THE WORD: TFC hot to Trotter?

Don't look so worried Kevin, it warms up in August

A strange little rumour has been floating about the Greater Manchester area tonight as multiple Bolton Wanderer-related websites (here and here) claim a Trotter's hero may be set to join Toronto FC. While lacking major press backing yet, the whispers say that 36-year-old Bolton striker Kevin Davies may seek one last paycheque on this side of the pond.

 

To say that Davies is in the twilight of his career is very kind. Despite some solid years of Premiership and Championship level service, the former Southampton and Blackburn forward doesn't seem a likely 20-goal MLS candidate. There are the obvious associations with manager Ryan Nelsen and Davies did flirt with a move to Houston Dynamo a while back but apart from that, the rumours have little in the way of legs. Much like Kevin Davies.

 

While it is more than evident that TFC are in need of a second striker to supplement Robert Earnshaw, Davies does not seem like the "build for the future" candidate that Kevin Payne and crew seem to crave. However, Davies will soon be available on a free and perhaps a run-out on a five-month NSA contract may suit both parties. A long shot... but stranger things have happened. Or as the rumoured Argentines go... not happened.

THE MATCHUP: A Fish Called Wanderers (Now with 50% more results!)

Welcome Wanderers. We made you your own town.

TORONTO FC VS. BOLTON WANDERERS
　
BMO Field - Wednesday 7:30PM ET
TV: No, probably poker ----RADIO: You're kidding right?
　
Now that we got that whole Spain vs. Netherlands malarkey out of the way, let's concentrate on a true classic football contest - The Carlsberg Cup! Yes, the annual match between Toronto FC and the affordable opponent of their choice is here and while other MLS clubs arranged friendlies with the likes of Tottenham, Valencia and Sporting Lisbon, BMO Field will host "The Outer Greater Manchester-area Galacticos" - Bolton!
　
No offence to the mighty Trotters but even lower division English sides would turn up their noses at a pre-season friendly against Owen Coyle's side. Bolton will never be mistaken for one of football's glamour teams - but hey, Toronto doesn't exactly play champagne football so we have no right to be cocky.
　
For those of you who just love and crave the usual "The Matchup" features, we're sorry - just can't squeeze the mustard for a friendly. Mista, TFC Academy blah, blah. There you go. Instead, we bring you a list of other football contests that had more significance than Torontos versus Boltons on a Wednesday night.
　
- New York Cosmos vs. Harlem Globetrotters on a deserted island
- Michael Caine, Sylvester Stallone, Pele et al vs. Nazi Super Squad
- Sheffield Virtual Wednesday vs. Sheffield Robotic Uprising (Carlsberg Cup 2037)
- Residents of Bolton, Ontario kicking stones towards the Toronto
- Johan Cruyff vs.11 Dutch circus midgets
- Zombie Toronto Metros-Croatia vs. Ghosts of Bolton Wanderers 1923 FA Cup Winners
- All-time Diseased Monkey 11 vs. Arsenal
- Diana Ross vs. the World Cup 1994 Ceremonial Ball
　
BOLTON, ONTARIO SAYS: "There's a soccer team in Toronto?"
BOLTON, LANCASHIRE SAYS: "What?... Oh, sorry we were asleep."
HEADLINE: "ONE WONDERS WHY WANDERERS WOULD WANDER WESTWARD"
　
FINAL MATCH SCORE WILL APPEAR BELOW… if you care.

FINAL SCORE:
TORONTO FC 1 - BOLTON WANDERERS 1 (Bolton 4-3 on PK's)

They're no Alliston Rovers FC

Carlsberg Cup on the "Trot"

No. It doesn't stand for "Big Whoop"

Now we know why Owen Coyle left Burnley to manage Bolton Wanderers mid-season! Not because he wanted to return to his old haunts and have a better opportunity at Premiership survival - it was because he wanted to manage a game in Toronto! BMO Field is after all "The Wembley of Southern Ontario"!
　
Yes, as confirmed by Toronto FC today, this year's Carlsberg Cup will feature the English Premier League's 14th placed team Bolton. That might say something about MLSE’s cocky confidence in it’s season ticket renewals considering the likes of Manchester United, AC Milan and Tottenham are playing other MLS sides. While "The Trotters" may not be the most glamorous draw in the world they do have some quality players such as Finnish keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, Johan Elmander, Kevin Davies and Yankee international Stuart Holden. They also have Danny Shittu - get your chants in order sirs.
　
Official TFC announcement here.