When fair isn't fair: Vancouver screwed in Canadian Championship second leg



I was at the game and I can tell you the game was unplayable after a while.



Wednesday May 25th, in the 29th minute, Vancouver Whitecaps forward Eric Hassli curled a low left footed shot into the bottom corner of Toronto FC's goal in the second leg of the Voyageurs Cup final, it seemed they were on the way to their first Canadian title....Then the skies over Toronto opened up.

The lightning struck closer and closer to BMO Field and the pitch became so badly water logged the match had to be abandoned after 62 minutes. The question on everyone's mind was "What now?"

Hassli's goal made the aggregate score 2-1 in favour of Vancouver, and with away goals counting double, it could have well won the match and the cup. The fair thing in most people's mind was a replay starting at 1-0; or call the leg completely and hand the cup to the Blue and Whites. The rules written by FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association said something completely different in mind. Rule 27 subsection F stated:

27. f. If the match is interrupted before the completion of normal playing time or extra time (if required) because of extreme weather or for reasons outside the control of the host team, a repeat match lasting 90 minutes shall be arranged for the following day, thus avoiding the considerable extra expense for the visiting team. If it is still impossible to play the match the next day for the same reasons, the match may be postponed by another day, provided both teams agree. If the match can still not be played on the third day, the expenses thus incurred by the visiting team shall be split between the two teams

When reading the rule at first it seems a simple interpretation; that is until you understand that "repeat match" in this case meant the game would start at 0-0, making Hassli's potential winning goal irrelevant. Is it fair? According to the CSA and FIFA it is, to Vancouver it's a joke and it's hard to argue against them.

Toronto had the majority of possession and were creating chances, but it is the what ifs that strengthen the west coast team's case. If the game had not been stopped, and if Toronto had not scored, Vancouver are champions and heading to  CONCACAF Champions League. Therefore in true fairness the replay should start 1-0.

It is one thing to have a replay, but it is another to nullify the results of the previous unfinished game as if it never happened. The advantage is back in Toronto's court in which they can go back work on the things that didn't go well with a lead on aggregate as they scored the away goal in the 1st leg. It's a huge let off for the defending champions were we facing another poor result at home.

As for Vancouver they are left to stew over a game they were winning and a cup that (for now) has eluded them for a fourth straight year. Who must wonder what if at least until the replay on July 2nd.

Cheers,
Mike

Stalling out the gate: Winter gets back four selection wrong as Toronto FC falls 4-2 to Vancouver

At the beginning of the pre-season, much was made of Aron Winter's new approach to TFC's on pitch tactics. He preached a possession game utilizing a 4-3-3 formation, with an emphasis on passing and good decision making with the ball. Most supporters and journalists who followed the club and knew the make up of the roster understood that this transition would take a good deal of time. Although selling the public on a more offensive seemed to work, the real issue with the club would be at the back. Entering the first game of the season against expansion, but hardly new Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday expectations were mixed as to what kind of team supporters would see for the 2011 season.

The first thing that struck me when the team sheet was announced was the back four Winter had chosen to start the game with. He went with a defence of Dan Gargan at right back, Nana Attakora and Ty Harden at centre back and what was the biggest surprise, recent hold out Adrian Cann at left back. As the clubs 2010 most valuable player Cann was expected to anchor the defence from centre back; Especially as he and Attakora had developed a decent partnership over the past year. Cann was playing completely out of position and it showed through out the game and especially on the first Whitecap goal as he was completely out of position on Davide Cuiumiento's cross into the box which led to Eric Hassli's half volley past a helpless Stefan Frei. Cann's lack of pace lack of pace made it fairly easy for Cuiumiento to get by him and dictate the game with his precise passing.

The other issue with Winter's defensive selection was the pairing of Attakora and Harden against the physically bigger and stronger Vancouver forward Eric Hassli. Nana will I believe will become an excellent defender in the MLS, however it became clear early on that he and Harden were going to have trouble handling Hassli. On both of Hassli's goals his strength and movement cause the defenders massive problems. This is where the size of Cann would have come in handy for the relatively small team.

TFC's management has stressed over the past 6 weeks leading into the season opener that patience was needed while the players adapted to the club's new philosophy of play. A key to playing the 4-3-3 is having players on the pitch that can make a decisive pass and most importantly make good decisions. Saturday was evidence that the team has a long way to go before this system is anywhere near what Winter would like it to be. There were countless turnovers especially from the back four who are still not adept to making as many passes as they're are now required to do. Harden and Gargan were guilty of making poor passes that lead to Whitecap chances, Harden making a horrible pass that was easily intercepted by Atiba Harris which lead to an open break on goal. Gargan's intercepted pass lead to Vancouver's third goal as Russel Teibert's pass put Wes Knight and Hassli clear on goal with the latter finishing off the move.

What was very alarming to any TFC supporters was how disorganized the side looked at times in the midfield and back four. Not taking anything away form Vancouver's performance, but 3 of the 4 goals were due to serious lapses in TFC's judgement. The midfield did not help the back for much with bad defensive positioning and sloppy turnovers which left the defenders out of position.

With a lot of negative play getting the focus, and rightfully so, there were some bright sports for the Reds going forward. For one Winter did get his wish in regards to possession, 61% of possession to be exact. In the first 30 minutes The Reds looked dangerous on the left flank. Newcomer Javier Martina was bright in his attacking play and teased a few good low crosses into to box, and showed some creativity on the wings that this club has rarely ever seen. Jacob Peterson's attacking play looked decent, now deployed more centrally he made some good passes and liked up well with the front players. Macon Santos had the thankless task of holding put the ball and bringing players into the game, but did it reasonably well; He also struck an absolute net buster late in the game for TFC's second goal. For all his off the field dramatics captain Dwayne DeRosario was best outfield player for the Reds once again. His great finish for the first goal showed TFC fans why they still need him, and he did a great job linking the play, especially out wide. However TFC's star of the game was kepper Stefan Frei. Without the third year stopper Vancouver could have scored 5 or 6.

Next week's home opener against Portland will be a big test for this club. Although supporters have seem to have given the club some leeway in terms of implementing the new system, if they turn in a result like Saturday that leeway will evaporate very quickly.

Cheers,
Mike

A response to Paul James article "Foreign coaches bring fresh ideas to Canada"

Frank Yallop (On the right) head coach at San Jose Earthquakes.
One of the few Canadian managers at the pro level.

Earlier this week former Canadian International Paul James floated the idea that foreign managers bring a much needed tactical and physical expectation with them to Canada. He pointed out two managers in particular, The Vancouver Whitecaps Teitur Thordarson and Toronto FC's Preki.

James mentioned that the foreign managers bring a higher level of play and teaching styles. They stress on technique and defensive responsibility, and are not afraid to drop Canadian internationals that do not fit the bill so the speak. To quote James "In 2008, Thordarson cut loose Jeff Clarke, Steve Kindell, and Alfredo Valente. Within a few months of signing a contract at TFC, Preki jettisoned Canadian internationals Ali Gerba (now with the Montreal Impact) and Adrian Serioux (now with the Houston Dynamo). His main assertion was that these managers will make the tough decisions on players that cannot match the the level of play required. This in turn will filter down to Canadian youth players who will work to improve their skills to make their first teams.

I agree with James that both coaches have brought a higher level of play to their squads and that they have brought fresh ideas to the Canadian game. However my concern is with the development of Canadian managers and where they fit in. Granted Mr.James's comments are correct in the sense that managers from abroad bring a different level of knowledge and expertise to the Canadian game, but the question that remains is how can this be translated to home grown coaches?

An argument I've read states that when foreign coaches come to Canada they hire Canadian assistants. Through their experiences with the head coach those Canadian assistants learn the craft, and one day will be good enough to be managers. The idea is that things like tactical discipline, technique and skill coaching will be picked up by the assistants and eventually they will be able to lead teams at the professional level. Of course all managers, save a few, started out this way. However in the world of professional football the result is everything. If you as a club owner can win more games with a foreign manager, then you'll spend the extra money in most cases and hire him.

This is where the home grown manager gets squeezed out in most cases. You see it a lot in England's top league, where it is more "attractive" to bring in a foreign manager than take a chance on a "fresh" home grown talent.

It is true that in the early stages of the modern game coaches from England mainly would travel all around the world and spread football knowledge to the masses. In turn, those who were thought became professors of the game themselves. The reason such a scenario would be hard to replicate these days is down to world connectivity. It no longer takes foreign talent weeks to arrive by boat anymore, top talent can travel within hours, and due to the Internet and other media services it is much easier to live abroad. All of which makes home grown management talent an after thought in most professional cases.

Now I'm not asking or advocating for a home manager quota or anything like that, at the end of the day you're either good enough or you're not regardless of nationality. What I'm hoping to see is clubs in Canada taking a proactive stance on developing Canadian coaches. I know the MLS really tries to emphasise this with the U.S based clubs, mainly for the purposes of the U.S national team of course, but the CSA could do the same for TFC, Vancouver and Montreal as they enter MLS play.

It will take awhile before Canada produces the Manitobian Jose Mourinho, but with the growth in the professional game right now we can defiantly get started on that path.

You can find Paul James Original post here: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/foreign-coaches-bring-fresh-ideas-to-canada/article1659927/

Cheers,
Mike