Plus, Toronto FC, big matches this weekend, Muskoka, Huntsville, and Bracebridge updates

AS Roma ultras will be staging a protest on Sunday against the American ownership (the Friedkin Group) and their non-Italian cronies they hired to run the historic Serie A club.

The reason? After only four games (three away draws and a home loss), the Americans fired club legend, Roma ‘til he dies, homegrown manager/coach Danielle De Rossi.

That’s right: four games into the season after an offseason where the Americans and their non-Italian cronies in upper management caused grief, sent away young homegrown talent, got rid of fan favourites, and tried to send Paulo Dybala to Saudi Arabia.

During their overhaul, the club rarely asked their manager for advice and then gave him an almost new squad to work with, then expected miracles. More reports are saying that during the off-season, De Rossi (a true blood Roman) and CEO Lina Souloukou (a Greek).

This is where the Friedkin Group should have sided with the homegrown manager and shipped out their CEO in favour of an Italian who understands Serie A football. But they didn’t. They sided with the outsider and showed they are also outsiders.

Rather than give De Rossi time to bring the squad together, find the right fit and tactics for the new players, and build a winner, they got impatient (as Americans tend to do when they can’t admit wrongdoing) and fired the coach.

Just to note: all credible reports from Italy are saying the players are upset and had heated arguments with the upper management regarding De Rossi’s dismissal.

He had not lost the room. Rather he was still fully supported by a team willing to fight and improve under his leadership.

His replacement is a very worthy Serie A and Roma manager named Ivan Juric (a Croatian footballer turned manager who is very experienced both playing and coaching in Italy).

But now that the team is much less Roman, much less Italian, and run by Americans and their cronies, I am stuck wondering if I can still support them. This club as it stands now is no longer worthy of anyone’s support.

Perhaps, I’ll take some time and see how everything plays out before deciding whether to switch clubs or continue supporting Roma.

I’ve cheered for them despite not achieving results or trophies over the years. I’ve cheered for them when they finished out of Europe. I’ve cheered for them when they lost to inferior teams in the Coppa Italia.

However, this latest nonsense has me on the brink of taking my support elsewhere – to a Serie A team that supports local footballers, club legends, and fellow Italians from the boardroom to the pitch.

Perhaps Napoli? Afterall, according to my family lineage, our ancestors can be traced back there. Or I’ll find another southern Italian team to cheer for . . . well, other than Cosenza.

Speaking of teams I will continue to support . . .

Toronto FC

A win over Austin last Saturday with other results falling their way left Toronto FC in a great position to keep above the playoff line.

Though they had a tough mid-week defeat, 2-0 to the defending MLS champions Columbus Crew, the Reds are still in the driver’s seat for a postseason berth.

Up next is a trip to Colorado on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. (free on Apple TV), then a trip to Vancouver on Wednesday at 10 p.m. for the Canadian Championship final (FuboTV Canada), followed by a visit to Chicago on Sept. 28 at 8:30 p.m. (MLS Season Pass on Apple TV)

They finish the season with home games on October 2 (New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m.) and October 5 (Inter Miami, 4 p.m.). Both matches are on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

It’s not an easy end to the season, but two more wins may enough for qualification based on other teams’ points per game averages.

Still, winning every game would be much, much better than leaving anything to chance.

Big matches this weekend (in Europe)

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

NOTES: There are several giant match-ups in Serie A this weekend, but I picked the two that will have the biggest overall impact. There isn’t much going on in the Bundesliga, but Bayern Munich, Leverkusen, and Dortmund are always interesting (see them on DAZN Canada). La Liga is meh in terms of what to watch this weekend.

Man City vs. Arsenal, Sunday at 11:30 a.m. (FuboTV Canada). The champions vs. the back-to-back runners up. Never mind picking up just a result away from home, the Gunners need three points from this match to set them up for a run at the Premier League title this season. City may be finally ripe for the picking in all competitions (yes, I know it’s way too early to say that), but they will eventually fall off. Why not this season? And why can’t it be Arsenal who pips them for the title?

Udinese vs. AS Roma, Sunday at Noon. (FuboTV Canada). Udinese are the early league leaders in Serie A, putting smiles on the faces of their loving supporters including the Buttus family in Huntsville. This is a huge match because most certainly Roma are in a must-win situation after firing De Rossi (see the lead of the column), but also because Udine want to keep their surprising start rolling.  

Inter vs. AC – Il Derby Della Madonnina, Sunday at 2:45 p.m. (FuboTV Canada). Really not much more to say than the fact that the two Milan clubs are facing off and there is a history of fireworks in the derby. Inter are coming off a 0-0 mid-week draw at Manchester City in the Champions League. AC Milan also travelled to England but fell 3-1 at Liverpool. All signs point to an Inter win, but it’s a derby, so anything can happen.

MUFC Results

The U10 Girls ended their season last weekend at the Richmond Hill Festival with a 1-0 win against Newmarket and a 2-0 loss against Toronto High Park. Marlowe Kerr scored the only goal and Anna Innis also had her 3rd shut out of the season. The U10 Girls ended their season with an 10-8 record including all regular season and festival games. The coaching staff and players are looking forward to 2025!

The U13 Girls won 2-1 over Orillia at Gostick Park on Wednesday night with Sydney Kerr and Claire Feltis scoring for Muskoka. They play their last match of the season on Saturday at Bradford.

The U16 Girls finished their season with a hard fought battle, but ended up with a 3-2 loss against South Simcoe United this week. The coaching staff notes that their improvement and growth was on display despite the loss as they had succumbed to an 8-0 defeat to SSU earlier this season. Maddie Allison and Sarah McKay were the goal scorers for Muskoka.

The U16 boys will be headed to Woodbridge on Sept. 28 and 29 for a season-ending tournament, while the O45 men’s team has their last match on Sept. 27 away to Innisfil with a win securing second place for the season.

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 and is due by September 23: 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 coordinator.

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

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