Plus, Spain vs. Everybody on Sunday; Canada could win third at Copa; TFC changes start in the office; Muskoka United results; Huntsville Women’s League; and more!

There are very few teams in history who have managed to win three-straight major international trophies.

This Argentina team, which includes the GOAT Lionel Messi, is on the verge of accomplishing that feat when they take on Colombia on Sunday night in the Copa America final.

As defending World Cup and Copa champions (and a less important Finalissima victory in there as well), this would be a third-straight major title (fourth title overall title in the past five years) and put them among the greatest teams of all time.

However, it’s tough to say who the greatest is … Brazil from 1994 to 2007 won four Copas and two World Cups, but never won three titles in a row. The real Ronaldo was on most of those teams – but was a main contributor and leader from 1998 through 2006.

The Spain side that won Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, and Euro 2012 is probably the actual greatest team of all time. For those that don’t recall, it featured Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Sergio Ramos, David Villa, Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Fernando Torres, Cesc Fabregas, Iker Casillas  . . . and the list goes on and on an on. Their bench alone could probably have won at least one of those three trophies.

Only two other great national teams have won back-to-back major titles: Zinedine Zidane’s France (World Cup 1998, Euro 2000); Franz Beckenbauer’s (West) Germany (Euro ’72, World Cup 1974).

This Argentina side is already among the greats with the back-to-back titles, but a third straight would put them in the conversation of greatest international team ever.

You can check out the Copa America final on Sunday at 8 p.m. (TSN).

Sunday’s Spain Day

The last European final featured Italia against England on the same day Italian tennis start Matteo Berrenttini was playing in the Wimbledon men’s final against Novak Djokovic.

This Sunday, Spain is taking on England in the Euro 2024 final and Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz is taking on Djokovic in the Wimbledon men’s final.

Last time around, Djokovic won and Italia won . . . I’m sure a similar result in Spain’s favour would satisfy their nation.

I’m sure the English are looking for a different result than the last time, but only the English are hoping for that . . . no one else on the planet is hoping for that.

Much like last time around, all the banners are being called to support Spain in the final (against all our natural instincts) against the evil English – and we’re answering the call.

The Wimbledon final is on TSN on Sunday morning (time was not firm at time of this writing) and the Euro final is on TSN at 3 p.m.

Oh, Canada! Let’s Get Third!

Before the huge Sunday matches occur, our up-and-coming Canadian men’s national team is taking on Uruguay on Saturday in the Copa America third place match.

What has been a successful adventure in their first ever Copa participation, Canada is playing with house money. No one expected them to be in the semi-finals against Argentina and getting a chance to win third is a huge bonus.

They’ll take the pitch with zero pressure and the ability to just play their game and enjoy the moment.

And they’ll be taking on a Uruguay team that is very disappointed they didn’t even score against 10-man Colombia, despite having a man advantage for the entire second half. Uruguay expected to be in the final, Canada didn’t expect anything except to play hard and go as far as possible.

Here’s hoping that mix of emotions and a strong Canadian effort is enough to get us third place on Saturday night.

Game time is 8 p.m. and you can catch the game on TSN.

Toronto FC

Mired in a long slump – seven straight losses in all competitions and winless in ten – Toronto FC is at a cross-roads with gaffer John Herdman calling for reinforcements to his squad with the summer transfer window now open.

While nothing significant has happened on that front yet, a front office change that had been demanded by fans to happen last year and even the year before that finally occurred.

Bill Manning is no longer the Toronto FC (or Toronto Argos) president, with the guillotine falling on Thursday following TFC’s unforgivable 2-1 first-leg semi-final loss to CPL side Forge FC in Hamilton on Wednesday.

Sure, TFC has an away goal (they still matter in the Canadian Championship) and will very likely overturn that result in August at BMO Field, but the much-maligned ex-president’s chances had run out.

I’m not going to go into everything that went wrong, but the one player who was sent away that keeps haunting me is Jacob Shaffleburg. Every time he does what he does and with every year he gets better, I get a bit more bitter at both Manning and that loser American coach that sent Shaffleburg away.

So, Manning is out and the only thing to say is good riddance.

Muskoka United FC

A rainy week saw at least one night of games washed away and set to be played on another day. However, there were still plenty of teams in action this week for Muskoka United FC.

On Monday the U11 Girls Blue team earned a 1-1 draw at North Bay 1-1 with Poppy Moyer scoring for Muskoka.

The MUFC U16 girls fought hard at Gostick Park in Bracebridge on Monday night against Barrie, but unfortunately lost 2-1. Jamie deMos scored for Muskoka.

The U16 Boys beat Collingwood away 3-0 on July 4 with Lucas Hills netting two and James Laughton adding the other.

They followed that up with another win this past Thursday 4-0 over Collingwood with Aiden Smith scoring twice, and Nolan Czech, Wes Janas adding the others.

On Thursday night, the U10 girls lost a tough one to Barrie 1-0 and were led by a tremendous effort from Chloe Boyes in net.

The U18 Boys bounced back this week after last week’s mini-slump, winning 3-0 away to Collingwood on Tuesday night. Zach Caplan had a hat trick for Muskoka.

Huntsville Women’s League

Front-running Muskoka Tea Company took down the SportLab 3-1, while Muskoka Marshmallo Company took a huge 5-1 lead over On The Docks Pub before hanging on for a 6-5 win.

Player of the Match awards, as voted on by their peers, went to Maggie Pitts, Sophie Goutos, Sam Power and Alina Leffler.

The weekly draw for Annie’s Lasagna, donated by That Little Place By The Lights, went to a delighted Kaitlyn Isrealstam.

Join the Huntsville Soccer Club Board

The Huntsville Soccer Club’s executive committee/board of directors is looking for a volunteer treasurer to join its ranks.

Our board is made of up of a dedicated team who are quite active in ensuring soccer in Huntsville (and Muskoka as a whole) continues to reach new heights year after year.

The volunteer treasurer role consists of managing the club’s finances with daily bookkeeping, paying invoices, keeping invoices and financial payments organized, payroll for seasonal staff and one year-round employee, helping set budgets, and communicating with the board.

Those interested, please reach out to administrator@huntsvillesoccer.ca to find out more.

That’s it for this week. Stay tuned next week for an Olympic football tournament preview (Canada going for back-to-back golds), the U19 Euros taking place, Toronto FC, Muskoka updates, and more. Thanks for reading and don’t forget to subscribe below.

Ciao for Now!