BC Pangie

Well, they haven’t exactly won yet. Sorry I lied. But the possiblity is there, it’s just a matter of the outcome of the game between the New York Redbulls, and the current MLS champions Houston Dynamo. It’s not much of a tournament, but one that has been going on for a few years, the Carolina Challenge Cup. It consists of three MLS teams, and one USL team: the hosts, the Charleston Battery.

Toronto played their first real match together last Saturday against the Houston Dynamo, unfortunately they lost two - nil. This past Wednesday they played the Redbulls and won by the same score they lost to previously. Later that night the Dynamo drew with the Batteries. At this point Houston had four points, the Redbulls had three as they barley beat the Battery on Saturday, the Battery had one, and Toronto had three. Now we have six. If the Redbulls win, or it’s a draw, Toronto walk home with their first piece of silverware before they even play a league game. Not too shabby if you ask a TFC fan.

The first half of tonights game Toronto came out strong. They looked good and controlled both ends of the pitch. Former D.C. United striker Alecko Eskandarian opened the scoring less than five minutes in with a blast from twenty yards out. A truly spectacular way to start the game. Toronto continued to dominate for the most part, but their defense looked shaky in the back (that’s what happens when you only sign forwards), but the Peter Crouch-esque ‘keeper - who checks in at six foot six - Greg Sutton managed to keep the net empty. Later in the first half Abbe Ibrahim scored off a corner kick from Eskandarian.

The second half was a different story. Toronto came out weak, and tired. They looked like a completely different side. A side that won’t go too far in their first season of the MLS. Although, Edson Buddle managed to knock one in from long range and complete the scoreline at three - nil.

The second game of the evening between New York Redbull and the Houston Dynamo may see Clint Mathis log his first minutes as a Redbull, as his name is on the list.

Maybe you know, but perhaps not. The Carolina Challenge Cup is taking place this weekend. It usually consists of three MLS teams, and the Charleston Battery, a USL team. This year the Battery are joined by MLS Cup Winners Houston Dynamo, the New York Redbulls, and of course new boys Toronto FC (why else would I be telling you this?) Anyway, Toronto lost to Houston on Saturday by a scoreline of two - nil. Not too bad considering it was the first real game against an MLS team, and a championship side that’s been playing competitively in the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup. Their second match was today against the New York Redbulls. Toronto won two - one. Apparently the game could be watched online, unfortunately I was at class, and couldn’t catch it, but Jesse could. Check out his player ratings. Or you can read it on the MLS site. All I can say is look at those spiffy new kits. The grey one’s have to look good. Toronto wrap up the CCC on Saturday when they play the hosts, they then play Chivas in LA on April seventh in their first ever MLS match.

As it was International week in the world of football, there’s nothing to report on the Whites. Well, not directly. Idan Tal did score for Israel in their four - nil stomping of Estonia. Israel continues to keep the pressure on England at this point. After starting in Greece’s four - one loss to Turkey Stelios sound himself on the bench while Greece went on to a one - nil win over lowly Malta. Michalík who wasn’t evne called up for Slovakia’s three - one win over Cyprus had a spot on the bench for Slovakia in their one - nil defeat by Ireland. Jääskeläinen started in net as the Fins lost to Azerbaijan. Méïté and the Ivory Coast picked up a three - nil win over Madagascar keeping them atop their group with six points in two games. El-Hadji Diouf and Abdoulaye Faye picked up a win with Senegal four - nil over Tanzania. Diouf contributed two assists. Jamaica picked up a draw in their friendly.

Unfortunately I didn’t get to see Pumas this weekend, but they took on Atlante, and as form would have it. They drew. Four draws in a row. DT has the report, and a good one at that.

The US also had a couple of friendlies this week. The first against Ecuador. The second was today against Guatemala. I missed the first half, but managed to pick up the second. It was a game that didn’t really impress me too much. Dempsey didn’t look like much, and Donovan was a shadow of himself against Ecuador, which I guess is to be expected. The US kept forcing and trying to work in through the middle, when it clearly wasn’t working. Guatemala was packing bodies in the box making it difficult for the US to get any close passing down. That’s when it comes time to rip long range shots and hope rebounds land at the feet of teammates, and this was something they failed to do. Overall I wasn’t all that impressed. The US will play China next in June, and then on to the Copa America and Gold Cup.

The US Men’s National team strung together their third win in as many matches under interim coach Bob Bradley against a lack luster Ecuadorian side in Tampa, Florida today. The US squad featured eight MLS players and ten international players.

Landon Donovan scored the first of his three goals only forty-five seconds into the match. Poor clearance from the box by the Ecuadorian captain put the ball at Donovan’s feet who was able to blast home on the far right hand side of the goal. Despite the early goal, neither side really looked dominant. The US had a few good opportunities, but so did the South Americans and it was they who would tally the next in the eleventh minute through Felipe Caicedo. Caicedo carried into the box, and managed to elude three or four American defenders. Eventually Tim Howard came out of goal to shut down the angle, but Caicedo’s shot caught Howard’s knee and subsequently found the back of the net. Just a minute prior to this goal Caicedo had beat the offside trap and forced Howard to come out off his line and make a great one on one save.

The rest of the first half really didn’t see much from the North Americans as it was Ecuador who seemed to be the better team, although not that much better, as the US developed some good chances through Eddie Johnson and DeMarcus Beasley, and Brian Ching in injury time.

There wasn’t much revealing to be done. There was early speculation as to whose corporate name would be spattered across the front of Toronto’s Jerseys. Carlsberg was probably the favorite, but something tells me the name of a beer across the front of a football uniform wouldn’t be appreciated. Even if it is good beer. There was some more speculation, but the speculation ended when they announced in a press release that the new uniforms would be unveiled at BMO (Bank of Montreal.) It’s BMO Field, so why not BMO on the Jerseys as well? Well, that’s what they did. Now we can feel a little bit like Wigan as they have JJB (their stadium) across their jerseys, of course, this probably isn’t a good thing.

The new kits were revealed today at eleven in the morning eastern time. A discussion of the new kits can be found on the Red Patch Boys site under “Toronto FC Talk.” Check it out, there’s some good stuff. That’s where I stole this picture from (Alex In Toronto). Hopefully the new kits will be out soon.

During the January transfer window there was speculation of Chelsea looking to purchase Israeli stand-out Tal Ben Haim for a mere three million pounds or so. As it was, the Whites had little depth in the back and really couldn’t afford to essentially give away an all star for crumbs. Now, instead of giving away an all star for crumbs, we’re giving him away, period. Gone. For free. No more Tal Ben Haim. It has been understood for some time that Ben Haim wanted out. It came down to a matter of a paycheck, and as Big Sam said “We can’t afford Tal anymore.” I guess you can’t blame him, but it’s still frustrating to see a top class defender like Ben Haim walk away because our chairman won’t throw down some more cash. But we can still be bitter about his money grubbing desire. It is assumed that Ben Haim will be picked up by one of the Big Four as he has the quality to play for them, and they have the funds to pay for him.

Tal Ben Haim will almost certainly be starting in the back for Israel when they take on England in Israel in a Euro 2008 qualification map. As Ben Haim sees it the loser of this match will fail to qualify, and although England is the favorite to win, he feels like giving them a run at it.