Host cities unveil official World Cup posters

Beckham is MLS expansion story du jour

Published on May 20, 2013
Category: MLS Canada, MLS United States

May 20, 2013 By Paul Kennedy, editor in Chief Soccer America Now that David Beckham has ended his playing career, attention has turned to his post-retirement plans. Beckham’s plans have become the MLS expansion story du jour. What we know is that as part of his agreement with MLS when he signed with the LA Galaxy in 2007, he has the option to purchase an MLS expansion team for $25 million. A $25 million fee was in the range of what an MLS team went for in 2007, but the value of MLS expansion rights have gone up since then …
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MLS Power Rankings: Red Bulls rise to No. 2 by downing Galaxy

Published on May 20, 2013
Category: MLS Canada, MLS United States

May 20, 2013 By Ridge Mahoney, Soccer America Two test cases of teams vying to tie their way into the playoffs are underway in MLS. The 2012 Supporters’ Shield winner, San Jose, is chafing under a sixth tie in 13 matches after rallying again to tie at home. A 1-1 deadlock with Colorado in front of a frustrated crowd at Buck Shaw Stadium keeps the Quakes (3-4-6, 12 points) in sixth place, just shy of the playoff tier. San Jose is already within three of its total of nine ties from last year when it topped the table at 19-6-9 …
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Panic trade? TFC adds Bobby Convey

Published on May 17, 2013
Category: MLS Canada, MLS United States, Toronto FC

by Duane Rollins, publisher the 24th minute, 05-16-2013 If this were 2007, it would be an exciting time for TFC fans. The addition of Bobby Convey, a solid player that has had a long and successful career in MLS and for Reading, in 2013, however, might not prove to be as thrilling. After all, this is a nearly 30-year-old player, coming off an injury not too long ago, that comes with a $215,000 cap hit. He’s played 112 minutes for Kansas City this year, registering just two shots on goal. Convey played for Kevin Payne and with Ryan Nelsen at …
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TORONTO FC ACQUIRE CONVEY FROM SPORTING KC

Published on May 16, 2013
Category: MLS Canada, MLS United States, Toronto FC

Toronto FC announced Thursday that it has acquired midfielder Bobby Convey from Sporting KC in exchange for a 2014 natural 3rd Round MLS SuperDraft pick (1st Round MLS Supplemental Draft). “This is a good mid-season deal for Toronto FC. We are in need of quality MLS players on our team and Bobby fits the bill perfectly,” said Toronto FC President and General Manager Kevin Payne. “I’ve known Bobby since he was a 16 year old rookie in MLS; and literally living in the basement of my home. He can be a very influential player in MLS and we look forward …
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Referee chief Peter Walton says Toronto FC’s criticisms are valid

Published on May 16, 2013
Category: MLS Canada, MLS United States, Toronto FC

May 15, 2013, by Steve Bottjer and Simon Borg, MLSsoccer.com Earlier this week Toronto FC president and GM Kevin Payne made it clear that he was not happy that his team was consistently seeing the least experienced referees officiating his league matches. Payne went as far as calling his team “lab rats” for younger referees to gain game experience. “I’m not blaming the officials for our ills. Our ills are self-inflicted,” Payne said. “However, we could have gotten some breaks in games if we had had more experienced referees. “I think it is inappropriate to have one team subject to …
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Matias Laba: the role of the modern holding midfielder

Published on May 15, 2013
Category: MLS Canada, Toronto FC

by Michele Tossani, May 14, 2013, Twitter: @MicheleTossani Original Article Toronto FC have now signed their first Young Designated Player in Argentine defensive midfielder Matias Laba. A classic holding midfielder is required to be a good ball winner, a tackler, strong in the middle of the pitch and someone who does not get too far forward to help attack. Matias Laba: Toronto FC’s midfield solution? At least, that is the traditional description of the position on paper. However, what are the modern requirements for a central holding midfielder like Matias Laba in 2013? Ultimately, you can line up two kinds …
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TORONTO FC WAIVE BENNETT & MORGAN

Published on May 14, 2013
Category: MLS Canada, Toronto FC

May 14, 2013 Toronto FC announced Tuesday that the club has waived forwards Ashton Bennett and Taylor Morgan. Bennett, 24, was selected in the first round of the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft from Coastal Carolina. He made one appearance as a substitute against the Montreal Impact in the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship on May 1. Morgan, 22, was selected in the fourth round of the 2013 MLS Supplemental Draft out of George Mason University. He also made one substitute appearance against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC on March 2.

Toronto FC’s Ryan Nelsen puts his finger on it: “We are just too soft and we have to be hard”

Published on May 9, 2013
Category: Canadian Soccer, MLS Canada, MLS United States, Toronto FC

MAY 9, 2013, STEVE BOTTJER, MLSSOCCER.COM During a run of performances in which Toronto FC has frustrated its supporters with an almost incomprehensible propensity to give up late goals, head coach Ryan Nelsen has staunchly emphasized the positives while pointing to a combination of bad luck, inexperience and simply not seeing any bounces going his team’s way as the main reasons for his squad’s struggles at the end of matches. Following his team’s latest defeat, Wednesday’s 2-1 loss at San Jose courtesy of an 81st-minute Chris Wondolowski goal, Nelsen finally changed his tune. This time, he sounded very much like …
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TORONTO FC ADD OUGHTON TO COACHING STAFF

Published on May 8, 2013
Category: MLS Canada, Toronto FC

Toronto FC announced Wednesday that it has added Duncan Oughton as an assistant coach. Oughton, 35, was most recently in his third season a member of the Columbus Crew’s coaching staff, serving as the assistant technical director and assistant coach. “Duncan knows the league inside and out, and what it takes to be successful in the league,” said Toronto FC Head Coach Ryan Nelsen. “I’ve known him for many years and I know he will be a great addition to the fantastic staff we have here at Toronto FC.” Prior to his career in coaching, Oughton played his entire ten …
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MLS’s top 20 highest-paid players

Published on May 7, 2013
Category: Canadian Soccer, MLS Canada, MLS United States

By Paul Kennedy – May 7, 2013 The New York Red Bulls’ Thierry Henry is again the highest-paid player in MLS and one of only eight players making more than $1 million a year in guaranteed compensation, which includes a player’s base salary and all signing and guaranteed bonuses annualized over the term of the player’s contract, including option years. (Click here for the MLS Players Union’s annual listing of salary information for all MLS players.) Henry’s $4,350,000 in guaranteed compensation is down from $5,600,000 in 2012. The only newcomer to MLS’s millionaires’ club is Nigerian Obafemi Martins, who signed …
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Category Archives: MLS Canada