THE WORD: The Return To Poz...Pozniak to rejoin Toronto FC?

Scottish media is reporting that Canadian International defender/midfielder Chris Pozniak has agreed to a deal with his club Dundee that paves the way for a return to Toronto FC when the transfer window opens.

The useful utility man was a solid worker bee on a poor TFC in year one. He was foolishly left unprotected and snapped up in the San Jose expansion draft. If true, he would be a welcome addition to the Toronto bench which sorely lacks depth and versatility.

Mo Johnston has one very extensive scouting network. Rumours also have him being spotted on the Dufferin 29 bus looking for Andrea Lombardo and at the Ben & Jerry's Factory scouting Collin Samuel.

WORD FACTOR: 7 / 10

"Real" Poor

Tonight's key word is depth. As in "out of our..." and "the bench has no...". The fact that the only Toronto player who bothered to go to Utah was Dwayne De Rosario doesn't help either. After a solid first 10 minutes, The Reds took a Mormon Siesta and never woke up.

No one can take away from Real Salt Lake though. The midfield to forward combo of Kyle Beckerman and Yura Movsisyan were top quality and punished the lazy TFC every time they had a defensive lapse. Amado Guevara's weak no-look back pass was the first to be capitalized upon when Movsisyan intercepted it and was free on Stefan Frei making it 1-0. At that point, the already tepid TFC were visibly deflated, the only fight displayed was in the form of poorly timed fouls. Further goals from Beckerman and Clint Mathis added the exclamation mark as RSL took 11 new brides winning 3-0.

The long-term worry from this result is if it is an indication of TFC's future away fixture performances. Toronto cannot afford it's "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Johnston" form of years past with so many road games ahead. The paper thin roster reared it's ugly head once again as the absolutely invisible Chad Barrett got yet another start and performed consistently Chad-like. However, the most disturbing indication of the lack of options was when down by 2 goals, Chris Cummins subbed Pablo Vitti for the offensive genius of... wait for it... Marco Velez. Time for another Brazilian scouting trip my dear Scotsman... and hurry.

Finally, big props to the aforementioned Kyle Beckerman. Not only a very solid MLS midfielder but so good as "Drexel" in True Romance and as one half of the "Albino Karate Twins" in The Matrix sequels. Kudos to you Rasta, kudos.

Match Preview: Gosh Your Lake Is Salty!

REAL SALT LAKE VS. TORONTO FC
Rio Tinto Stadium - Saturday 9:30PM EST
TV: Rogers Sportnet / RADIO: The Fan590

Toronto move into a new stage of the season that sees them spending far too much time on the road for any supporters' liking. That's some top level scheduling Mr. Garber. Remind me why MLS has credibility issues again? Either way, TFC look to pick up three points and a couple of wives each when they visit Utah on Saturday.

This will be TFC's first visit to the very impressive Rio Tinto Stadium, one of MLS's finest grounds. The Red's have had some minor success in Utah but run into a team who are also unbeaten in three. The wacky altitude and those crazed Mormon football hooligans makes this one a prospective tough night for Toronto... and monogamy.

TORONTO FC: 6-4-5 22 pts - 2nd in East (5th Overall)
TFC are still riding the Canadian Cup wave and are fresh of a very solid 2-0 win against NYRB in midweek. Marvell Wynne is still away with the high flying USA at the Confederations Cup while Guevara and Serioux are tender but should play. Luckily for TFC, Rohan Ricketts and Kevin Harmse are still no longer with the team. No word if Ricketts will beat the stadium stalking his former club.

REAL SALT LAKE: 4-4-6 16pts - 5th in West (10th Overall)
RSL's leading scorer Robbie Findlay (6G 2A) is listed as questionable, possibly from Osmond-related injuries. The Saltys are fresh off a hard fought 1-1 draw with league leading Houston. However, morale is apparently low in the RSL clubhouse after players realized that unlike Real Madrid, their club isn't really royally sanctioned. They are are not therefore real Real. The so-called King Of Utah who anointed the team was actually just Karl "Mailman" Malone wearing a Burger King crown. John Stockton prefers Arby's. Gross.

Editorial: The Beckham Experiment - Success... Sorta.

The lads and I were discussing the impact of the Beckham experiment on MLS and whether or not he's done anything to improve the game.

While it was agreed that the level of play did not improve with his arrival, given that Los Angeles didn't exactly compete for any honours, what he did provide was what MLS needed : eyeballs.

Not just from a turnstile perspective, which proved to be amazing given many of his matches doubled the average attendance, but from the respect point of view.

Oh sure, the best MLS side would likely end up mid-table of the English 3rd Division (I still refuse to call it the "League One", marketing be damned) in terms of quality, but the global attention can not be ignored. The footballing world now knows there's a league in the United States that is (seemingly) serious.

Here's why the Beckham experiment worked : Thierry Henry was quoted as stating that he could play for New York when his contract expired. Why? Because MLS is now an option for big name talent, albeit fading. It does not matter that he actually signs for New York Extreme Beverage, but the idea that he COULD.

The residual effect is clear, as the eurosnob who doesn't watch "that bush league stuff" will now have the notion planted that "hmmm, if it's good enough for Thierry Henry, why the hell not?", and that's part of the conversion process. And that process still has a long way to go before it gets to the levels of 'respectable'.

I do not know how many TFC supporters watch MLS games where TFC is not the feature. I do not watch non-TFC games, partially due to lack of easy availability, but I am sure the ratings for the Beckham matches were well above average as 'Golden Bollocks' does a run-up.

The "Designated Player" rule has been a success overall. As much as I hate Schelotto, he has raised Columbus' game (mainly by falling down). Same with Blanco for Chicago. And though their form is crap at best presently, Angel has also elevated New York's game.

So, in summary, Beckham's direct on-field impact has been, borderline, a bust, but all of the indirect impacts have been immeasurable.

Sam Cronin gets USA Gold Cup Call-Up. Toronto FC Roster gets Thinner

As much as the state of TFC's paper-thin roster is worrying, supporters have to be proud of Sam Cronin for getting the call from the USA squad for the Gold Cup. In a short time with TFC, Cronin has become a reliable and consistent performer in the midfield. Under the obvious mentoring of Carl Robinson, the young midfielder makes few mistakes and has a burgeoning offensive instinct.

Unfortunately, USA's gain is TFC's loss as the roster is bleeding players by the day. With the Gold Cup taking a chunk of Toronto's Canadian contingent, including newly signed Ali Gerba, and now adding Cronin, the bench strength (?) will be tested. A positive for TFC will be the return of Marvell Wynne, who was not included on the USA Gold Cup roster, and Dwayne DeRosario's decision not to play for Canada in the tournament.

Despite the comings and goings of the existing roster, it is painfully obvious that reinforcements are needed quickly. Mo Johnston must sign a handful of players to give TFC some much needed depth and the rumour mill has indeed been grinding over the past few days. If Toronto can get past Puerto Rico in the CCL Qualifier, they are faced with the prospect of 8 additional matches and the prospect of MLS Playoffs. The momentum of late has been welcome but a few injuries or extended absences could derail the high hopes for 2009.

No Harmse, No Foul.

Toronto FC confirmed yesterday that they have dealt Kevin Harmse to Chivas USA for allocation money. Harmse apparently requested the move back to the USA for "personal reasons". In any other circumstance, a Canadian International requesting a move out of Canada would be met with anger, but it's just Kevin Harmse. Can you say addition by subtraction? Good luck Kevin, Chivas is the perfect destination for a guy who is used to being a goat.

The South Stand Report: Toronto v. NYRB again - Pink is the New "Awesome"

Good friggin lord it was warm. Granted, I am the one person who prefers colder weather. I blame the scottish blood.

Tonight, Toronto FC are the Mighty Pinks. Apparently, the shirt is for breast cancer awareness and a whopping 10% of all pink kits go towards breast cancer. That's sweet. MLSE is all about doing good first and making money secondly (rolls eyes). It was mentioned what the kits would look like when we're supporting prostate cancer. [DESCRIPTION DELETED DUE TO EXTREME POOR TASTE]

To be honest, only Bret Hart can make pink look tough. And we're not Bret Hart. Hell, we're not even Jim Neidhart.

New York Extreme Beverage are still crap with the same crap lineup and the same crap coach. Can backstop Cepero be the difference and inspire his boys one notch above mediocrity? Doubtful. Juan Pablo Angel show up? Probably not.

Toronto playing the odd mid-week game after having the weekend off due to the odd number of clubs in the league. Fresh off the whuppin of New York at the same pitch and the improbable 6-1 victory over Montreal 'B' to win the NutCan, you can't help but think things are looking good for the boys in red... erm, pink.

On to the match!

1 - It takes a whole minute for the stupid smoke/confetti effect to clear so we can see the pitch. This is about the only real bush league thing TFC does in its game day presentation. Please lose it.

7 - Guevara slides the ball just wide right of the post. I have a good feeling about this.

Temporary nicknames for TFC tonight:

• the pigs
• the pinks
• the commies
• the flamingos
• the cotton candy machine
• the pink torpedos
• and for Chad Barrett, the pink slip (Ali's gonna take your job...)

23 - Serioux lunges nicely to interrupt a cross that was heading for J.P. Angel. That was going to be a goal had it reached its destination

25 - NYEB's Nick "Shitty Ronaldo" Zimmerman tried to undo a defender with the foot flick-step over trickery and ends up embarassing himself. On my squad, that's a hair dryer treatment and likely a benching for next game. Idiot.

28 GOAL - Vitti coyly heads the ball over a caught-out-of-position Cepero to score his first goal in 5 years*. Pretty goal and hopefully that'll give him the confidence to crack open the floodgates with the attempts at goal.
* LIKELY INCLUDES RESERVES TOO

One of the other writers dubs the rediculous defensive formation "Torontonaccio" (see last game's report for further explanation).

34 - DeRo cross, Guevara header, Cepero's hands.

34 - DeRo cross, Guevara bobbles then leaps desparately only to end up in Cepero's hands again.
36 - Barrett marauds downthe left side, taps to DeRo for a cute backheel into the net, only to be called null due to the ball going out of bounds.

38 - Attakora gets a giant wide ball out, one touches and fired a ball just a few yards from the right. I want to see Nana do this once a game. He gets the space which he creates, he deserves at least an attempt a game to scare the crap out of defenders.

Don't know where this nickname came from, but it's amusing:

• the pink Uruguay

Personally, I was trying to sing "are you Palermo in disguise" but me and two others know enough Serie A to understand that reference. Shame on you pseudo-Inter/Juve/Milan supporters.

43 - Vitti is possessed and shoots right at the NY keeper, but Cepero doesn't get full control and the ball just trickles wide of the right post. Vitti smells hat trick. I don't question this method. He could smell rainbows as long as the ball ends up in the back of the net.

45 - DeRo attempts to undress the whole NYEB defense with crazy turns and cutbacks, launching a shot past everyone except the last defender who ran behind the keeper to knock it away.

Half-time mood : damn son...

47 - "Shitty Ronaldo" Zimmerman lets a roket fly from 30 yards out calling for Frei to push it over the bar.

51 - DeRo cuts a beautiful ball to "The Chad", who slots it past the keeper, only to be (rightly) called offside. I call for a 'pity goal' as he was very much on target.

58 GOAL - DeRo headed the ball over the diminutive Cepero. Wikipedia states Cepero is 6'2" but you'd swear he was 5'8" tonight. Amazing finish and composure from the legend.

Yes, he's a legend. I love you Dichio, but folks, DeRo wins leagues. Remember that at the 24th minute when you belt out Danny's name knowing in three seasons he's never bagged a hat trick. And he's a midfielder.

61 - Guevara to Cronin to DeRo and over the bar. Pink is the new awesome.

65 SUB - Barrett for Dichio. Barrett, as much as we hate on him, is becoming an integral part of the build up and counter attack. His finish is still weak, but his control has greatly improved since the first game of the season and his heart and pace has never been questioned. Good game sir.

73 - Ricketts has apparently signed for Red Patch Boys, as he's spotted in mid 112 getting a song. Only in Toronto would a guy get a song who doesn't play for them any more. We changed his popular in stadium chant to "Rohan Rickets, burns his bridges..."

77 - Serioux goes down with a knock, ball goes out of play and a mini donnybrook breaks out. Someone gets a yellow... no idea who.

80 - Guevera and Dichio have a cute game of one touch with each other only to lay the ball off for Cronin who fires a rocket forcing Cepero to make a leaping save to push it over the bar.

84 - DeRo flies down the wing to let another long range shot go, forcing another leaping Cepero save. I'm still thinking Cepero is almost Man of the Match again, because a mediocre keeper *cough*Sala*cough* would've seen a much larger scoreline.

87 SUB - De Rosario for Velez. DeRo ran his ass off. Gets an ovation short of what he deserved.

>run 5MinuteCollapseWarning.exe

Extracting panic libraries...
Extracting 8-2-0 formation...
Extracting loss of strategy and basic skills...

** Welcome to Toronto FC's Game Day Panic program. Press ANY KEY to Continue **

88 - 11 pinkies are behind the ball and not a single one of them is more than 20 yards in front of goal. I don't understand this 'batten down the hatches' mentality, especially since New York Extreme Beverage hasn't created so much as a threatening STARE all night.

3 minutes of extra time and New York packed it in at the 90.

FINAL : Toronto FC 2 : New York Extreme Beverage 0

Man of the Match : As much as Cepero was outstanding and I wouldn't be able to pick him anyways, DeRosario was a BEAST tonight. He's on a level beyond this league right now. May he never leave and never come down!

Goat : Nobody. Everyone stepped their game and aside from the occasional gaffes and stale play, Toronto looked great.

Ref : 4/5 red thumbs up. Allowed a lot of play, didn't fall for a lot of weak fouls, linesmen got every offside correctly. Hope this crew comes back. I asked if they were local due to neutrality... great stuff.

Forever Red was quoted as saying "I'm tickled pink" from the result.

He was thoroughly slapped for that one and is recovering nicely.

The South Stand Report is written by The Yorkies' man in the South End Supporters' section at BMO Field to bring you a feel of the match as seen, and heard, from the stands.

BREAKING NEWS: Gerba Signs - Ali G In Da House!

Toronto FC officially confirmed the signing of Canadian International forward Ali Gerba. The former MK Dons man will suit up with The Reds after the MLS transfer window opens on July 15th. In the meantime, Gerba will play with Canada at the Gold Cup and work on his fitness levels.

Gerba seems excited to return to Toronto where he formerly plied his trade with the USL's Lynx. "Toronto FC have always shown me interest in the past so it was just a matter of time," Gerba said. "It's a great feeling to be back home."

Match Preview: Red Bulls 2: Electric Boogaloo

TORONTO FC VS. NEW YORK RED BULLS
BMO Field - Wednesday 7:30 PM - TV: GOLTV

Surely, the tepid Energy Drinkers who were here at BMO a week and a half ago can't return. TFC grabbed a 2-1 win in that re-scheduled affair which causes us to play the same team at home twice in a row. Take that Sepp Blatter - this is North America biatch! We like our games in summer and our fixtures f**ked up!

New York have been awful this year and every game without 3 points is one step closer to NYRB manager Juan Carlos Osorio getting the old Manhattan Hot Dog treatment. TFC is fresh off their Canadian Championship win in Montreal and look to keep the momentum going in league play and show off their new trophy.

TORONTO FC: 5-5-4 19 pts - 5th in East (9th Overall)
The Reds may be without Amado Guevara and Adrian Serioux who are nursing minor injuries, they will also be without Frank Ribery who doesn't play for them. Currently national footballing heroes -possibly hungover.

NEW YORK RED BULLS: 2-10-4 10 pts - 7th in East (15th Overall)
Red Bulls are coming off a 1-1 draw with Seattle. The always dangerous Juan Pablo Angel leads the team with 5 goals. NYRB are trying their hardest to clinch the #1 Draft Pick and move into their new stadium next year with the lowest possible expectations. Have you seen Harrison, New Jersey? Have you seen Escape From New York? Same. Fact: New York Red Bulls have never been Canadian Champions. Suck it Nu-Cosmos!

THE WORD: Gerba Signed... Awaiting Transfer Window?

According to reports on Toronto sports radio station The Fan 590, Toronto FC has indeed signed former MK Dons forward Ali Gerba. The apparent delay in the signing is that he can't officially be confirmed as a TFC player until the MLS transfer window opens on July 15th.

There is confusion about the transfer process amongst fans however as Gerba was released outright by Milton Keynes and should not necessarily have to wait for the window. Adding to the delay is Gerba's inclusion on Canada's Gold Cup squad which in the least should have him match fit when and if he arrives in Toronto. There is a slight element of fishy surrounding this story. Stay connected for the latest.

Word Factor: 8 / 10