If you have been a regular reader of my little blog, you will have no doubt know where what my opinion is on the whole 6 + 5 rule Sepp Blatter is trying to implement.

For me the TFC blog has always been my little soap box to rant and rave about what i believe should be the done with TFC. But after reading this article about the non-existent limitations on international players in Europe and its consequences on the other continents; it only creates more questions, so in order to alleviate my sanity, i am going to give the floor to the readers of the offside ( not just to TFC readers).

Therefore the question this week is simple,

What do you believe would be the benefits or consequences of the new rule that Sepp Blatter is trying to implement. ????

To help answer this question here is some recommended reading

1. FIFA website

2. TSN opinion

3. Aljezerra

4. Reuters

5. The Independent

6. Skysports

Canadian men’s Olympic coach and former national team midfielder Nick Dasovic is poised to become the next assistant coach of Toronto FC,The 39-year-old Vancouver native would fill a void on the Toronto bench which has been vacant since the departure of assistant Bob Gansler at the end of the 2007 season.

Dasovic recently guided Canada’s men’s Olympic team to an unsuccessful third place finish during the CONCACAF men’s Olympic qualifying tournament in Carson, Calif., and Nashville and was also an assistant coach during Canada’s winless and goalless performance as hosts of last summer’s under-20 World Cup.

Dasovic comes to Toronto highly recommended by the CSA based on his remarkable player management during the Olympic qualification, specifically the improvement of Andrea Lombardo and Tyler Rosenthal.

1. MARCO VELEZ SCORED

2. MARCO VELEZ SCORED

3. MARCO VELEZ SCORED

4. You are starting to get the idea

5. Claudio Reyna got injured ( Hands up for anyone who didn’t see that one coming)

6. Marvel Wynne was absolutely brilliant.

In the past I had been critical of the non-existent Canadian born players on TFC and even went on to criticize Mo Johnson player acquisition philosophy. But with 5 weeks of the season already completed, who in the right mind can complain about the players who he has brought in and the impact of those players on and off the pitch. For the first time in TFC’s short history, Coach Carver actually has a bench of players that can come in and do a job for the mighty red’s. and not be too reliant on the starters to play the entire 90 min’s every game. (Example: Dunivant, Cunningham, James, Phelan, Tebily, Harmse, Lombardo and Edwards)

With all the moves that Manager Mo has made, it is apparent that he is focusing on success now with international players rather than waiting on those few Canadians he has on the team to develop by giving them playing time. But one thing that stuck out in the article was his rational for the lack of Canucks on the roster. (My personal opinion is that it’s a little far fetched, blaming the salary cap was sooo last year).

***** AS TFC Fan what would you consider to be the best way to approach TFC, is it better to approach TFC development by waiting on the Academy team to develop players or is worth it to fill TFC roster with affordable foreigners at the expense of the Canadian soccer player ? ******

• To help make your decision, here is the complete Toronto Sun article
• And here is another blogger rant about the Canadian talent pool on TFC.
• Here is a list of all the Canadians abroad

Television

ESPN2 (USA) and The Score (Canada) at 7pm.

Last years games

6/6: TOR 1, NY 2 (Cunningham 22 - Angel 69, 71)
8/12: NY 3, TOR 0 (Angel 24; Altidore 50, 63)
10/4: TOR 2, NY 1 (Edu 18; own goal 66 - Richards 75)

Last Game V Kansas City

• The last game against the Wiz was the most complete game for TFC ever; I have never seen Toronto FC make so many passes in succession to each other in one game ever.
• Amado Guevara has been absolutely brilliant for the TFC, he kinda reminds me of a poor mans Zidane. ( obviously not the same level in terms of skill but in importance to the team)
• Another person that was excellent defensively was Carl Robinson; he was absolutely bossing the midfield. I was one of the few fans that were asking for his head because of his inability to make free kicks and his tendency to try to do too much on the field. But with the additions of Amada and Laurent, Carl can now focus on what he is good at. ( i.e. Being the BIG BOSS MAN )
• Oh yea did you know that Macro Velez is the captain for the Puerto Rican National team. ( “who would have thunk!!!”)
• Here are the highlights
• Since I didn’t do a proper review of the game, here is the score review and the American soccer news review ( both excellent)

Upcoming Game V Energy Drink

• There seems to be a audio press conference on the MLS website about the game against the Energy drink. For those of you, whom are relatively new to the MLS, Amado Guevara was once the king of New York, providing the same kind of performances he is now for the New York.

• This game would be the first meeting for Amado against his old team. ( If that doesn’t motivate him, nothing will)
• Soccer Beat writer and Amado enemy number one Ives Galarcep will be making the trip to Toronto for the game. ( I would love to be a fly on the wall when those two meet for the first time. )
• Expect the same lineup from the last game to be present on the field at kick-off, sans Velez. (The only change that seems likely to change would be Velez spot on the field. But if he losses his job after last weeks great performance, it would be harsh rather than warranted.)
• MLSNET PREVIEW OF GAME
• TFCTV Preview
• It seams that Nick Dasovic will be named assistant coach of TFC. ( expect official announcement soon

TFC player news

Oliver Tidby has finally signed for Toronto FC and is probably expected to play in the game against Kansas City on Saturday. In other news, it was widely known that Toronto FC had already used up all there international spots last week with the signing of Rohan Ricketts. But it seems with all the wisdom of Mo Johnson and John Carver, the casualty of the Big Axe was Tyler Hemming. ( i am sorry, but was marco Velez better than HemminG… I THINK NOT)

I am sorry, I don’t care what any one thinks about the addition of Oliver Tidby, I am sure he is going to become a very dependable player for TFC, but if the Mo Johnson believes that developing young players is a nuisance and continues to stockpile the team with 30 + year geezers. He will be sure to receive the negative publicity sooner rather than later. The entire premise of this team is provide a good soccer on the pitch and to develop the next Canadian superstar. If you think of all the Canadian Talent that has come from Toronto and the GTA, it shouldn’t be too hard to find talent or even develop it.(Dwayne DeRosario, Julian DeGuzman, Jonathon DeGuzman, Chris Pozinak, Adrian Serioux, Jim Brenan,). Personally it would be nice to see more than two player have an opportunity to play for the mighty reds. ( But that is just my opinion)

So this is your space to vent/cheer on your team

With the waiving of Boyens, it only brings about more questions of “Who is taking Andrew’s position on the roster?”; “ Was Boyens play in practice that bad that Velez was considered the better option”; and is “ Toronto FC willing to sacrifice the future just to get a 30 something player who will be making double what the youth are making?”

There have been a number of rumors going around the water cooler, to answer these questions. In the case of who will be taking Andrew Boyens position, the veteran Oliver Tidby has been training with TFC for the last 2 weeks, so that could be an option, there has been talk of Desire Mbonabucya a striker from TVK Tienan from Belgium. (I personally don’t see this one coming to fruition because he has been charged in the past for human trafficking, so If US and Canadian immigration is worth there salt would not give this man a work permit.). And if you thought Desire Mb was outlandish, the rumor of Harry Kewell coming to TFC takes the cake, it is Trader Mo we are talking about so expect the unexpected. (more…)