Your Source for Stories, Stats and Opinion on Soccer in Ontario
July 21, 2012
The Murky World of Securing Training Compensation from Big Clubs through FIFA
(CNN) - European football's summer months are dominated by back-page headlines of glamorous transfers involving the game's most prestigious players, with Arsenal's Robin van Persie the most notable example this last few weeks as he ponders whether to stay with the London club after saying he will not renew his contract.
But at the bottom of the football pyramid -- a world that receives little attention from the global media -- there are many deals that involve young players who are just starting their careers, the clubs that have trained them, and those that are interested in signing them in the hope that they might be the next Lionel Messi.
The story of Messi's early years in Argentina and his signing by Barcelona has been retold countless times. Of how, diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency, the kid who would become the world's best player went to Spain after Barcelona offered to pay his medical bills. >>>
May 5, 2012
FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ Host Cities unveiled
(RELEASE) - The official Host Cities for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ were announced at a media conference held on Parliament Hill in Ottawa today in the presence of the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and Canadian Soccer Association President Dr. Dominic Maestracci.
The six official Host Cities named today are: Edmonton, AB; Moncton, NB; Montréal, QC; Ottawa, ON; Vancouver, BC; and Winnipeg, MB.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup – the largest single-sports event for women in the world – will be the first single-sport event in Canada to be held from coast to coast.
“As Minister of State for Sport and an avid soccer fan, it is with great excitement that I congratulate the official Host Cities of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup,” said the Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport). “The Government of Canada is proud to be a key supporter in the hosting of this prestigious event, which will provide Canadians across our country with the chance to experience the highest level of soccer competition in their own backyards. We look forward to cheering on our women’s national team as they compete against the world’s best.” >>>
July 25, 2011
Canada falls in world women’s soccer rankings
(PostMedia News) - Canada’s disappointing results at the FIFA women’s World Cup proved costly in the world rankings.
The national women’s soccer team fell two spots in the rankings, which were released Friday, dropping to eighth in the world from No. 6. Canada lost 75 points from the March 11 rankings — the most of any team in the 129 ranked countries.
Canada lost all three of its games at the women’s World Cup, which took place earlier this month in Germany. Canada will host the 2015 event. >>>
Sporting Lisbon wins Toronto friendly against Juventus
(John F. Molinaro, CBC Sports) - With the beleaguered MLS club out of town, Toronto fans for a change savoured a rare taste of cultured and refined soccer Saturday night at BMO Field.
Italian side Juventus and Sporting Clube de Portugal put on a show in an international friendly for the 10,028 spectators in attendance, with the Lisbon outfit emerging 2-1 winners.
Sporting forward Yannick Djalo was the star, scoring a pair of first-half goals past renowned goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. Alessandro Del Piero replied for Juventus with a highlight-reel effort in the 80th minute.
"They are a good team. It was a good game for both teams. We enjoyed it," said Del Piero, a key member of Italy’s World Cup winning side from 2006. >>>
