Brampton Lions held Serbian White Eagles to a 1-1 tie, FC Hamilton Croatia defeated North York Astros 5-0, and Portugal FC beat Brantford Galaxy 3-2, three CSL games Friday night. In an exhibition game, Athletic Club BC defeated Toronto Croatia, 3-2.

Serbian Eagles stretched their unbeaten streak to 15 games with a 1-1 tie at Centennial Stadium and it was the visiting Brampton Lions who went into the lead with a goal at 42 minutes by forward Kevin Omokhu for a 1-0 score at the interval.

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No rift with Mista, TFC coach says
All is well between Toronto FC’s star Spanish striker Mista and the man calling the shots from the sidelines.

That was the message from TFC coach Preki ahead of the team’s Saturday evening home game against Real Salt Lake.

Questions about the relationship between the Spaniard and coach were raised following last week’s 4-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls when Mista did not return to the bench after being substituted at the start of the second half. In the post-match press conference, Preki said he made the change for tactical reasons because he felt Mista failed to make an impact in the opening 45 minutes.

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“We played a good game tonight,” said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. “We implemented the game principles that we practiced over and over again in training. We were ready, we were disciplined tactically, we defended set pieces and counter attacks well. Now, we must remain humble and continue with the same intensity because we still have a lot of work to do.”

Forward Ali Gerba, who scored the clubs first ever regular season hat trick against Baltimore last game, managed another two goals against the Rhinos (1st and 81st minutes).

Gerba opened the scoring after only 18 seconds, establishing a new team record. On the line of the six-yard box, Gerba deflected a cross into the goal from Leonardo Di Lorenzo, which originated from the left flank.

Gerba then doubled the Impact lead near the end of the second half, when he was posted inside the penalty area. Taking a pass from Antonio Ribeiro in midfield, Gerba spun around and fired a low, left-footed shot that beat the Rhinos goalkeeper Neal Kitson.

“This win tonight was due to a solid team effort,” said Gerba. “We were a united team and we were able to take advantage of our opportunities. We have to continue working hard during training and this will help us get to the playoffs.”

Matt Jordan earned his 4th shutout of the season and the 30th of his career with the Impact, after facing nine shots. Jordan excelled on a shot from the Rhinos top scorer Isaac Kissi that hit the post to goalkeeper’s right in the 67th minute, after Jordan managed to get a finger on the ball.

“We knew this was going to be an important game tonight,” noted Impact team captain Nevio Pizzolitto. “We played well defensively, offensively and collectively throughout the entire game. This second win in a row is very positive. We sent a message that our season is far from over and no game against us will be an easy one.”

With this victory and a total of 31 points, the Impact climbed to 6th place in the USSF Second division standings, two points ahead of the Puerto Rico Islanders.

The Impact also ended the Rhinos six-game winning streak.

Tony Donatelli (2,027 minutes) and Philippe Billy (2,018 minutes) became the first two players to hit the 2,000 minutes played plateau this season.

Forward Eduardo Sebrango started his 100th career game with the Impact, while midfielder Patrick Leduc tied Nick De Santis for third place on the clubs all-time games played list with 219.

The Impact played to a sold out crowd for the 5th time this season, with 13,034 tickets sold.

The Impact scored a goal in the first minute of play for the third time in club history. Jean Harbor, on July 29, 1994, and Mauro Biello, on July 2, 2003, managed the same feat.

The Impact will play its next two games on the road, on Wednesday, September 8 in Puerto Rico and on Saturday, September 11 in Miami. The next game at Saputo Stadium is scheduled for Sunday, September 19, against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Tickets are still available via the Admission box office (514-790-1245 / 1-800-361-4595 / admission.com) or through the Impact ticket office.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
18th minute – Leonardo Di Lorenzo deflected a cross from Tony Donatelli, but goalkeeper Neal Kitson dove across the goal line to make the save.

76th minute – After carrying the ball for a few metres, newcomer Anthony Le Gall took a shot from just inside the penalty area, but the Rhinos goalkeeper made a diving save to his right.

78th minute – Reda Agourram took a centering pass from Le Gall and fired a low shot on goal, but Kitson made the stop.

THE LAST SIX MATCHES
• Wednesday, September 8 – IMPACT @ Puerto Rico – Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium – 8:05pm (prislandersfc.com)
• Saturday, September 11 – IMPACT @ Miami – Lockhart Stadium – 7:30pm (miamifc.com)
• Sunday, September 19 – Tampa Bay @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 2pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)
• Friday, September 24 – IMPACT @ Vancouver – Swangard Stadium– 10:30pm (Radio-Canada, radio-canada.ca/sports)
• Sunday, October 3 – Austin @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 2pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990)

GAME SUMMARY
PHOTOS

Coach Carolina Morace has called 24 players into this camp. The team will train up to two times a day, with one session in the morning and one session in the afternoon. The national team will also face Italian league clubs Roma and Lazio on 1 September and 8 September.

Canada faces Germany on 15 September in Dresden, Germany. A few national players still in league play in Women’s Professional Soccer will join the national team in Germany before the Women’s International Friendly match. Some other players were not available for this camp because of university commitments.

Coach Morace says that without the full group, she will use this trip to try a different system of play while also trying some players in new positions. The team is currently building towards next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011, with the qualification phase to take place later this year beginning on 28 October.

Three players have been called into the national team for the first time – goalkeepers Justine Bernier and Gurveen Clair as well as centre back Bahar Sansar. Clair (18 years old) and Sansar (20) have participated in youth camps this year with coach Morace while Bernier (21) is making her first appearance in a Morace camp.

Midfielder Kaylyn Kyle, 21, is also taking part in her first national camp of the 2010 season. She has made 10 appearances with the national team before this year. Already in 2010, Kyle has won a provincial championship with British Columbia’s Surrey United (she scored three goals in the final) and reached the W-League final with Vancouver Whitecaps FC (a 1:3 loss to the Buffalo Flash).

Canada’s national team is preparing for the CONCACAF Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2010 in Cancún, Mexico. That eight-team qualification tournament runs 28 October to 8 November. The top-two teams automatically qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011; the third-place team faces the fifth-place team from Europe for an extra qualification spot.

“We are happy to play in front of our fans in Canada,” said national coach Carolina Morace. “We hope our support continues to grow as we work towards our qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.”

The Women’s International Friendly match against China PR will be an integral part of Canada’s preparations for the 2010 CONCACAF Women’s World Cup Qualifier. The eight-team CONCACAF championship runs 28 October to 8 November. That championship will qualify the top two teams for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011. The third-place team will advance to a playoff against the fifth-place team from Europe for an additional spot at Germany 2011.

Also part of Canada’s upcoming schedule is an away Women’s International Friendly match against Germany on 15 September in Dresden, Germany. China PR is a former silver-medalist at the FIFA Women’s World Cup (USA 1999) while Germany is a two-time champion at the FIFA Women’s World Cup (USA 2003 and China 2007).

Canada has an all-time home record of 26 wins, five draws and 17 losses at home. It has a international record of seven wins, three draws and two losses in Toronto.

Canada faced China PR earlier this year on 24 April in Yongchuan, China PR. Canada lost 0:2 in that match. The previous matchup was a 1:1 draw in the group phase at the 2008 Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in Tianjin, China PR. In Canada, the two sides last met 19 and 22 August 2006 in St. John’s, NL – a 0:0 draw and a 1:1 draw.

As for Canada’s preparations in advance of the 30 September match, Canada is currently in Roma, Italy from 25 August to 12 September. It then moves to Dresden, Germany until 16 September before returning to Canada for a short break. Coach Morace’s Canadian camp will run from 21 September to 1 October. The team will train in Alliston, ON before arriving in Toronto on 28 September.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup Germany 2011 runs 26 June to 17 July 2011. It will be the sixth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Canada has qualified for each of the last four editions: Sweden 1995, USA 1999, USA 2003 and China 2007.

Mr. Preki goes to Panama
Tuesday night, great scorn has been heaped on TFC coach Preki for his odd and indifferent lineup decisions.

A third-string goalie here, a banged-up defender who hadn’t played in many weeks there, no DeRo for the first half, no Mista at all, subbing in Gargan and Nane late when the Reds really needed a goal. On and on, etcetera, so there.

As much as TFC’s rabid fans are outraged, there are some deep, serious realities Preki had to address.

I’m not talking about the ongoing tabloid hype about Preki and Mista not getting along. I’m not even buying that one until it starts coming at me from multiple directions. Rather, those lineup choices may have had far more to do with Toronto’s gruesome Saturday loss to Thierry Henry and the PopCans – and the present dreadful state of the CONCACAF Champions League.

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Tickets to both matches are currently on sale to the public. Tickets to the Canada-Peru match at BMO Field are available via Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster.ca / 416.872.5000) while tickets to the Canada-Honduras match at Stade Saputo are available via Admission (ADMISSION.com / 514.790.1245 and 1.800.361.4595).

Canada’s national roster features a mix of veterans and young players that are progressively making their way into the national program. Paul Stalteri is the most experienced player on the roster, having made 81 appearances for his country – one less than the national record held by Randy Samuel. Staleri is also the oldest player on the roster, although he is only 32 years old.

Centre back Adam Straith is the youngest player on the squad at just 19 years of age. Straith is one of several new young players that joined the national team this season. Also new to the national squad this season are centre back Nana Attakora (21 years), goalkeeper Haidar Al-Shaïbani (26) and midfielder Gianluca Zavarise (24).

So far this season, coach Stephen Hart has seen 43 different players in his national camps. Four players are taking part in their first camp of the 2010 season: Patrice Bernier, Iain Hume, Atiba Hutchinson and Kevin McKenna. Three of those players were part of Canada’s 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup team, with only Hume missing the biennial continental championship for injury reasons. Hart’s roster for the pair of home Men’s International Friendly matches features 12 players from last year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Finally, several players have joined new clubs since coach Hart last saw them. Marcel de Jong now plays for FC Augsburg in Germany, Rob Friend now plays for Hertha BSC in Germany, Lars Hirschfeld now plays for Vålerenga Fotball in Norway, Hutchinson now plays for PSV Eindhoven in Netherlands, Simeon Jackson now plays for Norwich City FC in England, and Zavarise now plays for Iraklis FC in Greece.

Canada’s professional players will group in Alliston, ON next week in advance of the two Men’s International Friendly matches. Fifteen players are arriving from Europe while five players are arriving from Major League Soccer, including three from Canada’s Toronto FC (Attakora, Julian de Guzman and Dwayne De Rosario).

Both matches will be broadcast live on Rogers Sportsnet (all regions), with the 4 September match kicking off at 17.30 ET / 14.30 PT and the 7 September match kicking off at 19.30 ET / 16.30 PT.

The Panamanian side dominated possession in the opening half by a 92 percent margin and, despite numerous half-chances, were finally rewarded for their efforts in the 40th minute.

Árabe Unido defender Rolan de la Cruz headed down a corner kick straight into the path of striker Fidel Caesar, who unleashed a spectacular first-time half-volley towards the Toronto goal.

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Toronto FC has a mountain to climb
Perhaps I should go away more often. Hang on! Before you ignore the rest of this blog and rush to the comment section to add “And don’t bother coming back!” let me first confirm it’s a rhetorical suggestion.

My sporadic absences, though, seem to have had a positive effect on Toronto FC. In the summer of 2007, the Reds hammered FC Dallas 4-0, a result which still stands as the team’s biggest margin of victory in Major League Soccer. I missed the match due to a family vacation.

Last Tuesday I was also in the UK winding down my annual dash round the old country. When I returned 24 hours later I heard stories of the best night in the club’s history, accompanied by details of the most complete performance ever seen at BMO Field.

Mere coincidence I’m sure, but it was sad to miss a memorable night for Canadian soccer. The special atmosphere of evening games, combined with a strong team display, are few and far between. One can only hope Preki’s team can recapture that form on a consistent basis.

Four days later it was gone again. Sometimes your team is beaten by a better one – pure and simple. Judging by the weekend’s evidence, New York is a better team than most in MLS, but gifting your opponent three goals in one game is careless, to put it mildly.

In the space of 10 days, Toronto FC has fallen badly off the pace in the race for the playoffs. Back to back losses against the Red Bulls leave them staring at a yawning eight point chasm to their star-studded Eastern Conference rivals.

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While the hometown Reds seemed determined on stopping highly touted French international Thierry Henry, a clinical finish by New York’s other designated player and some cruel misfortune helped the visitors gain a 2-0 halftime lead.

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DC United 2 Philadelphia 0
WASHINGTON, DC — DC United finally ended their painful run of poor results on Sunday afternoon, riding a Danny Allsopp brace to a 2-0 victory over the Philadelphia Union to snare their first league win in more than two months.

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Houston 4 Chicago 3
HOUSTON, TX – The Houston Dynamo needed every bit of a Brian Ching hat trick to edge past the Chicago Fire, 4-3, on Saturday night at Robertson Stadium.

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Kansas City 4 New England 1
KANSAS CITY, KA – Birahim Diop, who replaced the suspended Teal Bunbury at center forward, scored his first career MLS goals and Kei Kamara and Jack Jewsbury tallied in the second half to pace Kansas City to a 4-1 victory against the New England Revolution on Saturday night in front of a sell-out crowd at Community America Ballpark.

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Dallas 1 Chivas USA 0
FRISCO, TX – In a game where quality offensive chances were at a premium, FC Dallas midfielder Brek Shea connected on a header in the 71st minute as FCD handed Chivas USA a 1-0 defeat Saturday at Pizza Hut Park.

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Columbus 3 Colorado 1
COLUMBUS, OH – Jason Garey gave the Crew the lead early in the second half and his replacement Steven Lenhart added an insurance goal as Columbus downed Colorado 3-1 on Saturday before 16,063 fans in Crew Stadium.

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San Jose 1 Los Angeles 0
SANTA CLARA, CA – A sell-out crowd of 10,799 came to Buck Shaw Stadium on Saturday eagerly awaiting the debut of Geovanni, San Jose’s first designated player.

However, Bobby Convey and Chris Wondolowski gave them a bit of old-school Quakes offense to tide them over, combining for the only goal as San Jose edged California rivals LA Galaxy, 1-0, on Saturday.

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Chicago 2 New England 1
BRIDGEVIEW, IL – Substitute forward Calen Carr scored a late goal to give the Fire a 2-1 victory over the New England Revolution in front of 14,056 at Toyota Park Wednesday night. Fire midfielder Baggio Husidic and Revolution forward Marko Perovic provided the other goals.

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