The Lead

When I watch Canada lose—and it’s safe to say no team loses like Canada loses, no team leaves hearts as crushed, spirits as low, as the Canadian mens national team—through all the disgust, confusion, and beer/wine/scotch, I think back to the days in 1888 when a team of Canadians traveled to England and faced off against what were then the best club sides in the world, and matched their record 9-5-9. I think back to David Forsyth’s work in Galt (now Cambridge) Ontario, when a high school chemistry teacher helped perfect the Canadian game a mere two decades after the association rules were agreed upon in the Freemasons’ Tavern in London in 1863. I remember the Canadian game is bigger than any one team, any single iteration of failure, and certainly bigger than the Association which didn’t come into being until 1912. And I feel ever so slightly less had.

Canada is certainly bigger than whatever that…thing…on the Toronto lake shore. I find the phony romanticism in fan claims of undying attachment to a corporate entity bestowed unto the city—not by any community initiative but rather a business decision made in the offices of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment—hard to deal with, so I’m going to put on my smiley face instead and remind you there is a far, far more important team to get yourself involved with this weekend, a team built by teachers, community leaders, students, and civil servants before the turn of the penultimate century.

Canada is on the verge of a berth in the Hexagonal stage of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. Tomorrow Canada hosts Cuba, and needless to say, a win is essential to reach the next stage. Then on October 16th (and hopefully not before), comes the most important game of qualifying this calendar year. Canada needs you, and even if it leaves you high-and-dry for the thousandth, millionth time, that long history forged by generations of ordinary people will remain, ready to face the next, seemingly impossible challenge. And you should be there for it too.

Canada 

Vancouver’s Caleb Clarke netted the winning goal in Canada’s win over the U.S. at the Marbella Cup.

Montreal eliminated from playoff contention after draw with Houston – Match Report

Canadian men’s soccer team preparing for a crucial set of World Cup qualifiers.

England

Wayne Rooney announced as captain for match against San Marino.

Tottenham keeper Hugo Lloris denies any conflict with Andre Villas-Boas.

Chelsea duo Frank Lampard and Ryan Bertrand forced out of qualifier against San Marino.

Arsenal confirm Laurent Koscielny’s injury is not serious…declared fit for France

“John Terry is an inspiration on and off the pitch” – Joe Hart

Arsenal’s chief executive Ivan Gazidis believes the clubs wait for silverware is coming to an end.

Michael Owen admits to falling, not diving, during 1998 and 2002 World Cup tournaments.

Edin Dzeko confirms he wants to stay at Manchester City and fight for his place… frustrated over life on the bench

Former FA chairman Lord Triesman shocked Terry received a shorter ban than Louis Suarez.

Brendan Rodgers gives keeper Jose Reina his full support.

Wenger wants a new striker for Arsenal in January.

Liverpool’s Louis Suarez promises to improve his attitude.

West Ham’s Ricardo Vaz Te out for eight weeks after shoulder surgery.

Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins backs manager Michael Laudrup.

West Ham reconfirms its commitment to the Olympic Stadium.

“Young Lions don’t love England” – Patrick Vieira

Former QPR midfielder Lee Cook believes the clubs senior players are there for a ‘pay-day’.

Santi Cazorla insists he can still improve for Arsenal, wants more responsibility.

England left-back Leighton Baines is inspired by all the competition.

Blackburn considering former players Paul Dickov and Garry Flitcroft for manager position.

Suso set to sign a new long-term deal with Liverpool.

Alan Pardew believes new sponsor Wonga can push Newcastle into a top four spot.

Italy

Alessandro Del Piero snubbed Liverpool due to the 1985 Heysel tragedy.

Roma set to announce the plans to build a new stadium.

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli questions UEFA’s financial rules.

“No doubt Antonio Conte is innocent” – Andrea Agnelli

Nemanja Vidic’s agent confirms the Manchester United defender will not be joining Juventus or leaving Old Trafford.

Milan will fly out to New York for a meeting with Pep Guardiola – Report

Antonio Conte could miss more games for criticizing Italy’s sport justice system.

Spain

Barcelona held to a 0-0 draw by Anderlecht in the NextGen Series – Match Report

Racism doesn’t exist in Spain according to Spanish FA chief.

Choosing between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is an impossible task.

Barcelona and Real Madrid loan out 29 players for international duty.

Germany

Recently retired Michael Ballack considering management.

Germany U-21 captain Lewis Holtby set for a new deal with Schalke.

Implications of financial fair play for Bundesliga clubs.

Bits and bobs

Roberto Carlos’s greatest goals – Top Ten Video

More injuries woes for U.S. ahead of World Cup qualifiers.

Ronaldinho banned one-match for dangerous kick.

The top ten wonder-if-he-meant-it-goals – Video

Colombian man tires to hide a large amount of marijuana in a Lionel Messi portrait.

Mesut Ozil’s seems to like his haircut a lot…quite a big smile he’s got going on and he’s throwing up gang signs (Ironman moment)

Rubin Kazan’s Cesar Navas knees Martin Jakubko in the face and breaks his jaw…UFC football

Former Tottenham and Arsenal player reveals the truth about the transfer window.

Sessegnon’s killer cross over injures opponent.

SiriusXM set to launch an all-soccer channel on Monday.

Thanks to Michael Tomasone for compiling today’s links.