ALSO: Gold Cup, first win for Huntsville Soccer adult team, big win for MUFC U17 Boys, a U21 Euros update, and more

Toronto FC kicks off its new era – or at least the interim coach Terry Dunfield era – on Saturday, July 1 at 7:30 p.m.

Having finally sent Boring Bob Bradley and his lack of tactical fluidity packing earlier this week (a month too late if you ask this writer), the team leaders (particularly the Italian leaders) now have no excuses when they step on the field.

Make no mistake, this was a power struggle and the players won. Now, it’s time for them to win on the pitch. With around 14 matches left in the MLS regular season and only seven points back of a playoff spot, making the postseason is still a very achievable goal.

But, there isn’t much room for error and it must begin with a win at home against Real Salt Lake (sixth in the West with 27 point from 20 matches played).

It will be fun to see the formation, starting 11 and tactics implemented by Dunfield. I suggested using a 5-3-2 with Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernadeschi as the forward pair. Or even a 4-4-2.

In either case, you’re adding extra defenders to solidify the back line and putting the onus of attack on the two designated players shoulders – squarely where it should be.

How this all players out and how the team responds to the managerial change should be very interesting to see.

Add in the fact that’s a night game at BMO Field on Canada Day and the next Toronto FC match is a must-attend event.

GOLD CUP

Speaking of Canada Day, it would be nice for our Mena’s National Team to shake off that disappointing draw against Guadeloupe in the Gold Cup opener and get a win on our nation’s birthday against Guatemala.

The match is being hosted at Shell Energy Stadim in Houston and starts at 9:30 p.m.

All of Canada’s Gold Cup matches (as well as other select matches0 can be seen via OneSoccer, which is available as a linear channel on Telus’ Optik TV (Channel 980), on the fuboTV Canada streaming platform as well as online at OneSoccer.ca, and through the OneSoccer app.

HUNTSVILLE SOCCER CLUB ROUND-UP

On Thursday night Experienced League Action, Best Life got their first win of the year with by a score of 1-0 over Aimee Sinclair Fitness, and Canvas Brewing Co. defeated Dr. Marc – Algonquin Orthodontics 3-0.

On Monday night, in the Huntsville Women’s Soccer League is in the books with Cottage Country Flowers getting a clean sheet in a 4-0 victory over The SportLab, while Kim O’Grady beat Muskoka Tea Company 7-1.

Player of the Match awards were presented to Bailey Payne, Sarah Webster, Brianne Zylstra and Lynn Hunter.

HUNTSVILLE STRIKERS ROUND-UP

On the Strikers rep development side of things, the U11 Girls fought very hard, and deserved a better result, but fell 2-1 to Orillia. Juliet Occhiuzzi got her third goal of the season for Huntsville with Paulina Jusczak providing the assist.

The U10 Girls tied 0-0 with their rivals from Bracebridge.

MUFC ROUND-UP

The Muskoka United FC U17 Boys beat North Simcoe SC 10-1 in an away match this week with eight different players getting on the score sheet. Led by two each from Johnny Fiorini and Andrew Walisser, MUFC maintained their unbeaten start to the season (3 wins, 1 draw in league play, plus advancing in the HDSL Cup).

The other goals for MUFC were scored by Alfie Napper, Finlay Paterson, Rowan Simpson, Andres Alfaro, Callahan Alexander, and Jacob Oliver.

U21 European championships

The U21 Euros saw a few surprises take place in the group stage as Italia, Germany and Croatia are out, while Georgia and Israel advanced and will play each other at noon on Saturday in the quarterfinal round. Other quarterfinals are Spain vs. Switzerland at 3 p.m. on Saturday; England vs. Portugal at noon on Sunday; and France vs. Ukraine at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

The best part for fans in Canada is you can watch all the action on UEFA.TV for free – just log in with an email or social media account.

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