Wednesday, April 29, 2009

The 'interim' MAN


So there he is ... I think. I'm really trying to not rip off photos from the weeb so through the small library I've been working on, well I never thought to make a folder for "Chris Cummins - future head coach". Well I said it before, the truth is, we are no worse off. I like Carver but don't think he was a tactical genius and it's not like we are saying goodbye to Scotty Bowman, or I guess more appropriately - well let's keep in sorta relevant - Sigi Schmidt! Because if we lost a coach like that, we'd be winless!

So if the last few games was a 'group effort' like Carver has been saying in his adieu interviews, then I think we'll be fine with 3 of the 4 still making the decisions. Someone's gotta start somewhere, and who knows? This could be Cummins big break and he could turn out to be something, if not we hire a new head coach at the end of the season. Not really into all the hoopla about the reasons behind Carver leaving. As far as I'm concerned if MLS is his reason, well the league is super lame in alot of ways and I can't blame him. Don Garber reminds me of Gary Bettman in too many ways - and if you are on the same page as I am, none of those things are good. I'm curious to see over the next 3 years how we're going to bring in 60+ QUALITY players with a $2.3 million salary cap. Anyway that's a rant for another day!

The most important thing is like I said above - hey at least we didn't lose Sigi Schmidt! ACTUALLY maybe this will have a reverse effect - Carver took us to pretty much the bottom last year, Schmidt took Columbus to the Cup - they both leave their respective clubs, Columbus is winless, so Toronto clearly is going to get to the top Jerry! THE TOP!!! So here is something worth watching because fortunately for us Gino Padula should be in the line-up but this time I'm positive we can actually put it in the net.
PS just skip to 1:20 and let the memories come back (aka waving away smoke and singing and then realizing everyone is going nuts then see we scored!!!)

Monday, April 27, 2009

It's a streak!

The Chris Cummins era? Hmmm hmmm? Well what can we say so far - two wins, new formation, passes ON THE GROUND?? Not to get too ahead of myself, but let's all be blunt, the only thing we might miss of John Carver is the passion he had towards the supporters. Yesterday's game wasn't quite as tight as the Chivas USA game, but it was pretty close. I'm not too worried about only netting one goal, because they will start coming surely. The one thing I'm curious to see is what will happen when De Rosario comes back. Probably the formation will remain, but Barrett or Vitti will have to get back in line. So one of those two better start making it happen because one of them will end up being a sub. Ok let's get into another exciting visual RECAP of the game starting with the match-up:

Kansas City - for real - I hate this team! The teams you want to lose: #1 Columbus, Kansas is not that far off at #2.



Huddle up get it done




MAY 8 EVERYBODY - MAY 8


The future


Ok I hate KC but their keeper is the worst. Hey Guy shouldn't you be at a diner, drive-in or dive?? OH THAT'S MONEY!


OHHHH DANNY DICHIO!


Lock it down


Victory! Vitti played amazing and actually deserved the MOM.




Well Cummins has seemed to make some good decisions in his short history of leading this team - which is better than Robert Warzycha who hasn't won yet with Columbus! TRILLIUM CUP! This will be our first trophy, we'll seal it next Saturday!

SIDENOTE: We couldn't record a podcast last night as we were pretty much three men down. I hardly made it out of the game, Tim's whole house was sick and Stephe hosts a radio show Sunday nights which makes it too tight to get from here to the studio in time. We might do it during the week, if not it'll be back on regular schedule saturday.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

So long Johnny boy!


Well there you have it. Is this really that much of a shock? The timing perhaps, but I think anyone who follows TFC could put the pieces together and know that John Carver would bounce outta here the first chance he gets. I don't think it's wild to speculate he'll end up in Alan Shearer's staff, if not in the next few weeks, then when the EPL season is over and Newcastle retools for the fall. I liked John Carver but when it's boiled down his real main attribute is his passion, which is great, but I think TFC needs someone with more panache. Ok just kidding I just wanted to type out panache. It just seems his tactics and player selection came into question more often than not, but his devotion and passion always outweighed it. I think what I'm saying is we will not be worse off, whoever is hired as the next head coach.

Will we ever hear the REAL dirt on Carver's time here at TFC? Doubtful. I'm sure when he came here the way the league was organized, internationals, referees must have completely blown his mind. So again, would it be that surprising, or would you blame him, if he ends up back in England? He's eluded to it many times but seemed like he always held back just enough - unlike Ruud Gullit, who true to Dutch nature, did not give a shit and said whatever was on his mind about the Galaxy and MLS.

Well John, it's been a slice, but TFC is gonna move on! KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Hallelujah!

I've never been so happy to freeze my ass off for two hours. I've also never been so happy to be wrong about the state of TFC. The last two days were the first where I was resigned to say to myself, "Ok maybe we're not as good as I've thought. Maybe I've been wrong all along". RedNation has been on a soft launch since the season started and if my pre-game predictions were right, we'd be 4-1-1 right now. But anyone who watched last night's game would have said THIS is what our team looks like when we play how we should - a hard-working team who gives it for 90 minutes of disciplined football. I guess the only thing left to wonder is can we infuse that desire for the rest of the season? This was truly the most enjoyable game of the season so far. The passes were on the ground for the most part, chances were aplenty and the defence shined! I won't harp on it too much but one goal won't get it done against the likes of Chicago, New England and even Houston, so I really hope we can fine tune that area of our game. So let's get into a quick recap of the best Wednesday night of 2009 thus far:

Kicked off the night heading up to meet some buds at Atlantic Street. My boss gave me two free tickets, so Matias and Matt were HOOOKED up. I also finally made a good financial decision and decided to buy the most economical choice for rainwear. Before the Columbus game, the forecast was for rain, I spend 3hrs Friday night looking for a proper raincoat - which would have costed me something like $50!! WTF was I thinking?!? Check the pricetag - the price is right!




What?! TWO TFC superheros!?!


OK boys let's get 'er done!



BITCHY TAKIN' CARE OF BIZ IN '09


Guevara!!!


Guest Services: Protecting TFC fans from Hooligan-like behaviour, AKA: Standing, Cheering, Standing and Cheering, or showing too much passion in general. You know, the kind of things that can ruin the enjoyment of REAL fans who show up late, sit the whole game, get up three times to get food and leave at halftime.


OR from morons who think it's a good idea to bring fireworks into the stadium and shoot them at their own supporters and onto the field. W ... T .... F.


Our defence won't rest


TFC WINS!! I KNEW IT ALL ALONG.



Best part of the night - these people, who you clearly can't see, singing about Adrian Serioux. This guy has been great so far and deserves heaps of praise for this game.


If we bring it like this Sunday, we can start May, or the month of hell, in great shape. Looking forward to SIX home games in the next month. TFC! *CLAP CLAP CLAP*!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Serenity now

Ok have to stay positive. It's April. The flowers will be blossoming and girls will soon be wearing head turning outfits (lack there of) all down Queen Street. I can ride my bike everywhere now and can get to my favorite coffee shops. SHIT I just remembered there is a TFC game tomorrow now I'm foul. Ugh what to say what to say. I'm not a pundit (at least not here) so no details are needed about the Reds woes. I seriously thought we'd be able to grab all six points against Dallas!! Well from now on you can call me Llyod Braums because I'm clearly OUT OF MY MIND when trying to figure this team out. Yeah yeah it's five games in, but for real, the first 25 minutes of this season were incredible and it's been a slow down hill ride since then. Don't mistaken this for giving up! I wouldn't be a Toronto sports fan if I couldn't hate my team today but if we win tomorrow - MLS CUP HERE WE COME!!!

I didn't post anything from Sunday's game because I went over to my co-host's place to watch the game. Why is it that I don't have digital cable but feel like I'm paying more than if I did? YEAH THAT'S WHY I HATE THE JAYS - ROGERS BOOOOO.

Here is a quick recap of Sunday night. First off the bike is back in full force.


I was possibly thinking of going to Joes - I'm taking my pics and this lady here comes up to me all in my face "DID YOU TAKE MY PICTURE!?!" "Uhh no I'm taking a picture of the bar" You can see for yourself - no offence lady, The Star ain't giving me shit for this photo. "OK GOOD WELL DELETE IT" um yeah ok I'm going to delete my picture because you said so. Hmm actually you know what? I'm going to post it on my blog FOR EVERYONE TO SEE. Spark 1 - jerkface 0.


It was an incredible weekend and a bit chilly but still made my way down King St.



Got to Tims and you all now how this one ended. Thank god for Creemore - at least I can count on you to satisfy me!

Friday, April 17, 2009

Déja Vu, Part 1

Hopefully this time the second part is drastically different. Looks like Stephen Hart, the man who gave us a great run as interim head coach at the 2007 Gold Cup, will be at it again for the '09 campaign. Will the CSA be able to get this right? Have they learned from their very expensive (performance-wise and financially) mistakes over the past two years? I've said it before though, I'm not holding my breath. The problem with the CMNT isn't the players or head coach, it's the structure of this 'association' and board of directors that hinders our progress in the game. This is positive though, seeing as it seems our team all believes in Hart as a coach and I think it was Jim Brennan who said, "I will always have time for Stephen Hart". So with any luck, despite having only one friendly lined up before the Gold Cup (agh!!) the boys will be determined enough to pull something together. Canada has a solid team when you look at it on paper, and really I'm going to stay optimistic that they could get out of their group.

KEEPIN POSI IN '09!! SEE YOU IN L.A.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Spot the ejected fan



Now you might be wondering Hmmmm who could it be? What did they do? Is it that older woman in the stylish sunglasses? MAYBE. Is it the guy in the middle with the jays cap and TFC T-Shirt? PERHAPS. I know! The guy at the far left in the green pullover and brown hat! POSSIBLY! What if I told you all of the people standing are subject to ejection from BMO Field? Why you might ask? Did they throw something on the pitch? Are they yelling racist slurs? Maybe they destroyed property, or picked a fight? No, nope, nay and n-o.

Under the new BMO Stadium protocols for 2009, all of those people are subject to ejection FOR STANDING should they not comply with the new rule that only the supporters sections are allowed to stand, use noise makers and have flags. Everywhere else must sit at all times, but can stand on corners and goals, or "when play deems appropriate". If you choose to stand outside of those guest services/security will come and tell you to sit down and as was practiced this past weekend could grab you when you go to the bathroom and kick you out.

I'm still somewhat agitated over this new agenda and how security handled their authority over this matter last weekend. I don't know if it's coming from punk rock/hardcore but I have a serious problem with the idea of being told where, when and how I am supposed to do something (cheer for my team). Toronto FC does have a notice on their website, and apparently sent out an email (I don't recall) about designated supporters sections being allowed to stand and how the rest of the stadium is sitting. However, they did the same thing last year indicating supporters sections, and regardless of this people still stood in areas like 127, 110, 104, 105 to name a few. Nobody was told to sit in these sections and nobody was ejected. I don't think it's that crazy to think that this year would be any different.

I know many people have contacted TFC to ask what is the deal with this ridiculous initiative. The same kind of response is being said to the likes of "we introduced this policy because we wanted to ensure that everyone can enjoy a Toronto FC match at BMO field". Ah, I see. Let's make the games more enjoyable by removing all the passion and making BMO Field more like the Rogers Centre. This also begs my question/point - who are they referring to and did TFC receive a high amount of complaints over the first two seasons from people saying they hated their game day experience? Clearly there is a segment who now certainly can not enjoy a game at BMO field because they are being told how to act if their seats are not in the south end (or 127). From the pics in this post, you can see first one was taken from the 22nd row - so those people standing are at the top end of the section, and obstructing no one. Yet I know of 4 people in that shot who were told they had to sit multiple times. The second pic is from last year where the majority of those two sections (not designated supporter sections, per the email/website) are standing an nobody was thrown out that day.



I think this is really unfortunate that Toronto FC has taken these steps. TFC has amazing fans and we could have all four corners of the stadium standing and making the experience for visiting teams a living hell. But I guess they oppose this? Instead they would rather have a nice little area at the far end to show off and the rest of the stadium has to (by force) be like a Jays game. When something good happens, like a corner, someone will stand in front of your section and hold up a sign that says "Stand and Cheer". Then you may stand and cheer. When they are not holding the sign, you must sit down. If you are confused whether or not a play deems standing, it is better to just sit because if you don't you will be ejected. I guess this is the way it will have to be because I am a passionate fan who actually sits but also wants to get up and cheer and jeer all through the game, without fear of someone coming down on me.

Bah sorry for the rant, but I don't know where this all came from (or really why) and I think it's too bad that instead of encouraging people to get up and cheer for the home team, to create something totally unique in Toronto and genuine to this sport - TFC could turn into every other boring team in this city where you go and sit, pay a disgusting amount of money on food and beer, politely clap and watch the team lose (again) and leave ten minutes early to beat the traffic.

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Captain Canada

Jason De Vos is the man. The former Ipswich Town and Team Canada defender/captain has a long history of being vocal about the ineptitude of the CSA. Now on his CBC Blog, he's started a multi-post series discussing ideas of how to set things right for the game here in Canada. Already in his first blog he has 165 replies (as of Sunday night). Meh, I guess that's pretty good. One of his major stipulations to the discussion though is no mud-slinging about people in the CSA, which is too bad because there is nothing I like more than hiding behind my keyboard and talking mad shit. YOU READING THIS MONTAGLIANI!?! I'M ON TO YOU. Either way, this is what we need - someone who has been in the system as a player and has first hand experience, but is no longer attached to it so they don't feel the pressure to not speak out. I will also be having my say in the comments section. Look for my contributions under the handle "FUTYBOYEEEE".

2 weeks in a row ...

Well at least I can admit it. I'm totally one of those guys who believes Toronto FC can win every week. So no doubt yesterday was super disappointing. Finish, Finish, Finish! We gotta nail that down or we are screwed because the next home game won't be against Dallas but Chivas who surely will be more refined, and be able to put the ball in the net more easily. Let's take a look how this all unfolded.



Toronto's finest on the lookout for the infamous TFC HOOLIGAN


You think you know how to tailgate?!


I've been saying for years TFC needs a superhero. Masked one preferably though.


Some pre-game settling in




Ah here is the $170 framing job for our tickets this year. Hmmm ... PASS.


I don't know if anyone else noticed this but I'm 99% sure this seating did not exist last season - pretty sure you could walk the entire length of the east side, but now there is 3-4 rows of Premium seating, bringing in what - $85 a pop? WELL PLAYED MLSE.


Ok a game breaks out!



DE ROOOOOOOO!



"HEY WHO WANTS TO GET WASTED? WOOO! WHO LIKES TO PARTY? WOOO! WHO'S COOL? WOOO!"


This is the first ejection I saw this season - guy in all blue. DON'T TAZE ME BRO!!!


Unbelievable.


I'm not going to show the pic of the puddle of tears at my feet but this was a bit gutting. I had already marked down 6 points from this home and home and we get caught 1-1 at home. I guess we are still in a learning stage? Jeez well hopefully Carver comes away from this nailing home we have to finish our chances or we'll get burned because we give up too many chances on our own end.

Oh well, 3 POINTS ON THE ROAD NEXT WEEK YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST!