Away From The Numbers Canada

Rennie Gone - Frank Yallop looks set to be announced as new Whitecaps manager

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Tue, 29 Oct 2013 00:30:00 +0000

The Renniesance is over.

After weeks of rumours and murmurs, Martin Rennie's reign as Vancouver Whitecaps manager has come to an end and former Canadian international Frank Yallop is favourite to be announced as the new Caps boss.

We've been told that Rennie was given the news today, with the club looking to go in a new direction under a new management team, with the two time MLS Cup winning Yallop likely to be at the helm.

The Caps ownership has felt that the club failed to show enough progress in Rennie's second year at the helm and the failure to make the playoffs this season has been the straw that broke the Scotsman's back.

Rennie leaves the Whitecaps after being in charge for 77 games (69 MLS and 8 Voyageurs Cup). His MLS record saw him with a 34.8% win percentage and an overall record of 24 wins, 19 draws and 26 defeats, taking 44% of points available. The Caps scraped in to the playoffs last season but failed to lift Vancouver's first ever Voyageurs Cup in either season.

He did lift two pieces of silverware during his time with Vancouver - 2012's Walt Disney Classic Cup and this year's Cascadia Cup. In the grand scheme of things, they mean little except for some bragging rights and a bit of pride. In the cutthroat, must win environment of modern day football management, such things are nice but not enough to keep your job.

Rennie's downfall can be pinned on a number of factors. Two key ones are the failure to achieve either of Vancouver's two main goals this year (reaching the playoffs and securing Champions League qualification through the Canadian Championship), along with the perceived lack of sufficient progress by many when comparing the club to rivals like Portland, who overtook them big time this season.

Add in a rigid formation, playing players out of position, endless spin and what many feel has been a failure to learn from his mistakes, the writing was always looking on the wall for the Scot as soon as Coloradosealed Vancouver's playoff fate.

There is no doubt that the Whitecaps have improved under Rennie.

They went from worst in 2011 to a playoff team last year, but two late season collapses have taken the shine a little away from all of the other achievements. Rennie's legacy to us is that he got the Caps playing some exciting, attacking and entertaining football at home, but struggled to know just what to do with his team on the road.

Wherever the future takes him, we wish him all the very best.

The sacking and Frank Yallop's likely appointment is sure to be a polarizing decision for some fans, but we feel it's the right way to go. What the Whitecaps need right now is someone leading them with experience and proven success in the game as both a coach and a player, especially a coach that knows MLS and knows how to win in the league.

And Yallop certainly knows how to do that, although it can also be argued that much of that success was a while ago now and the game has changed, especially in MLS.

After retiring as a player in 1998, Yallop went into coaching and was named as the Head Coach of San Jose Earthquakes in 2001, winning the MLS Cup in his first season in charge and being named 'Coach of the Year'.

He won his second MLS Championship two years later, before leaving club football to take up the role of the Canadian national team manager in January 2004.

Yallop stayed in that job for two and a half years before resigning and returning to club football with LA Galaxy in June 2006, then going back to San Jose for a second stint the following year.

The Canadian Hall of Famer stayed with the Earthquakes for five and a half years, guiding them to the 2012 Supporters' Shield, before his surprise sacking in June this year following the Quakes horrible start to the season.

It was a sacking that shocked his San Jose team, with Chris Wondolowski describing the decision as leaving him "speechless", "devastated" and "gutted"at the departure of the man named as MLS 'Coach of the Year' just a few months previously.

Even his ex players were taken by surprise, showing the respect he has built up as a coach. Joe Cannon took to twitter and commented "Absolutely stunned by Frank Yallop leaving. I can't understand this.".

As a player, Yallop was capped 52 times for Canadaand played 14 seasons in Englandwith Ipswich Town, before returning to North America to play three years with Tampa Bay Mutiny in the early days of MLS, winning the Supporters Shield in his first season in 1996.

This is the type of experience, as player and manager, that helps a coach garner respect from his squad, especially those more veteran and experienced players who have also played at the top level of the game, some of whom have been quite vocal privately about the direction that the team was going under Rennie.

Yallop would come to Vancouverwith a MLS coaching record of 145 wins, 99 draws and 131 defeats from his 375 games in charge. That gives him an overall winning percentage of 38.7% and 47.5% of available points taken.

Not stunningly more than Rennie but sustained over eight more years in the League and with two Championship and one regular season title to show for it.

There is no word on the rest of Rennie's management team but it is thought that Yallop would bring in a lot of his own personnel.

Paul Ritchie will likely be moving on to pastures new. This is disappointing to us, as we feel he was an excellent coach and his experience in playing at the top level was an asset to the club and earned him respect. He was never afraid to be the one to dish out the necessary bollocking after games or at training and we're pretty sure he's going to go on to be a great coach in his own right.

We fully expect Carl Robinson to stay at the club. He is well respected in the dressing room and MLS Golden Boot winner Camilo, was quick to heap praise on the former Welsh international yesterday for helping his game to become as successful as it has. We also wouldn't be surprised to see Robbo groomed to take over as a future head coach himself one day. He certainly has all the right qualities.

It will also be interesting to see what role Joe Cannon may get under Yallop, with the pair having a good relationship going back a number of years.

Yallop will have had months to watch the Whitecaps in the second half of the season. He will already likely know which players he'd like to keep around and which ones need to go. We also expect him to hold a postseason training camp, which may start as early as this week, although don't expect too many wholesale changes.

The lingering question many will now have is whether Yallop is the right man for the job. Is his experience and success in MLS exactly what the fourth year team are now needing in this league? Or was his 2012 Quakes a blip and he is a manager whose best days are behind him and he is coming to the team with outdated ideas that won't be a success here?

Yallop didn't haven much of a playing budget to bring in top players at San Jose but spent wisely on talent. Will he get more to play with in Vancouver?

I guess we'll soon find out, but we're pretty confident that the right decision has been made and we'll see the fruits of this next season. And we have to, because the Whitecaps cannot afford to take any backwards or even sideways steps with this appointment. This is a key one for the Caps footballing future.

Interesting times ahead in Whitecapsland.

Keep, Trade or Release 2013: A Vancouver Whitecaps player analysis (Part Four - Forwards)

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 05:30:00 +0000

The 2013 MLS season is all over bar one last shouting for Vancouver Whitecaps.

There needs to be changes and there will be, of both players and management, and they will start happening from next week. Should these be wholesale or should the Caps keep a core and build around them?

We got all of AFTN's writers for this season to take a look at the current Whitecaps squad and say whether they would keep them around for next season, trade them for more valuable assets or to fill positions of need, or just release them into the wild altogether.

We continue the feature with a look at the forwards.

(Catch up with the series: Part One - GOALKEEPERS/ Part Two - DEFENDERS/ Part Three - MIDFIELDERS).

Here's our thoughts. We want to read yours below....

Forwards:

It's been a good year for goals for and you have to wonder just how many more there would have been had there been some creative midfielders in there.

Caleb Clarke

Steve: (KEEP) - The residency player disappeared on and off the pitch at the beginning of the season which could have been an injury/fitness issue or some disagreements with the current staff. Clarke is currently on loan with German team Augsburg until the end of the European season at which the Caps could get an in form striker who could be an ideal fit for a new system.

Michael: (KEEP but we'll sell him) - Really disappointed with the way the Caps have handled Caleb's development, although a lot of it has not been of the club's making as well. He has shown he is an out and out goalscorer and should have been ahead of Hertzog and Heinemann in the pecking order in my view. Now impressing in Germany and training with the Augsburg first team. He'll not be back and we'll sell him to the Bundesliga 2 side, but we could have used him this year.

Christopher: (TRADE) - With Sam, Bryce, Gershon, Russell, Simon, and Camilo whenever his paperwork is processed, the club are not in danger of having too few Canadians. I say sell him for as much as we can get, and make sure we get a decent sell-on clause in the transfer.

Jay: (TRADE) - It seems like the Whitecaps and Caleb just can't get it figured out. I find it hard to believe that Hertzog or Heinemann are that much better than Clarke to warrant their inclusion in the squad. Either way, it may be best to get a nominal transfer fee from Germanyand take some lessons learned into future negotiations with our next promising young residency striker who can't help but score goals, Brody Huitema.

Tommy Heinemann

Michael: (KEEP) - I flip flop a lot on the hairy one. I loved what he was showing in the Reserves and was calling for him to get MLS minutes, then he did, but didn't impress me much. Giving him those minutes earlier in the season would have possibly helped. Still not convinced he is MLS quality, but he is at least a big striker who is good in the air and you'll struggle to find what he has the potential to bring to the team at a better value than his $51,975 salary.

Jay: (KEEP) - There's something I kind of like about Tommy, and he's really excelled in reserves. If he could develop just a little bit more

, he'd be a very useful bench player or occasional starter. Either way, he comes cheap so he can be retained without too much worry.

Christopher: (KEEP) - Tom proved his value in Montreal. He represents a different kind of forward to the rest of our group and has done well in the reserves, often captaining them.

Steve: (Keep) - The team's only striker with size excelled in the Reserve league and even had some bright spots with the first team. I expect the Whitecaps to bring in a couple of strikers and if each of them have decent size and ability to score from a header then Heinemann could be gone.

Aaron: (KEEP)

Corey Hertzog

Christopher: (TRADE) - His skillset is similar to other players who are assured of their place in the squad. Might as well see what we can get for him, and make room for another project, or perhaps Ben Fisk.

Jay: (RELEASE) - Unless he returns from FC Edmonton with a glowing report card from Colin Miller, I can't see why Hertzog should be favoured over some of the other youngsters coming up through the residency.

Steve: (TRADE) - Another striker who had bright moments but was unable to do anything consistently and eventually was loaned to FC Edmonton for the remainder of the season. At this point I see Hertzog going but he could also stay depending on who the Caps bring in and some others who might stay.

Michael: (KEEP) - I like Hertzog. I think he'll be a good striker and if I had to choose between keeping him around or Heinemann, I would pick Hertzog. I'm saying to keep them both as I think that both Clarke and Miller will be away and we need to develop one of them as our third choice striker. Not sure they will both make it through the summer if they do stay. But he needs to play to develop and if he is going to be pushed down the depth chart then it would probably be better for him to be released and go to the re-entry draft. His cheap at around $60k and I'm not sure we can bring in too much better for that price.

Erik Hurtado

Jay: (TRADE) - Unless the Whitecaps are playing a post season friendly with the BC Lions, Hurtado has shown that the Caps have players who are better, or younger, or both, and the problem will only get worse if Salgado returns. Time to see if the Whitecaps can trade Hurtado and get something back for that high draft pick.

Steve:(TRADE) - The first round pick didn't have a great season and clearly was not the player marketed by the Caps and others at the beginning of the season. The fact that Hurtado is not a Generation Adidas player hurts as his guaranteed salary of $81,500 currently counts against the cap and there are better options like Ben Fisk in the system.

Michael: (TRADE) - There were times this year I thought Hurtado may just make the breakthrough and we'll never know what an early goal might have done for the player. He was one of the most consistent Whitecaps players - regularly being let down by his first touch, and often his second and third as well. I'm not sure how much others will see in his potential for a trade and his salary will definitely make some baulk. I'd try and package him with one of our first round draft picks for a MLS veteran fullback or midfielder.

Christopher: (KEEP/TRADE) - Vancouver doesn't have to trade him, but it's worth exploring what Portland, Chivas, or someone else would be willing to part with. The jury's still out on him. These are the kinds of problems clubs love to have.

Aaron:(KEEP) Had a season goal of 5 MLS goals. Wasn't even close to that. Needs to work in his first touch and finishing for next season.

Kekuta Manneh

Aaron: (KEEP) - Has been a pleasant surprise this year. Needs to work on his on ball strength for next season. Still only 18 years old and his future his bright.

Jay: (KEEP) - I've been high on Manneh since we drafted him. No reason to believe he can't continue to develop either. Hopefully, by the end of next season, he will be an integral part of the Whitecaps attack.

Steve: (KEEP) - With his late flurry of goals the 18 year old has jumped into third on the team in scoring and when you consider his age and limited playing time it makes the feat even more amazing. While he may not be a regular in the eleven Manneh should at least be the first or second option off the bench when the team needs an equalizer or a winner.

Christopher: (KEEP) - An 18 year old, domestic, Generation Adidas player, who when all is said and done, may be the star of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft when we look back on that class in a few years time.

Michael: (KEEP) - Will be interesting to see how Manneh's terrible twos year turns out. There is a lot of pressure on him now to perform at the top level but I think we've also seen in the recent games that his touch can be wild, as can his shots. I like how Rennie managed him to an extent, bringing him on slowly, it's just felt too slow. Will be happy to see him as out first choice sub and occasional starter next year at the very least.

Darren Mattocks

Steve:(Trade) - After a decent rookie season Mattocks has regressed this season despite being given every opportunity to succeed as the primary striker. He will surely graduate from his Generation Adidas contract which makes the one dimensional striker way too expensive for the Whitecaps.

Michael: (TRADE) - And possibly many other teams too. He needs to be shown the door. Hopefully he doesn't miss the opening. Disappointing second year where it seems that like Samson with his locks, we took all the undisciplined aggression out of his game and his skill and finishing went with it. Woeful misses and looking like a one trick pony. He could thrive in a team that plays the long ball game, but he's been found out and can't seem to bring anything else to his game.

Christopher: (KEEP) - I would say trade, but it's a case of high risk, low reward. His value isn't too high right now, and in the right situation, he could become a superstar in this league.

Jay: (TRADE) - He has the physical tools to be very useful, and will probably score a lot of goals in MLS. I just don't think it'll be on a winning team. He doesn't seem to get the game, and makes poor decisions, poor passes, and is generally just lazy.

Aaron: (KEEP) - Let's face it, he was never going to replicate what he did last season. Had some bad luck and will need to regain his mental toughness.

Kenny Miller

Christopher: (TRADE) - He'll celebrate his 34th birthday before the start of the 2014 season. A decline is coming, and it will be rapid. Get as much money as you can, while you can.

Jay: (TRADE) - As integral as he was to our attack, it may be time to cash in on the aging Scotsman. I wouldn't mind keeping him, but paying $1.12 million for an oft-injured poacher, who, if we're honest, isn't really great at poaching anymore, is pretty poor business. Time for his Rangers swan song.

Aaron: (KEEP) - Contract extension shows he wants to be here. Hopefully he can stay healthy and continue his current success. If Demerit isn't brought back he is likely our new captain.

Michael: (RELEASE) - The whole contract extension baffles me a little. I saw it as a ploy to shut some media up but also to try and get some sort of a transfer fee. Except who is going to pay it? Rangers may want him but he's ageing and they're flying through the lower leagues with their new crop of young talent. They also don't have much money to spend on fees. I'm a Miller fan, but he is too costly for what he can bring next season and all the injury risks. If they can release him without any sort of cap repercussions, that would be my way forward. Cite the old family couldn't settle excuse.

Steve: (Trade) - When Miller was healthy he was valuable enough to earn his Designated Player status with his work rate and finishing ability. However he was injured for large chunks of the season and seems to be headed back to play somewhere in the U.K.with the only question being if the Caps can get something for him.

Omar Salgado

Jay: (KEEP) - One year on bargain basement salary numbers to see if he can still run or if his feet are indeed made of glass.

Michael: (Prefer RELEASE but probably KEEP) - I still don't think we'll ever see him play in a Whitecaps jersey in MLS again. And we still don't know just what he can consistently give us. He was poor, then changed positions and seemed good, then hade the injury mare. Have to feel for the kid, but agree with Jay that if we can get him in on a bargain basement salary then keep him around, at least until next summer to get a look at him. There has been no decision yet as to whether he will be allowed to continue on a Generation Adidas contract.

Aaron:(TRADE)- Next year could still be his first year where his salary isn't Generation Adidas. I don't see him being back next season in a Caps kit.

Steve: (Keep)- Another wasted year for Salgado who was unable to get on the pitch because of a chronic foot injury. The only way he stays in Vancouver is if the secret MLS council grants the striker another year on a Generation Adidas player as his cap charge is too rich for the risk of another injury.

Christopher: (KEEP) - Out of contract, but with a club option and he's probably still a Generation Adidas player. I say exercise the option and hope for the best. Low risk and high reward makes it an easy choice.

Camilo Sanvezzo

Michael: (KEEP if we can) - There's no way the Whitecaps wouldn't want to keep him in any circumstances, but with the team failing to make the playoffs, getting rid of one of your few shining lights in the season would be a PR disaster. All that said, I think we have to be more worried about someone in Europe, especially the UK, looking at the stats and the salary and snapping him up in the winter transfer window. The hole that would leave in our attack is a frightening prospect.

Steve: (Keep) - There is no question that the Brazillian has been the best player for the Caps leading the team in goals and helping create quite a few as well. He has professed his love for Vancouver as well as Canada and there may be a riot if he leaves but if a mid seven figure transfer is offered will the front office have something to think about.

Jay: (KEEP) - There's no question Camilo is one of the greatest talents in the league. Let him have another 12+ goal season next year, and then get out the DP pen, and hand him a blank cheque.

Christopher: (KEEP/TRADE) - Camilo is at something of a crossroads. He'll want another pay raise. He's working to become a Canadian citizen. And his trade value is at an all-time high. A bit of a sadistic choice really. Either way, it could come back to haunt the Whitecaps.

Aaron: (KEEP) - Has got a raise every season since he has been in Vancouver. Has shown he is a true finisher. May be hard to live up to these goals next season.

**********

So that's our look at the strikers. Let us know your thoughts below.

Lot of questions around a few of the guys though and who can rise to the occasion for another stellar goalscoring year. When you look back at the all the missed opportunities though, we probably do need to strengthen with a decisive poacher or two.

Tomorrow we conclude this series with a look at some of the Whitecaps management. Will any of them still be around when preseason training opens in January? Do we want them to be? Let's discuss that on Monday.

Report and Reaction: Camilo's Golden Boot winning hat-trick ends Vancouver's season on a high

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Mon, 28 Oct 2013 05:00:00 +0000

[Match report from Vancouver Whitecaps 3-0 win over Colorado Rapids at BC Place on Sunday afternoon in their MLS season finale. Plus post game reaction from Martin Rennie, Camilo Sanvezzo, Sam Adekugbe, Jay DeMerit, Young-Pyo Lee]

Report:

Camilo Sanvezzo hit a stunning hat-trick to win the MLS Golden Boot in some style and give Vancouver Whitecaps a winning 3-0 season send off over Colorado Rapids at BC Place on Sunday afternoon.

The Brazilian's three goals took his season tally to 22 and gave him the outright Golden Boot title from Chicago's Mike Magee, in a comfortable team performance that just raised more "what if" questions.

The other big storyline of the day was the changing of the guard at fullback, with veteran YP Lee retiring and Residency graduate Sam Adekugbe making his professional debut.

Camilo was needing two goals to win the MLS Golden Boot and he started lively, forcing Clint Irwin into a one handed save in the 10th minute from eight yards out.

Irwin produced another stunning one handed stop four minutes later, when Camilo collected a ball from Kekuta Manneh and tried a curler into the top corner.

The Whitecaps kept the pressure on, winning a corner, and Brad Rusin got on the end of it but headed straight into the goalkeeper's arms.

The Rapids weren't posing too much of an attacking threat but had their best chance in the 27th minute when Gabriel Torres surged forward and fired off a shot which David Ousted could only parry before recovering and stopping Edson Buddle's scrambled effort on the line.

Both teams exchanged chances, with Camilo coming close once again.

The Brazilian finally got the goal he was craving when Manneh was sent flying in the box by a clumsy Marvell Wynne tackle in the 43rd minute and the referee pointed to the spot. The Caps top scorer hit a rocket down the middle to give Vancouver a 1-0 lead at the half.

The second half soon settled into having an end of season feel about it, which was particularly surprising with Coloradoneeding the points for playoff placing. Both teams, Vancouver in particular, had some good build up play but no killer balls at the end of them.

It felt as if the game was going to play out as a single goal win when the Caps doubled their lead from pretty much nowhere in the 74th minute.

Matt Watson played a short pass to Camilo on the edge of the box and the striker twisted and turned Wynne and Drew Moor inside and out before slotting the ball past Irwin for his league equalling 21st of the season.

He wanted one more to give him the sole lead and it nearly came in the 83rd minute when substitute Matt Watson unselfishly cut the ball back from the byeline and Camilo could only look on it disbelief when his goalbound effort was cleared off the line by Moor.

The Brazilian only had to wait another minute before he got his magic moment.

Russell Teibert played a delightful chip over the Colorado defence and Camilo took it first time to fire past Irwin for his hat-trick and his Golden Boot winning 22nd goal of the season.

There was still time for the stadium to give YP Lee a standing ovation and the Korean legend came off in stoppage time to bring the curtain down on an illustrious career.

It's been a season of ups and down for Vancouver, but it finished with a bang and not a whimper. The Whitecaps won. At the end of the day it all meant nothing, apart from the well deserved personal honour for Camilo. There were at least some promising signs to end it all.

Bring on 2014.

FINAL SCORE: VancouverWhitecaps 3 - 0 ColoradoRapids

ATT: 21,000 sell out

VANCOUVER: David Ousted; Young-Pyo Lee, Jay DeMerit, Brad Rusin, Sam Adekugbe; Gershon Koffie, Nigel Reo-Coker, Russell Teibert, Daigo Kobayashi (Darren Mattocks 61); Kekuta Manneh (Matt Watson 73), Camilo Sanvezzo [Subs Not Used: Brad Knighton, Andy O'Brien, Jun Marques Davidson, Erik Hurtado, Tommy Heinemann]

COLORADO: Clint Irwin; Marvell Wynne, Drew Moor, Shane O'Neill, Chris Klute; Nick LaBrocca (Martin Rivero 57), Nathan Sturgis, Gabriel Torres, Hendry Thomas, Deshorn Brown (Dillon Serna 77); Edson Buddle (Jaime Castrillon 67) [Subs Not Used: Matt Pickens, Anthony Wallace, Atiba Harris, German Mera]

Reaction:

Martin Rennie on the season:

"We finished the season really well tonight. The margins this season have been so small...It's one of those years where teams have done extremely well and I think we have."

Martin Rennie on the team's performances this year:

"We feel that we haven't really underperformed this year. We feel that

we've actually done extremely well. Obviously we want to do better."

Martin Rennie on Camilo:

"We've really seen his development and progress this season, which has been fantastic for us."

Martin Rennie on Sam Adekugbe's performance:

"I thought he did a great job. Real credit goes to the people who work in our academy...I thought he really strolled through the game. He did extremely well. he hardly put a foot wrong."

Camilo Sanvezzo on winning the Golden Boot:

"It's very important for me. At the start of the season, no one believed. Just me and my family."

Camilo Sanvezzo on Carl Robinson:

"The coaching staff help me a lot, especially Robbo. After training I say, Robbo, please help me with some finish and every single day he's there with me, helping me a lot."

YP Lee on his retirement:

"I have retired from soccer tonight but I am feeling so happy this moment because it is exactly what I wanted."

YP Lee on his time in Vancouver:

"I will never forget the last two years in Vancouverin my life. So this club will remain in my mind as my club at all times."

YP Lee on having captaincy in his last game:

"I'm a captain but you know, there's many difference between imitation and original. I'm an imitation captain today!"

Sam Adekugbe on his MLS debut:

"It was really exciting. Once I got a few touches on the ball I was able to do some of the stuff I can do best but overall I think it was definitely a great experience."

Sam Adekugbe on making it as a professional:

"Growing up as a kid, I remember talking to my brother and saying I wanted to make my debut by at least 18 years old. This has to be one of the best experiences of my career. It's just the start but hopefully things will come in the future."

Sam Adekugbe on what he will take back to his Residency teammates:

"Just to show them that it's just another stepping ladder. We're able to get to that position. Just to show them that we can do what they can do. We just have to build ourselves as players, become more confident, work on the things that we need to work best on and things will open up....Hopefully a lot of guys can come through."

Jay DeMerit on the win:

"We want to end on the right note because it's a team that cares and it's a team that wants to get better and tonight proved that."

Jay DeMerit on Camilo:

"Throughout a long season it takes a consistent goalscorer to win the Golden Boot. These things aren't by flukes. It shows the qualities that Camilo has and brings to our team."

Keep, Trade or Release 2013: A Vancouver Whitecaps player analysis (Part Three - Midfielders)

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Sun, 27 Oct 2013 00:00:00 +0000

The 2013 MLS season is all over bar one last shouting for Vancouver Whitecaps.

We continue the feature with a look at the midfielders.

(You can read part one on the goalkeepers HERE and part two on the defenders HERE).

Here's our thoughts. We want to read yours below....

Midfielders:

It was clear to everyone from early on that the Whitecaps midfield was the weakest area of the field, with no effective depth and very little creativity. Everyone but Martin Rennie it appeared, who was quite happy to keep the players he had and not strengthen in the transfer window. The results were clear to see for most of the season until the late change to the diamond formation paid off with some decent displays. Next season though has to see changes.

Aminu Abdallah

Jay: (RELEASE) - I've seen nothing which suggests Abdallah deserves the contract or development time ahead of someone like Alderson (or Fisk, or Froese, or Bustos.) Time for Aminu to bid adieu.

Steve: (RELEASE) - This season's version of Tiago Ulisses or Alex Morfaw, Abdallah has shown very little in PDL and Reserve action to warrant a spot on the team next season. There were a number CIS and academy players that outperformed the Ghanaian and the fact that he takes up an international spot seals the deal.

Michael: (RELEASE) - I'm prepared to go one step further and say he was one of the worst players I've ever seen in a Whitecaps jersey. Some horrible PDL performances. If he can't even shine at that level, what's the point? Have to really question how the hell he was allowed to not only fill a MLS spot but also a valuable international one at that. Give that $46,500 to a Residency prospect asap.

Christopher: (KEEP) - I expect Aminu's career path to mirror Carlyle's. He's not ready yet, but he'll be well worth the wait.

Aaron: (KEEP) - Will more then likely be loaned out next season to give him quality minutes to help with his development.

Bryce Alderson

Christopher: (KEEP) - He's 19 years old, Canadian, and homegrown. No reason to ask this question for at least another three years.

Aaron: (KEEP) - Had a good season in Charlestonbut needs to start playing at a MLS level. Still young enough to be loaned out again but decisions will need to be made on his future.

Steve: (KEEP) - He started the season with a knee injury, which hampered his ability to get a spot on the Charleston Battery right away. He is still way too young to give up on and should either go out on loan or be a depth player where he will get his minutes in Reserve matches.

Jay: (KEEP) - We're getting close to time to make a decision on the one promising youngster. Perhaps one more season spent on loan, or even working him in to a few reserve games and substitute appearances.

Michael: (KEEP) - Agree. Next season is going to be a make or break one for Bryce with the Whitecaps. His injury was frustrating to all, but the 2012 season was more frustrating for me as he showed well in preseason then wasn't given any chance to show what he had. I feel he's lost nearly two years development and really needs to have a good 2014, somewhere.

Jun Marques Davidson

Aaron: (RELEASE) - He been the fans whipping boy all season long. Can't see him being here next season. Sure his $78,019 guaranteed salary is a third of others but he hasn't played well at all.

Steve: (TRADE) - People either liked Davidson or couldn't stand how he played negatively in the midfield. If the Caps are going to bring in a couple of midfielders I don't see them keeping him as a depth player. Not sure if any team will want him in a trade so a full release is possible.

Michael: (KEEP) - Couldn't disagree more. He's played excellently much of the season. People criticise his defensive style but he is clearly playing the way Rennie wanted him to as a DM, otherwise he wouldn't have kept getting starts. I don't think he'll be a starter next season but definitely want to keep him on the squad as back up and for certain away games.

Christopher: (KEEP) - I've always said that Davidson is at his best when you can't remember him doing anything. In that, he's the anti-DeMerit. He doesn't need to make a last minute tackle because he's usually already broken up the play through his awareness and positioning.

Jay: (KEEP) - As critical as I've been of Jun at times, I do feel there's a place for him and his contract value isn't terrible. Ideally, I'd love an upgrade in his position; someone who could both be the smart defensive support, but also someone who can spring an attack as well. However, this is not our position of greatest need, so we should hold on to Jun unless something magical appears.

Daigo Kobayashi

Michael: (RELEASE) - Too little, too late from the Japanese midfielder. Was it due to Rennie playing him in the wrong position or just that he isn't up to the standard needed for MLS. In all honesty, it's probably both. His linking up with his friend Manneh was good the last few games, but I'm not prepared to give him another expensive season to see if he can do this for more than a couple of games a season. A busted flush and can't see anyone wanting to trade for him, so set him free.

Aaron: (KEEP) - Fourth highest paid Whitecap at $238,833 guaranteed this year and third highest on base. That was the biggest surprise when the salaries where made public. I think he has had the Kenny Miller type freshman slump. Next year will be the season where he has to prove he is worth the pay.

Steve: (TRADE) - When Kobayashi was brought in at the beginning of the season, most believed he would replace the playmaking ability of Chiumiento. Unfortunately he was put in a wide position by the coaching staff where he was invisible to the point that he could not get into the starting eleven. He showed flashes but was it enough for Rennie or a new coach to keep him at such a high salary?

Christopher: (KEEP) - He reminds me of another Japanese number 10 who can't seem to catch a break in his preferred position. When he's on, he can be amazing. He has too much talent to let go. But he's not a winger.

Jay: (RELEASE) - I've been a big supporter of Daigo's all year. I do feel he's been misused and if he had been played in a number 10 role all year and the rest of the squad had been focused on building the attack through him, that he would have flourished. Unfortunately, he only got a look there late in the season. Too little, too late, and we can't gamble on him finding his feet at that expensive salary.

Gershon Koffie

Steve: (KEEP) - There will be questions as to what happened to Koffie down the stretch of the season. Did the coaches mess with his game to the point where he got confused or does Koffie need to show more consistency and edge to his game. He has too much potential to give up on and next season should be given a chance to possibly play DM full time.

Jay: (KEEP) - After two seasons of big steps forward, Gersh took a sidestep. Developed certain parts of his game, but stalled in others. At times it seems like there hasn't been enough room out there for Koffie when Reo-Coker is on the field, but there is still plenty of reason to believe Gersh can contribute.

Christopher: (KEEP) - He's had an up and down season. It feels like he's been around forever, so it's easy to forget that he just turned 22. As much as I personally loathe the practice, Vancouver's 28 may one day be held in the same regard as 5, 10, and 21.

Aaron: (KEEP) - The selling Gershon to Europe talk has stopped lately. Has benefitted from Reo-Coker's experience this season. Needs to start controlling his body on challenges to get the yellow card count down.

Michael: (KEEP but TRADE if a good deal came along): I just don't get this love affair people seem to have for Koffie. What is it that they're seeing that I seem to be completely missing? He has a couple of great games a season, scores a couple of goals, but on the whole is far too inconsistent and can't control his tackling and often his wild shots. He looked ok as a DM and this could be the role for him as he certainly isn't the attacking or creative midfielder that the Caps are needing as a starter. I would gladly trade him for a more experienced, reliable and consistent MLS midfielder if one was to come along. He is not a $176,000 MLS player right now.

Nigel Reo-Coker

Jay: (KEEP) - I had written this big long bit about why we should release Nigel. Missing in action during the most important moments of the season, poor defending, goes missing for giant swaths of games. He's going to want a salary bump. Quite frankly, he doesn't deserve it. However, the one thing Nigel has going for him is that without him, our midfield would have been a complete abomination. Unless we go out and completely revamp our midfield, I think he must be brought back if only because we have no other options.

Steve: (KEEP) - He may have faded a little in the final stages of the season but you definitely have to say where would the Caps be without Reo-Coker in the midfield? On some nights he was the only factor in the middle and made some incredible runs. However he hasn't shown enough to earn a DP contract that was rumoured in the preseason but should get a bump in his salary.

Michael: (KEEP but only on right deal and there is dressing room harmony) - Can't disagree with any of the above. I wrote an article of NRC a few weeks back and nothing has changed my mind since then. He was the only midfielder to really come away from this season with any credit but isn't worth too much more of a payrise above his guaranteed $237,362 and certainly not DP money. Will he want to stay for that amount of money when he could definitely get more back in the

? Can the right deal be done? How much harmony or disharmony does he actually bring to the dressing room? If the answer to all of these questions is positive, then glad to have him around for 2014. If not, happy to see him go and sad at the same time.

Christopher: (KEEP) - He's performed as expected and no doubt will be a designated player next year. He may even end up as Captain on a permanent basis.

Aaron: (KEEP) - Has been a reliable midfielder in a horrible midfield season this year. Needs to work on his finishing for sure. Still don't think he deserves DP money next season.

Russell Teibert

We're putting him in with the midfielders as that is his natural position.

Aaron: (KEEP) - Has shown what a young prospect can do when they get quality MLS minutes. Will need to add more scoring touch to his game for next season. Adding 7-10 lbs of muscle can only help him attacking defenders.

Steve: (KEEP) - The 'broken' Canadian emerged as a threat in the attack and established himself as a starter in MLS leading the team in assists with 8, despite suffering through a period of illness. Here's hoping the coaching staff next season recognizes how well his game is suited centrally where he can be a playmaker and penetrate the backline with his runs.

Christopher: (KEEP) - In 2012, Paul Ritchie personally took Russell under his wing. Now he's learning from Nigel Reo-Coker. There's a reason he's nicknamed Canadian Soccer Jesus. He has nowhere to go but up.

Michael: (KEEP) - As with Alderson, next season is going to be a vital one for Teibert's future with the Caps and maybe in MLS. He had a good two months this year, but that was about it and for me he is a little overrated, as his play the rest of the time showed. He definitely has potential and skill but these will need to be utilised properly next season to show consistent growth. Without it, I could see him moving on down the line, but I also feel that we won't have to worry about that as I think a new coach will bring the best out of Teibert. I do like his cheapness at $65,600.

Jay: (KEEP) - A real rollercoaster year for the trendy youngster who at times dominated his side of the park, and at the end of the year lost his starting spot to Matt Watson. Either way, his technical ability and unreal work ethic is worth keeping him around.

Matt Watson

Christopher: (KEEP) - Even if Matty weren't a fan-favourite, an Englishman, and a decent footballer who deserves to play at this level, I'd still recommend keeping him around. His tireless work rate on the training ground can be infectious. He has a positive impact on those around him.

Steve: (KEEP) - An honest effort and a high work rate is what you're going to get when Watson is on the pitch for the Caps. He may not be the most gifted player but MLS teams need players like him at his rate on the roster. He is a fan favourite and one of the unsung players on the team.

Aaron: (KEEP) - Has been a decent all season. They need a player of his skill set to fill holes next season. At $79,251 guaranteed, he can fill many needs when injuries occur.

Jay: (KEEP) - Runs all day, trains hard, seems like a genuine guy that everyone likes, and he's on a cheap salary. Don't see why you would get rid of him.

Michael: (RELEASE) - Funny you should say that. I'll tell you why! Hard work and a lot or running can only get you so far and at the top level of the game you need more to be an impactful midfielder. As great a guy as Matty is, he doesn't have the skills to pay the bills. He can't finish, as he showed us last week in Colorado. Watson role in the squad is primarily to be the go to guy to fill in for injuries, out of form players, or to bring a refreshing change. We need a better player than he is to fill that role. If he took a pay cut and was the third or fourth in the midfield depth then maybe I'd keep him around, but otherwise not only can we do better but we should be expecting and demanding that we bring in better.

**********

So that's our midfield round-up. Do you agree with the guys? Or are we, or some of us at least, talking out of our ass?

Let us know your thoughts below.

Tomorrow, it's the striker's turn.

Keep, Trade or Release 2013: A Vancouver Whitecaps player analysis (Part Two - Defenders)

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Sat, 26 Oct 2013 00:30:00 +0000

The 2013 MLS season is all over bar one last shouting for Vancouver Whitecaps.

We continue the feature with a look at the defenders. (You can read part one on the goalkeepers HERE.

Here's our thoughts. We want to read yours below....

Defenders:

With YP Lee retiring, we already know that there's a big right back void to fill, but will there also be a clear out elsewhere in the defence?

Sam Adekugbe

Michael: (KEEP) - An obvious keep but we have to include him! Everyone needs to temper their expectations of Sam a little so as not to put him under too much pressure to perform. We're one of the worst I know, but we rate him very highly from watching him these past few years. He's a level headed young pro with a bright future in the game, hopefully for the Caps for many years to come. Next season may be too early to see him claim the starters spot but it will happen, and who knows? As Yedlin has shown in Seattle, it's talent, not age, that matters most.

Jay: (KEEP) - An easy decision, with the only question being when he will appear regularly for the first team. No reason to believe it can't be sooner rather than later. If Harvey is kept, I hope it's with one eye towards Sam overtaking the starter spot by the end of next season.

Christopher: (KEEP) - Sam won't replace Jordan in 2014 and maybe not even in 2015, but at some point he will become Vancouver's starting left full back, and remain in that role for the rest of the decade.

Aaron: (KEEP) - At 18 years of age he may be 2-3 years away from being a MLS starter. Whitecaps need to start playing the young prospects more with meaningful minutes moving forward.

Steve: (KEEP) - He's already shown in MLS Reserves that he not only can hang playing at that level but he can excel against men. Adekugbe will be the primary backup at the left back position and will see starts with the first team and the Reserve league where he will show that his age will not be an issue.

Jay DeMerit

Jay: (TRADE) - It'd be a bit of a heartless move, considering his recent marriage to a Vancouver gal, but with the emergence of Leveron and Mitchell, and O'Brien's new contract, DeMerit is good value to be shipped out. Perhaps he's just allowed to sign elsewhere, considering his contract is up, but it'd be nice to extend him now and trade him at the beginning of next season.

Michael: (TRADE) - I don't think we can keep two ageing, injury prone, high salaried central defenders around. Something's got to give. I've never thought that DeMerit was as good as we needed from a captain and a player at a guaranteed $375,000. In the air yes. On the ground, scary. I feel he has great trade potential to some clubs and could get us the return we need in another position, but we will only retain his rights if we make an attempt to re-sign him. I'd keep him around if we could get him on or just above Brad Rusin money. If it's an offseason of upheaval, it will be hard to get rid of the club's poster boy from a general fans perspective.

Christopher: (KEEP) - I'd like to see him take a bit of a pay cut. A rolling contract would be preferred, but it may take the security of a multi-year contract to convince him to accept reduced terms. His recovery from a potential season-ending injury has been phenomenal. Underestimate him at your own peril.

Steve: (KEEP) - The Captain worked hard to get back into the lineup after suffering what seemed to be a season ending injury and he performed well late in the season. They can't keep both DeMerit and O'Brien. If he is willing to take a pay cut then he should be welcomed back as he is the "face" of the franchise and is a domestic player.

Aaron: (TRADE) - They may not be able to afford keeping him moving forward. With his injury history it may be time to move on and look towards the future.

Jordan Harvey

Christopher: (KEEP) - The much maligned fullback has scored some important goals for Vancouver this term and earned one of the five nominations for the club's most valuable player. In a budget league, he's value for the money.

Steve: (TRADE) - How do you trade a player who is the leader amongst defenders in goals? First, he is inconsistent in going forward and delivering a decent ball into the box. Second, Harveyis very poor defensively and seems to be always out of position. His goals currently give the left back a high value and could bring in some decent assets that will help the team get better in other positions in addition to looking for a more dynamic fullback.

Aaron: (KEEP) He has had some highest of highs and lowest of lows this season. At $112,500 this season he hasn't played to his potential. I give him a 50/50 chance of being on the roster at the beginning of next season.

Jay: (TRADE) - Harvey has a neverending engine, and puts himself in smart attacking positions consistently, but is rather poor positionally, isn't particularly good at 1v1 defending, and doesn't really provide quality service. He will have value, though, as a MLS veteran and having a career year in the goal column.

Michael: (TRADE) - I fully expected him to be traded before the first transfer window closed in May this year. I do like what he's brought to the team in an attacking sense and always preferred him in a LM role. Defensively though, which is why he's there, he's been picked out by teams as the weak link and been attacked in a lot of games. There would be a number of teams keen to trade for his services and I can see him heading back East. His presence off the pitch would be missed, as he is a rare find these days, a player with a real personality that is a joy to interview and livens up the dressing room.

Greg Klazura-

Jay: (RELEASE) - Although a quality squad guy, his early promise quickly diminished and it's clear he's no longer trusted. Time for the intelligent young man to go use his education.

Aaron: (RELEASE) - Hasn't been given a chance this season. Too far down the depth chart. Don't see him coming back next season.

Christopher: (RELEASE) - As much as I want to see Greg succeed, it won't be in Vancouver. Best to let him go and develop an academy player or draftee instead.

Michael: (RELEASE) - It's just not worked out for Greg. We liked what we saw of him in the 2012 training camp when he played left back and championed him along the way. In MLS play though he had a mare and just doesn't look top flight quality. Rennie described him as a "project", but it looks like that's now over. Could see him concentrating on his medical career after leaving Vancouver. We wish him well wherever he ends up and will miss what became our traditional gameday elevator chats!

Steve: (RELEASE) - It's apparently clear that Klazura is not ready for the primetime of MLS, even if he excels in training and in reserve matches. I don't think the Caps can get anything for him and if he is looking to continue his career in football then it will have to be in a lower league.

Johnny Leveron

Steve: (KEEP) - It took a while for the Honduran international to get into the lineup but when he did there was no doubt he was capable of playing in MLS. Next season Leveron will be the competition for a starting spot in either a central defender or a holding midfielder role.

Aaron: (KEEP) - With all the injuries he was called upon to step up and he did just fine. May be switched to a holding MF moving forward but will be a big part of this team next season and a bargain at $71,187.

Christopher: (KEEP) - In Johnny and Carlyle, Vancouverhas their centre back pairing of the future... today. When they play together at the back, the Whitecaps are 4-1-1, and conceded a mere 6 goals.

Jay: (KEEP) - Leveron is young, cheap, and has ice in his veins. Honestly, if you told me Johnny would be one of our starting centrebacks next season, I wouldn't complain.

Michael: (KEEP) - You have to keep him, but you also have to use him or lose him. Where though could be the problem. Will he retake a CB spot or move to DM or even LB? Will be a key year for the young Honduran, but he is too quality a player to not utilise.

Carlyle Mitchell

Michael: (KEEP) - The surprise package of the year. We were fans of his but didn't know he was ready to be just as good as he proved to be. Great to see a player seize the opportunity presented to him with both hands. With a likely coaching change, preseason will be key for Mitchell or I see him falling into the back up role again. He's cheap as chips at the moment and deserves an increase on his $46,500.

Steve: (KEEP) - No one could have expected Mitchell to be where he finished the season, especially when he started fifth on the depth chart and was loaned to FC Edmonton. He quickly established himself as one of the better defenders in the league after injury issues signalled his return to Vancouver, where despite a couple of hiccups became a solid defender for the Caps.

Aaron: (KEEP) - Has shown he needs MLS minutes moving forward. Has played like a beast all season. I see him starting as a CB next to O'Brien next season.

Christopher: (KEEP) - Although Russell and Camilo have given him a run for his money, I would say that Carlyle has been Vancouver's most improved player. If not for numerous and sustained injuries, he might have spent the entire season in Edmonton. Instead, he's made a case for himself as a starter next year.

Jay: (KEEP) - Easily the best on the squad in the air, and one of the most dominant in the league. Mitchell and Leveron could be the starting centreback combination for years to come.

Andy O'Brien

Aaron: (KEEP) - With his contract extension you expect that he will play a huge part next year. Hoping he continues his mentoring of Mitchell moving forward.

Michael: (KEEP) - I'm glad about that extension as I want to see him as the starter next season, but we can't keep both him and DeMerit and I have a fear that public pressure will see DeMerit kept on a lower salary and O'Brien will move on and probably back to

England

, which would be a mistake by the Caps.

Steve: (TRADE) - After DeMerit went down it was O'Brien who became the leader on the backline but he couldn't avoid his own injury issues being away for big chunks of the season. His taking up an international spot would be the only reason that I would think he would leave. Of course if a deal with DeMerit can't be completed then O'Brien should return as a starter.

Jay: (KEEP) - While he's getting on in age, O'Brien proved yet again to be a reliable leader at the back. He seems to genuinely be happy in Vancouver, and his no nonsense yet clever defending has earned him another year.

Christopher: (KEEP) - For a while there, he was probably Vancouver's most valuable player. When match fit, he should play. Cheaper than DeMerit but still expensive at $230, 012.

Brad Rusin

Christopher: (TRADE) - Like the rest of Vancouver's centre backs, he's had more than his fair share of injuries. If DeMerit and O'Brien are going to be sticking around, he has to as well. If one of them were replaced by a younger player, he might find himself on the trading block.

Jay: (TRADE) - He's done well when called upon, but it's clear both Mitchell and Leveron have moved passed Brad on the depth chart. He's too expensive to be your 4th choice centreback, so the Whitecaps would be wise to trade him to a team with defensive woes like TFC for another high draft pick.

Michael: (RELEASE) - I don't know what it is about Rusin, but I've never really taken to him on the team. Just don't feel he's good enough for the top level. He's last in the pecking order now for me and his $120,000 salary can't justify that. If we could get a trade, then great but I can't see anyone wanting him on the current salary and with his injuries and lack of gametime this year.

Steve: (TRADE) - There was nothing particularly wrong with Rusin's play this season as he showed he can be a solid depth player and a spot starter in MLS. However at his salary and the emergence of Mitchell, as well as Leveron, the defender should be traded. He could bring some allocation money which will help elsewhere.

Aaron: (KEEP) - Has had such bad luck with all the injuries this season. Hopefully he can stay healthy and been a dependable CB sub next season.

**********

So that's the end of the second part of our 2013 player analysis. On the whole consensus was reached but some of the more contentious players are a little more polarizing, which I'm sure many also are to those reading this.

In part three, we'll take a look at the midfielders, which yes, the Whitecaps did apparently have a few of this season.

But leave your thoughts on what you'd like to do with the Caps' current crop of defenders.

Keep, Trade or Release 2013: A Vancouver Whitecaps player analysis (Part One - Goalkeepers)

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 01:28:00 +0000

The 2013 MLS season is all over bar one last shouting for Vancouver Whitecaps.

We start with a look at the goalkeepers in this first part.

Here's our thoughts. We want to read yours below....

Goalkeepers:

Four keepers on the books is a luxury most MLS teams don't afford themselves. Bad management, hand tied by MLS rules or a bit of both? Whatever it was, you know they're not all going to be in Vancouvernext year.

Joe Cannon

Steve:(TRADE) - There has been no official announcement from Cannon as to whether he will look to play another year but if he does then he can't return at his current guaranteed salary of $189,916. However, the starting keeper at the beginning of the season could return if he is willing to have his salary cut in at least half.

Michael: (RELEASE/RETIRE but...) - Joe's stayed classy to the end, tweeting this week that fans shouldn't want him to play on Sunday but go with the future and Simon Thomas. Wherever the future takes him I hope he gets what he wants out of it. I have this sneaking feeling that he may still be around. If Yallop was to get the manager's job, he may want to keep Joe as goalkeeping coach. With his wage from that, he could then be on the books as a third keeper at a super low salary for emergencies.

Jay: (RELEASE) - Let this old steed ride off into the sunset. He may wish to try again somewhere else, but it's likely time to move on to coaching for Joe.

Aaron: (RELEASE) - His time is done in Vancouver. There is no way he will be back as a player in a Whitecaps kit. He would be a great addition as a youth development goalkeeper coach with this organization.

Christopher: (RELEASE) - I don't think Joe's done yet. He'll probably take the biggest paycheque he can find, but I don't see it being in Vancouver. If I'm wrong, I'd have no problem with him backing up the starting goalkeeper.

Brad Knighton

Christopher: (TRADE) - He's made it clear that he doesn't want to be a backup, and that's the only job he's going to get in Vancouver. His time here has enhanced his value, but he may have to drop back down into NASL again. Sadly, this was probably his best shot at being a starter in MLS.

Aaron: (TRADE) - He has a very small salary $68,600 but he wants to be a starter in this league. Has stated that he misses home and sitting on the bench might push him to move on with his career.

Jay: (TRADE) - Holding on to Brad may cause dressing room division. Move him on if you can get a handful of allocation money to a team who could use a cheap keeper looking to challenge for a starting job.

Steve: (TRADE) - Early in the season he was given the reigns to be the number one keeper and while he showed flashes, the Seattle home game, there was a lack of consistency. There is no way Knighton will be happy with staying in Vancouver as the backup and could prove to be a distraction so a move to another club or cutting ties completely would be ideal.

Michael: (TRADE) - He's a good keeper but his weak points still don't make him a strong MLS starter for me. I'm not sure he wants to be a backup again anywhere at this stage of his career. His performances may make him tradable but I don't see too many takers and none as a starter in this league, although his low salary will appeal for what they are getting. I see him dropping back down to NASL level. I'm pretty sure he's also relishing a return to living in the US.

David Ousted

Steve: (KEEP) - He was their only summer window acquisition and while many don't feel he made much a difference, he was an improvement over what they had before. Ousted has already shown that he does well to challenge shots and will only improve with a full preseason where he can develop a better chemistry with his backline.

Jay: (KEEP) - It's hardly been a smooth transition for the fiery Dane, but he appears to have the tools to succeed at this level. Although the circumstances surrounding his signing were not ideal, he should be kept around next season.

Christopher: (KEEP) - He's had something of a rocky start in Vancouver, but few of the goals he's conceded could be attributed to him. No one can stop every goal. And unlike others in his profession, he doesn't seem to dwell on the ones he could have stopped. He simply moves on and tries to stop the next one.

Aaron: (KEEP) - Starting keeper moving forward for this team. Will benefit with a off season and training camp in Vancouver. Don't know if he is a long term solution. He has stated he has EPL dreams in the next 3-4 yrs.

Michael: (KEEP) - I'm a fan of his and I think we will see this prove to be a great acquisition in the long run and for $166,156, it's pretty good money. I like how he comes off his line and, on the whole, his kicking and distribution. I do feel he should have done better with some of the goals this year however and worry that we may not see the best out of him if he isn't feeling challenged for the number one spot.

Simon Thomas

Aaron: (KEEP) - With the salary cap crunch the team is in he may have to step up and be the back up next season. With a salary of $35,125 it would open up money to make a move shoring up the midfield.

Jay: (KEEP) - Simon has looked decent in PDL and Reserve league games. For his own sake, he'd be smart to stick around and try and land the backup keeper position. If he's unable to find some minutes next season, perhaps it's time for him to find minutes elsewhere.

Michael: (KEEP) - I agree with Jay and I think he will make the backup position his own, but he needs to rise to the occasion and challenge for the starting spot. When we spoke with him at the start of the year, he said he wasn't here to just play second fiddle. Now we need to see that desire and see him rise to really challenge Ousted preseason.

Steve: (KEEP) - The current staff seems to have confidence that Thomas has the ability to be a keeper in MLS and he showed it when he played in Reserve matches and shutout the United States in an international friendly. With his low salary he would be an ideal fit as a backup to Ousted where he will be the regular starter in Reserve matches.

Christopher: (KEEP) - It's only a matter of time before he's replaced by Marco Carducci, but until then, his continued presence will be mutually beneficial to player and club. In an ideal world, he'll develop into a senior backup by then.

**********

So that's the end of the first part of our 2013 player analysis. At least one goalie will move on, but you have to think it will be more.

In part two, we'll take a look at the defenders. Out with the old and in with the young, or will some of the old guard still be hanging around for a while yet?

In The Cold Light Of Day: Vancouver is full of ations

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 21:00:00 +0000

To paraphrase Kenneth Wolstenholme, we thought it was all over. It is now.

Four days after Vancouver Whitecaps' playoff hopes crashed and burned in the altitude of Colorado, there's still a lot of anger floating around here at AFTN as it's been a season of wasted opportunities, where those teams previously below us have strengthened themselves far better than the Caps did.

It's also been a season full of ations for Vancouverand they've driven our playoff hopes off a cliff.

We'd hoped for celebration, domination and creation but unfortunately it's been frustration, desperation and stagnation that have been the order of the day. All we can hope for now is that it is going to end with a termination.

The hard questions that have to be asked now by the Caps powers that be is what were the goals going into the season, who is responsible for the failure to achieve those and what are the acceptable measuring sticks of success and progression for this team?

As expected of a man fighting to save his job, Martin Rennie has been keen to play up the positives at every given opportunity over the last few weeks. And there have been some.

The Caps have recorded their highest ever points total after three years of MLS play and their highest number of overall wins and away wins (although some of those games saw the team filled with trepidation). Then there's the big increase in goals scored and Camilo challenging for the Golden Boot.

They're all positives. There's a temptation to call it spin, but it is at least factual. It's just not what I deem as acceptable progress when those around you have actually progressed more than you.

I know I've been beating these stats to death a little this week on Whitecaps Daily and on our own podcast, but they are worth mentioning again for those that haven't listened.

We've improved in areas and yes, that is some kind of progress, but when you dig a little deeper into the numbers they become a little bit more telling.

Vancouver have 12 wins at present, but that's only an increase of one from 2012. Portlandhave five more and Coloradothree.

Again, yes, the points total has increased to 45. A massive increase of two there, whilst Portland have increased by 20 and Colorado by 14.

Those were the two teams that finished below us last season that have improved enough to make the playoffs this year at our expense. Is that acceptable progress? And why were those teams able to strengthen better than we were?

Even looking at Dallas, who didn't make the playoffs last year or this, have five more points and two more wins.

The Whitecaps have scored 50 goals so far this season. That is up a whopping 15 on last year and sees them sitting with the third best 'goals for' record in the West and fourth best in MLS overall.

Great stuff, but hold on a minute. How can a team that's scoring like that not even be in the playoffs, never mind languishing 14th in the overall table? Portland are also up 15 goals and they sit atop of the Western Conference.

Well a quick look one column over tells you why. The Caps have conceded 45 goals this year, which is actually an increase of four on last season. Only six teams have conceded more and four of them are also missing out on the playoffs. Portland on the other hand have conceded a massive 23 goals less than last season.

Rennie stated again at training yesterday that the team needs "a settled back four". They do and yes, there has been a huge amount of chopping and changing with the central defenders due to the insane amount of injuries that has befallen that particular position, but how many goals and losses can be pinned on that defensive pairing? Everyone who's played there this year has done reasonably well and at times excellently so.

The problem has been on the wings. With Lee retiring and Harvey struggling defensively, there's two voids to be filled there in the offseason and, without going into the rights or wrong of the Rochat trade once again, many would say it should have been filled this year.

Not to mention for the umpteenth time that we've needed at least one more midfielder all season long.

I said back in April that this squad was not good enough or deep enough to make the playoffs. It was glaringly so. A storming June papered over some of those cracks but they soon became visible again leading to our traditional late summer horrorshow.

It was all very frustrating to watch and that frustration soon turned to desperation, which in turn led to the Caps finding some form when they were fighting for their playoff lives.

All too little too late and you're left wondering what might have been had they found that swagger and playing style sooner.

Which ties in with another ation that's caused problems. Rennie's formation. Rigid, predictable and seemingly without the right personnel in place to carry it out at times. At this late stage in the season, how many would agree on what our best starting eleven actually is? Does Rennie even know? At times it's felt like improvisation.

In his postgame interview on Saturday he claimed that:

"I wanted to introduce a number of young players in the team and we've really done that. We've had a number of young players establish themselves in the group."

Who? And what team? The Reserves? Manneh couldn't even find a spot on the bench in a number of matches. Teibert, Koffie and Leveron all lost their starting spots.

There's been some statistical advancement but not to an extent of achieving the Caps' set goals.

At training yesterday Jordan Harvey commented that "Obviously we're disappointed at not making the playoffs, that's our number one goal. We had high expectations."

Not everyone can achieve their number one goal, but when it really matters the Whitecaps consistently failed to achieve most of their aims under Rennie. And the fact that often it has been in their own hands is what is particularly anger inducing.

We knew we needed two wins against Coloradoto most likely make the playoffs. We didn't get the job done. We knew we needed to beat Montrealat home to win our first every Voyageurs Cup. We didn't get the job done again.

We did win our first Cascadia Cup in the MLS era but all that gets us is a shiny fan trophy, bragging rights and libations. Fun, enjoyable but ultimately it should have been way down the pecking order when it came to what people feel was acceptable as a mark of a successful season.

Rennie's interviews often have an element of spin to them, manipulation if you like, but at times they also have a feel of a flight of fancy and you wonder if you've been watching the same game and team.

There can only be so much spin and the results speak for themselves. Rennie sees progress, yet Caps President Bobby Lenarduzzi told Team Radio yesterday that "I would say that we were stagnant".

He continued:

"The competition in the division, it's clear for everyone to see, other clubs upgraded, as did we, but just not enough. Too many points dropped at key times.

"I would say that we probably maintained where we were, but most people would view it as having regressed because we haven't made the playoffs."

It's hard to read or hear those comments, and others where he clearly lays all of the player decisions and signing with the manager, without thinking that Rennie's days are numbered in Vancouver and the season will end with one last ation - termination.

Whoever then comes in will be one of the key appointments in Whitecaps history. It has to be right man, with the right ideas and the right knowledge to lead this team to success, hopefully adding a new ation for next season - rejuvenation.

"There's Still Time" - The AFTN Podcast - Episode 24 (Goodbye Playoffs, Hello Mediocrity)

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Tue, 22 Oct 2013 04:09:00 +0000

Episode 24 of "There's Still Time", the AFTN podcast. It's the "Goodbye Playoffs, Hello Mediocrity" episode, also known as the "Colorado post game show" and "The one where an angry Scot rants at you for close to an hour".

After the Cascadia high came the Rockies low. A 3-2 defeat to Colorado Rapids sent Vancouver Whitecaps spiralling out of the playoffs and Martin Rennie probably towards the unemployment line, along with a lot of the players.

We don't really want to but we look back at the game that ended the Whitecaps playoff hopes and try and pinpoint where it went wrong this season. Can winning the Cascadia Cup and logging more wins, points and goals scored make still make it a success?

That's how Rennie is spinning things and we look at his post game comments on Saturday and ponder whether he can stay on now and where all these established young players he is talking about can be found.

There's still time for a look at what we want to see in the last game of the season and we start our campaign to get both Joe Cannon and Sam Adekugbe some playing time in the season finale.

There's a lot more chat too about all things Whitecaps, including some tweets from our listeners about the season past and future, so crank us up.

You can listen to this week's podcast on iTunes HERE.

Or download it for your later listening delight HERE

We also have an iPhone app, so you can now add our podcast to your phone as an app. Visit the podcast's mobile site HERE and then at the bottom of the screen just click the "Quick Launch" icon and the podcast will be added to your home screen and appear as an app.

And if that's not enough, we've joined Stitcher Radio Network. Download the app and listen to the AFTN podcast on your device, along with over 15,000 shows HERE.

Whitecaps' rocky road to the playoffs finally ended in Colorado

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Sun, 20 Oct 2013 00:53:00 +0000

Any meaning to Vancouver Whitecaps' 2013 MLS season was finally extinguished on Saturday with a 3-2 defeat in Colorado.

A first half goal from Kekuta Manneh and a second half penalty from Camilo Sanvezzo weren't enough to keep the Caps' playoff hopes alive with a Gabriel Torres double and another goal from Deshorn Brown dealing the killer blow to Vancouver.

The Whitecaps have been pretty much in playoff mode for a few weeks now and they went with an unchanged line up from the team that dismantled Seattle ten days ago.

Both teams enjoyed some early possession without really threatening too much and the Caps had their best chance of the game so far in the 14th minute when Kekuta Manneh easily ran through Chris Klute and Shane O'Neill but shot wide left.

Rapids rookie Deshorn Brown's youthful exuberance saw him blast a horribly weak clearance attempt by Jordan Harvey wildly over from the edge of the box in the 21st minute. Moments later, Brown got on the end of a long ball and left YP Lee looking his age behind him but he pulled his shot wide right.

Colorado were looking the better team, with Brown looking dangerous pretty much every time he got the ball. It was the Whitecaps that took the lead though in the 32nd minute and it came from nothing.

Daigo Kobayashi played the ball forward to Manneh who took a touch, turned and fired a screamer into the postage stamp corner to continue his goalscoring heroics.

The Rapids had an opportunity to hit back right away but Nathan Sturgis hit his effort over.

Colorado did get back on level terms three minutes before the break when Carlyle Mitchell had his arm on Drew Moor as a free kick came into the box. The veteran defender played it well and the referee pointed to the spot.

David Ousted guessed the right way but Gabriel Torres buried his spot kick and the teams went in at the half level, with all still to play for.

It was shaping up to be a nervy half for those of a Whitecaps persuasion but that nervousness soon turned to anxiety.

Manneh had two bites at a corner four minutes in, blasting his second effort over and Colorado took the lead from the resultant goal kick.

Clint Irwin hit a deep kick into the Caps half and Mitchell completely misjudged his jump allowing the ball to run on to Brown. It was then a footrace between Brown and Lee and there was only going to be one winner and the young striker gave Colorado a 2-1 lead.

Vancouver came agonisingly close to get back on level terms when Camilo dummied a Kobayashi pass and the ball fell perfectly for Matt Watson on the edge of the box. The Englishman did everything right but could only look on as his shot went inches past the wrong side of the left post.

Colorado were still looking quick and lively on the break and Sanchez had a shot deflected for a corner in the 68th minute.

It was starting to look like lights out for Vancouverwhen again they got on the scoresheet from nothing in the 75th minute.

Jordan Harvey got the ball, ran into the box and was chopped down by O'Neill. Camilo stepped up and coolly drilled home the equaliser from the spot.

The parity lasted two minutes with Coloradoquickly restoring their lead.

Torres got the ball on the corner of the box, showed great control, cut inside and curled a beauty into the top left corner.

Vancouver were down and they were soon out, unable to muster any chances to revive their playoff hopes.

The four minutes of stoppage time ticked by uneventfully and the final whistle sounded on both this game and any meaning to the Whitecaps season.

It was a disappointing way to bow out of playoff contention and with Montreal winning against Philadelphia, Vancouver can only finish second in the Voyageurs Cup seeding race now as well.

This should mean that Vancouver give some of their fringe and younger players a run out against Colorado at BC Place next Sunday.

Anything else cannot be deemed acceptable. But then, there's been a lot of that on the pitch this season.

FINAL SCORE: Colorado Rapids 3 - 2 Vancouver Whitecaps

ATT: 18,103

COLORADO: Clint Irwin; Marvell Wynne, Drew Moor, Shane O'Neill, Chris Klute; Hendry Thomas, Nick LaBrocca, Nathan Sturgis; Deshorn Brown (German Mera 83), Gabriel Torres, Vicente Sanchez (Martin Rivero 79) [Subs Not Used: Matt Pickens, Anthony Wallace, Edson Buddle, Atiba Harris, Jaime Castrillon]

VANCOUVER: David Ousted; Young-Pyo Lee, Carlyle Mitchell, Jay DeMerit, Jordan Harvey; Jun Marques Davidson (Kenny Miller 84), Matt Watson (Russell Teibert 61), Nigel Reo-Coker, Daigo Kobayashi (Darren Mattocks 67); Kekuta Manneh, Camilo Sanvezzo [Subs Not Used: Brad Knighton, Johnny Leveron, Gershon Koffie, Erik Hurtado]

Caps In College 2013: UBC close in on Championship hosting and SFU strengthen top spot

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Thu, 17 Oct 2013 20:30:00 +0000

[With the Canadian Soccer News site currently being down for a bit of a revamp and rejigging, we're temporarily moving AFTN back to Blogger for a few days. All the stuff posted here will get uploaded onto the blog at CSN once we're back up and running. But for now....]

The weeks are counting down before the frantic few weeks of postseason action get underway on both sides of the border.

In CIS action, number one ranked UBC have all but secured hosting the Canada West Championship with a pair of home wins and another two clean sheets. UVic have secured their spot in that six team tournament but could only manage one point from their two games this past weekend.

SFU kept atop of the Great Northwestern Athletics Conference (GNAC) in NCAA II with a comfortable 2-0 win over WWU, moving up to third in the overall rankings as a result.

It was a quiet week for Caps alumni in NCAA I with no goals to report, but Callum Irving recorded a clean sheet and Ben McKendry's New Mexico Lobos are starting to move up the rankings again.

UBC and UVIC – CIS

The number one ranked UBC Thunderbirds took another two big steps towards hosting the six-team Canada West Championship tournament at the end of this month with a pair of comfortable home wins over the weekend.

A goal in each half was enough to see off Winnipeg on Friday night, with Navid Mashinchi and Milad Mehrabi doing the damage.

UBC dominated the game but were made to wait until the 43rd minute before finding the breakthrough when Mashinchi scored after a scramble in the box, with Mehrabi getting the assist. The tables were turned in the 74th minute when Mashinchi turned provider and Mehrabi buried his effort from just inside the box for a league leading ninth of the season.

The Tbirds extended their winning streak to ten and kept their third straight clean sheet the following evening against Mount Royal. It was UBC’s final home game of the regular season and they marked it with a comfortable 3-0 win over the Calgary side.

It only took UBC 49 seconds to open the scoring when a Cougars defender deflected a Harry Lakhan shot into his own net. The Thunderbirds had to wait until 14 minutes from time to add to their tally and Lakhan was again the provider in a neat passing move that saw Reynold Stewart score with a low shot for his seventh of the season. Mashinchi had a two yard tap in from a Niall Cousens cross in the 87th minute to round off the scoring.

All of the goals and assists in this game came from UBC players who have been with the Whitecaps Residency and PDL sides.

Goalkeeper Richard Meister's two cleans sheets earned him a Canada West 2nd Star of the Week award.

The Thunderbirds now have a bye week before heading off for their final two away games of the season next weekend. It will be a chance for Mike Mosher to rest some of the key players and give some of the younger guys a run out, but the coach cautioned ”first and foremost we want to make sure we're healthy and got all our pieces available but at the same time don't want our standard to drop in terms of our play”.

It was a tough weekend for 10th ranked UVic Vikes who could only manage one point from their two away games but have secured a spot in the postseason super six.

Saturday saw a fighting 2-2 draw at Saskatchewan Huskies. Whitecaps trialist Brett Levis opened the scoring for Saskatchewan in the 29th minute before Caps PDL player Cam Hundal tied things up just before the half with his fifth goal of the season. The Vikes took the lead midway through the second half from their leading scorer Cam Stokes but the Huskies grabbed a late point.

UVic travelled to Alberta on Sunday but went down to two second half goals from the Golden Bears.

The Vikes head back to Victoria this weekend for their final home games of the season. Lethbridge come a calling on Friday, with Calgary visiting the next night. Both games kick off at 7.15 at Centennial Stadium.

SFU – NCAA II

A goal in each half kept SFU Clan on top of the GNAC and increased their lead over Seattle Pacific and Western Washington Vikings.

It was a comfortable 2-0 win over the Vikings, with SFU dominating much of the match but not able to turn their pressure into more goals.

Alexander Kleefeldt opened the scoring in the 12th minute, rising well to head home a cross from Whitecaps Residency graduate Alex Rowley. The Clan increased their lead just before the hour mark when Jules Chopin pounced on a giveaway and hit a neat finish for 2-0. You can see video of the goal and some other highlights from the match below.

Kleefeldt’s goal and overall performance earned the German GNAC Defensive Player of the Week honours, whilst the win moved SFU back up to number three in the NCAA rankings having fallen as low as ninth following the loss to Seattle Pacific the week before.

SFU head off for two away games this week in the Dakotas, taking on second bottom University of Mary Marauders on Thursday and bottom placed South Dakota School of Mines two days later.

CAPS IN COLLEGE – NCAA I

Ben McKendry's New Mexico Lobos have moved up to 14th in the latest NCAA rankings after a 2-1 overtime win over Florida International in Albuquerque on Saturday night. McKendry played the whole 99 minutes and was credited with an assist on the winner after his cross to the back post was headed across goal and put away by James Rogers from close range.

Brody Huitema had three shots in 102 minutes of play as his 67th ranked Duke Blue Devils were held to a 1-1 draw after double overtime against North Carolina State.

On the goalkeeping front, Callum Irving's University of Kentucky Wildcats had a win and a draw from their two home games. Double overtime couldn't separate them from South Carolina on Sunday, with Irving playing 110 minutes and recording the clean sheet in a 0-0 draw. They were back in action on Wednesday and came back to beat Valparaiso 2-1, although Irving did not play in this one. Kentucky are currently ranked 117th but expect that to rise.

Sean Melvin's University of North Carolina Wilmington Seahawks had a win and a draw in their two matches. Melvin didn't play in either Saturday's 1-0 win over James Madison or the 2-0 defeat to Drexel on Wednesday. UNC have a current ranking of 127th.

Declan Rodriguez's University of Milwaukee Panthers had a mixed two match week, with a win and a loss. Valparaiso (who I'd never heard of before writing this piece and now I've mentioned them twice!) were sent packing, well back to their dorms as they were at home, 1-0 on Saturday, with Rodriguez registering one shot in his 90 minutes. The Panthers travelled to Chicago on Wednesday night but suffered a 1-0 loss at the hands of UIC Flames, with Rodriguez again registering one shot in his 90 minutes. Milwaukee are currently 36th in the national rankings.

Quinton Duncan played 67 minutes as his University of Tulsa Hurricanes saw off Charlotte 3-2 in overtime. The win sees Tulsa ranked 44th in the nation.

Wesley Cain's Wright State Raiders were left in a right state after suffering a 2-1 overtime loss at home to Oakland on Saturday, with Cain managing one shot. Wright State are currently 157th in the rankings out of the 203 teams.

How The 2013 Cascadia Cup Was Won

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Tue, 15 Oct 2013 05:00:00 +0000

It's always hard when you need to rely on other teams to do you a favour. It's even worse when it's one of your local rivals. Sometimes though those rivals become frenemies and come through for you, as was the case with Portland Timbers 1-0 defeat of Seattle Sounders on Sunday night.

It was a derby game full of the passion, hatred and fight that you want in such matches but most of all, it was a Timbers victory that sees Vancouver Whitecaps crowned as 2013 Cascadia Cup champions, lifting the trophy for a record breaking fourth time.

That looked an unlikely outcome just a few weeks ago, but a Vancouverrevival whilst fighting for their playoff lives and a Seattle collapse of epic proportions, sees the much cherished Cup heading back north of the border for the first time since 2008.

Vancouver topped the three team table with 9 points from their three games and a record of two wins, three draws and just one defeat. Considering the Caps hadn't beaten any of their Cascadian rivals in MLS action before this season, it's even more remarkable. They are still looking for their first MLS win over Portland mind you.

The Whitecaps scored 13 goals on their way to the Cup, conceding nine, with seven different players finding their way onto the scoresheet. Camilo Sanvezzo was the Cup MVP with five goals and three assists, but let's not forget Kekuta Manneh's hat-trick against Seattlelast week which gave the Caps a lot more than just three points towards this trophy.

If the Caps fail to make the playoffs, will their performance in winning the Cascadia Cup and late season rally be enough to keep Martin Rennie in a job and appease the fanbase? Let's hope that's a scenario we don't need to delve into later.

For now though, let's just enjoy the moment, as we bring you, in words and pictures, "How The 2013 Cascadia Cup Was Won"....

Round 1: Seattle Sounders 1 Portland Timbers 1 (March 16th)

The 2013 Cascadia Cup aptly got underway in MLS "Rivalry Week". The irony now being that the team that won the biggest rivalry battle in MLS weren't given a game that particular weekend. Eddie Johnson gave Seattle a 13th minute lead before Ryan Johnson sent the travelling green and white hordes home very happy with a 91st minute equaliser. Although we didn't know it at the time, that goal was going to prove huge for Vancouver's Cup hopes.

Round 2: Vancouver Whitecaps 2 Portland Timbers 2 (May 18th)

Coming off their first ever MLS win against LA, Vancouvercame into this one looking for their first ever Cascadia Cup win. Camilo Sanvezzo opened the scoring with a stunning curling free kick from just outside the box in the 24th minute.

That was how it stayed until the 52nd minute. A Will Johnson shot struck the arm of Andy O'Brien, the referee pointed to the spot and the Canadian duly dispatched the equaliser. The parity lasted two minutes before Gershon Koffie restored the Caps lead with a curling effort of his own from the edge of the box.

With Portland down to ten men, it looked like the Whitecaps were finally going to get their elusive victory but with six minutes remaining Jose Valencia hit a controversial equaliser when he brought a long ball down with his arm, showed great footwork in the box and struck the ball past Brad Knighton to end the game at two apiece.

Round 3: Seattle Sounders 3 Vancouver Whitecaps 2 (June 8th)

63,679 packed into the Clink to see a fantastic match that ebbed and flowed and ultimately ended in heartbreak for Vancouverthrough some terrible defending.

Andy Rose opened the scoring for Seattlein the 9th minute when he wasn't picked up on a through ball and slotted home. The Sounders lead lasted for less than a minute before Camilo headed home a Russell Teibert cross and unexpectedly tied things up in a game Seattle had thus far dominated. Camilo then put Vancouverinto the lead in the 26th minute with a superb diving header from a Teibert free kick.

The turning point of the game came in the 64th minute when Andy O'Brien went down with an injury on the horrible temporary grass pitch that had been laid. The Caps defence was readjusted and the Sounders took advantage. Substitute Greg Klazura made a terrible challenge on Lamar Neagle in the box in the 69th minute and Servando Carrasco hit home the resultant penalty to tie things up. Neagle hit the winner with nine minutes remaining from close range to leave everyone of a blue and white persuasion absolutely gutted.

At this stage, sitting bottom of the table, winning the Cascadia Cup back seemed nothing more than a pipe dream once again. As did actually winning one of these games.

Round 4: Vancouver Whitecaps 2 Seattle Sounders 0 (July 6th)

Revenge is a dish best served with a 2-0 victory in front of your own fans. I'm sure that's how the saying goes, but even if it isn't, that just what the Whitecaps did.

Nearly a month had passed since the agony in Seattle, but the Caps were on fire with 10 points taken from the last 12 since that defeat and they kept up their fine form in this one, thanks primarily to a stunning goalkeeping display from Brad Knighton.

The Caps got off to a dream start in the 4th minute when Kenny Miller got on the end of a long ball, made Jhon Kennedy Hurtado fall on his ass with a neat turn, then perfectly guided the ball low past Michael Gspurning into the bottom right corner.

Seattle pounded the Vancouver box and Knighton had a string of match winning saves, with seven in total, before Darren Mattocks finally eased the pressure with a rare goal in the 79th minute to secure the three points.

It felt at this point that nothing could stop the mighty Whitecaps, but then the annual late summer slump hit in full force.

Round 5: Portland Timbers 1 Vancouver Whitecaps 1 (August 3rd)

Before the Caps went into their complete summer tailspin they managed to secure a crucial point in what was probably one of the worst Cascadia Cup derbies you'll see.

It was a woeful first half from both teams but out of the blue, Portland opened the scoring with a Ryan Johnson header four minutes into the second. The way the game had been going, it was hard to see Vancouvercoming back in this one. But they did and from that unlikely goalscoring source of the summer, Jordan Harvey, who got a corkscrew header onto a Camilo corner in the 69th minute.

Without that equaliser depriving Portlandof all three points, the Caps wouldn't be the current recipients of the trophy.

Round 6: Seattle Sounders 1 Portland Timbers 0 (August 25th)

A 1-0 win for Seattlein front of a staggering crowd of 67,385 seemed to have the Sounders with one hand on the 2013 Cup. It was Eddie Johnson again with the Seattle goal on the hour mark, but no one could foresee the meltdown that was soon see them floundering.

Round 7: Vancouver Whitecaps 2 Portland Timbers 2 (October 6th)

This was the big game and the major result in the run to the Cup. As the game entered the 76th minute it was looking like not only were the Whitecaps' Cascadia Cup hopes going out the window, so were their hopes of postseason play.

Darlington Nagbe had been given too much space and cracked home the opener with four minutes of the first half remaining. We then witnessed the craziest 140 seconds of football in Cascadia Cup history.

Camilo hit a 30 yard free kick and with the help of a deflection, Vancouver were back level and back at the races. For a few seconds at least.

People always love to trot out the old "Whitecaps hate Canadians" line these past few years. We don't, but we do hate Will Johnson in a Portland jersey and the Canadian went right up the pitch and gave the Timbers back the lead.

But anything he can do, Camilo can do so much better and the Brazilian hit a goal of the year candidate sideway scissor kick to give Vancouver a share of the points and at least keep some interest in both the playoff race and the Cascadia Cup.

It did feel at the time that not winning this "must win" game was going to be the end of the Whitecaps' season. But then came the second trip of the season to Seattle.

Round 8: Seattle Sounders 1 Vancouver Whitecaps 4 (October 9th)

It was the result that no-one saw coming. Yes, Vancouver were fighting for their playoff lives and Seattle had a slightly weakened team but to go to Seattle and have an 18 year old rookie destroy a team in the running for the Supporters' Shield, well, that's just the stuff of future folklore.

Kekuta Manneh was a one man wrecking machine up front for the Whitecaps, aided by two nice assists by the much maligned Daigo Kobayashi.

After a big save by David Ousted, the Caps went up the pitch moments later and Manneh opened the scoring with the first of three cool and calm finishes in the 12th minute. He made it two with three minutes of the half remaining, but you still had that horrible feeling that Seattlewould find the way back.

Those fears were first allayed in 54th minute when Manneh completed his hat-trick, then came back again when Mauro Rosales pulled one back with 21 minutes still remaining.

The Caps had a few pressure moments but they held firm and then eased them totally when Nigel Reo-Coker did another of his bulldozing runs but to everyone's surprise actually put the ball in the back of the net at the end of it this time, albeit thanks to some horrible goalkeeping from Michael Gspurning.

It was a win that put Vancouverto the top of the Cascadia Cup standings but more importantly, right back in the mix for one of the final two playoff spots in the West. Still a lot of work to do and help is needed, but at least there was now hope of both postseason play and a shiny trophy.

Round 9: Portland Timbers 1 Seattle Sounders 0 (October 13th)

Portland wanted this win so bad for many reasons. I'm sure they also wanted a few more goals just to rub their hated I5 neighbours noses right in it but they'll certainly make do with the three points and depriving Seattle of taking back the Cascadia Cup on their home turf.

It was just the kind of match you want from a local derby. Ferocity, passion, goals, a sending off, an electric atmosphere and two teams and fans that don't like each other in the slightest.

The only goal of the game came from Kalif Alhassan with a low drive in the last minute of the first half. Portland's woodwork came to their, and Vancouver's, rescue twice, and really should be coming back up the road inside the Cascadia Cup. Maybe Timber Joey can chop off us off at least a little bit.

Whilst Vancouver can sometimes feel like the estranged cousin in the Cascadian rivalry, winning the trophy back and becoming the first four time winners of the Cup will perhaps get some more attention and hate heading north. I wouldn't want it any other way. It's a shame it's taken so long.

Our photographer Brandon Farris headed down to the game and captured some of the key moments and the trophy presentation (you can see a few more of his fan photos on our Flickr account).

No wonder Major League Soccer tried to trademark the Cascadia Cup. They've nothing else quite like it. Excitement, passion and twists and turns galore. Watch for MLS trying to bottle it in an online store near you soon.

In amongst all the Vancouver jubilation though, at the end of the day, whilst the Caps winning the Cup is the feel-good story of our season so far, it doesn't get them that place in the playoffs and right now, that is the only focus for this week and hopefully next.

Normal Service Returns

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Sun, 20 May 2012 21:38:00 +0000

Ok, problems over and we're back up on Canadian Soccer News again. Check out past and present at: www.aftn.ca

Whitecaps rue wasted chances as spoils shared in Cascadian classic

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Sun, 20 May 2012 01:19:00 +0000

When it comes to MLS games, a lot of Caps fans are more interested in the Cascadian rivalries than the Canadian ones.

The first Cascadian Cup clash of the 2012 season played out to an exciting 2-2 draw at BC Place this afternoon, as casual fans were left in no doubt as to why these games matter so much.

It was a game in which Vancouver should have been out of site by half time, but in the end, they go away feeling more like it was two points lost than a vital point won.

Martin Rennie again tinkered with the Whitecaps starting eleven, and Davide Chiumiento and Gershon Koffie both returned to the middle of the park, with Omar Salgado returning to the left wing.

The in-form Eric Hassli surprisingly dropped to the bench, allowing number one draft pick Darren Mattocks to make his first MLS start.

Vancouver nearly got off to a dream start within the first two minutes.

Sebastien Le Toux went down in the box and the ball broke to Darren Mattocks, who tried to get on to his preferred right foot and allowed Seattle’s defence to close him down.

The Caps had the chance of the match so far eight minutes in.

From just inside his own half, Le Toux put through Omar Salgado, whose speed and tenacity took him past Osvaldo Alonso, but he slightly over-ran the ball, allowing Bryan Meredith to come and smother the danger.

The Caps pressure finally saw the breakthrough in the 12th minute.

Salgado collected a pass from Jay DeMerit, turned and sent Alain Rochat clear on the left. The left back powered unchallenged towards goal and slotted the ball past Meredith with ease.

Vancouver were looking the far more lively but struggling to turn this into any real scoring chances, but they could have made it two in the 33rd minute.

Rochat floated a perfect long ball into the path of Salgado, who shook off the last Seattle defender but pulled his shot wide of the right hand post.

Seattle just weren’t in the game as an attacking force. Eddie Johnson won a corner for them with six minutes of the half remaining, in one of their few forays into the Vancouver box, but it came to nothing.

The Caps responded by mounting another attack and Rochat put through Mattocks for a one on one with Meredith, but again he pulled his shot wide of the right hand post.

As the game entered stoppage time, Johnson miss-hit a shot across the face of the goal but Fredy Montero couldn't close in to get a foot on it at the open back post.

The whistle brought to an end the best half of football that Vancouver had played so far in the MLS era. The general feeling was that the missed chances could come back to haunt the home side and Seattle couldn’t play as badly in the second half, and so it proved.

The second half got underway and Seattle were still finding Mattocks a handful, and he was put through once again after only 15 seconds but fired high and over.

From nowhere it was level in the 47th minute.

Mauro Rosales received the ball out left and sent a perfect ball into the middle for Johnson to rise and head home.

Joe Cannon’s first action of the game was to pick the ball out of his own net, but three minutes later he came up with a huge save to keep out Montero from point blank range.

Seattle kept the pressure on and Cannon again had to be alert to stop a Montero header.

The visitors were a different team and giving the Whitecaps defence a torrid time.

Cannon again came up with a huge save in the 57th minute, turning a Montero shot from the edge of the box acrobatically past for a corner.

Vancouver should have retaken the lead in the 62nd minute.

Davide Chiumiento got the ball just inside the Seattle box, twisted and turned and played a sublime back heel straight into the path of Mattocks who blasted over in front of goal from seven yards out.

It was to be the Jamaican’s last action of the game and he was soon replaced by Eric Hassli.

Hassli nearly made an immediate impact in the 66th minute, flashing a header from a Rochat cross narrowly wide.

Vancouver had weathered the Seattle storm.

Hassli almost mirrored his stunning goal from Wednesday night in the 78th minute, but this time he couldn`t keep the ball down and on target.

Two minutes later and Chiumiento came within inches of breaking the deadlock, firing inches past the left hand post and into the side netting.

As with Mattocks, this attempt on goal signalled his last action of the match, making way for Camilo Sanvezzo.

And what a substitution this proved to be.

With eight minutes remaining, Camilo sent in a long, diagonal free kick from the left. Gershon Koffie jumped for the cross and may or may not have got the slightest of glances off his forehead past everyone, including Meredith, into the bottom left hand corner of the Seattle net.

With seconds remaining of the ninety minutes, Montero tied the game up once more. Johnson flicked on a long kick from Meredith and the Columbian took a touch and hit a beautiful curling effort from the edge of the box that left Cannon rooted to the spot.

Seattle had the last chance of the game in stoppage time when an unmarked Zach Scott headed a Montero free kick over.

The spoils were shared, in what was very much the proverbial game of two halves.

Seattle fought back extremely well, and were only kept at bay by some fine stops by Cannon, but Vancouver should have been out of sight by the half.

It was a great game, but the Caps are left rueing their missed chances and what was ultimately two points dropped.

Now the focus of attention is firmly set upon Toronto on Wednesday, where Vancouver will have to take such chances if they are to win the Voyageurs Cup.

ATT : 21,000 (sell out)

FINAL SCORE : Vancouver Whitecaps 2 - 2 Seattle Sounders

VANCOUVER : Joe Cannon; Young-Pyo Lee, Martin Bonjour, Jay DeMerit, Alain Rochat; Sebastien Le Toux, Gershon Koffie, Jun Marques Davidson, Davide Chiumiento (Camilo Sanvezzo 80), Darren Mattocks (Eric Hassli 64), Omar Salgado (John Thorrington 74) [Subs Not Used: Brad Knighton, Etienne Barbara, Jordan Harvey, Matt Watson]

SEATTLE : Bryan Meredith; Adam Johansson, Jeff Parke, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Marc Burch (Zach Scott 85); Mauro Rosales, Osvaldo Alonso, Alex Caskey (Andy Rose 46), Alvaro Fernandez (David Estrada 72); Fredy Montero, Eddie Johnson [Subs Not Used: Andrew Weber, Cordell Cato, Roger Levesque, Sammy Ochoa, Zach Scott]

Le Toux with two as Caps advance to final

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Thu, 10 May 2012 05:31:00 +0000

Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto have unfinished Voyageurs Cup business.

After the debacle in Montreal and the monsoon in Toronto, the Caps will be hoping it will be third time lucky and they will finally get to lift the Canadian Championship trophy by the end of the month.

Vancouver set up the latest two game Cup showdown against Toronto with a 3-1 win over Edmonton at BC Place tonight. It looked comfortable in the end scoreline, but the Eddies made the Caps work every step of the way for their place in the final.

Martin Rennie surprised most people by ringing four changes from last week’s first leg and including Jay DeMerit in the centre of defence and going with a strikeforce of Eric Hassli and Camilo Sanvezzo.

Floyd Franks and Michael Nanchoff got their first starts of the season in midfield and Nanchoff thought he had his name on the scoresheet three minutes in, when he turned home a low John Thorrington cross.

The goal was somewhat mysteriously ruled out for offside, with Camilo looking to have been adjudged off when the cross came over and deemed interfering with play.

Edmonton settled down and took the game to their hosts, and they had a great chance to haul themselves back into the Cup tie in the 19th minute.

Yashir Pinto was sent through on the left, leaving Greg Klazura in his wake, and cut the ball back to Michael Cox on the penalty spot, whose first time strike was parried by Brad Knighton.

Two minutes later and Matt Lam tried a shot from distance that didn’t trouble the Caps goal, but showed the Eddies intention to attack.

Lam had a another long range attempt in the 27th minute, which Knighton got down well to save and Klazura hit the rebound out for a corner.

The Caps were looking a little lacklustre and only had a curling 35th minute Camilo free kick to show for their efforts.

Although having more attacking flair, Edmonton were being restricted to long range efforts and Shaun Saiko fired another one over the bar in the 37th minute.

That nearly changed in the closing minutes of the half.

A dangerous through ball from Shaun Saiko was deflected by the outstretched leg of Jay DeMerit into the path of Pinto and Cox, who has both got on the goal side of Jordan Harvey, but then got in each others way to spurn a great chance.

The momentum of big Cox carried him into Knighton. It was without any real malice but a slight stramash ensured to provide one of the few sparks of the first half.

The second half started off in a little lull but the game sprung into life in the 54th minute when Edmonton got the goal their play deserved, and their first ever Voyageurs Cup goal.

Cox played a short pass outside to Antonio Rago. The right back sent a dangerous ball into the six yard box that eventually came off the head of Pinto and past Knighton for 1-0 to the underdogs.

Nanchoff went down in the box in the 62nd minute, but was looking for the call as he fell over his man.

With everything now to play for, Vancouver brought on some heavyweight talent in to their attack with Sebastien Le Toux and Darren Mattocks, and what a difference they made.

Le Toux made an impact within five minutes of coming on to put the Caps level on the night and give them a two goal cushion of aggregate.

Davide Chiumiento sent a beautiful ball over the Edmonton defence straight into the path of Le Toux. Fabien Vorbe was wrong footed in dramatic fashion, allowing to the Frenchman to run into the box and fire past David Monsalve, who should have done better.

Camilo whipped another free kick just over the bar in the 81^st minute, as they sought to wrap things up.

The Brazilian then had the ball in the net a minute later but was flagged offside for the run through.

The Whitecaps brought on Etienne Barbara with five minutes remaining and the Malteser gave Caps fans an idea of what they can expect from him by immediately going on a mazy before being brought down for a penalty.

Barbara stepped up to take the kick in the best “makers-takers” tradition, only for Monsalve to brilliantly tip his well taken kick onto the right hand post.

Edmonton struggled to clear the danger and ended up conceding a kick on the left touchline. Chiumiento again flighted in a perfect ball to Le Toux, this time onto his head, and the Frenchman gave Monsalve no chance at his near post.

In the final seconds of the three minutes of stoppage time, Mattocks got his name on the scoresheet, whipping a Chiumiento cross into the bottom left hand corner, before picking up a booking by celebrating with a Jamaican flag in the Southside.

Overall, it was a patchy performance from the Caps, but they got the job done in the end and looked a much more dangerous side with the addition of Le Toux, Mattocks and Barbara.

Edmonton fought well and for most of the match they had turned in the best performance of all of the four Canadian teams on the night.

They should keep their heads up for they did their team and their city proud.

For Vancouver, it’s another Cup final against Toronto, following on from the pre-season Disney Pro Soccer Classic.

The Caps won silverware that time with the only goal of the game. Not many in Vancouver would argue with the same again.

ATT : 15,011

FINAL SCORE : Vancouver Whitecaps - Edmonton

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS : Brad Knighton; Greg Klazura, Carlyle Mitchell, Jay DeMerit, Jordan Harvey; Floyd Franks, John Thorrington, Davide Chiumiento, Michael Nanchoff (Sebastien Le Toux 70); Eric Hassli (Darren Mattocks 74), Camilo Sanvezzo (Etienne Barbara 85) [Subs Not Used: Joe Cannon, Michael Boxall, Russell Teibert, Bryce Alderson]

EDMONTON : David Monsalve; Antonio Rago, Paul Hamilton, Kevin Hatchi, Fabien Vorbe; Shaun Saiko (Ilya Van Leerrdam 77), Kenny Caceros, Chris Kooy; Michael Cox (Kyle Porter 55), Matt Lam, Yashir Pinto (Paul Craig 81) [Subs Not Used: John Smits, Adam West, Jonathon Joseph-Augustin, Paul Craig, Dominic Oppong]

Match Preview: Vancouver Whitecaps v FC Edmonton

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Thu, 10 May 2012 00:17:00 +0000

by Steve Pandher

After a dramatic win over San Josethis weekend, Vancouver Whitecaps return to Voyageurs Cup action as they host FC Edmonton in the second leg of the Canadian Championship semi-final. The Caps hold a decisive lead over their Western Canada rivals, after Eric Hassli and Atiba Harris gave them a two goal away advantage.

KEY PLAYERS :

ATTACKING

The two time U17 Canadian player of the year, Russell Teibert, has yet to play for the Whitecaps in MLS this year but could make his season debut in this Voyaguers Cup semi-final. The match could be an opportunity for Teibert to prove that he deserves more minutes with the first team.

Former Residency product, Kyle Porterwas a dangerous player in the first leg but was unable to find the target on his multiple attempts. It will be his first time playing in Vancouversince he left prior to the 2011 season, and he will look to take down his former club.

DEFENCE

With Rochat resting after two starts, it will be Carlyle Mitchell who becomes the defacto leader on the backline. If he is partnered with Michael Boxall, Mitchell may have to compensate for the Kiwi defender’s lack of pace and that could play a factor against a speedy FCE frontline.

The two goals allowed in the first leg, especially the opening goal, could be considered stoppable by keeper David Monsalve. If the Eddies have any chance of advancing to the Final of the Canadian Championship, the Ontario native will have to have a perfect game against the Caps.

WHO'S ON FORM :

It took some time but Eric Hassli seems to have gotten back on track when it comes to scoring, with two goals in his last two matches. Hassli will once again face the smaller FCE backline and look to wear them down and create space for the smaller attackers to run in to.

Helping Edmonton get their first win of the season against Carolinaat the weekend, Shaun Saiko picked up a hat trick and was named the NASL player of the week for his efforts. Vancouver’s defenders will have to track the local Edmontonproduct as he is capable of scoring from distance with power and touch.

2012 RECORD :

Vancouver:

5W-2D-2L

3rd in Western Conference

Last Match: 2-1 Win vs San Jose Earthquakes

Edmonton:

1W-1D-3L

6th in NASL

Last Match: 4-3 Loss vs Minnesota Stars

PROJECTED LINE-UPS :

GAME PREDICTION :

While the stats may indicate an easy win for the Vancouver club, FC Edmonton competed well in the first leg but were unable to finish their chances. Omar Salgado played a huge part in this match, finding Hassli alone in the box for the first and hitting the post with a chip which then broke to Atiba Harris to sweep it in for the second.

The lineup will have some changes from last week’s match but expect Brad Knighton to get his second start against Edmonton. In front of him will be Carlyle Mitchell, Jordan Harvey, Greg Klazura and Michael Boxall, who will make his first start of the season, having impressed in Friday's PDL game against Kitsap Pumas.

The midfield should have only one change from last week as Thorrington and Chiumiento will start with either Floyd Franks or Bryce Alderson starting in Koffie’s place.

The front line will have some changes as well. Salgado has earned a rest and Harris suffered a knock and may not be ready. A couple of first time starters could flank Hassli, with Michael Nanchoff and Russell Teibert looking poised to make their first starts of the season. After being passed fit to play, Darren Mattocks, injured due to a freak cooking accident, could be a wild card off the bench for the Whitecaps and Etienne Barbara has been added to the Caps' squad for the tournament, after coming through the second half of the PDL game unscathed..

Both teams are coming off highs. Vancouverwon dramatically and Edmonton picking up their first win of the season over Rennie’s former club Carolina. Edmontonwere able to put all facets of their game together, holding firm defensively whilst Saiko was able to score three times. However they will not be able to rotate through their roster and may be playing on tired legs, playing their third game in eight days.

The trio of Nanchoff, Chiumiento and Teibert are all interchangeable so look for those three to line up on the right, in the middle or to the left behind Hassli. Rennie will want Nanchoff, Teibert and Thorrington to raise the tempo of the attack in order to wear down the FCE defenders over the ninety minutes. The space in the final third will be even better if the defenders decide to collapse on Hassli and the Frenchman can find someone on a run.

With players like Lam, Porter, Pinto, Saiko and Van Leerdam always looking to shoot from distance, a key in stopping Edmontonfrom scoring will be the holding midfielders clogging up the area in front of the box. The only serious danger when it comes to defending in the box on set pieces will be Paul Hamilton, who is only Eddie that comes close to scoring with his head.

The Whitecaps should be expecting the visitors to throw everything at them in the first fifteen minutes in order to get close on the aggregate score. If Vancouvercan stay patient and hold their lines, they will be able to find chances on the counter and cement their place in the final.

AFTN Predicted Score: VancouverWhitecaps 3 FC Edmonton 0

DNS problems over at CSN

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Thu, 10 May 2012 00:02:00 +0000

AFTN is back on blogger! At least for a little bit!

Canadian Soccer News has switched servers causing some DNS errors on the West coast.

It will all automatically sort itself our over the next couple of days, maybe a lot sooner.

So in the meantime, we're going to post some stuff on here again until the problem is all fixed and then transfer all the content (and any comments) over to the new AFTN site.

Thanks for your patience.

AFTN Moves To Canadian Soccer News

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 08:00:00 +0000

December 11th is an important day for Vancouver Whitecaps fans.

It is the day that the Club were formed back in 1973 and we thought that it was thus a very fitting day to make a major announcement concerning the next chapter of Away From The Numbers.

From today (right now in fact!), AFTN is moving to the Canadian Soccer News platform.

Do not fret though.

It will be the same AFTN in all regards, only bigger, better and reaching a wider audience. You'll even still get all of our weird humour - whether you like it or not!!

We're putting together our own team of writers and columnists, some you'll have read on AFTN before, some elsewhere and some will be new to you.

The move will boost CSN's west coast coverage, making it the one-stop shop for all your Canada-wide football news.

Our Blogger site here will always remain here as an archive and reference of the last three years, but will no longer be updated with new material.

You can now read AFTN Canada Here.

Don't forget you can also still read our general AFTN football blog Here

We hope you continue to enjoy it, and thanks for all your support these last three years!

Onto the next chapter...

Paul Barber: He Came, He Saw, He Failed

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 02:48:00 +0000

Vancouver Whitecaps CEO Paul Barber surprisingly announced his resignation this morning.

Barber will step down at the end of February next year and he told the Sekeres and Price show on Team 1040 this morning (who have fast become my favourite sports radio hosts in the city, after Peter Schaad) that "it's been a very difficult decision and a slightly emotional one".

As far as AFTN is concerned, he'll not be missed.

And we're clearly not alone. When two ex Whitecaps front office employees post on the Southsiders forum that they are pleased with the news and think it is the best thing for the Club, adding "Trust me, the people in the office are thrilled", I think that is very telling.

Regular AFTN readers will know that we're not exactly fans of executives in football. We grudgingly accept them as a necessary evil.

When you look at the Caps and in particular the CEO position, you do find yourself wondering just what that role entailed and how did it fit in with all of the other executive positions at the Club.

Did Barber run the whole shebang? Did he micromanage and make all the decisions, like many suggest? Did he just act as an advisor, an overseer of sorts?

Paul Barber joined Vancouver Whitecaps in February 2010. At the time, no one expected his tenure to last just two years.

His appointment caused a lot of excitement.

We were getting a guy from Tottenham Hotspur. You know, a proper football team in a proper football league. The Whitecaps must be that too.

You did get the feeling that was how some saw it. Maybe it was a nod towards the Eurosnobs. Is such a move what it takes to make them accept the Whitecaps and MLS? Who cares about them anyway?

Taking my well worn cynics hat off for a minute, the acquisition of Paul Barber was somewhat of a coup for the Whitecaps. I don't think I will ever fully understand why a guy would leave his lifelong loves, when they are on the crest of a wave, and travel across the Atlantic.

He came with a bonafide footballing pedigree, although his early career was all PR with corporate giants in the UK.

He became Director of Marketing Communications for the English FA in 2000 and went on to become Executive Director with Spurs in 2005, a position he held until he made the switch to Vancouver last year.

Maybe we should have seen the warning signs earlier.

Barber was at Spurs when they went through one of their lowest points for many a year, and were seriously in relegation peril. Fan protests against the Board and manager intensified, until Harry Redknapp came on board and turned the Club's fortunes around.

Barber and footballing success don't seem to go hand in hand.

A lot of AFTN readers won't know who Del Boy is. He was a character in the long running BBC comedy show "Only Fools And Horses". A wheeler dealer, full of bravado, gusto and ideas, but one who usually ended up falling flat on his face and not being as clever or as good as he thought he/the idea was.

I don't know why, but whenever I heard Paul Barber talk, I was instantly drawn to think of the show.

As Barber steps down, it leaves us asking "so who were the fools here?".

Barber often came across to us being so full of hot air that we often checked his shoes to see if they were tethered to the ground to stop him floating away. All mouth and no trousers, as the English expression would have it.

He was the master of spin, no doubt instilled in him from his career in public relations, media relations and communications. He clearly missed out on what I'm sure would have been a very successful career in politics.

Whenever things went wrong in the FO or on the pitch, Barber always had a cheery, positive response. Things were never as bad as they seemed. Whenever people, like the Southsiders, raised concerns about issues, there were always emails from people sent to him with the opposite view.

What frustrated us more than anything was that the local media never called him out on his failings or the Caps string of clusterfucks.

There is no doubt that Barber had successes with the Caps.

He brought in an amazing amount of sponsors and money to the Club. He helped establish a 15,000+ season ticket base and helped the Club make two tricky, but smooth, transitions to two new stadiums in one season. He was also good at replying personally, and quickly, to fan emails.

We sincerely applaud him for all of that.

He helped build the Whitecaps brand into a corporate MLS monster, envied by many of our peers. Again, we grudgingly accept such things as a necessary evil.

We're not sure where all the money went. The fans saw little reward, as we covered previously, and it certainly didn't bring big name, quality players to Vancouver or help put a winning team on the pitch.

There's going to be a lot written about Barber's resignation, but it would be remiss of all media outlets not to look at where Barber has failed.

He helped bring false expectations amongst the fanbase that the Whitecaps were not an ordinary expansion team and his pre-season comments made many fans expect instant success.

He'll always be remembered by us for stating that the Whitecaps aimed to become one of the top 25 football clubs in the world. Under Barber's watch, the Caps struggled to be one of the top 25 football clubs in North America.

The buck stops with him for all of the farcical ticketing problems this season, particularly the Uniglobe fiasco, where it can be argued he put corporate sponsors before fan interests.

The relationship between the Caps and the Southsiders hit some pretty bad lows this year. When Barber came on board, the expectation was that an English guy would get supporters culture and help it to grow here to be on a par with Portland and Seattle.

As it turned out, nothing was further from the truth. A guy coming from England knows the trouble and nuisance a large group of organised unhappy fans can be. The last thing a CEO wants when he moved to a new environment.

Then there is what he said was his number one priority - to deliver a much needed, state of the art training facility. We're still waiting. It may be close, but he simply hasn't delivered it.

In fact, he hasn't delivered much at all, from our viewpoint.

Ultimately, Paul Barber will be remembered by AFTN as a cocky character who talked the talk, but didn't walk the walk, overseeing the worst season in Vancouver Whitecaps FC history. A nice legacy to leave behind.

The Barber spin with all of this is already in full effect, as we are told that his role was to be here for the transition of the Caps into MLS and the move to BC Place. Funny, I don't remember hearing this before and was always under the impression he was here for the long haul.

What does the future hold in store for Paul Barber? Where in football will it take him?

We certainly wouldn't be surprised if he makes the move to MLS Front Office and takes on some kind of role there. I personally think it would be a disaster for the League if he did.

Paul Barber may have had the football knowledge and experience in England, but his lack of success in Vancouver is another clear indication that in football terms, Major League Soccer and the North American market is somewhat unique to elsewhere in the world.

Barber's roles will initially be shared by Bob Lenarduzzi and Rachel Lewis.

Some may see that as a backward step. Reverting back to the D2 days of the Club. Maybe so, but it seemed to be run a hell of a lot better back then and maybe the Caps do need to take a bit of a step back.

Whoever eventually fills Barber's boots needs to be a football man and one who fully understands the worldwide game, the anomalies of North American football and the whole football and supporters' culture.

It is a huge appointment and needs to be the right one. I'm happy for the Caps to continue with Lenarduzzi and Lewis until they find the perfect match, but their taking over of duties should just be a short term fix.

Who that person might be is now the big problem for the Whitecaps.

Fans are already suggesting Dave Cobb. A former player, with Caps history, and with impressive experience with the Canucks and the 2010 Olympics.

With three Head Coach changes, numerous other changes in coaching personnel, a turnover of front office staff and now the resignation of their CEO, Vancouver Whitecaps' 2011 can be described as tumultuous.

What the whole football club needs now, is stability.

This interesting Whitecaps close season shows no signs of getting boring any time soon.

Timewasting: MLS Team Of The Week #3 - Sexcapades XI

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:28:00 +0000

Every week we think of a subject for a football team to be based around, then fill it with our starting eleven of MLS players with some appropriate name changes, or even better, just as is!

Your scouting job is to come up with the subs bench, from any player from around the world, and leave your player suggestions in the comments section.

This week, the R rated "Sexcapades XI"...

******************************************************************
GK: Nick Rimmingando (Real Salt Lake)

D : Jonathon Leathers (Vancouver Whitecaps)
D : Ty Hardon (Toronto)
D : Bilal Fuckit (ex Vancouver Whitecaps)
D : Rawshins McKenzie (Real Salt Lake)
D: BJ Soares (New England Revolution)

M : Corben Boner (Chicago Fire)
M : Brian Kneelson (New York Red Bulls)
M : Michael Munchoff (Vancouver Whitecaps)

F : Dominatrix Oduro (Chicago Fire)
F : Juan Pablo Anal (Chivas USA)

Will they be sloppy at the back?

Inside The Box: Who Doesn’t Love A Free Moustache Ride?

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:53:00 +0000

AFTN's new columnist, Wendy Jo, takes a look at the beautiful game from a female perspective. Don't miss your monthly dose of Wendy Wednesdays.

As scary as it may seem, we're officially in the final month of 2011. That's right, friends, December is upon us. Don't be alarmed though, that sound you've been hearing in the air isn't the end of days, it's the collective sigh of relief from women around the world, celebrating the end of Movember and the return of smooth upper lips on men everywhere.

I know there are many who will argue it, but unless you're Magnum P.I., Burt Reynolds, Freddie Mercury, or my father, sporting a 'stache is just not a good look. There are exceptions to every rule, readers, but they are EXCEPTIONS. End of story.

Now, what was the deal with the moustaches!? Well, if you were living under a rock last month, Movember is a global movement whereby men donate their faces (and the people who love/ridicule them donate money) in an effort to raise funds and awareness for the number one male cancer, prostate cancer. That's right, as the site suggests, "these selfless and generous men, known as Mo Bros, groom, trim and wax their way into the annals of fine moustachery."*

(*Note: It’s not every day you get to write "annals of fine moustachery" – so when you do, take a moment to celebrate it.)

Not to be left out, the MLS managed to raise almost $40,000 collectively with their network of more than 230 "Mo Bros" and "Mo Sistas" in both the United States and Canada.

Included in this was a small contingent of Whitecaps FC staff and players growing under the team name, "Caps and Staches" as well as a number of supporters groups from around the league, including my personal favourite, the Whitecaps FC Supporters Team.

As the month of Movember drew to a close, some last minute donations helped to push the Whitecaps Supporters ahead of the WFC team itself, and wouldn't you know it, of the entire MLS Movember network, the Whitecaps' teams of supporters and staff were the highest ranked Canadian teams with a combined total of nearly $12,000!

With the MLS regular season ending in October, and no playoffs in sight for my beloved Caps, it was nice to see the MLS continuing to bring players, supporters and communities together even though many of their teams (okay, maybe just MY team) were no longer taking to the field.

The Whitecaps even went so far as to send Carl Valentine, WFC legend-turned-news correspondent, out in the field to interview Caps CEO Paul Barber, Club President Bob Lenarduzzi and several dedicated Whitecaps supporters on the delicate art of moustache maintenance.

If you missed the videos the first time around (for shame!) you can see Valentine with Barber and Lenarduzzi HERE and with the supporters HERE.

So if you didn't "‘mo up" this year, definitely think about it when Movember 2012 rolls around.

It's a great cause, it's hilarious for those around you and hey, moustaches are cool...in an ironic, if only you were a porn star in the 70's, kinda way.

Until then, gentlemen, consider yourself warned – if you continue to offer "free moustache rides" in December, you will no longer be given the benefit of the doubt in the name of charity. Remember, what was once November's Movember Champion quickly turns into December's paedophilic creeper.

Wendy Jo

***
Despite lacking a Y-Chromosome, Wendy Jo has had a long-standing love affair with sports. Raised on NFL, but always a fan of "real" football, Wendy's an avid supporter of the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Seattle Seahawks, so in other words: she's used to disappointment. Not just your typical over-caffeinated Vancouverite, when she’s not watching, writing or tweeting about sports, Wendy spends her time preparing for the zombie apocalypse, baking cupcakes, sampling micro-brews, and fawning over the latest technology...say what you will, she's proudly Blue & White, all the way. You can read Wendy's "Inside The Box" column on the first Wednesday of each month on AFTN.
***

Martin Rennie Impresses Fans At Southsiders AGM

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 22:01:00 +0000

Vancouver Southsiders held their 2011 AGM and Christmas party last night at Doolin’s Irish Pub.

Vancouver Whitecaps on-pitch results may have been nothing to write home about last season, but the big success story off it was the growth of the supporters’ group, although it’s been far from an easy journey at times.

The Southsiders membership is currently sitting around the 800 mark, a pretty staggering growth from the 200+ figure from just a year ago.

The hard work is now beginning for the group, as they look to turn those 2011 members into 2012 renewals, whilst still looking at attracting new members to the fold.

One man that can certainly make their job a little easier is Martin Rennie.

If the new Whitecaps Head Coach can get success on the field, then the feelgood factor in the stands will certainly come on the back of that.

Listening to the Scot address the fans last night, it’s already hard not to be drawn into the mindset of the charismatic coach and believe that a change of fortune is on the cards for the Whitecaps. {Photo courtesy of Max Fornas}

All of this anticipation must be tempered by the stark realism of just how big a job the new manager has on his hands to turn things around.

We saw last season that talk and gusto is cheap and counts for nothing if you can’t put the results together. That’s a mistake that won’t be repeated next term.

Rennie came along after the formal part of the evening to meet the fans and spent time chatting with many and signing autographs before taking part in an impromptu Q&A with AFTN to look at what lies in store for the Blue and White faithful:

”We’ve had a busy few weeks. We’ve had to evaluate all the players, some of which you would have enjoyed watching and become fans of. Unfortunately we need to add to the team and improve upon it, so some of those players aren’t going to be here next year.

What I would say is that the players we’re bringing in, I think you’ll be really excited to see them and watch them play.”

Whatever new players do end up in Vancouver, it’s looking unlikely that they’re going to come from the MLS Re-Entry draft.

The Whitecaps passed on their first pick yesterday. Not through salary issues as some may have thought, but more from the quality aspect of what was available:

”We believe we can sign players that are better than that and hopefully we’ll prove that in the next couple of months.”

Always good to hear that the Club are not just settling for second rate and castoffs, but actively looking to try and get the best players they can to come to Vancouver.

Who those players are is now the exciting waiting game for fans, but does Martin have an idea of how many players he still needs to add to the squad to get them to the competitive quality he is seeking?

”It’s always hard to put an exact number on it, but we are in the process of signing a few players at the moment. Between now and the start of the season, there will probably be about 8 or 9 players that I think will make a significant difference to the squad we’ve got. The final number I’m not sure, but I believe there will be a significant improvement.”

The turnaround of the Caps fortunes doesn’t just lie in Rennie hands. It’s a team effort and an important part of the new team is assistant manager Paul Ritchie.

Having worked closely with Ritchie in Carolina, what does Rennie see him bringing to Vancouver?

”He’s really good at swearing! Much better than me.

He’s very effective. He gets on well with players but demands their respect. He’s played at the highest level with Manchester City and Rangers and so on, so he was a top player.

You’ll love him, he’s a great guy. You’ll like hanging out with him. You might not understand a word he says, but you’ll certainly enjoy being around him.”

The swearing aspect is obviously a Fife gene, so I’m sure AFTN and Paul will get on just fine.

Talking of genes, there’s clearly something in the Scottish DNA that makes top football managers.

The Caps now have their Celtic Connection at the helm, and in the English Premiership, seven of the current 20 managers are Scottish.

So just what is it about the nation that makes us Scots the best managers?

”I don’t think we know the answer to that. I think that maybe because Sir Alex Ferguson has done so well in England, other Scottish managers have followed in his footsteps.

It doesn’t really matter what they’ve done in England, it’s all about what we do here in Vancouver and that’s all I really care about.”

A sentiment I’m sure all the fans will agree with.

Martin Rennie clearly has a vision of where he would like to see the Whitecaps going and how they’re going to get there and it is genuinely exciting to see what's going to happen.

Can he deliver?

We'll get some idea of how things are taking shape on March 10th against Montreal.

I'm already counting down the days.

Jay Nolly: Goodbye And Thanks For The Memories

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 15:28:00 +0000

After four memorable years, Jay Nolly left Vancouver Whitecaps today to continue his MLS career with Chicago Fire.

Rumours began circulating on Friday that Nolly would be traded to the Eastern Conference side for allocation money.

Today it became official that he'd gone, but it was for a first round pick in the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft. Not great value to us really.

We already eluded to this on Saturday's blog post, but the move is an excellent one for Chicago.

Having put two of their existing keepers (Jon Conway and Alec Dufty) up for today's MLS Re-Entry Draft, the Fire have put their faith solely in their highly rated 22 year old Sean Johnson.

Johnson is currently training with Everton and part of the US U23 set up, so there will be chances for Nolly to push for a starting spot if Johnson is away on international duty or is simply having a bad run.

Nolly is not on a huge salary ($65,000 in 2011), making him a very cheap option for Chicago, with minor impact on the salary cap. For very little money, they get a solid back-up with a four year, 22 appearance MLS record. At only 29, he also has a lot of years ahead of him in his footballing career.

It's one of the harsh realities of football. Fan favourites move on. It's always hard, especially so when the player doesn't want to leave the Club.

The writing's been on the wall for Jay for a few months now, ever since Tommy Soehn took charge of the team and immediately installed Joe Cannon as the number one keeper in Vancouver.

It's best for Jay to move on and try his luck at a starting job elsewhere. That's not to say that we're not going to miss him, for AFTN, the Southsiders and a lot of Whitecaps fans most certainly will.

Jay Nolly joined the Whitecaps in January 2008. After an early tussle with Srdjan Djekanovic at the start of the 2008 USL season, Jay soon established himself as the Caps number one, going on to make 126 competitive appearances for Vancouver over four seasons.

His time in Vancouver was a memorable one both for the fans and for Jay as a player.

Winning the USL Championship in his first season with the Club was a particular career highlight.

This was the third career Championship Jay had won as a player, winning back to back NCAA Division One titles with Indiana University in 2003 and 2004.

Whilst with the Hoosiers, Jay was named in the All Big Ten team of the year for his last three seasons. He went on to make the 2010 USSF D2 Team of the Year with the Caps, along with being named the League's Goalkeeper of the Year that season.

Nolly was also named the Whitecaps Most Valuable Player in both 2009 and 2010.

He became the Whitecaps player with the most consecutive appearances, when he played in the USSF D2 semi final defeat to Puerto Rico last season. He increased that record to 80 games when he started the Caps MLS opener against Toronto.

It wasn't just his peers that recognised Jay's quality, the Whitecaps fans did too.

Nolly won the Vancouver Southsiders inaugural 'Player of the Year' award ("The Willie") in 2009, repeating the triumph in 2010.

Jay's college success had seen him land a spot in MLS with Real Salt Lake, making seven appearances for the Utah side in his two seasons there in 2005 and 2006.

The following year he was traded to DC United, where he made just one appearance under Head Coach Tommy "The Reverse Midas" Soehn.

Soehn waived Nolly and his lack of judgement was a blessing for Vancouver, bringing Jay to Canada's west coast for four happy years.

Nothing lasts forever though and Jay is now moving on.

Last season was a difficult one for him. Beginning the campaign as the starting goalie, he went on to play 14 games and 1260 minutes for the Caps in MLS, conceding 23 goals and saving 39 of 62 shots.

Even when he lost his starting place to Joe Cannon, Jay was a class act. He never let his head go down and worked as hard as he could to regain that number one spot, telling AFTN back in July:

"Obviously you always want to play. You feel that you're not getting the results at the beginning of the season, when you're playing well. You know when you're not getting results that changes are going to happen and I was one of them.

It's a gut check and you gotta just rebound from it and for me now, I gotta challenge Joe and try and get back in there."

It saddens us that Jay's last first team appearance for the Whitecaps was the Stephen King induced nightmare in DC in August.

That's not how any Whitecaps fan should remember Jay Nolly.

This is how he should always be remembered by the Blue and White masses:

Jay Nolly gave his all to Vancouver Whitecaps. He and his family loved being in the city and loved the fans. That love was given right back.

If you were to ask AFTN for our favourite Jay Nolly highlight, there are a few important and spectacular saves that come to mind. For us though, we'll never forget this one particular highlight from the NASL game between the Caps and St Louis at Swangard on July 8th last year:

You'll never beat Jay Nolly indeed.

Jay, we salute you and wish you nothing but success in your footballing future.

You'll always be a Whitecap to us.

Goodbye. Good luck. And thanks for the memories Jay.

Whitecaps Have 53 Choices In MLS Re-Entry Draft

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 22:07:00 +0000

Vancouver Whitecaps will have 53 players to select from in Monday's 2011 MLS Re-Entry draft. Will they even use their first selection though?

By the time the 2pm deadline had come and gone, 13 players had come off the initial list of 69 available players, through a combination of retiring, renegotiating contracts, trades and taking themselves off the list.

Interestingly, from a Vancouver point of view, three of the Whitecaps players on the original list are no longer up for selection.

Greg Janicki, Jonathan Leathers and Peter Vagenas are all now technically ex-Whitecaps, although the Club can re-sign them if they are passed over by the other teams.

Mystery still surrounds Joe Cannon, Jay Nolly and John Thorrington.

All we do know is that the three of them have been taken out of Monday's re-entry draft.

Internet speculation is suggesting that Cannon and Thorrington have re-signed for the Whitecaps, but on reduced salaries (Cannon was on a guarantee of $209,756.25 and Thorrington on a staggering $207,200 - well he does have a lot of medical expenses to cover).

Both veterans may have simply taken themselves out of the process, in the hope of negotiating their own deals.

Jay Nolly is the interesting one.

He's been with Vancouver for the past four years, and many of the long term fans don't want to see him leave, but speculation is rife that he is moving to Chicago Fire for allocation money.

Any such move would make sense for both teams and especially for Chicago.

Nolly is not on a huge salary ($65,000 in 2011), so doesn't hit the salary cap much. He's going to be the second string keeper in either city, so it's a cheap option for a club like Chicago.

The Fire have declined options on two of their three current keepers - Jon Conway and Alec Dufty. This leaves them with just the highly rated 22 year old Sean Johnson, who is clearly the man they are continuing to trust to protect their goal in 2012.

Johnston is currently training with Everton and part of the US U23 set up, so there will be chances for Nolly to push for a starting spot if Johnson is away on international duty or is simply having a bad run.

The final list of players for the Re-Entry Draft doesn't exactly fill us with a lot of excitement.

Vancouver have the chance to get the best of the bunch, as they hold the first pick, but just who is that player?

Houston's Bobby Boswell was the man to get (on a much reduced salary), but unfortunately the Dynamo have re-signed him and he's no longer available.

If you look at our two most pressing needs, a right back (depending on the Young-Pyo signing) and a central midfielder with bite, we don't have a lot of great options in the list, looking at everything from performance to salary.

I would much rather that we use our own scouting to fill these two positions and just try and get the best we can in the draft, even if it means taking someone solely to trade away later on.

There are a few players who could be exciting on the pitch but poison off it, along with a few I'd love to have in Vancouver but not on their current salaries.

I include Jeff Cunningham in the latter. Sure, he's ancient and didn't exactly bang goals in last season, but he might be a good guy to have around for the right price. He could really help develop guys like Long Tan and Omar Salgado.

Many clubs will likely pass on their round one picks, as those picks need to offer the player his current salary, or close to it, unless they are out of contract and there's only four of them in addition to Leathers.

Most of the movement is likely to be had in round two.

So if I had to make a round one pick, who would I take?

The only pick that would make a lot of sense to me would Real Salt Lake midfielder Andy Williams.

He's out of contract, and was on $99,225, which is less than ten grand more than what Alex Morfaw was on.

Although a Jamaican international, he was born in Toronto. His 14 season MLS career has seen him turn out for six clubs, and at 30 goals in 343 games he could be worth a punt.

He's 34 now, but it's worth adding a bit of experience in the middle. We saw how well Gershon Koffie came on last season under the tutelage of Peter Vagenas.

I know he's 'Ol Man Moon River, but I've seen first hand what a guy like that can bring to people around him when Steve Archibald joined East Fife. Added a whole different dimension to the middle.

After all the toing and froing in the build up to Monday's draft, we could find that, like last year, it's all a bit of a damp squib.

If the Caps do make a selection, let's just hope it's one we'll truly benefit from.

Timewasting: Scottish Slang Words Every Whitecap Needs To Know - And How To Use Them

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 22:25:00 +0000

With the Caps new Celtic Connection of Martin Rennie and Paul Ritchie now at the managerial helm, Whitecaps players, front office staff, fans and local media will have to get used to hearing the Scottish brogue

They're also likely to be hearing some words and phrases that they may not be used to, and I don't mean "winning team".

The influx of new players is imminent, so, always eager to help, AFTN brings you a selection of Scottish slang words and how you might hear them and use them now in MLS...

AWFURFUXAKE : Pronounced aw-for-fucks-sake. A term of exasperation, usually shouted. Likely to be heard after Mustapha Jarju shoots on goal.

BAWBAG : Pronounced baw-bag. An idiot, stupid or useless person. Likely to be heard when Baldomero Toledo is refereeing - "Haw Toledo ya bawbag". In this sentence, "haw" means hey. "Bawbag" can also be replaced by CHOOB, DOBBER or NUMPTY for same effect. Also a slang term for scrotum.

CLUDGIE : Pronounced clud-gee. A toilet. An example of how this might be used would be - "I see Toronto's playoff hopes have gone down the cludgie again".

COWP : Pronouned cow-pp. Means a messy or a dirty place. A veritable shit-hole. Can also be replaced by MIDDEN. Likely to be heard when they step off the plane in DC or Philadelphia - "Man, what a cowp of a place this is".

CRABBIT : Pronounced cra-bit. Means to be angry and grumpy. The media will hear this after the Caps lose a game they should have won - "Sorry guys, I'm not gonna say too much, I'm way too crabbit".

DREICH : Pronounced dreek. Meaning a dull, usually rainy, overcast day. It's Vancouver summed up in one word. You're going to hear this a lot - "man, it's another dreich day today".

DROOKIT : Pronounced drew-kit. Meaning to be soaked to the skin. Also likely to be heard a lot in rainy Vancouver - "awfurfuxake man, what's with aw this dreich weather? I'm drookit again".

GLAIKIT : Pronounced glay-kit. A term often used to describe a person with a confused clueless look upon their face. An example of how this might have been used already would have been - "Come on Bilal, ya glaikit big lump".

HAVERING : Pronounced hay-ver-ring. Can also be substituted with SLAVERING. Means to talk incessant nonsense. Will be heard when Paul Barber is talking about the Caps being one of the top 25 Clubs in the world - "Hey Paul, quit your havering/slavering".

JOTTERS : Pronounced as spelt. Means to tell someone they're fired. Will have been heard in last few weeks and days and in the days to come - "Sorry Peter. I know Tommy loved you, but I'm giving you your jotters".

LALDY : Pronounced lahl-dee. Means to give it everything, especially in a celebratory fashion. Will be heard in the post-game dressing room celebrations in Toronto after the Caps have won their first Voyageurs Cup - "The lads are gonna gie it laldy the night".

MINGING : Pronounce ming-in. Means horrible. Something that looks and/or is disgusting. Can be used when Seattle come to town - "Man, the Sounders are wearing their third kit tonight. It's minging.".

OHYAHOORSIR : Pronounced oh-ya-hoor-sir. An exclamation similar to AWFURFUXAKE, but one which is used to express joy and often disbelief. Will be heard if Eric Hassli produces another Seattle-esque wonder goal.

PEELY-WALLY : Pronounced pee-lee-wah-lee. Used to describe a pale looking person, especially one who is ill, sick or injured. Was heard during the training evaluation camp - "Thorrington, you're looking awfly peely-wally. What you broken this time?".

PETTIT LIP : Pronounced petted-lip. Meaning to sulk or to force someone to pout with your actions. Likely to be heard when we go down to the Clink and steal the game with a last minute winner - "Poor Sigi. Look at his pettit lip". Can also be used to describe Omar Salgado.

POCKLE : Pronounced paw-kill. To steal, cheat or swindle. Also likely to be heard in the post match presser when we go down to the Clink and steal the game with a last minute winner - "Aye we pockled the three points from that game".

RADGE : Pronounced as spelt. Means a crazy person. A nutter. Would be put to good use if we re-signed Mouloud Akloul.

RAMMY : Pronounced as spelt. Meaning a fight. Will be heard if we ever sign a battling midfielder with a bit of bite and the desire to go in for hard tackles which lead to a bit of pushing and shoving on the pitch - "(insert name here)'s caused another rammy".

SCRAN : Pronounced as spelt. More likely to be heard from Paul Ritchie as this is a Fife word. Means food - "What's the scran like around here?".

SCUNNERED : Pronounced as spelt. Means well and truly pissed off. Will be heard in post match press conferences in the unlikely event that we've lost a match - Q: "How do you feel about the game Martin?" A: "Totally scunnered".

SKELP AFF THE LUG : Pronounced as spelt. Meaning to hit someone on the ear, primarily to chastise them. Will most likely be heard in training - "Jarju. If you keep missing the target, you're gonna get a skelp aff the lug".

WHEEN : Pronounced whee-een. Meaning a lot or a large amount. Will be used in sentences like "Eric Hassli's scored a wheen of goals for us this year".

WHEESHT : Pronounced whee-sshhh-t. Meaning to tell someone to be quiet and to shut up. Likely to be heard at meetings when Tommy Soehn is present and trying to talk.

YA BAS : Pronounced ya-basss. Meaning "you bastard". Can be used as a derogatory term - "Fuck aff Bunbury ya bas" - but also as a term of endearment when two Scottish people see each other for the first time in a long time. Might be heard when Portland come to town - "Haw Spenny ya bas. How ya doing big man?"

So there you go AFTN readers. Some new Scottish words for you to all get acquainted with over the close season.

And remember - IF IT'S NO SCOTTISH, IT'S CRAP.

There's our opening day tifo right there.

Vancouver Whitecaps Begin Countdown To MLS 2012 First Kick

noreply@blogger.com (GoF) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 21:56:00 +0000

Major League Soccer announced some teasers about the 2012 ‘First Kick’ fixtures on Tuesday.

We might not know yet who Vancouver Whitecaps will be playing, but we do know that in 100 days from today, the Caps will be running out at BC Place to kick off their second MLS season.

Saturday March 10th is the date for your diary.

The first games will be played over three days that weekend, Saturday to Monday.

Nine teams will be opening their new season at home, with DC United, Los Angeles Galaxy, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders, Chivas USA, FC Dallas and Portland Timbers having that honour, along with the Caps.

With Western teams playing each other three times over the course of the season, it is perhaps surprising then that eight out of the nine of them will be kicking off at home, throwing the inter-Conference games into the mix from the off.

Some of that may have something to do with the weather in the east, but it’s still strange to us.

We would try and get the intra-conference games spread nice and evenly over the season and just fill in the dots with the inter ones.

So looking at our possible opponents, there are ten teams that the Whitecaps could face for next season’s home opener, and they really can be split into three distinctive groupings: exciting, moderate and who gives a fuck.

In the exciting options, we have….

Toronto – sure, it’s a repeat of last season’s home opener, but it’s always nice to beat the FC’s and it would be far enough removed from the Voyageurs Cup games to make it more interesting.

Montreal Impact – AFTN’s most hated team in the history of football. It would be a great chance to put the Frenchies in their place early on and make them spitting mad, again.

New York Red Bulls – The only team we could face with some “star” drawing ability really, assuming Thierry Henry wants to head out west this year. You would hope the home opener would be a sell-out anyway, without the need for Henry putting additional bums on seats. I would think that MLS would keep him and his New Jersey team-mates for someone like Chivas, Dallas or DC United, to give them the marketing boost for their home openers.

Then we have the teams that would moderately interest us…

Kansas City – The chance to abuse Traitor Teal in new surroundings and in front of a large, fervent crowd. Yes please! The big selling point would be the excitement of last season’s late late show. Let people see those last four minutes of stoppage time again and you have a ticket sale on the spot.

Real Salt Lake – Primarily because they are our Western Conference rivals. Get those points in the bag early, hopefully. RSL are the only chance to do that on day one.

Houston Dynamo - Houston, as beaten MLS Cup finalists, are somewhat of a draw. It would also see Adam Moffat line up against his old chum Martin Rennie, unless we’ve signed him ourselves by then of course!

After those six, you’re left with the four dregs that no-one really cares about seeing. They’re not ticket sellers, so maybe it would be better if the Caps got them as their opening opponents, when they know they’re going to probably have a full house anyway.

Those less than fab four are – Philadelphia Union, Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew and New England Revolution.

If we had to have one, New England would be nice, as it’s the most likely three points in the bag if they’re anything like last season.

Part of me really wants Montreal. Part of me is sick of the sight of them. Also, our record against them in recent years ain’t the best. Maybe we don’t want to start the season off with a bad showing.

I think I would be happy for Montreal or Toronto though.

Major League Soccer has indicated that they are hoping to have the fixtures on a reversed basis, so the 2013 season schedule, will just be like the 2012 one but with the home teams being away.

There are obvious logistical problems with this, namely weather and stadium availability, but we love the concept of this, as it allows fans to properly plan their holidays and travel possibilities way in advance.

If this was the way for MLS to go, I’d be more than happy to open the 2013 MLS season against one of our Canadian rivals and make the trip out east.

So who will it be in Vancouver on 2012 day one?

We’ll hopefully find out soon. MLS have previously said that they plan to have the schedule, or at least the opening part of it, published this month or early January at the latest.

In the meantime, lay those bets below as to who you think we’ll be seeing at BC Place in 100 days time or tell us who you would really like to see and who you wouldn’t.

The countdown begins….