Steven Sandor
edits and writes at The 11
Minnesota capitalizes on FCE’s defensive errors in wild 4-3 game
A cavalcade of defensive and goalkeeping mistakes allowed the NASL champion Minnesota Stars to come away from FC Edmonton’s Clarke Stadium opener with a 4-3 win.
The winning goal — scored by subsitute Devin Del Do in stoppage time — was emblematic of the problems the Eddies had all afternoon long under the brilliant Alberta sunshine. With time ticking down, the Stars launched a throw in deep into the heart of the box. Del Do was first to the ball — but the real mistake came from FCE’s Ilja Van Leerdam, who wasn’t hugging the post on a throw-in set play the Eddies knew would be just like a corner kick. If Van Leerdam is on the line and on the post, the ball is cleared away and FCE comes up with a point.
Edmonton Drillers claim one-game CMISL championship
The Edmonton Drillers held their first practice less than a week ago. Now, they are the Canadian indoor soccer national champions.
The Drillers headed south to Cowtown, jumped out to a 4-0 haltime lead and held on beat Calgary United FC 6-3 in the one-game Canadian Major Indoor Soccer League season and championship game. The win means that the Drillers will be the officially recognized national champions, and eligible to represent Canada at the next FIFRA world club championships. FIFRA held the inaugural world club championships in Mexico this past winter, with the powerhouse San Diego Sockers taking the title.
Hoilett’s wonder goal punctuates a breakthrough season
No, it’s not too much to call Hoilett a “star.” The fact is, Hoilett has played so well for Blackburn this season, he’s proven he’s national-team worthy, no matter the passport. He has now scored seven times in the world’s best league (I will get to that later, for you La Liga fans), after Saturday’s wonder strike against Norwich City.
Impact sends little-used Fucito to the Portland Timbers
Within the space of less than a year, striker Mike Fucito has gone from one Cascadia rival to the other — via the Montreal Impact.
Montreal traded the striker — who had just 26 minutes of playing time for the club so far this season — to the Portland Timbers. It’s another one of those nebulous, open-ended deals that we see so much of in MLS.
