De Guzman says no thanks to Toronto FC

The Toronto Star is reporting this morning that midfielder Julian de Guzman has declined a contract offer from TFC, despite having nothing waiting for him in Europe. Sensibly, he wants to play in Europe and not in the second-rate (third-rate?) MLS during the prime of his career.

The article also mentioned Canadian striker Rob Friend and midfielder Atiba Hutchinson as possible targets for Mo Johnston to sign, who appears to covet a quality Canadian for TFC's designated player spot. That's all well and good, of course, but there's just aren't that many quality Canadians out there who would be of use to TFC. Even de Guzman might not have been a great fit, since TFC already have that Welsh guy (who sucked balls against the Islanders, btw) playing holding midfielder.

I think it's pretty apparent that TFC needs a really good quality central defender. Nick Garcia is passable, but not the answer. TFC needs to be in a position where Velez never leaves the bench, and some 18-year old Gambian is not the best solution. The midfield is solid, Ali Gerba is a quality striker and they're not the ones throwing away games like used tampons.

Toronto FC Blows... Champions Opener

I am honestly going to lose my mind if I hum and ha about what to write about last nights game. What a shit show. TFC must have one of the worst managers in football history. Come on you dickhead enough with the set plays for every corner kick… you guys clearly did not practice any of them. WTF!! If you are going to suck that badly play Velez. I take back the comment from earlier in the week when I said a monkey with a bag of shit couldn’t make a bigger mess than he does. The whole “D” sucked some serious balls. They have no idea how to move the ball up the pitch to the strikers. Normally I would say that Frei had a great game but seriously that goal was his fault... I am positive you could blame most of the team for it but at the end of the day it’s up to him to stop it. I honestly thought I heard that the Gambian kids were going to be solid players for us. Gomez in my opinion was really not that great. I don’t think a champion’s league game is the time to test the water with new talent. ARGH so frustrated about the game... Anyways in case you did not know we lost 1-0. TFC had a few decent chances but in no way dominated the game. In fact the game was awfully boring. So here are some links to stories about the game

New York Times
CBC
MLS

St.CatherinesPost

Forbes

Puerto Rico tonight!!

I am way to excited for tonight's game and very concerned the team will let me down. On "The Offside" blog I was reading about the Islanders last game in Vancouver and I noticed they rested 2 of there key players against the White Caps just so they can have a healthy team when they face TFC. The fact that they are willing to take a lose in league play to improve the Champions League result scares me into believing maybe I am underestimating the team. If Toronto does not have the depth to rest players in Columbus then that would indicate to me that maybe The Islanders are going to come into the game more prepared.

Canadian soccer needs a boost

Nigel Reed wrote a nice Blog post yesterday bringing back memories of the 93 Maple Leafs and 92,93 Blue Jays. Back in the days when "Toronto" was a bad word but people across the country were able to get behind the team. He believes that All Canadians should get behind TFC in there Concacaf Campaign. you can check out the blog HERE!

This Blog gives fans more reason to get behind the country.. Looking forward to the weekend when TFC will face the REVs in New England Pat Decola writes on his Blog the following " Why Canada was even given a soccer team, I don’t think I’ll ever understand. Regardless, it’s a big match. " you can read the blog here but its really not worth it.

Puerto Rico Islanders coming to Toronto

Special note from RedPatchBoys Prez;

As you know, we have a HUGE CONCACAF Champion's League match tomorrow against the Puerto Rico Islanders.
We have planned a big streamer display in 111, 112 and 113 for the start of the match and there are some important points you should know about.
* Due to CONCACAF rules, the Canadian anthem will not be played over the PA system before the game. However we will sing the Canadian National anthem after the FIFA anthem. (Look for the scarves being held high in the air as your cue that the Canadian Anthem will start)
* If you are bringing a streamer, please do not throw it unto the pitch, but rather high towards the sky or upwards into the stands. We are forbiden from throwing any types of items unto the pitch.
* Please try to make it to the game on time in order to participate in this great event (our first competitive international tournament appearance!)
Come on You Reds!
Jack

Trillium Debacle

Saturday's game in Columbus started off well. The Crew were first on the board but TFC's Dwayne De Rosario would answer back 3 minutes later to tie the match up. Four minutes into the second half it looked like Ali Gerba was the saviour Toronto needed as he netted his first MLS goal. Columbus was able to fight back and tie the game up again and eventually win it in Extra time. This allowed Columbus to extend there unbeaten streak to 19. I was really hoping to see TFC hoist the stupid Trillium Cup but instead it looks like i need to wait another season. The Major turning point in the game was when Amado Guevara left in the 22nd minute with an injury that the team called an "upper-body contusion." and was replaced by Velez. VELEZ!! come on we must have someone better on the bench then VELEZ!! A monkey armed with a bag of shit couldn't mess things up more than that guy. anyways.. I hope that Wednesday produces better results!

Claudio Lopez 60 Yards Goal - LA Galaxy vs Kansas City Wizards

Nice Goal on you tube.. Claudio Lopez 60 Yards Goal - LA Galaxy vs Kansas City Wizards..
Beckham had one as well against Kansas last season... 70 Yards out

Toronto FC face The Columbus Crew

Columbus currently sits one point above Toronto in the Eastern Conference. The Trillium Cup will be decided on Saturday at Crew Stadium. The teams have played to a pair of draws in their meetings this season and Toronto has never defeated the Crew in club history. It would be nice to add more trophies to the case. Toronto already has picked up some silverware this season. I do not think that tonites match up will have the same sort of Toronto FC fan following as in previous match ups. The cold hard truth of the matter is Columbus is a shitty town to visit and they treat us like garbage in the stadium. Ali Gerba is making his MLS debut tonite. Hopefully he brings some of his Gold cup success with him. Ali scored a goal for Canada earlier this month in crew stadium. The Crew are currently on a four-game unbeaten run, including a 3-1 win over Real Salt Lake this past Saturday. For TFC midfielder Sam Cronin is out, because of international duty, while forward O'Brian White, Nana Attakora and Adrian Serioux are questionable with injuries. You can catch tonites game at 7:30 p.m. ET (ONN; RogersSN)

Gerba playing like Barrett

I read this story this morning on the CBC Website Toronto FC falls to River Plate in friendly .

I found it a little frustrating. Using the terms "Talk about the Christians being thrown to the lions" and " Buenos Aires powerhouse " I think are used very loosely. River Plate the 33-time champions of Argentina finished dead last in Primera División Argentina 2008–09. They Mustered up a beautiful 2 wins in the season. I think the Article should have been on the FACT that Gerba missed golden opportunities last night looking a lot like Chad Barrett. We may have a TFC striker jinx in the making. Looking at past strikers that have played the position for the Red's, Cunningham, Samuel, Eskandarian, now Barrett, and Vitti.. I think the team needs to do some serious research in shaking jinx. Otherwise Gerba could be the next in a long list of strikers to follow in those footsteps.

MLS POWER RANKINGS

Toronto FC drops to 8th in the MLS power rankings this week as L.A. (Beckham's) Galaxy rises to 5th. The 2 teams were tied in last week's rankings. So what happened well.. TFC tied an undermanned Houston team in Toronto. That should not really make a difference though because TFC essentially is missing key players according to MLSE management. Gerba and O'Brian White were both missing for that game. If you watched the game at home or in Toronto you would have noticed Toronto way outplayed the Dynamo. In my opinion the rankings people just do not like to have ties. No teams really moved up very much other than L.A. and don't tell me they moved up because Beckham came back. Anyways if you want to check out the rankings click HERE!

River Plate Invades Toronto

In 2007 Toronto FC announced that they will play Benfica and Aston Villa in friendlies. In 2008 Toronto FC announced two international friendlies to be played against Pachuca of Mexico and Independiente of Argentina.

This year

TFC has brought River Plate of Argentina that just suffered a BRUTAL season. Thanks MLSE for putting together some top flight entertainment! River Plate is scheduled to play Toronto FC in an exhibition game on Tonight! at BMO Field. Then they travel back to Edmonton to face English Premier side Everton in an exhibition match on July 25 at Commonwealth Stadium.
They'll stay in Edmonton and hold their training camp at Millennium Place in Sherwood Park.
Originally, River Plate was going to hold their training camp in Montreal.
They will go to Montreal for an Aug. 3 game against the Impact the following day and make their way back to Buenos Aires from there. Originally River was slated for a 3 game tour of Canada they were supposed to play Italy's Juventus. BUT Juventus Kicked River in the nuts and now they have to play the Montreal Impact.

From What I can gather River Plate sucked the Big one last season which would explain why they are playing TFC in a friendly. Just like Independiente from last season MLSE brings us more cellar dwellers.

I am really not sure how I feel about all these "Friendlies". There is nothing to be gained other than to see how Gerba, White, and Edwards may play against "top level opposition". Possibly scout River Plate to see if they have any garbage players they would like to dump on us in some sort of loan deal. Friendlies should not be played in the middle of the season the whole world has them in the off season to avoid injuries and to prep players for a new season. Yesterday I was way stoked about the match today not so much. Possibly cause its going to rain but realistically cause the match does not mean a whole lot.

That's a whole lot of nothing from me for today. maybe tomorrow I will be more creative especially after the game has been played..

White and Gerba!

Its an exciting time to be a TFC fan as Toronto FC strikers O'Brian White and Ali Gerba are both expected to make appreances in the match against Argentine side River Plate at BMO Field on Wednesday night. O'Brien White was drafted fourth overall in the 2009 SuperDraft but has been sidelined with an ACL injury. Gerba has been tearing the shit up in the Concacaf Gold Cup.

I will have more to say on the subject in the future.. I just want to get something on the Blog for now.