My apologies for being away from the blog for an extended period - I know you're used to it and all....But still, apologies.  Thanks to those who sent their best wishes through the blog and via email in regards to the recent death in my family.  All msgs were much appreciated!!

Moving forward....

MANCHESTER UNITED STAY 5pts AHEAD

It was indeed a 'Happy Easter' for United fans as they trounced sorry Liverpool 3-nil at OT.  I'd say this was a bit surprising but - it wasn't.  Going into the match, United had won their last four straight versus their Merseyside rivals with the 'Poolers yet to score a goal in the last 7 mtgs between the two in the PL & FA Cup....You can now make it 8.

A BIG thanks to JAVIER MASCHERANO of course for his sending off but I don't think United would have been denied even if MASC had stuck around.  NO ONE can stop CRISTIANO RONALDO and I'll say it here right now - if he stays healthy and leads Portugal to modest success at the Euros this summer, he WILL be the FIFA Player of the Year come December.

You read it here first.

ARSENAL - ALL TALK, NO ROCK.

I'll have to admit, I WAS cheering for Arsenal to beat Chelsea Sunday - only because I'm sick of hearing about Chelsea's home unbeaten run (and I like to give Layni schtick over on her blog).  When BACARY SAGNA scored to give the Gunners the lead, I thought for sure we'd at least be looking at a draw - regardless of who's in charge, the Blues have an immense player-pride in their home record and they wouldn't let Arsenal win.  But then DIDIER DROGBA scores twice and it's a whole new game - and Arsenal are done for. 

The match commentator made a remark (the part I caught anyways) about how AVRAM GRANT'S critics will now be silenced after this big win and I will admit, he did a nice job.  He is beginning to show flashes of potential and I DO think his counterpart ARSENE WENGER waited too long to make his moves - shoring up the defence.  GRANT'S double substitution (ANELKA & BELLETTI for MAKALELE & BALLACK) worked as both subs played a part in DROGBA'S double.  WENGER himself said after the game his side lacked the defensive concentration to hold on.  Now their title challenge is in trouble with United 6pts ahead of them and the side just recording one win in their last 5-games.

I know a couple of Arsenal fans who read this blog and all I'll say to you guys is this:  Your team (while immensely talented) doesn't have the balls to win it all this year.  Too much time spent looking in the rearview and not focusing on the task at hand is your undoing.  The good news is - you'll live & learn and be back again next term.

CANADA MISSES OLYMPICS AGAIN.

It's been 24-years since Canada last sent a men's team to the Olympic games.  While that likely doesn't surprise anyone, it should alarm some Canuck fans with WC 2010 Qualifying just around the corner.  Once again this was a U-23 team just 'barfed' together at the last second - and while we were missing a number of key European players (DAVID EDGAR), no one at this end of North America expected us to even get to the semifinals.

In fact - because the team DID get to the last four, the doe-heads at the Canadian Soccer Association are likely patting themselves on the back saying 'hey, we did alright!'  Oh wait - I'm not sure the CSA even KNOWS Canada got to the last four.  I say that because on the very day that the U23's were set to play their biggest game against the US, the geniuses in Ottawa had scheduled a presser to unveil new Technical Director STEPHEN HART.  Shouldn't the focus have been strictly on the game??  Just another example of why Canadian Soccer is where it is - the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing - nor do they care. 

Technical Director is the most important job of any National Association - and they choose to schedule it on the SAME day as the big game.  As I think about it...wait...I know why they did it that way....Because if they were to do it AFTER Canada lost, HART would be asked questions about the youth programs in Canada, where the program is going, etc.....All the important questions people interested in soccer in Canada want answers to.

I hate to give the CSA too much credit but there are few things in life that nauseate me.  The status of soccer in my country seriously makes we want to vomit.  I hope DINO ROSSI and the good folks behind the newly established 'Canadian Soccer Federation' can make their efforts stick and be a symbol of hwo things need to change in Canada.  With the growth of soccer in North America, there is no reason for this country to be a laughing stock.

MLS READY TO GO

The 13th season of Major League Soccer begins in less than a week and I must say - I am excited!!  When we first started doing FSR, we didn't really know what to make of MLS and while we have slowly come around to it, I can honestly say that this season we are all VERY excited about what is in store.  The league continues to grow, continues to attract new talent and it looks as if season 13 will be the best yet.  There are a number of teams set to challenge for the MLS Cup and while I like Houston to be there again, there's a good chance they will be tested more than ever before.

The only thing I'm not excited about are the prospects for Toronto FC.  Here in Canada, they are the country's team (until we get another MLS team - hint, hint Garbs) and while they are AGAIN the hot ticket in Toronto, they may not be for very long.  Following the teams in the off-season as we have been, it's glaring to most of us here in Canada that Toronto has done next to nothing to improve the team.  In fact,trading RONNIE O'BRIEN is a move that perhaps makes the team a little worse than last term!  I can see why MO JOHNSTON made the move upstairs - but MO, time to stop all that talking you're doing about signing players and actually SIGN some of them.

Anytime you read a report out of Toronto regarding player moves, all JOHNSTON says is 'we're talking to people', 'we're looking at some big internationals', 'we should have some new players coming in right away'.....Well, time is running out MO - and if you guys stumble out of the gate, the fans in Toronto will turn on you guys fast!!  One last thing about TFC - AMADO GUEVARA??  Are ya serious??  Isn't he the same guy that turned DOWN a trade to Toronto a season ago??  What has changed that he would want to come now??  Oh wait - there it is....he doesn't....

Later in the week I'll be doing an MLS Preview for you - complete with predictions - but suffice it to say, I'm not picking TFC to do very much (sorry Michelle).

So - stay tuned for that!  Enjoy the week and we'll see you on what should be a very entertaining edition of FSR on Monday night with Bobby.

Cheers!