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TORONTO FC (12th) VS. CHIVAS USA (17th)
BMO FIELD - SATURDAY 1PM ET
TV: TSN
Geographically and culturally, Toronto FC vs. Chivas USA is about as far apart as MLS matches get. Faux-Mexican / Canadian rivalries pretty much peaked when Tito Santana and Rick Martel's "Strike Force" tag-team broke up. But alas, The Goats arrive in Toronto this week and bring a bad start to 2011 under their ponchos.
The re-building Angelinos have lost their two opening MLS matches this season and were beaten 2-0 by Portland Timbers in US Open Cup action this past Tuesday. New coach Robin Fraser has yet to find the winning solution as Chivas still try to climb out of the "Post-Preki" era. Sound familiar? Defence is the glaring weakness for The Goats who bring three ex-Reds, Nick LaBrocca, Paolo Nagamura and Andrew Boyens, into BMO Field.
Of course, a winless opponent is always a potential banana skin and Aron Winter will be aware of that while trying to install his "Torontotal" football. With Julian de Guzman still out and Mikael Yourassowsky on suspension, Winter will have to juggle his line-up once again. Going consistently hard at a weak Chivas back four will be the key to a TFC victory.
MANUFACTURED DERBY NAME: "The Maple Dorito"
GOAT-BUSTERS!: Maicon Santos, Alen Stevanovic, Adrian Cann
NOT BAAA-D: Mariano Trujillo, Jimmy Conrad, Justin Braun
THE ODDS
- Accountant-looking Nick LaBrocca scoring a goal for Chivas USA and jumping into the crowd in celebration... then filing fans' taxes: 15-1
- Slightly inappropriate Mexican puns from the crowd numbering well into the hundreds: 20-1
- The BMO Field crowd being separated into two camps - The Pro Jazic and the Ante Jazic: 100-1
WHO ARE YA?
- Chivas USA weren't the first Mexican-partnered club side outside of Mexico. The old Canadian Soccer League was home to Club America Canada, Hamilton Tigres-Cats and Pachucanada
- TFC broadcasting partner TSN is getting on the Mexican-themed bandwagon by following The Reds v Chivas match with the final of the National Mexican Hockey League. The 2011 Sergio Cup Final pits Los Habitants dos Monterrey against Tijuana Mighty Chihuahuas
- TFC's halftime show will feature the presentation of the 2011 "Vinnie Jones Award for Excellence in Football Recklessness" to Mikael Yourassowsky. Former winners Adam Braz, Kevin Harmse and Maxim Usanov will be on hand
RICK MARTEL SAYS: 2-0 Toronto FC
TITO SANTANA SAYS: "Ariba!" Then he said 0-1 Chivas USA
FUTURE HEADLINE: "GOATS CAN'T FIND NET - LABROCCA FINDS TAX LOOPHOLES FOR SUPPORTERS"
In lieu of a proper April Fools prank, enjoy this instead. April. Fools.
BMO FIELD - SATURDAY 1PM ET
TV: TSN
Geographically and culturally, Toronto FC vs. Chivas USA is about as far apart as MLS matches get. Faux-Mexican / Canadian rivalries pretty much peaked when Tito Santana and Rick Martel's "Strike Force" tag-team broke up. But alas, The Goats arrive in Toronto this week and bring a bad start to 2011 under their ponchos.
The re-building Angelinos have lost their two opening MLS matches this season and were beaten 2-0 by Portland Timbers in US Open Cup action this past Tuesday. New coach Robin Fraser has yet to find the winning solution as Chivas still try to climb out of the "Post-Preki" era. Sound familiar? Defence is the glaring weakness for The Goats who bring three ex-Reds, Nick LaBrocca, Paolo Nagamura and Andrew Boyens, into BMO Field.
Of course, a winless opponent is always a potential banana skin and Aron Winter will be aware of that while trying to install his "Torontotal" football. With Julian de Guzman still out and Mikael Yourassowsky on suspension, Winter will have to juggle his line-up once again. Going consistently hard at a weak Chivas back four will be the key to a TFC victory.
MANUFACTURED DERBY NAME: "The Maple Dorito"
GOAT-BUSTERS!: Maicon Santos, Alen Stevanovic, Adrian Cann
NOT BAAA-D: Mariano Trujillo, Jimmy Conrad, Justin Braun
THE ODDS
- Accountant-looking Nick LaBrocca scoring a goal for Chivas USA and jumping into the crowd in celebration... then filing fans' taxes: 15-1
- Slightly inappropriate Mexican puns from the crowd numbering well into the hundreds: 20-1
- The BMO Field crowd being separated into two camps - The Pro Jazic and the Ante Jazic: 100-1
WHO ARE YA?
- Chivas USA weren't the first Mexican-partnered club side outside of Mexico. The old Canadian Soccer League was home to Club America Canada, Hamilton Tigres-Cats and Pachucanada
- TFC broadcasting partner TSN is getting on the Mexican-themed bandwagon by following The Reds v Chivas match with the final of the National Mexican Hockey League. The 2011 Sergio Cup Final pits Los Habitants dos Monterrey against Tijuana Mighty Chihuahuas
- TFC's halftime show will feature the presentation of the 2011 "Vinnie Jones Award for Excellence in Football Recklessness" to Mikael Yourassowsky. Former winners Adam Braz, Kevin Harmse and Maxim Usanov will be on hand
RICK MARTEL SAYS: 2-0 Toronto FC
TITO SANTANA SAYS: "Ariba!" Then he said 0-1 Chivas USA
FUTURE HEADLINE: "GOATS CAN'T FIND NET - LABROCCA FINDS TAX LOOPHOLES FOR SUPPORTERS"
In lieu of a proper April Fools prank, enjoy this instead. April. Fools.
UPDATE: Late on Thursday, TFC announced the signing of Jamaican International defender Dicoy Williams who had been on trial with the club in preseason. More on the story here...
Posts
"Tito Santana and Rick Martel's "Strike Force" tag-team broke up."
ReplyDeleteHahahahahaha!!!!!!! Your Old!!!!
All with no De Ro.
ReplyDeleteGone today.
Yorkies! Is DeRo gone?
ReplyDelete