Also: MUFC Updates, Huntsville Soccer Club Updates, European Round-Up, and What to Watch This Weekend

A couple days ago I received my annual Toronto FC membership renewal notice (aka season tickets) which is normally accompanied by a nice thank you message and other cordial words.

The good news is that a prize freeze is in place for next season, which is what a team should do when they don’t perform even close to expectations.

As well, there was a bit of the hope for a better 2024 with a message from incoming coach John Herdman.

However, there were couple of items in the message that irked me a bit and should irk any long time TFC supporter or Canadian football/soccer fans in general.

Those items had to do with the promotion of Inter Miami (though being very careful not to mention Lionel Messi).

Under the “Membership Package” heading, it reads: “Your Toronto FC Membership is more than just a ticket; it’s a passport to unforgettable moments. Your Membership package includes 20 matches – all 17 MLS regular season matches (including at least one visit from Inter Miami CF), plus three additional matches, which will include at least one Leagues Cup match.”

That part about “at least one visit from Inter Miami CF” is annoying to any true supporters.

Look, if Messi is playing, it will be a must-see match and I’ll be pumped to watch the GOAT play, but my membership is about supporting Toronto FC, not watching one game.

I’m sure most other TFC members feel the same way about their memberships.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, they are also offering a “Chance to Win a Trip to Miami Next Season” for those renewing their memberships by the end of October. They’re giving away 20 spots to that game – “which will include your flight, match ticket, accommodations, and additional hospitality.”

Hey, trips are great! And to be fair to TFC, they have and will continue to have win a trip to see the Reds on the road contests year after year.

It’s just annoying that my membership renewal message has more than one mention of Inter Miami in it.

If it was just the trip, I wouldn’t have been critical since it’s a trip to another city and, yeah, watching Messi in Miami would be sweet!

But, two mentions of Miami, to a supporter community that is very likely the best and most knowledgeable in all of MLS? It’s a bit of overkill.

Tell us about what you’re doing to make TFC better for next season and beyond. Forget about Inter Miami – and Messi – until it’s time to play them again.

Here is some advice on what I want to hear about: TFC finding ways to maximize the talents of their most skilled players (the Italians and Canadians particularly) and sending away those who are not going to get the Reds to the next level (CJ Sapong, Michael Bradley – sorry, but he’s not a part of the solution, and others).

Then, bring in players that will complement the core we have that is talented enough to build around with the right pieces and a solid coaching staff.

I want to know that all the focus is going to be about getting the team we support better – not about another club and their all-time great.

Look, even I’ve been on the Messi in MLS bandwagon – including weekly updates in this column. But, to illustrate my support for the above message, I’ll be skipping the update this week.

Still, with all that being stated, I won’t be turning down the trip to Miami if I win (hehehe).

MUFC Updates

The U17 boys, fresh off a HDSL league title, headed to the Richmond Hill Challenge Cup tournament last week and finished with a silver medal.

The team won two and lost one in group play to advance to the semi-finals, where they ended up winning in penalty kicks.

Unfortunately, they fell 3-1 in the final to the Richmond Hill Raiders.

Coach Dave Caplan says he’s extremely proud of the way the boys played and had a feeling them would do well at the tournament.

The U15 boys lost 5-2 to Newmarket on Thursday night at Gostick Park. Lucas Hills scored both MUFC goals. Last Saturday, they fell 6-0 away to Bradford. Their final game of the I-Model season takes place in Brampton against Kleinburg Nobleton SC on September 28.

The U13 Girls had a bye-week this week with their upcoming game on September 25 at Gostick Park against Ajax. Kick off is 7:30 p.m.

Continuing a run of excellent defensive results, the U17 Girls picked up a third straight 0-0 draw on Wednesday at Gostick Park to ruin Barrie’s perfect league record in I-Model C2 Division play.

Goalkeeper Norah Moeller posted her league-leading fourth clean sheet (shutout) of the season. Their next game is also at Gostick against Whitby on September 27 (7:30 p.m. kick-off).

On Saturday, September 23, the second round of MUFC assessments for ages U13 and up take place at Conroy Park in Huntsville.

The September 23 at Conroy Park schedule is as follows, U13 Girls from 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; U13 Boys from 10:30 a.m. to Noon; U14 Girls from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; U14 Boys from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.; U16 Girls from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.; U16 Boys from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.; and U18 Girls from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.; U18 Boys from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Those interested in coaching an MUFC team next year, from U9 to U18, are required to submit their Coaching Application by end of day on Sunday, September 24 to muskokaunitedfc@gmail.com

Development Day in Huntsville takes place on Saturday, October 21.

Much like the Bracebridge event, this one will feature MUFC Technical Lead Ray Wright running the show. There will also be fun games such as a radar gun to test your shot speed.

Arrive early to the appropriate time to register, which will be followed by a 15-minute coach-led warm-up and then an hour with Coach Ray.

Times for October 21 are U9/U10 Boys – 10:45 a.m.; U9/U10 Girls – 11:45 a.m.; U11/U12 Boys – 12:45 p.m.; and U11/U12 Girls – 1:45 p.m.

Huntsville Soccer Club Updates

The Annual General Meeting is around the corner for Huntsville Soccer Club members.

This year’s AGM is taking place on Wednesday, Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. via Microsoft Teams call. 

All players, coaches and families of youth players are welcome to attend, as well as anyone interested in learning more about the Club. A link to the video call will be sent out the week before the meeting.

It’s an opportunity for the community to get involved with a fun group of individuals and as members of the club’s executive committee.

Up for election are the voting positions of Vice President, Minor Soccer Director, Head Club Coach, Adult Coordinator, Diversity & Inclusion Officer, and Treasurer.

Opportunities exist in taking on other roles for the club that require seasonal or limited commitments, including Equipment Manager and Field Scheduler. 

Anyone interested in joining the club’s executive committee or becoming a volunteer in another fashion can email administrator@huntsvillesoccer.ca

The HSC Youth Fall House League program kicked off last week and despite a wet and rainy day, it was well-attended and a lot of fun was had by all.

The two-hour Sunday afternoon program runs through November 17 with a focus on having fund and learning new skills – or honing existing ones.

While this program is now full, there is a similar program that runs in the winter beginning in January . . . stay tuned to this column or visit www.huntsvillesoccer.ca for more information as it becomes available.

European Round-Up

Let’s start with the Champions League where we have to give Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedal huge props for saving his team literally and figuratively.

Not only did the man in the net make a few key saves during the match, but with the score 1-0 for their opponents, Atletico Madrid, but he scored a stunning header very late in the match to snatch a deserved point for his team in the 1-1 draw.

Meanwhile, players from Bayern Munich and Manchester United had their scoring boots on in a 4-3 win for the iconic German club, which featured a quiet but effective 90-minute performance from Canadian star Alphonso Davies.

Davies completed 47 of 48 passes, recovered two balls and made one tackle in the match.

For a full schedule, results, and group standing visit: https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/

In the Europa League, Roma came away with a 2-1 match at Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol with many first eleven players either not playing or coming onto the pitch as substitutes.

Liverpool also did what they were supposed to do in a 3-1 away win at Austrian club LASK, despite trailing 1-0 at halftime. Meanwhile, Ajax and Marseille played to an entertaining 3-3 draw.

However, as usually happens during the first two matchdays in Europe, there were a few shock results – maybe not to everyone, but at least in terms of what the odds makers predicted.

Premier League side Brighton Hove & Albion lost at home 3-2 to AEK Athens, Panathinaikos beat Villareal 2-0, and Glasgow Rangers edged Real Betis 1-0.

For a full schedule, results, and group standing visit: https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/

The Conference League another Premier League side suffered an upset as Legia from Warsaw thrilled their home fans with a 3-2 win over Aston Villa.

Other interesting results saw Bosnian club Zrinjski beat Dutch side AZ Alkmaar 4-3, Dynamo Zagreb put on a scoring clinic in a 5-1 home victory over Astana, PAOK winning 3-2 away to HJK in Finland, and a 2-2 draw in Belgium between Genk and Fiorentina.

All Champions League matches, most Europa League matches, and select Conference League matches are available on DAZN.

What to Watch This Weekend

Here are a few matches that should be good viewing this weekend (listing in alphabetical order of countries, not quality of play).

In England this weekend, it’s the fierce North London Derby match between Arsenal and Tottenham on Sunday morning at 9 a.m. EST.

This means it’s my very good friends Dave Caplan and Roman Hul versus my favourable acquaintances (hahaha) in Graham Thompson and Haydn Kirby. I’m cheering for the Gooners in this one.

It’s also a top of the table battle as both teams are only two points behind Premiership leaders Manchester City. A resurgent Liverpool is also tied on points with Arsenal and Tottenham.

Tottenham isn’t playing in Europe this year, so they’ll have extra rest and training days to be ready for his match.

Arsenal played mid-week, but are scoring at will and are aiming to make up for last season’s late collapse that cost them the league title.

Should be a fantastic match!

On Saturday, our favourite little club Luton Town is looking for their first EPL win when they host Wolves at 10 a.m. EST. Let’s hope my buddy Jez Bell will be celebrating around noon when the final whistle blows.

In Italy, Sassuolo hosts Juventus on Saturday at noon. Last season, Sassuolo managed to take three points at home in a 1-0 win over Juventus and they’ll be hoping to do the same. However, with Juve out of Europe this season and firmly focused on winning the Scudetto, it’s likely that the Old Lady of Italian football wins this away match handily.

On Sunday, Roma travels to Torino (2:45 p.m. EST) looking for a third straight win in all competitions after a 7-0 home triumph over Empoli in Serie A and a 2-1 victory at Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League.

Torino though has started the season well and traditionally plays strong at home.

EPL and Serie A matches are available through FuboTV Canada.

In Spain, the Madrid derby between Real and Atletico takes place on Sunday at 3 p.m. EST. Both teams are aiming to win La Liga this season. Real is coming off a mid-week Champions League win, while Atletico drew at Lazio (see above for the crazy result).

In league play, Real is already 5-0 and has an eight-point lead over Atletico. Though, it’s important to note that Atletico has a match in hand. Still, a significant gap exists, and this is an early season must-win for Atletico.

There are also Bundesliga matches available on DAZN Canada, but none of them seemed particularly interesting to point out this week.

That’s it for this week! Thanks for reading! P.S. Subscribe below and be entered into an upcoming contest for some great prizes!