Herdman names roster for US friendly

Source: Waking the Red by Dave Rowaan

Even without all the hype that comes with being the long awaited rematch of that Olympic semifinal a match between Canada and the United States is always a big deal. Add to it the additional storylines and a sold out crowd at BMO Field and the stage is set for another great chapter in one of soccer's top rivalries regardless of gender.

The birth of the new NWSL has added another wrinkle to this long standing rivalry as it means that the majority of players on both sides of the boarder are now seeing each other on a regular basis in league action. With the bulk of both rosters being made up of NWSL players there is more familiarity than ever on both sides.

In the roster that Herdman named for the match against the United

Koevermans Eyeing Return

Source: Toronto FC Official Site

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Danny Koevermans eyes June 1st return date

Source: Waking the Red by Dave Rowaan

Toronto FC are spending the week preparing for a date with the New England Revolution but when they head out to Gillette Stadium they will do so without Danny Koevermans. He has been out since Toronto's last visit to New England when he suffered a torn cruciate ligament that required surgery to repair.

Koevermans suffered that injury on July 14th in the first half of the match. He was

Califf Continues Working Hard

Source: Toronto FC Official Site

TORONTO - MLS and US international veteran Danny Califf was signed by Toronto FC this offseason with the club looking to add a veteran presence on a struggling backline. The only presence the 33-year-old has provided has been supporting his club from the sideline, however.

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New York City FC confirmed as MLS' 20th Franchise

Source: Waking the Red by Dave Rowaan

What happens when the New York Yankees and Manchester City come together to form a new soccer franchise? Well, you end up with an offer that is just too good for MLS to turn down. The combine influence and financial wealth of the two clubs was enough to cover the $100 million expansion fee (and over 300 million for that stadium) and land New York City FC the spot as MLS' 20th franchise. The new franchise will be the first team in New York City, sorry Red Bulls, and will begin playing in 2015 despite their stadium not being finished in time for that start date.

The Manchester City group will be the majority owners of the club with Ferran Soriano, CEO of Manchester City Football Club, being tasked with filling key positions in

Titus Bramble eying MLS switch

Source: Waking the Red by Dave Rowaan

Darren O'Dea, Steven Caldwell, Richard Eckersley, and Darel Russell have all spent time in Toronto FC's defense this season. They have also spent time playing in the English league system just like Toronto's head coach, Ryan Nelsen. The team seems to have an eye on English talent so it should not really come as a surprise to see TFC being named as a potential

Toronto FC vs Columbus Crew: Cold Blooded Old Times

Source: Waking the Red by Duncan Fletcher

Wasn't it supposed to be different under Kevin Payne and Ryan Nelsen? Weren't they shocked at how things had been run before and going to be a lot more professional, build a foundation and all that sort of thing? Sure the late goals were disappointing, but I wasn't really expecting great results, I could handle that if it looked like there was some sort of plan being acted upon, a more intelligent one than we've had in the past.

Now though, well we're seeing more and more of the old TFC habits of the past. With a revolving door, players out of position, mystery benchings and bizarre optimistic post game praise, this was a thoroughly old fashioned TFC

New Recruits Take The Pitch

Source: Toronto FC Official Site

TORONTO - As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. Amid a winless streak that stretched to nine games with their 1-0 loss to Columbus on Saturday night, the decision by the Toronto FC brass to bring in three new players over the past week spoke volumes about their dissatisfaction with the manner in which their squad had been competing this season.

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Toronto FC 0 - 1 Columbus Crew - Time For Summer School

Source: Waking the Red by Kristin Knowles

I'm tired. Aren't you tired? Tired of leaving matches feeling sad, angry, apathetic and well tired? Surely the players and coaches are tired too - maybe they need more naps? A trip to the day spa - they say massage can work wonders. Perhaps a hypnotherapist - you are rested, you will stay organized, you will communicate with one another, you will not send long balls to Robert Earnshaw. Something, anything to either bring them together, shake them up, convince them they play for another team (all former Reds in the MLS seem to do better once they've left). Or perhaps threatening them with the TFC version of

Sounders put four past FC Dallas

Source: FOX Sports

Seattle downs FC Dallas; Revolution beats Houston Dynamo

Reserves Win Two On The Trot

Source: Toronto FC Official Site

Photo: Jonathan Osorio opened the scoring in the Reserve League match.

Toronto FC remains undefeated in the MLS Reserve League after a 3-1 win over Columbus Crew on Saturday at BMO Field.

Toronto received goals from Jonathan Osorio, Jeremy Brockie and Kia Toronto FC Academy’s Dylan Sacramento.  Columbus’ lone goal arrived from Bernardo Anor.

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Reds Rue Missed Chances

Source: Toronto FC Official Site

TORONTO - The faces were new, but the result was the same for Toronto FC, as Federico Higuaín and the Columbus Crew continued their mastery of their Trillium Cup rivals in a 1-0 victory at BMO Field on Saturday.

Newcomers Steven Caldwell, Jeremy Brockie and Bobby Convey all made their TFC debuts, but it went for naught as the Reds dropped their fourth straight game in MLS play. Conversely, Columbus snapped a two-game winless and scoreless streak of their own.

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Toronto FC vs Columbus Crew: Game Thread.

Source: Waking the Red by Duncan Fletcher

Toronto FC vs Columbus Crew BMO Field, 5PM EST TSN

They're baaaa-aaack. Everyone's favourite frustration returns after 10 days off for their only home appearance of the month, with a new set of fresh faced and un-mentally scarred teammates to break in. Caldwell, Brockie and Convey should help shore up some of TFC's many holes, you'd hope so. It's too soon to tell really, and it'll be too soon right until the ref blows the final whistle. TFC probably will concede late on, though you'd hope at least this time it's not the Crew goalie who scores.

TFC vs Crew Game Hub From pre game to post, all our TFC

Toronto FC vs Columbus Crew: Game Hub

Source: Waking the Red by Duncan Fletcher

Toronto FC vs. Columbus Crew - The Battle For The Trillium Cup; Try Not To Get Too Excited

Source: Waking the Red by Kristin Knowles

Everyone refreshed from 10 days off? Have you put the epic late game meltdowns behind you? Yeah, me either. The ongoing war between what's good for the team down the road vs. what's good for the team now is a difficult one. I struggle daily to stay calm and look to the end of the season (and to next season) instead of the end of the week. All of that would of course be much easier if our Reds didn't insist on suffering an epic defensive meltdown every game.

In response to those (no longer funny) repeated gaffes Payne and Ryan Nelsen have made some roster changes slated to help shore up the team's defensive woes and add some help for

Are you smarter than Aron Winter? Round 13

Source: Waking the Red by Duncan Fletcher

10 days off and I get sloppy, almost forgot this one. Anyway, the Voyageurs Cup didn't inspire TFC, can the Trillium Cup (now with sponsorship!) get their juices flowing? Just how much of a lead does TFC need to build to ensure they're safe going into the late minutes?

Who knows? Why you do of course, so predict the score in the comments section, or @wakingthered on twitter. 2 points for the correct result, 1 for the correct amount of TFC goals and one for the correct amount of Crew goals. Current standings below, thanks for playing.

Guillame Tremblay 30
Prizby 26
Varry Galk 26
stoppage_time 26
Duncan Fletcher 24
Ghost of TFC Future 23
Michelle 22
Steph Gunther 22
c.beaulieu 21
James M Casey

Gleison Pinto Dos Santos on trial with Toronto FC

Source: Waking the Red by Dave Rowaan

Toronto FC already has a growing collection of CBs between Darren O'Dea, Danny Califf, Steven Caldwell, Gale Agbossoumonde, Doneil Henry, and a couple of others who are capable of playing the position but are used elsewhere instead like Logan Emory or even

Trillium Cup Battle

Source: Toronto FC Official Site

TORONTO FC vs COLUMBUS CREW

BMO FIELD, Toronto, Ont.

May 18, 2013 (WEEK 12, MLS Game #104)
5 p.m. ET (UDN; TSN; FS-OH)

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Convey Brings Experience

Source: Toronto FC Official Site

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Know Your Enemy: Columbus Crew -- Part Two – Game Film Review: Tactics, Exploitation, and Points of Interest

Source: Waking the Red by James Grossi

Toronto FC Sign Bobby Convey from Sporting Kansas City

Source: Waking the Red by Armen Bedakian

Ryan Nelsen and Kevin Payne promised that changes would be coming to Toronto FC, and it looks like those changes are in full swing now, as Toronto FC traded for Bobby Convey from Sporting Kansas City, in exchange for a 2014 natural 3rd Round MLS SuperDraft pick, or in other words, a first round MLS Supplemental Draft pick.

Convey is a familiar name to those who follow Major League Soccer. Having started his career in 2000 at D.C. United, Convey then moved on to Reading F.C. in England, before returning to MLS in 2009 to play with the San Jose Earthquakes. In 2012, he was traded to Sporting Kansas City for an international roster spot, amidst reports of a soured relationship with Quakes head coach Frank Yallop. He now lands in

Toronto Trades For Bobby Convey

Source: Toronto FC Official Site

Toronto FC announced Thursday that it has acquired midfielder Bobby Convey from Sporting KC in exchange for a 2014 natural 3rd Round MLS SuperDraft pick (1st Round MLS Supplemental Draft).
 
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Know Your Enemy: Columbus Crew -- Part One – The Lineup and the Form

Source: Waking the Red by James Grossi

Caldwell Solution Focused

Source: Toronto FC Official Site

TORONTO - Fresh off his first training session with Toronto FC, Scottish defender Steven Caldwell is looking forward to playing his first match under TFC manager Ryan Nelsen, who he has admired for years in England.

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Voyageurs Cup Final: Montreal Impact vs Vancouver Whitecaps. #KeepItZero

Source: Waking the Red by Duncan Fletcher

Back in 2011, I wrote this. It was shortly after the whole 'Support Local Soccer' video came out which I thought tied very nicely into the history of the Voyageurs Cup and why we should all be taking the upcoming V-Cup game against Vancouver just as seriously as a league game. I ended that article with the following paragraphs.

That's why it's important, it's why even in some god-forsaken future when Vancouver and Montreal are playing in the final, that final will still be important, because it's Canadian supporters' national Championship and, literally, Canadian supporters' trophy. Back in

Brockie Itching To Pitch In

Source: Toronto FC Official Site

TORONTO - With Toronto FC striker Robert Earnshaw having shouldered a heavy load  so far this season, recently acquired forward Jeremy Brockie likely won’t have to wait for very long to make his MLS debut.

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Bendik's Save On Wondo Nominated

Source: Toronto FC Official Site

Goalkeeper Joe Bendik is once more up for MLS Save of the Week.

His latest is a sixth minute stop on Chris Wondolowski last Wednesday in San Jose. The keeper got his fingers to a Wondolowski header destined to sneak inside the far post early on in the encounter.

Watch Bendik's save below and visit: MLS Save of the Week to vote

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Topps and MLS launch trading card partnership

Source: Waking the Red by Dave Rowaan

MLS has a new partner in the collectibles World. Their new deal with Topps will have nothing to do with the on-field product or the way that fans watch the game but it does help the league take another step into the traditional North American sports market. The trading card market is not quite as big as it once was among sports fans but it is still an enjoyable past time for many fans and now MLS may be in position to delve deeper into the market.

In the past MLS trading cards have been produced by Upper Deck but there was very little value to the series. The cards were not all that collectable and have not seen much of an increase in value over the years but that might just change with the league now partnering with

Guest Post: Developing Players Not Enough for D3 in Canada, by Thomas Ang

Source: Waking the Red by Duncan Fletcher

The CSA seems intent on imposing a nationwide structure for a third tier of soccer in Canada, with a focus on developing young (U23) Canadian players. While this is a very good thing (the Bundesliga's success in this year's Champions League tournament has provided a powerful argument for the effectiveness of well structured academy environments), in this top-down approach to developing talent, there is something else we must not lose sight of.

Developing soccer culture, and hence a passion for the game in our youngsters, is a vital piece of the puzzle, and building it the "Canadian way", embracing diversity as opposed to throwing immigrants into a melting pot (as our southern neighbours would do), need not be seen as a bad thing,

Payne Eyeing Changes

Source: Toronto FC Official Site

TORONTO - Toronto FC’s rebuilding project in 2013 under manager Ryan Nelsen and president and GM Kevin Payne is still a work in progress.

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Toronto FC waives Ashton Bennett and Taylor Morgan

Source: Waking the Red by Dave Rowaan

Well, they managed to last longer than many Supplemental Draft picks but on Tuesday morning Ashton Bennett and Taylor Morgan were given their walking papers as Toronto FC made the decision to waive the pair of attacking players. The two of them managed to make a combined total of two substitute appearances so far this season with Bennett coming off the bench in the Voyageurs Cup and Morgan making his lone appearance late against the Vancouver

Road to 2015: Asian Qualifying set to kick off

Source: Waking the Red by Dave Rowaan

If you happen to be from a nation in Asia that is not a typical powerhouse of women's soccer you might just be in luck when it comes to qualification for the 2015 World Cup. Not only has the expanded tournament field granted two extra qualification places to the Asian Football Confederation but North Korea is also out of the running for 2015.

North Korea has been banned from qualifying for the 2015 World Cup because a number of their players tested positive for performance-enhancing substances during the 2011 World Cup in Germany. They are the first women's team to ever be banned from a World Cup and having qualified to every event since 1995 would have been a prime candidate to reach the event once again prior to being handed

Reds Waive Bennett & Morgan

Source: Toronto FC Official Site

Toronto FC announced Tuesday that the club has waived forwards Ashton Bennett and Taylor Morgan.

Bennett, 24, was selected in the first round of the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft from Coastal Carolina. He made one appearance as a substitute against the Montreal Impact in the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship on May 1.

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No Parity In Referee Assignments

Source: Toronto FC Official Site

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Squad Changes In Coming Days?

Source: Toronto FC Official Site

TORONTO — Change is in the wind again at Toronto FC.

That's the message from the man in charge after the Reds' recent run of matches in which they've consistently made defensive errors late in matches that have led to dropped points. The lineup — and the team's backline in particular — will likely look quite different in the coming weeks and months.

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Tal Ben Haim not actually signed yet.

Source: Waking the Red by Duncan Fletcher

Remember Thursday when Toronto FC announced to the world, via press release and an article on their official website that they'd signed Tal Ben Haim on loan? Remember thinking, wow, TFC are all over the place right now, but oh well, this is worth a try I guess? Remember chuckling/wincing over that 'one of the top defenders in the EPL for nearly a decade line', trying to avoid the sickly deja vu of a club spinning it's revolving door hard again and hyping up the new entrants way too much, thinking this was

Can Toronto FC come back stronger from their bye week?

Source: Waking the Red by Duncan Fletcher

Thank the footie gods for a bye week right now. 10 days off to regroup, get their heads straight, integrate the new players and hopefully come out stronger. My latest for Sportsnet looks at what TFC need to do better, and what changes might take place to enable that.

Also, over at Canadian Soccer News, James has the usual excellent MLS week in review. With 6 midweek games, there was plenty to talk about, lots of very good goals, impressive wins for the Canadian teams over the weekend and Houston finally loses at home.

Toronto FC's Roster Puzzle contains too many International pieces

Source: Waking the Red by Dave Rowaan

Building a roster in sports is quite similar to building a puzzle. It can look like a mess of pieces and you often wind up with plenty of wrong pieces along the way to finding the one you are looking for but when it does all come together it can be a thing of beauty.

Toronto FC are still in the early stages of trying to put the puzzle together under Kevin Payne and Ryan Nelsen. They may have managed to add a few of the needed pieces to the puzzle but for now it still looks like a mess rather than a team. It is clear that they are trying every piece they can to see if they fit into the

Toronto FC Academy, territories, and exceptions

Source: Waking the Red by Dave Rowaan

Have you even wondered just how Canadian players end up training with Real Salt Lake or how young players from Ontario end up developing their skills in the Vancouver Whitecaps residency? Well, then today is your lucky day as an article on MLSsoccer.com by Nick Firchau shed some much needed light on the territories that MLS academies are able to recruit from and the exceptions granted to each team.

MLS has put a system in place for academies

Steven Caldwell: A Birmingham fan perspective

Source: Waking the Red by Dave Rowaan

This past week Toronto FC have added Jeremy Brockie, Tal Ben Haim, and Steven Caldwell to their roster as Ryan Nelsen once again turned to loan deals to try and strengthen his side. With Brockie having two years left on his deal with Wellington Phoenix his loan is a bit different from the other two as both Ben Haim and Caldwell are on contracts that will expire this summer. That means that both of them could sign for Toronto FC on a permanent basis at any point during their loan spell should they manage to impress

Reds' Late-Goal Epidemic

Source: Toronto FC Official Site

In an alternative universe, Toronto FC have a more-than-respectable 16 points from 10 matches. Their head coach hasn't felt compelled to label his side "soft," and first place is well within grasp.

Back in the real world, the Reds have dropped nine points from six matches and sit second-to-last in the Eastern Conference with one common thread tying each successive disappointment to the last. 

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Season Seat Holders: May 15 Ticket

Source: Toronto FC Official Site

To all Toronto FC season seat holders:

Season Seat Holders purchased a package which included a ticket dated Wednesday, May 15. As a result of our elimination from the Amway Canadian Championship, there will no longer be a match on this date and we will be refunding you in full.

If you paid for your ticket package with a credit card, we will refund the same card on file. This process will be executed within 10 business days.

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Message To Season Seat Holders

Source: Toronto FC Official Site

Season Seat Holders purchased a ticket package which included a ticket dated Wednesday, May 15th. As a result of our elimination from the Amway Canadian Championship, there will no longer be a match on this date and we will be refunding you in full.

If you paid for your ticket package with a credit card, we will refund the same card on file. This process will be executed within 10 business days.

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Nelsen On Latest Acquisitions

Source: Toronto FC Official Site

Toronto FC are now 10 games into the Ryan Nelsen era and it’s clear that the Canadian club is very much in a rebuilding mode under its new leadership regime.

RELATED: Steven Caldwell | Jeremy Brockie | Tal Ben Haim

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Toronto FC Sign Tal Ben Haim on Loan from Queens Park Rangers

Source: Waking the Red by Armen Bedakian

The MLS Transfer Window may be closed, but that hasn't stopped Toronto FC from making moves. After adding both Jeremy Brockie and Steven Caldwell to its ranks, Toronto continued to reinforce the roster, picking up Israeli international and Premier League defender Tal Ben Haim from Queens Park Rangers.

The deal, a loan move, sees Ben Haim move to his fifth club in as many years. Ryan Nelsen speaks highly of Ben Haim, but a loan signing is par for the course for players coming in. With 71 international caps to his

Tal Ben Haim To Toronto

Source: Toronto FC Official Site

Toronto FC announced Thursday that it has acquired Israeli international defender Tal Ben Haim on loan from English Premier League (EPL) club, Queens Park Rangers F.C. (QPR).
 
“Tal Ben Haim has been one of the top defenders in the EPL for nearly a decade. He captains his national team and Ryan thinks the world of him,” said Toronto FC President and General Manager Kevin Payne. “He’s exactly the sort of veteran defender we need.”

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San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 Toronto FC: Tempting Fate

Source: Waking the Red by John Leung

1 2 Total Goals SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES
0
2
2
Jahn 48', Wondolowski 81'
TORONTO FC 1
0
1
Braun 14'
SAN JOSE
TORONTO
Cautions Emory 46'
Laba 63'
Henry 66'
Lambe 79' Red Cards

Yes, it happened again. And it was going so good, too. After Justin Braun had headed in the opener in the 14th minute off a

Nelsen: We’re Too Soft

Source: Toronto FC Official Site

During a run of performances in which Toronto FC has frustrated its supporters with an almost incomprehensible propensity to give up late goals, head coach Ryan Nelsen has staunchly emphasized the positives while pointing to a combination of bad luck, inexperience and simply not seeing any bounces going his team’s way as the main reasons for his squad’s struggles at the end of matches.

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Reds Struggle Late In San Jose

Source: Toronto FC Official Site

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The combination of Chris Wondolowski and Toronto FC’s struggles defending late in matches proved a winning formula for the San Jose Earthquakes.

Wondolowski set up the game-tying goal early in the second half and scored the game-winner late as the San Jose Earthquakes came back for a 2-1 victory against Toronto FC on Wednesday.

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San Jose Earthquakes vs. Toronto FC: Game Thread

Source: Waking the Red by John Leung

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Toronto FC
2013 MLS Season, Game 10
7:30pm PT (10:30pm ET), May 8 2013
Buck Shaw Stadium, Santa Clara, California
The Score, Comcast Sportsnet Bay Area, MLS Live

Referee Fotis Bazakos
Assistants Peter Manikowski, Sean Hurd, Jesus Cisneros All Time Head-to-Head SJ 3, TFC 2, Draw 4 Denver Head-to-Head
SJ 1, TFC 2, Draw 1
Last Meeting 3/24/2012, TFC 0-3 SJ