Beyond POV-FS – The Voyageurs Cup, Toronto FC vs. Montreal Impact 1st Leg, & the WTR Mailbag

This week's round up previews both legs of the Voyageurs Cup, as well as recapping the first leg and assessing the possibility of summer reinforcements for Toronto FC

MLSsoccer.com – Will Giovinco be ready for the Canadian Championship?

The good news for TFC fans is that the injury that forced Sebastian Giovinco off in New York was a minor one, but his availability for either leg of the Voyageurs Cup is in question. He missed the first leg, but may just feature in the second one.

In addition, a variety of TFC players – Benoit Cheyrou, Ashtone Morgan, and Jonathan Osorio – speak on the value of cups and addressing a lack of Canadian glory over the past few seasons.

Waking the Red – WTR Mailbag, Post-Red Bulls, Pre-Voyageurs Cup

After a short consideration of the Voyageurs Cup, the, albeit brief, comment section delved into whether the possibility existed for TFC to consider a summer addition, especially at the higher price ranges, as reinforcement given the spate of injuries at the moment.

MLSsoccer.com – TFC kids delight vs. Montreal: “It's our future”

Post-match reaction from TFC revolved around the impressive outing from a variety of non-starters, coming out to a 4-0 lead, only to allow two late, setting the table for an interesting second leg.

Stellar outings from Morgan, Osorio, Jordan Hamilton, Dan Lovitz, and Mo Babouli, as well as from centre-back pairing, Eriq Zavaleta and Nick Hagglund – not to mention the calming presence of Benoit Cheyrou in the middle, making his first appearance after a long injury lay-off – turned what could have been a disaster into a thrilling night.

MLSsoccer.com – Impact livid over slow start vs. Young TFC team

Montreal's post-match reaction, mainly involving Mauro Biello refusing to concede an inch towards questioning – to be fair, he was probably right – along the lines of his team taking their foot off the gas when the lineups emerged.

Hidden amongst the TFC performance was a memorable night for Michael Salazar, who scored his first goal for the club and a cracking free-kick from Didier Drogba.

MLSsoccer.com – Should Toronto FC turn to vets, or stay with kids?

Heading into the second leg, Greg Vanney is faced with a dilemma: insert the now-available – possibly – players in the form of Giovinco, Will Johnson, Drew Moor, Damien Perquis, and Justin Morrow, or stick with the youth that did so well in the first leg?

In all likelihood, a mix of both will trot out onto the pitch at Stade Saputo this evening.

Bonus Quotes:
Jonathan Osorio on Drogba – “[Drogba] is a big guy, that's for sure. His technical ability, the way he uses his body is like none other. Easy to see why he's been so successful.”

Osorio on Wednesday night's result – “It was nice [to see all the young boys get a run out]. A lot of guys with a point to prove. They want to show that they belong here, that they deserve minutes. So it was nice, to play like that. Guys had a lot of energy, especially being at home, playing in front of family and friends. It was good, a really good game, but that's past now, we have to go into this game with a whole different mentality.”

Jordan Hamilton on waiting for his chance – “It's part of the job, being a young player. I had full trust in the coaches, that they'll know when it's my time. A lot of people on the outside will say 'you deserve to be playing', but the coaches know. That's their job to know when I'm ready. They thought I was ready tonight. Hopefully I proved them right.”

Ashtone Morgan on CanCon in the Voyageurs Cup – “Definitely. Oso and Jordan scoring, Jay getting in, Mo starting. Everybody. There was some good Canadian content today.”

Beyond POV-FS – WTR Mailbag, One Moment in Montreal, & Will Johnson

Faithful readers may have noticed a certain decline in the linking to articles that appeared elsewhere – let alone, original content.

In order to make amends for the first problem – working on the second will be more tricky – every weekend an article linking to all the week's content will be posted.

In that spirit:

Waking the Red – WTR Mailbag

Each week Waking the Red issues a call to its readers for their questions in the hope of sparking some conversation, or pointing out concerns that may have missed the writers' attentions. Topics this week included: looking forward to the match in Portland, assessing Greg Vanney's performance thus far, and Garth Lagerway's decision opting for Seattle instead of Toronto.

Waking the Red – One Moment: Toronto FC @ Montreal Impact

In this new column, which time and circumstance allowing, will be a new regular feature, a single play from the most recent TFC match is analyzed, both for its relevance to the game, as well as what it displays about the current state of the club. In this edition, TFC skillfully manages a potential threatening situation by the use of an enhanced collective defensive ethos.

MLSsoccer.com – Johnson Eagerly Anticipates 'Special' PDX Return

And finally, ahead of his return to face his former club, Will Johnson spoke with the media about the experience of facing his old teammates and revealed a little about the growing relationships with his new ones.

Check them out!

Beyond POV-FS – WTR Mailbag & How You Doin' Sporting KC at Waking the Red

The usual pair of weekly articles went up over at Waking the Red earlier this week.

In the WTR Mailbag, readers are invited to submit their questions to the comments below, where myself and the rest of the staff do their darnedest to respond to the best of our abilities. This week's threads include whether Montreal is for real, an attempt to clarify the opaque MLS roster rules and regulations regarding salary cap hits and whatnot, as well as a discussion about Jozy Altidore's value and the potential of trading a designated player within MLS.

Check it out

And for the How You Doin'? Segment, WTR linked up with SB Nation's Sporting KC site, The Blue Testament, exchanging questions and answers ahead of Sunday's match in Kansas City.

Cody Bradley was kind enough to respond to WTR's enquiries here, while our replies to his can be found at TBT here.

Beyond POV-FS – Know Your Enemy: Montreal Impact – Meeting the Third at Waking the Red

Preview of Sunday' encounter between Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact is up over at Waking the Red.

Check it out.

Beyond POV-FS – Know Your Enemy: Montreal Impact – Meeting the Second at Waking the Red

A single instalment of the Know Your Enemy series is up over at Waking the Red, previewing Toronto FC's upcoming opponent, the Montreal Impact, ahead of Saturday's match.

Check it out

Beyond POV-FS – Know Your Enemy: Montreal Impact – Meeting the First at Waking the Red

Preview for tonight's all-Canadian encounter between Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact is up over at Waking the Red.

Part One looks over their lineup and form, while Part Two hits the game film for strengths and weaknesses – check them out

Beyond POV-FS – No Lov' Lost: NYC FC exacts a pound of flesh from TFC at Vocal Minority

The good folks over at Vocal Minority, who have decided to supplement their audio words with some written ones, have a snazzy new website – the header art alone is worth the visit – and seeing as it was nearly two days old already, it was about time it featured a piece by yours truly.

As such, a bit of a shade-throwing post went up yesterday. Pure speculation, but an interesting confluence of circumstances surrounding New York City FC's decision to select Daniel Lovitz in the MLS Expansion Draft and then trade him back to Toronto; reminiscent of similar shenangians back in 2006 – and could perhaps lead to the birth of a new rivalry – check it out.

Beyond POV-FS – Know Your Enemy: Montreal Impact – Meeting the Second at Waking the Red

Preview of this afternoon’s game between Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact at BMO Field is up over at Waking the Red.

Final home game of the season, should be interesting… maybe… Check it out.

Beyond POV-FS – Know Your Enemy: Montreal Impact – Meeting the First at Waking the Red

Preview of Toronto FC’s upcoming match against the Montreal Impact at Stade Saputo is up over at Waking the Red – Check it out: Parts One and Two

Beyond POV-FS – Know Your Enemy: Montreal Impact – Meeting the Third at Waking the Red

    Preview of Saturday’s end of season match between Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact at BMO Field is up over at Waking the Red.

    Can the Reds damage Montreal’s playoff bid? Will it be as crazy a match as the 3-3 back in July?

    Check it out and prepare for the match

Beyond POV-FS – What Just Happened? The Turning of the Tide at Waking the Red

    After a long hiatus – who wants to keep reading about conceding late goals over and over again –  Waking the Red's What Just Happened has returned. In this series a moment or series of moments that helped determine the outcome of a Toronto FC match are analyzed.

    This edition looks at the two quick goals that Montreal scored in the second half of last Wednesday’s match, allowing them to draw back level after falling behind 3-1.

    So what just happened?

    Read on to find out.

Beyond POV-FS – Know Your Enemy: Montreal Impact – Meeting the Second (In the League) at Waking the Red

    Preview of tonight’s match, looking at Toronto FC’s opponent, Montreal Impact, is up over at Waking the Red.

    Reviewing the last meetings – in league and the Voyageurs Cup, looking over their recent form, and highlighting a few strengths and weaknesses that have emerged over the season.

    Check it out.

Are Late Allowances Solely a TFC problem?

    Having looked at the nine goals Toronto FC has allowed in the final quarter of an hour, if only superficially, yesterday – further investigation is definitely warranted, perhaps there will be time next week – today the question is whether this is a TFC problem alone or an affliction of MLS?

POV-FS Out Loud – Anthony Totera’s Red Card on NextSportStar.com

    I’ve been fortunate enough to be a guest on Mr. Totera’s show, Red Card, on the NextSportStar network twice over the past week or so, talking Toronto FC, Voyageurs Cup, Montreal Impact, and Canadians in MLS.

    The archived show from last Wednesday - May 1st - can be found here: live from Stade Saputo – completely unaware of what was about to unfold – to talk Voyageur’s Cup, Montreal’s priorities, and Canadians throughout the league.

    And yesterday - May 9th - here: attempting to dissect what ails TFC.

    Give them a listen and be sure to tune in live each week day at 7 pm when Anthony talks to the great and the good of the local, national, and wider soccer scenes.

    Get involved by calling the phone lines, toll free, at: 1(888)999-5880 and follow Anthony and the network on twitter for updates on upcoming guests.

    If I’m not mistaken tonight’s show will discuss grassroots soccer, don’t miss it.

Beyond POV-FS – Voyageur’s Cup: Toronto FC vs. Montreal Impact – Pre-Match Notes at Waking the Red

    Some assorted notes, videos, and links previewing tonight’s match between Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact at BMO Field is up over at Waking the Red, in lieu of the usual Know Your Enemy feature.

    Check it out.

Toronto FC – The Voyageur's Cup: Another Chance to Injure the Opponent’s Centre-Back

    On the eve of the 2013 edition of the Voyageur’s Cup, it seemed a good time to bring up a peculiar development over the first two MLS clashes between the Canadian clubs.

    Toronto FC has been responsible for key personnel losses to their opposition.

    In the opening match against Vancouver, it was Jay DeMerit who went down a mere eight minutes into the contest with an Achilles injury. In Montreal, it was Alessandro Nesta who left the fray, lasting slightly long, after eleven minutes with a muscle concern.

    Neither injury was the result of dangerous or overly-aggressive play, DeMerit went up for an aerial challenge with Robert Earnshaw, landing awkwardly and rupturing the tendon. Nesta, lunged to get his head on the end of an Earnshaw cross in the first minute of play, hitting the turf-hardened ground knee first, presumably jarring his muscle in the process.

    Earnshaw, one of the newest members of the club, was the protagonist – antagonist? Suppose it depends from which side one observes – in both cases; not through foul play, but through a tenacity that has helped define the new reiteration of the club.

    In truth, DeMerit should never have been risked, having been troubled by tendonitis in the area throughout preseason. And Nesta, well, his ability to stay fit for an entire season – and his importance to the side – has been questioned repeatedly.

    Both injuries were eventualities, but curious that fate would strike when confronted by TFC.

    Matteo Ferrari, Montreal’s other high-profile, experienced centre-back, had the good sense to get himself injured, meaning he will likely miss the series.

    But what odds on the fit-again Nesta, should he feature in either match, not lasting the full match, let alone the first half?

    Heading into the Voyageur’s Cup, Toronto has some additional voodoo over their Canadian rivals. To many it is baffling that a club that has struggled so mightily throughout its existence has maintained their run of four straight national titles against seemingly superior opposition - opposition perhaps better constructed and more eager for a chance at regional glory, well, regional play.

    As stated before, this year’s rendition of the four-team tournament looks set to be the best ever, with all three MLS teams seriously contesting the championship – Edmonton is unfortunately an afterthought at this point, though an upset of Vancouver in the first round - ahem, semifinals - would provide some much-needed drama on the Western side of the country.

    While this may be one of the smaller national cup competitions in the world and one of the newer ones, as well, it always manages to provide some drama and more than a few talking points to those who take the time to follow its, albeit, brief progress.

    It all kicks off tomorrow night (Wednesday, April 24th) with Toronto hosting Montreal and Edmonton welcoming Vancouver with the return legs to be played a week later (Wednesday, May 1st).

    If possible, get out to a match, if not, be sure to tune in on television. In the future, these years will be the basis of a grander competition and a part of national heritage and pride. May as well get in on the ground floor, eh?

    Sportsnet will be airing both matches on their regional channels; with Toronto-Montreal kicking off at 7:30 pm EST and Edmonton-Vancouver at 9:30 pm EST.

Beyond POV-FS – MLS Week in Review – Round 4 at Canadian Soccer News

    Review of the fourth weekend of MLS action is up over at Canadian Soccer News.

    Check it out.

Beyond POV-FS – What Just Happened? Toronto at Montreal – The Impact’s Second Goal and Dunfieldinho at Waking the Red

    A look at the beautiful bit of passing that led to Montreal’s second goal against Toronto on the weekend and a passage of attacking class from Terry Dunfield is up over at Waking the Red.

    Check it out.

Beyond POV-FS – Know Your Enemy: Montreal Impact at Waking the Red

    A preview of this afternoon’s match between Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact at the Olympic Stadium is up over at Waking the Red.

    Check it out.

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.