THE SOUTH STAND REPORT : Toronto v Montreal... or Who isn't predicting a draw snatched from the jaws of victory tonight?

New scarves from the Yorkies Collection... ok, they're not, but I wish they were.

I had a whole "prediction" bit, but since most of those could not occur, including one where Bitchy takes off again, but gets caught in the north end goal netting, this had to be removed.  Pity, really.

Welcome to the national cup.  The Voyageurs Cup.  Formerly the NutCan, - I still don't know how that never caught on.  Gimmicks aside, this is the closest this nation will have to a proper play-down to a national champion, so let's enjoy it for the four teams that participate in it... for now (yes, Ottawa, we see you over there).

Historically, this is a trophy Toronto wins a pile of times.  They have never been worthy of continental participation, however. While some nations must endure their national league's season or multi-divisional knock out competition, Canada prances along two rounds of two-legs and crowns a champion.  Enter the Robin dominance.

Hot off of a string of matches where they have successfully donated a point to their opponents while in control, Toronto is starting to show signs of cohesion and chemistry.  Can, what appears to be, the Toronto Reserves maintain this show of momentum?

Starting XI

Frei (welcome back)

Richter - Henry - Califf - Morgan

Bostock - Bekker - Osorio - Welshman

Braun - Wiedeman

Full disclosure : I didn't write all too much, because as it has been much of this season, weather is not our friend, and wanting to write was difficult.  So here's what went down in a nutshell...

18' - Free kick from Bostock sent Evan Bush diving left to save it.

42' - Justin Mapp (you know what I'm talking about...)

50' - GOAL - Wiedeman lays a long pass, likely erroneously, way out to Osorio whose attempt is blocked by a defender, but the loose ball is gathered by Henry who arcs one in from 25 yards out.
ROBINS 1, FROMAGE 0

71' - SUB - Braun, a.k.a. Koevers Light, a.k.a. The Brass Bullet, comes off for Ephraim

71' - SUB - Bekker comes off for Silva

82' - GOAL - Silva slots a lovely ball onto the path of Wiedeman, who then slots it himself past Bush low and to the right.
ROBINS 2, FROMAGE 0

Full Time : TORONTO 2, MONTREAL 0

Man of the Match : Bostock played really well, and was starting to show flashes of confidence and brilliance from the KC match at the SkyDome at the beginning of the season.

Goat of the Game : none.

Ref Rating : 4 out of 5.  Let the game go, nothing questionable, kept control.

I Am Not The Gaffer But... : are you kidding?  He played the reserves against their reserves.  Nelsen did fine.

Seriously, if the weather keeps up, I'm going to hire a stenographer.  Writing was tough, and the wind was chilly as all hell... Announced attendance was 11000+.  My best estimation was that there was a Marlies game next door and they counted it as 'close enough'... Frei didn't have a heck of a lot to do but looked confident.  Sadly nothing worthy of putting Bendik's job under threat, but like much of this side's history, we (still) have two quality keepers at our disposal... With one pass, Silva showed that he's, at least, the most creative midfielder we have.

Open letter to TFC:

Dear keepers of the footie,

If When Toronto plays their opponent in the final of the V-Cup, half-price concessions and cheaper beer and you'll pack the place.  In fact, any midweek matches where the suburbia crowd cannot be bothered to make it down, give them an incentive to try and make it.  I'll spend my money at the ground rather than the weak selection of restaurants in the area.

And no, free name printing or 25% off merchandise isn't a 'thing'.

Sincerely,

The Yorkies
The Statler and Waldorf of your Muppet Show