Whitecaps crash out of Canadian Championships

MONTREAL, QC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC (0W-0L-3D) saw their hopes of winning the 2010 Nutrilite Canadian Championship come to an end on Wednesday evening following a very disappointing 1-1 away draw with Montreal Impact (0W-2L-2D).

Ansu Toure's first goal of the season looked to have given the Whitecaps hope of taking the three-club competition into next week's final match. However, a well-taken equalizer from Impact midfielder Philippe Billy meant the 'Caps chances of winning this year's Voyageurs Cup title and Canada's lone spot in the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League were at an end for another season. It was Vancouver's third-straight draw in this year's tournament, with the Whitecaps now going eight matches without a victory versus Montreal (0W-5L-3D).

Wednesday's result at Montreal's Stade Saputo meant that Toronto FC (2W-0L-1D) retained the Canadian Championship title they first won last year, and with a match to spare. The Major League Soccer club will receive the Voyageurs Cup at next Wednesday's final tournament clash between TFC and the Whitecaps at Toronto's BMO Field.

Whitecaps head coach Teitur Thordarson made one change from the starting line-up that faced Rochester Rhinos in USSF D-2 Pro League action at Swangard Stadium last weekend, with Wes Knight replacing Chris Williams at right fullback. Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos, meanwhile, included former Whitecaps players Srdjan Djekanovic in goal, Tony Donatelli in midfield, and Eduardo Sebrango in attack, as Montreal played in a 4-3-3 formation.

On what was a hot and humid evening in Montreal, the all-blue Whitecaps carried most of the play in the first half, as they earned as many as six corners before the break.

Though the heat was seemingly taking a toll on the pace of the game, the visitors nearly made the vital breakthrough on nine minutes. Ansu Toure did well down the left-hand side to elude his Impact marker Adam Braz before cutting a pass back to Cornelius Stewart from the byline. The young forward struck a first-time shot from close range, but Djekanovic reacted well to make the save before Whitecaps captain Martin Nash had his rebound shot deflect away for a corner.

It proved to be the best chance of the half for the Blue and White, with left fullback Zurab Tsiskaridze having the next couple of Vancouver opportunities. The Georgian defender hit a long-range free kick wide of the target on 20 minutes before he forced Djekanovic into a simple goal line save with his header from a Nash corner on 31 minutes.

With nothing to play for on Wednesday, Montreal played a patient game by sitting back and trying to hit the Whitecaps on the counter-attack. The home side's best chance of the half fell to the dangerous Rocco Placentino, as he forced an assured save from Vancouver goalkeeper Jay Nolly with a solid strike from the edge of the Whitecaps box.

The last chance of the half fell to the Whitecaps on 41 minutes, as Tsiskaridze caused Djekanovic a bit of a scare with a looping shot that fell on the roof of the Montreal net.

It meant that both sides went to the break at 0-0.

With only 45 minutes left to try and find that all-important goal, the Whitecaps proceeded to attack the Impact from the restart. On 47 minutes, Djekanovic needed to stop Tsiskaridze's free kick before Montreal defender Stefano Pesoli did ever so well to clear Knight's flicked throw-in from the onrushing Greg Janicki at the far post two minutes later.

The pressure from the visitors was building, and on 50 minutes, the breakthrough was made through winger Ansu Toure. Knight's cross from the right flicked off the head of Janicki in the Impact box before bouncing out fortuitously to the Liberian midfielder. His first-time strike deflected off the legs of Montreal defender Hicham Aaboubou and past Djekanovic for a 1-0 Whitecaps lead.

The goal seemed to answer the prayers of all Whitecaps supporters, who were keen to see their side take the third edition of the Canadian Championship to the final match day in Southern Ontario next week. However, what seemed possible for about 12 minutes of second-half action was suddenly ended by an Impact equalizer.

On 62 minutes, former 'Caps striker Sebrango got on the end of a ball in the Vancouver box before turning and hitting a cross-field pass to an unmarked Billy. With time and space to pick his spot, the Impact defender struck a fine shot past a helpless Nolly to level matters at 1-1. It was the Frenchman's first-ever goal for the Quebec-based outfit.

Billy's goal would have frustrated the Whitecaps faithful, and needing to restore the advantage again, Thordarson gave Mauritanian youngster Doudou Toure his Whitecaps men's team debut on 64 minutes, as he replaced midfielder Justin Moose. The Whitecaps Residency striker was soon followed by Japanese fullback Takashi Hirano, who replaced goalscorer Ansu Toure on the left-hand side of midfield.

Vancouver's response to Montreal's goal was positive. Stewart hit the side-netting with a close-range chance before Nash had two free-kick opportunities come to nothing during the midway point of the half. On 69 minutes, 18-year-old Doudou Toure got on the end of Nash through ball before eluding the challenge of Braz and striking a shot wide of goal.

Thordarson's third and final substitution was to bring on midfielder Ricardo Sanchez for Knight. On 80 minutes, the Mexican was afforded space to run at the Montreal backline, but his low shot failed to test Djekanovic in the Impact goal.

With the scoreline even, Montreal seemed happy to take their chances when they presented themselves. On 82 minutes, Placentino forced an important save from Nolly with a wide-angled run and shot that saw the ball roll across the face of the Whitecaps goal. Then a minute later, the dangerous Impact attacker flashed another drive just wide of the target.

With the match in the dying stages, Vancouver's need for a second goal was becoming more apparent. On 88 minutes, Doudou Toure had a great chance in front of the Impact goal, but his header to Sanchez's well-taken corner flew agonizingly over Djekanovic's crossbar.

As the match entered three minutes of time added on, there were chances at both ends for a match winner. Doudou Toure made a fine into the Montreal box before Aaboubou did well to intervene the youngster with his challenge. At the other end, Nolly made an excellent save to deny Placentino from scoring a dramatic winner for the home side.

The final whistle from match referee Silviu Petrescu confirmed another Canadian Championship campaign was over for both the Whitecaps and the Impact, with next Wednesday's visit to Toronto now a mere formality for Thordarson's squad as Toronto FC claim the title for the second straight year.



90 FULL MINUTES


The Whitecaps will quickly turn their attentions back to league action on Saturday night, as they head down to Upstate New York for a return visit with the Rhinos. With their 2010 Voyageurs Cup schedule now complete, the Impact will also return to USSF D-2 action, as they host NASL Conference rivals Carolina RailHawks at Stade Saputo on Sunday afternoon.

Scoring Summary:
50' - VAN - Ansu Toure (Nelson Akwari)
62' - MON - Philippe Billy (Eduardo Sebrango)

Match Stats:
Shots: Vancouver 18 - Montreal 8
Saves: Vancouver 4 - Montreal 8
Fouls: Vancouver 12 - Montreal 11
Corners: Vancouver 10 - Montreal 3
Offsides: Vancouver 2 - Montreal 0

Cautions:
68' - MON - Stefano Pesoli
73' - MON - Srdjan Djekanovic
89' - MON - Philippe Billy

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Jay Nolly; 77.Zurab Tsiskaridze, 2.Nelson Akwari, 14.Greg Janicki, 8.Wes Knight (99.Ricardo Sanchez 76'); 16.Ansu Toure (22.Takashi Hirano 68'), 7.Martin Nash, 3.Luca Bellisomo, 19.Justin Moose (18.Doudou Toure 64'); 24.Marcus Haber, 39.Cornelius Stewart

Subs not used: 31.Simon Thomas, 4.Chris Williams, 9.Marlon James, 12.Jonny Steele

Montreal Impact
22.Srdjan Djekanovic; 21.Philippe Billy, 2.Hicham Aaboubou, 16.Stefano Pesoli, 3.Adam Braz; 6.Tyler Hemming (28.Peter Byers 57'); 8.Filipe Soares (23.Stephen deRoux 45'), 14.Tony Donatelli (15.Patrick Leduc 75'); 11.Leonardo Di Lorenzo, 9.Rocco Placentino; 12.Eduardo Sebrango

Subs not used: 1.Matt Jordan, 5.Nevio Pizzolitto, 7.David Testo, 26.Cedric Joqueviel

Montreal & MLS - together at last?

Montreal Impact have called a press conference on Friday, May 7th, 2010 for a major soccer announcement. The anouncement if strongly believed to be that of Major League Soccer coming to Montreal in 2012. One year after Vancouver and Portland join in 2011. Montreal could have been one of the franchises in 2011 if it had not been for the dispute between Joey Saputo and Don Garber. Montreal will be the 19th franchise in MLS.

Sidenote... it would have been interesting to see if Montreal was in fact one of the franchises in 2011... which one, Vancouver or Portland, would have been sidelined for yet another year?

WHITECAPS & FRIENDS FORM A NEW LEAGUE!

The owners of the Atlanta Silverbacks, Carolina RailHawks, Miami FC, Minnesota Thunder, Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps FC, formerly of the United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1), together with St. Louis Soccer United announced today that they have formed a new professional soccer league to play in the United States and Canada beginning in April 2010.

The team owners yesterday submitted an application for sanctioning of the new league as a Division II Men’s Outdoor Professional League by the United States Soccer Federation. An application for sanctioning as a Division I League will be submitted to the Canadian Soccer Association shortly and applications to other sanctioning bodies in the region will be submitted as needed.

Joey Saputo, president of the 2009 USL-1 champion Montreal Impact, was recently elected chairman of the board of governors of the new league.

"This is not your typical new league," Saputo said. "Most of our teams have existed for years. We have united some of the best owners, teams and markets around a new vision for a professional soccer league in North America.

"We look forward to elevating our teams and league in order to give more opportunities to players, coaches, media and sponsors, entertain our fans and play our role in helping soccer truly recognize its potential in the United States and Canada."

Jeff Cooper, the principal owner of St. Louis Soccer United and spokesperson for the new league, said team owners have commenced a search for a league commissioner and are actively finalizing other details - including a name for the league, as well as its sales and marketing plans. The league intends to launch an extensive marketing campaign in the coming months, Cooper said.

In addition, Cooper said the team owners are in active conversations with several teams and organizations throughout the world which have expressed interest in joining the new league.

"This will be a league that will offer the best of both worlds – outstanding experience and leadership at the ownership level combined with the promise and ability to chart our own course for success as a new league," Cooper said. "It’s this structure that motivated me to bring St. Louis into the new league, and why I believe the new league will have a lot of success at launch next year and well into the future."

TEAM AND OWNERSHIP BACKGROUND:

Atlanta Silverbacks

The Atlanta Silverbacks have been members of the USL-1 league from 1998-2008. The team’s primary owners are Boris Jerkunica and John Latham. Boris is a serial technology entrepreneur. He was the co-founder and CEO of NetZIP which was sold to Real Networks in 2000. He is currently the chairman of Vocalocity – a VoIP technology company. John Latham is a senior partner at Alston and Bird – one of the top law firms in Atlanta. The team competes at the privately funded Atlanta Silverbacks Park.

"For ten years, the Atlanta Silverbacks played under the umbrella of a third party owned league. To put it simply, it just didn’t work. The long term view of the team owners did not align with the short term view of the third party league owners. Because of this, the Atlanta Silverbacks decided to drop out from USL-1 in 2009. We are pleased to be part of a new league that will be owned and operated by the team owners as required by FIFA." - Boris Jerkunica, Atlanta Silverbacks chairman

Carolina RailHawks

The Carolina RailHawks have been members of the USL-1 league for three years, having ended the current season in second place with a league -leading 17 shutouts and a club record of 16-7-7. The team’s primary owners are Selby and Brian Wellman, and Bob Young. Selby was the Senior vice-president of Cisco Systems throughout the 90’s, while Young was the founder of Redhat, as well as the online book publisher Lulu. The team competes at Wake Med Soccer Park in Cary, NC which is rated as one of the top soccer venues in the United States.

"Over the past two years we have been working tirelessly to re-structure the league to be owned and controlled by the owners in order to elevate our league on and off the pitch. The owners make substantial investments in their teams. However, the level of national level investment required has not been made because the league has always been owned, operated, and controlled by third parties. We simply want our league to be operated and managed like all other pro sports leagues around the world." - Selby Wellman, Carolina RailHawks owner

Miami FC

Miami FC is owned by Traffic Sports USA, the regional office of Brazil-based Traffic Marketing Esportivo, one of the leading soccer companies in the world. Traffic founded Miami FC in 2006 and brought the 1994 Brazilian World Cup Champion tandem of Romario and Zinho to lead the team. Traffic commercializes many of the top international soccer events in the region including: Copa America, the majority of FIFA World Cup qualifying matches in the Americas, Copa Libertadores, Copa Sudamericana and Copa do Brasil. Traffic also owns a team/academy in Brazil (Desportivo Brasil); co-manages a team in Portugal (Estoril); and controls player funds in Brazil and the United States featuring established high profile players and top youth prospects on the U-20 and U-17 national teams.

"When your league is owned by someone else, you aren’t incentivized to invest in or be loyal to your league. That’s precisely why our league is so relatively unknown and has so much turn-over in teams. With this decision, we gain control of our own destiny and can finally structure and operate our league in a manner which truly positions us for growth and success." - Aaron Davidson, Miami FC president

Minnesota Thunder

The Minnesota Thunder was founded in 1990 by Tom Engstrom and coaching legend Buzz Lagos. Just finishing its 20th season, the Thunder have historically been one of the most winning clubs in all of North America. The Thunder claimed the Commissioners Cup in 2000 and have been in three league championship games winning the league title in 1999. The Thunder is owned by Dean Johnson, managing director and principal of Wingfield Corp. Johnson earned his B.A. with honors from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota and he earned his graduates degree from the Ruhr Universität in Bochum, Germany. The team plays in a newly renovated 10,000 seat soccer-specific stadium, which includes a full-field indoor training facility.

"After years of failed efforts to work and improve the current structure of our league, we must take control of our own destiny. When you are doing something that is objectively correct and good for the game of soccer, no one can question you." - Dean Johnson, Minnesota Thunder owner, Wingfield Corporation managing director and principal

Montreal Impact

The Montreal Impact can be considered an overnight success that is 16 years in the making. It is Canada’s most decorated soccer franchise, with two league championships, three Commissioners Cup, seven Voyageurs Cup and the only team to represent Canada in the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions league. Bolstered by its strong fan support, the club regularly plays in front of sold-out crowds at its privately financed 13,000 seat soccer specific stadium. Although the Impact is now structured as a non profit corporation, it will continue to be part of the legacy that Joey Saputo and his family will leave to the Montreal Sports community.

"We feel that the league in its current state has handicapped the growth of our team and the league itself; ownership and control of our league are critical to our individual and collective growth." - Joey Saputo, Montreal Impact owner

St. Louis

Jeff Cooper is the owner and chairman of Saint Louis Athletica of Women’s Professional Soccer and his St. Louis Soccer United group oversees the largest youth soccer program in the Midwest, St. Louis Scott Gallagher, which is headquartered at the Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park that in March was transferred to St. Louis Soccer United. Cooper’s overarching goal is to bring men’s professional soccer to the St. Louis area, which is rich with soccer tradition at levels from youth through college. A native of Granite City, Cooper played soccer under legendary coach Gene Baker at Granite City High School before continuing his playing career at DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. He graduated in 1991 from DePauw University with a BA degree in political science and with a JD degree from St. Louis University Law School in 1995. Cooper formerly sat on the board of the English League One football club Brentford.

"I continue to be committed to starting a professional team in St. Louis, where our club would be fully and enthusiastically supported by generations of soccer fans here in our region. I have been in close contact with the teams over the past year and am very impressed with and fully committed to their mission. There is no other way. The teams must own and control their league." - Jeff Cooper, St. Louis Soccer United owner and chairman

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

In 1974, Vancouver Whitecaps FC played their inaugural season in the North American Soccer League and have since been the hallmark of professional soccer in British Columbia and Canada. In 1979, the Whitecaps won the NASL Soccer Bowl and in 1983, 60,342 people came to watch the Whitecaps play Seattle Sounders in the first sporting event to be played at BC Place Stadium. From 1987 to 1992, as a member of the Canadian Soccer League, Vancouver won four straight championships before the club joined what is now known as the United Soccer Leagues First Division. In 2002, Greg Kerfoot took over the ownership of the Whitecaps and created a full club model that encompasses professional teams for men and women, extensive youth development and grassroots participation programs, facility development, and the Whitecaps Foundation to support specific initiatives related to health and wellness through soccer. Since 2004, the Whitecaps have won two USL-1 championships and two USL W-League championships.

"We believe that ownership involvement is crucial for a successful, healthy league. Securing a league license now is a preliminary step that will allow the teams to be in position to take further steps, should that be necessary. Our goal continues to be to pursue what is in the best interest of the sport." - Bob Lenarduzzi, Vancouver Whitecaps FC president.

SUNDAY NIGHT SHOW

Sunday night on Full-Time: Vancouver's Soccer Show will feature, as always, some Whitecaps talk. The Whitecaps and Impact are not playing in the USL next season (subject to change) and we'll get to the bottom of that. What's the latest, what's the news, what's going to happen? Meanwhile, down the I5 in Seattle, the Sounders will be in the muddle of their two leg playoff series with Houston and we'll connect with Seattle midfielder Freddie Ljungberg (see picture above). We'll talk playoffs, Sounders, Premier League, Swedish hockey players and perhaps underwear modelling.

It all gets going at 12 midnight (due to a Vancouver Canucks hockey game) on the TEAM 1040 in Vancouver. You can also listen online at www.team1040.ca

NO USL FOR IMPACT AND WHITECAPS

Whitecaps and Impact have opted out of USL... the full story from TSN is here.

You can catch Whitecaps el presidente Bob Lenarduzzi on with our midday show here.

Montreal v Vancouver

Okay, so I've been getting a bit of stick for saying prior to the post-season kicking off that I didn't think the Whitecaps were going to be around very long in the USL-1 the playoffs. I freely admit that I thought they would have been out in the first round. I did offer this though, "I hope the Whitecaps prove me wrong and make a run." And so they have, all the way to the final, and I have been getting the comments ever since, including some of the players and staff of the Whitecaps giving me a bit of a hard time. Now as we prepare for the 2nd leg of the final, the Whitecaps are down by a goal and looking to make it back to back championships. Standing in the way, are the Montreal Impact. Surprisingly, I made this prediction in my season preview and in the April edition of Free Kick Magazine. The key phrase, "If the Impact can put it all together, Montreal will be a strong candidate for 2009 USL-1 Champions" and low and behold, they may be crowned champions in just a few short days. Ofcourse, I never would say I told you so, as I admit I am wrong as much as I am right... but I do like the fact that I did predict Montreal would do well. In that same issue and in this preview, I do say that the Whitecaps have no hope of title glory and they will have a struggle during the season. So while I was right on the Impact, partially right on the 'Caps, it should be a tremendous final leg on Saturday. The best part, regardless of which teams wins, is that a Canadian team will claim the title.

On a side note, Rohan Ricketts told me at the start of the season that "I would bet my house that we'll be in the playoffs." Can I still claim that he owes me a house if they miss the playoffs or because he's no longer with the team, it's sorta null and void?

-TG

TFC WINS NUTRILITE CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

Toronto FC won the Nutrilite Canadian Championship after beating Montreal Impact 6 - 1 on Thursday evening. TFC needed to win the game by 4 goals in order to win the competition. Vancouver fans were not the only ones disappointed with the effort from Montreal, “Tonight’s result is extremely disappointing,” said Impact President Joey Saputo. “The players wearing the Impact jersey have to show pride and they did not tonight. Even though the match had no significance, we can’t hide our heads in the sand. This is not the way this club should perform in front of our fans, in our stadium. Being first and foremost a fan, I know that this is not acceptable.”

Whitecaps fans were disappointed with Montreal's performance, and how could you not. Montreal had nothing to play for ini terms of positioning, but pride is something that they apparently could care less about. Last year, Vancouver helped Montreal into the competition by picking a result against Toronto that gave the Impact the title and were hoping Montreal would do the same for them this year. It truly is is a disgrace with that effort. Joey Saputo is right, it's not acceptable.

For Toronto, it proves that they are currently Canada's best team. Let's hope that they show the same fire and goalscoring (yes, it's shocking, Chad Barrett actually scored) when they meet Puerto Rico in the preliminary round to qualify for the group stage. It would be nice to see TFC show some muscle and do well in this competition. It will also be good for players such as Dwayne De Rosario and Adrian Serioux, Gaining experience in tough stadiums abroad. More importantly, it will give young Canadians like Nana Attakora valuable experience down the road. Playing for TFC in those countries will surely benefit the Canadian National program down the road when he will get a chance to lead his fellow Canucks to hostile enviroments he's played in and hopefully conquered.

Finally, as much as it pains me to say this. GO TFC GO!! Canada is supporting you now. Do us proud.

Why do I feel like I need to wash my mouth out with soap now...

GERBA SET FOR TFC / RICKETTS SET TO LEAVE

ALI GERBA

Ali Gerba is set to sign with Toronto FC, or already has. Various sources and various media are indicating that the contract is signed, sealed and waiting for league approval before it can be officially delivered.

He apparently is also with the squad in Montreal and could play a part in tomorrow's Nutrilite Canadian Championship final game against Montreal. TFC needs to win the game by a 4-goal margin if they hope to qualify to the next round to play Puerto Rico, otherwise the Vancouver Whitecaps FC will claim the spot.

ROHAN RICKETTS

Meanwhile, The 24th Minute is reporting that, Full-Time favourite, Rohan Ricketts is set to be released. Full-Time has received confirmation that Ricketts will be leaving TFC and it will officially be announced in the next few days.

WISHING FOR AN INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY

We talked about it on Sunday evenings show. In Canada, Montreal, Toronto and even Edmonton have gotten in the mix to host or play against international competition, while Seattle and Portland, just south of the border have also booked international clubs. The one city that is absent is Vancouver. It's disappointing that Vancouver has yet to announce an date against an international club. I for one would love to see the Whitecaps, or perhaps just two other teams, play against a European league team. It gives fans the opportunity to watch teams that they usually only get to see on television, never live and in person.

With Vancouver getting an MLS franchise in 2011, it's almost a certainty that Vancouver and BC Place will be hosting very big international friendlies, just look at Seattle this season, but it's disappointing that nothing is happening here in Vancouver. Even Portland is getting into the mix by playing Bayern Munich's reserve squad and newly promoted English Premier League side Burnley FC.

Bob Lenarduzzi told Full-Time earlier this season, "We currently do not have any plans for an international game", but that was earlier in the season, perhaps something is on the burner now. If Vancouver doesn't have anything on the burner, here's a brief list of some of the entertaining events happening close to Vancouver and across Canada:

Seattle:
Seattle v Chelsea - July 18th
Seattle v Barcelona - August 5th

Portland:
Portland v Bayern Munich II - July 2nd
Portland v Burnley FC - July 25th

Edmonton:
Everton v River Plate - July 25th

Toronto:
Toronto v River Plate - July 22nd
Toronto v Real Madrid - August 7th

Montreal:
Haitian National Team v Syrian National Team - June 27th
Haitian National Team v Impact – July 1st
Syrian National Team v Impact – Jul 8th
(Champions Trophy) – EA Guingamp v FC Girondins de Bordeaux - July 25th
Montreal v FC Girondins de Bordeaux - July 28th
Montreal v CA River Plate - August 4th

THE IMPACT WILL PLAY AGAINST RIVER PLATE AUGUST 4

MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact announced Monday the presentation of an international friendly game against Club Atlético River Plate, a first division club in Argentina, Tuesday, August 4, at Saputo Stadium.

“We are glad to add this international game to our calendar,” said Montreal Impact and Saputo Stadium President Joey Saputo. “River Plate is a great club in South America, among the two most prestigious in Argentina. It’s therefore an honour to have the opportunity to play against them. In the last years, we have maintained an ongoing collaboration with Argentinean soccer. This match will allow us to show our local talent and to stage once again top level soccer in Montreal.”

CA River Plate, under the helm of head coach Diego Simeone, won the Argentine Championship 33 times. River Plate is currently ranked fifth in the Clausura championship with a 7-4-6 record.

With this 6th international game added to its summer calendar in Montreal, the 5th one at Saputo Stadium, the Impact international game schedule is now completed.

“After seeing the enthusiasm for our international games last year, we made an exceptional effort to present this international programming,” added Joey Saputo. “Since the Impact is a non profit organization, it was important for us that the game tickets remain very affordable. It is now up to the population in Quebec and to local communities to respond.”

Tickets for the game against CA River Plate will go on sale Friday, at 10 am, through Admission (514-790-1245 / admission.com) or at the ticketing office of Saputo Stadium. Ticket prices will range between $15 to $40 (taxes included). Youth rates for spectators aged 16 and under, as well as special group rates, will also be offered.

INTERNATIONAL GAMES IN MONTREAL
Saturday, June 27 – Haitian National Team VS Syrian National Team – Saputo Stadium – 3:30 pm
Wednesday, July 1 - Haitian National Team VS Impact – Saputo Stadium – 7:30 pm
Wednesday, July 8 – Syrian National Team VS Impact – Saputo Stadium – 7:30 pm
Saturday, July 25 (Champions Trophy) – EA Guingamp VS FC Girondins de Bordeaux – Olympic Stadium – 3 pm
Tuesday, July 28 – FC Girondins de Bordeaux VS Impact – Saputo Stadium – 7:30 pm
Tuesday, August 4 – CA River Plate VS Impact – Saputo Stadium – 7:30 pm

-30-

MARC DOS SANTOS IS THE NEW IMPACT HEAD COACH

MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact announced the nomination of Marc Dos Santos as interim head coach of the Impact on Thursday, to succeed John Limniatis in this role.

“After having analyzed the situation over the last few months, we have realized that the team was not playing to its level and that the positive results were not there,” said Impact technical director Nick De Santis. “The message was no longer getting through in the locker room. John will nevertheless remain in the Impact family and he continues to be one of our great team builders.”

Marc Dos Santos was the assistant coach of the Impact since June 10, 2008. He was also the head coach of the Trois-Rivières Attak for two seasons, in 2007 and 2008. Dos Santos took training internships with three first division clubs in Portugal: Boavista FC (November 2004), SC Beira Mar (November 2004) and FC Porto (March 2007). He has the UEFA B licence since July 2006 and is currently in the process of obtaining his UEFA A licence.

“It’s an honour for me to become interim head coach for the Impact,” said Marc Dos Santos. “I am ready today to take on these new responsibilities. It’s a great challenge in my coaching career and it’s a mandate in which I will invest myself fully. I have acquired a solid experience in the last years with the Impact and the Attak, as well as in Portugal. I will do everything I can for the team to be successful again.”

Dos Santos will count on three assistant coaches: Andrea Di Pietrantonio, who held the same functions last season, Mauro Biello, who becomes player-coach, and Youssef Dahha, who remains goalkeeper coach.

John Limniatis became Impact head coach on June 10, 2008, succeeding to Nick De Santis who in turn became technical director. In his first season at the helm of the team, he led the Impact to the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals and to the semifinals of the USL series. In 2009, the team had not won in its first four regular season games (0-3-1) and was shut out 1-0 by Toronto FC, Wednesday, in its first game of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship.

Dos Santos becomes the eighth head coach in Impact history. He will coach his first game this Friday when the Impact will face the Charleston Battery.

Meanwhile, John Limniatis released the following statement through the Montreal Impact, "First of all I would like to thank everybody for their support when I was on duty as head coach. The management of the club, the organization, the fans, the media and the partners have all been extraordinary. I will never forget the moments I have spent with the Impact in the last year. Should this change help the team, I completely support the club's decision. In order not to interfere with the team's preparation for the upcoming games on Friday and Sunday, I will not make any further comments until next week".

C'mon Toronto... 1 goal ain't good enough

It isn't going out on much of a limb to say that Toronto FC is the best team in Canada playing in the best league. The players that I have had the chance to speak with have all told me "there are a bunch of interchangeable guys playing in both leagues and then the game breakers, Major League Soccer has those types of players, the USL doesn't".

Before the Nutrilite Canadian Championships began, I told my co-host Mike Martignago during our radio show (Sunday nights at 10pm on the TEAM 1040) that Toronto would win the tournament this year and so far I am looking pretty good. The problem is, predicting TFC to win isn't that big of a stretch. The part that has me annoyed though is that Toronto has won both games by the simple score of 1 - 0, and truth be told, it was a terrific hand save from Frei to keep the Vancouver v Toronto game 1 - 0. Frankly, it's just not good enough.

Hey, you got the result and you deserved the wins, but scoring just one goal in each game? I want to see 2 or 3. It's not like you are sending out the scrubs to play in these matches. I want to see goals, I want to see forward movement, I want you to claim it and show you are downright superior and I want you to beat Montreal and Vancouver into submission. I want to see a blow out.

Having said all that, hope is not lost for Montreal or Vancouver. This tournament is still far from over. If the Impact or Whitecaps can sweep the other USL team and beat Toronto, they would have a chance. Perhaps even hope their USL brother can do them a favour a draw or beat TFC. It might even come down to goal differential (which is why I need and beg of TFC to score more). Wouldn't that just infuriate Toronto fans as the claims of USL dominance would once again be chanted against Toronto.

It would begin to show a pattern that in a one-off game, TFC or a USL franchise could beat anyone else, but it would also show that over a 6 game tournament, Toronto FC just wouldn't have what it takes. Call it depth, call it fate, call it whatever you want, it surely would put a black eye on Canada's best team.

The Europeans are coming!!

Chelsea FC, Inter Milan and AC Milan are heading for North America this summer as part of the World Football Challenge. Club America is the other team involved. Nothing in Canada just yet, but we know that the Alberta Soccer Association was hoping to bring Inter Milan to their city. Chelsea will play Seattle Sounders FC on July 18th, so perhaps some of the other clubs will be searching for friendlies against MLS or USL teams while they are here.

Montreal had been rumoured to be trying to find a major team to play a friendly at the Big 'O'. The Whitecaps, already making one big news story this year may also be looking for a friendly this summer.

The schedule is below:

-Sunday, July 19th- Club America vs. Inter Milan (Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto, California)

-Tuesday, July 21st- Chelsea FC vs. Inter Milan (Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California)

-Wednesday, July 22nd- AC Milan vs. Club America (Georgia Dome, Atlanta)

-Friday, July 24th- AC Milan vs. Chelsea (M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore)

-Sunday, July 26th- AC Milan vs. Inter Milan (Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Mass.)

-Sunday, July 26th- Chelsea FC vs. Club America (Cowboy Stadium, Arlington, Texas)

Vancouver to MLS in 2011... News from Garber and Derby County

Well, the worst kept secret in the history of North American soccer was finally revealed yesterday. Vancouver will join the MLS in 2011.

While I'm really happy Vancouver will move forward to "big league soccer" and continue to grow, it still kinda bothers me that it worked out to be a process of elimination. Seven cities, all the way down to four, with two spots open. From the beginning, Vancouver's bid led the way. It's just a shame, that - for example - they didn't beat out Miami, or have a better bid-book than Montreal. I asked MLS Commissioner Don Garber if he had any regrets about all the bids dropping out and not making a decision far sooner than now. He said that time was needed for the process. I say, what else is he supposed to say? I truly believe that had Garber made a decision (say around the MLS Cup in November), then the league would've come across a bit more professional (from a soccer/expansion bid-operations standpoint), and a little more rich (2 franchises at that time would have netted $80 million).

In the end, Vancouver won via last-man standing. The way things shook down, it looked more like the MLS desperately needed Vancouver... far more than Vancouver needed Major League Soccer.

Seven cities, down to four, with three of the four facing big questions. Meaning, the other city selected with the least amount of uncertainty will be chosen. All that being said, Garber basically confirmed that Portland will be announced on Friday (March 20). When I asked Garber about the rumblings coming from Portland, he grinned and said, "Portland remains a viable option...," and then quietly giggled like a little school-girl.

Some of the other things that came up on Wednesday...

- Nobody appeared to care to ask Don Garber how much Vancouver paid for their franchise. The MLS long stated that the $40 million expansion fee was non-negotiable. Montreal and Joey Saputo basically said, "Hey Garbs, you're crazy." Miami and Atlanta bailed because of the fees. Because I felt Vancouver really had the ball in their court, I figured they could have offered the MLS a Starbucks gift-card. No... not to be. $35 million was paid. Vancouver saves $5 million from the original demands.

- Garber says that Montreal remains a possibility down the road... but I really get the sense he dislikes Joey Saputo. Saputo and Montreal called him out. I don't think the commish will forget that.

- All this talk about the franchise not going with the name "Whitecaps" is crap. The name will live. It sounds like the MLS will try and stay away from it (ties to NASL, USL, etc...) for the time being. But at the end of the day (figure of speech, actually months from now), it will certainly be Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

- Vancouver co-owner and former Yahoo! President and COO Jeff Mallett is an incredibly nice guy. He stopped to chat with anybody and everybody. He also promised to join Full-Time in the near future. But Mallett revealed some other big news. He's now one of the newest owners at Derby County of the English League Championship. Of course Calgary billionaire and CBC's Dragon's Den panelist W. Brett Wilson is a part of Derby's ownership group. Mallett wasn't certain, but he thinks the club may now be completely owned by Canadians. The relationship between Derby and the Whitecaps could definitely be something to look for down the road.

- Vancouver's other co-owner and soccer saviour Greg Kerfoot is still unbelievably mysterious.

-MM

Montreal Impact Preview

The Montreal Impact had a disappointing end to the 2008 season losing to the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Semi-Finals of the USL-1 playoffs, but a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League has made up for that. It has also provided the Impact with the opportunity to be fit and in form earlier than normal, having played CONCACAF Champions League games early in 2009. The addition of Eduardo Sebrango from the Whitecaps, the league’s 3rd ranked goal-scorer in 2008, will surely help Montreal make an impact in 2009. “He’s a great teammate,” says Montreal’s Joey Gjertsen. “I think everyone can expect big things from Sebrango.” The Impact has a lot of positives this season with a very strong defense and potent offense, something that isn’t lost on Gjertsen: “We have a solid defense and have been scoring in bunches in pre-season, so things look good.”

Montreal’s biggest concern may in fact be burn-out. Pre-season training in Italy, followed by CONCACAF Champions League play prior to the start of the season, could weigh heavily on the squad as the season progresses. Despite the potential fatigue factor, the Montreal Impact will compete for the USL-1 regular season title with a long playoff run in their future. If the Impact can put it all together, Montreal will be a strong candidate for 2009 USL-1 Champions.

Next Preview: Vancouver Whitecaps FC

-TG

Montreal kicks off it's defence against Toronto

Montreal's Rue Frontenac has published what they believe to be the schedule for the upcoming Canadian portion of the CONCACAF Champions League.

I don't actually speak more than 25 words of french... but I'm pretty sure it looks like this:

May 13 - Montreal @ TFC
May 20 - Vancouver @ Montreal
May 27 - Montreal @ Vancouver
June 17 - TFC @ Montreal

Obviously, the games that are missing are the Whitecaps games against Toronto FC. Those will be released on Tuesday, but I'm working on getting the rest of the schedule for you today, but likely to be held on June 3rd and 10th.

What's better for Canadian Soccer...

There is an argument out in the soccer world about which team should represent Canada in the upcoming CONCACAF Champions League. Many people say Toronto F.C. because they are the only MLS team in Canada and, arguably, the best team with the best talent. My argument is a little different: which team, in representing Canada, would bring the best benefits home to Canadian soccer? I would not choose Toronto F.C., and the simple reason is that, in my opinion, TFC is not Canadian; rather, they are an international squad. The Montreal Impact and the Vancouver Whitecaps are both more "Canadian" teams, and for this reason, either team would be better positioned to benefit Canadian soccer by competing. Since Vancouver is out of the running, I would support Montreal to represent Canada in the CONCACAF Champions League.

First, let's take a look at the Major League Soccer team in Toronto. Currently, TFC have 7 Canadian members in the squad, down from 8 after recently releasing Andrea Lombardo. That's 7 players on a roster of 25. TFC's Academy Head Coach, Nick Dasovic, is the only Canadian on the coaching staff. Dasovic's duties include assisting the reserve team, but his duties don't allow him to work with or to travel on the road with the first team. Jim Brennan, team captain, and Greg Sutton, first choice 'keeper, are the two well-known Canadian players on Toronto's squad, both playing a majority of minutes. As for the other Canadians on the team, at the time of writing, there are two on the development roster: Tyler Rosenlund and Nana Attakora-Gyan. Rosenlund has had the pleasure of playing 2 TFC games for a total of 8 minutes, while Attakora-Gyan has managed just 1 game for 3 minutes. Canadians Joey Melo and Tyler Hemming are both on the senior development squad. Melo has yet to feature in a game, and Hemming has 72 minutes under his belt, played over 2 games. The final Canadian is Kevin Harmse, who has played 7 games so far for the Toronto outfit, including 5 game starts. All this in a total of 15 MLS games so far this season.

Meanwhile, Montreal's squad features a number of Canadians: 11 to be exact, on a 22 man roster. Canadian Patrick Leduc has featured in all 15 of Montreal's USL games, while Adam Braz and Mauro Biello have taken part in 14. Nevio Pizzolitto has featured in 9 games. Sita-Taty Matondo, Gabriel Gervais and Rocco Placenino have managed to acquire 8 games this season, while Antonio Ribeiro and Alex Surpenant have each played 6. The high representation of Canadians on the Montreal team doesn't just stop on the playing field: the Impact have an entire coaching staff of Canadians as well.

Looking at these statistics, the question is, which team should represent Canada in the CONCACAF Champions League? The answer is Montreal, and here's why.

Canada has been trying to build a strong soccer tradition for a long time. That entails establishing 3 key factors: loyal fans; better Canadian talent; and more teams that can compete with and are as strong as Toronto. If Montreal wins the right to go and play in the CONCACAF Champions League, then that will strengthen all 3 key factors:

Firstly, Montreal will be positioned to foster a better and more influential soccer community within Canada. This will eventually lead to Montreal hosting more national tournaments in the new Saputo Stadium and also raising home grown fan support in a city that is only 4 or 5 time zones away from the Europe-based players. It will ensure that there is a strong support structure for soccer in place in Montreal, and allow for the Canadian team to play sold out events supported by loyal Canadian fans.

Secondly, Montreal has a better opportunity than Toronto to build Canadian talent. With only 2 players seeing regular action in Toronto, it is important that a more "Canadian" team has the chance to give its players the valuable experience of facing other environments and cultures in competitive matches. Montreal has more Canadians on the roster and more playing in everyday games. With the addition of the Champions League they will play higher calibre teams, and in league play, reserve players will get a chance to play more regularly, thus building a stronger foundation in Canada for players in North American leagues. Montreal players will then know what to expect when they put on the Canadian National Team shirt and play against a country like Mexico, Honduras or Costa Rica. They will have had actual game experience against these countries. Having Americans Maurice Edu and Marvell Wynne, or Honduran Amado Guevara play Champions League games for Toronto does not help our national product. Further, if Montreal were to represent Canada, it would benefit Canadian soccer by helping build a strong Canadian coaching staff. Who will follow in the footsteps of Canadian National Team coaches Frank Yallop and current coach Dale Mitchell? Perhaps a Canadian named John Limniatis, current coach of the Impact, or Montreal's technical director, Nick De Santis.

With respect to the third factor, Canada needs to build the strength of Toronto's competitor teams. While having a stronger team in Toronto will help us reach our goal of being a better soccer country on the CONCACAF stage and on the world stage, having 1 strong team out of Canada's 3 teams is not sufficient to create a vibrant, competitive, and exciting soccer culture in Canada. We, as a country need 3 equally developed Canadian teams. As of this writing, the Vancouver Whitecaps are solidly near the top of the USL Division 1. Montreal is struggling in the league this year, but if they win the Canadian Club Championship, it would provide a solid finish to the season. Toronto is holding its own in the MLS Eastern Conference. If Montreal goes through, they will be building a better group of young Canadian players, while Toronto will be building a better group of international stars. If Montreal wins and gains a place, they will build a strong franchise, a better franchise, one that kids in Quebec would love the opportunity to play for.

To me it makes perfect sense. Montreal wins the Canadian spot in the CONCACAF Champions League, building a better team off the field, on the field, and in the future. And if they lose in the first round, well, who knows for sure that Toronto would do any better? The question is, would you rather have Canadians gaining experience on the field or would you rather have Canadians gaining experience on the sidelines? I want my Canadians playing.


written by: Tyler Green