Steven Sandor's Blog, page 73

Overwhelmingly Canadian Power Rankings MLS Week 11/NASL Week 7/USL Week 8

Fraser Aird

Fraser Aird’s lead over the rest of the pack is at over 100 minutes; but chances are — when it comes to minutes played this season — that the Vancouver Whitecaps fullback could be caught and passed by Toronto FC’s Will Johnson sooner rather than later.

Vancouver has had a heavy schedule so far this spring, and almost every team in MLS has games in hand on the Whitecaps. As well, Aird will be suspended for the Whitecaps’ next game because he was sent off in Saturday’s 4-3 win over Toronto FC.

So, while Aird currently enjoys a large lead in terms of minutes played amongst Canadians in MLS and NASL, chances are that lead will shrink or be obliterated by this time next week.

With the Canadian U-23 team in action, some of this country’s best prospects currently employed in USL were away from league action, so that has shuffled the order a bit in that league.

HERE ARE THE RANKINGS:

MLS AND NASL MINUTES BY PLAYER, THE CANADIANS

1. Fraser Aird, Vancouver, MLS, 1014 (12)

2. Will Johnson, Toronto FC, MLS, 899 (10)

3. Nik Ledgerwood, FC Edmonton, NASL, 630 (7)

4. Cyle Larin, Orlando City, MLS, 629 (9)

5. Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC, MLS, 624 (8)

6. Tesho Akindele, FC Dallas, MLS, 583 (12)

7. Karl Ouimette, NYRB, MLS 582 (7)

T8. Eddie Edward, FC Edmonton, NASL, 540 (6)

T8. Mason Trafford, Miami FC, NASL, 540 (6)

10. Kyle Bekker, Montreal, MLS, 470 (8)

11. Nana Attakora, Fort Lauderdale, NASL, 450 (5) (+2)

12. Drew Beckie, Carolina, NASL, 437 (6)

13. Maxim Tissot, Montreal, MLS, 423 (5)

14. Patrice Bernier, Montreal, MLS, 362 (6)

15. Kyle Porter, Ottawa, NASL, 360 (4)

16. Carl Haworth, Ottawa, NASL, 345 (4)

17. Marcel De Jong, Ottawa, NASL, 315 (4)

18. Julian de Guzman, Ottawa, NASL, 278 (4)

19. Russell Teibert, Vancouver, MLS, 243 (4)

20. Wandrille Lefevre, Montreal, MLS, 225 (3)

21. Shamit Shome, FC Edmonton, NASL, 218 (4)

22. Allan Zebie, FC Edmonton, NASL, 190 (3)

23. Mo Babouli, Toronto FC, MLS 158 (6)

24. Mallan Roberts, FC Edmonton, NASL, 142 (2)

25. Kianz Froese, Vancouver, MLS, 140 (3)

26. Sam Adekugbe, Vancouver, MLS, 111 (2)

27. Mauro Eustaquio, Ottawa, NASL, 81 (4)

28. Anthony Jackson-Hamel, Montreal, MLS, 68 (4)

29. Mozzi Gyorio, Ottawa, NASL, 65 (2)

30. Marco Bustos, Vancouver, MLS, 45 (1)

31. Jay Chapman, Toronto FC, 40 (4)

32. Ashtone Morgan, Toronto FC, MLS, 28 (4)

TEAM RANKINGS, MINUTES PLAYED BY CANADIANS IN 2016, RANKED BY AVERAGE MINUTES PER GAME:

FC Edmonton, NASL, 1720/7 (245.7)

Ottawa, NASL, 1444 /6 (240.7)

Toronto FC, MLS, 1749/10 (174.9)

Montreal, MLS, 1528/11 (138.9)

Vancouver, MLS, 1553/13 (119.5)

Miami FC, NASL, 540/7 (77.1)

Fort Lauderdale, NASL, 450/6 (75)

Orlando City, MLS, 629/10 (62.9)

Carolina, NASL, 437/7 (62.4)

New York Red Bulls, MLS, 582/11 (52.9)

FC Dallas, MLS, 583/13 (44.8)

USL MINUTES BY PLAYER, THE CANADIANS

1. John Smits, Wilmington, USL, 720 (8)

2. Raheem Edwards, TFC II, USL, 630 (7)

3. Dominic Samuel, Rochester, USL, 617 (7)

4. Janouk Charbonneau, FC Montreal, USL, 616 (7)

5. Brett Levis, WFC2, USL, 579 (7)

6. Thomas Meilleur-Giguere, FC Montreal, USL, 540 (6)

7. Daniel Haber, WFC2, USL, 539 (7)

8. Richie Laryea, Orlando City B, USL, 537 (8)

9. Skylar Thomas, TFC II, USL, 511 (6)

10. Louis Beland-Goyette, FC Montreal, USL, 479 (6)

11. Anthony Osorio, TFC II, USL, 450 (5)

12. Michael Cox, Orlando City B, USL, 444 (7)

13. Tyler Pasher, Swope Park Rangers, USL, 444 (5)

T14. Kadin Chung, WFC2, USL, 442 (5)

T14. Ballou Jean Yves Tabla, FC Montreal, USL, 442 (5)

16. David Choiniere, FC Montreal, USL, 439 (6)

17. Mark Anthony Kaye, Louisville City FC, 437 (5)

18. Marco Dominguez, FC Montreal, USL, 436 (6)

19. Alphonso Davies, WFC2, USL, 428 (6)

20. Malik Johnson, TFC II, USL, 402 (7)

21. Charles Joly, FC Montreal, USL, 386 (6)

22. Chris Mannella, TFC II, USL, 384 (5)

23. Aidan Daniels, TFC II, USL, 365 (6)

24. Maxime Crepeau, FC Montreal, USL, 360 (4)

25. Aron Mkungilwa, FC Montreal, USL, 357 (4)

26. Jordan Murrell, Pittsburgh, USL, 344 (4)

27. Shaan Hundal, TFC II, USL, 339 (7)

28. Marco Bustos, WFC2, USL, 317 (4)

29. Adam Bouchard, TFC II, USL, 313 (6)

30. Benjamin McKendry, WFC2, USL, 302 (5)

31. Alessandro Riggi, FC Montreal, USL, 294 (4)

T32. Zachary Ellis-Hayden, Orlando City B, USL, 270 (3)

T32. Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare, FC Montreal, USL, 270 (3)

T32. Sean Melvin, WFC2, USL, 270 (3)

T32. Quillan Roberts, TFC II, USL, 270 (3)

36. Bradley Kamdem, Rochester, USL, 267 (5)

37. Ryan James, Rochester, USL, 253 (5)

38. Mastanabal Kacher, FC Montreal, USL, 225 (5)

39. Liam Fraser, TFC II, USL, 219 (5)

40. Chris Serban, WFC2, USL, 189 (4)

41. Jordan Hamilton, TFC II, USL, 182 (3)

T42. Jems Geffrard, FC Montreal, USL, 180 (2)

T42. James Pantemis, FC Montreal, USL, 180 (2)

44. Yacine Ait-Slimane, FC Montreal, USL, 179 (3)

45. Mo Babouli, TFC II, USL, 162 (2)

46. Amer Didic, Swope Park Rangers, USL, 160 (5)

47. Thomas Gardner, WFC2, USL, 157 (5)

48. Jay Chapman, TFC II, USL, 141 (2)

49. Nevelo Yoseke, FC Montreal, USL, 129 (4)

T50. Giuliano Frano, WFC2, USL, 128 (4)

T50. Mark Anthony Gonzalez, Swope Park Rangers, USL, 128 (4)

52. Matthew Baldisimo, WFC2, USL, 122 (4)

53. Luca Uccello, TFC II, USL, 119 (4)

54. Robert Boskovic, TFC II, USL, 112 (4)

55. Mackenzie Pridham, Sacramento Republic, USL, 108 (5)

56. Carlos Patino, Sounders FC 2, USL, 108 (4)

57. Heikel Jarras, FC Montreal, USL, 107 (6)

58. Jordan Haynes, WFC2, USL, 104 (2)

T60. Simon Lemire, FC Montreal, USL, 100 (2)

T60. Mitch Piraux, WFC2, USL, 100 (2)

62. Brandon John, Sounders FC2, USL, 98 (2)

T63. Sam Adekugbe, WFC2, USL, 90 (1)

T63. Marco Carducci, WFC2, USL, 90 (1)

T63. Jackson Farmer, WFC2, USL, 90 (1)

T63. Kianz Froese, WFC2, USL, 90 (1)

T63. Wandrille Lefevre, FC Montreal, USL, 90 (1)

T63. David Paulmin, FC Montreal, USL, 90 (1)

T63. Maxim Tissot, FC Montreal, USL, 90 (1)

70. Jonathan Grant, Swope Park Rangers, USL, 89 (3)

71. Karl Ouimette, NYRB2, USL, 87 (1)

72. Andrew Dias, TFC II, USL, 80 (1)

73. Ashtone Morgan, TFC II, USL, 62 (1)

74. Philippe Lincourt-Joseph, FC Montreal, USL, 22 (4)

75. Fabrice Mbvouvouma, FC Montreal, USL, 16 (2)

76. Richlord Ennin, TFC II, USL, 15

77. Terran Campbell, WFC2, USL, 11 (3)

78. Josh Heard, Bethlehem Steel, USL, 11 (2)

79. Zachary Sukunda, FC Montreal, USL, 10 (1)

80. Sahil Sandhu, WFC2, USL, 9 (1)

81. Nikola Stakic, TFC II, USL, 7 (1)

USL TEAM RANKINGS, MINUTES PLAYED BY CANADIANS IN 2016, RANKED BY AVERAGE MINUTES PER GAME:

FC Montreal, 6116/7 (873.7)

TFC II, 4764/8 (595.5)

WFC2, 4047/7 (578.1)

Rochester Rhinos, 1147/7 (163.9)

Orlando City B, 1241/9 (137.9)

Swope Park Rangers, 831/7 (118.7)

Wilmington Hammerheads FC, 720/8 (90)

Pittsburgh Riverhounds, 344/7 (49.1)

Louisville City FC, 437/9 (48.6)

Sounders FC 2, 206/9 (22.9)

Sacramento Republic 108/8 (13.5)

NYRB2, 82/8 (10.3)

Bethlehem Steel 11/8 (1.4)

Diakite’s header gives FC Edmonton Sock-er Bowl triumph over Cosmos

FCE’s Tomi Ameobi challenges New York’s Jimmy Ockford. PHOTO: FC EDMONTON/UWE WELZ

When agent and former Canadian national-team forward Alex Bunbury recommended Pape Diakite to FC Edmonton head coach Colin Miller, it wasn’t likely that the central defender’s scoring prowess was the first thing on the table.

But Diakite is showing some Bunbury-like skills in front of goal; his second-half header off an Adam Eckersley free kick gave FC Edmonton a 2-1 win Sunday over the New York Cosmos at Clarke Field. The win puts the Eddies within two points of the top of the NASL spring-season table.

The Eddies are just two points out of top spot in the NASL’s spring-season table. And Diakite has now scored two match-winners so far in 2016.

“I won’t say nothing to Alex now, because the way the big fella’s scoring, he’s going to be a marked man, for sure,” Eddies coach Colin Miller said after the match. “I’m very happy because we now look a threat from set pieces and corner kicks. And we’ve had big players in the past, with Albert (Watson) and Mallan (Roberts) and guys like that. But I don’t think we’ve had enough goals scored. We haven’t looked like we have this season on set plays.”

The game was a fast-paced toe-to-toe battle between the Cosmos and the Eddies, but kickoff was delayed because of a… wait for it… sock controversy. Referee Yusri Rudolf was not happy when both the Cosmos and Eddies lined up in white socks. He picked the ball up from the centre dot and went to both benches, wondering why the teams would have the same coloured socks. By rule, teams must not have the same colour shirts, shorts OR socks. But Both Miller and Cosmos coach Giovanni Savarese indicated that they could live with each team wearing white socks. A call was made to NASL headquarters, where it was determined that the game could start with both teams in white socks, while the Eddies would switch to blue at halftime.

When the game began, Cosmos midfield Yohandry Orozco established himself as a force; first, he nutmegged Eddies right back Allan Zebie and then lashed a shot on goal that FCE keeper Matt VanOekel did well to stop; then, he delivered a great cross to Jairo Arrieta. But, Arrieta couldn’t get enough on the ball to put into an open goal.

The Eddies then caught the Cosmos pushing forward. Dustin Corea delivered a wonderful long ball over the top for Jason Plumhoff, playing in the place of the injured Sainey Nyassi. Plumhoff got to the box, was able to turn inside of Cosmos defender Carlos Mendes, and delivered a shot inside the post.

“I thought it was a great goal,” said Plumhoff of the first NASL tally of his career. “I always like to dart past the defenders and Dustin Corea saw me run. I think I took a very good first touch, cut it back, then hit it back post.”

It was a massive confidence builder for an Eddies side that was embarrassed 3-0 at home by Ottawa in the first leg of their Amway Canadian Championship series.

“We had a tough challenge on Wednesday against Ottawa,” said Plumhoff. “Things didn’t go our way and it was really important that we were going to bounce back from that… When I scored that goal there was real belief in the team that we were going to pull this through today.”

But Orozco — New York’s best player on the day — got things on level terms. Just minutes after Hunter Freeman directed a corner-kick off the post, Orozco got onto the end of a pass from Arrieta and directed the ball into the corner of the goal.

Just before halftime, Michael Lahoud had a great chance to give the Cosmos the lead; he got the ball alone in front of the Eddies’ goal, but sent his effort wide.

The Eddies came out with a couple of decent attempts from Daryl Fordyce to start the second half, both shots from the top of the area. And VanOekel was called on to make a great save on Arango, who got in the box one-on-one with Diakite. The FCE defender did well to shuffle Arango away from goal, and VanOekel came off his line to take away the angle.

That set the stage for Diakite to claim the winner. And the big defender, who was on last week’s NASL team of the week, is likely headed right back there.

Living in the limelight: Montagliani takes the CONCACAF reins

Victor Montagliani

Since he announced his candidacy, Canadian Soccer Association has been the frontrunner in the race to become the new CONCACAF president.

But, just minutes after he was elected, it feels surreal. A Canadian now has the levers of power in his hands. Of course, he has a massive job; in a FIFA community that’s dogged by scandals, CONCACAF may be the most corrupt member of the family. Three previous presidents have all been caught with their hands in a very, very, large cookie jar.

Heck, just by not getting arrested, Montagliani could do nothing else and arguably be the best president CONCACAF has had in a very long time.

“I am truly honoured to have the confidence of CONCACAF’s members as we move into a new football first era for our confederation,” said Montagliani in a release issued by the Canadian Soccer Association. “Our members have voted in favour of reform, and I am committed to ensuring CONCACAF rebuilds its credibility with the football world and to position and ready the organization to deal effectively with the evolving global game.”

Now, of course, there will be those who jump on the bandwagon and think this offers a huge boost for Canada’s 2026 World Cup bid. But, where a World Cup is staged is up to a FIFA vote, not a CONCACAF one. What is notable is a major part of Montagliani’s platform is to ensure that a CONCACAF nation gets the 2026 World Cup. The region hasn’t staged a World Cup since the Americans played host in 1994.



He said Thursday that “it’s very realistic” one of the three CONCACAF nations looking to host the 2026 World Cup — Canada, the United States and Mexico — will get it.

“My country, Canada, put on the greatest Women’s World Cup in history, and broke all kinds of records,” he said.

If Canada does go ahead with its World Cup bid, Montagliani won’t be at the helm. He confirmed that, as per regulations, he has one year to leave his post as the Canadian Soccer Association’s president.

“I will not be finishing my term,” he said.

At some point in the next 12 months, Montagliani will turn over the reins to his vice-president.

Montagliani’s platform includes a cost-benefit of analysis of increasing the Gold Cup from 12 to 16 teams. Ethical business practices would be implemented “in order to build a CONCACAF brand reflecting trust and integrity.”

In his platform, Montagliani stated that “I believe leadership is about service, not about power.” That alone would be a massive cultural shift for an organization know for cronyism. In his press conference, he said that he intends to be a full-time president, but won’t relocate to CONCACAF’s seat of power in Miami.

“This is full-time position, but I will have 41 offices,” he said.

And this is a big one. Montagliani’s platform calls for the organization to “lead a process where CONCACAF plays a stimulus role in providing solutions for players to have more accessibility to professional environments. CONCACAF to lead process with its members to generate opportunities in the creation of leagues, regionally (Caribbean) or domestically (Canada).”

If this means that a Canadian Premier League could eventually receive incentives from CONCACAF, that could be the biggest gift that a Canadian president could give back to his nation.

Fury batters FC Edmonton in Voyageurs Cup opener

Sainey Nyassi in action against Ottawa. PHOTO: FC EDMONTON/UWE WELZ

In a two-legged series, we so often see the team that’s on the road for the first game play cautiously. Bu that’s not how coach Paul Dalglish set up the Ottawa Fury.

And, as a reward, the Fury will be at home for next week’s second leg in what should be nothing more than a victory lap. A 3-0 win was a just result for a Fury team that took the first leg of the Amway Canadian Championship preliminary round to FC Edmonton.

Three road goals, while giving up none. That’s a fine haul for a Fury team that’s been knocked out of this competition by the Eddies in each of the previous two campaigns.

Timbo, Carl Haworth and Idan Vered scored for the Fury against an FC Edmonton team that was punished for critical errors made throughout the game.

Fury coach Paul Dalglish said “I don’t believe in defensive football.” Tonight’s win was a reflection of that.

“Successful people don’t wait for things to happen to them,” he said.

At halftime, with FC Edmonton trailing 1-0, coach Colin Miller was so angry about his team’s performance, he said that “we’ll end up being relegated, and there is no relegation.”



The Fury pressed high right from the start, pressing Edmonton’s defenders into a series of turnovers and fouls. In the 13th minute, the Fury’s bravery was rewarded; a free kick from James Bailey was nodded into the goal by Timbo. It was a fantastic header; Timbo’s run was actually taking himself away from the Eddies’ goal, but we was able to twist his neck, Sandor Kocsis style, and get enough power on the ball to get it inside the far post.

The Eddies did create one great scoring chance late in the half; but Ottawa keeper Marcel DeBellis pawed away a looping header from teenager Shamit Shome.

Any chance of an Eddies second-half rally was decimated by a comedy of errors that led to Haworth’s goal. Centre back Albert Watson left a back pass to VanOekel a little bit short. But, then VanOekel tried to play the ball back up the middle, where it was pounced on by Ottawa Lance Rozeboom. He didn’t spurn the gift, he shifted the ball to Haworth, who had time to size up the open goal before rolling it in.

Haworth said the chance wasn’t as easy as it looked; that sometimes it’s harder to have almost too much time.

“But when the defender (Watson) slid I put it under him and through his legs.”

“It tears the heart out of your team,” Miller said of the goal. “You wouldn’t expect that at the U-6 or U-7 level.”

Ottawa wasn’t done; a cross from Canadian national-teamer found substitute Idan Vered at the far post. Vered outraced Eddies fullback Adam Eckersley to the ball and finished the chance.

The night got worse for the Eddies when Watson collided with Ottawa’s Mozzi Gyorio when a 50-50 ball bounced awkwardly on the turf between them. Watson, despite blood coming out of his eye, tried to continue. But he finally took a knee after trying to play for a few minutes — and was subbed out before the final whistle.

Like Watson, the Eddies were left beaten and bruised. And, for a team that had earned seven of a possible nine points in their previous three NASL matches, the Cup was a reminder that you’re only as good as your last game.

The fat (mango) lady sings: Canada’s valiant comeback effort falls short

PHOTO: CANADA SOCCER/MEXSPORT

So, as far as anyone can guess, Canada’s winning percentage in games where a mango lady is nearly struck by a ball stands at .000.

But, Tuesday’s must-win-or-draw game against Cuba in the CONCACAF Futsal Championship gave us a few minutes of outstanding drama.

With just a little more than six minutes left to play, Canada was down 5-1 to the Cubans. To qualify for the Futsal World Cup for the first time since 1989, Canada needed a draw or a win. It was surely a bridge too far.

And, after going up 5-1 a few minutes earlier, the Cubans celebrated mightily on the court, in front of the Canadians.

In the 34th minute, Freddy Moojen scored twice. Then Vahid Assadpour scored in the 36th to make it 5-4. With goalkeeper Joshua Lemos added to the fray as a fifth attacker, all of the momentum looked to be going Canada’s way. It felt like one of those great sport dramas that are the stuff of Scott Young books and Canadian Tire commercials; cocky opposition celebrates a sure win in front of your bench before the final whistle — so you get off the deck and come back.



But, Cuba scored two late goals with Canada pressing, including one from keeper Breniht Suarez, to finish up with a 7-4 win.

Of course, it wouldn’t have been a CONCACAF match without some part of a commentator’s work becoming part of the lexicon of the Canadian-soccer-geek Twitterverse. We’ve had Mad Bull and Maestro from a World Cup qualifier in Belize; now we had a commentator claim that a ball sent out of play “nearly hit the mango lady.”

Now, I’m not entirely sure if there was a mango hawker in the Costa Rican arena, or if it was a spectator eating mangoes, or maybe just someone in a nice, tropical, mango-coloured shirt. But, as the #mangolady hashtags piled up amongst the Canadian soccer followers who always gather on Twitter to comment on the streams, we saw a fall and rise and fall again of a Canadian futsal team that became folk heroes over the last week. Hopefully, the fact that Canada got oh so close to a World Cup will spur more people — especially those outside of the established leagues in Ontario and Quebec — to play the game. If there is a legacy that this team can have, it’s that in years to come, Canadian futsal coaches will have a wider talent pool from which to choose players.

In midst of pay dispute, Monsalve and his Suchitepequez teammates prep for Guatemalan playoffs

David Monsalve, in purple, with his CD Suchitepequez teammates.

Canadian goalkeeper David Monsalve won’t be sporting official training gear when he practices with with his CD Suchitepequez teammates. He won’t look out of place. None of his teammates will be wearing team-issued track tops or pants or shorts, either.

The players, who propelled their side to a top-of-the-table finish in Guatemala’s top league, are basically in a work to rule situation. As they prepare for the playoffs — CD Suchitepequez is the No. 1 seed — they are also letting the country know that they aren’t happy about not being paid.

Monsalve said Tuesday that the club squared its January accounts with its players, and the team members have received about 90 per cent of their February pay. But they haven’t been paid for March or April. The payments come in dribs and drabs. So, the players are basically in a work-to-rule situation.

“We haven’t been paid in a while,” said Monsalve, the former Toronto FC and FC Edmonton keeper who had to turn down a Canadian national-team invite last year while he was with Colombian side America de Cali. “It’s an issue with the directors, and the whole country knows what is happening. Something fishy is going on.”



But, as it stands, the players are still committed to fight for the championship. As the No. 1 seed, Suchitepequez gets a bye through the first round of the playoffs, and will have the second game at home in the two-legged semifinal. If the team makes it to the final, it will also have the home advantage.

Since joining the club in January, Monsalve has played 20 games for Suchitepequez. He lives in a gated community with his family. He says the quality of life is good. There are some places that the players are warned not to go to at night, but he said that would be true in Toronto, too. Basically, he said that Guatemala breaks a lot of stereotypes that we as Canadians might have about it.

Asked if the players would strike, Monsalve answered: “We don’t want it come to that. Right now, we are training in our own gear. We want to play. We want to train. We don’t want to give up on all the hard work we’ve done this season.”

(A LONGER FEATURE ON MONSALVE’S MOVE TO GUATEMALA WILL BE PART OF PLASTIC PITCH ISSUE 9. WATCH FOR IT. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PLASTIC PITCH, VISIT THE SHOPIFY STORE)

Overwhelmingly Canadian Power Rankings MLS Week 10/NASL Week 6/USL Week 7

Karl Ouimette

Wow, this was one of those “everything is happening” weekends for those who follow Canadians in the North American professional leagues.

Maybe the biggest talking point of the weekend came from the USL, where Canadian defender Karl Ouimette was the recipient of a kick to the back from Pittsburgh’s Romeo Parkes. Ouimette, who had just been sent down by the New York Red Bulls to their USL affiliate, started for the NYRBII on Saturday night. In the 87th minute, he was part of a fracas that resulted in both he and Parkes getting sent off. As Ouimette walked off the field, he and Parkes exchanged words, though Ouimette did not turn around to face the Pittsburgh player. Parkes charged at Ouimette from behind and kicked the Canadian in the back. Ouimette had to be stretchered off the field.

The USL issued an immediate suspension to Parkes pending a coming decision on the term of his suspension. On Sunday, about half a day after the game, the Riverhounds announced they had terminated Parkes’s contract — even though the player was already suspended and was going to be subject to greater league discipline. The Riverhounds’ front office made the decision to beat any USL pronouncements on the case by cutting ties with the player.

Of course, the renovated BMO Field opened up with a Toronto FC victory. The Whitecaps came back to beat Portland and the Montreal Impact came back from 4-1 down to draw Columbus, 4-4, in what was easily the wildest MLS offering of the weekend.

In NASL, Nana Attakora scored his first goal for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers as they upset the table-topping Carolina RailHawks. And, on Monday, Attakora, who also had an assist, was named the NASL’s player of the week. And Marcel de Jong got his first NASL goal late in the second half to give the Ottawa Fury a 2-2 draw with Minnesota.



In terms of our Canadian player rankings, we see that Vancouver’s Fraser Aird and Toronto FC’s Will Johnson are distancing themselves from the pack. We are starting to see a clear separation between the top two and the rest of the field in terms of minutes played.

HERE ARE THE RANKINGS:

MLS AND NASL MINUTES BY PLAYER, THE CANADIANS

1. Fraser Aird, Vancouver, MLS, 848 (10) (-)

2. Will Johnson, Toronto FC, MLS, 809 (9) (-)

3. Karl Ouimette, NYRB, MLS 582 (7) (-)

4. Cyle Larin, Orlando City, MLS, 558 (8) (+1)

5. Jonathan Osorio, Toronto FC, MLS, 544 (7) (-1)

T6. Eddie Edward, FC Edmonton, NASL, 540 (6) (+3)

T6. Nik Ledgerwood, FC Edmonton, NASL, 540 (6) (+3)

8. Tesho Akindele, FC Dallas, MLS, 484 (10) (-2)

9. Mason Trafford, Miami FC, NASL, 450 (5) (-)

10. Kyle Bekker, Montreal, MLS, 436 (7) (-3)

11. Drew Beckie, Carolina, NASL, 412 (5) (-3)

T12. Nana Attakora, Fort Lauderdale, NASL, 360 (4) (+2)

T12. Kyle Porter, Ottawa, NASL, 360 (4) (-3)

14. Carl Haworth, Ottawa, NASL, 345 (4) (+2)

15. Maxim Tissot, Montreal, MLS, 333 (4) (+2)

16. Marcel De Jong, Ottawa, NASL, 315 (4) (-2)

17. Patrice Bernier, Montreal, MLS, 289 (5) (+2)

18. Julian de Guzman, Ottawa, NASL, 278 (4) (-5)

19. Wandrille Lefevre, Montreal, MLS, 225 (3) (-1)

20. Shamit Shome, FC Edmonton, NASL, 186 (3) (+6)

21. Russell Teibert, Vancouver, MLS, 153 (3) (-1)

22. Mallan Roberts, FC Edmonton, NASL, 142 (2) (-1)

23. Kianz Froese, Vancouver, MLS, 140 (3) (-1)

24. Sam Adekugbe, Vancouver, MLS, 111 (2) (-1)

25. Mo Babouli, Toronto FC, MLS 106 (5) (-1)

26. Allan Zebie, FC Edmonton, NASL, 100 (2) (-1)

27. Mauro Eustaquio, Ottawa, NASL, 81 (4) (-)

28. Anthony Jackson-Hamel, Montreal, MLS, 68 (4) (-)

29. Mozzi Gyorio, Ottawa, NASL, 65 (2) (-)

30. Marco Bustos, Vancouver, MLS, 45 (1) (-)

31. Jay Chapman, Toronto FC, 30 (3) (-)

32. Ashtone Morgan, Toronto FC, MLS, 28 (4) (-)

TEAM RANKINGS, MINUTES PLAYED BY CANADIANS IN 2016, RANKED BY AVERAGE MINUTES PER GAME:

FC Edmonton, NASL, 1508/6 (251.3)

Ottawa, NASL, 1444 /6 (240.7)

Toronto FC, MLS, 1517/9 (168.6)

Montreal, MLS, 1331/10 (133.1)

Vancouver, MLS, 1297/11 (117.9)

Miami FC, NASL, 450/6 (75)

Fort Lauderdale, NASL, 360/5 (72)

Carolina, NASL, 412/6 (68.7)

Orlando City, MLS, 558/9 (62)

New York Red Bulls, MLS, 582/10 (58.2)

FC Dallas, MLS, 484/11 (44)

USL MINUTES BY PLAYER, THE CANADIANS

1. John Smits, Wilmington, USL, 630 (7) (-)

2. Raheem Edwards, TFC II, USL, 540 (6) (+1)

3. Richie Laryea, Orlando City B, USL, 537 (8) (-1)

4. Dominic Samuel, Rochester, USL, 527 (6) (-)

5. Janouk Charbonneau, FC Montreal, USL, 526 (6) (-)

6. Brett Levis, WFC2, USL, 489 (6) (-)

7. Louis Beland-Goyette, FC Montreal, USL, 479 (6) (+2)

8. Thomas Meilleur-Giguere, FC Montreal, USL, 450 (5) (+2)

9. Daniel Haber, WFC2, USL, 449 (6) (-1)

10. Michael Cox, Orlando City B, USL, 444 (7) (+4)

11. Mark Anthony Kaye, Louisville City FC, 437 (5) (+1)

12. Skylar Thomas, TFC II, USL, 421 (5) (-5)

13. Charles Joly, FC Montreal, USL, 386 (6) (+2)

14. Alphonso Davies, WFC2, USL, 360 (5) (+2)

15. Maxime Crepeau, FC Montreal, USL, 360 (4) (+4)

16. Aron Mkungilwa, FC Montreal, USL, 357 (4) (-5)

17. Marco Dominguez, FC Montreal, USL, 356 (5) (-)

18. Tyler Pasher, Swope Park Rangers, USL, 354 (4) (+6)

T19. Kadin Chung, WFC2, USL, 352 (4) (-)

T19. Ballou Jean Yves Tabla, FC Montreal, USL, 352 (4) (+6)

21. David Choiniere, FC Montreal, USL, 349 (5) (+5)

22. Jordan Murrell, Pittsburgh, USL, 344 (4) (-9)

23. Benjamin McKendry, WFC2, USL, 302 (5) (+6)

24. Chris Mannella, TFC II, USL, 294 (4) (+7)

25. Malik Johnson, TFC II, USL, 273 (5) (-7)

T26. Zachary Ellis-Hayden, Orlando City B, USL, 270 (3) (-7)

T26. Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare, FC Montreal, USL, 270 (3) (-7)

T26. Anthony Osorio, TFC II, USL, 270 (3) (-7)

29. Shaan Hundal, TFC II, USL, 237 (5) (-)

30. Aidan Daniels, TFC II, USL, 237 (4) (-3)

31. Marco Bustos, WFC2, USL, 233 (3) (+6)

32. Adam Bouchard, TFC II, USL, 220 (4) (-4)

33. Alessandro Riggi, FC Montreal, USL, 204 (3) (+8)

34. Chris Serban, WFC2, USL, 189 (4) (-2)

35. Ryan James, Rochester, USL, 180 (4) (+1)

T36. Jems Geffrard, FC Montreal, USL, 180 (2) (-3)

T36. Sean Melvin, WFC2, USL, 180 (2) (-3)

T36. Quillan Roberts, TFC II, USL, 180 (2) (-3)

39. Yacine Ait-Slimane, FC Montreal, USL, 179 (3) (-4)

40. Bradley Kamdem, Rochester, USL, 177 (4) (+4)

41. Mo Babouli, TFC II, USL, 162 (2) (+5)

42. Mastanabal Kacher, FC Montreal, USL, 155 (4) (-)

43. Thomas Gardner, WFC2, USL, 151 (4) (-4)

44. Jay Chapman, TFC II, USL, 141 (2) (+12)

45. Mark Anthony Gonzalez, Swope Park Rangers, USL, 128 (4) (-1)

46. Liam Fraser, TFC II, USL, 128 (3) (+15)

47. Nevelo Yoseke, FC Montreal, USL, 109 (3) (+15)

48. Mackenzie Pridham, Sacramento Republic, USL, 107 (4) (+5)

T49. Jordan Hamilton, TFC II, USL, 104 (2) (-1)

T49. Jordan Haynes, WFC2, USL, 104 (2) (-6)

51. Brandon John, Sounders FC2, USL, 98 (2) (+20)

52. Heikel Jarras, FC Montreal, USL, 97 (5) (+2)

53. Giuliano Frano, WFC2, USL, 91 (3) (-8)

T54. Sam Adekugbe, WFC2, USL, 90 (1) (DEBUT)

T54. Marco Carducci, WFC2, USL, 90 (1) (DEBUT)

T54. Jackson Farmer, WFC2, USL, 90 (1) (-8)

T54. Kianz Froese, WFC2, USL, 90 (1) (DEBUT)

T54. Wandrille Lefevre, FC Montreal, USL, 90 (1) (-8)

T54. James Pantemis, FC Montreal, USL, 90 (1) (-8)

T54. David Paulmin, FC Montreal, USL, 90 (1) (-8)

T54. Maxim Tissot, FC Montreal, USL, 90 (1) (-8)

62. Karl Ouimette, NYRB2, USL, 87 (1) (DEBUT)

63. Mitch Piraux, WFC2, USL, 86 (1) (-8)

64. Andrew Dias, TFC II, USL, 80 (1) (-8)

65. Carlos Patino, Sounders FC 2, USL, 77 (3) (-6)

66. Jonathan Grant, Swope Park Rangers, USL, 71 (2) (+5)

67. Amer Didic, Swope Park Rangers, USL, 70 (4) (-4)

68. Matthew Baldisimo, WFC2, USL, 69 (3) (-10)

69. Ashtone Morgan, TFC II, USL, 62 (1) (-9)

70. Luca Uccello, TFC II, USL, 30 (2) (-3)

71. Robert Boskovic, TFC II, USL, 22 (3) (-6)

72. Philippe Lincourt-Joseph, FC Montreal, USL, 21 (3) (-6)

73. Simon Lemire, FC Montreal, USL, 20 (1) (DEBUT)

74. Fabrice Mbvouvouma, FC Montreal, USL, 16 (2) (-7)

75. Josh Heard, Bethlehem Steel, USL, 11 (2) (-6)

76. Terren Campbell, WFC2, USL, 10 (2) (-6)

77. Sahil Sandhu, WFC2, USL, 9 (1) (-6)

USL TEAM RANKINGS, MINUTES PLAYED BY CANADIANS IN 2016, RANKED BY AVERAGE MINUTES PER GAME:

FC Montreal, 5305/6 (884.2)

WFC2, 3424/6 (570.7)

TFC II, 3402/6 (567)

Rochester Rhinos, 894/6 (149)

Orlando City B, 1241/9 (137.9)

Swope Park Rangers, 633/6 (105.5)

Wilmington Hammerheads FC, 630/7 (90)

Pittsburgh Riverhounds, 344/6 (57.3)

Louisville City FC, 437/8 (54.6)

Sounders FC 2, 175/8 (21.9)

Sacramento Republic 107/7 (15.3)

NYRBII, 82/7 (11.7)

Bethlehem Steel 11/7 (1.6)

In praise of Joshua Lemos, our newest Canadian hero

Joshua Lemos PHOTO: MARTIN BAZYL/CANADA SOCCER

It’s the morning after Canada’s first group-stage game at the CONCACAF Futsal Championship, and I’m still trying to process just exactly what the few of us who watched the Facebook web stream witnessed.

Even though Canada lost to the host Costa Ricans by a 3-2 count, Joshua Lemos’s performance in goal was one of the great performances I’ve ever seen in a game where nets and netminders are involved. Soccer or hockey.

After shocking the United States in the play-in series, Canada was not expected to come close to winning its Group B opener. Costa Rica was at home and its futsal program is regarded as the best in the region. The Ticos are the defending CONCACAF champs.

But, Lemos made ridiculous save after ridiculous save, and put Canada in a position to come out of the match with an unlikely draw. But Robert Renaud missed the target with just a few seconds left on the clock after a rebound fell to him in front of the Costa Rican goal.

But back to Lemos; CONCACAF doesn’t have the stats posted — in terms of shots on goal — but it would not be unfair to state that the blue floor looked like it was tilted all night long. The Costa Ricans fizzed the ball across the blue tiles, and created chance after chance. But Lemos made sensational save after save, and the CONCACAF commentator was running out of superlatives to bestow on the Canadian keeper. Lemos was called a “force of nature.” He was “gigantic, monumental.”



Lemos was beaten three times. Two of those goals came on penalty kicks, the third on a set play. He was not beaten from open play, despite dozens of glorious chances from the hosts.

Maybe the most awesome save came in the second half — when the Costa Ricans came in on a two-on-zero break. A goalmouth pass should have led to a tap-in goal, but Lemos followed the pass across his net to make a sensational diving stop.

But his body of work was, as a whole, simply inspired. There were sprawling saves to deflect shots that were headed goalward. There was a series of kick saves. His big paws swatted away more shots. Had the TSN producers been watching this game, Lemos might have provided the entire field of candidates for SportsCentre’s highlight of the night.

Canada plays Curacao Monday evening. The streams are free on CONCACAF’s Facebook site. You could find many worse entertainment options on a Monday night. If Canada finishes in the top two in Group B (the Canadians wrap up the round-robin schedule with a game against Cuba), the team will earn tickets to the Futsal World Cup. Canada hasn’t played at one of those since 1989 — a time where the word “futsal” was unknown to most soccer fans in this country.

Canada’s next step: To qualify for its first Futsal World Cup since 1989

Canada’s Marco Rodriguez is seen in action against the USA’s Brian Harris. PHOTO: CANADA SOCCER/MEXSPORT

When the Canadian national futsal team began its preparation for a run at the World Cup, a message was put up: “It’s hard to beat a person that never quits.”

When the underdog Canadians went down 3-0 in the first leg of their CONCACAF Futsal Championship qualifier against the United States, they referred back to that motto.

“Step by step, shift by shift, we’ll get back into this,” said coach Kyt Selaidopoulos from Costa Rica Sunday morning. “This is a group that leaves everything on the floor.”

So, the Canadian came back to tie the first leg, 4-4, then won the second leg, 5-3, powered by a hat trick from Robert Renaud. The Canadians, with just three Major Arena Soccer League pros on the roster, eliminated an American team that was almost entirely professional. True, the pros in question play the arena variety of the game, but they have transferable skills when it comes to playing on a quick, flat surface and positioning.



On Sunday, the Canadians begin group-stage play in the CONCACAF Championships; they are in Group B with Costa Rica, Curacao and Cuba. Four of the eight teams in the CONCACAF Championships will qualify for the World Cup — so, the top two in each of the two groups.

“Of the teams we will face, Costa Rica should be the toughest team in the group,” said Selaidopoulos. “They are the defending champion. Curacao is a little country that has done well in the past. And Cuba is another country that’s getting established in futsal. They’re investing in it.”

Canada has not been to the Futsal World Cup since 1989. So, if this team qualifies, it would break a dry spell that’s comparable to the men’s outdoor national side — which hasn’t been to a World Cup since 1986.

“We have achieved step one,” said Selaidopoulos. “Step two is getting into the World Cup. Step three would be winning the (CONCACAF) championship. We are taking this step-by-step. The guys are all focused on the short-term right now.”

If this team – made up mainly of amateurs from Ontario and Quebec — goes on a run in Costa Rica, it’ll be interesting to see how this story is picked up back in Canada. Everybody loves an underdog story — and it’s one that could feature some Canadian protagonists.

Eddies grind out draw in Indy

Jake Keegan

According to the NASL’s match stats, FC Edmonton got just one shot on target in Saturday’s match at the Indy Eleven.

But, that solitary shot went in. Jake Keegan’s looping header found the back of the goal, allowing the Eddies to get a 1-1 draw with the Eleven. The Eddies finished their two-game road trip with a decent four-point haul.

The Eddies are four points back of co-NASL spring season leaders, the New York Cosmos and the Carolina RailHawks. The Eddies still have home games with the RailHawks and Cosmos to come in the spring season.

It didn’t start off well for the Eddies on Saturday. Indy Eleven central defender (and former Whitecap) Greg Janicki gave the home side the lead in the 21st minute. A free kick from Nicki Paterson (former Ottawa Fury) skipped into FC Edmonton’s penalty area, and Janicki got a leg to it. It was an example of something we see so often; a poorly taken free kick, because it bounces awkwardly, gives the defending team lots of problems.



That marked the first goal that the Eddies had surrendered since an April 16 loss on the road to the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

“It was a sloppy, scrappy goal to give up by our standards,” said FC Edmonton coach Colin Miller. “It wasn’t a good goal by any stretch of the imagination.”

Just two minutes later, Indy Eleven forward Justin Braun (former Toronto FC) pounced on a poor goal-kick effort from Matt VanOekel. Braun dashed onto the keeper’s errant pass and broke in all alone on goal; but Van Oekel saved himself from embarrassment by coming well out of the goal and smothering the shot.

In the 36th minute, the Eddies drew level. Sainey Nyassi, who missed Wednesday’s win over Jacksonville because of an appointment with U.S. immigration, was back in his starting role on the right wing. He floated a ball into Indy’s penalty area that split two defenders and found striker Keegan, who looped a headed ball over the head of helpless Indy keeper John Busch. For Keegan, it was his second goal this season.

“We talked about finding a gap between the centre backs,” said Miller. “And, lo and behold, that’s what Jake goes and does. And Sainey drops a glorious ball in there. As we’ve gone along. we’ve seen Jake become a real threat.”

The second half was a war of attrition — this was not the kind of game that would be called a classic. While the Eddies got one shot on (and past Busch), the Eleven got only three total shots on goal. The Eddies did cause some panic in the Indy penalty area late in the match, but couldn’t get the telling shot on target.

“It was a good result,” said Miller. “This is not an easy place to play in, this is not an easy surface to play on. We only had a couple of subs on Wednesday and then we come here and I thought, for a lot of the game, we were the better team. We’re pleased to get four points out of this trip, disappointed it wasn’t six. But if the players continue to produce these kind of efforts, we will be seeing positive results.”

Dustin Corea, who was also out Wednesday, rejoined Nyassi in the starting XI.

Shamit Shome, who played 90 against Jacksonville, was unavailable — he had to write a math exam at the University of Alberta on Friday.

“He’s one of the clever ones,” joked Miller. “I offered to help him with his exam, maybe hold his jacket.”

Midfielder Cristian Raudales was out after suffering a calf injury Wednesday. He’s in a walking boot and Miller said he doesn’t expect Raudales to start running in the next four weeks.