Should they stay or should they go?

Who knew Nick Garcia was a balloon pilot?

To terribly paraphrase The Clash (the band not San Jose) "If they go we'll still have trouble - but if they stay it will be double". Anyone with even a passing interest in the local side knows Toronto FC is up Mo Creek without a paddle. As one astute supporter wrote on a team forum - "TFC: Rebuilding since 2008".
　
With the morbid 2010 season now officially out of the way, the long journey towards 2011 begins. ML$E should be hiring a new GM at this moment but apparently are still searching for consultants who will then begin the search. So expect your new GM… sometime in late March. Christ on a crossbar.

In the meantime, the player movement is left in the available hands of Jim Brennan and, likely next full-time GM, Earl Cochrane. The handful of players who have been hanging around BMO over the last few days doing media, have got tongues wagging about who will still be here next year so we thought we'd take a look at who should indeed stay... or go.
　
STAY!
STEFAN FREI: The talented Swiss keeper is a no-brainer for 2011 depending of course if he wants to stay in Toronto before heading to greener European pastures
DWAYNE DE ROSARIO: The Scarborough superstar / charades aficionado still has a couple of productive MLS years left in those boots. Unless a really good trade offer comes along…
JULIAN DE GUZMAN: Hard to move since stock has plummeted but can still do better at TFC - if surrounded by actual midfield talent
NANA ATTAKORA: Should be re-signed immediately. Could be The Reds' Sol Campbell... without the Judas part
ADRIAN CANN: Lost concentration late in 2010 but a dependable Canadian defender at a very reasonable price. Plus - team needs a model for new kit
MAICON SANTOS: Showed flashes of raw talent in the last few matches of the season. Should only return as an inexpensive substitute forward despite two good names
DONEIL HENRY: Promising Academy defender who will need to bulk up in off-season if he wants to handle MLS forwards
NICHOLAS LINDSAY: The Academy's bright spark looked good for his age in October. Not hard on a club that's never had a good winger
　
ON THE BUBBLE...
JON CONWAY: The giant veteran has a tiny contract. Useful to have as a mentor for young keepers and as a TFC TV comedian
MILOS KOCIC: Decent young prospect to keep around unless a better youngster comes along. Should be loaned out again for experience
FUAD IBRAHIM: Only keep if he retains Generation Adidas status - otherwise... bye! Looks like a nervous baby giraffe most of the time
NICK LABROCCA: A fairly versatile and inexpensive midfielder to hang on to for bench strength only. His lawyer / attorney looks are also handy during tax time or legal issues
CHAD BARRETT: Would have been in the "Stay" category if it wasn't for his hefty contract. Plays hard but TFC needs a better starter and 220K is too much for the bench
DAN GARGAN: Also closer to a “stay” but will not get better. Despite being promoted as TFC's Wendel Clark he should only stay as depth - won't improve but very cheap
AMADOU SANYANG: Possibly worth keeping as reserve depth only. Young enough to improve but his raw and often reckless play needs to improve over the winter
JACOB PETERSON: At the very bottom tip of the bubble. For most of the year looked very clueless up front or on the wing. Return from injury only saving grace and may improve
　
GO!
NICK GARCIA: You off then? About time.
MISTA: Wow - what can be said about the biggest bust in the club's history? A very ill-informed buy at the hands of a desperate Director. At least he helped get rid of Mo Johnston
JOSEPH NANE: We don't care whose brother your agent is. Very few 4th round draft picks play in MLS - Nane Joseph Nane should not have been one of them
O'BRIAN WHITE: Every TFC supporter wanted the Malvern resident to be the answer to the team's scoring woes - he wasn't. Development patience is up for "Malvern-Montego Molasses"
TY HARDEN: It may be time for a second retirement. Will never fault a man for leaving sport to do charity work in Africa but the big blonde was just a body and showed little enthusiasm
MARTIN SARIC: We had a Martin Saric already - his name was Kevin Harmse. Little talent to go with his force. "So long Martin"... in Spanish and Croatian
GABE GALA: Much like the departed Mo Johnston, Gala has wasted the last four years. If his skills were as big as his reported ego he could stay. You'll always have Real Madrid
EMMANUEL GOMEZ: Tough call on the Gambian defender. Could still have a place if he bounces back from season long injury and improves but it would need to be a big bounce
RAIVIS HSCANOVICS: Shld hve nvr bn sgned by Trnto FC. Few vowels - less talent. The affable Latvian was in over his head since day one. Bck to Ltvja Raivis!
MAXIM USANOV: His punching antics are a bloggers dream but much like the end of Rocky IV, the hard-hitting (and little else) Russian is down for the count. If he dies... he dies

THE STARTING 11: Toronto FC mayoral campaign slogans

One of these guys actually pays to watch TFC

Much like ML$E execs, scores of politicians around the Toronto area have been apologizing profusely about the past four years of ineptitude while promising that things will be different next year if you just stick with them. Toronto is saying goodbye to its Footy Mayor and will elect either Angry Hockey Mayor or Angrier Gridiron Mayor today - although neither has offered a 2011 tax freeze or free TTC on opening day. I guess we should be thankful that the one area of Toronto where ML$E hasn't flexed its muscle is civic politics. Although, if Toronto FC did push its staff to run for office, the campaign slogans would be interesting...
　
11: Adrian Cann: "YES WE CANN"
　
10. Nick Garcia: "WHEN NO ONE ELSE IS AVAILABLE"
　
9. Mo Johnston: "A 5 YEAR PLAN – AND NEEDS A JOB"
　
8. Dan Gargan: "SLOPPILY TACKLING CRIME FROM BEHIND"
　
7. Nick Dasovic: "FOR INTERIM MAYOR"
　
6. O'Brian White: "MOVING TORONTO FORWARD... VERY SLOWLY"
　
5. Nick LaBrocca: "TRUST ME - I LOOK LIKE AN ACCOUNTANT"
　
4. Maxim Usanov: "I MUST BREAK TAXES"
　
3. Dwayne De Rosario: "SIGNING CHEQUES... FOR YOU!"
　
2. Danny Dichio: "DICHIO! DICHIO! HE'S GOT NO HAIR, VOTE HIM FOR MAYOR, HE'S DANNY DICHIO"
　
1. Raivis Hscanovics: "MKE BTTR TRNTO!"

AFTER 90: Once more with feeling

One eye on 2011

D.C. UNITED 2 - TORONTO FC 3

On a night where all MLS eyes were gathered in D.C. to watch the farewell of arguably United's greatest player, it was the unarguable best player in Toronto FC's short history that stole the show. After TFC dropped down 1-0 during a shocking opening 60 seconds, The Reds' captain and enigmatic talisman Dwayne De Rosario showed what he can do when firing on all cylinders mentally and physically delivering TFC to a rare road victory. At the end of a miserable season where the mercurial hometown star was often the only saving grace for Toronto, it was fitting that his two goal performance should lead the club into hopefully, but far from assured, greener pastures.

Tonight's match was of course a meaningless affair. D.C. United has had an appalling season in 2010 with a management team who make ML$E look nearly competent... nearly. Few would have really cared tonight if TFC had not shown up and chalked up yet another road loss but for Nick Dasovic it must be a satisfying evening in what could be his last as Reds manager. TFC showed some heart and fight, a rare sight in 2010, and even glimpses of future hope in the energetic play of Academy product Nicholas Lindsay. While things are indeed bleak - there are threads of hope to hang on to for 2011.

Of course, if those threads are to be woven into a successful new season, ML$E must do the right thing and put the right man in charge. The fan protests and subsequent ML$E apology and season ticket "sorry gifts" will all be for naught if this one move isn't performed by Anselmi & Co. It's not good enough to let Earl Cochrane and Jim Brennan to make a bunch of player moves before hiring a cheap GM in January. No, if the owners really want to make amends to their suffering supporters - this is the only move they must make. A top quality GM, sooner rather than later, and then get out of the way. That could be the only saving grace of a season which mercifully ended on a note of tiny hope.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Dwayne De Rosario (TFC)
GOAT OF THE MATCH: Nick Garcia (TFC)... because it may be my last chance and I'm a petty bastard!

MATCH IN FIVE WORDS: Moreno. Surprising. Hopeful. Finally over.

SENSATIONAL HEADLINE: "THE END IS NIGH!"

TOTALLY FAKE POST-MATCH QUOTE: "Thank God it's over." - TFC's supporters collectively exhale

Moreno: MLS Legend

Lucy, you have some essplainin' to dooo! Response to Tom Anselmi

----- Awww, Tom's sad. Poor Tom. Here's a fifty to wipe your eyes.

For those of you who consider us at the Yorkies the be-all-and-end-all of TFC related media (once I stop laughing, I'll continue writing...) *ahem*, here, the Toronto Star gave us this gem of an article and apology filled with quotes from Tom Anselmi.

So here's my take on it...

TFC is to announce Wednesday that Anselmi is going to hold a series of town-hall meetings with supporter groups.

This is a great PR move. You get enough of the blind supporters, you know - those who get behind the team no matter how far supporters get gouged, to show up and these town halls become giant love-ins. I'm sure our invitations are in the mail as we speak...

Scarf-waving supporters, angry with the lack of improvement on the field and dramatic increases of over 30 per cent in cost and four more games in their season-ticket packages for next season, have been voicing their displeasure with chants and protests during home games.

OK, so enough people have made noise. Good. I didn't think MLSE paid attention. Earlier this week, I read an article about Bundesliga supporters going on strike due to rising ticket costs. I'm thinking Anselmi read the same article.

However, this is what got my ire:

The club is also removing a pair of CONCACAF Champions League matches from obligatory purchase in season tickets, a move that will cut the total cost of the 2011 package, he said.

[sarcasm] Yes. There it is. The real reason. We're upset over the Champions League matches. If I've said it once, I'll say it again, I am upset at how my seasons tickets include only games involving Toronto FC, right? [/sarcasm]

The article failed to mention a single WORD about the MLS Cup ticket included in the package. The ticket that is responsible for much of our outrage. I want all the tickets to games involving Toronto FC. I don't want to be gouged extra for it later *cough*Real Madrid*cough*. And I sure as hell do not want a ticket for a game that not only excludes TFC, but involves teams I couldn't give a damn about. Hell, 5 minutes on any message board would've brought this question to either Ansemi's or the author's attention.

I actually believe Mr. Anselmi when he states the following:

At Maple Leaf Sports, we've been accused at length about suits like me interfering with the team. (This is) proof positive, we don't interfere.

Why wouldn't this be true? After the sacking of talented players for unknowns and the protection and playing of liabilities, anyone who has watched the game with any discerning eye would've given Mo the hair-dryer treatment. Cronin's gone but White is still here? Gerba dismissed but Hscovanviscs has his contract seen through? Wynne disappears but Garcia still has employment? There's no WAY the suits are involved... especially since the league picks up their tab. The suits are damn-near comatose!

*deep breath in*

*deep breath out*

So am I crazy?

AFTER 90: A Tale of Two Cities

At least we have that...

SEATTLE SOUNDERS 3 - TORONTO FC 2

It's really not the result that aches in the Reds supporter's belly today. Honestly, so few of us expected any different when one of MLS' all-time worst road teams visited one of the league's harder destinations. It's not even TFC's impotent and clumsy showing - by now we're used to it and have seen it all before. No... that gnawing in the pit of the stomach, while an ML$E ticket renewal notice sits in the inbox, is looking at what the Seattle Sounders have become in half the time it has taken to destroy Toronto's football dream. As Reds fans taste their fourth official playoff elimination in four years, falling at the hands of a club which has so much more, makes it all the more bitter.

• While Toronto FC supporters have had to endure corporate press releases and "feel good" stories of long-term goals and "5 Year Plans", Seattle has built a club from scratch (they didn't retain their USL squad) in half the time and has qualified for the playoffs in their first two seasons while appearing in the US Open Cup Final in 2010 and 2011
• Seattle has a responsible private ownership that has tried, and continues to try, to listen to supporters concerns and build a proper football club. It has people in their ownership group who were football supporters long before owning the club and not a collection of hockey-centric "board members" whose only goal is profits for their shareholders
• Sounders have managed to assemble a young, quick and exciting core with their best years ahead of them with players like Sanna Nyassi, Fredy Montero and Steve Zakuani. Meanwhile TFC now has to rebuild through a group of sub-par "grinders" such as Nick Garcia, Jacob Peterson and Martin Saric - the results of a club with no scouting system and a dubiously cozy past relationship with a single agency
• While Toronto FC decided to give the keys to the club to a Scottish circus ringleader on day one and not build an infrastructure around him... Seattle decided to build a front office from the ground up and then hire the best available MLS manager there was in Sigi Schmid. This was before they ever kicked a ball. No doubt big names, like today's Ciro Ferrara rumour, will circulate around TFC's head coach opening but those will only last as long as season ticket renewal season does
• Seattle signalled their intent as a "big club" in the first year by signing DP Freddie Ljungberg and acquiring Fredy Montero. When things weren't going good enough this season they dispatched Ljungberg and replaced him with the superior and exciting Swiss International Blaise Nfuko who has lit up the league since his arrival. TFC in comparison waited for 2 1/2 years before signing a seemingly reluctant DP in Julian de Guzman who is a good player, but wasn't the right player for TFC. Four years of big "emergency" signings such as Laurent Robert, Rohan Ricketts, Carlos Ruiz and now Mista have been one disaster after another.
• Perhaps, saddest of all is seeing their fans. While much of their organized support does seem canned and a touch corporate, there is no denying the fun and excitement on their faces safe in the knowledge that their best days are ahead. We had that in Toronto too, but four years of anti-Seattle club mismanagement tends to knock it out of you

MAN OF THE MATCH: Blaise Nfuko (SEA)
GOAT OF THE MATCH: The suits eating caviar at the Leafs pre-season match

MATCH IN FIVE WORDS: Big. Loud. Green... with envy

SENSATIONAL HEADLINE: "4/5ths OF 5 YEAR PLAN COMPLETE"

TOTALLY FAKE POST-MATCH QUOTE: "Hey, comparing Seattle to TFC is apples and oranges. We've had four years to get this bad - they could still catch us." - ML$E VP Tom Anselmi uses his favourite produce-based line

Tired of hearing "we're never giving up", tired of Seattle, and like irony? Enjoy...

CODE RED: "Operation Soccer Mom" is a go

2010 - nothing to LOL at

If you are reading this within earshot of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment's downtown gold and diamond encrusted lair - those alarm bells are real. This is not a drill. For the first time, ML$E head honchos, who just happened to be hosting Major League Soccer bosses, witnessed a very sparsely attended BMO Field last night. The announced 10,000 attendance (but far lower in reality) may have been the canary in the coalmine for Tom Anselmi and the gang and no doubt the ML$E minions are scratching their heads, and Blackberrys, this morning.
　
“How could this be?” - they will ask. “What about the famed and marketable atmosphere?” “What about "This Is Our House"?” “What about... (breathless pause) SEASON TICKET RENEWALS!!!” (Silent scream) There will be some sober thoughts in dark corners of Castle ML$E (just to the left of the giant laser) - whispers of "did we really slay the golden goose?" Surely an urgent text exchange like the following couldn't be taking place between two code-named ML$E super-villains... could it?
　
T SALAMI: Yo Richie Rich - we got problemz at BMO - need ur help!!!
DICK_PEDDLAR: Whaassup!! Ur pansy-ass soccer boys falling over their shadows again? lol
T SALAMI: No! lolz - didn't you see the match?
DICK_PEDDLAR: Haha! U know I don't watch GrassLeafs or BasketLeafs!!! Why?
T SALAMI: Only 7K showed up! And we invited MLS bigwigs too!
DICK_PEDDLAR: What's MLS? : (
T SALAMI: Major League Soccer, Richie - Jesus!
DICK_PEDDLAR: That's a thing? Did u feed them Panda Caviar?
T SALAMI: Of course! But they were PO'd! They think MLS Cup in November will be a bust!
DICK_PEDDLAR: MLS Cup? That's a thing? Indoors right?
T SALAMI: No! Jeez RP - do you ever actually listen at board meetings? It's @ BMO!
DICK_PEDDLAR: LOLZ! OMFG! How will you get those loser Euros to buy tickets?
T SALAMI: We forced them onto 2011 season tix packs.
DICK_PEDDLAR: Ahhh! The old RaptorLeaf combo - brilliant!
T SALAMI: Thnx. But now I think they are revolting! EuroHosers seem smarter than HockeyHosers and BasketHosers! They may not renew!!! Didn't even mention seat licences to them yet! : (
DICK_PEDDLAR: You told us they were like LeafsNation - the teachers will not be happy... you told us you controlled those fan clubs... the U-Zone, North Siders and Red Shirt Club - what happened?
T SALAMI: You really don't watch do you? Dunno. Told them we'd bring MLS Cup to Toronto - guess they thought we meant with TFC playing in it - never said that! lol
DICK_PEDDLAR: You know what you have to do right? Numb the masses with promo junk and noise
T SALAMI: Operation: Soccer Mom?
DICK_PEDDLAR: Yup.
T SALAMI: But these fans are different...
DICK_PEDDLAR: Pfft! lol. This is Toronto - feed them pudding. The new uniforms coming soon?
T SALAMI: Check
DICK_PEDDLAR: Gonna make that dude with the haircut the new GM... John Brannon?
T SALAMI: Jim Brennan. Check
DICK_PEDDLAR: What else you got?
T SALAMI: Naming the north seats "The Danny Dichio Stand"
DICK_PEDDLAR: What's a Dichio? Not that guy on that Ontario Power commercial is it?
T SALAMI: Nevermind. What do you think about Thundersticks?
DICK_PEDDLAR: Gold
T SALAMI: Working on a fuzzy dog mascot named "StrikerPup"
DICK_PEDDLAR: Now you're cooking. Cheerleaders?
T SALAMI: Check. TFC SoccerDancers auditions in December. Missing anything else?
DICK_PEDDLAR: What about that Pele guy? Does he still play? He's a good soccerer no?
T SALAMI: Umm - I'll get the scouting department on it.
DICK_PEDDLAR: You have a scouting department?
T SALAMI: An intern and that old VHS from Maple Leaf Gardens lol
DICK_PEDDLAR: Good enuff. Don't sweat big man - you'll have BMO full of soccer moms and girls teams in no time. Hey - how bout TFC Red Shirley Temples for sale!
T SALAMI: Hmm - could work. You still have the Argos on speed-dial?
DICK_PEDDLAR: Duh! lolz! : ) 30,000 expansion for the FC's? Unlikely!!! btw - told you not to fire that Mo Jackson guy - all the heats on you now
T SALAMI: Johnston. Yeah - he was good for that. : ( Gotta go - gonna teach our Scarborough superstar a thing or two on sports radio - lol
DICK_PEDDLAR: Sweet - going to eat some panda - All For One! Hahahahahaha!!!

TFC Coles Notes for back-to-school supporters

I wonder if Lesly Fellinga is on the test?

It's back-to-school time again! For many of Toronto FC's youthful supporters that means heading back to campus where Kraft Dinner and Pabst Blue Ribbon become major food groups, pyjamas are acceptable outerwear and regular bathing becomes a memory as distant as the summer breeze.
　
It's not all fun and powdered cheese however - these young scholars have to hit the books in order to secure their degrees and eventually join the working world in a totally unrelated career to their education. There's little time for these future Customer Service Reps. to spend watching their beloved Toronto FC - but not to worry! The fine educators here The Yorkies Institute of Footy Probabilities have put together an easy to read, pocket sized look into the future of the remaining 2010 season.
　
So here you go scholars, we believe that children are the future and all that junk, here in simple Headlines and By-lines is all you need to know about the rest of The Reds' year in handy chronological order. Remember, Pabst is not a toy!
　
SPOILER ALERT!
　
"TFC LOSE AGAIN ON THE ROAD"
"Team Canada to blame" says Preki
　
"LOSS ON ROAD HURTS TFC"
Playoff hopes in danger - "Did I mention Team Canada": Preki
　
"REDS DRUBBED IN MEXICO CITY"
"Schedule, travel, injuries to blame"
　
"DRAW AT HOME KEEPS PLAYOFF HOPES ALIVE"
"We played hard but were unlucky at the end"
　
"ROAD WOES CONTINUE FOR TFC"
"We've got a good team here" insists coach
　
TFC ELIMINATED FROM CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Preki opts for reserve team - "We gave it our best"
　
"BMO FIELD WIN LIFTS REDS' SPIRITS"
Fans sing ‘Dichio Song’ as playoff gap down to 5 points
　
"MLSE SCORE 99% SEASON TICKET RENEWALS"
"Shows we're on the right track" says Mo Johnston
　
"MASSIVE ROAD LOSS ENDS TFC SEASON"
"Overall it was a good season - we played as a team" Preki
　
"TFC FANS UPSET AT LACK OF PLAYOFFS"
New TFC jersey to be unveiled soon!
　
"MO JOHNSTON'S TRACK RECORD QUESTIONED"
"But I said "5" year plan all along!" - New kit leaked online!
　
"MLS CUP AT SNOWY, HALF-EMPTY BMO FIELD"
"We're aiming to be here in 2011": Johnston
　
"NANA ATTAKORA SIGNS FOR SWEDISH CLUB"
"We've got our eye on a few new players" says Mo
　
"WHITECAPS BUILD CONTENDER FOR FIRST YEAR"
TFC's new uniform nearly ready for sale!
　
"TRANSFER WINDOW CLOSES - NO NEW REDS"
"We'll look at the Draft and some promising trialists": Johnston
　
"NEW TFC KIT ON SALE TODAY!"
Fans flock to buy new shirt - Mo Johnston signs new 5 year contract

Mid-Term reports at Preki Jr. High

Wheels, Joey & Snake. Practically Preki, Mo & Brennan

When chart-topping Toronto band "The Zit Remedy" sang their hit song "Everybody Wants Something" - who knew it would be so fitting for Toronto FC? "Everybody wants something they'll never give up. Everybody wants something, they'll take your money - and never give up" - a true anthem for club owners MLSE.
　
The boys in "Zit Remedy" sung about all the major issues of the day - acne, teen pregnancy, Lucy's homemade t-shirts, all while dealing with their own tough lives which included... mid-terms! Much like life at DeGrassi Junior High, TFC's "students" have reached the halfway mark of the year but just what kind of report cards would Principal Predrag "Mr.Raditch" Radosavljevic be sending home to the boys' parents?
　
GOALKEEPING 101
STEFAN FREI - "Star pupil. Holds the class together" A
JON CONWAY - "Scares classmates with his size" C
MILOS KOCIC - "Quiet. Has been on long field trip" N/A
　
DEFENSIVE ARTS
NANA ATTAKORA - "A fine young man. Plays well with others" B +
NICK GARCIA - "Loses concentration. Eats paste" C -
DAN GARGAN - "Hard worker and reliable" B
ADRIAN CANN - "Solid despite public speaking voice" B
TY HARDEN - "So quiet we forget he's in class" C
MAXIM USANOV - "Must stop punching everything" C -
RAIVIS HSCANOVICS - "Hates man-marking and vowels" D +
　
MIDFIELDOLOGY
JULIAN DE GUZMAN - "Not sure he wants to be here" C
FUAD IBRAHIM - "Runs. Little else" C
JOSEPH NANE - "Needs passing game... and pick a first name" C -
NICK LABROCCA - "Versatile. Face for a career in accounting" B
AMADOU SANYANG - "Kicks others. Flops on floor often" D +
MARTIN SARIC - "Rough and tumble with a clumsy temper" C +
GABE GALA - "Thinks highly of self. Sadly, the only one" C
DWAYNE DE ROSARIO - "The class valedictorian." A -
JACOB PETERSON - "He tries but hasn't shown much potential" C
　
FORWARD THINKING
CHAD BARRETT - "Improved. Must learn to use other foot" B -
MISTA - "New to class. Seems very knowledgeable" N/A
MAICON SANTOS - "Two great names. One good foot?" N/A
O'BRIEN WHITE - "Painfully slow. Time may be running out" D

TFC grabs the NutCan long-distance style

"Hands off my trophy losers."

MONTREAL IMPACT 1 - VANCOUVER WHITECAPS 1

To badly paraphrase Winston Churchill: "Never have eleven men done so little to gain so much"

Yes, while Toronto FC were just finishing up their weekly Wednesday night fondue party/ book club (we assume - but likely) Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps were doing "battle" (more a humid skirmish) down the 401. With L'Impact already eliminee dans le Can du Nut it was up to Vancouver to get a win and force the Canadian Championship to a final deciding match at BMO Field next week. The only question was if L'Impact would wave the white flag of surrender (think about it) as they did last year in the final against TFC.

The match was your average rough and tumble USL-style tilt with chances going both ways and technical prowess in short supply. Vancouver managed to take a 1-0 lead in the second half and seemed to have the upper hand but in no way did Montreal roll over like in 2009. L'Impact in fact turned the tide completely and found the equalizer, deflating the Whitecaps' cup dream in the process. The second half continued at a frantic and rough pace but the 1-1 draw remained, ending the match, and the NutCan ,with Toronto FC absently being awarded the trophy for 2010.

The melted cheese was no doubt spilled in excitement as TFC claimed its second straight NutCan and will head into CONCACAF Champions League. Overall, the winning of this Canadian Championship is the least climactic football award since Sheffield Wednesday beat Arsenal in the 1944 FA Cup after a spelling bee, but a win is a win. TFC will get the chance to parade the trophy at home and have a restful friendly against Vancouver next week as opposed to a hard final.

TFC got the job done in 2010 and the fact that winning in such an anti-climactic manner doesn't bother the locals shows a higher level of expectation. Winning this trophy was expected in Toronto this year, not just wanted. For most Reds supporters, Tegucigalpa, Honduras was already on the flight itinerary and getting past C.D. Motagua and into the CCL Group Stage is the new goal. Maybe no NutCan parade down Bay Street tomorrow but maybe a celebratory fondue bucket over Preki's head tonight. He seems like the happy-go-lucky type, no?

Pre-Season Potpourri

---"It's called Scottish Offseason... it absolutely reeks of inactivity"

- The rumours are floating heavily that an announcement is imminent from MLS that Toronto will host the 2010 MLS Cup Final. The match would be played at BMO Field in late November. Brrr! Whoever kisses the cup at the end of the match better not use tongue. Well, there's one worry that TFC players won't have - very little chance of a hometown appearance. MLSE however, will no doubt use the event to mask another lacklustre season - a la Real Madrid 2009.
　
- More news from Don Garber's office (it likely has a tank of exotic carnivorous fish and a giant laser). The Don looks set to announce that Montreal will soon be named as the league's 19th club. Joey Saputo will be undoubtedly be preparing a special celebratory provolone ball as the Quebec government (via Toronto's tax transfer payments) will expand the stadium and bring Le Francophones to La League du Soccer Majorette. Hopefully he will ditch the completely lame-assed "Impact" nickname (FC Olympique du Montreal?) but unlikely. In other news, Columbus will no longer have a fake rival in TFC as the "401 Derby" will instantly be MLS's most heated match-up.
　
- As most TFC supporters already know, Toronto manager Preki has bluntly said that striker/ cake enthusiast Ali Gerba is not in the team's plans. Gerba has come out and said the club is muddying his good name in order to cut his contract but either way you slice it, the Gerba/ TFC era will be a mystery. How a player who has scored goals with every club he played for except one is strange. misDirector of Football Mo Johnston commented something close to "mumble, mumble, bullsh*t, lies, corporate speak..." then something in Scottish.
　
- More great successes from our Highland hierarchy/ truth avoidance specialist, Johnston. The deadline for opening day rosters closes at 5PM today and as of press time (I like to call myself press. No credentials, but I have a hat) TFC only has 15 eligible players. That’s right soccer fans - not even enough for a full bench! TFC's DP Julian De Guzman says he's never seen anything like it and really, neither has most of the football world. Johnston's astonishing year 4 of a 25 year plan, may see him sign trialists Martin Saric and Adrian Cann. Neither has ever played consistently at a level close to MLS standard. Hurray for soccer!
　
- Finally, in heart-warming news, Adrian Serioux (who TFC claimed was so injured his career may be in jeopardy) scored easily for new club Houston in their final friendly. "Too old for TFC" Carl Robinson played very well against Santos for NYRB. The classy Welshman played hard and placed a beautiful cross on Mike Petke's noggin for a goal. And, just in case you are curious - Amado Guevara has a goal in 10 appearances for his hometown club Motagua before captaining Honduras at the 2010 World Cup this summer. Thank goodness Mo cut all that dead weight! Phew! If only Nick Garcia was a quality international - then he'd be out for sure.

One week left. One weak club.

When Toronto FC ended the 2009 season by being destroyed 5-0 at the hands of a mediocre New York Red Bulls, the feelings of shock and anger looked destined to be the catalyst for real and significant change. Immediately, the interim manager was dispatched and surprisingly quickly was replaced with MLS stalwart Preki. The new coach's signing seemed to be the first step in The Reds' transformation but somewhere in the dead of winter, the transformation stopped as quickly as it had begun.
　
There have been some drastic changes to TFC in the off-season; unfortunately they have all gone the wrong direction. Dumbfounded (and handled with a shocking lack of class) transfers of gritty hardmen Adrian Serioux and Carl Robinson along with the inevitable release of Amado Guevara have subtracted three major players from the 2009 squad without a single suitable replacement.
　
Director (?) of Football Mo Johnston's only answer to the 4 year problem of a leaky defence and an impotent offence have been a defender who left football to do charity work in Africa and a winger who hasn't recovered from a major injury. Throw in two draft picks who won't figure into the starting 11 and the now unlikely possibility of signing an Egyptian defender best known for temper tantrums and there you have Johnston's transformation. Astounding work.
　
As it stands now, when TFC lines up later this week against Columbus, the starting 11 will not have one new face in it from 2009 apart from a possible surprise trialist’s inclusion. What it will have is even less depth than last year. TFC will most likely have Nick "The Human Pylon" Garcia anchoring the defence whilst surrounded by inexperienced youngsters; a front line that will most likely be without the disgraced Ali Gerba - leaving unproven sophomore O'Brian White and the injured (but how could you tell?) Chad Barrett as the only two natural strikers; and, a midfield with TFC's only two stars, De Ro and De Guzman, with no one to receive a pass from and no one to pass to. Rumours of the two stars' unhappiness are floating around and really, who could blame them?
　
There is one constant with this team. For four years now there has been one man who has overseen a process of building this club from scratch but somehow has only managed to build a glorified expansion team. His trigger happy deals for mediocre players; his dismissals of team heroes such as Dichio and Robinson with such a lack of class; his inability to fill holes in the defence and offence year after year; his resting on laurels of being a "master of the draft"; his promises of building a long-term winning club while only building a profitable earner for MLSE.
　
There is only one way to transform Toronto FC and that is getting rid of the one constant that epitomizes the utterly dreadful prospect of TFC 2010. Maurice Johnston, please leave us alone so we can start again.

MLS strike averted. Mo Johnston loses an excuse.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber announced today that the league and the players' union had agreed upon a new 5-year CBA. Details of the agreement have yet to be released but the announcement means that the 2010 season will begin as scheduled. As the details emerge it will most likely show much give and take on both sides but at least they have seemingly realized the damage that a strike could have done to the young league.

The sweat beads that can be audibly heard across the Toronto area would be those of Mo Johnston. The misDirector of Football has been quietly trotting out the potential strike as the reason that TFC currently has the smallest roster in the league. With this excuse gone, the wily Scot will now have to get back into the war room and come up with a new reason why he hasn't located a quality defender or striker in 4 years. Global warming maybe?

Check out the MLS website for updates of the new CBA's details.

MLS Players' Union between a rock and a hard place

It's all quiet at MLS Headquarters... too quiet. It seems as if the cooler heads are losing their grip as the CBA negotiations between the league and its players are grinding to a halt. Where optimism at a deal existed only a couple of weeks ago, the only words coming from either side this week have been decidedly sour. It is unclear today whether the opposing sides are even in the same room and as more deadlines come and go, the toughest decision is left at the feet of the union.

MLS has taken the upper hand in the PR war by not locking out the players and seeming like the sensible party who wants to negotiate. The truth is closer to the fact that Don Garber and his wily group of owners know that the union doesn't hold a lot of chips in this game. The players are left with very little on the table to negotiate with and will have to decide soon if they are willing to hit the picket lines.

If the union does decide to continue to operate under the expired contract they at least take back some of the public sentiment. Fans will likely side with the players as most supporters realize that MLS players are definitely the poor cousin of worldwide FIFA players, but is PR enough? Sticking with the status quo could lead to the players eventually settling on a watered down agreement not much different than the current one. On the flipside of that however is the fact that at least they will still continue to get paid. For some of the players who are only making slightly better than minimum wage - that's a big issue.

Ironically, if the union chooses the strike option, it may end up creating a result as bad as or much worse than the current climate. Observers can't help but feeling the ownership is actually prepared for a work stoppage. It is definitely a fool's logic but who ever claimed the league was run by geniuses? The league might even welcome the opportunity for a player caused calamity which would give them the chance to fold a couple of money losing franchises - and blame the union at the same time. A long shot, and probably unlikely, thought process… but hardly impossible.

The more realistic fear for the union has the league filling its strike-hit squads with replacement players. Yes the quality would be lower but in a league with little face recognition, bar a few major stars, the current players could find themselves readily replaced. Further, in a worse case scenario, a long work stoppage could damage the league so badly that it doesn't survive in its current form. This result again means massive job losses for the union membership and a PR black eye along with it. A lot of mid-range players could be out of high-level professional football permanently.

Chances are likely that some form of negotiations will continue for the time being. The bright thinkers on both sides (we hope there are a few) will realize that this is a Cold War much like the real one. If either side pulls the big trigger then everyone gets burnt in the end. In that doomsday scenario however, the real losers would be North American supporters who have suffered through decades of ridiculous show "soccer" leagues (sorry original NASL sympathizers) only to have the closest league to the "real thing" face extinction at the hands of two stubborn teams.

THE STARTING 11: Florida training camp surprises

Ah Florida... it's The Sunshine State ya know? Oranges, Space Shuttles, flamingos, swamps and now Toronto FC! Our beloved boys in red track suits have departed the polar confines of Canada and have done what many Canadians do this time of year - head south. Mo's Marvels and a U-Haul full of trialists have decamped to cosmopolitan Bradenton, Florida where they will run around like puppies on natural grass and try not to get injured/ make the team. It's not all wind sprints and keepy-uppies though; there are always a few odd surprises...

11. Due to tiny size of squad, team is sharing a one bedroom motel room

10. Tourists gather daily to watch the British players turn bright red in the Florida sun

9. Rohan Ricketts asked to attend - thought TFC was going to see "Flo Rida"

8. Team had a 3-3 draw in match against the remaining cast of "The Golden Girls"

7. Florida's numerous retirement homes perfect for TFC scouting trips

6. During tour of The Everglades, team found members of Tampa Bay Mutiny roaming around aimlessly

5. Trialists keep asking Mo "where the Return half of their airline ticket is?"

4. Club took a team building trip to Disney World - left Chad Barrett on The Teacups

3. Jim Brennan and Marvell Wynne keep showing up to practice dressed as Miami Vice's Crockett & Tubbs

2. Every morning, Mo stands on the beach hoping that cheap Cuban players may come to shore on a raft

1. New back-up goalkeeper on trial - an alligator

Honest Mo's Trialist Warehouse

------------------"TFC's lookin' great in 2010... honest!"

“No off-season signings? No problem! Come on down to "Honest Mo's Trialist Warehouse" and he can outfit your soccer team at low, low prices! Got no salary cap left? Not to worry - Honest Mo will ship out your high-priced, experienced assets and replace them with trialists who have no where else to play! They can't help but sign the lowest contracts around - they need the cash! Act now and Honest Mo will call every newspaper in town and tell them that your new trialist is quite possibly the best player since Pele Maradona Junior! Take a look at what Mo has in stock for 2010!”

ROSS SMITH - CB
Need a defender? Have a cardiologist on staff? Do you enjoy the Blue Square Premier? If you said yes and you love Scottish Canadians then Ross Smith is the defender for you! The 29 year old Guelphian (Guelphite? Guelphwegian?) enjoyed his best years with the mighty Ebbsfleet United of the English non-league. Had a shot with Colorado Rapids until they found out about his aorta problem! Not to worry though - he had heart surgery and is ready to go! No risk!

IBRAHIM SAID - CB
Oh boy! If you like it spicy and Middle Eastern then Ibrahim Said is the man for you! This very fiery Egyptian defender will put the fight into your line-up right away. He will also fight with his teammates, match officials, coaches and fans! How exciting! His best days were in the early 2000's with Al Ahly but he did have the chance at the big time while on loan to Everton. Said decided that the Toffees weren't to his taste though and pretended that his mother was sick in Egypt and flew home the next day. Staying power! The sometime Egyptian National (when not banned from the team) was last with Libyan league club Al-Ahly Tripoli. “Libyan League - catch the fever!”

JORGE ANDRADE - CB
This is top of the line stuff. Not too many owners, top flight experience, Champions League veteran! This mighty Portuguese defender is a steal at 31 years old. Stops at Porto, Deportivo La Coruna and Turin giants Juventus can't be wrong! What's that? You like players with both knees? Jeez - so fussy. So what if Andrade only has part of his left knee and it has had four operations in three years? Beggars can't be choosers! Juventus owners loved his career prospects so much they said this of it when nullifying his contract: "Impossibility for the player to recover to play professionally". Oh those Italians - so silly!

KEVIN KYLE - FWD
If there’s one thing Honest Mo loves - it’s a mediocre player from a mediocre club in Scotland or northern England. Mo has outdone himself this time with Kevin Kyle. This enigmatic striker spent most of his years with Sunderland where he tallied a whopping 18 goals in 91 appearances and got quite the reputation for his love of baked goods! Honest Mo may not have this one on the lot for long though as Kevin is having his best year in ages at Kilmarnock with 14 goals in 27 matches and is still with the Scottish club. Who needs that kind of output anyways? Where’s the fun in signing a trialist who actually scores? Crrrraaazzzy!!!

ILIA JAVORJIAN - FWD
Did you like the lumbering style of Danny Dichio but found him way too quick? Think you want another big bald target man but without those pesky goals getting in the way? If you said “oh yeaaah!” then Honest Mo has got the trialist for you! 28 year old, 3-time Armenian International Ilia Javorjian has been bouncing around the Israeli league with 4 goals to boot (that’s more like it Kevin Kyle!) and is looking for a new home. The Armenian Assassin (catchy no?) has a mysterious background but scouts have labelled him as “heavy and limited in his movement” and “clumsy”. Unofficially called the “Armenian Collin Samuel“.

ADAM STREET - GK
Honest Mo is anything if not “honest! Adam Street is maybe not the right kind of lad to sign. Who need’s long-term projects with potential future value anyways? You need elderly back-ups and tons of delicious allocation money - that’s what winners are made of! Street has played through most of the Canadian International set-up’s youth systems and has shined at times. He has been training with West Ham’s renowned academy and has raised many eyebrows there as well but who needs that when there are perfectly good USL third stringers available? Pass.

MALEAGI NGARIZEMO - CB
Looking for a diamond in the rough? We mean really, really rough? Well Honest Mo mined the diamond laden lands of southern Africa and has dug up 30 year old Namibian defender Ngarizemo! What better way to shock MLS offences than with a defender who has hardly played anywhere else? In three years with South African club FC Cape Town, he didn’t register one first team statistic. From those lofty heights, Maleagi (aka Namibia’s Nick Garcia) moved to the world famous Namibian league’s African Stars Windhoek. Surely though, 3 caps with Namibia’s National squad in 2008 (nicknamed The Brave Warriors - FIFA ranking 113) can’t be a fluke!

IBAD MUHAMADU - FWD
Honest Mo has done it again! A few days before the Trialist February Sale starts, Mo has identified 27 year old Dutch striker Muhamadu as a top notch item. The forward has spent most of his career floating around the Dutch, Belgian and German second divisions with his career best being a spell at the Dutch Eerste Divisie club MVV. Yes - that MVV! The Gillingham of Dutch football. In his time there, Ibad (chant this: “I-Bad I-Bad, you know it!”) notched 17 goals over two years. Trust Mo on this one because the last time he plucked a gem from the Netherlands he came up with Toronto FC future Hall of Famer - Lesly Fellinga!

“Don’t wait soccer lovers, this sale won’t last forever! Honest Mo can’t keep these hot properties on the shelves. Remember Kiki Musampa? Snapped up by FC Seoul after a TFC camp where he was being proclaimed as the best thing since Johan Cruyff Van Nistelrooy Rijkaard! Who needs established players like Guevara, Robinson and so-called “first team players”?”

“If trialists weren’t the new stars of soccer would Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment really keep Honest Mo around? If you think that, you would have to believe MLSE only care about profits and have zero soccer knowledge in the head office and don’t care about winning and love Mo because he makes them huge profits and we will have this conversation every February and he will be here for 10 more years… and that’s just crazy! Honest.”

Week one is a weak one

From the moment Preki was introduced as the new TFC manager most supporters thought that the dawn had finally broke on the gloom that surrounded the team. Forget about the first year expansion mess, the second year building phase, the third year re-building phase - 2010 would be the true start of the real Toronto FC. No more coaching changes, no more locker room drama, a deep solid squad and playoffs - delicious, chewy playoffs! All we had to do was patiently wait through winter like anxious hungry bears for training camp.

KABLOOEY!!! One week into training camp and the steaming pile on the yet to be grassed BMO Field pitch is the smouldering relics of many supporters' dreams for 2010. Fans kept their optimism going on faith alone as the winter months passed and Mo "MLSE Employee of the Month" Johnston didn't manage to sign one player. But not to fear - surely before training camp things would get better - right? No. From the moment the media was allowed to look behind the ex-Wizard's curtain it was clear that the rot hasn't been cleared but has indeed festered.

ADRIAN SERIOUX: The hometown hardman and true heart of the defence is unlikely to be re-signed. Whispers are floating as to whether this is due to the free agent's injury status or penny pinching at the MLSE level. Either way, if The Predator doesn't return, it means a bigger role for Nick "Which one is our goal?" Garcia and that is very bad news. A press release would be nice.

DWAYNE DE ROSARIO: There is something very wrong in Camp De Ro. TFC's first real star (sorry Dichio) was injured in the Canada v. Jamaica friendly but then refused to talk to media at all. The fact that he is gone for 2-4 weeks is completely overshadowed by the rumours that the corn rowed Scarberian is very unhappy with his contract status and the supposed promises he had received from Mo to restructure it. Unhappy De Ro is bad news for TFC's impotent offence.

CARL ROBINSON: If it wasn't insulting enough for the classy Welshman to have his face broken last season by a useless trialist, TFC has done their best to marginalize the midfielder ever since. Despite any opinions on Robinson's skill level, no one can dispute his leadership and steel in TFC's midfield since day one. It is the worst kept secret that Mo is trying to ship him to any taker to solve salary cap mismanagement but the manner in which it has been done is classless. Robinson, unsurprisingly noble, has not spoken publicly about the mess... or at all.

THE SQUAD: Going into training camp, TFC has the least amount of signed players of any MLS club. For a team that has lacked depth for four years this is just unacceptable and blame is squarely on one inept Scot only.

INJURIES: However fun it would be to blame Johnston for injuries, we can't. Chad Barrett can't kick a ball because of a foot injury (goal tally unaffected), De Rosario picked up a knock in the Canada match and there are a host of minor niggles as well. Jacob Peterson however is Mo's, and indeed Preki's, mess. The one, single, solitary player that management signed in an off-season so full of holes - can't even fully train for another 2 months. Poor.

MANAGEMENT: Our feelings here towards Mo Johnston’s management are no secret. From day one his decision making, attitude, vision and execution have been truly poor. Yes there have been a few bright signings and draft picks but after four years on the job TFC has no depth, gaping holes on all areas of the pitch, a noted toxic atmosphere in the dressing room and most of all very little in the way of wins or winning ways. It is too early to pass any judgement on Preki but the wily Serb may need to be a little more forthcoming with the Toronto media. You're not at Chivas anymore Mr. Radosavljevic. Preki may also want to keep a healthy distance from Mo - another "Yes Man" is not what TFC needs.

Overall, after waiting for the breath of fresh air to roll in after the memories of 5-0 at Giants Stadium, the odour has been more of a funk. In no way is this a final indictment on TFC:2010 but somebody has to take hold of this club and pull it up by the bootstraps in a hurry. The quiet from Johnston on all things training camp has been deafening but the one silver lining - if he does allow this club to fail this year, he may not be around to do it again in 2011. As tempting as that may be, it shouldn't be our goal for this season.

THE WORD: Adrian Serioux not re-signed for 2010 - opposing strikers heard giggling

-------------------Is it really the end for The Predator?

Scarborough FC may be without a major piece in 2010. News coming out of yesterday's training camp/ media day was that TFC will not be renewing the contract of tough defender Adrian Serioux. There are duelling reasons floating around the rumour mill that is BMO Field but many suggest that the hard nosed Scarberian/ Predator look-alike has racked up one injury too many.

Depending on the source, Serioux could have a badly damaged elbow or possibly a career-threatening neck injury. Either way, a TFC back four without Serioux is an extraordinarily weak prospect. It is very possible that after all of Mo Johnston's "marvellous" and copious deals, TFC could line up on opening day with Nick "The Human Own-Goal" Garcia in the backline. Wynne-Attakora-Garcia-Brennan is a defence that will absolutely bleed goals and boot loose balls into the stands on every occasion.

But not to worry - right? It's training camp and hope springs eternal! That is unless you look at what Mo Johnston has brought in to bolster one of the league's worst defences. As of this moment that would be... NOBODY! Yes we've got trialists coming out the wazoo but which one to choose from? Oh the choices are so great! Do you want the Scottish cast-off with a dodgy ticker, the wild tempered homesick Egyptian or the Portuguese long ago-maestro who is missing one of his knees?

Think that Mo will swing a last minute deal for a quality defender with future first round picks? Think again - his mismanagement of the salary cap has left TFC unable to bring in a proven player unless major funds are released (i.e. dumping Carl Robinson) and the salary cap is increased in a new CBA. If only there was a way to keep Serioux and ditch Johnston, at least that would keep the rapidly diminishing glimmer of 2010 hope alive. And it's only day two.

WORD FACTOR: 8 / 10

Another kick at the NutCan - Canadian Championship fixtures 2010

--------------Also great for dips, snacks and fondue parties

In addition to yesterday's MLS 2010 fixture list, The Canadian Soccer Association ("Lowering Expectations since 1912") announced the schedule for this year's Canadian Championship. The Nutrilite Canadian Championship (or the NutCan to its friends) will once again involve TFC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC and FC L'Impact du Montreal Ou Est Le Bibliotechque.

This will be the last year that Toronto FC will be the sole MLS representative as next year VWFC will be making the step up. Not that having two USL (now NASL) rivals ever stopped The Reds from doing their best to play badly though. TFC are indeed the current Cup holders and have aimed their sights high on holding onto the cup. Mo Johnston has even said winning it this year would be a "bonus". Wow, big words from a man who always aims TFC towards the stars.

The schedule is as follows - adjust your NutCans accordingly...

Wednesday, April 28, Toronto v Montreal 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 5, Vancouver v Montreal 10:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 12, Montreal v Toronto 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 19, Vancouver v Toronto 10:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 26, Montreal v Vancouver 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 2, Toronto v Vancouver 8:00 p.m.

(All times EST. Suck it, Rocky Mountains)

Cooler heads agree to keep negotiating new MLS agreement

------------------"I once bargained an agreement thiiiis big!"

Signs of intelligent life indeed exist within the ranks of Major League Soccer's ownership and players' union. The two sides today have agreed to continue negotiating on a new collective bargaining agreement until at least February 12th. Obviously someone in New York got a text that said "Yo Don - dont lockout MLS - U R not NFL dude! LOL" or something along those lines.

In a straightforward but slightly optimistic press release from MLS headquarters, commissioner Don Garber laid out the current state of negotiations. “While we still have areas of disagreement, the talks have been constructive and both parties believe it makes sense to continue to work hard to reach agreement. This extension provides both MLS and the players the opportunity to continue our discussions while clubs are in training camps preparing for the 2010 MLS season.”

Credit is due on both sides for at least having the foresight not to delay training camps and hopefully the 2010 season. As stated here and throughout most of the MLS observing world - a shutdown could be a damaging, if not fatal, blow to the young league. This extension is at the least a promising sign that the two sides are finding some common ground and will work towards a resolution. 2010 is far too important a year for MLS without wasting time on legal mumbo-jumbo.

THE STARTING 11: Unlikely stories in 2010

Well 2010 is upon us. It's the future ya know?! Another year without jetpacks, flying cars and Roy Scheider isn't any closer to Jupiter, God rest his soul. Oh well, at least football still exists... until the robot uprising of course. Then it will all be Chelsea Robotics and their rich Robo-Owner "AbramoBot" buying all the best robots from around the world. Until then though, our 99% human Toronto FC will play on and hope that 2010 doesn't create these headlines...

11. De Ro gone for season after freak lawnmower / corn row accident

10. Montreal gets MLS expansion - League bans term "Tabernac!" from all stadiums

9. Strike at Carlsberg - supporters forced to drink own tears

8. Players forced to train extra 2 hours a day to learn how to pronounce Preki's full name

7. MLS labour dispute cancels season - Pro Bocce Ball League moves to BMO

6. Bitchy The Hawk goes crazy - dozens injured, pecked

5. Reality show featuring out of work footballer debuts - "Roaming With Ricketts" a ratings disaster

4. TFC promotions department lauded as local kids invited on-field to "Pet Julian De Guzman's hair"

3. Chad Barrett starts new "Goals For The Environment" charity - global warming rises by 20%

2. Canadian Championship shocker as Nutrilite Cup won by "Baltimore CSL Colts"

1. Chip Butty... is people!

HAPPY 2010 TO ALL OF OUR READERS! - THE YORKIES