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Samuel Eto’o becomes latest big name striker linked with Toronto FC

By Joe Prince-WrightNov 11, 2013, 12:22 PM EDT
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The list of world class forwards linked with Major League Soccer’s Toronto FC keeps on growing.

But, sorry to be the party pooper here, that doesn’t mean anything’s going to happen.

Numerous reports suggest Chelsea’s Cameroonian striker Samuel Eto’o is the next in a long line of top strikers to be joining TFC, as Jermain Defore, Alessandro Del Piero and Alberto Gilardino to name a few.

Eto’o, 32, signed with Chelsea on a one-year deal when he joined from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala this summer. He’s been sporadically starting for the Blues and in the last week he scored three times in two starts as Chelsea beat Schalke and drew with West Bromwich Albion. The former Real Mallorca, Barcelona and Inter Milan striker comes with an incredible pedigree and still has a lot to give, as he’s shown for Chelsea this year.

We all known Tim Leiweke is desperate to turn Toronto FC into a success story, but is Eto’o really the go to man? Perhaps, but I believe he’s just one of a number of DPs the Canadian side are looking to add as Ryan Nelsen’s overhaul continues. They need two or three DPs, desperately.

The plus point for TFC is that if they wait until May the Cameroon legend will actually be available on a free transfer. So this may sway Eto’o in the direction of Southern Ontario but I can’t help but be skeptical about this rumor. If he’s paid massive amounts with a DP salary, yes I can see it happening. As we all well know, Toronto are well supported and their long suffering fans fill the stands no matter whats going on but a successful team will bring sellouts.

Eto’o has scored 295 goals in 586 games in his career and is Cameroon’s all-time leading appearance holder and goalscorer with 55 goals from 112 games. He is a poacher who can provide much needed goals. Think Robert Earnshaw but 10 times better. (Sorry, Earny)

His pedigree is undoubted and a top goalscorer is exactly what goal-shy Toronto have been lacking for several seasons.

That said, I’ll believe Eto’o leading the Reds to MLS Cup glory when I see it.

Japan upsets ten-man Colombia in Group H opener

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By Daniel KarellJun 19, 2018, 10:12 AM EDT
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On paper, the 61st-ranked team in the world beating the 16th-ranked team in the world is a massive upset. But considering the circumstances within the game, perhaps this wasn’t an upset after all.

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Two set pieces were the difference as Japan defeated ten-man Colombia, 2-1 on Tuesday morning in Saransk. Colombia played with ten men for nearly the entire match, after Carlos Sanchez was sent off for a handball in the box and a denial of a goal scoring opportunity.

The game took a massive turn in the third minute, as Colombia centerback Davinson Sanchez failed to control a pass and Yuya Osako found himself free on goal. His shot was parried away by Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina but Kagawa’s rebound shot was clearly blocked by Sanchez’s right arm. The referee, Damir Skomina immediately pointed to the penalty spot and went to the back pocket, sending Sanchez to the showers.

Kagawa stepped up and cooly sent Ospina the wrong way to put Japan on top.

Late in the first half, after both teams had chances on target, Colombia came back and evened the scoreline.

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Juan Fernando Quintero, starting in place of the recovering James Rodriguez, smartly took a free kick and fired it low, under the wall as it jumped. Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima reacted late and although he arrived as the ball was crossing the line, he couldn’t keep it from going over, tying the game in the 39th minute.

Ultimately, despite its efforts, Colombia began to tire and on a corner kick, the Blue Samurai took back the lead and control of their destiny in Group H. A corner kick from Keisuke Honda was re-directed past Ospina by Osako, who jumped well over Santiago Arias, to give Japan a 2-1 lead in the 75th minute.

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Rodriguez was introduced in the 57th minute but try as he did, Colombia was unable to find the final pass in the box, and Japan held on for the unexpected victory.

With the win, Japan top Group H ahead of a meeting with Senegal, while Colombia will have to regroup to face Poland.

In a World Cup full of unexpected results, Tuesday brought yet another memorable win for an underdog.

New Zealand women footballers rebel against national coach

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Associated PressJun 19, 2018, 8:30 AM EDT
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Wellington, New Zealand (AP) Only weeks after New Zealand Football made headlines by signing a revolutionary equal pay deal with its female players, the organization is facing a mutiny by members of its women’s team against the national coach.

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New Zealand Football confirmed on Tuesday it had received a letter signed by a number of New Zealand players complaining about the methods and tactics employed by Austria-born coach Andreas Heraf.

The complaints follow the New Zealand team’s recent 3-1 loss at home to Japan. Heraf angered his players, and fans of the Football Ferns national team, by taking an entirely defensive game plan into the rare home international.

Heraf then further angered his players with comments defending his approach.

He said there was “a big difference in quality” between the New Zealand and Japanese players and that New Zealand “will never have that quality” to compete with top teams like Japan. He said the scoreline might have been 8-0 if New Zealand had not adopted a defensive approach.

One of New Zealand’s leading players, United States-based Abby Erceg, retired after playing 132 matches for New Zealand, citing Heraf’s approach in previous international matches.

She later told New Zealand media: “I couldn’t stand to wear that (national symbol) on my chest any more when his vision was to cower in a corner and not get beat by too much.”

New Zealand Football defended Heraf against the media and public criticism but admitted his comments were “strange” and “wrong” and did not accurately reflect his views. Heraf later apologized and said he had not expressed himself clearly.

But efforts to dampen the controversy have failed. New Zealand Football said in a statement it had “received a letter from the NZ Professional Footballers Association (NZPFA) last night with a number of complaints from the players of the Football Ferns.”

The mutiny comes only weeks after New Zealand gained international headlines for a deal which gives female pay parity with their male counterparts.

New Zealand Football signed the deal which provided female players with equal match payments, travel arrangements and prize money.

At the time, New Zealand women’s captain Ali Riley said the deal meant New Zealand would “be able to compete against the top teams, to be able to do well at a World Cup and the Olympics – this is what we needed.”

VIDEO: Colombia sees red, Japan takes early lead

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By Daniel KarellJun 19, 2018, 8:26 AM EDT
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The first red card of the World Cup came just moments after fans took their seats in Saransk.

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After David Ospina blocked a breakaway opportunity from Yuya Osako in the third minute of the match, Japan star and former Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa fired the rebound on goal. But his shot was blocked by the arm of Colombia midfielder Carlos Sanchez, which earned him a straight red card from referee Damir Skomina and an early trip to the locker room.

Kagawa then stepped up to the spot and calmly sent Ospina the wrong way to give Japan the shock early lead.

Colombia will play the rest of the match with ten men and no James Rodriguez, who was named to the bench for this match as he recovers from a reported calf injury.

Rodriguez out of Colombia starting XI

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By Daniel KarellJun 19, 2018, 7:29 AM EDT
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Taking a page out of Egypt’s book, Colombia will be without its talismanic playmaker for its first match, Tuesday morning against Japan.

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Juan Fernando Quintero replaced James Rodriguez in Colombia’s starting Xi to take on Japan in Saransk as Colombia coach Jose Pekerman clearly hopes a few extra days of recovery for the injured Rodriguez will help him return to 100 percent fitness. Rodriguez is battling a reported calf injury.

Rodriguez scored six goals and had two assists in five games at the last World Cup in Brazil, helping guide Los Cafeteros to their first World Cup quarterfinals appearance.