Beyond POV-FS – July Recap: Radio Hits, Night Games, Three Matches, Patience, Tosaint Ricketts, Damien Perquis, & a Handful of Mailbags

So, it seems as though making this a regular post is a little more difficult than previously hoped.

This edition, like its predecessor, comes ridiculously late – apologies.

Waking the Red – WTR Mailbag: On Night Games

In this edition of the mailbag, the opening topic revolved around the change of schedule that Toronto FC has undergone this season.

Since the club was formed, the majority, if not all, league matches were played mid-afternoon, when the sun was highest in the sky.

Unsurprisingly, it evoked a response from one reader who feared that this decision would adversely affect the ability for families with younger children from taking part.

The rest of the conversation involved Jordan Hamilton, the Alex Bono vs. Quillan Roberts conundrum, a bit of Tosaint Ricketts' will-he, won't saga, and the MLS transfer window.

MLSsoccer.com – Toronto FC vs. Chicago Fire

The post-match reactions from TFC's 1-0 win over Chicago: Toronto solid and unconcerned by Sebastian Giovinco's goal-less run; while Chicago take pride in effort as the club continues to be molded into the vision of Veljko Paunovic.

Greg Vanney's last words – 'He'll find his way' – seem especially prescient now.

Nextsportstar – Red Card with Anthony Totera

Mr. Totera was good enough to have me on the show, talking all things TFC.

Always a must listen for footy fans, covering a good mix of local, national, and international topics.

Waking the Red – WTR Mailbag: On Patience in Youth

In this edition of the mailbag, the tale and of Hamilton came to the forefront.

Listening to the chatter, would have left one to think that the youngster was on the outs having vanished into the background since coming onto the scene with such fanfare. But given his chance, he seized it with both hands (feet?), making the most and proving that he has a future at this level.

Conversation in the comment section included whether the club would stick with the youth, or reinsert the starters upon their return – still a pertinent issue, as well as how the club should proceed during the transfer window, what with the then-recently announced departure of Damien Perquis.

Vocal Minority Podcast – Episode 146 #MuskyGuide

The good folks over at VMP were kind enough to proffer the invite, unaware of what awaited them – a cracking, albeit flimsy, seven-point defence of the egg laid in San Jose where TFC fell 2-1 to an Earthquakes side reduced to nine men by a pair of highly-debatable, later-rescinded red cards.

MLSsoccer.com – Toronto FC's Alex Bono owns up to mistake, while [Jozy] Altidore likely to return

With the debacle in San Jose in the rear-view, Bono acknowledged the gaffe, discussed needing to have a short memory, while proving to his teammates he could be counting upon. It also emerged that Altidore was nearing his return, exciting Giovinco in particular.

MLSsoccer.com – Tosaint Ricketts 'ready to go' after ending wait to sign for Toronto FC

The worst kept secret, and longest transfer saga, in TFC history finally came to a conclusion as the Canadian international was finally able to put pen to paper and join his new side months after coming into the fold.

Ricketts discussed the peculiarity of his situation, what he brings to TFC, and the familiarity of BMO Field, having excelled there with the National Team.

Waking the Red – WTR Mailbag: On the Realities of MLS Rosters & Damien Perquis

In this edition of the mailbag, a hearty candidate for longest title to date, the difficulties of managing an MLS roster, where both spots and finances make it difficult to make a move without first making others.

As well, a salute to Perquis who departed the club, recognizing one of the presumably many private moments that the greater public does not get to see, hopefully, providing a glimpse beyond the fiery competitor on the pitch.

Conversation revolved around the then-recent announcement of the EFL's intentions to punish dissent more full-throatedly, the projected lineups and their veracity, Perquis as emblem, breaking down opposition defenses in MLS, logical fallacies (only the best), and another deep dive on the rules & regulations, trying to suss out their true meaning.

MLSsoccer.com – Toronto FC vs. DC United

Post-match reactions following TFC's 4-1 win over DC: Giovinco announces 'he's back' with an emphatic hat-trick, while DC lick the wounds of a bad performance in preparation for a return home.

Waking the Red – WTR Mailbag: On Home Form

And finally, with Toronto in the midst of a four-game home stretch, not to mention six of their last eight matches this season at home, the important of utilizing the advantages of to pile on the points. Up first was a potential-Trillium Cup clinching bout with Columbus.

The advantage of hindsight allows one to say that the club took this message to heart.

Conversation below, although a little muted, saw yet another dive into the dark abyss of MLS rules where swirling eddies of GAM and TAM, flotsam and jetsam, remained tantalizingly beyond comprehension, and a spot of autographing hunting.

MLSsoccer.com – Toronto FC vs. Columbus Crew

Post-match reactions following TFC's 3-0 win over Columbus, that saw the side win a second trophy of the season: the Trillium Cup.

For Toronto, the stunning performance by a youthful midfield – Jonathan Osorio, Marky Delgado, Jay Chapman, and Tsubasa Endoh – stole the headlines in the absence of Benoit Cheyrou, who has been the straw that stirs the drink through a difficult month; while the Crew lamented an unacceptable outing.


Seeing as it is already the second week of August, no promises will be made about being more timely with these, though that is the intention.

Beyond POV-FS – Know Your Enemy & How You Doin'? DC United at Waking the Red

The preview materials for Toronto FC's match at DC United this evening are up over at Waking the Red.

Know Your Enemy assesses the opposition: Part One looks over their lineup and form, while Part Two reviews the game film for strengths and weaknesses.

In How You Doin'?, WTR exchanges some questions with Ben Bromley of SB Nation's DC United site, Black and Red United – WTR's responses to their questions can be found here.

POV-FS Out Loud! – July 31 Anthony Totera’s Red Card

Anthony was kind enough to have me on the show to talk a little Toronto FC, after their disappointing result in DC, and a little Tesho Akindele, as the young Canadian impresses in MLS

Check it out

Beyond POV-FS – Know Your Enemy: DC United – Meeting the Third at Waking the Red

Preview of Toronto FC’s match against DC United on Wednesday is up over at Waking the Red – check it out

Beyond POV-FS Posterity Edition – Know Your Enemy: DC United – Meeting the Third at Waking the Red

    Forgot to post the link to the preview for Saturday’s match between Toronto FC and DC United at BMO Field over at Waking the Red.

    No need to check it out, just posting for posterity.

Beyond POV-FS – Know Your Enemy: DC United – Meeting the Second at Waking the Red

    Preview of Toronto FC’s match against DC United at RFK Stadium in Washington DC is up over at Waking the Red.

    Check it out

Beyond POV-FS – Know Your Enemy: DC United at Waking the Red

    Two posts in the Know Your Enemy series, previewing Saturday’s match between Toronto FC and DC United at RFK Stadium, are up over at Waking the Red.

    The first looks at their lineup and form, while the second reviews game film and highlights some points of interest.

    Check them out – Part One & Part Two

MLS 2013 Preview – The Big Questions: Eastern Conference

    While most folks are busy foretelling and projecting just how this season will play out, we – the royal we – here at POV-FS prefer to offer you questions.

    Each offseason MLS clubs undergo radical player overhauls, in part necessitated by the restrictions of the salary cap and roster spots.

    As such, sometimes it can take weeks - or months - before a club’s true nature presents itself. Some clubs will not have their rosters sorted until the midway point and with the nature of playoffs being what they are, it may not matter how things began, only how they end.

    Remember, prediction makes fools of us all; so, on with the questions.

    In this installment: the Eastern Conference.

Where Are They Now? Joseph Nane & Demitrius Omphroy

    We here at POV-FS are always keen to spot former Toronto FC players – and there are quite a few of them – in our search for news.

    In that spirit, Joseph Nane and Demitrius Omphroy have been named as preseason trialists for DC United as the club begins its training camp in Bradenton, Florida.

Beyond POV-FS – Know Your Enemies: Eastern & Western Conference Finals Previews at Waking the Red

    Preview’s of today’s conference finals are up over at Waking the Red.

    Check them out – East and West.

Beyond POV-FS – Know Your Enemy: DC United – Meeting the Third

    Preview of this afternoon’s match between Toronto FC and DC United at BMO in Toronto is now up over at Waking the Red.

    Check it out.

Foresight – MLS Round 23 Weekend Preview

    Four questions to be answered in this the twenty-third round proper of MLS weekend action.

Foresight – MLS Round 17 Weekend Preview

Four questions to be answered in this the seventeenth round proper of MLS action.

Front Office Dunk Tank

    If only Toronto FC had thought of this before getting rid of Mo and company. Throw in a few tosses at one of these babies at the end of each year and no one would mind the incremental increases in season ticket prices.

Beyond POV-FS – Know Your Enemy: DC United – Meeting the Second at Waking the Red

    Preview of Saturday’s match between Toronto FC and DC United at RFK Stadium is up over at Waking the Red.

Foresight – MLS Round 10 Weekend Preview

Four questions to be answered in this the tenth round of MLS action.

Foresight – MLS Round 8 Weekend Preview

Four questions to be answered in this the eighth round of weekend action in MLS.

Foresight – MLS Round 7 Weekend Preview

Four questions to be answered in this the seventh weekend of MLS action.

From a Different Point of View – 2nd Week of November Edition

Some Things You May Have Missed From the Last Week

MLS Weekly Review - Midweek Round 31 – Of Hope Extinguished Early, Doubling-Down, a Rally Too Late & the Playoff Mountain Looming Large.

    The two midweek fixtures scheduled for round thirty-one of the MLS season, like most of the remaining matches, had important playoff ramifications. Six goals, one red card, two teams inching closer to elimination, while another clinches their postseason berth, and the wooden spoon changes hand.