Archive for World Cup U20
U20 WC Toronto: Argentina Did It Again
By Bob Koep
It is beginning to get frightening.
For the 6th time Argentina picked up the Under-20 World Cup with a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic at Toronto’d National Soccer Stadium.
Now is there only one consistent system in this world? Or are the Argentines better at producing one excellent group of youngsters after another?
As a rule a youngster only has one crack at the can, sometimes two, in the under 20 bracket, before he moves on to senior ranks. So coaches have to search near and far all the time to find new talent for this bi-annual tournament. And Argentine coach Hugo Tocalli said he regretted very much having to leave a number of great players behind as he is only allowed a roster of 21.
Well, here they were, a perfectly blended team, goal, defence, midfield, attack that was a puzzle to most opponents in the tournament. But in the final they almost had their come uppance.
The Czechs played a scrappy game throughout and their well organized defence kept the Argentines at bay. And then, after 60 minutes, their offence clicked as well when Martin Fenin blasted a shot behind Sergio Romero in the Argentine goal to take the lead.
That should have done the trick as the two had earlier played to a 0-0 tie in Group action and the Czechs are very stingy in defence. But maybe it was a mistake to arouse the anger of the South Americans.
In no time flat they shook off this shock, exploited a temporary lull in the Czech lines and Sergio Aguero found himself alone in front of the goal and pulled the trigger for the equalizer just a minute later.
They say the moments after an important goal has been scored are the most vulnerable and the Czechs proved this again as they were somewhat asleep and seemed still to be celebrating. But in the end, the Argentines had enough to cart home the title as Mauro Zarate rolled a rather harmless ball into the net for the winner just a few minutes from time.
Aguero, 19, probably the finest player in the loop and already a pro with Atletico Madrid, picked up the golden boot for his leading six goals and he also was voted the top player in the 23-day, 52 game tournament.
In the earlier consolation game on the same field, Chile worked out a 1-0 win over Austria to pick up third place.
In all, there were 12 games played at the Toronto Stadium and it seems a bit odd, that each and everyone was reported to have an attendance of exactly 19,526.
Now that is rather improbable especially as the VIP boxes were sometimes near empty and sometimes full. These people don’t pay admission, so were they counted or not? Especially the third place game had thousands of empty seats but was supposed to be a full house.
But how can you argue with statistics. They are there for all to see and let’s leave it at that.
Monday Report: July 23, 2007
Canadian Teams and Players in Action
Home team listed first
National Teams
July (Times EDT)
14 :: Canada WNT [7] Uruguay [0]
Goals :: Sinclair 3, Hermus 2, Tancredi, Matheson
16 :: Canada WNT [4] Ecuador [0]
Goals::Lang 3, Neil
18 :: Canada WNT [11] Jamaica [1]
Goals :: Sinclair 4, Thorlakson 2, Kiss, Wilkinson, Vermeulen, Lang, Neil
20::Canada WNT [0] Brasil [7]
23::Canada WNT vs USA U-20 6:30 PM (Pan-Am games in Brasil)
Briefs
The Canadian Women’s team got a dose of reality as they lost 7-0 to the host Brasil at the Pan Am games. Despite the loss Canada will now play the USA U-20 team in the semi-finals on Monday. Marta Silva scored five goals for Brasil.
MLS
July
19 :: MLS All-Stars [2] Celtic FC [0]
(MLS De Rosario 65 O’Brien 80)
Scoring summary
MLS :: Juan Pablo Angel (Dwayne De Rosario)
MLS :: Juan Toja
22 :: Columbus Crew [2] Toronto FC [0]
(TFC Djekanovic 90 Brennan 90 Pozniak 90 Lombardo 63)
22 :: New England Revolution [3] Houston Dynamo [3]
(HOU Onstad 90 De Rosario 90) Goal::Dwayne De Rosario (4)
25 :: Toronto FC vs. Aston Villa 7:30 PM (FSC)
Briefs
TFC end their longest road trip of the season (6 games) with a 2-0 loss to the Crew. Now that the FIFA U20 World Cup is over, TFC will return to BMO field for 8 of their remaining 13 games as they push for a playoff position.
Dwayne De Rosario scored his 4th of the season. De Rosario’s production has improved since signing a contract extension with Houston.
Super Liga
July
24 :: FC Dallas vs Chivas de Guadalajara (Mexico) 9:00 PM
24 :: Los Angeles Galaxy vs CF Pachuca (Mexico) 11:00 PM
25 :: DC United vs Monarcas Morelia (Mexico) 8:00 PM
25 :: Houston Dynamo vs Club America (Mexico) 10:00 PM
Briefs
What is Superliga? It is a Mexico vs. USA competition aimed at stirring interest amongst Mexican-Americans in MLS. The eigth teams are divided into two divisions. With 2 Mexican and 2 American teams in each division with all games played in the USA.
The top two teams from each division advance to the semi-finals and the opportunity to play for the million dollar first prize. Three of the American teams have Canadian players on their rosters.
USL-1
July
18 :: Minnesota Thunder [1] Montreal Impact [1]
(MON Aaboubou 90 Gatti 90 Leduc 90 Ribiero 90 Palleschi 45 Biello 57 Marcina 33 Gbeke 64 Di Ioia 26)
Goal::Patrick Leduc (1)
19 :: Portland Timbers [2] Vancouver Whitecaps [1]
(VAN Morris 61 Nash 90 Cann 90 Kambere 75 Kindel 61 Lyall 90 Alberts 29 Jordan 29 POR J. Thompson 90)
Goal::Martin Nash (2)
21 :: Atlanta Silverbacks [0] Portland Timbers [1] (POR J. Thompson 90)
22 :: Charleston Battery [2] Portland Timbers [0]
(CHA Chin 90 J. Hughes 76 Bennett DNP POR J. Thompson DNP)
Briefs
Portland has moved into 1st place and is starting to pull away from the pack. If Vancouver and Montreal continue their slumps, they will be playing for playoff survival as opposed to their top ranking at the beginning of the season.
USL-2
July
20 :: Western Mass Pioneers [0] Crystal Palace Baltimore [1]
(CPB- Rowland 90) Shutout Brian Rowland (5)
21 :: New Hampshire Phantoms [0] Crystal Palace Baltimore [1]
(CPB- Rowland 90) Shutout Brian Rowland (6)
Briefs
Canadian keeper Rowland is leading Baltimore’s late season charge for a playoff spot. With 4 games remaining CBP is 6 points behind Harrisburg, currently sitting in the last playoff spot. In a key match-up, CPB faces Harrisburg at home on Wednesday. A victory will keep CPB in contention, a loss and 9 points in 3 games will be too much to make up.
CSL
July
20 :: London City [0] Serbian White Eagles [4]
Goals :: SWE- Dragan Radovic, Gabriel Pop 2, Sasa Viciknez
20 :: Toronto Croatia [1] Trois-Rivieres Attak [1]
Goals :: TC- Tiahoner Maletic TR- Ibrahim Baldeh
21 :: Windsor Border Stars [4] North York Astros [2]
Goals :: WBS – Woreth Sampson, Dominic Scicluna, Radik Papiez, Aaron Byrd NYA- Paulo Astorga 2
22 :: Canadian Lions [8] London City [1]
Goals :: CAN Evan Milward 2, Nordo Gooden, Joe Rini, Marko Jankovic, Lexton Hurlock, Jalani Smith, Own Goal LON Miguel Knox
22 :: St Catherines Wolves [0] Trois-Rivieres Attak [0]
25 :: St Catherines Wolves vs Windsor Border Stars
Briefs
The Canadian Lions made sure a late game goal would not keep them from their first victory of the season as they blasted London City 8-1.
Open Canada Cup
July
25 :: Italia Shooters vs GS United 8:45 PM (The Soccer Centre)
25 :: Serbian White Eagles vs North York Astros 8:45 PM (Birchmont Stadium)
27 :: Jean-Talon 2007 vs Trois Rivieres Attak 9:00 PM (Claude Robillard)
W-League
Northern Division
July
20 :: Rochester Raging Rhinos [2] Hamilton Avalanche [1]
21 :: Toronto Lady Lynx [1] Laval Comets [1]
21 :: Ottawa Fury [11] Vermont Lady Voltage [0]
22 :: Hamilton Avalanche [2] Rochester Raging Rhinos [4]
Western Conference
July
19 :: Seattle Sounders [3] Real Colorado Cougars [1]
20 :: San Diego Sunwaves [5] Fort Collins Force [2]
21 :: Vancouver Whitecaps [2] Real Colorado Cougars [0]
22 :: San Diego Sunwaves [2] Seattle Sounders [0]
Midwest Division
July
20 :: London Gryphons [3] Minnesota Lightning [2]
22 :: London Gryphons [2] Michigan Hawks [1]
Briefs
Two time W-league champions (2004 & 2006) Vancouver Whitecaps will miss out on the
playoffs for the first time in five years. The Ottawa Fury swamped Vermonts 11-0 to win the Northern Divison and clinch first overall in the Eastern conference. As a result, Ottawa will host the Conference finals next weekend.
Also in are the Washington Freedom. The winners of the Toronto-Laval and Jersey-Northern
Virginia semi-finals will also make the trip to Ottawa.
PDL
July
18 :: Vermont Voltage [1] Ottawa Fury [0]
20 :: Michigan Bucks [1] Toronto Lynx [3]
21 :: Ottawa Fury [4] Rhode Island Stingrays [0]
21 :: Abbotsford Rangers [4] Tacoma Tide [1]
22 :: Abbotsford Rangers [11] Spokane Spiders [0]
Heartland Division Schedule
July
20 :: Thunder Bay Chill [4] Des Moines Menace [0]
Scoring Summary
41st minute :: TB Swartzendruber (Oliveira)
45th minute :: TB Swartzendruber (Oliveira)
65th minute :: Red Card (Kevin Souter-DM)
81st minute :: TB Kawahara
90th minute :: TB Swartzendruber (Shapiro)
20 :: Ogden Outlaws [1] Colorado Rapids U-23 [1]
21 :: St Louis Lions [8] Springfield Demize [0]
21 :: Thunder Bay Chill [2] Des Moines Menace [1]
Scoring Summary
13th minute :: TB Swartzendruber (Oliveira)
25th minute :: DM Disang
63rd minute :: TB Swartzendruber (A Coronado)
21 :: BYU Cougars [1] Colorado Rapids U-23 [1]
22 :: Kansas City Brass [1] St Louis Lions [0]
Briefs
The Thunder Bay Chill scored an impressive 4-0 victory over PDL power-house the Des Moines Menace on Friday. The victory insures the Chill a place in the playoffs in the tough Heartland division of the PDL. Brandon Swartzendruber’s three goals lead the Chill to victory.
Swartzendruber from Grand Junction, Colorado now leads Thunder Bay with 13 goals on the season.
On Saturday the Chill completed their sweep of the Menace with a 2-1 win. The victory gives the Chill their first title. They now advance to the four team Conference finals in Michigan next weekend.
The other Canadian teams (Abbotsford, Toronto and Ottawa) fail to qualify for post season action.
2007 North American Championship Dates
W-League :: August 05
PDL :: August 12
USL-2 :: August 25
Open Canada Cup :: September 03
USL-1 :: September 29
US Open Cup :: October 02
CSL :: October 28
MLS :: November 18
U20 WC Toronto: Chile And Toronto Police Brawl After Semi-Final
Massive brawl between Chile U20 Squad and Toronto Police after semi-final match
By Kris Fernandes
Toronto — Members of the Chilean U20 national soccer team were pepper sprayed and 1 player was tasered in a fight with Toronto Police outside of the national soccer stadium after a match Thursday night.
The brawl started after a security guard at BMO field tried to prevent a player from signing autographs to some fans outside the stadium. The player, reported to be forward Alexis Sanchez, turned around and kicked the security guard.
According to numerous eye-witness accounts from Argentinean and Chilean fans about a half-dozen uniformed Toronto Police officers then brought a struggling Sanchez to the ground. Other Chilean players then jumped in to try and grab their teammate. A Chilean delegate told police that the player was suffering from a serious injury and were asked to take it easy on him.
“I saw and heard the Chilean team translator beg the police to not go too rough on him because he had a broken shoulder and the cop pushed him out of the way. The other players came out to try and grab Alexis then the police brought out the pepper spray and one player got tasered, I couldn’t see who, but he just dropped to the ground.” said a Chilean fan who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The Chilean team bus suffered a smashed windshield and players were seen throwing projectiles at the police from opened windows while inside of the bus.
Many players including Sanchez were put in handcuffs and were questioned at the stadium. Toronto Police from 14 division said only 1 rowdy Chilean fan was brought in on charges.
Angry stems from an ugly performance
The players and fans were aggravated from a match that saw them eliminated by continental rivals Argentina 3-0 in their heated U20 Semi-final match that was marred by some questionable calls. German referee Wolfgang Stark issued 11 cards in total, 9 of which went to Chile including 2 reds. Infuriated Chilean supporters showed their displeasure throughout the match by throwing various items onto the pitch and one fan even attempted to run at the referee before being tackled by security.
Inside SOCCER photographer, Robert Pavone, said many media members were forced to stay inside the stadium and were then escorted by police to the parking lot opposite from the ruckus.
“A member of stadium security told me that ‘This was a great tournament throughout until tonight. That what happened here was an absolute travesty.’ I couldn’t even take out my camera to take shots of what was going on. You should’ve seen people’s faces inside the stadium. It was unreal.”
Over 50 Chilean fans anxiously waited for the return of their players outside of the team’s hotel.
Led by a massive police escort of 4 motorcycles and several cruisers the players arrived in tournament sponsored minivans at around 1:20am Friday morning. Defender Arturo Vidal limped out of the van and waved to the fans while midfielder Gary Medel looked severely injured and needed an assistant to help him up the stairs to the hotel lobby.
The Chilean Futbol Federation President, Harold Mayne-Nicholls, says an investigation is under way and that the security/police has no rights to touch a player who was signing autographs for fans.
This incident follows another fight on Canada Day when approximately 40 supporters of Chile and Canada violently duked it out in section 105 of the same stadium towards the end of their match. Only minor injuries were sustained in that melee.
MidWeek Report: July 19, 2007
By Mike Miller
Canadian Teams and Players in Action
Home team listed first
National Teams
July (Times EDT)
14 :: Canada WNT [7] Uruguay [0]
Goals :: Sinclair 3, Hermus 2, Tancredi, Matheson
16 :: Canada WNT [4] Ecuador [0]
Goals :: Lang 3, Neil
18 :: Canada WNT [11] Jamaica [1]
Goals :: Sinclair 4, Thorlakson 2, Kiss, Wilkinson, Vermeulen, Lang, Neil
20 :: Canada WNT vs Brasil 2:00 PM
Briefs
Canada easily defeated #76 ranked Jamaica and will now face the #8 ranked Brazil in their final preliminary round game at the Pan-Am games. As the top two teams in the division Brazil and Canada are already guaranteed to advance to the semi-finals.
MLS
July
19 :: MLS All-Stars vs Celtic FC @ Denver Colorado 9:00 PM (CBC Country Canada)
22 :: Columbus Crew vs Toronto FC 5:00PM (Rogers Sportsnet)
25 :: Toronto FC vs Aston Villa 7:30 PM (FSC)
Briefs
Last year’s All-Star game MVP, Canadian Dwayne DeRosario was voted to the All-Star team, while TFC’s Ronnie O’Brien was picked to the team by coach Steve Nicol.
Nicol has named both players to the starting line-up versus Celtic FC from Scotland. Toronto FC’s Jim Brennan, Jeff Cunningham and Danny Dichio were also named to the All-Star inactive roster.
USL-1
July
18 :: Minnesota Thunder [1] Montreal Impact [1]
(MON Aaboubou 90 Gatti 90 Leduc 90 Ribiero 90 Palleschi 45 Biello 57 Marcina 33 Gbeke 64 Di Ioia 26)
Goal :: Patrick Leduc (1)
19 :: Portland Timbers vs Vancouver Whitecaps 10:00 PM
USL-2
July
16 :: Bermuda Hogges [1] Crystal Palace Baltimore [2]
(CPB Rowland 90)
CSL
July
18 :: St Catherines Wolves [2] Canadian Lions [2]
Goals :: SCW Antonio Stranges, Tony Mermigas; CAN Evan Milward, Dragisa Klisara
20 :: London City vs Serbian White Eagles 8:30 PM
20 :: Toronto Croatia vs Trois-Rivieres Attak 8:30 Pm
21 :: Windsor Border Stars vs North York Astros 7:00 PM
22 :: Canadian Lions vs London City 8:00 PM
22 :: St Catherines Wolves vs Trois-Rivieres Attak
25 :: St Catherines Wolves vs Windsor Border Stars
Goal Scorers
9 :: Kadian Lecky (Italia Shooters)
9 :: Nicolas Lesage (Trois-Rivieres Attak)
8 :: Aaron Byrd (Windsor Border Stars)
7 :: Jason De Thomasis (Italia Shooters)
6 :: Evan Milward ( Canadian Lions)
5 :: Helio Pereira (Portuguese Supra)
5 :: Antonio Stranges (St Catherines Wolves)
Open Canada Cup
July
25 :: Italia Shooters vs GS United 8:45 PM (The Soccer Centre)
25 :: Serbian White Eagles vs North York Astros 8:45 PM (Birchmont Stadium)
27 :: Jean-Talon 2007 vs Trois Rivieres Attak 9:00 PM (Claude Robillard)
W-League
Northern Division
July
18 ::Toronto Lady Lynx [3] Rochester Raging Rhinos [1]
18 :: Vermont Lady Voltage [0] Ottawa Fury [5]
20 :: Rochester Raging Rhinos vs Hamilton Avalanche 7:35 PM
21 :: Toronto Lady Lynx vs Laval Comets 4:00 PM
21 :: Ottawa Fury vs Vermont Lady Voltage 6:00 PM
22 :: Hamilton Avalanche vs Rochester Raging Rhinos 5:00 PM
Western Conference
July
19 :: Seattle Sounders vs Real Colorado Cougars
20 :: San Diego Sunwaves vs Fort Collins Force
21 :: Vancouver Whitecaps vs Real Colorado Cougars
22 :: San Diego Sunwaves vs Seattle Sounders
Midwest Division
July
20 :: London Gryphons vs Minnesota Lightning 7:00 Pm
22 :: London Gryphons vs Michigan Hawks 4:00 PM
W-League Leading Goal Scorers
Goals GP Player Name Team
13 | 8 :: Lara Dickenmann (Jersey Sky Blue)
12 | 12 :: Ali M.Andrzejeski (Washington Freedom)
10 | 5 :: Danesha Adams (Cleveland Internationals)
10 | 9 :: Tiffeny Milbrett (Vancouver Whitecaps)
9 | 9 :: Emily Beans (Chicago Gaels)
9 | 9 :: Jennifer Parsons (Richmond Kickers Destiny)
8 | 6 :: Christie Welsh (Washington Freedom)
8 | 7 :: Gretchen Miller (Rochester Raging Rhinos)
8 | 9 :: LaurenHill (Michigan Hawks)
8 | 11 :: Aimee Legault (Laval Comets)
8 | 11 :: Adrienne Ruhe Lischke (Toronto Lady Lynx)
Briefs
Adrienne Ruhe Lischke’s team leading 7th and 8th goals of the season was enough to lead the Lady Lynx to a 3-1 victory over the Raging Rhinos.
With the win Toronto only needs a tie versus Laval on Saturday to clinch home field advantage for the division semi-final.
PDL
July
18 :: Vermont Voltage [1] Ottawa Fury [0]
20 :: Michigan Bucks vs Toronto Lynx 7:00 PM
21 :: Ottawa Fury vs Rhode Island Stingrays 3:30 PM
21 :: Abbotsford Rangers vs Tacoma Tide 9:05 PM
22 :: Abbotsford Rangers vs Spokane Spiders 3:00 PM
Heartland Division Schedule
July
20 :: Thunder Bay Chill vs Des Moines Menace 7:30 PM
20 :: Ogden Outlaws vs Colorado Rapids U-23 9:00 PM
21 :: St Louis Lions vs Springfield Demize 6:00PM
21 :: Thunder Bay Chill vs Des Moines Menace 7:30 PM
21 :: BYU Cougars vs Colorado Rapids U-23 9:30 PM
22 :: Kansas City Brass vs St Louis Lions 5:00 PM
Hearland Division Standings (Points-Games Played)
27-14 St Louis Lions
27-14 Thunder Bay Chill
26-15 Kansas City Brass
25-14 Des Moines Menace
23-14 Colorado Rapids U-23
2007 North American Championship Dates
W-League :: August 05
PDL :: August 12
USL-2 :: August 25
Open Canada Cup :: September 03
USL-1 :: September 29
US Open Cup :: October 02
CSL : October 28
MLS :: November 18
