Plus, another wonderful coach moves on, UEFA club competitions, Toronto FC, big matches this weekend, and more Muskoka, Huntsville and Bracebridge updates

The Muskoka United FC U14 Boys put the feather in the cap of a fantastic season on Tuesday.

With a come from behind 3-2 win over Barrie, the MUFC team finished with a 12-2-0 record to top their HDSL table and add the league title to the Cup they already won. Callum Leese scored twice with Kyliam Coulombe producing the game winner.

This is the second league-cup double of the season for Muskoka, and culmination of a strong commitment from the players, coaches, and the team’s families.

The team finishes their season with a tournament in Richmond Hill this weekend.

Other Muskoka United FC results this week . . .

The U13 Girls were full value for their 5-1 win away to Orillia on Wednesday night with Sydney Kerr and Kaley Verheye each scoring twice, while Claire Feltis added the other. Though those girls scored, it was a full team effort from the beginning to the end.

The U14 Girls fought hard to earn a 2-2 draw against North Bay on Wednesday night, which means they’ll finish second in the league. A win would have had them finish first. Still a good season all around for this team. Andi Stevenson scored twice for Muskoka.

The 045 Men’s Team won 2-1 against the Innisfil Greyhounds on Friday night in Innisfil. Their midfield maestro Steve McCallum scored two stunning strikes for the old guys from Muskoka in the win. They are now two points behind second place Barrie with one game in hand . . . that match will be played away to Innisfil at the end of September.

Moving On

As we heard a couple of weeks ago, several longtime coaches who gave so much to the soccer community throughout Muskoka have stepped aside for new blood.

The next one up who very much deserves his flowers for commitment to the sport is Anthony Asturi (aka Mr. Asturi to many HHS current and former students).

We heard this week from our friend Anthony that he’s stepping away from coaching and focusing on other endeavours (though I’m trying to get him to play O45 next year).

He’s getting a well-deserved break, having spent around two decades as a coach, club board member, and player. He also coached the high school girls’ team for many years (I think he may do that one last time this year – but that hasn’t been confirmed).

We can only say thank you for the countless (and often thankless) hours spent in a variety of roles to push the sport we love forward throughout Muskoka.

UEFA Club Competitions Return

The three UEFA club competitions are returning this coming week with a new format that has mixed reviews – though there is one major change I absolutely love (as does my Dortmund-loving friend JF Kuehnen).

The Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League will do away with the 32-team group stage (eight separate groups of four) in favour of a single 36-team “league table.”

In the Champions League and Europa League each team is drawn against eight other teams for single games. Each team will play four home games and four away. In the Conference League, it’s six games against six different teams (three home, three away).

The top eight teams make the round-of-16 directly, teams ranked 9 through 24 enter into a playoffs with the winners advancing to the round-of-16. And then it’s two-leg ties through to the single match final.

A lot of people hate change, and about the same number love it. So, there is mixed reviews on the new format.

But, for me and JF and others, we love the fact that they have eliminated the part where losing teams (often those who finished third in their group or were eliminated in a playoff round) were able to get a “second-chance” in a lower competition (this greatly benefitted both Champions League and Europa League teams in recent seasons).

That’s gone. Once you’re out, you’re out. As it should be. And just for that, I automatically love this new format.

There will be much to go into as the tournaments progress, but I’m refraining from picking winners under this new format as we’ll need to see how this works for at least one season before pretending to be able to predict anything with confidence.

That being said, I’m looking forward to this season. Change is good. Embrace the change. Or something like that.

Toronto FC

The eight seed in the conference (with a one-point lead over DC United for the ninth and final playoff spot). Six games remaining. Four at home, two away. Four are very winnable. Two will be very tough. Twelve points should be enough to grab a playoff spot.

It all starts at home on Saturday night against Austin (7:30 p.m. kick-off, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV or on TSN4). It’s a must-win.

Wednesday, they host the defending champions from Columbus. That may be more of a must-draw than a must-win if they can get the job done against Austin and other results go TFC’s way.

That’s it. That’s all you need to know about Toronto FC at this point.

Big matches this weekend

If you decide to watch some footy this weekend, here are my top picks for neutral fans to enjoy.

Tottenham vs. Arsenal, Sunday at 9 a.m. (FuboTV Canada). The North London Derby should be very fun to watch this weekend. The Spurs are all-in on their all-attack playing style – to their detriment at times – and the Gunners are my pick to win the EPL this season. Definitely a must-watch.

Atalanta vs. Fiorentina, Sunday at 9 a.m. (FuboTV Canada). Not too much to choose from this weekend in terms of exciting Serie A match-ups, but this should be an interesting early season tilt. Both teams are slightly revamped and have quality attackers capable of magic. Atalanta loves to attack, while Fiorentina is trying to get back to that after a few years of defensive football.

Girona vs. Barcelona, Sunday at 10:15 a.m. (TSN+). Last season Girona beat Barcelona twice and looked like a great title contender most of the season. This year, the Blaugrana are back in every possible way and sitting on top of the table. They’ll be looking to exact revenge and they’ll do it with style.

***Note: The best match in the Bundesliga took place on Friday with Dortmund winning 4-2 over upstarts Heidenheim***

MUFC Fall Assessments

Children and teens interested in being part of an MUFC Rep team next season – either development or competitive – should note that assessments (formerly known as “tryouts”) are occurring at Gostick Park in Bracebridge on September 24, 25, and 26, and at Conroy Park in Huntsville on October 5.

The club would like all parents and players to note that for the technical committee to accurately assess each players skill level, which may influence their team placement, attendance at all assessments for their age group is highly recommended. 

These are the teams they are assessing players for (birth year in parentheses): Development Teams for U9 (2016), U10 (2015), U11 (2014), and U12 (2013). As well as Rep/Competitive Teams for U13 (2012), U14 (2011), U15 (2010), U16 (2009), and U17 (2008).

Registration is required to confirm attendance: https://muskokaunitedfc.sportngin.com/register/form/037508540

*All players are asked to join BOTH of their assessment dates to ensure proper grading and team placement. 

*Players are only subject to cuts in U13 + divisions.

*Confirmation of teams being played for the 2024/2025 season will depend on the turn out at assessments. 

Currently the MUFC Board and Admin are working on a potential player registration for assessments. This will aid in collecting proper information and numbers prior to the dates which assists in planning efforts. If this is the case, stay tuned.

For more information, visit www.muskokaunitedfc.com or email muskokaunitedfc@gmail.com

In the meantime, please see the graphic below to determine whether your player is more suited for the MUFC Development Program or the BSC or HSC House League programs.

Huntsville Soccer Club Updates

The club is looking for a few dedicated people to get involved and join our board! Stay tuned for notices on the next AGM and what positions are needing to be filled.

To get more information on the club and what you may be able to help with, visit: www.huntsvillesoccer.ca

Bracebridge Soccer Club Updates

The Bracebridge Soccer Club is hosting their AGM on Monday, November 18th at 7 p.m. in the Bracebridge Sportsplex. The club is looking for some more board members and the following positions are open: sponsorship coordinator, social media coordinator, adult recreational coordinator, vice president of programs, and a U9 to U12 house league coordintor.

For more information on the club, visit: https://www.bracebridgesoccer.ca/

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