Eighty Six Forever

Vancouver - Toronto Post-Game: Bitten by the Underdog

2012-05-17T18:30:12Z

Toronto FC fans are pleased with how their team played last night. Well, they have a right to be. I thought Vancouver had most of the play but it was certainly close. Toronto's mediocre team exploited a Vancouver side's weaknesses, beating them up defensively down the wings (except for that one time when they didn't) and working set pieces. Vancouver scuffed too many shots and got too lazy with the ball. Julian de Guzman, continuing a quietly resurgent MLS season, had a game strong enough to make up for Terry Dunfield (who, in his return to Vancouver, seemed way too wound up).

I don't buy into the pessimism of some Vancouver Whitecaps fans; you think coming off a 4-1 loss in New England would allow for perspective, but the "this was our worst game all year!" crowd is definitely out. There seems to be reason for more shock than anger: we damned near lost to Toronto? We literally could not have come any closer to losing to a team that's oh-oh-and-snowman in league play. But the FCs played good, fundamental underdog soccer. They fought for every ball, let energy and sound positioning make up for a lack of skill, and when they got a good chance they damned well took it. Every dog has its day.

Jun Marques Davidson and John Thorrington both had their worst games of the year, which didn't help any. Martin Bonjour got caught ballwatching on Ryan Johnson's goal; we ought to have had the advantage defending the header but Bonjour lost position. And Camilo couldn't make clean contact with the ball to save his life. A bit of sloppiness, a bit of inattention, an opponent playing its heart out, and there's your 1-1 draw. No reason to panic.

Nor am I worried about the away goal. 0-0 draws are not common in this competition: there have been only three in its history (two of which came between these teams in the draw-a-week offensive nadir of the Teitur Thordarson era). As Eric Hassli could tell us, while Toronto will doubtless be bunkering and wasting time like motherfuckers, they're not always that good at it. There's at least one goal in the match, or possibly lightning.

Being in a certain mood, I'm going to quickly address a few points of contention.

That goal, called offside, was close. I feel it should have stood; Thorrington had been in an offside position but got back before the ball was played. Even I'm wrong that was a horribly-called game. Referee Toupee Dichio, officiating his first game above the MLS Reserves level, wasn't particularly biased. He was just a massive fuck-up. Toronto fans insist there was one play where Vancouver could have been called on two handballs in the box; I couldn't see it from my angle and will withhold judgment until I re-watch the game. I do know the Whitecaps had a goal chalked off that should have stood, that Camilo drew a foul by stumbling over the ball, that Doneil Henry drew a foul by tripping over his own feet, that the guy's whistle was so slow he blew down offsides from Shrewsbury - Macclesfield in 1981, and that he ended the first half five seconds early. If he made a decision he was just wrong nine times in ten. Okay, Canadian Soccer Association. I get it. I appreciate Dave Gantar now.
Eric Hassli's goal celebration is hilarious non-news. He pointed to his Whitecaps crest, did the no-no finger gesture, then gestured to himself. Was he saying "Whitecaps no, Hassli yes!", or did the jovial teammate-loving locker room teddy bear who once got sent off for a goal celebration just not think things all the way through? Was he invoking Lee Nguyen's similar celebration from the weekend? I report, you decide.
That crowd was shit. No excuses, please. If Tom Soehn wants to do something helpful, he'll visit everybody who thought about attending that game but didn't and smack them upside the head.
If you were upset by the anti-Terry Dunfield chants ("Whitecaps reject!", "Same old Dunfield, always eating", and so on), then blame me because I joined in. And as you know I love Terry Dunfield. But he's a loose cannon who was playing for the enemy and has an emotional scab to pick. I didn't heckle Dunfield because I don't love the guy, I heckled him because there was a chance he'd snap, commit a foul and get sent off (he earned a second yellow a couple times in my books). Dunfield played in League One and League Two and their fans make Southsiders sound like "please please win, meow meow meow"; I'm sure he's used to far worse anyway.

If Vancouver is to beat Toronto at BMO Field next Wednesday they cut the mistakes out; given their record the Whitecaps can play some surprisingly sloppy soccer. Not all the familiarity between players and with the coach is there yet, and while the occasional clumsy play is inevitable on any team that employs the likes of Hassli, Matt Watson, and Camilo one hopes that time will bring precision.

Vancouver also needs to bring more out wide. For the most part Jeremy Hall (not that good) and Ashtone Morgan (will hopefully be that good someday but ain't yet) had Vancouver in their pockets. Camilo Sanvezzo, playing wide left, is awkward. He's a mediocre crosser at best and gets his best opportunities by cutting in towards goal to shoot himself. This is fine since he's great at running past defenders on the turn; the problem is that when he does that from the left side he winds up shooting from his weak right foot. That's why the chronicle of Camilo is so often either trying to shift the ball back to his left, a clumsy pass, or an ineffective shot. I'd almost like to see him go on the right, although Etienne Barbara again played good soccer and deserves a look as well (he gets some hate for not scoring any highlight-reel goals yesterday but oh well).

Vancouver's one goal came through wide play, when Alain Rochat finally (finally) got Hall sitting too far back and served a cross to a Hassli who was so wide open he could have sat down and eaten an entire bag of hamburgers before getting the shot off. Instead he unleashed the mother and father of all volleys. If you're feeling nervous, just watch that video a few times.

Eric Hassli is an artist, not a house painter. He doesn't produce as much as we'd all like, but what he produces is worth ten times what we pay him. I can live with that. This is why I trust Hassli and Sebastien Le Toux are going to be such a good combination: Hassli can do some of the dirty work, occasionally score one of the best goals in Whitecaps history, and keep teams honest from distance, while Le Toux can be the classic just-bang-it-in forward.

The Seattle Sounders game on Saturday is going to make things interesting as well. Obviously. It's a difficult game to rest any players for: a bloody rivalry battle with 20,000 fans screaming for a result at home rather than a lukewarm rivalry thumb war with 12,000 fans sitting placidly on the road. If Martin Rennie makes any compromises to his first eleven and Vancouver loses, he is going to hear about it. At the same time, giving his best guns long runs on Wednesday, Saturday, and Wednesday again (and then the next Saturday away to Portland) is going to have consequences.

This is why I don't coach a professional soccer team. Talk about a diabolical choice. But it's all moot unless the Whitecaps can tighten up.

Going In For The Kill

2012-05-16T19:47:14Z

Never do any enemy a small injury for they are like a snake which is half beaten and it will strike back the first chance it gets. -Machiavelli

Today the Whitecaps play Toronto FC in the first leg of the Voyageur's Cup final. This year, more than any before, provides Vancouver with it's greatest opportunity to claim Canada's championship for the first time and earn a spot in the CONCACAF Champion's League.

Squeezed into an already full month, on the heels of a long road trip to New England, and leading into two critical Cascadia derbies, Martin Rennie has shown that today, at least, the first leg of the Voyageur's Cup is the only match on the minds of the club.

Last Saturday the Whitecaps gambled on sending a vastly altered lineup to New England and paid the ultimate price of not only dropping all three points, but being soundly defeated by an average Revolution team. It was a hint of what was to come, though, that Rennie wanted his best 11 fresh and hungry for a midweek cup tie back home.

Now that the day has arrived in what must be considered the most important match of the young season, Martin Rennie has all of his weapons available. Jay DeMerit and Martin Bonjour will be rested. Alain Rochat will return to his usual left back role. Eric Hassli and Davide Chiumiento are both in form, and the bench can be filled with potent options with fit attackers in Etienne Barbara and Darren Mattocks.

This is an important match. There is no surprise for anyone about that. What is extra intriguing is that now that a full bench is available, and in such an important game, how will Martin Rennie come out of the blocks?

Machiavelli was likely talking about politics, but the message is one about human psyche.

Today, the Whitecaps have a chance to finish off the wounded snake that is Toronto FC. Will Martin Rennie go for the final blow?

The Whitecaps have shown this season as a team which focuses on defending first. With Jun Marques Davdison soaking up the most minutes in the midfield, he often acts as a third central defender, playing barely higher than the centrebacks and at times drifting below them. Rennie has also shown a favourtism towards Gershon Koffie and Matt Watson over Davide Chiumiento or John Thorrington.

Rennie's hand has been forced at times due to injuries to Thorrington and a out of form Chiumiento to start the campaign, but he addressed the biggest concern from last season and has allowed the attack to feel it's way out.

Toronto FC, on the other hand, come into today's match as a dangerous animal.

They are 0-8 in league play. They've played well, at times, but have shown a distinct lack of depth in the first two thirds of the park and have a back line that many U12 teams could slice apart.

However, in the first leg of the semi-finals, they did their job and parked the bus in Montreal, walking away with a 0-0 draw in a match that they never looked the slightest bit interested in winning.

Then the Toronto FC we all know and hate turned on again. They have this witchcraft like control of the Voyageur's Cup at the moment. They stink out the joint in league play, finding new and exciting ways to lose matches that they deserve a point in, and have all but disenfranchised their significant season ticket base.

Then comes Champion's League play and they manage to beat FC Dallas away, eke out a win against a struggling LA Galaxy side, and at one point, looked to give Santos Laguna a run for it's money until the popsicle stick castle that is the backline crumbled.

Again this year, when TFC looked to have hit rock bottom and set a new record for a losing streak to start a season, they manage to defeat a Montreal Impact side which, while are not world beaters by any definition, have had some very positive results of late.

Toronto will no doubt field their strongest team available, as their season hinges on another CCL run, since a playoff position is surely out of the picture already.

In a matter of hours, we will see how Martin Rennie handles this exciting proposition. Does he go for the jugular, and throw everything at TFC, pushing for a big lead going into the second leg in Toronto, or does he play the conservative lineup and ensure no away goals are given up?

Either way, the Whitecaps will be favoured to win the Voyageur's Cup. I'd be confident in a 0-0 or 1-1 result that the Whitecaps could go into Toronto and earn a result, but should you leave it to chance?

We already know DeMerit and Bonjour will start, and it'd shock me if YP Lee and Rochat weren't the fullbacks. And of course, Jun Marques Davidson will be in his usual defensive midfield role.

But the rest is up for debate.

Rennie could field a team today consisting of Eric Hassli up top, with Camilo and Sebastien LeToux out wide, and Davide Chiumiento in the middle. While Koffie has appeared to take another step forward this season and has been the best midfielder of late, he still lacks the ability to really create opportunities, and other than his lovely header against San Jose, rarely is in a position to get a quality attempt at goal. Thorrington could slot in and provides a veteran leadership in the middle of the park, and has more attacking ability and will be seen in the opponents box.

Or, alternatively, if Rennie wants to play it safe and not concede, we will likely see Koffie and Watson in the middle. It's possible that Omar Salgado starts in place of Camilo on the left, as he's shown glimpses of brilliance despite being invisible in New England. Omar has also shown he is willing to track back and will no doubt contribute more defensively than Camilo.

Either way Rennie goes, the Whitecaps should win tonight. More exciting to me is to see what type of team Rennie will put on the pitch and how they will play with all options available in the most important match of the season.

However, should the TFC bunkerball played in Montreal succeed, and the match stays scoreless for the first 90 minutes and they`re able to return to BMO Field next week with a slight sniff of confidence and a returning Torsten Frings, this wounded snake might just have the poison left to paralyze Whitecaps supporters and keep the Cup in Toronto.

So, Martin, lets see your best. Put the cold blooded reds out of their misery.

Heads Down, Thumbs Up - Week 10

2012-05-14T21:30:34Z

A little tweak in my reoccurring piece.

Too often it's difficult to find two negatives worth mentioning. Not a difficult problem to have as a supporter, unless you're a supporter who has pigeonholed himself into writing a few hundred words on a said negatives. I suppose this is a funny week to be changing the format, as there was plenty to be critical of following the 4-1 drubbing the New England Revolution laid out on the hodgepodge starting eleven on Saturday.

With that, the slightly tweaked version, in which I take a page from the old school game 7Up: Heads Down, Thumbs Up.

THUMBS DOWN: Sloppy Whitecaps defenders have multiple brain cramps

For most fans, the match versus New England was more of a footnote than a headline; clearly there is much more anticipation for the following Voyageurs Cup final, and the two Cascadia Cup matches. It appeared that Martin Rennie was of the same mindset, as he rested both Martin Bonjour and Jay DeMerit, and played Rochat in a less favourable centreback role. It didn't take long for the breakdowns to happen, as stand in Carlyle Mitchell looked unusually uncomfortable, Rochat looked like an out-of-position left back, and early MVP candidate Young-pyo Lee showed he was human.

It's seemed that when there is a breakdown in the Whitecaps defense, it's not due to being overwhelmed and under-skilled (for that, see Toronto FC's so called backline,) but rather than a lack of focus. And unfortunately when one fatal brain cramp kicks in, they seem to come in waves. With all due respect to Alan Gordon's fantastic header, the three goals were shipped due to mental shut downs. On Saturday against the Revolution, the same problem reared it's ugly head as the Whitecaps back line looked out of sync.

Perhaps it is hard to blame the players, considering everyone, from supporters, media, and coaching staff had one eye on the upcoming games against Toronto and Seattle. Either way, it is Rennie's job to ensure the squad on the pitch is competitive and ready to play. He did take the blame post game, saying that he made the wrong personnel combinations, so all credit to the classy manager for shouldering the responsibility.

Maybe this can be used by the gaffer to build upon. Proof that you must be focused for every minute of soccer, even when you're in form and riding a 5 game win streak. It's likely to fire up a humbled team for a very important home match against TFC on Wednesday.

I'm sure any supporter asked will be happy to give up 3 points against a eastern conference opponent if it means a good ol' fashioned thumping of the reds on Wednesday.

THUMBS UP: Return of form to the playboys of 2011

There have been many critics of Eric Hassli and Davide Chiumiento this season, much of which has been well earned. Fan favourite Eric Hassli, who is paid designated player money, was in a dreadful goal drought, and Davide Chiumiento looked like he lost some confidence and desire.

Realistically, though, both players had played well. Not DP and almost-DP well, but well. Now with 3 goals in 3 matches by Hassli, and 5 assists in 3 by Dede, the playboys of 2011 appear to have the swagger back.

And not a moment too soon. Darren Mattocks and Etienne Barbara made their first appearances against Edmonton and both made immediate impacts as Mattocks scored his first, and Barbara schooled the FC Edmonton defenders and drew a penalty. Pace and physicality, the two returnees have shown they have the skill to step up and take on some significant minutes in the MLS.

This new found depth will be well tested, as a grueling schedule that has 4 games in 10 days, consisting of 2 cups matches and 2 derbies will test the entire squad. No doubt we will get a good look at both the playboys of 2011, as well as the new and exciting Mattocks and Barbara.

Bring on the Reds.

Sunday Morning Scribe: No Defence for Failure to Nguyen

2012-05-13T17:17:57Z

Sunday morning early...much too early. Had to drop the wife off at YVR for a red-eye to Toronto before even the birds had had their morning constitutionals -- usually somewhere on my windshield. The coffee's flowing, but while my brain is busy trying to absorb enough caffeine to help me make it until noon, I'll dredge up some footy observations between the staccato chugging of my neighbour's 2.5 Hp Toro, and the lovely soothing drone of a pressure washer further down the street -- probably removing some of those stray "constitutionals" that happened to miss my car.

It's all fractured moments of clarity set among the usual mosaic of daily life -- as long as the picture doesn't look anything like a Picasso, I figure I'm ahead of the game.

Three things on my mind this morning, starting with the Whitecaps...

I'll admit it. I turned off the match. Yes, when the Vancouver Whitecaps went down 3-1 to the New England Revolution with a shade over 30 minutes on the clock, I decided to salvage the sweetness of the first summer evening we've had in these parts for, well...about a year now.

Besides, it's stored in all its 1080p glory on my PVR. I might even decide to watch the full match sometime this week, but I saw more than enough last night to last me a while. Suffice it to say that any post-match 360-degree feedback sessions should be based on just one question: "Would you like it in Fahrenheit, or Celsius?"

All indications were that this would be a close contest -- the Whitecaps were on a roll, the squad was healthy, and had a much better record so far. But everyone knew that Martin Rennie's bucket would also be dipping deep into the Caps' well, as the match fell amid a hellish spell of four matches in 10 nights.

Yes, there was talk of Lee Nguyen wanting to show up his former team, but nobody on either side seriously expected the 4-1 pasting, underscored by Nguyen's two-goal performance.

Perhaps too focused on securing the Voyageur's Cup, maybe suffering from the disadvantage of playing as a selection cobbled together based on need rather than merit, and quite possibly simply underestimating the opposition -- but whatever the reason, the Caps best MLS showing of the season (vs San Jose) was followed by their worst last night.

If Rennie is to take away any insights from the match, it's that "Who is Carlyle Mitchell?" is the question to the answer "The only Whitecap to make Jordan Harvey look good." Yes, I understand that he's inexperienced. Yes, he's seen very limited playing time so far this season. And yes, if Jay DeMerit were to rest a match, this was the fixture to do it in. However, it's abundantly clear that the precipice that marks the distinction between DeMerit, Martin Bonjour, and young Mr. Mitchell is far steeper than had been anticipated.

It's definitely steeper than this team can afford. I'll need to review the match more carefully, and in a much better frame of mind, but from what I did see, none of the back four: Young-pyo Lee, Mitchell, Alain Rochat, or Harvey played particularly well -- either individually, or as a unit. By all accounts from those who lasted beyond 33', the Caps midfield turned in a lackluster performance as well.

I won't go into the match any further, other than to note that what started so well, and so early, morphed into a disaster with incredible speed.

Moving on to surprise number two, involving the Canadian Women's Olympic Team...

I got a heads up that the Canadian Women's Olympic Soccer Team would be training in Richmond at Hugh Boyd's grass oval (adjacent to No. 1 Rd) for the next two months in the run up to the Olympics in London this summer. I headed out there on Thursday to check it out -- making sure to arrive early so that I could take up a good vantage point.

I needn't have worried. Not counting the four or five kiddies who happened to be on site, and after discounting the three dogs panting in the sunshine, I'd guess that there were maybe a dozen people taking in the team practice. Canada's brightest hopes on the international soccer scene, and they garner only a handful of onlookers?? Under a summer sky when the NHL playoffs are but a distant (bad) memory, and there are more Olympic-qualifying heroines on the pitch than joe averages lining it -- well that's a very sad commentary indeed.

If you enjoy the game, and have the least bit of interest in the CWNT, these players deserve much more respect than that. They'll be at Hugh Boyd's grass field on the following dates and times:

Tuesdays 3-5 pm and Thursdays 4-6 pm until May 24; and then resuming that schedule again on June 5, until June 21 (exception: Tue June 12, 2-4 pm).

On the BC soccer front, some interesting news that's getting surprisingly little attention...

TSS Academy, based in Richmond, along with its parent company, Sportstown BC Holdings Ltd., has taken legal action against the BC Soccer Association in BC Supreme Court. The case could have broad ramifications in terms of what powers the BCSA can exercise, and how soccer clubs and soccer academies in BC and the rest of Canada operate. The Notice of Claim can be viewed in its entirety here.

Very interesting reading, particularly for those who might have a son or daughter enrolled in a pivate youth soccer academy. Some 47 items in the Statement of Facts, as claimed by the plaintiffs (TSS), with a brief summary of nature of claims on p. 15.

Whitecaps Game Day: Men @ New England, 4:30 PM PDT

2012-05-12T19:00:19Z

NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION		VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC
(3W-0D-6L, 6th East)	vs.	(5W-2D-2L, 4th West)
Leading Scorer: Saer Sene (3)		Leading Scorer: Sebastien Le Toux (3)
Opponents' Blog: The Bent Musket
4:30 PM PDT, Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA Live on Sportsnet One

The New England Revolution are not a terribly good soccer team. With nine points through their first nine games, they're well off a playoff place. One of their wins came against Portland at home; not the hardest three points to get in Major League Soccer, although their other two (away to Los Angeles and home to Colorado) were perfectly respectable. Sizable sometime-St. Germain striker Saer Sene is off to a good start in his first MLS season, but other than that the Revolution have little first-class firepower. They also suffer from playing in Gillette Stadium, maybe the lamest home-field advantage in the league.

The Vancouver Whitecaps played midweek, but used very few of the same players who'll see action today. Eric Hassli will probably start and had a good run earlier this week, Sebastien Le Toux came off the bench in Edmonton to single-handedly win the game (no big deal) and will probably start as well, and probably one defender as well. The other eight names will be fresh.

This will be a great test of the Martin Rennie Era. What we have this afternoon is a game Vancouver should pretty much win, but which is miles from a sure thing. If the Whitecaps are coming out well-prepared and gung-ho, they have almost every advantage over the mediocre Revolution. If they're mentally tired, or thinking about the next two weeks, or their concentration falls short in any perceptible way, New England is certainly good enough to make us regret it.

Let's take New England's last game, a 2-1 loss away to Real Salt Lake, as an example of how they operate. The Revolution had 22 minutes of a one-man advantage between Will Johnson being sent off and Fernando Carderas receiving a (since rescinded) straight red for a little bump on Jamison Olave. Good to see Dave Gantar doesn't only ruin games in Canada.

When Johnson was sent off, Salt Lake was already in front 2-1 and had just lost their best defending midfielder. This ought to have been a very strong position for New England, but they did little to exploit it. Salt Lake successfully slowed the game down and maintained possession and an element of control. New England got a couple of fine chances on Nick Rimando but, honestly, I never really felt like New England would get back into a draw. When Carderas was sent off it was time to go home.

I think Salt Lake is generally overrated: their ability to play beautiful soccer is stronger than their ability to play winning soccer and they probably lead MLS in glorious, game-of-the-week draws over the past couple seasons and, while Rio Tinto Stadium is a fearsome place to play, Toronto FC was almost able to draw there. Still, despite falling behind on a superb Blake Brettshneider goal they pretty much had control and the three points was no less than they deserved.

Yet New England wasn't nearly out of options. That Brettshneider goal was great. They give off that nasty underdog vibe: you might be better than us but don't you dare disrespect us. Real Salt Lake early on was playing too casually, looking too hard to get a couple quick goals and sit on 'em, and New England showed why you just couldn't play that way against them. Salt Lake won when they started taking New England seriously, but they still needed that lesson.

I've said before that Rennie's teams have sometimes taken lesser opponents a bit too lightly. That wasn't a problem against Edmonton (no, not even the beginning of the second leg; that was just Edmonton playing good soccer rather than Vancouver playing bad soccer). But it's hard to maintain such a high level of concentration long-term. Vancouver is a fairly good team on a very good team's winning streak; they've played some crappy opponents and done the job every time. Is it cynical of me to say that, at some point, that's got to give?

I still say Vancouver comes out with the three points. New England's defensive play is a weakness and Hassli is finding his shooting legs. Camilo Sanvezzo is out but as long as Hassli, Le Toux, Omar Salgado, and Matt Watson keep doing what they've been doing we'll knock one through Matt Reis eventually. And if the Whitecaps turn it into a bunkering game where we dare New England to beat us, as Rennie loves to do, I can't imagine anybody but Sene threatening the defense. Between them, Martin Bonjour and Jun Marques Davidson should be able to contain that threat.

On the other hand, maybe I'm as overconfident as I fear the Whitecaps are becoming.

Whither Carlyle Mitchell?

2012-05-11T22:30:08Z

News from Vancouver Whitecaps world that Jay DeMerit isn't making the trip to New England. After going for 90 minutes Wednesday against FC Edmonton it's possible that DeMerit's just tired, or that he picked up a knock. Either way, it doesn't sound like the New England Revolution will have to worry about one of our regular defenders.

The smart money says that Alain Rochat will play centre back and Jordan Harvey, who Martin Rennie has frankly inexplicable confidence in, will start at left back. However, I've never been one to be satisfied with the smart money and so I ask the question: what the heck is this team going to do with Carlyle Mitchell?

Have you forgotten about Mitchell? Couldn't blame you. His only action with the Whitecaps first team this year has come in 180 minutes of Voyageurs Cup. He arrived late last season, during the absolute worst of the Tom Soehn dog days, fresh out of obscurity in Trinidad and Tobago.

Mitchell's not a big name. Heck, before the season a few people thought he might be cut. But he has 331 career minutes as a Whitecap (all competitions) and probably 300 of them have been good. He's not large for a centre back but mobile and stronger than he looks. He's also only 24 years old, which should count for plenty on a back four which has two key players (DeMerit and Lee Young-pyo) well into their thirties and another (Rochat) getting awfully close.

Mitchell hasn't got much playing time. A lot of what he did get came in garbage time last season when, frankly, the games didn't count for much and an enthusiastic puppy would have looked impressive. But so far he's hardly put a foot wrong. He brings a good two-way sensibility, has surprisingly fair technical ability given his modest origins, and, on paper at least, ought to pair well with the tall but slower Martin Bonjour. Basically, he ought to do what Rochat does at centre back, therefore freeing the Swiss star to play his best position at left back and thus sending Harvey to play his best position at bench.

Martin Rennie's stuck with a fairly stable squad this year and has been getting results. But DeMerit's absense gives an opportunity for experiment. Sticking with the sub-par Harvey - Rochat left-side tandem won't work; we know how much Rochat hurts playing in the middle and we know how much Harvey hurts trying to play elementary soccer. Mitchell's done nothing but impress in his every opportunity. For heaven's sake, give Carlyle his chance.

In between ranting and raving at Jordan Harvey I do take some time to watch soccer. I have seen the occasional game, and Carlyle Mitchell is a useful centreback if anybody is. In fact, though it's hard to tell given the different levels they've been at, I would prefer Mitchell over DeMerit if you put a gun to my head.

Why do I like Mitchell? Because he's confident on the field without being arrogant. On the one hand he's not afraid to run with the ball and try some audacious passes, he loves to get forward at the appropriate times, and he plays good aggressive soccer. On the other hand he does all this without trying to overstep his bounds, trying to dribble the ball through an entire team, without yanking himself out of defensive position because he thinks he's a Premier League player among semi-pros, or making a bevy of mental mistakes which sometimes affect players of his calibre.

He showed very well late last year and was among Vancouver's better players in both Voyageurs Cup matches. He's also done exceptionally in the MLS Reserves: in a slightly hilarious turn a couple of weeks ago, after a series of injuries hit the Whitecaps Reserves forwards against Portland, Mitchell moved up top and significantly outplayed Atiba Harris in a cameo as a striker. He's also scored with the Reserves this year, although that was as a defender (a dramatic last-minute header off an Omar Salgado cross).

I fully understand keeping Mitchell out of the lineup so far in MLS: why fix what ain't broke, and the Bonjour - DeMerit tandem in the middle has worked out exceptionally. Notwithstanding what I said about preferring Mitchell to DeMerit, I don't think for a second Jay has played himself off the field and am happy with Mitchell as a substitute. But it's possible to take conservatism too far, and playing Harvey over Mitchell would do precisely that.

That New Canadian Centennial Soccer Jersey, In Full

2012-05-10T18:36:07Z

Top is the flag of Toronto. Bottom is the new Canadian national team centennial kit. A limited run of these is being produced for purchase and they will be worn at two matches: when the men host the United States in Toronto (of course) this summer and when the women play the Americans at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah on June 30.

Given the CSA's blatantly pro-Toronto-and-damn-the-rest agenda, that's what we call an intriguing coincidence.

No, sadly for my conspiracy-loving self, I'm pretty sure it is actually just a coincidence (thanks to Twitter troll @LowtherLars for pointing it out). The jersey is meant to evoke those worn by the first Canadian national team to play an international in Canada; a arbitrary-as-hell distinction since Canada's international soccer history is far older than the CSA and stretches well into the 19th century, while Galt FC won us an Olympic gold medal in 1904. But it's as good a point in history to draw from as any, I guess, since I think this kit looks rather sharp.

The blue won't make a lot of friends and I've already read criticism of the old-style red maple leaf over the heart, but I like it. I approve of the simplicity. Many modern jersey designs with a collar look forced; this one looks natural. While I'm sure the template is just something generic from the Umbro catalogue it at least looks like it could be be-spoke to us; it's something Canadian fans will remember in ten years for the right reasons. This one gets the Lord Bob Seal of Approval, Toronto flag colours and all.

Vancouver - Edmonton Post-Game

2012-05-10T15:00:36Z

When Yashir Pinto headed that Michael Cox cross off Carlyle Mitchell's head, then deflected the bounce into the back of the net, I cheered. I'm not going to lie to you. But in a weird way it was the worst thing that could have happened to FC Edmonton.

(Obviously, that's not actually true. Pinto's goal was both delightful and essential and if Edmonton didn't score there was really no point. But I'm in a narrative here so let's just roll with it.)

The Vancouver Whitecaps were playing with undue complacency and FC Edmonton was getting almost all the chances. After Michael Nanchoff had a goal unjustly chalked off in the second minute Vancouver continued to put men forward and play with a four-man front, but absolutely nothing came of it. Paul Hamilton put Davide Chiumiento in his pocket and kept him there, Camilo Sanvezzo was isolated, Eric Hassli was playing too withdrawn to do much. Meanwhile, Vancouver's central midfield of John Thorrington and Floyd Franks just plain lost the battle and Edmonton went hard on the attack.

Pinto's goal, the Eddies' first in the Voyageurs Cup, was absolutely no less than Edmonton deserved but it did galvanize the Whitecaps. Edmonton's players got a slight case of Hero Shot and went for everything individually. The Whitecaps tightened up. When Sebastien Le Toux came in and ended the tie at a stroke, well, that was no less than Edmonton deserved either.

Then it was garbage time. Etienne Barbara came on, kicked some ass, Le Toux scored again, Darren Mattocks of all people stroked a fine finish in after a bit of an awkward start. Edmonton gave their Paul Craigs and their Ilja Van Leerdams work while bringing off their better players and looked like they just wanted to go home.

The final score was 3-1, and I hope that doesn't obscure what was an excellent and evenly played game. Ultimately Edmonton will have no cause to complain about the result, but if you don't respect that team after this then you have something to learn about soccer.

Harry Sinkgraven's tactical innovations had mixed success. Michael Cox was full of piss and vinegar in Kyle Porter's place, playing savage soccer, assisting the goal, and while he didn't generate many chances personally Vancouver had to pay him disproportionate respect. Midfielder Kenny Caceros, late of the "Canadian" Soccer League's Capital City FC, was neither good nor bad (and thus beat expectations) and certainly outplayed the consistently disappointing Van Leerdam. Only Fabien Vorbe, making his first professional start, disappointed: he got a great big red "E" for his fall on Le Toux's backbreaking goal and generally played like ass. But with Fabrice Lassonde out hurt and Adam West nursing a knock, Sinkgraven had few options.

He said Edmonton was "unlucky" with their finishing. That's sort of true, but then again after Pinto's double-deflection goal and Nanchoff's unfair flag he can't have too much to complain about. And once Pinto did get a ball in the shock to Vancouver's system needs little explanation.

One must give Martin Rennie the laurel wreath for his substitutions: he brought in three players, two of them scored, and the other one really should have (what an unbelievable fingertip save it was from David Monsalve to deny Etienne Barbara his first Whitecaps goal in just about his first Whitecaps minute; there are times when a penalty is missed and you should "damn you, Long Tan!", and there are times a penalty is missed and all you can do is throw your arms up.)

Vancouver gained the edge back as soon as Pinto put the ball in, and of course Le Toux was a key reason for that. Also helpful was Davide Chiumiento putting his passing boots back on. Rather than charge forward over-confidently as a one man attack, he let Le Toux do the work while sitting back or going wide and looking for the best possible pass. You don't even need me to tell you what the results were because they were just that obvious (although you know David Monsalve will want Le Toux's first goal back; when even the scorer is saying he got really lucky on it, that was a bad goal).

Some love must be thrown to Barbara, who came onto the field for the first time as a Whitecap and seemed like he was thinking "okay, now I'm going to show all these guys what they were waiting for". That was great fun. He had a lot of success against Edmonton last year so if Barbara was going to make a good impression, here was his best possible chance. I'd say it worked, even if Monsalve did stop the penalty.

Poor David Monsalve. With Michel Misiewicz hurt, this is Monsalve's chance to prove he's an NASL starter and boy he is letting in some softies. He played well against Carolina but of Vancouver's five goals this tie I figure three stank pretty bad from a goalkeeper's point of view. One wonders how long this can go on. Monsalve came to Edmonton last year with a great reputation, some success in Finland, a cap for Canada, but he's just getting ventilated and nobody likes to see it. That was one great save off Barbara, but it was only one.

We can't pretend Edmonton deserved more than they got but this was a well-played game. Vancouver can be pleased with how they responded to threatening adversity. Edmonton will know they need to work on keeping the momentum when they get their first goal but also know that they played gallant soccer and finally got their asses on the board in the Voyageurs Cup. And, in the end, everything went exactly the favourite's way. Doesn't get much simpler.