Episode 79: The Gaffers’ 2017 MLS Preview

Wherein Our Heroes delve into the ins and outs of the upcoming MLS season. The youth movement has us excited, we like the cut of Seattle’s jib, and peg Toronto FC to take the next step. Minnesota United FC is likely to falter in their inaugural season, we are not having current Bachelor Nick Viall’s lotharious ways, and we award a Triple Barton to Orlando City SC, NYCFC, and Atlanta United’s supporters. Here’s to a great season!

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to bothofus@theyounggaffers.com@younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Bear Mountain – www.facebook.com/mybearmountain

Canadian MLS Clubs Still Have Holes to Fill – Part 1: TFC

With MLS camps in full swing and a new season just around the corner, things have been relatively quiet with each of the three Canadian MLS clubs, leaving fans waiting with bated breath for a signing or two to address some pressing needs.

The Gaffers take a look and assess, as only we do.

Today, in our first installment, we look at MLS Cup Runners Up, Toronto FC…

The most notable, and newsworthy exit in The Big Smoke was Will Johnson, who chose to depart for Orlando, but not before firing away some parting shots. Johnson struggled to find a place in the squad in the latter weeks of the regular season, and made known his disdain with not being guaranteed a starting role.

He’s since expressed regret over the comments, with Toronto FC head coach Greg Vanney responding in kind in mid-January.

“It’s a deep midfield so in the end I can’t promise anyone any specific amount of minutes or any specific role in the grand scheme of things,” Vanney told The Toronto Star. “I fully understand Will’s position and interest in wanting to be a bigger part of an organization and having a better sense of what his role is going to be day in and day out. I would be no different if I was at the time period he’s at in his career.”

The midfield is indeed deep in Toronto, but do they have the player to plug in behind Seba, Altidore, and Tosaint Ricketts? 

Jozy Altidore may not believe so, as quoted by John Molinaro in a Tweet from December 13, 2016, “To be completely honest, I think we could use a little bit more of a creative player [in midfield or on wing].”

Recent signings include returning midfielder Benoit Cheyrou, who will surely continue to bring his experience and big-game performances this season (any Montreal Impact fan will remember the dagger from extra time in last season’s Eastern Conference Final).

TFC have also added Congolese International defender Chris Mavinga from Russia’s Rubin Kazan. Left-footed Mavinga can play as either a left back or in the centre of the backline, and looks to be versatile if Vanney chooses to stick with his favoured 3-5-2 formation. While unable to break into Liverpool’s first team a few years ago, Mavinga’s experience in several top-flight leagues should definitely be an asset.

But back to that creative player. No addition to the roster would seem to fit the bill.

Enter Jay Chapman, 23-year old Homegrown Academy product from Brampton, Ontario. Chapman made his first team debut in 2015, and appeared in 18 games last season (9 as a starter).

Several pundits and sportswriters around the club feel Chapman may be the answer. As does he, himself, telling Sportsnet earlier this month, “In college, I played as a box-to-box playmaker. I view myself as a creative midfielder. Last year when I got the opportunity to play as an attacking midfielder, I think it benefitted the team a lot. I was able to get a run of games and really make the position my own, so I think I could fill that role full-time.”

Episode 73: Ten Points for Gryffindor!

Wherein Our Heroes reconvene after a lengthy holiday hiatus. We catch up on television shows (both scripted and unscripted) and attempt, in our Muggle way, to discern several Harry Potter spells. The Real Mike Dean gets mistaken for a real Mike Dean, Will Johnson fires off a parting shot at Toronto FC in our Canadian segment, and William Pottker brandishes his finest wand to celebrate a goal in the Brasilerio Série A. Also, Pardew and Bradley get sacked…can Swans and Crystal Palace turn the tides?

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to bothofus@theyounggaffers.com@younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Bear Mountain – www.facebook.com/mybearmountain

Episode 71: The Young Gaffers Read Letters to Santa!

Wherein Our Heroes receive, in error, and read on-air, several letters destined for The North Pole. John Terry’s next move is discussed, Mesut Özil’s status as the best playmaker in the Premier League is contested, and the MLS Cup Final is previewed. We echo a Christmas Wish to have Joey Barton land at a new club in January. Also, we share in the outpouring of grief and heartbreak for the victims of the recent aviation tragedy in Colombia.

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to bothofus@theyounggaffers.com@younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Bear Mountain – www.facebook.com/mybearmountain

Episode 58: Marouane Fellaini is good for SOMETHING!

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Wherein Our Heroes dip into the Mailbag to discuss the Premier League’s TV deal as well as German last names. Jason recounts his experience at BC Place in Vancouver Whitecaps’ recent CONCACAF Champions League encounter with Sporting KC, Montreal Impact finally vanquish their BMO Field demons in a hotly contested 401 Derby, and the future looks bright for Team Canada heading beyond qualifying for Russia 2018. CD Leganés offer gourds to visiting clubs this La Liga season, while their shirts are part gimmick and part sensory wonder. Also, Marouane Fellaini becomes the first two-time Haircut of the Week winner for selflessness and chivalry during Manchester United’s clash with Hull City A.F.C.

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to bothofus@theyounggaffers.com@younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Bear Mountain – www.facebook.com/mybearmountain

Episode 42: MLS Rivalry…weak!

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Wherein Our Heroes dissect CD Palencia’s anatomy kit, award Tesco gift cards to the pyromaniacs at Eskişehirspor, and pay respects to two Premier League sackings. Southampton sneaks into the Europa League, Kei Kamara gets traded after all is said and done, and Vancouver vanquishes Toronto in an MLS barn burner. Also, the Ginger Giant (Alexi Lalas) embellishes the year-old soccer rivalry on both sides of the Hudson.

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to bothofus@theyounggaffers.com@younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Bear Mountain – www.facebook.com/mybearmountain

Episode 41: Ermahgerd, Erpterhn Perhk!

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Wherein Our Heroes lament Joe Cole’s move from Coventry City to Tampa Bay, share our favourite Elton John tunes, and dole out the first on-pitch Joey Barton Award to Romeo Parkes. Jamie Vardy throws the mother of all parties and sits through a 7-hour tattoo session. Will Frank Lampard ever play again in MLS? Was Columbus right to suspend Kei Kamara? Also, BMO Field gets a sexy makeover in “Let’s Talk Aboot It” and the final match at Upton Park is one of legend.

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to bothofus@theyounggaffers.com@younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Bear Mountain – www.facebook.com/mybearmountain

Episode 39: Fair Thraiped (or, Excuse Me…I Clarted)

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Wherein Our Heroes dissect recent comments by wonder-scout Piet de Visser and his assessment of José Mourinho’s man management, Alan Pardew unveils the subject of his FA Cup motivational tactics – namely him, and Infantino promises FIFA will ensure Qatar’s employment standards are on the up-and-up. Meanwhile, Sakho faces a potentially lengthy ban and Benitez leads the Magpies to their first points away from St. James’. Also, Montreal can’t handle The Atomic Ant in Drogba’s first start of the season. We’re not nobbling!

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to bothofus@theyounggaffers.com@younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Bear Mountain – www.facebook.com/mybearmountain

Episode 32: The Gaffers’ and Adrian’s MLS Preview Spectacular

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Wherein Our Heroes are joined by MLS wizard and Calgarian-by-way-of-DC, Adrian. We make public our predictions on many MLS-related topics. We prognosticate DC United and LA Galaxy will not make the playoffs, Toronto’s backline will be much improved, Orlando City SC will fare better than their inaugural season, and the league should expand to Miami – pronto. Will Larin, Villa, or Giovinco (or none of the above) win The Golden Boot this season? Will FC Dallas capture The Supporters’ Shield? All this and more, in an MLS preview that’s as good going down as our Last Best beer!

Send us your questions or comments via e-mail to bothofus@theyounggaffers.com@younggaffers on Twitter, and www.facebook.com/theyounggaffers

Music by: Bear Mountain – www.facebook.com/mybearmountain

Episode 13: Adam and Jason’s Spooktacular Halloween MLS Playoff Preview

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The clock hath struck midnight on the MLS regular season and only 12 clubs have survived the bloodbath. Our Heroes provide their ghoulish predictions on who will come out alive and who will be dragged to the fiery depths of hell. Will Sporting Kansas City transform when the moon is full? Will Mauro Biello’s unnatural creation come to life at Saputo? Will Carl Robinson’s children of the night feast on the souls of the living? The Young Gaffers answer all of these questions and more on this most devilish 13th episode. Also, we answer fan mail from Amy.

Music by: Iron Maiden, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Bobby “Boris” Pickett