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Showing posts with label The New Soft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The New Soft. Show all posts

Friday, August 8, 2014

THE MATCHUP: It's a Crew, Crew Summer


COLUMBUS VS. TORONTO
CREW STADIUM - SATURDAY 7:30PM ET
TV: SPORTSNET 360

MANUFACTURED DERBY NAME:
"The New Soft"

FACTS* AND STATS**
COLUMBUS CREW
- Crew Stadium is the USA's first soccer-specific stadium and winner of the "Most Flammable Scoreboard Award" 2010 - 2013.
- A group of leading American opticians have come out against a proposed friendly tournament between Columbus, Norwich City and Villarreal calling it a "reckless assault on eyesight".
- 1/3 of photo-realistic construction workers featured on terrible football badges are known carriers of The Clap. Don't be a victim.
- 14th overall SuperDraft pick and Columbus defender Ben Sweat has been loaned to Dayton Dutch Lions putting the brakes on his burgeoning R&B/Soul career.
- 10: Average number of patronizing pats on the head Crew's Federico Higuain gets from his brother Gonzalo at family gatherings.
- Crew Stadium security have been battling internal fighting amongst two factions of Crew supporters who can't agree whether their kits are "canary" or "banana".
- 12.77: Dollar amount raised by Columbus Crew mascot "Crew Cat’s" charity single "Lickin' My Bits for You". 10% of proceeds go towards the fight against Feline AIDS.

TORONTO FC
- Having already captured the 2014 Trillium Cup, Toronto FC will receive their bounty from Crew this weekend: 450,000 trillium bulbs. Lucrative. Floral.
- 6.5: Height in inches of Warren Creavalle's cameo. Word up.
- There is a 93% chance of finding Dominic Oduro in a Columbus-area "Papa John's" pizza restaurant this weekend.
- 20: The over-under amount on Jermain Defoe "groin injury" gags we use this weekend.
- Toronto-area bro's have a 1 in 5 chance of getting tasered in Central Ohio.
- The Reds are said to be doing well and resting comfortably after a near-miss with an overpriced Colin Kazim-Richards transfer. Disaster averted.
- 9/10: Number of times that TFC defenders urgently look for Michael Bradley when the ball ends up at their feet.

 
*Maybe
** Possibly

Saturday, April 5, 2014

AFTER 90: TFC 2 Live-ly 4 Crew

"We lost to TFC?! Gimme some Colombian 'nose kibble'!"
 
COLUMBUS CREW - 0

TORONTO FC - 2
Michael Bradley - 11'
Issey Nakajima-Farran - 86'

 

WHAT WE EXPECTED: A really ugly affair with TFC forced to field a line-up of subs, kids and also-rans with a Columbus Steamroller (not a sex act - we presume) as the result.
WHAT WE GOT: Possibly the grittiest, hardest-working and unexpected TFC result in a long time. An inexperienced yet surprisingly composed back four and a midfield that stymied Columbus, holding them to wide crosses and long-distance attempts. Colour us impressed. And shocked.

THE GOOD:
- Dwayne De Rosario making himself a nuisance in the opening minutes (Now see BAD)
- Michael Bradley lifting teammates with half his skill to their best
- A defensive line that scrapped and fought but didn't lose their heads
- More than a few players claiming a stake for a starter's role

THE BAD:
- Watching Dwayne De Rosario's rapid aging manifest itself in physical shortcomings that take away from his skill set
- Another 2nd Half started on the back foot
- The massive drop-off in depth (Wiedeman and Hall) when injuries mount
- That 60th through 75th minute period. Squeaky. Bums.

THE MALARKEY:
- Down 1-0 at the half, Columbus to their credit resisted the temptation to start one of their famous scoreboard fires and postpone the match
- Sadly Crew supporters were not in the midst of their inventive and unique "USA! USA!" chant when Ultra-American General Michael Bradley stabbed them in the back. The irony would have been... so choice.
- Jackson and Crew Cat both leave Crew Stadium with the same ailment: distemper
- Aggravated with another match where he didn't see the pitch, the construction worker on the left side of Crew's badge has demanded a transfer

PLAYER RATINGS:
Julio Cesar 7 / Mark Bloom 6.5 / Bradley Orr 7 / Nick Hagglund 6.5 / Justin Morrow 7 / Jackson 6.5 / Michael Bradley 7.5 (SUB: '70 Jeremy Hall 5.5) / Kyle Bekker 6 / Alvaro Rey 6 (SUB: 78' Andrew Wiedeman 5) / Dwayne De Rosario 5 (SUB: 69' Issey Nakajima-Farran 7)/  Gilberto 6

THE YORKIES' TFC MAN OF THE MATCH: Bradley Orr

And... Since it was 2-0 Live vs Crew.. and... Since "We're like Crew Cat in heat, a team that is storming; We have an appetite for wins - 'Cause we've got Bradley..."



Thursday, April 3, 2014

THE MATCHUP: "Hey You, The Not Red-dy for The Crew"

Yeah. No drugs there.

COLUMBUS VS. TORONTO
CREW STADIUM - SATURDAY 6PM ET
TV: SPORTNET 360

WHY SHOULD I WATCH THIS?
- Well apparently Columbus are our heated rivals. Apparently.
- Can TFC manage to look much different than TFC 2012 without the likes of Jermain Defoe, Steven Caldwell, Jonathan Osorio and (PENDING) out of the line-up?
- Is Ryan Nelsen able to juggle a starting eleven and change his tried and tested tactics to paper over the big challenges The Reds have this week?
- Which club will win the annual prize of the world’s supply of trillium seeds?
- Is DP Gilberto capable of spearheading an attack alone?
- Will Crew Cat be in one of his pussy stupors?
- Who the hell will start in the back four?!
- What noise does it make when tourists jump off a bandwagon?

MANUFACTURED DERBY NAME:
"The New Soft"

THE DUEL:
Steve Clark vs. Julio Cesar and/or
Crew Cat vs. His Demons

WHO ARE YA?
Embattled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford may be an international laughing stock but has a surprising supporter in the form of Columbus celebrity - Crew Cat. The notorious MLS mascot bad boy has had more than his fair share of very public run-ins with the law and shared his kinship with the Toronto "mayor" with Ohio press this week.

"Look, them left-wing dog-owning commies up there in Toronto don't realize how lucky they is. Rob Ford is the single greatest civic leader since my former owner Marion Barry. Like me, Crew Cat, Robbie loves pullin' on that sweet glass kibble, has more than enough Crewzer Dancers to eat at home, loves pissing in public and has a whole litter of totally awesome party siblings..." (Crew Cat then paused for 20 minutes to tongue-bathe his genitals and make a call to someone named "Itchy Dave" about "his order")... "Also" Crew Cat continued "I have equally little patience for Nelson Mandela and Paralympians. Overrated. I'm Crew Cat and I approve this message."

WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS:

 
ON THIS DAY IN TFC HISTORY:
April 5, 2008: Mo Johnston was informed by MLS Head Office that it was literally impossible to accept his trade offer for the three construction workers on Columbus Crew's badge despite his overly generous offer.

 
And... Since they already have sweet yellow shirts on...



Saturday, July 27, 2013

THE SOUTH STAND REPORT : Toronto v Columbus... or Welcome to Trilliumania XVIII

If you can channel WWE/F commentator Jim Ross, it'll make for an easier read.

We are LIVE at BMO Field with a "capacity crowd of nearly 23000" in attendance, in sunny Toronto, Ontario, Canada where a new world heavyweight champion will be crowned.

Ladies and gentlemen, for the past year, we here in the federation have been embroiled between two warring factions where everyone has aligned themselves with one side or the other. On one hand, you have the Bumble Bee Barbers, as indicated by their yellow and black uniforms and shaving cream sponsorship, who have been the more successful of the two in the last 12 months. On the other hand there's the Red Profiteers, who have done little to show signs of progress over the same time frame.  The Profiteers, managed by Bushwacker Ryan, who is managed by The Paynemaker, who is managed by The Man They Call Tim, have made announcement after announcement that there will be new signings to their faction.  The Rock, CM Punk and Kane have long been associated with The Profiteers, but nobody ever shows up.  Where title changes matter, it’s all here, LIVE, at Trilliumania XVIII

Onto the show!

Opening Match
"Ginga Ninja" Eckersley v Josh Williams
Josh Williams nearly had the win until Eckersley was 'saved' by "Super Pickle" Joe Bendik and the two of them proceeded to beat down Williams.
Winner : Williams (DQ)

World Television Championship
“Homegrown” Ashtone Morgan (C) v Dom “Doom” Oduro
Defending champion Morgan spends much of the match in control, but his ego gets the best of him.  Out of nowhere, Oduro lays down a few chops, whips him into the rope and catches him with a missile dropkick to the jaw.  Early candidate for upset of the night.
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!
Winner : Dom “Doom” Oduro

No Rules Hardcore Grudge Match
Will “Steel” Trapp & “Caesar” Augustin Viana v The Killer Bees (“Bee” Justin Braun & “Jumping Jeremy” Brockie)
Some spectacular action with number of weapons, but the match really changed when Viana was suplexed through the Spanish announcer's table, then rolled back into the ring for the cover.
Winner : The Killer Bees

Women’s Match
Rachael “Barretta” Bonetta v Ryan “Wendy” Richter
Midway through the card, everyone went to the washroom but got back in time to see the finish
Winner : Richter

Hair vs Hair Tag Match
Matias “El Gaucho Logo” Laba & Alvaro Rey “Mysterio Jr.” v Federico “Not Gonzalo” Higuain & “Luscious” Bernado Anor
A fast-paced lucha libre match, which you would think is racist since none of the competitors are from Mexico, but it’s not, because I have a friend who said it was OK (it’s a gag, work with me).  Lots of quick moves and high-flying.  Rey gets the hot tag and hits Higuain with a springboard huricanrana and clears the ring.  Upon a spectacular top rope plancha nailing Higuain at ringside, Anor catches Laba with his back to him, spins him around, kick to the midsection, and lands his Luscious Spinning Powerbomb.
Winners : Higuain & Anor

World Tag-Team Championship Match
Bobby “the Brain” Convey & “Medium Jon Studd” Osorio vs The Ohio Playaz (Danny O’Rourke & Matias “Dirty” Sanchez) (C)
Convey took much of the beating in this match.  For long periods of time, he was on the end of a vicious double-teaming at the hand of the Ohio Playaz.  It all looked to be over when the hit the Buckshot Buckeye, two-man sling-shot into the rope met with simultaneous superkicks but it took out the official too.  Just as the official had come to, Sanchez suplexes Covney, but a slow count allows Convey to kick out.  Convey ducks a clothesline and makes the hot tag to Osorio who clears house.  The good guys
WE HAVE NEW CHAMPIONS!
Winner : Convey & Osorio

“Stone Cold” Steve Caldwell vs Andy “Atom” Gruenebaum
In a match that had everyone on their feet, Caldwell was about to hit his “Stunna’” on the well beaten Gruenebaum, only for the ref to be distracted by teammate Finlay, which led Gruenebaum to clock Caldwell with a steel post.  Roll him up for the easy pin.
Winner : Gruenebaum

World Heavyweight Championship Match
Chad “The Law” Marshall (C) v WiedeMankind
Marshall controlled much of the match, really working on the right knee of WiedeMankind but resorted to some dirty tricks.  Marshall was given multiple warnings by the referee, the last of which was hanging on to the ropes too long trying to hyperextend.  Once the ref got in his face, Marshall was about to hit him, but WiedeMankind hooks his arm, then proceeded to take over, one bad knee and all, torrentially raining down blows on the champion.  The underdog and crowd favourite WiedeMankind then pulls out The Greatest Sock of the Modern Era and mandible claws Marshall until he passes out, then goes for the dramatic cover, 1, 2, 3!
WE HAVE A NEW CHAMPION!
Winner : WiedeMankind

As WiedeMankind was celebrating, a man in a ski mask carrying a steel chair comes charging into the ring, sneaks up behind WiedeMankind and just wraps it around his skull, sending him to the canvas.  What followed was a series of chair shots to the wounded knee of the downed newly crowned champ.

Once he was finished his brutal assault, he drops the chair, stands over WiedeMankind and starts waving his hand... in a... cheque signing motion?  He unmasks himself, OH MAH GAWD!  IT'S DERO!  DERO!  HE PICKS UP THE BELT WITH A BIG GRIN ON HIS FACE!  OH MAH GAWD!  WE'LL SEE YOU AT (Aron) WINTERSLAM!

Fade to black

No one is quite sure what got into @ignirtoq this time around, but it was a bad idea that spiraled out of control, as they tend to do at The Yorkies.  He is a wrestling mark, and has been known to take in high-level independent wrestling shows from time to time.  And he doesn't think Ryan Richter is a woman but was necessary to call him Wendy to complete a gag.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

THE MATCHUP: Motley welcome Crew

Rumour: Tommy Lee to TFC as a goalpost
 
TORONTO VS. COLUMBUS

BMO FIELD - SATURDAY 2PM ET
TV: TSN 2 (Afternoon deuce-light)

THE KICKABOUT:
No major changes, no goals in over five hours of play, no wins at home for well over a year. We do however have a middle-age man in casual dress slacks walking a largely uninterested bird to the midfield where they stand awkwardly for a couple of minutes while fans look away in uncomfortable embarrassment for all involved to the strains of AC/DC. Did we mention "Chinese Heritage Day"? Can you feel the passion?

Honestly, there is very little to say here (sorry Alvaro Rey... even with you) that most of you haven't heard for the meaty part of a decade. Columbus Crew, defeatless (we know) at BMO Field in nine visits brings their travelling yellow roadshow in a fixture we're supposed to get real worked up about. Apparently. A fake derby, for a fake cup under clouds of fake transfer rumourage. So pretty much like every TFC v Crew fixture since 2008. 

Paging Dr. Feelgood.

MANUFACTURED DERBY NAME:
"The New Soft"

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
TORONTO: Same ones from the last two matches.
COLUMBUS: Federico Higuain, Chad Marshall, Tony Tchani

THE ODDS:
- Pretty much the same as 2007-2009: 2-1
- Pretty much the same as 2010-2012: 2-1
- Exactly like the rest of 2013: EVENS
 
WHO ARE YA?
This fixture has never been without controversy. Invading bus loads, religious urination, tased bro's, xenophobia and that dodgy Filet-O-Fish I ate at the McDonald's just off the interstate. This round is no different as news is just coming in from Canada Border Services that one of the three construction workers on Crew's badge has been detained at the border. Steve "Guy on the Left" Kaplowski is being held under Section 14 of the Canada Floral Protection Act. MLS officials have yet to rule whether Columbus can activate a reserve construction worker to complete their "world renowned" logo before the match.

POST-MATCH HEADLINE: "TORONTO 0 - NIKKI SIXX"

Friday, May 17, 2013

THE MATCHUP: Construction delays

"I'm too sexy for Crew Cat"

TORONTO VS. COLUMBUS
 
BMO FIELD - SATURDAY 5PM ET
TV: TSN
 
THE KICKABOUT:
It's that time in the MLS schedule where Glasgow must bow to the pent-up intensity of centuries of Ohio-Ontario sectarianism as "The New Soft Derby" kicks off. Our canary-hued (7-Year) Auld Enemy is back in town to inevitably frustrate us in neither team's quest to secure the 2013 Trillium Cup. Crew may be facing a very different TFC on Saturday however as The Reds could give debuts to three newcomers: loanees Steven Caldwell and Jeremy Brockie, as well as recently acquired Bobby Convey (BRRRR! BRRRR!). You can't spell "change" without the "C" in "TFC".
 
Can Team Payne's Non-Youth Movement stop the late-match malarkey that has plagued TFC this season? Can Ryan Nelsen turn the ship around? Will there be an earthquake? Is Bitchy on the pipe? Since there isn't really any other news going on in Toronto today - this match will surely be the talk of the town.
 
MANUFACTURED DERBY NAME:
"The New Soft Derby"
 
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
TORONTO: Jeremy Brockie, Steven Caldwell, Matias Laba
COLUMBUS: Eddie Gaven, Federico Higuain, Dominic Oduro
 
THE ODDS:
The Trillium Cup to be:
- Damaged in an aftershock of Friday's quake: 10-1
- Turned into ceremonial civic crack pipe: 5-1
- Continuing its eternal irrelevance: EVENS
 
WHO ARE YA?
With the continuing mid-season roster changes, Toronto FC could very well have a starting eleven on Saturday with a near 40% turnover since opening day. Never ones to miss a beat, the TFC promotions team are using this to their advantage by offering the delicious new BMO Field concession: "The TFC Turnover"! This unctuous pastry is bursting at the seams with leftover fruit loaned directly from some of Britain's most mediocre farms! Don't miss out on the "Trillium Cup Special" on Saturday where fans can buy seven turnovers and get 10% off a delicious "Five-Year Flan"!
 
POST-MATCH HEADLINE: "BOBBY CONVEY TRADE BLASTED AS A LEFT-WING CONSPIRACY"

Friday, October 26, 2012

THE MATCHUP: “SIXual Release”

"Yes we've got that feelin'..."

COLUMBUS VS. TORONTO
 
CREW STADIUM - SUNDAY 4PM ET
TV: TSN
 
THE KICKABOUT:
It wasn't supposed to end this way... but now we're just thankful it's ending. Toronto FC's agonizing 2012 comes to an end eight months after it began with such promise that we had branded it "SIXual Healing". However, that Dutch Viagra didn't really work very well and instead of dynamic virility we ended up as an old eccentric man running around in short pants yelling at the kids on our lawn. Now it's just time for a long nap.
 
Before our winter (the season not the man) sojourn, there is one last fixture and what better match to highlight the Reds' impotence than the opposite of "Old Firm" - the "New Soft" derby versus Columbus Crew? What could be more fitting than one last punch in the head from a club we used to so smarmingly mock? After the match, the tired clichés of "the work starts now for 2013" will be trotted out. Considering the first project was scuppered by a USL coach turning down big money and a "Major League" job title - it may be a long off-season. Alas, we leave Paul Mariner & Co. with the words of 20th Century poet and musician Rupert Paul III... "You. Better. Work."
 
MANUFACTURED DERBY NAME: "The New Soft"
 
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
COLUMBUS: Eddie Gaven, Federico Higuain, Chad Marshall
TORONTO: Terry Dunfield, Ryan Johnson, Luis Silva
 
THE ODDS:
When we tried to brand 2012 in the pre-season as "SIXual Healing", no one knew how poorly it would all go. TFC now has to scramble for a new title to adorn their 2012 Highlights Video. Their choices are down to:
- "SIXual Dysfunction": 10-1
- "SIXually Frustrated": 5-1
- "SIXual Harassment": - 2-1
 
WHO ARE YA?
And now, for our lucky readers we present the full 2012 Toronto FC Highlight Video package. Sit back, relax and enjoy all of this season's exciting and successful moments set to a hot club beat! Ladies and gentlemen... "SIXual Dysfunction: TFC 2012"...

 
POST-MATCH HEADLINE: "TFC LOCKER ROOM IN CRISIS – HEAD COACH JIM BRENNAN CLAIMS ‘NOTHING IS WRONG’…"
(Oh sorry, this is the post-match headline from October 28, 2013)

Friday, March 30, 2012

THE MATCHUP: "The New Soft" - Now with 50% more softer!

"Crue don't like us... we don't care"

TORONTO VS. COLUMBUS
 
BMO FIELD - SATURDAY 2PM ET
TV: TSN
 
THE KICKABOUT:
The derby we have always referred to as "The New Soft" (opposite of "Old Firm") suddenly seems softer. After single-handedly creating an actual atmosphere out of a league-created "rivalry" (with the "Trillium Cup" as reward), Toronto fans can be forgiven for now feeling less "rivalistic" against Columbus. With Montreal now part of MLS, The Reds have their true rival along with a derby that has real social and geographic roots to give it gravitas. Many in Toronto will still harbour some animosity for Crew with the cross-border chopping of the last few seasons fresh in memory, but really... they are a distant second to our Francophone cousins down the 401. So, Columbus will just have to go back to being xenophobic, "Billy-no-rivals" while we still go through the motions of "caring" about the Trillium Cup.
 
MANUFACTURED DERBY NAME: "The New Soft"
 
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
TORONTO: Miguel Aceval, Danny Koevermans, Luis Silva
COLUMBUS: Will Hesmer, Chad Marshall, Emilio Renteria
 
THE ODDS:
- Away supporters thinking we still care about them: 3-1
- Crew losing 1/4 of their 1/3 away kit: 10-1
- TFC forgetting where they left The Trillium Cup: 25-1
 
WHO ARE YA?
After being without a shirt sponsor for a period, Columbus managed to acquire Barbasol, maker of men's grooming products, to grace their kit. It wasn't without controversy though, as the shaving cream empire requested that Crew also change their infamous "Three Erotic Construction Workers" logo to match their product. Barbasol wanted the three mens' faces to reflect the stages of facial hair left-to-right from fully bearded to "Barbasol Smooth".
 
POST-MATCH HEADLINE: "CLOSE SHAVE FOR SMOOTH REDS"

Thursday, September 8, 2011

THE MATCHUP: Trilliums at the ready as Reds prepare for The New Soft

That is one cup-worthy bloom

COLUMBUS (6th) VS. TORONTO (16th)
 
CREW STADIUM - SATURDAY 7:30PM
TV: GOLTV RADIO: FAN 590
 
THE KICKABOUT:
- With true rival Montreal Impact entering MLS in 2012, is this the last "The New Soft" Derby (opposite of The Old Firm) that holds much meaning for supporters?
- Can the much-missed Danny Koevermans return from injury to help the struggling TFC offence?
- Will the long break from play be a help or hindrance to The Reds' chances of getting their first ever win over Crew?
- Does Stefan Frei regain his # 1 slot over the in-form Milos Kocic?
- If this is indeed "The New Soft" - does that make Crew Stadium "Ohiobrox"?
 
MANUFACTURED DERBY NAME: "The New Soft"
 
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
COLUMBUS: Will Hesmer, Andres Mendoza, Robbie Rogers
TORONTO: Eric Avila, Torsten Frings, Andy Iro
 
THE ODDS:
- Bob de Klerk accidentally finding the cure for Athlete's Foot when he mixes Trillium petals and Gatorade together during the halftime break: 20-1
- Crew striker Jeff Cunningham missing an own goal by inches thus continuing to fail in helping TFC's goal scoring years after leaving the The Reds: 30-1
- Ohio Protestants and Ontario Catholics clashing at an Interstate rest stop: 100-1
 
WHO ARE YA?
- Fashion-forward TFC manager Aron Winter refuses to let the club wear its white away kit for the rest of the season as wearing white after Labour Day is a major fashion faux-pas
- The Toronto v Columbus derby has once again won FIFA's "Most Manufactured Derby" award narrowly beating out the Belgian Pro League's attempt to market the Cercle Brugge v KRC Genk fixture as "The Battle for the Best Waffle"
-Columbus, Ohio, situated on the Ohio Riviera, was actually found by Christopher Columbus in his undocumented first trip to the Americas in 1489. Landing in Mid-Ohio, the explorer reported back to Spain "...nothing to see here". Today, Columbus is a bustling city known as "The City Somewhere Between Cleveland and Cincinnati" and its main exports include childhood obesity, home foreclosure and xenophobia
 
THE WAGER: 2-0 Columbus (2011: 19-18 with 6 exact scores)
FUTURE HEADLINE: "CREW RETAIN TRILLIUM CUP - ONTARIO CHANGES PROVINCIAL FLOWER TO LOSERBLOSSOM"