All-Stars, all the time

A few hours ago Major League Soccer unveiled it's First XI for the all-star game against West Ham United at BMO Field later this month.

Team lines up as follows:

Goalkeeper: Matt Reis (NE)
Defenders: Jimmy Conrad (KC), Frankie Hejduk (Columbus), Michael Parkhurst (NE)
Midfielders: David Beckham (LA), Cuauhtemoc Blanco (Chicago), Shalrie Joseph (NE), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas), Robbie Rogers (Columbus)
Forwards: Kenny Cooper  (FCD), Landon Donovan (LA)

You guys notice anything missing?

If you didn't, let me point out that the MLS First XI, chosen by voting from fans, coaches, players and (of course) the media contains NO representation from Toronto FC.

Some of you are probably wondering how this happened, given that TFC fans voted early and often (the MLS website allowed up to 10 votes per person, per day), and vaulted several TFC players to the top of early fan voting lists.

Here's how: Media, coach and player votes were more heavily weighted than fan votes. So while TFC's rabid fan base propelled hometown players to an early lead, that advantage disappeared when everyone else filed their ballots.

Now I understand a lot of TFC fans are probably upset about the shutout, but before they flood the commissioner's office with angry emails they need to remember a couple of things:

1. The team isn't complete yet. These are just the first 11 guys named to an 18-man roster. On July 15 all-star coach Steve Nicol will choose five more players, and after that the commissioner will select two more. That's real good news for Toronto fans, because....

2. One of those seven additions will definitely come from TFC. Speaking at a news conference this morning MLS deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis made a point of praising Toronto's passionate fans, and realizes that fielding a TFC-free team July 24 would be just plain dumb. He suggested as much when speaking to the media a few minutes later. He didn't use the word "dumb," but did say the league would include at least one hometown player in the roster.

So relax, guys. Someone from TFC will dress for the game against West Ham United.

But who?

I'm not a gambling man, but my money's on Marvell Wynne.

Before we continue, let me remind you guys for the 88th time that the rules of journalism dictate that I'm not responsible for predictions that don't pan out, but receive credit for the ones that do.

So yeah, if I've got to select on TFC player to add to the team, it's Wynne. In my very, very VERY humble opinion he's the team's best player this season, and his numerous "Man-of-the-match" trophies bear that out. He's the one constant on an inconsistent team, and a relentless, hustling defender who's a lot of fun to watch.

I'd suit him up, but we'll see what the league does.

ON LOMBARDO

It's true. TFC officially waived him earlier today.

It's not a surprise, given that he'd gone from a part-time starter last season to a full time reserve in 2008.

-- Morgan Campbell

Stalemates

It's been a long time...

I shouldn't have left you...

But after a spending a few days at the Canadian Olympic Track and Field Trials, I returned to Toronto just in time for TFC to head west for Wednesday night's rematch with Vancouver.

But just because they're over there and I'm over here doesn't mean there's nothing to report.

There just aren't any big signings or trades -- yet.

Last time we talked our guy Darren Huckerby was in the stands at BMO Field, checking the place out before heading to San Jose to see Frank Yallop and the Earthquakes.

TFC made it plain months ago that they were interested in the former Norwich City star, and even acquired his MLS rights, just to show they meant business. Huckerby, meanwhile, has decided he would rather play in San Jose, so right now the two teams are trying to figure out a way to make it happen while benefiting all involved.

This situation is similar to Brian McBride's (more on him in a second), in that pulling off this deal is nowhere near as simple as it sounds.

Those of you with long memories will recall that TFC received a first-round draft pick from San Jose in exchange for midfielder Ronnie O'Brien, which means the worse the Earthquakes finish in the standings, the better TFC fares in the 2009 draft. So TFC doesn't have much incentive to send San Jose a proven goal scorer if that guy might help boost their record. Why make a trade that all but guarantees you a lower draft spot?

TFC expects San Jose can sweeten the deal somehow.

Either way, don't expect immediate action. TFC knows what they want and San Jose knows what they're willing to give and, surprisingly, they disagree for now on Huckerby's worth. From what I understand this trade has to take place during the international transfer period (July 15-Aug 15), so look for the teams to take a little time before settling.

As for McBride, the situation remain the same. Toronto wants more than Chicago's willing to give and that's that.

McBride has reportedly returned to the U.S. and isn't waiting around for an MLS contract. Instead he's working out and expecting U.S. Soccer to make him one of three overage players to join the U.S. Olympic team.

We missing anyone?

Oh yeah....Paul Dickov.

He didn't make the trip to Vancouver, and hasn't signed a contract and, according to the team, isn't in Toronto right now.

Hope that Helps.

-- Morgan Campbell

Changes Coming...but when? And how?

It's not hard to tell TFC's in a slump right now.

Two games, two losses.

The first one is understandable, going down 2-1 on the road against New England, the top team in Major League Soccer and perennial contender for the MLS Cup.

But if you're a TFC player/coach/supporter this latest one is a little tougher to explain away.

Sure, TFC dominated play in the second half and probably should have scored on at least one of those tantalizing chances, but the fact remains they didn't.

So playing at BMO Field (AKA "The Fortess"), against a team from a lower league, they lost.

If your a glass-half-empty type you'll note that TFC is winless in their last three.

I think English people call that a "dip in form."

But if you're a glass-half-full type you have also noticed that in each of their last three games TFC has received a huge boost from its second-half subs, most recently Jeff Cunningham, Jarrod Smith and Julius James.

Now you could point to that fact as evidence of TFC's depth, but what does depth mean if you're not winning?

I'm more inclined to think it means Carver's going to shuffle the starting lineup between now and the next league game July 12 in Chicago. That was my hunch as the game ended, confirmed at the post-game news conference when Carver said a new starting XI was "a no brainer."

So we know changes are coming, but I'm not yet comfortable guessing what the starting lineup in Chicago will look like because....

DARREN HUCKERBY AND PAUL DICKOV WERE AT THE GAME

I didn't see them but confirmed it with more than one person who did.

Folks a lot closer to the situation than I am said they were just checking things out and not on the verge of signing, but their mere presence is pretty significant.

Think for a minute about the sheer number of players who have been connected with TFC via rumours, innuendo, and "news reports" since the club was founded.

It's more than I can count.

Now think about how many of them have showed up at BMO to watch TFC play.

Very short list.

Savo Milosevic appeared late last season, but besides him, it's just these two...unless I'm missing someone.

Anyway, it's not my job to speculate on what their presence at Tuesday's game might mean, but remember that Carver said earlier this spring that TFC was in fact interested in Huckerby.

Looks like we've got a bona fide story line to follow for the next few days and I'll do my best to keep you informed.

ON GUEVARA

Can't remember who it was who asked me if Amado Guevar planned to play for the Honduran Olympic team, but the answer is no.

Honduras has a World Cup qualifier against Mexico on August 20 and he says the Honduran federation has told him that game takes precedence, so no trip to Beijing for Guevara.

Hope that helps.

-- Morgan Campbell

Lost and Found in New England

LOST

Toronto FC's luggage.

The plan had been to fly to Boston Friday afternoon, make the 45-minute drive to Foxborough and practice on the grass field outside Gillette Stadium about 5 p.m. Friday.

Thunderstorms in Boston made sure the team's flight didn't land on time, and Air Canada made sure practice wouldn't happen when they misplaced luggage that included the team's practice uniforms and shoes.

After a while Air Canada located the gear and delivered it to the team at their hotel –
on Saturday morning.

A little late for a Friday practice, you think?

Yeah, it was cancelled.

If you're counting, that's two airline mishaps for TFC this season.

The day after they defeated L.A. their flight back to Toronto made an emergency landing in Omaha, Neb. when the pilot discovered a malfunction in the landing gear.

I would suggest that they take a train to their next road game, but VIA/Amtrak don't run
nonstop service between Toronto and Chicago anymore, so it looks like they'll have to roll the dice with commercial air travel yet again.

Either that or take the Greyhound.

FOUND

Kenny Mansally.

New England's teenage Gambian sensation left the team in late May to play in World Cup qualifying games, then left the Revs in suspense about when he would return.

Gambia's last game was June 20, so his team expected him back at practice by about last Wednesday.

Friday morning they hit the practice field still unsure exactly where he was.

On a plane, evidently, on his way back to Massachusetts at last.

Revolution head coach Steve Nicol blames Mansally's late arrival on the Gambian federation, and their failure to make adequate travel plans for the 19-year-old striker.

Mansally finally arrived Friday night and confirmed his coach's hunch in a pre-game chat with Frank Dell'Appa of the Boston Globe.

Apparently, the normal routine is to travel from Gambia to Dakar, Senegal, then fly to Newark, which is a short flight from Boston.

This time the Gambian federation booked Mansally on a flight from Dakar to Brussels, then from Brussels to Newark, adding a few days and a few thousand miles to his journey.

Nevertheless, Mansally arrived in time to dress for Saturday's game, logging 29 minutes. He even got fouled – pretty hard – by TFC's Tyrone Marshall.

A rough end to a rough week, but his team got the win.

And as far as I know he had all his luggage when he arrived.

– Morgan Campbell

Notes from New England

FOXBORO, MASS. -- So I'm in Boston with a headcold and a job to do. Every weather forecast I consulted before I came down called for a hazy, but not too hot, afternoon. Welcome news to me since this bug has my body temperature running a few degrees above normal.

Too bad those forecasts were wrong.

By the time the New England Revolution hit the practice field -- with Taylor Twellman but without Kenny Mansally -- the temperature had crept to about 31C. And that's without the humidity and my fever.

Ugh.

I felt a small urge to feel sorry for myself because summer colds really do suck, but then I realized there's nothing to hate about my life. It could be much worse. I could be working for a living but instead I'm in Boston on the company's dime, getting paid to write about a soccer game. I'd rather be sick doing this than be healthy doing a job I hate.

And besides, despite what many of you probably think, journalists don't get paid to complain. In actuality, we make money for keeping you guys informed, so here it goes.

PHELAN'S TENUOUS TORONTO CONNECTION

I chatted briefly with Pat Phelan after practice. If for some reason you don't remember him, Toronto selected him with the ninth pick in this year's MLS Superdraft, one slot after Julius James, then traded him to New England earlier this month.

Caught in a numbers game at central defence, Phelan, 23, rode the bench behind guys like James, Marco Velez and Olivier Tebily, and never saw game action in Toronto.

Since his move to New England, however, he has appeared in three games, starting twice.

When TFC and New England made the trade for Phelan a lot of folks talked about how the move brings him closer to his east coast roots. Phelan, 23, grew up in Enfield, Conn., about 90 minutes from Foxboro, and cheered for the Revolution as a kid.

But it also took him to returning to the Boston area to reveal a tenuous, but still pretty cool connection, to Toronto.

If you follow "American" football then you've probably seen a few hundred replays of the Boston College Hail Mary pass to beat the University of Miami in 1984.

Turns out Phelan was at that game -- sort of.

Students of NCAA football history know the guy hauling in that pass is Gerard Phelan.

Make the connection yet?

It's Pat's dad's cousin.

Dad was in the stands that night and he brought his wife, who was pregnant with Pat at the time.

So what's this got to do with Toronto?

Well if you're familiar with the clip then you know the guy launching that pass is Doug Flutie, who won the Heisman that year, then went on to a 21-year pro career that included a pair of Grey Cups with the Argos.

OH YEAH, THE GAME ... WHAT ABOUT TWELLMAN?

It's been a tough year for New England's high-scoring forward.

Soccer observers on both sides of the Atlantic know the man can score, and so does TFC, who watched him collect two goals the first time the two teams met last season.

In January, Twellman appeared set to move to Danny Dichio's old team, Preston North End, who offered to buy his contract for $2.5 million during the winter transfer period.

Problem was, the Revs weren't selling, so Twellman, disgruntled, remained stateside.

And so far this season Twellman hasn't had a chance to settle back into his starring role with the Revolution, with injuries limiting him to just one game.

Of course, the one time he did manage to play this season, May 11 against Chivas, Twellman scored, but an ankle injury has sidelined him since.

But according to New England coach Steve Nicol, Twellman will dress Saturday night against TFC.

Apparently Twellman's been running for a while but has only been practicing with a ball since Tuesday. You wouldn't have suspected it late in Friday's practice, when he sprinted into the six-yard box, stepped over a low line drive of a corner kick then knocked it into the net with his heel.

So the timing and touch are back, but Nicol says he's still not ready to play 90 minutes.

WHERE IS MANSALLY?

Good question. The 19-year-old has started 10 games for New England this year, but he wasn't at practice Friday. Apparently he's a few days late in returning from a World Cup Qualifying with Gambia's national team. I'll tell you more about it in tomorrow's paper, but for now you should know the Nicol's more than a little peeved -- and not with Mansally.

I'll update you soon.

-- Morgan Campbell

Transfers, All-Stars

A few of you had sent comments and emails asking me why the opening of the MLS summer transfer period seemed to have moved from June 15 to July 15, so I made a few phone calls and found your answer.

Turns out the league's pre-season literature contained a typo. Even though this year's official MLS Factbook says the transfer period starts in mid-June, opening day has always been July 15.

Last season FIFA mandated a 60-day summer transfer window, running from mid-June to mid-August. This year, according to my guy at the league, FIFA wanted a month-long transfer period, prompting the shift to July 15. Apparently this was all decided before the season, but not reflected in the Factbook.

So now we know.

ALL STARS I

TFC's head coach John Carver is still in the running to coach the MLS All-Stars against West Ham on July 24.

MLS awards the All-Star gig to the coach whose team has the highest points per game as of June 29 and right now TFC is one of four teams with a chance to top the league in that category. New England, Columbus and LA are the others.

So what will it take to put Carver in charge on July 24?

TFC would have to defeat New England at Gillette Stadium this weekend, Columbus would have to lose and the Galaxy would have to lose or tie.

The other possibilities are numerous, and the league outlined them in its weekly newsletter to the media. For clarity's sake, I'll paste them below.

* If the Revolution defeat Toronto FC, Steve Nicol is the All-Star Game coach.
* If the Revolution tie Toronto FC and Columbus loses or ties, then Steve Nicol is the ASG coach.
* If the Columbus Crew defeat the Colorado Rapids and New England ties or loses, then Sigi Schmid is the ASG coach.
* If Toronto FC defeat New England and the LA Galaxy win and Columbus loses there is a two-way tie with Carver and Gullit each having 1.714 points per game.
* If Toronto FC defeat New England and the LA Galaxy win, and Columbus ties there is a three-way tie with John Carver, Ruud Gullit and Sigi Schmid each having 1.714 points per game.

Tiebreakers work the same way they do in the playoffs. Head-to-head records first, then goal differential, then fewest goals against and so-on.

But somehow I don't think it'll come to that.

REUTERS PHOTO

TFC leading scorer and a good quote: Dichio is an all-round all-star.

ALL STARS II

All-Star voting closes July 2 and I'm literally in the middle of filling out my ballot. Here's my team so far:

GK -- Jon Busch, Chicago

D -- Marvell Wynne, TFC; Jimmy Conrad, K.C.; Adrian Serioux, Dallas

M -- Becks, L.A.; De Ro, Houston; Amado Guevara, TFC

F -- Landon Donovan, L.A.; Danny Dichio, TFC

You guys who hate Landon Donovan (and I know there are PLENTY of you in Toronto) probably find it ironic that I've got him paired with Danny Dichio, but TFC's leading scorer was actually my third choice at forward. I would have selected Edson Buddle but he's not on the ballot.

(Sidebar on Donovan: I know local fans can't stand him but from a media standpoint he's one of the best players in the league to deal with. Always makes time for the press, always forthright with his quotes. You've got to respect that, fans, even if you don't like him.)

Now, you may have noticed that I've only chosen nine guys, but as I said, my All-Star ballot is still evolving.

They asked me to choose up to five midfielders and I could easily add Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Guillermo Barros Schelotto to this list. Stats certainly say they deserve it. But as much as I hate playing coach, I had to think tactically for a second:

If I add Blanco and Schelotto to the midfield, who's going to play defence?

Answer: Nobody.

So I'm still seeking two defensive midfielders. I'm keeping my ballot open until early evening and listening to any and all suggestions.

** Just before I posted I added Shalrie Joseph to my ballot. It's nice to actually see the first-place team represented. Anyway, still seeking one defensive-minded midfielder....

-- Morgan Campbell

Post-game thoughts

In no particular order....

1. Where were they going?

About 80 minutes in I noticed people leaving the game.

A tie game.

Huh?

Granted, Saturday's game was just a little dull, especially early on. After the first half I turned to Mark Polishuk from MLSnet.com and told him I was having a Homer Simpson moment -- like that episode where he gave up drinking for a month and went to a baseball game sober.

"I never realized how boring this game is without beer...."

Now before people go complaining to my bosses that I'm getting tipsy in the press box, understand that I take my job kind of seriously, so I don't drink and write. And it's not about the beer anyway. My point is that until Amado Guevara came on (more on that later), the game was dull.

Still don't know if that justifies leaving early, especially when you've paid to be there.

If it's a 3-0 game and you've got to get home by 7 to catch the first pitch of the Blue Jays game, then leave early. The outcome is clear.

But if I spend money on tickets and the game's still undecided I'm sticking around. Even if it's boring.

MICHAEL STUPARYK/TORONTO STAR

John Carver points out the area of the field where streamers require double-coverage.

2. Streamers

Fans booed last week when the PA announcer gently reminded them not to throw streamers at players or officials, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who has noticed a steep decline in streamer use at BMO Field these last couple of weeks.

If I remember correctly, out of three first half corner kicks, KC's Claudio Lopez only had to stop once to disentangle himself from tissue paper.

Guess folks are getting the message.

3. Streamers II

Anybody else notice about 17 minutes in, when John Carver stepped out of the technical area to retrieve a stray streamer, then rolled it up and tossed it in the back of the dug
out?

I thought that was cool.

4. McBride

Because some people can never get enough...

He was NOT at the game Saturday and neither were any of the Chicago players reputed to be headed this way in exchange for him.

Nothing new has happened. I understand the rumours (trade complete and awaiting league approval) are seductive, and some of them may come true someday, but that's not what's happening right now.

I've spoken to people who should know about these things and they're all telling me that neither side has budged in the bargaining process.

Toronto still wants a LOT in return for McBride's rights, and Chicago still thinks Toronto is asking way too much.

Friday I spoke to McBride's agent, his brother Matthew McBride. He too had heard the rumours and said they were "news to us."

So I don't know what else to tell you guys right now. Can't report on progress until their actually is progress, and Mo Johnston, for one, says he's not speaking to the media about McBride until there's...progress.

Sigh.

In the meantime I think folks need to remember a few things about this situation:

* Chicago and Toronto don't ever have to reach an agreement. TFC can sit on McBride's rights and let him retire, or they can let some the next team in line assume McBride's rights and wait for the next big name American to come back from Europe. OR they can involve another team in the deal and try to swing a three-team trade.

* Transfer period begins July 15, so there's still a little time for something to happen.

*The league doesn't want to meddle in this, so it really is up to Mo Johnston and Frank Klopas and any other GMs with something to offer to settle things.

That's all I can think of right now. If any readers come across any elements of McBridegate that I've missed, feel free to post a comment.

-- Morgan Campbell

TFC Adds Speed

Record-setting Welsh midfielder Gary Speed worked out with TFC today, wearing jersey number 35.

Two years ago Speed became the first player to appear in 500 English Premier League games, and he ranks first all time in games played in the Premiership.

He's here on a fact-finding mission. As part of his UEFA coaching certification process, he had to connect with a club, spend a few days with them then return to Wales and make a presentation to the Welsh FA. Speed, who scored four goals while splitting last season between Bolton and Sheffield, chose to study Toronto FC.

So, no, this is not an Abdus Ibrahim/Olivier Tebily type situation, where a a guy shows up "unofficially," practices with TFC for a while, then eventually becomes part of the team. This is a few days of Speed's life designed to bring him a few steps closer to becoming a certified coach. He's still under contract to Sheffield United and I'm guessing he makes a bit more money there than he would in MLS.

SUTTON, BRENNAN, DEFINITE MAYBES

With goalkeeper Greg Sutton and defender Jim Brennan each scheduled to suit up for the national team's World Cup qualifier Friday night in Montreal, their presence for TFC's Saturday afternoon home game against Kansas City seems doubtful.

But head coach John Carver says the team is working hard to give the pair a chance to play Saturday at BMO Field. He said the team has lined up a Saturday morning flight that would get both men to Toronto in time for the game. If they don't play Friday against St. Vincent -- neither one saw the field during last week's 3-0 victory -- he'll add both to the lineup. If they play a lot then they'll sit out again.

But with the qualifier still more than a day away their status is still uncertain.

-- Morgan Campbell

A little More on McBride....

If you haven't heard much on the Brian McBride front. it's because the folks at BMO Field aren't talking about it. Yesterday Carver admitted he was out of the McBride loop and suggested I talk to Mo Johnston about it.

I tried that last week, and Johnston -- rarely a straight talker anyway -- was at his cryptic, circumlocuting best. Then afterward he joked with me about how I wasn't any further ahead after our conversation than I had been before.

Thanks.

Luckily for us, the folks in Chicago are talking.

I just found this story today, but a couple days back the Chicago Tribune's Luis Arroyave reported that the Fire is still interested in McBride but that Johnston is asking for more than the Fire want to give.

Last night on GolTV's "Extra Time" Johnston moved the story ahead just a little when he revealed that the two teams have basically stopped talking and thinks the folks in Chicago spoke to the media hoping to jumpstart negotiations.

Two things to remember:

1. Transfer period doesn't begin until July 15, so there's LOTS of time for something to happen.

2. TFC doesn't have to do anything. As Johnston said last night, they can let McBride retire if Chicago doesn't offer TFC the player they want. They can also let the next team in the allocation queue take over McBride's rights, leaving TFC first in line for the next American to return from overseas.

Stay tuned.

-- Morgan Campbell

Danny Dichio: A Groin Concern

AARON LYNETT/TORONTO STAR

If you're a fan of Danny Dichio, this one's for you.

If you're a Danny Dichio fan Saturday's game had to make you a little nervous.

I mean, you had to like how he opened the scoring, pouncing on Stephen Keel's attempted clearing and rocketing a volley into the top corner.

Dichio's funny. Some days after a goal he'll act like he's just a blue-collar grinder who scores goals more with luck and hustle than with skill. But sometimes I think even he doesn't quite buy that line of reasoning. After Saturday's game he matter-of-factly said that the moment Keel's header bounced his way he knew he would bury it.

Anyway, the scene that unfolded just before half time had to concern TFC fans: Dichio pivoting away from a defender, then hitting the ground and clutching at his groin muscle. Yes, the same sore muscle that kept him out of the team's last home game against Los Angeles and limited him to 36 minutes against Houston last week.

He rose and hobbled to the sideline, and eventually trotted back on to the field, and wound up logging 78 minutes.

Still, if you're a Danny Dichio fan you can't like seeing him on the ground, favouring a sore groin that looks like it's trying to make the transition from nagging to chronic.

Scenes like that have got to bring you back to last year, when various injuries (back, ankle, groin) sidelined Dichio for nine games.

But Dichio says last year was just that — last year.

After the game he said his groin felt a little tender late in the first half but felt fine later, and that a little more work with Strength coach Paul Winsper should keep him healthy.

Head coach John Carver says he's keeping an eye on Dichio's situation, and can't figure out how a guy who's not fully healthy is still so productive.

"It defies logic and sports medicine," Carver said. "He has this bad groin and he keeps scoring."

— Morgan Campbell