THE MATCHUP: A New Beginning (TM) 7.0

"Everyone loves MarinerLand"

SPORTING KC VS. TORONTO
　
LIVESTRONG SPORTING PARK - SATURDAY 8:30PM ET
TV: GOL TV ----RADIO: THE FAN 590
　
THE KICKABOUT:
This time they're serious! For the seventh time since 2007, Toronto FC embark on a "fresh start" under a new manager - this time with ex-England International (and ex-New England International) Paul Mariner. The blunt and verbally entertaining Mariner made his much publicized takeover from the departed Aron Winter eight days ago and has spent the international break introducing "minor tweaks" to the TFC line-up. The New Beginning (TM) will likely see a return to a push-and-run 4-4-2 style with a system (that may "annoy the piss out of" Mariner) tailored to the existing squad.
　
Unfortunately for the nautical-themed manager, he would have likely picked any stadium apart from Kansas City's Livestrong to make his debut. Visiting the (ex) Wizards while in search of new courage, heart and brains is not ideal as Sporting are very strong at home with a 5-1-0 record in the Midwest in 2012. With players returning from the international scene and blending with his new staff (including assistant coach Jim Brennan... who would be the "Sub-Mariner"), the manager's new regime may try different things but see similar results in the foreseeable future.
　
MANUFACTURED DERBY NAME: "The Sporting Chancer"
　
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
SPORTING KC: Teal Bunbury, Bobby Convey, Jimmy Nielsen
TORONTO: Richard Eckersley, Danny Koevermans, Milos Kocic
　
THE ODDS:
- Jacob Peterson fully supporting Jonathan de Guzman's latest anti-Canada stance: 2-1
- Teal Bunbury fully supporting Jonathan de Guzman's latest anti-Canada stance: 3-1
- Peterson and Bunbury booing the Canadian national anthem: 10-1
　
WHO ARE YA?
The doping scandal that re-emerged this week around Lance Armstrong has not left the stadium named after his organization, Livestrong, without blemishes of its own. The MLS stadium is under investigation by international doping agencies due to a number of irregularities. According to investigators, the seats at Livestrong Sporting Park have suddenly grown in size by 25%; matches have lasted noticeably longer in 2012; the atmosphere at the stadium tends to fly off into sudden rages; and, match balls have visibly shrunk in size. If found guilty, the stadium would miss the next Stadia Olympics and have to hand back all architectural awards. A sample of the stadium's drainage water was sent to Geneva for testing.
　
POST-MATCH HEADLINE: "REDS LOSE AGAIN - ANSELMI CALLS 2PM PRESS CONFERENCE"
　
And, since it's Friday and we could all use a distraction... here's a preview of the new TFC comic book featuring the assistant coach....