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France
Women's U-20
Toronto FC was all business as it collected the first three points in the 2009 Nutrilite Canadian Championship opener. The host won 1:0 over visiting Vancouver Whitecaps FC, scoring within three minutes of the opening whistle. Canadian midfielder Kevin Harmse scored the lone goal on a header.
“This was a big game for us,” said Toronto FC coach Chris Cummins. “We are taking (this championship) seriously and you saw that with the team we put out.”
There was little change on the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking as Canada held the 8th spot on the CONCACAF list. In fact, there wasn’t a single change to the world’s top-39 spots, including CONCACAF’s top three countries USA (15), Mexico (25) and Honduras (39). Canada remains 89th on the world ranking.
The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Rankings looks at each country’s international results from the last four years. The ranking takes into account the result, the importance of the match, the strength of the opponent, the regional strength, the time period, and the number of matches per year.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC celebrated the 35th anniversary of its inaugural match today training in Toronto, doing so in preparation of the second Nutrilite Canadian Championship which kicks off Wednesday at BMO Field. The club arrived two days earlier on the heels of a promising 3:2 victory over the Minnesota Thunder in league play on Saturday night. Newcomer Marlon James scored the hat trick in his Whitecaps’ debut. Wednesday’s match, however, is entirely different as Whitecaps FC and Toronto FC kick off the 2009 Nutrilite Canadian Championship, a three-team Canadian circuit featuring two United Soccer Leagues Division One teams (Whitecaps FC and reigning champion Impact de Montréal) and one Major League Soccer team (Toronto FC). The 2009 winner qualifies for the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League season.
Toronto FC has a chip on its shoulder. Now in its third professional season in Major League Soccer, it is still steaming from finishing second in the inaugural Nutrilite Canadian Championship last year. The Toronto franchise Рwhich plays a division above opponents Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Impact de Montr̩al from United Soccer Leagues First Division Рwere overwhelming favourites to win the inaugural championship.
By the time the championship wrapped up on 22 July 2008, however, TFC was out as the Impact won the trophy and qualified for the 2008-09 CONCACAF Champions League. In fact, Toronto FC lost the championship on the final day after a 1:1 draw with the Impact at BMO Field.
The second phase of ticket sales for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ is underway at FIFA.com. Fans can purchase tickets to the world’s biggest tournament in this second sales phase from 5 May to 16 November 2009.
During this phase, applications can be made via the FIFA website (FIFA.com) or at First National Bank (FNB) branches. Tickets will be allocated on a “first come, first serve” basis. Each applicant can apply for up to four tickets per match and up to seven matches in total. Ticket prices start at USD 20 (ZAR 140). For further information, customers can send an e-mail to enquiries@2010FWCTC.com or fax +41 43222 6800.
The 2009 Nutrilite Canadian Championship kicks off Wednesday night at BMO Field as Toronto FC hosts Vancouver Whitecaps FC in the opening match of the championship. The match will broadcast live across the nation on Sportsnet starting at 20.00 ET (17.00 PT). Sportsnet’s Gerry Dobson and Craig Forrest will have the call. The six-match championship runs 6 May to 18 June in Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver. Each team plays home and away against two opponents. The top team not only wins the Voyageurs Cup, but also advances to the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League season. Last year, the Impact de Montréal won the Nutrilite Canadian Championship before reaching the quarter-final stage of the 2008-09 CONCACAF Champions League.
The Canadian Soccer Association held its annual general meeting this Saturday in Banff, AB. The annual meeting brings together the Association’s membership, featuring delegates from all 12 provincial and territory members. Included on this year’s agenda were amendments to the constitution, elections of officers, application for new membership, and the Association’s Pathway to Excellence. Of note, the Membership officially approved the Association’s Strategic Plan. The Membership then approved an $8 player levy for 2010, a $1 increase over 2009. The Membership also committed to continue work on the Pathway to Excellence Financial Plan to ensure success to the Association’s Strategic Plan. The Membership intends to return the Financial Plan to next year’s annual general meeting, thus strengthening the Association’s long-term stability. The annual player levies are applied to the provinces and territories.
The Canadian Soccer Association recognised its award winners at its evening banquet in Banff, AB today. The banquet was presented in conjunction with the Canadian Soccer Association’s Annual General Meeting, hosted this year by the Alberta Soccer Association. The banquet celebrated 2009 recipients for the Canadian Soccer Association’s President’s Award, the Aubrey Sanford Meritorious Service Award, the Ray Morgan Memorial Award, and the Award of Merit. Also bestowed this evening was Life Membership to Mr. Bill Hoyle. Mr. Hoyle had most recently been caretaker of The Soccer Hall of Fame, but also previously served in the position of Ontario Soccer Association president. He was a member of the organising committees to both the 1974 CONCACAF Juvenile Tournament and the FIFA U-16 World Tournament Canada 1987.
The Canadian Soccer Association elected new officers this morning at the Association’s annual general meeting in Banff, AB. Victor Montagliani (vice president) and Mike Traficante (director at large) were re-elected to the Association’s executive committee while Steve Reed (treasurer) and John Knox (director at large) were newly elected.
Mr. Montagliani and Mr. Traficante have been members of the executive committee since 2005. Both Mr. Reed and Mr. Knox joined the executive committee after previously serving on the Association’s board of directors.
