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.
Showing posts with label Marvell Wynne. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marvell Wynne. Show all posts
Thursday, November 18, 2010
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
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.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Weeeee love you! But we hate you. You too. And especially you!
With the MLS playoffs about to start, and TFC's lockers already cleared out, it's time to decide who to be following, and who to be prepared to cheer for or against when the final is played before all TFC's eager season ticket holders (everyone's going right? there were no problems with that?).
If you're undecided and it's uninformed opinions, partisan sentimentality, bitterness and petty prejudices you want to make a decision on, then you've come to the right place. Here's my reasons to boo and cheer for the 8 teams still playing.
Colorado.
Reasons to cheer. Marvell Wynne, his flailing arms and lack of positional sense annoyed me, but I hold no grudge with Wynne and would have no problem seeing him with the trophy. No sponsor, I'm officially jealous of their jersey, simple, no sponsor or obnoxious North American style logo, classiest in MLS by far.
Reasons to boo. Conor Casey, the poor man's Danny Dichio. You don't like Toronto? We don't like you either, so there! Success would probably increase their commercial value and lead to a jersey sponsorship offer they can't refuse.
Verdict. Meh!
Columbus.
Reasons to cheer. Their consistency over the last few years is an example of...Nah, can't do it. Seriously, it's Columbus.
Reasons to boo. Schelotto, Lenhart, Padula's terrible hair, their taser happy cops, the fact that TFC still hasn't beaten them. Seriously, it's Columbus.
Verdict. Fuck those guys! booooooo!
Dallas.
Reasons to cheer. I seriously can't think of any, though I suppose in a "good for the growth of the game" kind of way, being champions might help them actually sell some tickets.
Reasons to boo. Jeff Cunningham. Milton Rodriguez's obnoxious fan-baiting celebration after scoring at BMO field this year. The bouncy castle. Did I mention Jeff Cunningham?
Verdict. Booooo!
Los Angeles.
Reasons to cheer. The Riot Squad supporters group standing up to Beckham last year was a great moment. That's about it.
Reasons to boo. Beckham. Landycakes. That's all the reasons I need.
Verdict. Fuck those guys! Boooo!
New York.
Reasons to cheer. Robbo, it`d be good to see him raising a trophy at BMO. Greg Sutton, ditto. They`ve built themselves a fantastic stadium, and it`d be good for the league for it to be filled on a regular basis, winning would help with that.
Reasons to boo. Thierry Henry. Changing the team name to Red Bulls? Awful. 5-0 last year. That Red Bull Energy Zone or whatever it's called that sprung up outside the North stand at BMO towards the end of the season is terrible on so many levels.
Verdict. Sorry Robbo, booooo!
Salt Lake.
Reasons to cheer. Will Johnson, good Canadian kid. Their turnaround from consistently terrible to very good gives some hope for TFC.
Reasons to boo. The dirty hippy. Real Salt lake is still a stupid name.
Verdict. Meh!
San Jose.
Reasons to cheer. Canadian Frank Yallop, showing the benefits of patience and sticking with a plan. Sam Cronin. A pacific coast team representing the Eastern conference would be amusing. Supporters had their original team ripped away from them, so karma wise, they've earned it.
Reasons to boo. None that I can think of, they're a pretty inoffensive club.
Verdict. Against New York and probably Columbus? Rock the Casbah! I hope they make it.
Seattle. Reasons to cheer. Before TFC's game in Seattle, I unknowingly ended up in the home pub of Seattle supporters group Gorilla FC. "Anti-racist, anti-Fascist, anti-sexist and anti-homophobic, but pro-party!!" Now that's a slogan I can get behind. They were unfailingly friendly, many of them very sincerely thanking me for travelling. It was a great day for lucky drinking, I ran into some of Chad Barrett's family at a bar near the stadium pre game, and later that night Danny Dichio and Leo Percovich showed up at the same Irish pub I was in. The atmosphere at the game was great, and the ambition the owners have shown is something that I really hope TFC are going to try and emulate.
Reasons to boo. They`ve already had way too much success, I`m jealous.
Verdict. I hope they win it all.
So here it is in order who I'll be cheering for, or more likely, not cheering against.
1. Seattle
2. San Jose
3. Colorado
4. Salt Lake
5. New York
6. Dallas
7. LA
8. Columbus.
7 and 8 was a really tough call. I hope they don't both make it to the final.
If you're undecided and it's uninformed opinions, partisan sentimentality, bitterness and petty prejudices you want to make a decision on, then you've come to the right place. Here's my reasons to boo and cheer for the 8 teams still playing.
Colorado.
Reasons to cheer. Marvell Wynne, his flailing arms and lack of positional sense annoyed me, but I hold no grudge with Wynne and would have no problem seeing him with the trophy. No sponsor, I'm officially jealous of their jersey, simple, no sponsor or obnoxious North American style logo, classiest in MLS by far.
Reasons to boo. Conor Casey, the poor man's Danny Dichio. You don't like Toronto? We don't like you either, so there! Success would probably increase their commercial value and lead to a jersey sponsorship offer they can't refuse.
Verdict. Meh!
Columbus.
Reasons to cheer. Their consistency over the last few years is an example of...Nah, can't do it. Seriously, it's Columbus.
Reasons to boo. Schelotto, Lenhart, Padula's terrible hair, their taser happy cops, the fact that TFC still hasn't beaten them. Seriously, it's Columbus.
Verdict. Fuck those guys! booooooo!
Dallas.
Reasons to cheer. I seriously can't think of any, though I suppose in a "good for the growth of the game" kind of way, being champions might help them actually sell some tickets.
Reasons to boo. Jeff Cunningham. Milton Rodriguez's obnoxious fan-baiting celebration after scoring at BMO field this year. The bouncy castle. Did I mention Jeff Cunningham?
Verdict. Booooo!
Los Angeles.
Reasons to cheer. The Riot Squad supporters group standing up to Beckham last year was a great moment. That's about it.
Reasons to boo. Beckham. Landycakes. That's all the reasons I need.
Verdict. Fuck those guys! Boooo!
New York.
Reasons to cheer. Robbo, it`d be good to see him raising a trophy at BMO. Greg Sutton, ditto. They`ve built themselves a fantastic stadium, and it`d be good for the league for it to be filled on a regular basis, winning would help with that.
Reasons to boo. Thierry Henry. Changing the team name to Red Bulls? Awful. 5-0 last year. That Red Bull Energy Zone or whatever it's called that sprung up outside the North stand at BMO towards the end of the season is terrible on so many levels.
Verdict. Sorry Robbo, booooo!
Salt Lake.
Reasons to cheer. Will Johnson, good Canadian kid. Their turnaround from consistently terrible to very good gives some hope for TFC.
Reasons to boo. The dirty hippy. Real Salt lake is still a stupid name.
Verdict. Meh!
San Jose.
Reasons to cheer. Canadian Frank Yallop, showing the benefits of patience and sticking with a plan. Sam Cronin. A pacific coast team representing the Eastern conference would be amusing. Supporters had their original team ripped away from them, so karma wise, they've earned it.
Reasons to boo. None that I can think of, they're a pretty inoffensive club.
Verdict. Against New York and probably Columbus? Rock the Casbah! I hope they make it.
Seattle. Reasons to cheer. Before TFC's game in Seattle, I unknowingly ended up in the home pub of Seattle supporters group Gorilla FC. "Anti-racist, anti-Fascist, anti-sexist and anti-homophobic, but pro-party!!" Now that's a slogan I can get behind. They were unfailingly friendly, many of them very sincerely thanking me for travelling. It was a great day for lucky drinking, I ran into some of Chad Barrett's family at a bar near the stadium pre game, and later that night Danny Dichio and Leo Percovich showed up at the same Irish pub I was in. The atmosphere at the game was great, and the ambition the owners have shown is something that I really hope TFC are going to try and emulate.
Reasons to boo. They`ve already had way too much success, I`m jealous.
Verdict. I hope they win it all.
So here it is in order who I'll be cheering for, or more likely, not cheering against.
1. Seattle
2. San Jose
3. Colorado
4. Salt Lake
5. New York
6. Dallas
7. LA
8. Columbus.
7 and 8 was a really tough call. I hope they don't both make it to the final.
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