Tuesday, July 13, 2010 81 Comments
Starting Saturday in suburban Philadelphia, Toronto FC will embark on a stretch of eight games in 25 days, a brutal series of matches that could very well define their season.
Between the league, CONCACAF Champions League qualifying matches, and a seriously ill-timed friendly, TFC will test every last bit of its newly reinforced roster. And all of this during one of the hottest summers on record.
First up is a trip to expansion Philadelphia Union. A quick glance at the standings would indicate that this should be as close to a guaranteed road victory as TFC has ever come across, but of course it’s not as simple as that. The Union have been unfortunate not to have picked up more points in recent games, as their play in the past few matches has been more in line with that of a middling MLS side rather than a dreadful expansion outfit.
Friday, July 2, 2010 79 Comments
“I went to a fight and a soccer game broke out.”
How appropriate is it that on Canada Day 2010 – at the height of the so-called “Summer of Soccer” – that the highlight of a prime time matchup between host Toronto FC and Houston Dynamo is a skirmish more befitting of a hockey game?
Friday, June 25, 2010 1,849 Comments
Apparently, TFC is playing tomorrow.
Amid the soccer overload that is the World Cup, the G20 craziness in the downtown core, and other random events (an earthquake??? Really??), even the hardest of hardcore Toronto FC supporter could be forgiven if he needed a bit of a reminder that the Reds are back in action on Saturday.
In town, of course, is the league-leading Los Angeles Galaxy, minus world-beater Landon Donovan and his running mate, former Red Edson Buddle. And while the absences of those two players would likely be devastating for your average MLS side, the Galaxy have hardly skipped a beat without their two offensive catalysts, instead relying on staunch defensive play to keep getting the results.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010 21 Comments
What a glorious day in Cape Town.
It was the second day of winter, and there was nary a cloud in the sky, allowing the brilliant African sun to blanket the Cape with a positively balmy 20+ degree day. I could get used to this.
The gold glow of the sun was only matched by the multitude of Bafana jerseys seen on the streets of the Mother City in the hours leading up to today’s final group stage match between South Africa and France. Despite the astronomical odds against their side, the demeanour of the host nation was incredibly upbeat.
Friday, June 18, 2010 37 Comments
I feel dirty. Today, I cheered for a Landon Donovan goal.
Sitting amongst the 45,000-plus in attendance at Ellis Park for the Group C match between Slovenia and the US, it was hard not to get swept up in the moment.
We arrived at Ellis Park well over three hours prior to kickoff, and even at that time there were thousands of eager American fans – not all of them American, mind you – reveling in pre-game anticipation on the grounds surrounding the stadium. There were plenty of Slovenian supporters as well, but it was clear to anyone who the favoured side was on this day.
Monday, June 14, 2010 23 Comments
Amid the madness of soccer’s World Cup, Cape Town decided to host an international rugby match last Saturday. I was fortunate enough to go.
Never having been to live rugby game before, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. I’m quite familiar with the sport itself, and I know the basic rules of the game having watched numerous games on TV over the years. But, as anyone reading this is well aware, you don’t really know a sport until you experience it live. And what an experience it turned out to be.
Friday, June 11, 2010 81 Comments
With today’s kick-off of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, I got to do something that I’ve never experienced before: watch a host nation open the tournament from within the host nation itself.
While U-Sector’s Kris Fernandes was in attendance at Johannesburg’s Soccer City for the South Africa versus Mexico opener – and boy, was that a great start to the tournament, or what? – I was a few thousand kilometres south west, near Cape Town, watching the match in my temporary home with my extended family.
Thursday, June 10, 2010 51 Comments
Today I ventured to the top of Cape Town’s iconic Table Monutain.
If you’re unfamiliar with it, Table Mountain is one of the most distinctive landmarks anywhere in the world. Flanked by two tradititonal peaks, it sports a broad, flat top that makes its name obvious. When clouds roll over it, the locals refer to the phenomenon as the Table Cloth.
Naturally, Table Mountain is a tourist mecca, the centrepiece of a national park that can be accessed by car, foot, or – best of all – cable car. Once up top, there are hundreds of square kilometers to explore, each nook and cranny different from the others.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010 52 Comments
I have a love/hate relationship with the vuvuzela.
The soon-to-be-ever-present plastic horn is a bane to my existence as a fan of supporter atmosphere in football stadia. Its incessent, overpowering moan drowns out any and all other sounds emanating from the stands, to the point that a lively stadium ends up sounding more like a giant beehive.
I’m glad it’s banned from BMO Field, as I don’t think the Toronto soccer fan could tolerate it.
All of that said, I grew a newfound appreciation for the blasted thing today.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010 332 Comments
It’s been a dreary past few days here in Cape Town.
Since I arrived last Wednesday night, it’s been cold, grey and rainy every day except for two: today and Saturday. It’s to be expected, of course, as this is late fall here in the Southern Hemisphere, and South Africa is about as far south as one could get before hitting ice.
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