Welcome

Welcome to Partially Obstructed View. We are each restrained by the limits of our own perspective, but when we meet to share information a clearer picture of the truth can be revealed. Comments & criticisms are welcome.

Wednesday 31 August 2011

Retrospecticus – Volume I

     Every so often a piece written long ago becomes pertinent once more. This retrospective will highlight some of the entries those that may have been missed, as well as some favourites.

MLS Weekly Review - Weekend Round 24 – Of Reverse-Alphabetical Alliteration Domination, Consolation at the Ex, & the Comeback of Champions.

    With three matches having been postponed due to the approaching winds of Hurricane Irene this shortened six-match schedule of weekend MLS action witnessed nineteen goals, two red cards – one straight – two new all-time record holders, a young, local boy scoring a hat-trick and a single draw.

Monday 29 August 2011

MLS Weekly Review - Midweek Round 24 – Of Hope Returned.

    The lone match of in the midweek fixture list saw Chivas USA travel north to JELD-WEN Field home of the Portland Timbers. Unbeaten in three matches Chivas arrived for their final match of a five-game road swing without their new striker Juan Pablo Ángel who was rested, possibly to avoid the additional wear of an artificial pitch.

Wednesday 24 August 2011

First Person View - The Ballad of El Hadji Diouf

Prompted by an interview with the man himself on BBC Radio Scotland’s Scottish Football Podcast

    Teeth-gnashed to the world, venom-spitting in every direction, an aggressively-shaven head bowed not in reverence, but in antipathy.

Monday 22 August 2011

MLS Weekly Review - Midweek Round 23 (Abridged) – Of Bobble-heads & All-Time Draw Kings.

    Three midweek matches, eight goals, two draws, a pair of red cards, and one bobble-head incident; these are the stories behind the numbers in the midweek sampling of the twenty-third round of MLS.

Thursday 18 August 2011

Thoughts? – Changes to the DP Rules

     MLS announced age-ranged designated player cap hit reductions designed to encourage more youthful signings. Designated players between the ages of 21 and 23 will see their cap hit fall from the standard $335,000 to $200,000, while those 20 and under will be further reduced to $150,000.

     While this should help combat the stereotype of an older player coming over to North America for one last payday and could potentially garner the league some transfer money in the future, there are a few questions that must be asked, namely which players will the cash be splashed upon and will they grow in MLS?

Wednesday 17 August 2011

Wednesday 10 August 2011

Quote of the DWW* Double Dose

     Benni McCarthy speaks his mind on Karren Brady and TSN - despite current efforts to engage the soccer public – let slip their old bias.

Monday 8 August 2011

MLS Weekly Review - Midweek Round 21 – Of Royal Downfall in KC, Another Even Fire & Timbers Starting to Climb.

    Three matches dotted the fixture list in this the twenty-first round of MLS action. Seven goals, a lone red card and a single draw produced some unexpected results. As one streak continues, another falls, and Chicago continues to draw.

Saturday 6 August 2011

Thursday 4 August 2011

First Person View – Setting a Base

     When the CSA announced that all three of the upcoming second round World Cup Qualifiers would be taking place in Toronto there was much consternation amongst the diaspora of soccer fans across this vast nation. Petty regionalism aside there is something more important to consider.

Tuesday 2 August 2011

Perspective - Luck of the Draw

    Considering all the Jabulani’s* that have been launched Canada’s way in qualifying campaigns there could not have been a better draw for the 2014 qualifying cycle.