Toronto FC has a long way to go, but finally appears headed in the right direction
TFC has finished 26th, 27th, 29th and 22nd in the Supporters' Shield standings. Under current boss Robin Fraser, it stands 12th in the Eastern Conference — and 25th overall before Sunday play — at 5-13-7.
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Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Toronto FC adds to general allocation money stockpile in deal with Charlotte FC
TORONTO – Toronto FC has acquired $175,000 (all figures in U.S dollars) from Charlotte FC in exchange for a 2025 international roster spot. It's the latest in a series of deals that has seen Toronto restock its supply of general allocation money (GAM), which allows teams to add room under their salary cap. Last week, TFC picked up another $175,000 in 2025 GAM from the Portland Timbers last week in exchange for a 2025 international roster slot and $100,000 in 2025 GAM from Los Angeles FC in exchange for the discovery priority rights to Scottish defender Ryan Porteous. TFC got up to $550,000 in GAM from Orlando City SC on Aug. 1 in exchange for winger Tyrese Spicer. The deal included a guaranteed $500,000 in GAM — $225,000 in 2025 and $275,000 in 2026 — and an additional $50,000 in conditional GAM if certain performance-based metrics were met. Toronto collected $50,000 in 2026 GAM from Sporting Kansas City in a July 25 deal that sent a 2025 international roster slot the other way. Major League Soccer's secondary transfer window closes Aug. 21. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2025
Edmonton Journal
2 days ago
- Edmonton Journal
'Wow, this is really happening': Two Edmonton teens turning heads with the Vancouver Whitecaps
Article content While they were confident, there was no guarantee they were going to get into the game. Like most of the subs will do in the second half of a game, they started to warm up close to the field, doing stretches and sprints just in case the call came from head coach Jesper Sorenson. Article content 'We were warming up, right?' said Selemani. 'And the coach starts yelling at the trainer, and the trainer runs over to him. I think he said my name first. And my heart started racing. I started shaking. I was like, 'whoa, no way.' And then I put on the jersey, I walk up to the coach and he's telling me all the set pieces and stuff. And I'm thinking, wow, this is really happening. Article content 'And I'm at the line, I take one breath. And then I go on, I run and I'm shaking. I'm like, 'no way, I'm really doing this.' And then I hear my name 'substitute Johnny Selemani' and, wow.' Article content Elloumi said the Crew fans didn't give him the warmest of welcomes. But their name-calling was only music to the ears of a player itching to make his first-tier pro debut. Article content Article content 'I remember going to warm up, and just even walking to warm up, the fans who are close to the pitch, they're just screaming at you. They're calling you names, just trying to get in your head. And for me, it was probably one of the best moments of my life. This is what it really feels like. What an opportunity this is. If someone is yelling at you, this is a great feeling.' Article content Edmonton's soccer pipeline Article content In a city where the Oilers dominate the sports headlines during the regular season and playoffs, and dominate the headlines during the off-season, it's easy for the pipeline that exists between Edmonton and the Whitecaps to be overlooked. Edmonton is a city where there's a true soccer dichotomy; professional teams have come and gone. But, in the youth ranks, the city has, for years, punched above its weight when it comes to producing talent. While Davies is surely the poster boy for Edmonton as a soccer city, there are others who've made the jump to MLS or to Europe. Article content Article content Dieu-Merci Michel, who also came through the BTB program, scored his first goal for Vitoria de Guimaraes in Portugal's top league in 4-4 draw against powerhouse Sporting Lisbon. Lars Hirschfeld went from Edmonton to a long-time career in Europe tending goal. Erin McLeod and Stephanie Labbe both excelled in goal for the Canadian women's national team. Article content And there are Edmontonians who blazed trails in MLS; Shamit Shome made the move from FC Edmonton to the then-named Montreal Impact; Tosaint Ricketts played with both Toronto FC and the Whitecaps after playing in Europe. Article content And the 'Caps recognize that Edmonton is a goldmine of talent. Edmonton Minor Soccer has forged a partnership with the Whitecaps that runs until 2026; the team has established the Whitecaps FC Edmonton BMO Academy Centre to help identify and develop top male and female prospects. Article content A big part of Edmonton's footballing scene is BTB Soccer. Founded just 13 years, is now regarded as one of the top developmental clubs in the country. The proof of the club's success is the amount of players it has sent on to bigger and better things. Fifteen off to the pro ranks in North America or Europe. More than 50 sent to collegiate programs in Canada and the U.S.; 15 more sent to the Whitecaps Academy, the amateur arm of the pro club. Article content 'We just try to focus on ourselves and try to always improve,' said Kondeh Mansaray, BTB's founder and sporting director. 'I think I'm a soccer nerd because I know everything every club is doing in this country. I do the research, I go to websites, I go to social media. I like to see what they're doing, what's working, and if it is, try to bring that to BTB. And there are clubs who have reached out to me, asking how we think and how we do things. And then I see other clubs implementing what we just talked about. We've had to copy from people and they copy from us, but we're all just doing the best we can for the players. right?' Article content Article content Article content Because of the age gap, Selemani and Elloumi never played together at BTB. But their stories are similar. Both grew up in the south side — Selemani's from Blue Quill; Elloumi was born in St. Albert but spent his childhood in Terwillegar. Like a lot of south-side players, Selemani played at Edmonton Scottish United, and calls the Edmonton Soccer Dome, south of Ellerslie Road, home. Elloumi played at Juventus. But, both made the jumps to BTB in their early teens. Moving to a team based in the north-side meant lots of long transit rides to practices. Article content From there, both were selected to show their stuff with the Edmonton Whitecaps. Selemani was an immediate hit, and he moved to Vancouver at age 14. Elloumi was told by the Whitecaps that he needed to stay in Edmonton and work on his intensity. He came back the next year and was ready to go to Vancouver. Article content Article content Both players were living away from home before they could drive. Soccer talent is identified at much younger ages than other team sports. Careers begin earlier, but they also end earlier. The wear and tear of all that running, the punishment on knees and ankles, make a player an elder statesperson by the age of 30. So, kids start playing for keeps at an age that they're not really ready to leave the nest. But this is the nature of the sport. Article content The Whitecaps have an academy program, where players go to school and develop as players. From there, many players go off to collegiate careers. But the chosen few can move on to professional careers. Elloumi and Selemani were moved up to the Whitecaps 2 team in MLS Next, then got the call to show their stuff in in the big league this year. They're back with Whitecaps 2, but both are hungry to get back to the first team. Elloumi has seven goals and six assists in 13 MLS Next matches. What makes the production all the more impressive is that he was a starter in just eight of those games. Elloumi posted those numbers without maxing out his potential playing time because he was injured at outset of the season. Selemani, who is playing on the left side as either a winger or fullback, and has started 15 of 18 Whitecaps 2's MLS Next matches Article content Life in Vancouver took some time getting used to. Article content 'Just being away from at first, it wasn't easy,' said Elloumi. 'It's a whole different lifestyle. I had to learn how to become independent and more mature, not only as a player, but as a person. I had to make sure I was on top of everything, my own chores, my own food, and just getting around the city. Article content 'But, thankfully, I had a lot of support from my parents and family. They would call me every day, so I wouldn't be missing home too much.' Article content Selemani moved into a very crowded house. Article content 'I was just 14 when I came in,' he said. 'So, I had to adjust to things and I lived in a big house with, like, 15 other guys. I had to look up to them. I was on the phone to my parents literally every day, just saying 'what do I do?' I had to learn fast.' Article content Selemani was a key part of Canada's team that qualified for the U-17 World Cup. Both he and Elloumi are represented by ATG Sports Management, which was founded by Davies's agent, Nedal 'Nick' Huoseh. Article content Article content Mansaray coached them both at BTB. When he speaks about them, he can't hide his enthusiasm. Article content 'It's just so cool to see that all the hard work, all the sacrifices, are paying off,' said Mansaray. 'I was very happy for them when they made their debut. Article content 'Johnny was always an athletic player, fast, strong very good in one-v-one situations. He's a fighter, someone who can take a game and go win it for you. Rayan is a special human being. He's very kind. He's hard-working, a great teammate, a great person to coach. Rayan is probably one of the best finishers I've ever coached.' Article content
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Wilfried Zaha and Kristijan Kahlina lead Charlotte to 1-0 victory over Cincinnati
CINCINNATI (AP) — Wilfried Zaha scored late in the second half and Kristijan Kahlina finished with seven saves as Charlotte FC beat FC Cincinnati 1-0 on Sunday night to run its win streak to five and complete a season sweep. Cincinnati (15-7-4) was forced to play a man down after the 70th minute when midfielder Tah Brian Anunga was tagged with a red card. Zaha gave Charlotte the lead in the 85th minute when he used an assist from Idan Toklomati to score his seventh goal. It was the third assist for Toklomati. Kahlina earned his seventh clean sheet of the season for Charlotte (13-11-2). His final two saves came in stoppage time on shots by Evander Da Silva Ferreira and Miles Robinson. Kahlina had three saves in the first half. Roman Celentano finished with three saves for Cincinnati. Celantano set a club record by playing his 12,390th minute. Luciano Acosta set the record with 12,381. Cincinnati forward Luca Orellano left the match with an apparent right leg injury just before halftime. Ender Echenique, a 21-year-old forward, replaced him to begin the second half in his league debut. Charlotte defender Bill Tuiloma left with a hamstring injury seven minutes into the second half and was replaced by Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty. Zaha saw a six-match streak with an assist come to an end for Charlotte, which beat Cincinnati at home 2-0. Cincinnati missed a chance to grab the lead in the Eastern Conference and Supporters' Shield races. Charlotte, currently in seventh place in the East, won without captain Ashley Westwood after he was suspended for the match due to yellow-card accumulation. Charlotte leads the series 4-2-2 and is 2-2-0 in Cincinnati. Cincinnati is winless in four straight matchups with Charlotte. The club plays five of last eight matches at home where they are 7-3-2. Charlotte will host Real Salt Lake on Saturday. Cincinnati travels to play the Portland Timbers on Saturday. ___ AP soccer:
