2011 Nutrilite Canadian Championship

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Semi-Final Stage

vs.
April 27, 2011 @fc Stade Saputo, Montreal, Quebec
May 4, 2011 @ Empire Field, Vancouver, British Columbia

vs.
April 27, 2011 @commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, Alberta
May 4, 2011 @bmo Field, Toronto, Ontario


Championship Final
The highest seeded team in the final will determine whether it opens at home or away

May 18, 2011 TBD v TBD
May 25, 2011 TBD v TBD

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Whitecaps, Impact rivalry has plenty of animosity

Defining moments of feud ahead of Canadian Championship opener

When you consider the ingredients that create a sports rivalry, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC-Montreal Impact feud pretty well covers all bases. Geographically, the cities aren’t close, but they’re both Canadian clubs eager to be the best in the country. As far as connections go, there have been many players and coaches who have been a part of both organizations.

And history, you ask? Well there is no shortage of that either.

Next season, Montreal make the jump to MLS. But on Wednesday, the two clubs meet in the first leg of a two-match semifinal series in the 2011 Nutrilite Canadian Championship at Montreal’s Saputo Stadium (8 pm ET).

The Whitecaps and the Impact have faced one another an often-memorable 19 times over the past three seasons alone. In anticipation of this week’s matchup, MLSsoccer.com takes a look at five critical moments that have stirred the dislike between the two clubs. The results of these games include three red cards, five championships decided and a whole lot of bad blood.

www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/whitecaps-impact-rivalry-has-plenty-animosity

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It's Our Turn

Expanded four-team NCC tourney opens play tonight

TORONTO – The fourth edition of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship kicks off Wednesday night, with a new team – FC Edmonton – thrown into the mix alongside familiar combatants Toronto FC, the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Montreal Impact.

The arrival of a fourth contender also marks the first time since the tournament’s inception in 2008 that it has changed from a three-team round-robin format, instead pitting the four participating clubs against one another in two-legged knockout rounds.

Joe Guest, deputy general secretary of the Canadian Soccer Association, says that as professional soccer in Canada continues to grow, so will the NCC.

“We’ve expanded it to include a fourth team, FC Edmonton, who have an NASL franchise this year,” Guest told MLSsoccer.com by phone. “We have already started to review how [the tournament] going forward can be reformatted into a different style of competition.

www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/ncc-expansion-marks-new-era-canadian-game

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Semi-Final Stage

NCC: Whitecaps escape Montreal with 1-0 victory

Dunfield, Teibert combine to defeat Impact in semi 1st leg
2nd leg - May 4, 2011 @ Empire Field, Vancouver, British Columbia

NCC: Santos, TFC pummel 10-man Edmonton 3-0

Brazilian bags brace as Toronto easily win away leg of semifinals
2nd leg - May 4, 2011 @bmo Field, Toronto, Ontario

Championship Final
The highest seeded team in the final will determine whether it opens at home or away

May 18, 2011 TBD v TBD
May 25, 2011 TBD v TBD

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Championship Final

May 18, 2011
v.
@ Empire Field, Vancouver, British Columbia

May 25, 2011
v.
@bmo Field, Toronto, Ontario

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LEG ONE


With eight starters from MLS First Kick in the starting XI, Vancouver Whitecaps FC felt confident that they could replicate their 4-2 win over Toronto FC. This time, however, things just didn’t go their way.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS: torontofc.neulion.com/tfc/console.jsp?catid=2&id=3140

Only able to finish one of their numerous scoring chances, Vancouver had to settle for a 1-1 draw against their Canadian rivals in the first leg of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship final at Empire Field on Wednesday night.

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Nutrilite Canadian Championship second leg rescheduled

Replay is scheduled for Saturday, July 2

The second leg of the 2011 Nutrilite Canadian Championship final between Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Toronto FC will now be played on Saturday, July 2, at 9:30 a.m. PT at BMO Field. The second leg was rescheduled after the original match at BMO Field was abandoned due to unplayable field conditions on Wednesday evening.

The second leg was tentatively rescheduled to be replayed on Thursday morning at 8 a.m. PT at BMO Field, but after another field inspection, officials from the Canadian Soccer Association, Whitecaps FC, and Toronto FC agreed that BMO Field was still unplayable due to field conditions. All parties have now agreed to replay the second leg at BMO Field on Saturday, July 2. Whitecaps FC and Toronto FC have a Major League Soccer regular season match at BMO Field on Wednesday, June 29. CONCACAF has been informed of the new date for the second leg.

whitecapsfc.com/news/2011/05/nutrilite-canadian-championship-second-leg-rescheduled

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Soolsma's penalty gives TFC 1-0 win over 'Caps

Sides engage in defensive struggle ahead of Canadian Cup final

A second-half goal from Dutchman Nick Soolsma - the first of his MLS career - sent the locals home happy as Toronto FC took a 1-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps away from BMO field on Wednesday night.

In a game that was mostly a back-and-forth defensive struggle, Soolsma had the single moment of offensive spark, which proved enough to get the Reds the full three points.

After having won a second-ball just outside the Vancouver area in the 54th minute, Soolsma dribbled into the area, taking on backpedaling defender Greg Janicki. Soolsma cut inside and then back out, drawing Janicki into a challenge on the edge of the area. Referee Mark Geiger didn't hesitate, blowing his whistle and pointing to the spot.

The Dutchman stepped up and converted with no trouble to Whitecaps 'keeper Jay Nolly's left, but Geiger whistled Soolsma's teammate Joao Plata for box encroachment and the kick had to be retaken. Soolsma stepped up again and this time went to Nolly's right, burying the chance and giving Toronto their first regular-season win since May 7th.

Neither team had shown much offensive initiative in the first 45 minutes, as both sides rested a host of starters ahead of Saturday's Nutrilite Canadian Championship final second-leg. There were few chances to be found, and generally dislocated play from both teams.

www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/06/29/recap-soolsmas-penalty-gives-tfc-1-0-win-over-caps

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Toronto can feel their confidence growing after huge week

Two wins, third straight NCC title, two new signings bring buzz back

TORONTO — In the span of four days, Toronto FC have won two games.

That is indeed a big deal for a team that had not tasted victory since May 7, a span of 10 games in all competitions including nine in Major League Soccer. And the latest — a comeback over Vancouver on Saturday that clinched TFC a third consecutive Nutrilite Canadian Championship — is easily the sweetest.

“It feels amazing,” ‘keeper Stefan Frei said after Saturday’s 2-1 win at BMO Field. “It’s something I would love to get used to.”

www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/07/02/toronto-can-feel-their-confidence-growing-after-huge-week