Plus, MLS 2025 schedule, Ranieri’s Roma Rising, and top matches this weekend

I’ve been on a bit of a hiatus as I continue to revamp and evolve the blog.

I was really hoping that Toronto FC would have hired their new manager by now to replace John Herdman.

Alas, at the time of this writing, nothing had been announced.

Yes, this is totally ethnically biased, but I really, really want to see former Vancouver Whitecaps gaffer Vanni Sartini be hired for the job. It was a bit shocking to see Vancouver part ways with the man who led them to three straight Canadian Championship titles and three MLS Playoff appearances.

The passionate Italian may just be what TFC needs to start a new chapter and almost certainly could find ways to guide the club to a quick turnaround.

At the very least, they would likely improve enough to make the playoffs, win back the Canadian Championship from Vancouver, and play a more attractive brand of football.

Plus, the media and fans in Toronto would love him as he tends to shoot from the hip and wears his heart on his sleave.

Okay, so that’s my choice and reasons why in brief. But I’ll be happy with anyone who can get the job done and bring the Reds back to the mountaintop (or at least the playoffs).

For a great list of “safe, risky, and outrageous” options for Toronto FC, check out this solid post by Corey Brady for Waking the Red.

MLS Season Schedule 2025

We know that the MLS season will kick off on the February 22-23 weekend with a guarantee to see expansion club San Diego visit the 2024 MLS Cup champion LA Galaxy on one of those dates. As well, San Diego’s home opener is set for March 1 against St. Louis.

The rest of the MLS schedule hasn’t been released, but last year it came out on December 20, so it should be out soon. One thing we’ve been hearing is that more afternoon games should be on tap – especially in the spring and fall – for the field by Lake Ontario.

Though how many games and what kick-off times will occur remain to be seen, another certain part of the 2025 calendar impacting MLS scheduling is the necessary break around the FIFA Club World Cup, Leagues Cup and CONCACAF Gold Cup in the summer.

Two of those three could easily go away and nary a soul would bat an eyelash. The two wouldn’t include the cup that Canada won in 2000.

Ranieri’s Roma Rising

AS Roma’s third coach this season (yeah, I still don’t believe it either) Claudio Ranieri, who is in his third stint with his boyhood and beloved club, has finally got them going in the right direction.

Back-to-back wins for the first time this campaign, 4-1 over Lecce in Serie A and 3-0 over Braga in the Europa League, along with the squad playing with a renewed energy provides the opportunity for cautious optimism.

Up next on the schedule are some very winnable matches including at Como on Sunday, Dec. 15, home to Serie B side Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia round-of-16 on Dec. 18, and home to Parma on Dec. 22.

Their next big challenge is a trip to the San Siro to take on AC Milan on December 29 with the Rome Derby against Lazio a week after that.

If they can head into those two matches on a five-game winning streak that includes advancing in the cup, they’ll be in high spirits and ready to battle. If not, this may end up being the worst season for the Giallorossi in many, many years.

Top Matches this Weekend

Looking for an interesting match to watch this weekend that doesn’t include the club you support? Here are my picks, we took one from each big league in Europe to focus on.

Serie A: Not one really outstanding match on tap, but either Udinese vs. Napoli (Dec. 14 at noon) or Fiorentina vs. Bologna (Dec. 15 at 9 a.m.) should be bangers. Napoli is in second place, two points behind Atalanta, while Fiorentina is only three-points out. Meanwhile, Bologna and Udinese are sitting in eighth and ninth respectively. Both matches are available for streaming on FuboTV.

Bundesliga: RB Leipzig vs. Eintracht Frankfurt. Fourth vs. Second. The winner keeps pace with the leaders from Munich. Frankfurt averages over three goals a game while Leipzig averages just under two goals per game. Count on there to be goals, more goals, and maybe some more goals. Watch on DAZN Canada on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

EPL: The Manchester Derby takes centre stage this weekend in England with City as the hosts against United. This could either be a really competitive match that fits the bill or the Blue side will thrash the Red side. Either way, it will be entertaining. City is in a must-win situation if they want to keep pace with league-leaders Liverpool, while United are closer to the drop zone than the top of the table and have to pick up points at every turn. Check it out on FuboTV Canada at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 15.

Ligue 1: PSG vs. Lyon. Normally, I don’t mention the French league as it’s not that good. But, there are occasionally some interesting match-ups and this qualifies. Paris Saint-Germain has a five point lead over second place at the top of the table, while Lyon is in fifth and needs at least a draw to keep pace with their fellow European competition contenders. Watch it on FuboTV Canada at 2:45 p.m. on Dec. 15.

That’s all for this week! Ciao For Now Everyone!