Related: World Cup Day 12 Recap | World Cup Day 11 Recap
Discuss It On: GOL Twitter | GOL Facebook |
TFC Twitter
| TFC Facebook




Thursday June 22, 2010

Mike Ulmer


With the World Cup rolling by, there is no better time to tap the experience of the city’s foremost football experts.




We speak, of course, of the men of Toronto FC, some of whom gathered at Real Sports restaurant to watch the games. American defender Dan Gargan, Latvian defender Raivis Hscanovics and Swiss goalie Stefan Frei weighed in on some of the obvious truths and subtleties of the tournament.




Mike Ulmer:
Talk to me about the cultural differences that surround the diving question.




[inline_node:3736]DG:
We actually were in a bit of an argument today about that. For me, growing up and playing defence for the majority of my soccer career, I just don’t feel there is any place for it in the game. To know that I barely touched someone and to watch him go down is so frustrating. I understand how the casual observer can be turned off by that, but it’s such a part of the romanticism of the game in Latin American countries and others such as Italy.




MU:
Clearly, this isn’t just a World Cup issue.




DG:
The standard of refereeing in the MLS in particular could be increased but it’s all over the world and I don’t think it’s particularly the referee’s fault. It’s a tough, tough thing to do. I think there is a bit of an argument for instant replay or at least another referee up in the box watching.




MU:
What else can American fans take from the tournament?




DG:
The grittiness and the toughness of it. That’s an element that is respected in American sports.




MU:
Who stands out now as the favorite?




RH:
I think the favorite for this tournament is Argentina. I think 90 per cent of soccer fans think Argentina should win. I will go for the Netherlands. I have been cheering for them for a long time because they play very good soccer.




SF:
I am pulling for Switzerland. They have three points and they are facing Honduras so they still have a good chance to get out of this group.




MU:
The vuvuzela furor has died down.




RH:
I don’t think they are a big deal. It’s just a horn. When you play, you shouldn’t hear those horns. Even with 100,000 people there, you don’t hear the crowd. You just see the ball, 11 of their guys and 11 of your guys.




MU:
I suppose a goalie would relate to Robert Green’s now famous gaffe in the game against the US.




SF:
It happens to the best of them. It’s almost funny in practice when you let in a howler like that. You say to yourself, ‘good, I got it out of the way in practice.’




MU:
When you watch a game, what are you seeing that the casual fan isn’t?




DG:
When you play, you get a better idea of the incredible skill level of the players. They are just amazing athletes.




SF:
I focus a lot on my position. It’s not just looking at a goalkeeper saving the ball. That’s what most people would watch. It’s his positioning, his organization, how he uses his feet. It’s those little details that I know make the difference and most people don’t.


Thursday June 17, 2010

Luke Wileman


To change or not to change? That is the burning question. When England take to the pitch against Algeria on Friday, will Robert Green still be the chosen goalkeeper? His gaffe against the United States has the media in England questioning whether or not Fabio Capello will wield the axe and bring in David James or Joe Hart.

The furor that has erupted following the embarrassing incident for Green is no surprise. The media in England is never shy to voice opinion and former manager Graham Taylor’s vilification during Euro 2002 is a classic example of that. The headline in The Sun newspaper after England lost 2-1 to hosts Sweden screamed ‘Swedes 2 Turnips 1’ and a big picture of Taylor’s face superimposed onto a turnip covered the back page.

Green hasn’t experienced that level of hate from the English media, but the fact that his personal life has now been blamed for his poor performance proves just how brightly the spotlight is shining on these players. The fact that we can apparently blame it all on a model from Toronto who Green met at the All-Star game is amusing to say the least.

The goalkeeper’s position is just one decision that Capello has to make before the match on Friday. He admitted yesterday that he is still unsure who to play in attack alongside Wayne Rooney and maybe we will see Jermaine DeFoe get a chance instead of Emile Heskey. The good news for England is the return of Gareth Barry. He was a key figure in the team’s qualification campaign and is now fit again after missing the draw with the U.S. due to an ankle injury.

Quick Thoughts:

It was great to see Chile play an attacking style of football against Honduras yesterday in what was one of the most entertaining games of the tournament.

Amado Guevara played for 67 minutes in the defeat for Honduras. The former TFC midfielder found it difficult to have an influence on the game. I’m looking forward to seeing him return to BMO Field with Motagua in July in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Swiss born TFC goalkeeper Stefan Frei predicted big things for his team if they could get a positive opening result against his tournament favourites Spain. Job done. Now they have to build on that. Spain had plenty of possession but were unable to convert any chances.

What a goal from full back Maicon for Brazil against North Korea . It’s not the first time he’s found the net from that position for his country.

Wednesday June 16, 2010

Mike Ulmer

There are two things I heard on the telly today that will forever remind me of the 2010 World Cup.

“Sanchez stays down,” muttered by an urbane British announcer who gave an ironic twist on the forest of players from Latin countries reflexively grabbing their heads and knees.
[inlinenode:4034]
The second, of course, is the vuvuzela which apparently is as big a part of South African tradition as unlawful search and seizure.

With FIFA president Sepp Blatter on record as saying the vuvuzela is here to stay, and with broadcasters urging announcers to switch from microphones to headsets, the vuvuzela will be remembered as being as native to the tournament as locusts were to the Old Testament.

And while the high foreheads of FIFA consider them all the rage, it took some good old North America horsesense to stop the craziness at the border.

If you peruse the prohibited items for BMO Field you will find the following things on the NO NO List…

“Umbrellas, backpacks, drums, big flags, aerosol cans, inflatable objects, inflatable objects masquerading as people (okay, that one was mine) and noisemakers, air horns, whistles, cowbells, horns, ect.

No vuvuzelas allowed.

This is not to detract from the real story of the tournament, Italy’s sluggish start, the stirring Swiss victory over my beloved Spain, the roasting of England goalie Robert Green for his botched save of an American shot.

Don’t forget the general lack of pizzazz in the openers, the notion that Green might have been distracted by his breakup with a Canadian lingerie model (makes as much sense as anything), the usual conflab about officiating and diving.

It’s just that the vuvuzela has become to the World Cup what an iceberg was to the Titanic. As long as you keep running into it, it’s a story.

The vuvuzela has forced us to accept a new game: Find The Volume Sweet Spot Without Losing The Commentary.

This takes a steadier hand than mine. Hit it right or the options are noise induced insanity or unpardonable ignorance. Veer between them and you teeter betwixt stupid and crazy which is no way to spend a month of your summer unless that’s absolutely what you had planned.


Friday June 11, 2010

Sam Cronin

Toronto FC midfielder Sam Cronin is backing the United States to progress out of the group stage. The 2009 MLS SuperDraft pick made his debut for the U.S. team in the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July last year.

[inlinenode:3729]“I think the United States has a pretty strong chance,” he says. “In big tournaments like this it is important that the big players show up and make a difference. They will need to be well organized and make themselves difficult to beat. If they have a strong mentality defensively and can get Clint Dempsey and Landon   Donovan shining and playing at their best, then they can certainly progress.

It is a big match to start the tournament against England. You can look at the first game two different ways. You can either think it is easier to be facing a team that will allow you to ease into the tournament, or you can go up against a team where you have to be at your best from the very start, and that will be the case against England.

Playing England will bring a high level focus out of the United States at the very start of the tournament. It’s a very important match but I don’t think it will make or break the tournament for them. How successful they are will depend on how they respond in the other matches whatever happens against England.

Every year soccer is growing in the United States and that is thanks in large part to Major League Soccer but also because to the U.S. national team continue to improve each year. The U.S. team is now well respected and known around the world as a good team and a lot of those players play in MLS. That can only attract better players to this league.”

Who will win?

“Every world cup has at least six or seven teams with a legitimate shot but I think Holland has a great chance of causing a surprise. They are not necessarily a team people pick as favourites, but they have a well balanced team with players who have done well for their club teams and will be in confident mood.”

Thursday June 10, 2010

Mike Ulmer

Mike Ulmer is the senior writer at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. While he is more regularly affiliated with Maple Leafs hockey and  Raptors basketball, Ulmer applies his additional knowledge of sheep shearing to this World Cup. Good news for New Zealand.

From now on I would appreciate you referring to me by my new name: La Furia Roja.

I speak of course of the Red Fury.

Spain.

It’s not hard. You can call me Red or Rouge or even Red Fury but not Mr. Fury. That’s my Dad, not me.

Listen, for my advice is crucial. Do not invest one more moment in predictions. Put down your bracket sheet. Go ahead and spend your money on any team, but the one that will win is Spain.

[inlinenode:4018]John Dillinger said trying to capture him was an exercise in futility. You can say the same thing about backing France or Brazil. In the end, all three will have died in a shootout.

I have determined the World Cup winner by deploying what will soon be known as the Tedesco Paradigm.

I once worked with a bright business reporter named Theresa Tedesco. She was a crackerjack. Once, on a whim, she jumped into the March Madness Pool. I was tremendously impressed when Theresa finished second thanks to great production from a flotilla of University of Connecticut players.

“Theresa,” I said. “Why did you go so heavy on UConn guys?”

“Well,” she answered, “I figured if they were going to travel all that way they’d be very motivated.”

My friend Theresa thought UConn was Yukon. She had taken a left turn around the germane facts, built on it and finished in the money.

By that measure, all I need do was choose a team based on the worst possible rationale.  Finally, I had found a game I could win.  I remember thinking: “this might just be crazy enough to work.” Or something like that.

Group A. Uruguay will win Group A. I just like the name. Uruguay. Makes my mouth feel funny. Uruguay.

I gave Mexico plenty of consideration, but I encountered gastric difficulties that haunt me to this day in that fine, expansive country. Still, Elvis did play a trapeze artist afraid of heights in Fun in Acapulco. As well, Salma Hayek is on The List. You know, The List. If George Clooney or Salma Hayek is on your list, you are automatically freed of your marriage vows should they come a callin.’ Yeah, it’s heavy.

Group B. I am picking Greece and I’ll tell you why: It’s got groove, it’s got meaning.

Group C: Slovenia is the home of Slajov Zizek.  He’s only one of the hemisphere’s most important continental philosophers and critical theorists and a product, as if you didn’t know, of the very best Marxist and Lacanian schools of psychoanalysis. Duh.

Group D. Germany. Can’t help it. I’m a sucker for The Sound of Music.

Group E. Cameroon. Only because I love them. You just can’t go wrong with coconut and chocolate. Absolutely brilliant.

I gave consideration to the Netherlands but stopped short for two very important reasons. First, I never wear orange. Makes me look washed out. Second, consider these words scripted by Mike Myers, a Canadian living in exile in Los Angeles in his cinematic masterpiece, Goldmember. “There's only two things I hate in this world. People who are intolerant of other people's cultures and the Dutch.”

Group F. New Zealand. This is a heckuva place. You start with Godfrey Bowen, whose technique in sheep shearing radically reconfigured the industry. Buddy once sheared 456 sheep in nine hours. The trick was to use the free hand to pull the sheep’s loose skin tighter for a snuggier shear. I could not make this up. Godfrey was on the Tonight Show.

Next up, AJ Hackett, father of bungee jumping.

And finally, Morton W. Coutts, the brewer who invented the Continuous Fermentation System and thus sent New Zealand beer production through the roof. While he wasn’t paving the way for substantial portions of the population to be knackered by noon, he was the first New Zealander to broadcast television signals and the first to send a telegraph message to Britain. No word on whether either of the last two inventions was accidental and therefore related to the first.
[inlinenode:4019]
Group G. Don’t care.

Group E. Spain. I do not wrap myself in the flag of Spain because of David Villa or Fernando Torres or Xavi.

No I am one with La Furia because I roundly enjoyed the Princess Bride and the elegant Spanish swordsman, Inigo Mentoya. You can get t-shirts with an emblazoned version of the Hello nametag that reads: “Hello my name is …Inigo Mentoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”

Now, how can I not reward that kind of entrepreneurial flair? Plus, Manuel, the warm but idiotic waiter from Fawlty Towers was from Barcelona,

There you go then. Spain.

Your friend,

Red.


Related: Godfrey Picks Maradona To Streak | Spain To Win It
Discuss It On: GOL Twitter | GOL Facebook | TFC Twitter | TFC Facebook

Nana Attakora

The World Cup will grip thousands of Torontonians as they root for their countries of ancestry or simply their favorite team. It will hold much more sentimental value to five members of Toronto FC.

[inlinenode:3899]Nana Attakora, Gabe Gala, Emmanuel Gomez, Fuad Ibrahim and Amadou Sanyang will all have their eyes on soccer’s biggest showcase. A record six countries from Africa will participate, including Algeria, Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria and host nation South Africa.

The five players of African descent make Toronto’s contingent one of, if not, the largest in MLS. Gomez and Sanyang are Gambian, while Fuad Ibrahim came from Ethiopia by way of the United States. Attakora is of Ghanaian descent and Gala was born in Nigeria. So it’s no surprise that this first World Cup on the African continent holds a special place for all of them.

“I’m going to pull for all the African teams," said Sanyang, the 18-year-old midfielder who’s on Gambia’s U-20 national team. "I think it’s a good thing to have the World Cup in Africa. It’s a good opportunity for all of the African teams … I’ll be up for it. I’m rooting for the continent, so any of them I’m behind them.”

Though Gambia was eliminated in the second round of African qualifying, Sanyang knows his people will be celebrating like all Africans. “I’ll be on Skype to get in touch with my people back home to see how the celebrations are going in Gambia. I could have been there with them, but then being part of the team (TFC) and the short time that we get, I couldn’t be there, but most definitely I’ll be following it.”

While they all want the tournament to succeed, that hasn’t stopped them from taking sides. Attakora is following Ghana and believes the Black Stars will make it the semifinals, despite key personnel losses.

“I’m just going be watching Ghana the whole World Cup to be honest with you, but of course they had a big blow with Michael Essien out.” Attakora said. "But I still think they have enough players to get out of the group and hope to go far."

Gomez is backing the Ivory Coast. “I thought Ghana was going to do well, but I don’t really think so now because I saw them play Netherlands the other day (June 2, 4-1 loss) and it wasn’t convincing, so I rather stay with Ivory Coast,” Gomez said. “They’re going to do well in that group.”

Related: Godfrey Picks Maradona To Streak | Minnows In Muscle Shirts
Discuss It On: GOL Twitter | GOL Facebook |TFC Twitter| TFC Facebook

Wednesday June 9, 2010

John ‘Bambino’ Febbraro works in Toronto FC’s Front Office as part of the Game Operations team.

They’re old. They’re boring. They’re way past their prime. Were they ever that good to begin with?

[inlinenode:4016]No, I’m not talking about New Kids on the Block (sorry, Bree). I’m talking about my beloved Azzurri. That seems to be popular opinion on the defending Champs these days, and not just by the usual haters but even by OUR OWN FANS! Here’s a small sample of the positivity currently surrounding the team:

“How did Italy even qualify? I’ll never know!”

“Whoever thinks Italy will win this WC is crazy, or hasn't seen or heard about any International football match since 2006.”

“They are not making it, even if every other squad comes down with Norwalk virus.”

With friends like that, who needs enemies?

After recent dismal performances in friendlies against Mexico and Switzerland, I can’t say I blame them. Watching this team lately has been like sitting on plane during bad turbulence. Just close your eyes and pray. With a defence that could burst like a BP oil pipe, a lack of creativity in the midfield, and some of our best forwards left at home (Totti, Balotelli, Miccoli, and Cassano to name a few) things seemingly look bleak.

However, talk of the Apocalypse and calls for Head Coach Marcelo Lippi’s head are a little premature. I for one am quietly optimistic. Italy are notoriously slow starters, and it shouldn’t surprise anyone that we’ve stumbled out of the gate. In the past eight tournaments, Italy has never failed to make it past the Group stage. Surely we have enough left in the tank to get out of a fairly weak Group F containing Paraguay, New Zealand, and Slovakia. After that it gets interesting. Once we win our Group, we’re likely to face either Cameroon or Denmark in the Round of 16. If we can make it past that stage anything COULD happen. After all, no one believed Italy would win in 2006 either. So have a little faith people!

Only two teams have ever won back to back World Cups; Brazil and, you guessed it, Italy. Realistically though, the chances of that happening this time are about as good as the New Kids winning a Grammy. I said I was optimistic, not delusional. Even still, I’ll be wearing my jersey, waving my flag, cheering my lungs out, living and dying by every kick... until Alberto Gilardino misses a sitter and the World comes crashing down around me.


Related: Familiar Scene For Gerrard | Ready For Life Without Ballack
Discuss It On: GOL Twitter | GOL Facebook |TFC Twitter| TFC Facebook

Wednesday June 9, 2010

Stefan Frei

Toronto FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei is hoping his native Switzerland can upset Spain in the opening match of Group H. Frei was born in Altstatten in Switzerland and has represented the country at youth level.

“I will certainly be rooting for Switzerland,” he says. “They have an o.k. group with Spain, Honduras and Chile. I’m excited to play Spain first because hopefully they will have a few jitters and not have things straightened out by the time we face them and maybe we can sneak a win.

[inlinenode:3698]I watched the game a few days ago when Switzerland played Italy in a friendly and I thought we looked pretty good. We have a strong left side and are good up top in general with players like Eren Derdiyok, Gelson Fernandez, Gokhan Inler and Alexander Frei.

We’ve got a strong team. We are young but defensively very well rounded and we will make it difficult for teams to score. The pressure is on Spain and if they slip up it is all there for the taking. If we can get a good result against Spain, hopefully we can keep that going against the other teams.

Aside from Switzerland, I definitely want the United States to do well as well. I know some guys on the team and they also represent Major League Soccer so if they perform well people will look at the MLS a little differently. I did interviews with some European newspapers over the offseason and they didn’t really know too much about MLS, so if the USA represents itself well it will place a good light on our league.”

Who will win?

“It’s a tough one. Spain has a good chance but I hope they’re not going to do well for obvious reasons. Beyond Spain, it could be Brazil and Germany as the main contenders.”


Related: Godfrey Picks Maradona To Streak | Minnows In Muscle Shirts
Discuss It On: GOL Twitter | GOL Facebook |TFC Twitter| TFC Facebook

Tuesday June 8, 2010

Leo Percovich

Toronto FC’s Assistant Coach Leo Percovich will be rooting for his native Uruguay when the World Cup kicks off in South Africa on Friday. The former Uruguay international is predicting his country will get out of Group A along with hosts South Africa, leaving France and Mexico behind.

“I think they will pass the first round,” says Percovich. “It will be hard against Mexico, France, and South  Africa, but I think Uruguay will be one of the two teams to get to the next stage. After that, I don’t think they will be able to go far, but for sure they will pass the first round. Everyone is predicting that Mexico and France will get out of the group, and people will think I am crazy for going against that, but we will see!

[inlinenode:4009]For Uruguay, Diego Forlan is very important, he is very experienced and will need to get the goals. Other big players are Diego Lugano is a defender who plays for Fenebache and the goalkeeper Fernando Muslera from Lazio has a lot of experience. They are all key players.

The last World Cup Uuruguay ualified for was 2002 in Korea/Japan, and before that it was 1990 in Italy. Now they qualified in a playoff against Costa Rica and there are big expectations. There are good players in the team who play in Euriope, but in the past when they play together they have a problem and do not play as a team. With this coach, Oscar Tabarez, they have changed mentality and have tried to play better soccer and not just rely on passion, and I think that now they are improved.

I worked in the United States for a long time so I hope they also do well. I know a couple of the U,.S. players and also the coach, also I have two kids that were born in America . I think they will pass the first round, but will not go further than that because they won’t be able to beat the big teams.”

Who will win?

“For me this is the time for Argentina. Before, they had the players but they weren’t ready as a team. Now they are ready. They have the best forwards with players like Angel Di Maria, Carlos Tevez and Lionel Messi. If they can work together, the players can take them higher than the coach and they can win the tournament.”