Geovanny Caicedo

The Lead

Toronto FC hosted their Media Day yesterday, in which grown men are forced to wear full-kits in front of a slew of reporters asking rote questions. However, TFC one-upped Bayern Munich by using the occasion to unveil a new signing (not an app). Meet Geovanny Caicedo! Here’s a Wiki entry. And here’s a horribly grainy YouTube video. Outside of that, as Duane Rollins points out, we don’t know much:

So, don’t shoot the messenger (that would be me) for telling everyone to take a deep breath. There have been promising signings before. We simply don’t know enough about Caicedo to judge whether he’s the guy to finally plug the hole in TFC’s back-line. We will at least need to see him play against MLS competition first.

Fair. What else did we learn from #TFCMediaDay? A good update on the Jonathan De Guzman to Canada news. Apparently he’s meeting with Canadian national team coach Stephen Hart this week to discuss coming aboard. Hoilett schmoilett for now!

As for the rest, TFC are close to signing Chilean full-back Miguel Aceval. And overall, everyone left feeling the warm-and-fuzzies about the team’s prospects this season. As Molinaro writes, Aron Winter is doubling down this season with no ready-at-hand excuses this year:

“Last season was a false start, because the moment we arrived … we didn’t have a very strong roster. This season was very good start. We have done a great job in the off-season (of signing and scouting players),” Winter said.

Which means now of course Toronto expects. And if Winter doesn’t deliver, we’re right back to where we started from…

Canada

Another lengthy Media Day wrap here.

Ben Rycroft wonders if Christine Sinclair is Canada’s best player, ever.

Residency prospect Ben Fisk impresses in training for Vancouver Whitecaps.

Do-or-die tonight for Canada. But honestly if we can’t win this one we don’t deserve to go, and other redundant sentences.

England

While Sir Alex Ferguson refused to answer direct questions about the Evra/Suarez affair, he did appeal for calm ahead of Man United’s FA Cup match against Liverpool. Also, he’s a “phenomenon” and the key to longevity is “delegation.”

Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard echoes Sir Alex’s appeal for calm.

Rooney an injury doubt for the game.

And of course these aren’t the only two clubs whose fans need to be “warned.”

Roberto Mancini says refs are “tired.”

Chris Samba: It’s “personal” between me and the Venkys. Gloves off.

Jack Wilshere’s fresh injury setback.

Refs to clamp down on dangerous two-footed tackles.

Italy

Catania have turned down Fulham’s €9 million bid to join Fulham, which means he’s all AC Milan’s, which means regarding their pursuit of Carlos Tevez…?

AC Milan book their Coppa Italia semifinal spot against Juventus.

James Horncastle with a wonderful piece on Alessandro Del Piero’s final farewell.

Spain

Iniesta will be out for three weeks due to a muscle tear.

Did Jose Mourinho attempt to ambush the referee following Wednesday’s Copa Del Rey match?

Bits and bobs

Louise Taylor on Patrice Evra’s evolution.

SI’s all-time best player draft featuring an impressive array of players and journos!

And that, give or take, is the story so far…