Toronto edges Motagua, 1-0, in CCL start
TORONTO — Chad Barrett’s first half goal stood up to lead Toronto FC over CD Motagua 1-0 Tuesday, moving the Canadian champion closer to its first appearance in the CONCACAF Champions League group stage.

Toronto now takes a 1-0 advantage in the two-leg Preliminary Round aggregate goal series down to the Honduran capital Tegucigalpa for the second leg Aug. 3.

“It’s a great result, it’s a positive thing to take a win out of here. It’s better than last year when we lost to Puerto Rico,” said Barrett. “In Honduras, it’s going to be tough and we’re going to have to be just as good if not better on their own field as they have the thick grass, they got their fans. It’s going to be tough.”

The winner will advance to the group stage and join MLS champion Real Salt Lake, Arabe Unido of Panama and the winner of the series between Mexico’s Cruz Azul and San Francisco FC of Panama.

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Hot on the heels of a thrilling 2-1 victory over FC Hamilton Croatia last Friday, which put them all alone in 2nd place in the Canadian Soccer League standing, Milltown FC prepared to face North York Astros, a team they had defeated by a score of 4-2 back on June 27. MFC and North York came into the game going in opposite directions, with Milltown riding an eight game undefeated streak while Astros had lost four in a row after a very good start to the season.

Milltown FC`s Head Coach and Director of Soccer Operations, Rafael Carbajal, had to tweak his lineup for this match due to the absence of Agustin DeMedina, Erick Olazabal and Eros Olazabal. On the plus side, Coach Carbajal was able to reintroduce Jason Morgan to the roster as he had recovered from injury.

From the outset, Milltown controlled the game, creating several early chances and got their first goal of the evening at the 15th minute mark when newly signed forward, Lesly St. Fleur, split two defenders to latch onto a pass from Martijn Kuijpers before calmly depositing the ball into the back of the net past Astros goalkeeper Ryan Zamora. This was the first goal of the season for the Bahaminan National Team member.

MFC continued to dominate both possession and chances in the first half and, in the 41st minute, they extended their lead to two goals when a perfectly executed set play from a corner kick got the ball to Thierry Mangwa-Batomen inside the 18 yard box, which he hammered into the far left corner of the net. It was the defender’s 2nd goal of the season.

Milltown’s did not sit back after halftime and, in the 61st minute, St. Fleur was again in the middle of the action as he deftly controlled an over the top pass to break in on goal. As he prepared to unleash a left footed shot, he was taken down by the onrushing Astros keeper inside the 18 yard box, resulting in yellow card to Zamora and a penalty shot being called for MFC. Martijn Kuijpers stepped up to the spot and made no mistake, extending the lead to 3-0.

With game in hand, Coach Carbajal was able to give some young players their 1st opportunity to get a run out for the first team. Romeo Parada, Peter Niles and hometown boy Thomas Santibanez all got into the game.

MFC Captain Scott Cliff had his quietest night of the year, facing very few shots on goal to record his 4th shutout of the season.

When the final whistle was blown, the PA Announcer let everyone know that this victory put Milltown FC in first place in the CSL standings, resulting in a rousing standing ovation for their hometown squad. The MFC players acknowledged the appreciation of the fan by returning the applause as a way of saying “thank you” for all their support over the past six weeks. A large gathering of young players from Milton Youth Soccer Club gathered near the stadium exit, showering the players with cheers and high-fives as they headed back to the locker room.

“We would never have predicted that we would be in first place after 13 games in our first CSL but this team has worked hard and has shown a lot of discipline and commitment,” said Coach Carbajal. “However, there is still a lot of soccer to be played and we have very tough opponents over the next three weeks. We must continue to do the work if we expect to continue getting positive results and to stay at or near the top of the table.”

The victory gives Milltown FC 25 points from 13 games and extends their undefeated streak to 9 games. They now have a record of 7 wins, 4 draws and 2 losses.

Milltown will now play four straight games away from the friendly confines of Bishop Reding Field. Their next match takes place on Saturday, July 31st at 7pm, when they will face Toronto FC Academy for the first time. The match will be played at St. Joan of Arc Secondary School in Maple, Ontario. Game time is 7pm.

MFC’s next home game is August 28 when the club hosts Milton Youth Soccer Day. That event will be a double header, with the MFC Reserve Team taking the field at 1:15pm, followed by Milltown FC vs. Montreal Impact Academy at 4pm.

Scoring Summary
15th minute – Milltown FC goal scored by #9 Lesly St. Fleur
41st minute – Milltown FC goal scored by #2 Thierry Mangwa-Batomen
62nd minute – Milltown FC goal scored by #10 Martijn Kuijpers (Penalty Shot)

Milltown FC Starting Lineup
Scott Cliff (c), Eric Batchanou, Thierry Mangwa-Batomen, Ben Ragan, Tristan Scott, Chris Suta, Brian Alcantara, Jason Morgan, Martijn Kuijpers, Lesley St. Fleur, Cordell Benjamin

Substitutes
Alessandro Famele, Chad Fernandez, Jesse Mahal, Romeo Parada, Thomas Santibanez, Gersi Xhuti, Peter Niles

Substitution Summary
52nd Minute – Benjamin Out, Xhuti In
69th Minute – St. Fleur Out, Niles In
73rd Minute – Alcantara Out, Santibanez In
73rd Minute – Kuijpers Out, Parada In
80th Minute – Scott Out, Fernandez In

Disciplinary Summary
Chris Suta (Yellow Card)

North York Astros Starting Lineup
Ryan Zamora, Anthony Valentine, Jongwon Jung, Nicholas Rom Colthoff, Erik Grigore, Camilo Moreno, Mauricio Chamale, Kurt Ramsey, Jevon Vanderreydon, Mahyar Kohbad, Andrew Mbala

Substitutes
Luis Gonzalez, Victor Gallo, Roozbeh Houdaji, Diego Bonilla

Substitution Summary
45th Minute – Mbala Out, Gallo In
63rd Minute – Valentine Out, Gallo In
68th Minute – Chamale Out, Bonilla in

Disciplinary Summary
Jevon Vanderreydon (Yellow)
Camilo Moreno (2 Yellow Cards, Ejection in 60th minute)
Mauricio Chamale (Yellow Card)
Ryan Zamora (Yellow Card)

CSL Weekend Scores
York Region 1 Toronto Croatia 1
Serbian White Eagles 5 North York 0
Brampton 1 Montreal Impact Academy 0
Portugal FC 7 London City 3
Serbian White Eagles 1 Hamilton Croatia 0
Montreal Impact Academy 2 St Catharines Wolves 0

Something had to give with both sides sporting streaks. However, the result extended Toronto’s unbeaten run at home to nine games while extending Dallas’ record of undefeated games on the road to seven.

Maicon Santos gave Toronto the lead in the 61st minute before Milton Rodriguez tied the game in the 77th minute.

With the draw, Toronto improved to 23 points, but more importantly they moved out of the precarious eighth playoff seed and into a tie for sixth with Colorado and San Jose.

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More MLS Results
Seattle 2 Colorado 1
Salt lake 1 Chivas 1
Columbus 3 Houston 0
Los Angele 2 San Jose 2

Late goals continue to hurt TFC
Toronto FC made a liar out of Preki on Saturday.

The Reds’ coach assured us that his players learned their lesson after conceding an injury-time goal in a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to the expansion Philadelphia Union last week.

“They understand [that game] was maybe a good warning for us at this part of the year [and] that we can’t things for granted,” Preki told reporters ahead of Toronto’s crucial home contest against FC Dallas.

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The Union picked up their third win in five matches at home this season and foiled TFC’s impressive run thanks to a late handball from Maxim Usanov on a shot in the box from Jack McInerney. Le Toux coolly converted the ensuing kick for his seventh goal of the season and to erase some bitter memories from a dramatic late loss last week on the same field.

Philadelphia also received the first career MLS goal from Michael Orozco Fiscal, who headed home a Le Toux corner kick in the 61st minute to spice up an at-times sleepy and very steamy match played at temperatures hovering around 95 degrees.

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More MSL Results
DC United 1 Los Angeles 2
Colorado 1 Kansas City 1
Columbus 2 New York 0
Dallas 2 Real Salt Lake 0
DC United 1 Seattle 0

Milltown’s starting lineup featured two new faces for this match. The International Transfer window opened on July 15, allowing MFC`s Head Coach and Director of Soccer Operations, Rafael Carbajal, to add Bahamian national team striker Lesley St. Fleur to the team`s roster. St. Fleur signed with the club earlier in the week, following a weeklong trial where he impressed the coaching staff with his potent combination of blazing speed and outstanding skillfulness. Coach Carbajal also inked Brian Alcantara, a 21 year old midfielder from the Toronto area, and inserted him directly into the starting lineup in place of the injured Jason Morgan.

The near capacity crowd was treated to an exciting start to this match. Just two minutes into the first half, Irishman Aidan O`Keefe, Hamilton`s leading scorer, executed a perfect chip shot from about 20 yards out that just eluded the finger tips of Milltown`s goalkeeper Scott Cliff to give the visitors an early 1-0 lead. It was O`Keefe`s 8th goal of the season.

The young squad from Milton did not hang their heads and, just five minutes later, they were able to even the score at 1-1. MFC midfielder Martijn Kuijpers slid a lovely through ball up the middle that Agustin DeMedina was able to reach just ahead of the onrushing Hamilton keeper, Cameron McKay. DeMedina’s delicate toe-poke directed the ball just past Mckay’s outstretched arms and into the back of the net, to the delight of the home crowd.

After those two early goals, the remaining 38 minutes featured fairly even possession of the ball but not a lot of great scoring opportunities as the Milltown and Hamilton defenders did a good job of keeping most of those chances to the outside.

MFC has had a habit of coming out very strong in the 2nd half and this game would be no different. Milltown came out of the locker room flying, winning most of the midfield battles and creating some good counter attack opportunities. In the 60th minute, Coach Carbajal opted to bring Cordell Benjamin into the game in place of Erick Olazabal and moved Lesley St. Fleur out to the left and it didn`t take very long for this decision to bear fruit as, just 10 minutes later, St. Fleur whipped in a low, hard cross into the Hamilton box that Benjamin’s got his right foot onto and deposited into the roof of the net, past McKay, giving Milltown FC a deserved 2-1 lead.

Now trailing for the first time in the match, Hamilton applied quite a bit of pressure on Milltown, trying to find an equalizer, but a combination of strong defending and excellent goalkeeping kept the visitors at bay. When the final whistle was blown, the Milton fans showed their appreciation and, as has become custom, they gathered at the exit of Bishop Reding Field and showered their team with applause as the players headed for the showers.

“I am very proud of the way the team played tonight,” said Coach Carbajal. “Hamilton Croatia is a very talented and experienced team but we proved that we have a lot of quality in our team as well. We showed a lot of character after giving up the early goal. Agustin’s goal was important because it settled us down and, after we tied the game, we kept our focus for the rest of the match and came out with a very important result.”

The victory gives Milltown FC 22 points from 12 games, extends their undefeated streak to 8 games and propels the five month old club into sole possession of 2nd place in the CSL table.
Milltown completes its long home stand next Friday night (July 23rd) when they take on North York Astros at Bishop Reding Field. Game time is 8:00 pm.

Scoring Summary
2nd minute – FC Hamilton Croatia goal scored by #14 Aidan O’Keefe
7th minute – Milltown FC goal scored by #7 Agustin DeMedina (assisted by #10 Martijn Kuijpers)
70th minute – Milltown FC goal scored by #16 Cordell Benjamin (assisted by #9 Lesley St. Fleur)

Milltown FC Starting Lineup
Scott Cliff (c), Eric Batchanou, Thierry Mangwa-Batomen, Ben Ragan, Tristan Scott, Chris Suta, Brian Alcantara, Martijn Kuijpers, Agustin De Medina, Lesley St. Fleur, Erick Olazabal
Milltown FC

Substitutes
Daniel Mendez, Chad Fernandez, Elvis Xhameni, Thomas Santibanez, Cordell Benjamin, Gersi Xhuti, Eros Olazabal

Substitution Summary
60th Minute –Erick Olazabal out, Benjamin in

Disciplinary Summary
Chris Suta (Yellow Card)

FC Hamilton Croatia Starting Lineup:
Cameron Mckay, Rhian Dodds, Alvin Hudson, Nikolas Jelicic, Danny Jirta, Aidan O’Keefe, Ivan Razumovic, Adam Leggett, Jaime Dodds, Jason Shannon, Antonio Zupan,

Substitutes
Boris Vudelja, Preston Corporal, Tom Bilic, Daniel Niksic, Andrew Leggett, Pavel Kopolev

Substitution Summary
54th Minute – Shannon out, Corporal in
57th Minute – Jelicic out, Bilic in
70th Minute – Adam Leggett out, Niksic in
78th Minute – Jirta out, Andrew Leggett in

Disciplinary Summary
Jason Shannon (Yellow Card)
Nikolas Jelicic (Yellow Card)
Jamie Dodds (Yellow Card)
Cameron McKay (Yellow Card)
Ivan Razumovic (Red Card)
Aidan O’Keefe (Yellow Card)

In polling the members of the team for their World Cup favourites, most players predicted that one of the typical powers from Europe or South America would win the tournament, while others expressed a sincere hope that an African team would have a breakthrough and do the whole continent proud.

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Toronto FC go into break still looking for ways to improve
TFC appears to be moving into the next stage of its re-development program as the team takes the MLS World Cup break riding a five game undefeated streak. Coach Preki’s evangelism has preached the virtues of hard work and unity his players and anyone else who follows this team can repeat without thinking twice. After a slow, shaky start to 2010, the Reds sit in better shape than ever before a third of the way into the season.

Now it is the more subtle influences of the new man’s well practiced coaching style showing results.

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VANCOUVER, BC – With just a few short months remaining before Vancouver Whitecaps FC take to the pitch as the 17th team in Major League Soccer (MLS), the club formally unveiled their new brand and logo, and announced a second and final season ticket deposit window that will open to fans this weekend.

“Today was a historic moment for our club, our fans, and our city. I believe our fans and our players will take immense pride in wearing the logo we’ve unveiled here today – and that it will set the tone for the many great years to come,” stated Whitecaps FC chief executive officer Paul Barber. “Having now shared the basis of our club’s new identity, I know our fans will be even more anxious to show their pride and see it come to life in the stands and on the pitch – so I’m also pleased to share the news that we are offering fans the chance to secure their opportunity to be there when we kick off the 2011 season.”

Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2011 season ticket deposits for the club’s inaugural campaign will go on sale again to the general public this Saturday, June 12, at 10 a.m. PT. Season tickets will start at $319, and will include a minimum of 17 matches throughout the season.

This public sales window is just the second opportunity for fans to purchase deposits. The sales window follows a highly successful initial first offering over a year ago where more than 5,000 deposits sold in less than 48 hours. Since that time, an additional 5,000 deposits have been sold to existing season ticket holders, partners, and members of the waitlist. The club will cap season tickets for the 2011 season at 16,500.

In addition to releasing information on tickets, the club also unveiled the new brand and logo following a 10-month consultation process that included world-renowned soccer brand adidas, Publicis Canada, Whitecaps FC ownership group, staff, fans, and season ticket holders. The new brand and logo, which will be used throughout the club come November 2010, draws its inspiration from the spectacular geography of Western Canada’s largest city, as well as the club’s long tradition of success. The new brand will see Whitecaps FC continue their long tradition of using white as one of their primary colours, while the club have also incorporated the colour of ‘deep sea’ blue as a reflection of Vancouver’s natural landscape.

“This new logo and brand takes into account the rich history and tradition that we have established as a club, while providing a fresh representation of one of the most beautiful cities in the world,” said Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi. “The new brand and logo not only engages our many fans that have supported us since 1974, it will also engage new fans to our club and to the MLS with a symbol that truly reflects Vancouver and the incredible landscape that makes this city unique.”

The new logo sees the words ‘Vancouver Whitecaps FC’ written in white on a deep sea blue background, with the renowned mountains of Vancouver’s north shore sitting above the club’s name in white and reflecting down on the city’s waterfront – below the club name. The colour used to symbolize the refection of the mountains on the waterfront is a lighter blue or “Whitecaps blue”, which pays tribute to the primary colour on the club’s logo worn during the historic 1979 Soccer Bowl championship. Lining the new mark is the colour silver, a distinct nod to the club’s numerous championship titles that have been won since 1974.

A limited line of Whitecaps FC merchandise, including adidas scarves and t-shirts featuring the newly unveiled logo, are now available for sale online at whitecapsfc.com, during matches this season at Swangard Stadium, and at “The Tourist Shop” retail location in the Pacific Centre in downtown Vancouver.

Whitecaps FC fans will be able to purchase a Vancouver MLS season ticket deposit for $50, beginning Saturday, June 12, at 10 a.m. PT. For more information regarding MLS season ticket deposits, visit whitecapsfc.com.

Sober Second Thoughts: Maybe we just need a little break
Late in Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Kansas City TFC Keeper Stefan Frei lined up an important free kick from about 40-yards up field. Every available player for the Reds pushed forward looking for the goal. Frei booted it long, towards a streaking TFC attacker. The attack lunged forward. The ball dropped and…

Went straight to me. No, really. I caught the ball off one bounce while standing in the front row of section 113. I literally was the first person to touch the ball after Frei kicked it.

It was that kind of game for the home team Saturday. Although there wasn’t anything terribly wrong with the Reds game, there wasn’t anything terribly right either. The result, a second straight 0-0 draw at home, left the crowd feeling more than a little let down. This wasn’t like the wide-eyed days of ’07 when a positive could be found out of a clean sheet and single point at home. No, TFC’s all grown up now. It dropped two this weekend; it didn’t gain one.

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