NUTRILTE CCL CANADIAN PLAYOFF STANDINGS

	Games	Win	Loss	Draw	+/–	Points
	4	2	1	1	3	7
	4	1	1	2	0	5
	4	1	2	1	-3	4

TORONTO FC AND THE WHITECAPS
BATTLE IT OUT AT SWANGARD
(StartingEleven.ca) Saturday, July 12, 2008

BURNABY - Both TFC and the Whitecaps left it all on the pitch and came away with a 2 - 2 draw in front of 5288 boisterous fans on Wednesday night. This was the last game for the Whitecaps in this six game tournament to crown the Nutrilite Canadian Champion. TFC have one game remaining against the Montreal Impact on July 22 whichtakes place at BMO field in Toronto.

Although the home side started off quickly with a near miss by Eduardo Sebrango off a Martin Nash cross inside of 3 minutes. TFC came out strong and took control of the first half causing many problems for the Vancouver defense. TFC striker Jeff Cunningham had a goal called back on an offside call in the 14th minute. Then at the 25 minute mark Cunningham failed to convert on flick by Maurice Edu in the face of lax Vancouver marking. The best chance of the half for TFC came just 2 minutes later when TFC striker Rohan Rckets rattled a shot off the crossbar from 10 yards away only to have Vancouver keeper Jay Nolly come up with the ball on the ensuing scramble.



The sense of urgency created by that chance on goal seemed to change the flow of the game into more of an evenly contested match. Then at the 43 minute mark, when the game looked like going to the break scoreless, the Whitecaps took the lead.
Aderly finds space along the left flank, who then tries to feed Sebrango in the TFC box, the pass blocked by a defender rebound into the path of Justin Moose who forces a great save from Greg Sutton from 30 yards. The rebound then comes back to Moose who calmly gives Sebrango the short pass in the box which he converts into the bottom right corner of Sutton's goal.

The second half saw the same game flow, with a slight more chances than in the first falling to the Whitecaps who were unable to cash in.


Halftime Vancouver 1 - Toronto 0


TFC then evened the score on 61 minutes, Maurice Edu made good on a badly taken shot shot by Laurent Robert and slotted an awkward ball passed a sprawled Jay Nolly. Then on 72 minutes Amado Guevara on a leading pass from Robert charges through the midfield brilliantly and draws most of the Whitecaps defense. This caused an opening for Rohan Ricketts, showing allot of pace takes a perfectly placed ball by Guevara first time inside the near post. 2 - 1 for the Reds.

The Whitecaps although fortunate not to be down by a higher score line stayed competitive and focused and it paid off on 86 minutes. Nolly had collected the ball in his own box and sent it 70 yards towards the fresh substitute Jason Jordan, who then flicked the ball on with his head towards a challenging Sebrango and Edu. Edu collected the ball and fanned on the attempted pass back to Sutton which Sebrango pounced on, found his way around Sutton and placed a shot neatly in the TFC goal.

Toronto FC 2 - Vancouver Whitecaps 2

This the fifth game of this six game tournament was the most entertaining and the highest scoring of the competition so far, with the final score line of 2 - 2 telling the tale of a close and evenly matched game.

The last game of the tournament goes on July 22 at BMO field in Toronto when TFC meet the Impact in a match that find Montreal only needing a draw to advance and TFC need an outright win.



WHITECAPS KEEP HOPES ALIVE WITH A
TIGHT WIN AT BMO FIELD
(StartingEleven.ca) Tuesday, July 1, 2008

TORONTO - The Vancouver Whitecaps escape with a 1 - 0 win after holding off a second half onslaught at the hands of TFC at BMO field in Toronto today.

The match began as most experts had expected. A tight marking and tentative first ten minutes saw little by way of chances on either goal. By the 10 minute mark the Vancouver Whitecaps, visibly growing in confidence, began taking the game to TFC. Takashi Hirano, Alfredo Valente, and Justin Moose caused some trouble for the TFC back four creating many chances in the final third.

With continued pressure from the Vancouver offense, TFC were dealt a harsh blow when captain Jim Brennan, was adjudged to have taken down Whitecaps midfielder Jeff Clarke on a Vancouver corner kick. Martin Nash took the opportunity to score from the spot on 36 minutes.

The next big chance of the first half came off a Valente run down the left flank crossing to the feet of Cuban Striker Eduardo Sebrango, who forced a stellar reaction save from TFC net minder Greg Sutton.

At the half, Whitecaps 1 - TFC 0

The second half saw TFC manager John Carver make his three changes during the break as he was disappointed by the play of his striker and supporting attacking midfielder's. Laurent Robert, Rohan Ricketts, and Danny Dichio. This tactic changed the game completely as TFC came out flying and immediately began a furious and unrelenting attack on the Whitecaps goal.

The addition of Jarod Smith, Jeff Cunningham, and Julius James for TFC made an immediate impact with a handful of scoring opportunities falling to TFC in the first 10 minutes of the second half. TFC did not let up for the rest of the match and Vancouver had to rely on world class goal keeping from Jay Nolly to pull them through to victory.

"I thought it was a tale of two halves. We dominated the first half, second half they came at us and held most of the play. We dropped off a bit too much ... but Jay [Nolly] made some great saves, especially at the end to keep us in the game," said Midfielder Martin Nash, in a post game interview with the CBC.

As in the previous games of this series to crown the best team in Canada and represent the nation in the CONCACAF Champions league. It all came down to finishing. On this day the ball was bouncing in favour of the Whitecaps and TFC could not finish on the many chances around the opposing goal.

This win for the Whitecaps keeps them in the hunt for the crown as a long shot, and they will look to take another three points in their rematch with TFC at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby next week. That being their final game of the tournament the only acceptable outcome is a win. Then hopes that Montreal cannot beat TFC at home like the Whitecaps did today.

The next game in the Canadian Champions League sees Toronto FC visit Vancouver on July 9. The last game of the tournament has Toronto hosting Montreal on July 22, in what could turn out to be the game that decides the Canadian Nutrilite series champion.


VANCOUVER HOST MONTREAL IN THE SECOND
LEG OF THEIR CCL HOME & HOME SERIES
(StartingEleven.ca) Friday, June 27, 2008

BURNABY - The hopes of Whitecap's fans that their team be the one to represent Canada in the upcoming CONCACAF Champions League to start in late summer 2008, were all but destroyed last Wednesday night with their second straight defeat at the hands of the Montreal Impact.

Montreal took the game with a 2 - 0 victory, in a game that showed most of the chances and possession falling to the losing side [Vancouver] who at times looked like they had the game well in hand. Even being down at the half 1 - 0 on a goal by Montreal forward Roberto Brown, who pounced on a juicy rebound from a wicked shot by midfielder David Testo, the Whitecaps still looked the better side.

The second half of the match saw the same scenario. A relentless Vancouver attack that could not bear any fruit and some superb goaltending by Montreal goalkeeper Matt Jordan. Montreal put the game away in the 66th minute on a goal by Testo, taking a short pas from fellow midfielder Patrick Leduc, Testo let go a screaming shot from twenty metres out that was always curling away from Vancouver net minder Jay Nolly.

Montreal 2 - Vancouver 0

Vancouver coach Teitur Thordarson was visibly disappointed with the result but pleased by his lads performance.

"I didn't think they were the better side, I thought we were much better," he said. "I felt we dominated the game, clearly. We were very unfortunate to get two simple goals scored against us. We had several chances including a fantastic shot from Eddie Sebrango."

Although Thordarson's analysis is bang on, what killed the game for the Whitecaps was the same problem Montreal faced in their loss to Toronto in May. A lack of finish in the final third, Vancouver for all of their chances just can't put the ball in the net. That unfortunately will be their undoing in this tournament to crown the best Canadian club team for 2008.


Montreal and Vancouver meet at
Saputo Stadium for the Nutrilite
CCL Canadian Playoff Match day 2
(StartingEleven.ca) Tuesday, June 17, 2008


MONTREAL - The second game of the Canadian qualification tournament for the only spot available to Canadian teams was contested tonight in Montreal at the Impact's new Saputo Stadium.

Starting off slow defensively the Vancouver Whitecaps had to hold on for the first ten minutes of the match with a handful of chances going to the home town Impact.

The Impact should have been one up by that time on an apparent missed penalty call by referee Silviu Petrescu, Vancouver gets away with one.

A continued effort from Montreal midfielder's Joey Gjertsen (former Whitecaps midfielder) and Rocco Placentino were causing allot of problems for the Vancouver back four giving up the first goal of the game scored by Severino Jefferson. Montreal were one up after the 26th min.

A second goal in the 37th minute by the Impact's Joey Gjertsen sealed the Whitecaps fate on this night.

Vancouver was forced to field a depleted squad due to international commitments and it showed. With four players away to the Canadian national squad getting ready to face St. Vincent on Sunday at Saputo stadium, Vancouver looked a disorganized squad and finished the first half hanging on against a resolute Montreal starting eleven.

Halftime: Vancouver 0 - Montreal 2

The second half was a different story with Vancouver coming out flying and taking the game to a stunned Montreal defence. Vancouver's Jason Jordan and Martin Nash putting on a stellar display trying to lead their team back from an insurmountable deficit, their combined efforts often thwarted by staunch defending, unlucky deflections, and Man of the Match goaltending on the part of Matt Jordan of the Montreal Impact.

There is no question that Vancouver was not the same squad without their starters called away on International duty, but the Montreal attack was to much in the first half even for a full Vancouver starting eleven.

It seems Montreal stuck to their game plan by putting the opponent away early, then with a bit of luck hung on defensively for this must win at home.

The second leg on this home and home series goes next Wednesday night in Burnaby B.C. at Swangard Stadium, game time 8:00 pm PDT.

Fulltime: Vancouver 0 - Montreal 2


Toronto FC squeak by MontrEal in the CCL Canadian Playoff Opening Match
(StartingEleven.ca) Tuesday, May 27, 2008

MONTRÉAL - A beautifully weighted free kick into the opposition box finished by a perfectly placed header was all that was needed to give Toronto FC the win against a deflated Montréal Impact.

8th Minute: Placentino being clear in on goal is seemingly pushed down by the TFC defender Marco Velez, Placentino's call for a penalty falls on deaf ears as the ref lets play continue. The video replay shows that the referee missed the call.

9th Minute: After gaining control of the midfield for the first part of the game, Montréal get the first real chance at goal, a cross from Joey Gjertsen finds Rocco Placentino who hits the volley first time to just miss on the short side.

12th Minute: David Testo tries his luck from 25 yards out just to see it sail over the crossbar high and wide during increased Impact pressure in the TFC zone.

16th Minute: A very disorganized back-four for Toronto manage to work the ball quickly through midfield to lead a pass to TFC's Jeff Cunningham who turns his defender inside out leaving only the keeper to beat. Cunningham thinking to much about it, fans on the shot and it trickles wide of Matt Jordan's goal on the far side.

23rd Minute: Antonio Ribeiro (Montréal) comes in to replace an injured Leonardo Di Lorenzo.

26th Minute: Dwight Barnett (Montréal) Gets into the TFC final third creating some havoc in the box before forcing a corner.

32nd Minute: Jim Brennan booked for a flagrant foul as Placentino was past him and towards goal.

37th Minute: Stefano Pesoli booked for a hard tackle.

40th Minute: Dichio sees daylight in the Impact final third and is in on goal only to have his low shot saved by a sprawling Matt Jordan. Dichio's on going groin strain forces him out of the game, replaced by Jarrod Smith.

42nd Minute: Carl Robinson (TFC) misses at close range over the bar after receiving a pass from Laurent Robert (TFC).

43rd Minute: Jarrod Smith tries a hopeful shot from 30 yards out, shot goes high and wide.

45th Minute + time added: A reckless challenge by Olivier Tebilly (TFC) gives the Impact a free kick with seconds to spare from 30 yards out. Shot into the wall, in suing play goes out for a Montréal corner kick off a deflected shot.

Halftime: Toronto FC 0 - Montréal Impact 0

48th Minute: Montréal continue to have most of the possession, Harmes (TFC) takes down his man harshly and is booked after the ref allowed play to continue on the advantage.

50th Minute: More clumsy tackling on the part of the Toronto back-four gives Montréal a well positioned free kick attempt at goal.

52nd Minute: Barnett and Placentino (Montréal) are continuing to cause problems for the TFC defense but a lack of finish has kept the score at nil - nil.

53rd Minute: Stefano Pesoli is booked a second time and is sent off for a seemingly harmless foul on TFC's Cunningham.

55th Minute: TFC now enjoying more possession being a man up.

55th Minute: Surprenant comes in for Placentino (Montréal), a tactical substitution from being a man down.

62nd Minute: Freekick by Roberts misses over the (Montréal) goal.

72nd Minute: Marco Velez (TFC) scores off a quickly taken free kick by Robert, the beautifully taken free kick is headed passed Matt Jordan. TFC is up by 1.

80th to 90th Minute: TFC slow the game and open the field keeping possession. The Impact battle hard after some fresh legs are added (Barnett out, Severino Jefferson in) but are clearly out of gas as the sending off of Pesoli really "took the wind out of their sails"

Final Whistle: Toronto FC 1 - Montréal Impact 0

Scoring Summary:
TOR - Marco Velez (Laurent Robert) 72

Yellows and Reds
TOR -- Jim Brennan (yellow) 32'
MON -- Stefano Pesoli (yellow) 37'
TOR -- Kevin Harmes (yellow) 50'
MON -- Stefano Pesoli (red, second caution) 53'
MON -- Pato Aquilera (yellow) 61'

Match Statistics
	Montréal Impact	Toronto FC
Total Shots	10	15
Saves	6	3
Fouls	10	11
Corners	5	1

© 2009 StartingEleven Magazine and startingeleven.ca

Columbus Crew beat the New York Red Bulls 3-1
to capture their first MLS Cup
The Canadian Press - November 2008

CARSON, Calif. _ Midfield maestro Guillermo Barros Schelotto collected some more hefty bling. Coach Sigi Schmid got a sense of redemption.

The 35-year-old Schelotto, a long-time star in his native Argentina, assisted on all the Columbus Crew's goals in Sunday's 3-1 MLS Cup victory over the New York Red Bulls. Afterward, he received the game's MVP award to go with the regular-season MVP trophy he was presented earlier in the week.

Schmid hoisted the Cup in the home stadium of the Los Angeles Galaxy, a team that axed him in 2004, two years after he guided the club to the MLS championship.

``It's a very emotional moment for me, winning this game here in L.A. in front of family and friends. And, to be quite honest, the town that I was fired in,'' Schmid said.

Alejandro Moreno scored in the first half for Columbus and, after New York's John Wolyniec tied it 1-1 in the 51st minute, Chad Marshall put the Crew back in front two minutes later. Frankie Hejduk added an insurance goal.

``We played a very good second half,'' Schelotto said through a translator. ``The first half was a bit more difficult. We were lucky to get that second goal off a corner kick. After that, I believe we were much better than the other team.''

That rapid response to New York's tying goal was deflating for the Red Bulls, Wolyniec said.

``The timing of the second goal was disappointing,'' he said. ``We were on a high from tying the game and it's tough to come back.''

New York coach Juan Carlos Osorio thought the Red Bulls outplayed the Crew in the first 45 minutes.

``We should have been one up instead of one down,'' he said.

Then there was a defensive lapse on Marshall's header off Schelotto's corner kick, which Osorio called ``too easy.''

``In between, we gave a good account of ourselves,'' he added.

Schelotto, who led the league with 19 assists during the regular season, set up Moreno's goal with a heads-up play near the sideline, Marshall's with a bending corner kick, and Hejduk's with a soft lob.

Schmid said Schelotto even played fine defence.

``He's always helping the team,'' the coach said.

An example was the play leading to the Crew's first goal, when Schelotto stole the ball from Dave van den Bergh just as it was about to go over the right sideline and tapped it to Moreno. Moreno sprinted into a dribble as defender Diego Jimenez scurried back, but Moreno outraced him and, when goalie Denny Cepero had to commit, Moreno kicked the ball across the mouth and it rolled into the net just inside the left post.

``He (Schelotto) has such great instincts,'' Schmid said. ``The ball that was going out of bounds there, he's got the presence to know to react to the play quickly. It's those decisive moments that turn games.''

Both Columbus and New York were original members of the MLS when it began in 1996, and both were playing in the league championship game for the first time.

They took quite different paths to the showdown. The Crew finished with a 17-7-6 record that was the best during the regular season, while the Red Bulls went 10-11-9 and were the lowest-seeded team in the post-season.

Hejduk, a member of the Tampa Bay Mutiny in the MLS' inaugural season, was appearing in his first league title match. He closed the scoring in the 82nd minute.

``To be honest, I can't wait to have a beer, hang out and party with my friends,'' the 34-year-old Hejduk said in the interview room. ``It's a little bit surreal right now.''

Wolyniec scored on a bang-bang play in the box. Dane Richards dribbled through defenders Brad Evans and Gino Padula just outside the box, popped the ball in and Wolyniec redirected it into the goal with his left foot.

The Crew's season-crowning championship completed an impressive turnaround from last year, when they went 9-11-10.








NEW YORK TO MEET COLUMBUS
IN L.A. WINNER TAKES ALL.
By Cristian Ureta (StartingEleven.ca) November 15, 2008

The MLS CUP Playoffs roll on to the final game where the unlikley New York Red Bulls will take on the favored Columbus Crew.

The New York Red Bulls are by all accounts the cinderella story of the 2008 MLS Cup Playoffs in that they were the last team to win a playoff berth, and have gone on to win against two favored teams in the Houston Dynamo (4-1 on aggregate) and 1-0 against Real Salt Lake.

Columbus presents the opposite scenario, they finished first in the regular season and really never looked like anything but the league champion from the opening kick off on the first day of the season. Being favored all the way through the playoffs they dispatched the K.C. Wizards (3-1 on aggregate) and the Chicago Fire with relative ease.

The stage is set for a huge MLS Cup final upset. What will decide the outcome of this final match will really be up to the Columbus Crew. The Red Bulls really do not have the depth of squad to compete against the offensive strength of Columbus, but as the biblical David would say today, "the bigger they are, the harder they fall."

The Crew will meet the Red Bulls in Los Angeles on Sunday, November 23, 2008 to decide the 2008 MLS Cup Champion.


© 2009 StartingEleven Magazine and startingeleven.ca