Beyond POV-FS – Know Your Enemy: Sporting KC at Waking the Red

The preview of this afternoon's match at BMO Field between Toronto FC and Sporting KC is up over at Waking the Red.

Part One delves into their lineup and form, while Part Two hits up the game film for some strengths and weaknesses.

Check them out

What Ever Happened To … Cuba’s Toronto Defectors

    In homage to MLSsoccer.com ‘What Ever Happened To…” series, an update on one of the more intriguing stories Canadian soccer endured in 2012.

    Toronto was captivated when Canada’s World Cup Qualification match against Cuba last October began with the announcement, well not quite that official, that several players – news reports oscillated from seven to four to three - defected prior to kickoff.

    The prematch buzz quietly faded after the initial flurry, but now several months later one of those who chose to start a new life has surfaced on the pitch.

Second Annual Unofficial POV-FS Xmas Drinks – Details

    It’s winter in Toronto; the time has come to wrap another year

    The temperature has dropped – only to oddly rise again – though the outdoor rinks are ready to be marked by newly sharpened skates. The MLS Cup has been hoisted – congrats to LA and the Galaxy, the trees have been decorated – well, some of them anyways, and the NHL is in full effect – oh wait.

    It may be some time until Christmas and the holiday season are truly here, but that’s no reason not to get a head start on the celebrations.

    Wednesday afternoon – December the 5th for those more detail oriented, myself in conjunction with friends over at Waking the Red, would like to invite everyone to a get together to watch the final matchday of Champions League action.

Beyond POV-FS – Know Your Enemy: Santos Laguna – CCL Edition – Leg Two at Waking the Red

    The preview for Toronto FC's CONCACAF Champions League second leg clash with Santos Laguna is up now over at Waking the Red.

    What will twenty-four hours bring?

    Also, be sure to check out this post on the nascent rivalry between the two clubs at SB Nation's FMF State of Mind by Eben Lehman, who was kind enough to help me stumble though my ignorance of Mexican football in previewing these two matches.

    He makes a very salient point on the growth of the competition that is very encouraging.

    Regardless of how Wednesday goes, I can't wait until Santos Laguna returns to Toronto; the Champions League, a competition that has struggled for meaning, has finally grown some hair on its chest.

First Person View – For Country

    It's been a while since I sat down to get opinionated about something, apologies for that, but midseason torpor set in, and I did not rage against it as much as I should have. There have been plenty of causes and ideas, which will be coming forth in due time.

Keith Law - On the Trouble of Getting Players to Play in Toronto.

    Speaking on his time in Toronto under JP Ricciardi the General Manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, he stated that Ricciardi believed strongly that the Blue Jays had to over pay to attract talent north of the border. Mr. Law himself believes that aside from tax consideration (an increase of 10% or so) there was very little evidence to back up that assertion. Though he admits it is something that would be impossible to quantify and thus prove.

In Defence of MoJo

    Today marks the one-year anniversary of the firing of Mo Johnston as Director of Soccer at Toronto FC. While others will revel in the demise of the man, his tenure deserves a closer examination.

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.