, John Borthwick, and Paul Emson", which I think was very harsh on Gray, Darlington started the month at fellow promotion contenders Stockport County. Injuries to Les McJannett, Gray and David Corner meant a makeshift defence including Gary Coatsworth, who scored our goal, as well as Steve Mardenborough and Paul Emson, with player/physio Drew Coverdale on the wing, all of which led to an inauspicious 3-1 defeat described in Mission Impossible as a performance of 88/89 standards.
Having been knocked out of the FA cup, already, Darlo got a week off before playing the 2nd group game of the Leyland DAF trophy, at home against Grimsby Town. This game, played in front of just 1,106 people on a Tuesday night should be memorable for Andy Toman scoring a hat trick, or for the return to first team action of defender Jimmy Willis, or maybe for featuring probably the oldest, slowest, fattest striking partnership in our history, Davids Cork and Geddis. Instead the main talking point and memory is that Grimsby had 2 players sent off, for fighting each other! After receiving their red cards, one player chased the other down the tunnel, leading to rumours of one player sleeping with another's partner, if only the internet existed back then. The 3-1 win meant we advanced form our group along with York City to the next round
The following saturday saw us play again at home, against Torquay in what was one of the matches of the season. Torquay had been the early pace setter in the league, and were still doing well so this had a real top of the table feel to it, and The Quakers came out very much on top with a 3-0 win. The goals came from Coverdale, Toman and John Borthwick, but the star of the show was Lee Ellison, putting in his best first-team performance and giving a brief glimpse of the form that he would display for a fantastic 2 month spell the following season before slipping back to mediocrity before we even had a chance to cash in on him.
This was followed by another home game the next week against Chesterfield and Gary Gill scored to give us the 1-0 win, and with returns from injury for McJannnett and Gray, we now had the back 5 that would see us through the rest of the season, McJanett at RB, Gray at LB, Kevan Smith and Willis at CB and Mick Tait as sweeper.
Our Boxing day game was called off but not before the team and some fans had made the trip all the way down to Aldershot. Insult was added to injury when on the way home, Steve Mardenborough, getting dropped off at the Watford gap services, fell out of the bus. Mardenborough was quoted in an article from the South Wales Echo, reprinted in Mission Impossible saying "I just fell out of it from quite a height. All the lads were laughing and so was my wife. I dared not turn around and look at the bus."
The month ended with a trip to Scarborough, in the rain with no umbrellas allowed, and a first minute goal from Drew Coverdale was followed by other missed chances, and then a poor second half which saw us just hang on to a 1-1 draw, Scarborough scoring from a penalty. This game saw a first appearance of the year, on the bench, for perma-crocked striker Phil Linacre, which wasn't good news for David Cork, who missed a very good chance when through with just the goalie to beat, leading to the following joke in Mission impossible, Why was the Cork sad? Because he lost his bottle! Boom-boom.
As always please feel free to add your own memories in the comments section to fill in the gaps. Cheers.
Coming up, January: Top o' the league Ma! and Tom Fitzharris!
With Mission Impossible advertising a pantomime "Goldilocks and the Three Mares, featuring Frank Gray, John Borthwick, and Paul Emson", which I think was very harsh on Gray, Darlington started the month at fellow promotion contenders Stockport County. Injuries to Les McJannett, Gray and David Corner meant a makeshift defence including Gary Coatsworth, who scored our goal, as well as Steve Mardenborough and Paul Emson, with player/physio Drew Coverdale on the wing, all of which led to an inauspicious 3-1 defeat described in Mission Impossible as a performance of 88/89 standards.
Having been knocked out of the FA cup, already, Darlo got a week off before playing the 2nd group game of the Leyland DAF trophy, at home against Grimsby Town. This game, played in front of just 1,106 people on a Tuesday night should be memorable for Andy Toman scoring a hat trick, or for the return to first team action of defender Jimmy Willis, or maybe for featuring probably the oldest, slowest, fattest striking partnership in our history, Davids Cork and Geddis. Instead the main talking point and memory is that Grimsby had 2 players sent off, for fighting each other! After receiving their red cards, one player chased the other down the tunnel, leading to rumours of one player sleeping with another's partner, if only the internet existed back then. The 3-1 win meant we advanced form our group along with York City to the next round
The following saturday saw us play again at home, against Torquay in what was one of the matches of the season. Torquay had been the early pace setter in the league, and were still doing well so this had a real top of the table feel to it, and The Quakers came out very much on top with a 3-0 win. The goals came from Coverdale, Toman and John Borthwick, but the star of the show was Lee Ellison, putting in his best first-team performance and giving a brief glimpse of the form that he would display for a fantastic 2 month spell the following season before slipping back to mediocrity before we even had a chance to cash in on him.
This was followed by another home game the next week against Chesterfield and Gary Gill scored to give us the 1-0 win, and with returns from injury for McJannnett and Gray, we now had the back 5 that would see us through the rest of the season, McJanett at RB, Gray at LB, Kevan Smith and Willis at CB and Mick Tait as sweeper.
Our Boxing day game was called off but not before the team and some fans had made the trip all the way down to Aldershot. Insult was added to injury when on the way home, Steve Mardenborough, getting dropped off at the Watford gap services, fell out of the bus. Mardenborough was quoted in an article from the South Wales Echo, reprinted in Mission Impossible saying "I just fell out of it from quite a height. All the lads were laughing and so was my wife. I dared not turn around and look at the bus."
The month ended with a trip to Scarborough, in the rain with no umbrellas allowed, and a first minute goal from Drew Coverdale was followed by other missed chances, and then a poor second half which saw us just hang on to a 1-1 draw, Scarborough scoring from a penalty. This game saw a first appearance of the year, on the bench, for perma-crocked striker Phil Linacre, which wasn't good news for David Cork, who missed a very good chance when through with just the goalie to beat, leading to the following joke in Mission impossible, Why was the Cork sad? Because he lost his bottle! Boom-boom.
As always please feel free to add your own memories in the comments section to fill in the gaps. Cheers.
Coming up, January: Top o' the league Ma! and Tom Fitzharris!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
All I want for Christmas is a full time GM.
So here we are, almost 3 months since the firing of Mo Johnston and Preki, and over a month since über-consultant Jürgen Klinsmann was announced, and after a lot of cuts by Earl Cochrane, we've reached another of the off-season milestone's that can prove helpful in restocking the roster, the re-entry draft.
For the full details of how the two stages work click here, but basically this Wednesday allows team to choose from these players, agreeing to pay the option on their contract, or for those players with no option, making what's known as a bona fide offer, ie something similar to what they're currently earning, which the player can choose to accept or not. Anyone not drafted at all moves on to the second stage next week, where players and clubs can negotiate for whatever price they want. Even if an agreement isn't reached, the club would still have the MLS rights to that drafted player in the future.
Toronto FC's Nick Garcia isn't one of these players by mistake, it's full of players like him, decent players who have earned their contracts in previous years, but whose skills have diminished to the point where they're not worth the salary cap hit those contracts promise them. Most of them could be useful players at a lower cost, so I imagine Wednesday will be quiet and next weeks second stage will see most of the action. However there are players out there who could make a difference for a team that's looking to rebuild, and has a lot of recently created cap space.
So what might TFC, who pick 6th overall do? Juan Pablo Angel, whose option would call for a designated player spot is the biggest name available, and along with Guillermo Barros Schelotto would provide the biggest offensive spark, if only short term for a club that desperately needs it. I really can't see Schelotto happening, but Angel is an intriguing prospect, still a very good goalscorer, but no longer worthy of being a designated player, especially if Dwayne De Rosario gets the upgrade he wants and takes up our 2nd of 3 DP slots. Defensively, the biggest names are Jimmy Conrad, Frankie Hejduk and Gino Padula, though all are getting on in years and very unlikely to go in the first round. A more affordable option would be the signing of Dema Kovalenko, a defensive midfielder who could provide some depth in midfield and allow Nathan Sturgis to be shuffled back to occupy one of the problem full back spots.
All those decisions to be made Wednesday could give a good indication of just how interim Earl Cochrane really is. If there is a higher profile, more experienced GM on the way, then more than likely TFC will pass on the higher contracts on offer tomorrow and wait until next week, thus maintaining the salary cap space and DP slots for the new guy to fill as he wishes on players from outside the league. If he goes out and makes a splash, picking up Angel as a solution to our striking woes, or one of the other higher priced players, then it's very likely that the powers that be will have decided that of all the names suggested to them or headhunted for them by Klinsmann and SoccerSolutions, they think the Cochrane and Jimmy Brennan combo is the best way to go. I really want to believe that that's not the case so I'm hoping for a quiet day from TFC, but the more time goes by, the more imminent the removal of the interim tag seems. It would be nice if the situation gets resolved soon so all the other decisions involved in building the squad, from De Ro's contract to potential new signings can be made with the assurance that it's all part of a longer term plan. Ticken Tocken Jürgen, Ticken Tocken.
EDIT: This really isn't worth it's own post, but TFC didn't pick anyone up, and only 2 players were picked up all round. Next Wednesday should be a bit more active.
For the full details of how the two stages work click here, but basically this Wednesday allows team to choose from these players, agreeing to pay the option on their contract, or for those players with no option, making what's known as a bona fide offer, ie something similar to what they're currently earning, which the player can choose to accept or not. Anyone not drafted at all moves on to the second stage next week, where players and clubs can negotiate for whatever price they want. Even if an agreement isn't reached, the club would still have the MLS rights to that drafted player in the future.
Toronto FC's Nick Garcia isn't one of these players by mistake, it's full of players like him, decent players who have earned their contracts in previous years, but whose skills have diminished to the point where they're not worth the salary cap hit those contracts promise them. Most of them could be useful players at a lower cost, so I imagine Wednesday will be quiet and next weeks second stage will see most of the action. However there are players out there who could make a difference for a team that's looking to rebuild, and has a lot of recently created cap space.
So what might TFC, who pick 6th overall do? Juan Pablo Angel, whose option would call for a designated player spot is the biggest name available, and along with Guillermo Barros Schelotto would provide the biggest offensive spark, if only short term for a club that desperately needs it. I really can't see Schelotto happening, but Angel is an intriguing prospect, still a very good goalscorer, but no longer worthy of being a designated player, especially if Dwayne De Rosario gets the upgrade he wants and takes up our 2nd of 3 DP slots. Defensively, the biggest names are Jimmy Conrad, Frankie Hejduk and Gino Padula, though all are getting on in years and very unlikely to go in the first round. A more affordable option would be the signing of Dema Kovalenko, a defensive midfielder who could provide some depth in midfield and allow Nathan Sturgis to be shuffled back to occupy one of the problem full back spots.
All those decisions to be made Wednesday could give a good indication of just how interim Earl Cochrane really is. If there is a higher profile, more experienced GM on the way, then more than likely TFC will pass on the higher contracts on offer tomorrow and wait until next week, thus maintaining the salary cap space and DP slots for the new guy to fill as he wishes on players from outside the league. If he goes out and makes a splash, picking up Angel as a solution to our striking woes, or one of the other higher priced players, then it's very likely that the powers that be will have decided that of all the names suggested to them or headhunted for them by Klinsmann and SoccerSolutions, they think the Cochrane and Jimmy Brennan combo is the best way to go. I really want to believe that that's not the case so I'm hoping for a quiet day from TFC, but the more time goes by, the more imminent the removal of the interim tag seems. It would be nice if the situation gets resolved soon so all the other decisions involved in building the squad, from De Ro's contract to potential new signings can be made with the assurance that it's all part of a longer term plan. Ticken Tocken Jürgen, Ticken Tocken.
EDIT: This really isn't worth it's own post, but TFC didn't pick anyone up, and only 2 players were picked up all round. Next Wednesday should be a bit more active.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Respect The Coch!
Toronto FC today announced that it will not be picking up the 2011 options on the contracts of Amadou Sanyang, Fuad Ibrahim and, to the relief and joy of many, Nick Garcia. This doesn't automatically mean they've been released, and all of them could potentially be back next year on a renegotiated deal. Garcia, due to his tenure within MLS, enters the new re-entry draft that allows other MLS clubs to pick him up at a 5% increase on his 2010 salary, a very unlikely prospect given that would take him over $200,000 a year. If he passes through the re-entry draft, he's free to negotiate a contract with other teams, or with TFC and be back next year. Sanyang and Ibrahim don't enter the draft, their rights remain with TFC, and even if a new contract isn't agreed, another MLS team would have to trade for the rights to be able to sign them.
I'll admit to being surprised at Sanyang as his contract was very affordable, at $46,000, and given that there's very little wiggle room before hitting the $40,000 minimum salary, it seems obvious he won't be back next year. Not renewing Garcia and Ibrahim, who made $133,000 last year, were probably the easiest decisions ever made by Interim GM Earl Cochrane, but both of them could potentially be back next year. Garcia's game improved last year at full back, and his experience could prove handy next year if he can be brought back at a lower salary, maybe about $50-60,000 to be a back up. I'd like to hope we'll bring in enough good players for him to be very much a bench player. Ibby? Well the last couple of years he's looked lost and he's probably the poster boy for the return of the reserve league, as the potential that saw him drafted at age 15 and sees him still included in the U.S under 20 programme, really looks like its going to waste. Given regular playing time he could improve, so I could see some other club, if not TFC, taking a chance on him at at a much lower rate.
So while it's not guaranteed that any of them will be leaving the club, it's a good sign that they probably will, and that is something that I'm very much OK with. A couple of weeks ago, I listed the players I'd want to see gone, and with this news, every one of them has been let go. So Earl Cochrane, I salute you. While I still hold out hope we'll get someone else in to do the rebuilding part of the job (seriously, the Sturgis trade - the potential of a first round pick swapped for a journeyman jack of all trades defensive player- Preki would have been slaughtered for that) his demolition job so far can't be faulted. Hopefully these will be the last major decisions he makes, so for now, while we have the chance, it's time for us all to embrace our inner Frank TJ Mackey and "Respect The Coch" (Warning, very very nsfw).
I'll admit to being surprised at Sanyang as his contract was very affordable, at $46,000, and given that there's very little wiggle room before hitting the $40,000 minimum salary, it seems obvious he won't be back next year. Not renewing Garcia and Ibrahim, who made $133,000 last year, were probably the easiest decisions ever made by Interim GM Earl Cochrane, but both of them could potentially be back next year. Garcia's game improved last year at full back, and his experience could prove handy next year if he can be brought back at a lower salary, maybe about $50-60,000 to be a back up. I'd like to hope we'll bring in enough good players for him to be very much a bench player. Ibby? Well the last couple of years he's looked lost and he's probably the poster boy for the return of the reserve league, as the potential that saw him drafted at age 15 and sees him still included in the U.S under 20 programme, really looks like its going to waste. Given regular playing time he could improve, so I could see some other club, if not TFC, taking a chance on him at at a much lower rate.
So while it's not guaranteed that any of them will be leaving the club, it's a good sign that they probably will, and that is something that I'm very much OK with. A couple of weeks ago, I listed the players I'd want to see gone, and with this news, every one of them has been let go. So Earl Cochrane, I salute you. While I still hold out hope we'll get someone else in to do the rebuilding part of the job (seriously, the Sturgis trade - the potential of a first round pick swapped for a journeyman jack of all trades defensive player- Preki would have been slaughtered for that) his demolition job so far can't be faulted. Hopefully these will be the last major decisions he makes, so for now, while we have the chance, it's time for us all to embrace our inner Frank TJ Mackey and "Respect The Coch" (Warning, very very nsfw).
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Yep, it's the off season.
After last weeks excitement of expansion drafts, trades and player releases, it's been a fairly slow news week for TFC, one very minor trade that really won't affect things much at all, and a couple of interesting announcements that could potentially have huge ramifications, but probably won't and woudn't be happening for a long time anyway.
The first news item was the trade of Joseph Nane to Colorado for a 3rd round draft pick in 2012, which doesn't really deserve much more than a barely interested meh! I've got nothing against Nane, so best of luck to him, but he was never going to be a major piece in TFC's plans going forward, so a 3rd round pick is probably about right, and maybe even more than I would have expected his value to be. Well done to Earl on that one, the cuttting of last season's dead wood is going well, though I'd still like to see someone permanent in charge before we start adding new players.
The 2nd bit of news was that MLSE head honcho Richard Peddie confirmed he will be resigning in December of 2011. While it did provide a brief "Thank God for that, things have got to get better from here" feeling, nothing's really going to change is it? I'm sure the shareholders were quite satisfied with the returns over the years from all the various different pies that MLSE has it's fingers in and people within MLSE seemed to be lining up to sing his praises, so I'm not getting my hopes up that there'll be any cultural change there. Obviously Leafs and Raptors supporters will have their reason to love or hate him, but looking at things strictly from a TFC perspective, well MLSE did stump up the expansion fee when no-one else was doing it, as well as playing a part in getting BMO Field/National Soccer Stadium built and the other ways that TFC has helped grow the game in Canada. It would be churlish not to acknowledge that, and thank him for whatever role he played in all that, but at the same time, he should take his share of the blame for how things have started to go wrong, especially in the off the pitch side of things where he would have a more direct influence.
This season's "royal screw up" with the 2011 season tickets and all the scrambled apologies and freebies that followed, was the inevitable conclusion to the last few years of aggressive price hikes and exploitation of supporter passion that has so soured the whole "TFC experience". It takes a special talent and focus to be able to turn people off so quickly, to turn such an enthusiastic supporter base, ready to provide a great atmosphere, buy merchandise in huge quantities and propel TFC to be named brand of the year in 2009, into a grumpy bunch who grudgingly renew their tickets, but only after a "cratering" of sales forced MLS Commissioner Don Garber to come up to Toronto and lend a hand, and whose views of the front office range from wary suspicion to outright contempt, all in the space of 4 years. So take a bow, please leave as quickly as you can, I just wish I had even a tiny sliver of confidence that things will improve.
What do you know, that sliver of confidence actually came on Wednesday with the news that Rogers was in negotiations to buy the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan's majority stake in MLSE. Now this is all at a very preliminary stage, and any deal, whether with Rogers or any other company probably won't take effect for a very long time, but it's fun to think of how it could change things. Hopefully rather than being seen as first and foremost profit making enterprises for the Pension Plan, MLSE's teams could instead be seen as loss leaders, not necessarily making a profit themselves, but providing content to drive profits in Rogers media empire, TV channnels, smartphones etc. I'm thinking of how for marketing purposes Red Bull has given the, er, Red Bulls the means to attract Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez, as well as building them a very nice stadium. It's very unlikely that would happen, and more than likely it'd be more of the same, maybe we'd be better off as is, in a "better the devil you know" kind of way, but daydreaming of a more fan friendly and successful ownership group is pretty much all TFC, Raptors and Leafs fans have to keep them going at this stage.
The first news item was the trade of Joseph Nane to Colorado for a 3rd round draft pick in 2012, which doesn't really deserve much more than a barely interested meh! I've got nothing against Nane, so best of luck to him, but he was never going to be a major piece in TFC's plans going forward, so a 3rd round pick is probably about right, and maybe even more than I would have expected his value to be. Well done to Earl on that one, the cuttting of last season's dead wood is going well, though I'd still like to see someone permanent in charge before we start adding new players.
The 2nd bit of news was that MLSE head honcho Richard Peddie confirmed he will be resigning in December of 2011. While it did provide a brief "Thank God for that, things have got to get better from here" feeling, nothing's really going to change is it? I'm sure the shareholders were quite satisfied with the returns over the years from all the various different pies that MLSE has it's fingers in and people within MLSE seemed to be lining up to sing his praises, so I'm not getting my hopes up that there'll be any cultural change there. Obviously Leafs and Raptors supporters will have their reason to love or hate him, but looking at things strictly from a TFC perspective, well MLSE did stump up the expansion fee when no-one else was doing it, as well as playing a part in getting BMO Field/National Soccer Stadium built and the other ways that TFC has helped grow the game in Canada. It would be churlish not to acknowledge that, and thank him for whatever role he played in all that, but at the same time, he should take his share of the blame for how things have started to go wrong, especially in the off the pitch side of things where he would have a more direct influence.
This season's "royal screw up" with the 2011 season tickets and all the scrambled apologies and freebies that followed, was the inevitable conclusion to the last few years of aggressive price hikes and exploitation of supporter passion that has so soured the whole "TFC experience". It takes a special talent and focus to be able to turn people off so quickly, to turn such an enthusiastic supporter base, ready to provide a great atmosphere, buy merchandise in huge quantities and propel TFC to be named brand of the year in 2009, into a grumpy bunch who grudgingly renew their tickets, but only after a "cratering" of sales forced MLS Commissioner Don Garber to come up to Toronto and lend a hand, and whose views of the front office range from wary suspicion to outright contempt, all in the space of 4 years. So take a bow, please leave as quickly as you can, I just wish I had even a tiny sliver of confidence that things will improve.
What do you know, that sliver of confidence actually came on Wednesday with the news that Rogers was in negotiations to buy the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan's majority stake in MLSE. Now this is all at a very preliminary stage, and any deal, whether with Rogers or any other company probably won't take effect for a very long time, but it's fun to think of how it could change things. Hopefully rather than being seen as first and foremost profit making enterprises for the Pension Plan, MLSE's teams could instead be seen as loss leaders, not necessarily making a profit themselves, but providing content to drive profits in Rogers media empire, TV channnels, smartphones etc. I'm thinking of how for marketing purposes Red Bull has given the, er, Red Bulls the means to attract Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez, as well as building them a very nice stadium. It's very unlikely that would happen, and more than likely it'd be more of the same, maybe we'd be better off as is, in a "better the devil you know" kind of way, but daydreaming of a more fan friendly and successful ownership group is pretty much all TFC, Raptors and Leafs fans have to keep them going at this stage.
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Keep Scunthorpe Standing.
As a Darlington supporter, I really don't like Scunthorpe United, way too many bad things have happened there over the years, but a problem is arising for them that deserves more widespread attention and support, which I've only just found out about after reading about it here, at The Two Unfortunates blog.
After the Bradford and Hillsborough disasters in the 1980's, regulations were brought in to English football to make grounds safer, most notably the requirement for all seater stadia. It was recognised that smaller clubs and grounds don't have the same overcrowding issues as the big clubs, so clubs in the lower leagues weren't forced to convert their grounds to all seater, until they'd been at the Championship level for three seasons and Scunthorpe are now about to fall under that designation.
Now, no disrespect intended to Scunthorpe United, but they're not a Championship team, right now they're over-acheiving. Before the first of their recent promotions in 2007, it had been 40 years since they'd been at this level, with most of that time spent in the fourth tier. They were imediately relegated, but after winning promotion back, they just avoided relegation last year to secure a third championship season. They are currently one place ahead of the relegation spots, but if they do stay up again, they will have to put seats on the terrace, or completely rebuild the stand.
Glanford Park, opened in 1988, is more functional than pretty, but with a capacity of just over 9,000 is perfectly suited for a club of Scunthorpe's size, as opposed to the ridiculous 25,000 all seater white elephant that Darlington have been saddled with. Even after the most successful few years in the club's history, attendances are usually around the 6,000 level, so there's plenty of seats available for whoever wants one, along with a bit of extra space if a big game happens, or a large group of travelling supporters needs to be accomodated. More importantly, the stadium doesn't dwarf the regular crowd, and won't even if the attendance dwindles, if and when they slide back down to their usual level, and the terrace is a popular and safe feature of that.
As well as being unpopular, putting in seats is a move that would inhibit Scunthorpe's ability to compete at this level, and could well contribute to their return to the lower leagues, where ironically the terrace would be no problem at all. Putting seats on the terrace, as well as providing a crappy view of the game, would cut capacity by a thousand or so, affecting ticket revenue, and for a team with one of if not the lowest payrolls in the division, that certainly won't help. Another option being discussed would maintain the current capacity by bulding a new bigger stand with seats, but again that would be a very expensive option.
Scunthorpe supporters have joined with the Football Supporters Federation in an effort to bring publicity to the issue and hopefully win a positive resolution. You can get more information on that campaign here, hopefully wiser heads will prevail and Scunthorpe won't be punished for having the most successful run of seasons in their existence.
After the Bradford and Hillsborough disasters in the 1980's, regulations were brought in to English football to make grounds safer, most notably the requirement for all seater stadia. It was recognised that smaller clubs and grounds don't have the same overcrowding issues as the big clubs, so clubs in the lower leagues weren't forced to convert their grounds to all seater, until they'd been at the Championship level for three seasons and Scunthorpe are now about to fall under that designation.
Now, no disrespect intended to Scunthorpe United, but they're not a Championship team, right now they're over-acheiving. Before the first of their recent promotions in 2007, it had been 40 years since they'd been at this level, with most of that time spent in the fourth tier. They were imediately relegated, but after winning promotion back, they just avoided relegation last year to secure a third championship season. They are currently one place ahead of the relegation spots, but if they do stay up again, they will have to put seats on the terrace, or completely rebuild the stand.
Glanford Park, opened in 1988, is more functional than pretty, but with a capacity of just over 9,000 is perfectly suited for a club of Scunthorpe's size, as opposed to the ridiculous 25,000 all seater white elephant that Darlington have been saddled with. Even after the most successful few years in the club's history, attendances are usually around the 6,000 level, so there's plenty of seats available for whoever wants one, along with a bit of extra space if a big game happens, or a large group of travelling supporters needs to be accomodated. More importantly, the stadium doesn't dwarf the regular crowd, and won't even if the attendance dwindles, if and when they slide back down to their usual level, and the terrace is a popular and safe feature of that.
As well as being unpopular, putting in seats is a move that would inhibit Scunthorpe's ability to compete at this level, and could well contribute to their return to the lower leagues, where ironically the terrace would be no problem at all. Putting seats on the terrace, as well as providing a crappy view of the game, would cut capacity by a thousand or so, affecting ticket revenue, and for a team with one of if not the lowest payrolls in the division, that certainly won't help. Another option being discussed would maintain the current capacity by bulding a new bigger stand with seats, but again that would be a very expensive option.
Scunthorpe supporters have joined with the Football Supporters Federation in an effort to bring publicity to the issue and hopefully win a positive resolution. You can get more information on that campaign here, hopefully wiser heads will prevail and Scunthorpe won't be punished for having the most successful run of seasons in their existence.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Hello darkness, my old friend.
Well that was inevitable, after Beating Bristol Rovers, a team 2 divisions above them and after all the effort that went into being able to play the game, and with all sorts of big names waiting in the bag for the 3rd round draw, Darlington did of course lose to fellow Conference side York City. Some things never change. The bucket collection apparently raised about 1300 pounds towards the youth team's Arsenal game so that's something I suppose.
In other results Stevenage completed the Wimbledon before and after double, following up their first round win over Franchise FC with a win over AFC Wimbledon. Swindon Supermarine lost to Colchester, but Dover made it through to the third round for the first time in their history, beating Aldershot 2-0. Other non-league teams making it at least into the draw for the third round with York and Dover were Luton who drew with Charlton, and FC United of Manchester. An injury time penalty save preserved the 1-1 draw at Brighton, so they'll have a replay at home, the latest in a recent succession of "biggest match in their history" moments. Crawley Town also earned a replay against Swindon Town on Friday night, but they're the big spending Man City of non-league football, so a lot less of a heartwarming story. Pity poor Tamworth who almost made it, 2-1 up with 5 minutes left against League One side Carlisle before letting in 2 late goals to lose 3-2. Droylsden don't play Leyton Orient until Monday, so they'll also be in the draw on Sunday.
As for Darlington, well, it's time to drag out the 'concentrate on promotion' cliches now. Sigh.
In other results Stevenage completed the Wimbledon before and after double, following up their first round win over Franchise FC with a win over AFC Wimbledon. Swindon Supermarine lost to Colchester, but Dover made it through to the third round for the first time in their history, beating Aldershot 2-0. Other non-league teams making it at least into the draw for the third round with York and Dover were Luton who drew with Charlton, and FC United of Manchester. An injury time penalty save preserved the 1-1 draw at Brighton, so they'll have a replay at home, the latest in a recent succession of "biggest match in their history" moments. Crawley Town also earned a replay against Swindon Town on Friday night, but they're the big spending Man City of non-league football, so a lot less of a heartwarming story. Pity poor Tamworth who almost made it, 2-1 up with 5 minutes left against League One side Carlisle before letting in 2 late goals to lose 3-2. Droylsden don't play Leyton Orient until Monday, so they'll also be in the draw on Sunday.
As for Darlington, well, it's time to drag out the 'concentrate on promotion' cliches now. Sigh.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Sweet FA Cup, round 2.
Yes, once again it's FA Cup time in England, this time the 2nd round, where all surviving lower league and non-league teams dream of the victory that will take them into the 3rd round and a potential money spinning draw against one of the big boys. This round's small teams getting their moment in the spotlight include Swindon Supermarine a fantastically named team who very nearly went bust in June and are playing away to Colchester United, and Dover whose reward for beating Gillingham in the first round is a home tie against Aldershot. The two highest profile non-league clubs, FC United of Manchester and AFC Wimbledon both face league opposition, away to Brighton and home to Stevenage respectively.
As for Darlington, after upsetting Bristol Rovers, they now face York City at home, and events have conspired to give the match a real nostalgic small club feel. I posted earlier in the week about how the club is looking for donations for the youth team to be able to spend the night in London before they face Arsenal in the FA youth cup, they're still looking by the way, so go ahead and donate. Well the next step in that fundraising effort, to take place at saturday's game is the magnificently old fashioned, small club tactic of the bucket collection. If that doesn't tug at the heart strings enough, after a rough few days weather wise, the collection and the game itself can only take place thanks to the efforts of volounteer fans who helped shovel snow off the pitch (Darlington's ridiculously oversized stadium actually has the pipes for underground heating installed, they just can't afford to use it.). After all that effort, and with a bumper crowd expected, well every long suffering Darlo fan knows what will happen next, expect York to be drawn against Man Utd in the next round.
As for Darlington, after upsetting Bristol Rovers, they now face York City at home, and events have conspired to give the match a real nostalgic small club feel. I posted earlier in the week about how the club is looking for donations for the youth team to be able to spend the night in London before they face Arsenal in the FA youth cup, they're still looking by the way, so go ahead and donate. Well the next step in that fundraising effort, to take place at saturday's game is the magnificently old fashioned, small club tactic of the bucket collection. If that doesn't tug at the heart strings enough, after a rough few days weather wise, the collection and the game itself can only take place thanks to the efforts of volounteer fans who helped shovel snow off the pitch (Darlington's ridiculously oversized stadium actually has the pipes for underground heating installed, they just can't afford to use it.). After all that effort, and with a bumper crowd expected, well every long suffering Darlo fan knows what will happen next, expect York to be drawn against Man Utd in the next round.
No new philosophy, no new GM, but TFC keep on moving.
Fears that TFC's 2 month long wait just to appoint a consultant to help them find their direction in life and a new GM would paralyse the club and leave us falling behind in building next year's team are proving very unfounded as the moves just keep on coming. After Wednesday's loss of O'Brian White to expansion and release of 5 players, and with official confirmation of the Bas Ent signing rumour still pending, a trade was announced on Thursday, Toronto sending their first round pick (8th overall) in the 2011 superdraft to Vancouver Whitecaps in exchange for Nathan Sturgis, who they had just picked up in the expansion draft from Seattle.
Sturgis, 23, has been in MLS for 4 seasons now, and has passed through the expansion draft twice, as that was how Seattle originally picked him up. He formed a partnership with Osvaldo Alonso in Seattle's midfield that helped Seattle to a great second half of the season, and if he could replicate that with Julian De Guzman for the Reds, then this could end up being a very good deal. He can also play at full back, which is definitely a problem position for TFC, so at a salary of $70,000, it seems like a good pick up.
Is the price too high, our first round pick? We probably won't really know the answer to that for a few years when we can see how deep this years draft actually turned out to be. But considering that of the 7 players taken in the expansion draft and subsequently traded, 2 of them, Sanna Nyassi and Alan Gordon were for international player spots, 3 of them, Anthony Wallace, Alejandro Moreno and O'Brian White were for allocation money, and Real Salt Lake gave up only a 2nd round pick, 22nd overall for El Salvador international midfielder Arturo Alvarez, a first round pick does seem to be a bit much.
Overall though I'm reasonably happy with the trade, Sturgis should be a useful player right away for TFC, as opposed to the crapshoot of the draft, but again, much like all the changes made on Wednesday, it's the person making the trade, and what that means going forward that worries me. Fair enough, the Reds are in too much of a mess to be able to stand around and do nothing, and a first round pick is definitely no guarantee of anything, but surely it's the sort of asset that any potential new GM would like to have, to use as he sees fit. The fact that as well as getting rid of last years disappointments, Interim GM Earl Cochrane is now starting the rebuild is a bit alarming to me and suggests further that when all is said and done, the interim will disappear and he'll be the one chosen to implement whatever plan and new philosophy Jürgen Klinsmann identifies for the club. I still can't quite believe that this is what will end up happening, but for those who are ok with it and suggesting Earl's a decent, honest guy, and a smart man who deserves a chance, let me ask a couple of hypothtical questions.
If he had the exact same experience as he has now, but with a different club, and was now available on the free market, would anyone be suggesting TFC should go out and snap him up? No. If Toronto were to release Earl for whatever reason, do you think any other MLS club would be beating down his door to ask him to be their GM? No. So why is he good enough for TFC? Inertia, and 'he's already here so he might as well keep going' can't be good enough reasons to make a full time appointment.
Sturgis, 23, has been in MLS for 4 seasons now, and has passed through the expansion draft twice, as that was how Seattle originally picked him up. He formed a partnership with Osvaldo Alonso in Seattle's midfield that helped Seattle to a great second half of the season, and if he could replicate that with Julian De Guzman for the Reds, then this could end up being a very good deal. He can also play at full back, which is definitely a problem position for TFC, so at a salary of $70,000, it seems like a good pick up.
Is the price too high, our first round pick? We probably won't really know the answer to that for a few years when we can see how deep this years draft actually turned out to be. But considering that of the 7 players taken in the expansion draft and subsequently traded, 2 of them, Sanna Nyassi and Alan Gordon were for international player spots, 3 of them, Anthony Wallace, Alejandro Moreno and O'Brian White were for allocation money, and Real Salt Lake gave up only a 2nd round pick, 22nd overall for El Salvador international midfielder Arturo Alvarez, a first round pick does seem to be a bit much.
Overall though I'm reasonably happy with the trade, Sturgis should be a useful player right away for TFC, as opposed to the crapshoot of the draft, but again, much like all the changes made on Wednesday, it's the person making the trade, and what that means going forward that worries me. Fair enough, the Reds are in too much of a mess to be able to stand around and do nothing, and a first round pick is definitely no guarantee of anything, but surely it's the sort of asset that any potential new GM would like to have, to use as he sees fit. The fact that as well as getting rid of last years disappointments, Interim GM Earl Cochrane is now starting the rebuild is a bit alarming to me and suggests further that when all is said and done, the interim will disappear and he'll be the one chosen to implement whatever plan and new philosophy Jürgen Klinsmann identifies for the club. I still can't quite believe that this is what will end up happening, but for those who are ok with it and suggesting Earl's a decent, honest guy, and a smart man who deserves a chance, let me ask a couple of hypothtical questions.
If he had the exact same experience as he has now, but with a different club, and was now available on the free market, would anyone be suggesting TFC should go out and snap him up? No. If Toronto were to release Earl for whatever reason, do you think any other MLS club would be beating down his door to ask him to be their GM? No. So why is he good enough for TFC? Inertia, and 'he's already here so he might as well keep going' can't be good enough reasons to make a full time appointment.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Tell me how am I supposed to live without you?
Darth Vader takes the Raivas Hscanovics news badly!
Alright, so the off season is well and truly under way, starting with an all action expansion draft. Vancouver picked their ten players and then promptly traded 4 of them away, for international player spots and allocation money, which given how American players are no longer considered internationals for the Canadian clubs, suggests they've got something up their sleeve that's better than MLS castoffs. Portland also traded away two of their picks for allocation money and a 2011 superdraft pick, one of which was Anthony Wallace, the Colorado full back, who they sold back to the Rapids, in a pre-arranged deal that also allowed Colorado to put Wells Thompson back into their protected list, and thus maintain the core of their cup winning side. Colorado also picked up Seattle winger Sanna Nyassi via Vancouver, which when combined with Omar Cummings and Macoumba Kandji gives them three very fast and tricky players to work around Conor Casey, in what could be a very exciting attack next year.
There was only one TFC player taken and the big surprise for Reds fans was that O'Brian White was that man, picked by Vancouver and later traded to Seattle for allocation money. What exactly was Seattle thinking?
“O’Brian is a forward with good pace and size” head coach Sigi Schmid said. “He adds another option for us in our desire to be a club that scores goals.”
Owner/GM Adrian Hanauer said. “O’Brian had a tremendous college career and he adds depth and competition at the forward position. He can strike from distance with both feet and is a player that can be impact on our roster.”Can be impact? I presume that's just a transcription error, but if not, well there's your answer TFC fans, they were drunk. Part of me wants to be fatalistic and say that White is now bound to become another player who does well after leaving and will score an important goal against TFC at least once next year, but I really can't figure out how that could possibly happen.
After those formalities were out of the way, teams were free to start releasing their unwanted players, and TFC jumped into that with a lot of enthusiasm for a club that is still waiting to find out what it's philosophy and direction are. Gabe Gala, Raivas Hscanovics, Maxim Usanov, Martin Saric and Mista were all let go, and all passed through the waiver draft to become full free agents available to any MLS club who might want them.
Saric had moments where he looked useful, but hopefully we won't be playing more than one defensive midfielder next year, so he'd definitely be behind De Guzman and Sanyang for that role and therefore not worth keeping around. Usanov also had his moments last year, but at over $100,000 was taking up way too much cap space for a player of his sporadic talents. Hscanovics and Mista? Don't care at all about either of them, and Gabe Gala? Well it's a shame to see a young local kid who's been with the club since 2007 go, but he never really looked like breaking into the first team at all, at least he'll always have Real Madrid.
So some quick and necessary thinning of last year's pitiful herd, with a few more decisions to come soon, Interim Gm Earl Cochrane confirming in a media conference call that they have 7 or 8 players whose options would need to be renewed or not by November 30th. He also stated quite firmly that Dwayne de Rosario will be with TFC next season, and with reports saying that Bas Ent has already signed a deal with the club, it seems that they aren't letting the lack of a permanent management team get in the way of the decision making.
While in a way that's a good thing, it's also a bit disconcerting. At the time of his press conference, Jürgen Klinsmann's remark that "maybe the right guys are already here" drew a snort of derision from me, but I was cynically resigned to the fact that Earl and Jimmy Brennan would probably be forced on to the new guy as assistants. Now, with them so decisively starting the remodelling of the squad, that thought is growing into the fear that this is it, that 'EarlandJimmy' is our braintrust going forward, that Jürgen has come in and just told them what a great job they're doing and to carry on. I hope I'm wrong, I wouldn't argue with any of the decisions made today, and won't be shedding any tears for the departed, but lettting players go is the easy part, rebuilding will hopefully be the responsibility of someone else.
Won't somebody please think of the children.
As a fan of the idiosyncracies and charms of small teams in general, well it would be wrong of me not to point this out and give it my support, and the fact that it's Darlington makes it even better.
Darlo's youth team have got through to the third round of the FA youth cup, where they'll be taking on the might of Arsenal on December 1st. Big game, great experience for the lads and all that, even if it is being played at Barnet, and it would be great if they could get a result, so they want to go down to London the night before to make sure they're well rested. Problem is, they can't afford to, so the Darlington Supporters trust is soliciting donations to pay for the hotel. So if you like to support small teams, or just want to spitefully stick it to Arsenal, they don't care about your motivation, click the link and go donate.
Darlo's youth team have got through to the third round of the FA youth cup, where they'll be taking on the might of Arsenal on December 1st. Big game, great experience for the lads and all that, even if it is being played at Barnet, and it would be great if they could get a result, so they want to go down to London the night before to make sure they're well rested. Problem is, they can't afford to, so the Darlington Supporters trust is soliciting donations to pay for the hotel. So if you like to support small teams, or just want to spitefully stick it to Arsenal, they don't care about your motivation, click the link and go donate.
Scummy assholes, or friendly and generous?
So the MLS Cup weekend has come and gone and now we're left with the reports and reviews, or in this case, a review of the reviews.
With the game itself not being fantastic, a lot of opinion has focussed on the part TFC fans played. One opinion is represented in this Big Soccer article which rather dramatically suggests "Toronto FC fans are officially the biggest bunch of scum, frauds, jokes, and assholes I've ever seen in the history of MLS." This sweeeping generalisation of all TFC fans is based on the "fact" that some TFC fans left early as a way of protesting MLSE. While undoubtedly many fans left early for whatever reason, and there were many empty seats by the end of the game, it's a very small minority who would have done so as a protest, most people who were still angry enough probably didn't even go in the first place, which is definitely a shame as I agree with the opinion it wasn't the right time and place for a protest, but to tar everyone with the same brush is more than a bit ridiculous.
A very different viewpoint is expressed in this letter from Portland Timbers supporters, posted on the Red Patch Boys forum, thanking supporters for their friendliness and generosity and putting on a great weekend. Of course other TFC supporters groups played their part in organising different events, pub crawls and get togethers over the weekend, including the supporters summit, and hosting Dallas and Colorado fans for pre and post game drinks.
So which is true, are TFC fans the petulant crybabies who spoiled MLS Cup weekend for their own selfish purposes in order to embarass MLSE? Or are they the generous hosts, eager to show their visitors a good time and foster goodwill among travelling supporters from all across the league? Well the obvious answer is neither of those options, and both of them.
I'm going to take a guess here and say that the writer of the first linked article didn't actually visit Toronto, and instead just watched the game on TV, and though I haven't watched the game again yet, despite PVRing it on both GOL TV and TSN2, I can imagine it didn't make for the most captivating spectacle. At kick off, the stadium looked fuller than it usually does at the beginning of TFC games, but that number slowly dwindled, as fans gave in to the cold, caught trains or beat traffic, and only a small percentage stayed around for the trophy presentation.
The atmosphere was muted, and if it wasn't for Marvell Wynne and especially Jeff Cunningham, would have been even more so. The 100-200 travelling supporters from both Colorado and Dallas certainly did their part, and kudos to them for making it out here, but for the Toronto crowd the lack of a team to really love or hate meant that the atmosphere was always going to reflect the game, which unfortunately didn't provide the excitement needed to ignite much fervour. It could have been better, the 2008 all star game at BMO started with a similar subdued atmosphere amid talk of protests, but by the second half the quality attacking play and tight scoreline meant that despite the lack of any real chanting, there was the definite buzz of a knowledgeable crowd that had been sucked into a good football game.
I'd hesitate to say it was just about the game though, the attendance and atmosphere have steadily been getting worse over the last couple of years at games TFC is involved in as well. The fact is that after 4 years, the novelty has worn off, and the continued mediocrity on the pitch and feeling of exploitation by the front office has drained the enthusiasm of many of the more casual fans. Add in the confusingly small effort made by MLS and MLSE to promote the game to the more casual unconnnected fan, and it's not really a surprise that that buzz wasn't repeated. So while it is ridiculously over the top to say TFC fans are the biggest bunch of scum...etc, the "best fans in MLS" tag that still gets thrown around really doesn't apply to TFC fans as a whole any more either.
Where TFC suporters did prove themselves though over the weekend is in the strength of the hardcore minority. The events that were organised and staffed by supporter volounteers were truly worthy of applause, and the welcoming of opposition supporters at both formal and informal events was genuine and enthusiastic, building bridges with a "we're all on the same side really" feeling. So thanks to all who organised and attended events and showed TFC fans can throw a hell of a party.
Scum, frauds, jokes, and assholes? Nope. Best fans in MLS? Nope, not any more. Best supporters groups? Well, TFC is definitely very much still in the running for that one.
With the game itself not being fantastic, a lot of opinion has focussed on the part TFC fans played. One opinion is represented in this Big Soccer article which rather dramatically suggests "Toronto FC fans are officially the biggest bunch of scum, frauds, jokes, and assholes I've ever seen in the history of MLS." This sweeeping generalisation of all TFC fans is based on the "fact" that some TFC fans left early as a way of protesting MLSE. While undoubtedly many fans left early for whatever reason, and there were many empty seats by the end of the game, it's a very small minority who would have done so as a protest, most people who were still angry enough probably didn't even go in the first place, which is definitely a shame as I agree with the opinion it wasn't the right time and place for a protest, but to tar everyone with the same brush is more than a bit ridiculous.
A very different viewpoint is expressed in this letter from Portland Timbers supporters, posted on the Red Patch Boys forum, thanking supporters for their friendliness and generosity and putting on a great weekend. Of course other TFC supporters groups played their part in organising different events, pub crawls and get togethers over the weekend, including the supporters summit, and hosting Dallas and Colorado fans for pre and post game drinks.
So which is true, are TFC fans the petulant crybabies who spoiled MLS Cup weekend for their own selfish purposes in order to embarass MLSE? Or are they the generous hosts, eager to show their visitors a good time and foster goodwill among travelling supporters from all across the league? Well the obvious answer is neither of those options, and both of them.
I'm going to take a guess here and say that the writer of the first linked article didn't actually visit Toronto, and instead just watched the game on TV, and though I haven't watched the game again yet, despite PVRing it on both GOL TV and TSN2, I can imagine it didn't make for the most captivating spectacle. At kick off, the stadium looked fuller than it usually does at the beginning of TFC games, but that number slowly dwindled, as fans gave in to the cold, caught trains or beat traffic, and only a small percentage stayed around for the trophy presentation.
The atmosphere was muted, and if it wasn't for Marvell Wynne and especially Jeff Cunningham, would have been even more so. The 100-200 travelling supporters from both Colorado and Dallas certainly did their part, and kudos to them for making it out here, but for the Toronto crowd the lack of a team to really love or hate meant that the atmosphere was always going to reflect the game, which unfortunately didn't provide the excitement needed to ignite much fervour. It could have been better, the 2008 all star game at BMO started with a similar subdued atmosphere amid talk of protests, but by the second half the quality attacking play and tight scoreline meant that despite the lack of any real chanting, there was the definite buzz of a knowledgeable crowd that had been sucked into a good football game.
I'd hesitate to say it was just about the game though, the attendance and atmosphere have steadily been getting worse over the last couple of years at games TFC is involved in as well. The fact is that after 4 years, the novelty has worn off, and the continued mediocrity on the pitch and feeling of exploitation by the front office has drained the enthusiasm of many of the more casual fans. Add in the confusingly small effort made by MLS and MLSE to promote the game to the more casual unconnnected fan, and it's not really a surprise that that buzz wasn't repeated. So while it is ridiculously over the top to say TFC fans are the biggest bunch of scum...etc, the "best fans in MLS" tag that still gets thrown around really doesn't apply to TFC fans as a whole any more either.
Where TFC suporters did prove themselves though over the weekend is in the strength of the hardcore minority. The events that were organised and staffed by supporter volounteers were truly worthy of applause, and the welcoming of opposition supporters at both formal and informal events was genuine and enthusiastic, building bridges with a "we're all on the same side really" feeling. So thanks to all who organised and attended events and showed TFC fans can throw a hell of a party.
Scum, frauds, jokes, and assholes? Nope. Best fans in MLS? Nope, not any more. Best supporters groups? Well, TFC is definitely very much still in the running for that one.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Don't let the door hit you on the way out.
Now the MLS Cup final is over, the off season got quickly under way with the release of the protected and unprotected lists that Vancouver and Portland get to sift through and pick from in the expansion draft.
A lot of teams seemed to take the view that those 2 teams wouldn't pick up the higher priced players, meaning some big names were left unprotected. Designated players Freddie Ljungberg, Nery Castillo, Geovanni, Juan Pablo Angel, and Blaise Nkufo all joined TFC's Mista and Julian De Guzman in the available pile, meaning there's some interesting choices to be made when the draft happens on Wednesday. I have no idea how much authority Interim Gm Earl Cochrane and Assistant Jim Brennan have to be making decisions before Jürgen Klinsmann figures out what type of club TFC's going to be, but I could definitely get behind some kind of sign and trade deal to bring Nkufo to town, or even Collins John, also left exposed by Chicago, who would be a bit of a risk, but with a lot of potential.
As for who's on TFC's list, here it is in full.
Chad Barrett
Julian De Guzman
Gabe Gala
Nick Garcia
Raivas Hscanovics
Fuad Ibrahim
Milos Kocic
Mista
Joseph Nane
Amadou Sanyang
Martin Saric
Maxim Usanov
O'Brian White
Obviously the big name there is Julian De Guzman, though I imagine no other MLS club would want to be paying him that much money, hell, even hometown TFC probably don't want to pay him that much any more. Chad Barrett is the biggest name with a chance of going, especially with his family ties to the West Coast. On the one hand I hope it doesn't happen, I really like Chad Barrett, even in 2009 he was one of my favourite players, and after increasing his scoring rate this year, he's become a very valuable member of the squad. On the other hand though, he is probably paid too much, and for the money he's set to earn, we should be able to find a player of equal or greater value, whether at striker or a different position.
I'd say the player most likely to be picked up is Amadou Sanyang, relatively cheap, young and athletic with the physicality needed for MLS, even if his passsing skills certainly have room for development. Martin Saric and Milos Kocic would also be possibilities, but I really can't see any of the other players being considered by anyone else.
This is of course just the first step in what should be a very interesting off season for TFC, or at least could be if and when we get around to appointing a new management team, or even just annointing the current one with the permanent role. It will be interesting to see which of these players who don't get drafted and which of those on the protected list will stay with the club, or are quietly shuffled off to the glue factory or move on to greener pastures. Here's who I'd like to see stay from the current roster.
Goalkeeper
Frei. A no-brainer really, unless a trade to Europe happens, he's the obvious first choice goalie.
Conway. A competent back up and apparently a great guy to have in the dressing room.
Kocic. A promising young kid who should get plenty of time in the reserve league, or on loan to the CSL again to develop further, one for the future.
Defence.
Cann. Team MVP ahead of De Rosario is maybe a bit much, but he had a great year, and will hopefully get the raise he deserves and stay. Would make a great captain, though I can't see De Ro taking that well.
Attakora. Reportedly turned down contract extensions over the past year so may be looking to explore his options overseas, but hopefully can be persuaded to stay.
Harden. Competent back up for Cann and Attakora.
Henry. Having the reserve league back is huge for youngsters such as him, hopefully he'll play a lot there with occasional first team appearances here and there, and be ready to step into the starting line up a year or two down the line.
Gargan. A solid if unspectacular minimum wage player who can cover a bunch of positions and is popular with the fans. Well worth keeping.
Gomez. Back in 2009 he showed promise before missing all of last year, deserves a chance to show what he can do.
Morgan. Bring him up form the academy, then like Henry, let him play in the reserve league and develop further, with the occasional first team appearance.
Midfield
De Guzman. Probably untradeable with his contract anyway, he deserves to stay around. Should a DM be a DP? Not really, but De Guzman should play his natural game, he looked at his worst last year when trying to be too ambitious with his passing, as if he was trying too hard to prove he could be a playmaker. As a defensive player, and someone to make himself available for a pass and transition the ball from defence to midfield, he's not bad at all.
De Rosario. Obviously depends on how his contract talks go, can be too selfish at times, but you can't argue with 15 goals.
Sanyang. Needs to improve his passing, but could grow to be a very good destructive DM in this league.
Peterson. I'd hope he's not our first choice winger next year, but showed enough under Dasovic to be a good back up or second winger depending on our formation. Ideally we can keep him for less money than last year to play that role.
Lindsay. Showed great promise last year, hopefully can keep it going and establish himself ahead of Peterson in the pecking order, if he struggles, the reseve league is there to give him the necessary playing time.
Labrocca. Another decent back up, who I'd hope won't be part of the starting line up, but can come in and do a job when asked.
Forwards.
Barrett. Ideally he'd be getting less money, but proved he can be a valuable player, an injury free season would be nice as well.
Santos. Showed some good skill either side of his summer injury. Ideally one of Barrett and he would be up front alongside some as yet unknown star striker with the other as backup.
A lot of that list is strictly back up quality, if more than Frei, Cann, Attakora, De Guzman, De Rosario and either one of Barrett and Santos are part of our regular starting line-up next year, we'll be in trouble. We could do with increasing the starting quality at every position except goal and Centre back. I'd say our most pressing needs are at both full back positions, a good winger (Nyassi from Seattle is on the unprotected list, I'd dangle a draft pick at someone to pick him up) and a top class forward. It would be a bonus if any of the academy kids or recent graduates can step up right away to be starters, but I really hope we're not counting on that.
As for the rest, Garcia, Hscanovics, Usanov, Gala, Nane, Saric, White, Ibrahim and especially Mista, hopefully we'll be saying goodbye and good luck to them.
A lot of teams seemed to take the view that those 2 teams wouldn't pick up the higher priced players, meaning some big names were left unprotected. Designated players Freddie Ljungberg, Nery Castillo, Geovanni, Juan Pablo Angel, and Blaise Nkufo all joined TFC's Mista and Julian De Guzman in the available pile, meaning there's some interesting choices to be made when the draft happens on Wednesday. I have no idea how much authority Interim Gm Earl Cochrane and Assistant Jim Brennan have to be making decisions before Jürgen Klinsmann figures out what type of club TFC's going to be, but I could definitely get behind some kind of sign and trade deal to bring Nkufo to town, or even Collins John, also left exposed by Chicago, who would be a bit of a risk, but with a lot of potential.
As for who's on TFC's list, here it is in full.
Chad Barrett
Julian De Guzman
Gabe Gala
Nick Garcia
Raivas Hscanovics
Fuad Ibrahim
Milos Kocic
Mista
Joseph Nane
Amadou Sanyang
Martin Saric
Maxim Usanov
O'Brian White
Obviously the big name there is Julian De Guzman, though I imagine no other MLS club would want to be paying him that much money, hell, even hometown TFC probably don't want to pay him that much any more. Chad Barrett is the biggest name with a chance of going, especially with his family ties to the West Coast. On the one hand I hope it doesn't happen, I really like Chad Barrett, even in 2009 he was one of my favourite players, and after increasing his scoring rate this year, he's become a very valuable member of the squad. On the other hand though, he is probably paid too much, and for the money he's set to earn, we should be able to find a player of equal or greater value, whether at striker or a different position.
I'd say the player most likely to be picked up is Amadou Sanyang, relatively cheap, young and athletic with the physicality needed for MLS, even if his passsing skills certainly have room for development. Martin Saric and Milos Kocic would also be possibilities, but I really can't see any of the other players being considered by anyone else.
This is of course just the first step in what should be a very interesting off season for TFC, or at least could be if and when we get around to appointing a new management team, or even just annointing the current one with the permanent role. It will be interesting to see which of these players who don't get drafted and which of those on the protected list will stay with the club, or are quietly shuffled off to the glue factory or move on to greener pastures. Here's who I'd like to see stay from the current roster.
Goalkeeper
Frei. A no-brainer really, unless a trade to Europe happens, he's the obvious first choice goalie.
Conway. A competent back up and apparently a great guy to have in the dressing room.
Kocic. A promising young kid who should get plenty of time in the reserve league, or on loan to the CSL again to develop further, one for the future.
Defence.
Cann. Team MVP ahead of De Rosario is maybe a bit much, but he had a great year, and will hopefully get the raise he deserves and stay. Would make a great captain, though I can't see De Ro taking that well.
Attakora. Reportedly turned down contract extensions over the past year so may be looking to explore his options overseas, but hopefully can be persuaded to stay.
Harden. Competent back up for Cann and Attakora.
Henry. Having the reserve league back is huge for youngsters such as him, hopefully he'll play a lot there with occasional first team appearances here and there, and be ready to step into the starting line up a year or two down the line.
Gargan. A solid if unspectacular minimum wage player who can cover a bunch of positions and is popular with the fans. Well worth keeping.
Gomez. Back in 2009 he showed promise before missing all of last year, deserves a chance to show what he can do.
Morgan. Bring him up form the academy, then like Henry, let him play in the reserve league and develop further, with the occasional first team appearance.
Midfield
De Guzman. Probably untradeable with his contract anyway, he deserves to stay around. Should a DM be a DP? Not really, but De Guzman should play his natural game, he looked at his worst last year when trying to be too ambitious with his passing, as if he was trying too hard to prove he could be a playmaker. As a defensive player, and someone to make himself available for a pass and transition the ball from defence to midfield, he's not bad at all.
De Rosario. Obviously depends on how his contract talks go, can be too selfish at times, but you can't argue with 15 goals.
Sanyang. Needs to improve his passing, but could grow to be a very good destructive DM in this league.
Peterson. I'd hope he's not our first choice winger next year, but showed enough under Dasovic to be a good back up or second winger depending on our formation. Ideally we can keep him for less money than last year to play that role.
Lindsay. Showed great promise last year, hopefully can keep it going and establish himself ahead of Peterson in the pecking order, if he struggles, the reseve league is there to give him the necessary playing time.
Labrocca. Another decent back up, who I'd hope won't be part of the starting line up, but can come in and do a job when asked.
Forwards.
Barrett. Ideally he'd be getting less money, but proved he can be a valuable player, an injury free season would be nice as well.
Santos. Showed some good skill either side of his summer injury. Ideally one of Barrett and he would be up front alongside some as yet unknown star striker with the other as backup.
A lot of that list is strictly back up quality, if more than Frei, Cann, Attakora, De Guzman, De Rosario and either one of Barrett and Santos are part of our regular starting line-up next year, we'll be in trouble. We could do with increasing the starting quality at every position except goal and Centre back. I'd say our most pressing needs are at both full back positions, a good winger (Nyassi from Seattle is on the unprotected list, I'd dangle a draft pick at someone to pick him up) and a top class forward. It would be a bonus if any of the academy kids or recent graduates can step up right away to be starters, but I really hope we're not counting on that.
As for the rest, Garcia, Hscanovics, Usanov, Gala, Nane, Saric, White, Ibrahim and especially Mista, hopefully we'll be saying goodbye and good luck to them.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
MLS Cup thoughts
When faced with supporter backlash over the automatic inclusion of the MLS Cup final in the 2011 season ticket package, Tom Anselmi, Paul Beirne and co expressed surprise and admitted being caught out by the reaction. They stated that they saw it as a reward for TFC supporters, and thought it would be embraced and welcomed by the city's enthusiastic football community. Obviously, as we all know it didn't quite work out that way, and with hindsight, making the purchase optional might have been wise, but I for one always did feel that way. I was excited when it was announced, and when it was made known it would be part of the package, I didn't mind at all, I was happy to have my guaranteed seats at a reasonable price, and there was never a question for me that I'd be attending, even before all the apologies and townhalls and concessions that followed the cratering (MLS Commissioner Don Garber's word at the Supporters Summit) of the renewal percentage. So first of all thanks to MLS and MLSE for bringing the game here.
My enthusiasm waned a little with the dismal end to TFC's season, and then the playoffs really didn't work out all that well. The teams I would have liked to see win got knocked out, as did the high profile teams and the teams I would have loved to watch lose, and we ended up with the MehLS Cup final of Dallas and Colorado. Combined with the puzzling lack of hype and promotion, and ensuing lack of buzz in the city, and it looked like it was going to be a disappointment, I'd still go to the game, I'd be cheering for Colorado but my heart wasn't really in it.
Over the last few days though, my interest and excitement has been renewed. Though I'm sure it hasn't really reached the general public, there's been a lot of extra buzz, I've really enjoyed the MLS Cup Classics series and extra programming on GOL TV. Mainly though it's the events that have been going on around town, organised by TFC supporters groups, open to and attended by supporters from Colorado, Dallas, and all the other MLS cities. So a huge thanks to everyone who organised or volounteered or spread the word about all those events. A friend's shotgun wedding stopped me from attending as many events as I would have liked, but from reading about them, and from attending the Supporter's summit this morning, it's clear there's a great sense of camerarderie between supporters from different cities, a real sense of being in it together and sharing a common goal. It's a very similar feeling I got when I was at games in Seattle and Chivas, where supporters were very friendly and welcoming.
Obviously this comes from MLS still being a very young and very small league within the North American sporting landscape, one that needs to be grown through mutual respect and co-operation. It's in the interests of any individual set of supporters that the rest of the league remains healthy and develops further. The teams or supporter experience can be fantastic in one city, but without the rest of the league also improving, it would be rather pointless.
Which is why I'm hoping that tonight's game will be well attended. Obviously some people will have very good reasons not to atttend, and the late start time and potential bad weather will put off some other fans as well. But many fans have talked about not going, and leaving their seats empty as a protest against MLSE, as a way to embarass them at their showpiece event. I understand supporters' anger at how TFC's lack of success has been combined with ever increasing ticket prices and exploitation of the atmosphere the supporters bring, and other protests have certainly been effective. I just don't think this is a good venue to be protesting further, this game isn't really about TFC or MLSE, it's about MLS. Many supporters have come to Toronto from all over North America, to enjoy all the festivities, the climax of which should be the MLS Cup, for TFC fans to metaphorically piss all over that for the sake of proving a point would be a terrible shame.
If attendance is weak, it'll lead to accusations that Toronto isn't really a good soccer city, instead it's just a good TFC market. I imagine anyone that's not going to the game as a protest, or simply because TFC isn't playing won't really care about those charges, which in a way actually proves the point. All I know is that if I were a supporter of another team, I wouldn't want to hear the oft repeated "TFC has the best supporters in the league" mantra again.
Hopefully that won't be an issue and those season ticket holders who have tickets will actually come out to enjoy the game, I guess we'll see soon. As for the game itself, I'll predict a tight game, with Colorado winning 2-1 in extra time, Omar Cummings with the winning goal.
Post game edit: well, I got the score right. All in all a decent night, the crowd was respectable if far from a sellout, the game wasn't a classic by any means, but Jeff Cunningham missing a chance to tie it at the death was satisfying, and the MVP being awarded to Casey Conor was very amusing. The most alarming part of the night was seeing Mo Johnston in one of the corporate boxes (ballsily enough the one right behind the North End Elite) hanging out with Nick Dasovic, Leo Percovich and others.
My enthusiasm waned a little with the dismal end to TFC's season, and then the playoffs really didn't work out all that well. The teams I would have liked to see win got knocked out, as did the high profile teams and the teams I would have loved to watch lose, and we ended up with the MehLS Cup final of Dallas and Colorado. Combined with the puzzling lack of hype and promotion, and ensuing lack of buzz in the city, and it looked like it was going to be a disappointment, I'd still go to the game, I'd be cheering for Colorado but my heart wasn't really in it.
Over the last few days though, my interest and excitement has been renewed. Though I'm sure it hasn't really reached the general public, there's been a lot of extra buzz, I've really enjoyed the MLS Cup Classics series and extra programming on GOL TV. Mainly though it's the events that have been going on around town, organised by TFC supporters groups, open to and attended by supporters from Colorado, Dallas, and all the other MLS cities. So a huge thanks to everyone who organised or volounteered or spread the word about all those events. A friend's shotgun wedding stopped me from attending as many events as I would have liked, but from reading about them, and from attending the Supporter's summit this morning, it's clear there's a great sense of camerarderie between supporters from different cities, a real sense of being in it together and sharing a common goal. It's a very similar feeling I got when I was at games in Seattle and Chivas, where supporters were very friendly and welcoming.
Obviously this comes from MLS still being a very young and very small league within the North American sporting landscape, one that needs to be grown through mutual respect and co-operation. It's in the interests of any individual set of supporters that the rest of the league remains healthy and develops further. The teams or supporter experience can be fantastic in one city, but without the rest of the league also improving, it would be rather pointless.
Which is why I'm hoping that tonight's game will be well attended. Obviously some people will have very good reasons not to atttend, and the late start time and potential bad weather will put off some other fans as well. But many fans have talked about not going, and leaving their seats empty as a protest against MLSE, as a way to embarass them at their showpiece event. I understand supporters' anger at how TFC's lack of success has been combined with ever increasing ticket prices and exploitation of the atmosphere the supporters bring, and other protests have certainly been effective. I just don't think this is a good venue to be protesting further, this game isn't really about TFC or MLSE, it's about MLS. Many supporters have come to Toronto from all over North America, to enjoy all the festivities, the climax of which should be the MLS Cup, for TFC fans to metaphorically piss all over that for the sake of proving a point would be a terrible shame.
If attendance is weak, it'll lead to accusations that Toronto isn't really a good soccer city, instead it's just a good TFC market. I imagine anyone that's not going to the game as a protest, or simply because TFC isn't playing won't really care about those charges, which in a way actually proves the point. All I know is that if I were a supporter of another team, I wouldn't want to hear the oft repeated "TFC has the best supporters in the league" mantra again.
Hopefully that won't be an issue and those season ticket holders who have tickets will actually come out to enjoy the game, I guess we'll see soon. As for the game itself, I'll predict a tight game, with Colorado winning 2-1 in extra time, Omar Cummings with the winning goal.
Post game edit: well, I got the score right. All in all a decent night, the crowd was respectable if far from a sellout, the game wasn't a classic by any means, but Jeff Cunningham missing a chance to tie it at the death was satisfying, and the MVP being awarded to Casey Conor was very amusing. The most alarming part of the night was seeing Mo Johnston in one of the corporate boxes (ballsily enough the one right behind the North End Elite) hanging out with Nick Dasovic, Leo Percovich and others.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Marvell Wynne, Marvell Wynne, flying down the wing.
The unavoidable juggernaut that is the MLS Cup hype machine is again turning the focus of the world's media to Marvell Wynne, with this publicity stunt set for Friday, based around lighting up the CN Tower. So I figured I'd join in by reliving some of his best moments with TFC, at least the ones available on youtube.
I'll start with his first goal for TFC, from September 2008 against Houston. Go to 1:51 to see the goal, a great dribble, cutting in from the right wing, owning Dwayne De Rosario in the process, and then a great shot into the far corner. This video also features Hunter Freeman's comedy own goal, starting at 1:15, if you want to take that in again.
This is probably my favourite Marvell moment, his assist on Danny Dichio's goal against Colorado, featuring a nutmeg, a well sold dummy, and a good low cross for Dichio. And why not get nostalgic for 2007 by watching the whole thing, top ten goals of 2007.
He seemed to like playing against his current club, getting another assist here with yet another run down the wing and cross, this time for De Rosario, at 0:34 of this video. Also at about 2:45, you see the rarity of an O'Brian White goal, a really nice finish as well.
This is his other TFC goal, and it's another spectacular one, against Dallas in 2008, using his speed to get behind the defence, running on to a through ball, and chipping the goalie from about 30 yards out, at 2:50. Keep watching to see John Carver have a bit of a meltdown at the end.
Thanks for the memories Marvell, keep your hands down on Sunday.
I'll start with his first goal for TFC, from September 2008 against Houston. Go to 1:51 to see the goal, a great dribble, cutting in from the right wing, owning Dwayne De Rosario in the process, and then a great shot into the far corner. This video also features Hunter Freeman's comedy own goal, starting at 1:15, if you want to take that in again.
This is probably my favourite Marvell moment, his assist on Danny Dichio's goal against Colorado, featuring a nutmeg, a well sold dummy, and a good low cross for Dichio. And why not get nostalgic for 2007 by watching the whole thing, top ten goals of 2007.
He seemed to like playing against his current club, getting another assist here with yet another run down the wing and cross, this time for De Rosario, at 0:34 of this video. Also at about 2:45, you see the rarity of an O'Brian White goal, a really nice finish as well.
This is his other TFC goal, and it's another spectacular one, against Dallas in 2008, using his speed to get behind the defence, running on to a through ball, and chipping the goalie from about 30 yards out, at 2:50. Keep watching to see John Carver have a bit of a meltdown at the end.
Thanks for the memories Marvell, keep your hands down on Sunday.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Conor Casey MLS Cup message to Toronto
As you may be aware, in advance of the MLS Cup in Toronto, MLS had all the former TFC players involved do a little promo, to encourage Toronto fans to attend. Marvell Wynne's did actually see the light of day, and you can see the transcript of Jeff Cunningham's less successful attempt here. In another Cruel Geography exclusive, here's the details of the never to be seen Conor Casey promo.
Scene: Inside the Rapids media room, Conor Casey stands in front of a big MLS Cup advertising board and waits for the cameraman to give him the go ahead.
Casey: Me,me,me,me,me,meeee. La,la,la,la,la,laaaaa. Nope.
Casey extravagantly clears his throat, does his 'lemon-face, lion-face' routine, takes a deep breath and starts again.
Casey: Me,me,me,me,meeee. La,la,la,la,la,laaaaaa. Alright, that's much better. How's my make up looking? My head's not too shiny?
Off-screen, a bored looking Rapids pr guy gives him a thumbs up.
Casey: What's this for anyway? MLS Cup? Cool. We ready to go?
The Cameraman nods and starts counting down, 5, 4, 3...
Casey: Alright, roll the autocue.... Hi, what's up Toronto! This is Conor Casey of the Colorado Rapids, formerly of TFC, and I'm really excited to be coming back to BMO field for.....Wait, this is for Toronto? Fuck that!
Casey turns away and starts struggling to remove his mike, and starts talking to the pr guy off screen who is inaudible.
Casey: I don't care!.......Fuck Toronto! (turns back to camera, and gives screen the finger) Fuck you Toronto!......What?........I don't know, have Garber give them some allocation money, Get Joseph Fucking Lapira to do it, or Riley O'Neill. I don't care, I'm out. Why can't we play this thing in the States?
Casey successfully removes his mike and storms off, the camera swings round to a now stunned looking and speechless Rapids pr guy, who makes a throat slitting gesture and the screen goes dead.
Fin
Scene: Inside the Rapids media room, Conor Casey stands in front of a big MLS Cup advertising board and waits for the cameraman to give him the go ahead.
Casey: Me,me,me,me,me,meeee. La,la,la,la,la,laaaaa. Nope.
Casey extravagantly clears his throat, does his 'lemon-face, lion-face' routine, takes a deep breath and starts again.
Casey: Me,me,me,me,meeee. La,la,la,la,la,laaaaaa. Alright, that's much better. How's my make up looking? My head's not too shiny?
Off-screen, a bored looking Rapids pr guy gives him a thumbs up.
Casey: What's this for anyway? MLS Cup? Cool. We ready to go?
The Cameraman nods and starts counting down, 5, 4, 3...
Casey: Alright, roll the autocue.... Hi, what's up Toronto! This is Conor Casey of the Colorado Rapids, formerly of TFC, and I'm really excited to be coming back to BMO field for.....Wait, this is for Toronto? Fuck that!
Casey turns away and starts struggling to remove his mike, and starts talking to the pr guy off screen who is inaudible.
Casey: I don't care!.......Fuck Toronto! (turns back to camera, and gives screen the finger) Fuck you Toronto!......What?........I don't know, have Garber give them some allocation money, Get Joseph Fucking Lapira to do it, or Riley O'Neill. I don't care, I'm out. Why can't we play this thing in the States?
Casey successfully removes his mike and storms off, the camera swings round to a now stunned looking and speechless Rapids pr guy, who makes a throat slitting gesture and the screen goes dead.
Fin
Jeff Cunningham MLS Cup message to Toronto fans.
By now you've probably seen Marvell Wynne's video asking Toronto fans to come out and support him and the Rapids on Sunday. It's come to light that MLS asked all the former TFC players to make such videos to inspire Torontonians to brave the cold November night and cheer them on. The others didn't see the light of day for reasons which will soon be obvious, but fortunately, before the tapes were burnt, an MLS mole leaked the transcripts to Cruel Geography, which I'll faithfuly reprint here.
Jeff Cunningham's MLS Cup message to Toronto.
Scene: FC Dallas training ground, various players and coaches go through the motions in the background as Jeff prepares to give his message.
Cunningham: Hey Toronto, what's up? This is Jeff Cunningham, formerly number 96 with TFC.
Off Screen: boooo!
Cunningham: I wore 96 as that was how many goals I'd scored at the time, I scored a lot of goals before I was at TFC, and since leaving, I've scored a bunch more...
Off Screen: booooo!
Cunningham: what? erm, okaaaay. Anyway, I'm now the second highest all time scorer in MLS, I know you're all real proud of me.
Off Screen: boooooooooooo!
Cunningham: What the hell? I've told everyone what great fans you are, and from my own experience, I know how much you love to see other teams raise trophies at BMO Field.
Off Screen: booooooooooooooooooo!
Out of nowhere a red streamer flies into the shot and hits Jeff on the head.
Cunningham: Ow! Do I have to keep going with this? Seriously? (sigh) alright. I hope you're all going to cheer for me and Dallas and paint BMO blue...
Jeff dodges another streamer, and a quarter full plastic beer cup.
...and I can't wait to come back to Toronto to see you all again, and score the goals that will win us the MLS cup.
FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman walks by
Hyndman: You do know you'll be on the bench all game, right Jeff?
Cunningham: What? Aw, c'mooooon. Did you have to tell me now? you know what? screw this!
Jeff walks away angrily shaking his head, narrowly avoiding a flying poutine.
Fin
When reached for comment, former TFC coach John Carver said "You want my honest opinion on that? I am thinking, ‘How has he done hundreds of interviews?’ That’s what I thought.’"
"If you’re a star player and you have got desire to promote the game, no matter how you finish the piece, you finish the piece," Carver concluded, rubbing his temples in frustration.
Next, Conor Casey's MLS Cup message to Toronto
Jeff Cunningham's MLS Cup message to Toronto.
Scene: FC Dallas training ground, various players and coaches go through the motions in the background as Jeff prepares to give his message.
Cunningham: Hey Toronto, what's up? This is Jeff Cunningham, formerly number 96 with TFC.
Off Screen: boooo!
Cunningham: I wore 96 as that was how many goals I'd scored at the time, I scored a lot of goals before I was at TFC, and since leaving, I've scored a bunch more...
Off Screen: booooo!
Cunningham: what? erm, okaaaay. Anyway, I'm now the second highest all time scorer in MLS, I know you're all real proud of me.
Off Screen: boooooooooooo!
Cunningham: What the hell? I've told everyone what great fans you are, and from my own experience, I know how much you love to see other teams raise trophies at BMO Field.
Off Screen: booooooooooooooooooo!
Out of nowhere a red streamer flies into the shot and hits Jeff on the head.
Cunningham: Ow! Do I have to keep going with this? Seriously? (sigh) alright. I hope you're all going to cheer for me and Dallas and paint BMO blue...
Jeff dodges another streamer, and a quarter full plastic beer cup.
...and I can't wait to come back to Toronto to see you all again, and score the goals that will win us the MLS cup.
FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman walks by
Hyndman: You do know you'll be on the bench all game, right Jeff?
Cunningham: What? Aw, c'mooooon. Did you have to tell me now? you know what? screw this!
Jeff walks away angrily shaking his head, narrowly avoiding a flying poutine.
Fin
When reached for comment, former TFC coach John Carver said "You want my honest opinion on that? I am thinking, ‘How has he done hundreds of interviews?’ That’s what I thought.’"
"If you’re a star player and you have got desire to promote the game, no matter how you finish the piece, you finish the piece," Carver concluded, rubbing his temples in frustration.
Next, Conor Casey's MLS Cup message to Toronto
Monday, November 15, 2010
Klinsmann-agement Theory
I've made my disappointment obvious that Jürgen Klinsmann is only here on a short term consultancy basis, but I'm open to other opinions. So for the first time on Cruel Geography, I've hired a consultant to give a Stein half full viewpoint, so here's frequent commenter Roz to explain why it's actually a good thing.
When Klinsmann was introduced to the media on Thursday, there seemed to be a bit of a collective groan amongst TFC supporters. There was no talk of grand visions and sweeping changes to the organization, but more of a vague corporate speak referring to team identity and styles of play. But for the first time in awhile, I actually felt hopeful. ‘Der konsültant’ may just be what TFC needs.
For the past four years, it seems like everyone at TFC has been doing their jobs (or not doing them) with very little focus on the big picture. When things were going well there was back slapping, hand shaking, enthusiastic singing from supporters and victorious goal celebrations. And when things weren’t going well (which was definitely more often) there was finger pointing, firings, hirings, trades, green supporters and stupid ‘cheque-writing’ goal celebrations - all of which makes for fascinating daytime TV, but not a good football club. And if Klinsmann were to just step in and ‘blow things’ up, as some people were hoping for, it’s likely that it would only add to the drama. Because before any new sweeping changes are put in place the whole organization needs to take a step back and remind themselves of why they are here and what they want to do. And that’s what Klinsmann, not the flashy former footballer, but the serious management consultant, is here to do.
What TFC needs is a mission and vision. It needs values and guiding principles (and if it currently has all these, well I think it’s safe to say they need a serious revamp). And hopefully as I write this and you read this, Klinsmann has Anselmi and company locked up in the boardroom brainstorming , visioning, ‘blue skying’ and ‘thinking outside the box’. All mind numbing exercises for anyone that has ever participated in them, but with outcomes that really do help guide the day to day operations of an organization. Once an overall philosophy is in place, the next step is for Klinsmann to help TFC figure out the best management structure to implement it. Do they need a Director of Soccer and a General Manager? How many coaches? A sports psychologist? A yoga instructor perhaps? And here’s where hopefully Klinsmann can use his connections to help TFC identify management and coaches who will work well within the new TFC structure and philosophy. These managers and coaches will then work together to identify a style of play that is in line with the organization’s vision, and then find and train players that embody the TFC mentality. The people in these positions may be new to the organization, or maybe they are here already, it all depends on the vision, mission and values. That’s why Klinsmann, or anyone, can’t just come in and clean house without going through this admittedly tedious process. Because what if they were to get rid of someone who doesn’t seem to ‘fit’ with the current organization, but would thrive within the new one?
Now, I know a bit of a sore point is the inclusion of Anselmi and company in the development of a new organizational philosophy. I mean, why doesn’t Klinsmann just come right out and tell us what it should be, he’s the expert right? Well, not really. Klinsmann has been in Toronto for all of a few weeks now. He knows nothing about the inner workings of MLSE, TFC history, demands of supporter’s groups, etc. To get a true picture of what TFC is all about, he needs to hear from Anselmi and Bierne. He also needs to hear from current management, coaches and players. To get a well-rounded picture, I would argue that he also needs to sit down with the supporters. And only when he talks with all of the stakeholders, all of the experts, can Klinsmann help us define what it means to be TFC. Good management theorists would also point out that including all stakeholders in discussions on organizational philosophy increases the chances of buy-in and satisfaction. All of which increase the chances that changes will actually be implemented, as well as maintained and effective.
So, the reality is that what’s happening right now at TFC isn’t dazzling and it isn’t dramatic. It’s actually tedious and a little bit boring. But it is good management, and it just might be the best thing that’s ever happened to this club.
History! Underdogs! er...Marvell Wynne!
With FC Dallas knocking out LA Galaxy, Landon Donovan, David Beckham et al last night, the job of generating excitement to sell all the non season-ticket seats, and get bums into those pre sold seats to make BMO field look acceptably close to, if not actually full, got a lot harder. Judging by the lack of adverts to be seen so far around Toronto or in the media, for the game or any of the events surrounding it, the Toronto FC marketing and sales types must have been working overtime on the TFC season ticket renewals, and hoping that Beckham or Thierry Henry would have been showing up to boost interest for the MLS Cup.
With the sizzle reduced to Marvell Wynne (hey TFC fans, you liked Marvell right? You don't remember all those handballs do you? You'll come out on a cold November night to cheer him right? Right? Guys?), it's time to focus on the steak of what should hopefully be a decent game. Despite the lack of marquee talent, there's still good players on show, Conor Casey and Omar Cummings have been one of the best forward pairings in the league over the last few years. For Dallas, David Ferreira has had a great year, legitimately contending for the MLS MVP award, and they have had a very successful year, including going 19 games unbeaten spanning almost 5 months. The two games between the teams this year both ended in ties, so it should be an even game, with a good possibility of extra time and penalties.
It's not like there's no good storylines at all here, both teams are original founding members of MLS back in 1996, and neither of them have won the cup before, so we're guaranteed a new winner, and a feel-good story of long suffering team and fan base finally gets the title. Both teams are underdogs, with Dallas having to beat the reigning champs, and then the favourites to get here, and Colorado coming from behind then holding their nerve in penalties against the Crew, and despite having two of the worst corporately-named stadiums in the league, neither team has a shirt sponsorship, which for me at least is a very refreshing thing to see.
There should be enough to be able to sell the game, especially given the oft-repeated assertion that "TFC fans are the best in the league". This should be a good test to see if Toronto really is the great soccer market people try and tell us it is, or merely a great TFC market, either way I'm looking forward to it.
With the sizzle reduced to Marvell Wynne (hey TFC fans, you liked Marvell right? You don't remember all those handballs do you? You'll come out on a cold November night to cheer him right? Right? Guys?), it's time to focus on the steak of what should hopefully be a decent game. Despite the lack of marquee talent, there's still good players on show, Conor Casey and Omar Cummings have been one of the best forward pairings in the league over the last few years. For Dallas, David Ferreira has had a great year, legitimately contending for the MLS MVP award, and they have had a very successful year, including going 19 games unbeaten spanning almost 5 months. The two games between the teams this year both ended in ties, so it should be an even game, with a good possibility of extra time and penalties.
It's not like there's no good storylines at all here, both teams are original founding members of MLS back in 1996, and neither of them have won the cup before, so we're guaranteed a new winner, and a feel-good story of long suffering team and fan base finally gets the title. Both teams are underdogs, with Dallas having to beat the reigning champs, and then the favourites to get here, and Colorado coming from behind then holding their nerve in penalties against the Crew, and despite having two of the worst corporately-named stadiums in the league, neither team has a shirt sponsorship, which for me at least is a very refreshing thing to see.
There should be enough to be able to sell the game, especially given the oft-repeated assertion that "TFC fans are the best in the league". This should be a good test to see if Toronto really is the great soccer market people try and tell us it is, or merely a great TFC market, either way I'm looking forward to it.
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