Photo courtesy TFCpics.com

That was fun.

The friendly last night between Toronto FC and England’s Bolton Wanderers was a light-hearted little distraction from the grind that is TFC’s season. And the fact that exactly zero of TFC’s regulars featured in the match, played just three days ahead of a crucial game against FC Dallas, made it that much more enjoyable.

There was little stress as a supporter, knowing that no key cogs — minus one new signee who needed match fitness anyway — would be at risk of injury/burnout as a result of the match. Instead, we got a collection of bench-warmers, TFC Academy players, and CSL trialists donning the red jerseys. And of course there was Mista, the newest addition to Toronto’s attack who, in his first ever appearance in a TFC shirt, wore the armband.

Bolton was playing the third match of their pre-season, making the match a decidedly easygoing affair in which the main goal for both sides was to work off the rust and get some time in for those who needed it.

While it was admittedly not an all-out competitive tilt, there were some bright spots for both teams. Bolton’s Martin Petrov, recently transferred over from Manchester City, looked incredibly lively during his time on the pitch, and he turned TFC right back Maxim Usanov inside-out before creating the Trotters’ lone goal.

On the TFC side, Mista had flashes of brilliance, culminating in a perfectly-weighted cross onto the awaiting head of Maicon Santos for the Toronto goal. Mista and Maicon looked to be forming the beginnings of a decent forward partnership, something that Preki will need to consider going forward.

The Academy kids looked good for TFC as well, namely defender Doneil Henry and midfielder Nicholas Lindsay. Third-string keeper Milos Kocic stood tall with a few good saves. Even the CSL guests players impressed, making it a near-perfect night for the players on the field.

With that out of the way it’s back to the grind, and a match against visiting FC Dallas. The Texan side is currently the hottest team in MLS, surging up the table (and past TFC) after a slow start to the season.

Lead by All-Star forward/midfielder David Ferreira, Dallas is a balanced side with many attacking options. Young Brek Shea, he of many different awful hairstyles, has come into his own this season, helping form a three-pronged attack with Ferreira and former TFC pout striker Jeff Cunningham. While Cunningham’s form has cooled off substantially as of late, the extra motivation of playing at BMO Field against the one club where he could not score consistently may be exactly what he needs to heat up once again.

Games against the likes of Dallas and other midtable MLS sides are the ones that TFC absolutely need to take advantage of, especially at home, if they want to make a run to the playoffs for the first time. This midsummer glut of games has been the downfall of the Reds in their short history, and if Preki’s wants his side to distinguish itself from previous versions of TFC, they’ll need to break the habit of dogging it throughout July and August.

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Pros and Cons for the Toronto FC versus Bolton Wanderers friendly match played on Wednesday, July 21, 2010:

PROS

• Mista and Maicon Santos looking impressive in their first outing as a strike partnership
• Academy players Doneil Henry and Nicolas Lindsay not looking out of place on the same field as an EPL side
• Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen acknowledging the “juicy” chants from the south end
• “Another save for Milos!!”

CONS

• Raivis Hscanovics continuing to look out of depth, even in a half-paced friendly
• The late-arriving Toronto crowd arrived even later, which seems almost impossible
• O’Brien White missing a total gimme of a chance in front of the wide-open Bolton goal
• Not that it matters at all, but this was the third edition of the Carlsberg Cup, and TFC has yet to win it

HIGHLIGHTS

Posted by Rudi Schuller

The final Nutrilite Canadian Championship match versus Vancouver Whitecaps will give everyone in the stadium the rare chance to watch a completely stress-free Cup game in which the outcome really doesn’t matter.

TFC is already 2010 Voyageurs Cup champion, yet they are required to play out the schedule against a Whitecaps team that will once again finish second. Those same ‘Caps flew to Montreal last year sitting in first place in the competition, only to watch their Cup dreams completely fall apart before their eyes. Now they get to watch as the same team that snatched the Cup from their grip last year is again awarded with the championship, this time without the high drama that 2009 provided.

TFC has already gone public that this match will likely feature many of its lesser-played players. Some of the Academy kids, including a 15-year-old, will also be available for selection when Preki fills out his lineup card before the match.

Given that seven Academy players have been called up to the big squad, it’s a fair bet that at least one or two of them will see game action tomorrow, with perhaps one of them lucky enough to start.

Make no mistake, this is a nothing game to Toronto FC the MLS side, but as a top-to-bottom club, the mere inclusion of the U-18′s in the 30-man roster is a huge step. The kids will be ready if called upon too, as the crowd at BMO Field will be the biggest that any of them has ever played in front of before. What great motivation that must be.

TFC’s winning the competition early may just be the biggest credibility boost that the Academy has ever had in its short lifespan. Play for TFC Academy and you could end up playing a match or two in front of the famous BMO Field crowd for real. It’s the stuff dreams are made of.

As for the Voyageurs Cup tournament, sources say that it will officially conclude with the presentation of the trophy at the end of the match. Maybe the Whitecaps players will even stick around to watch. Again.

Posted by Rudi Schuller

Join us at Maro (135 Liberty St.) for pre-game libations, starting at 5:30pm.

That’s what Toronto FC Business Director Paul Beirne posted to his Twitter account earlier today. It’s an astonishingly profound statement to be coming from the club, even if it is currently just a one-liner in the “discussion” stages.

In light of the recent abrupt defection of 20-year-old FC Utrecht player Jacob Lensky from Canada to the Czechs, Beirne’s sentiment is a positively refreshing one.

It’s obvious to anyone who has followed the local game that it is the professional clubs that will force the positive change the sport needs in this country.

The Vancouver Whitecaps have taken it upon themselves to raise the bar of youth development through its top-down total club structure and residency program, and the results are already manifesting themselves. The Impact have forged partnerships with Quebec soccer and provided an avenue for young players in that province to thrive. If you’re reading this site, I don’t need to explain to you what TFC has done for the soccer landscape, not only in the GTA but also the entire country.

Now it seems TFC is at least considering taking the steps of ensuring that its burgeoning Academy program will benefit Canada instead of some European power ready to cherry pick the most promising children of ex-pats for its own gain.

Is it all a bit jingoistic?

Perhaps, but given the alarming frequency with which this particular country seems to be losing players to top programs that would be fine without our help, it’s a symbolic-yet-needed step in the right direction.

If you’re a Canadian kid playing for TFC Academy, and you’re good enough, you’ll eventually play for Canada. Period. Full stop. No excuses.

I love it.

Let’s hope this “discussion” eventually becomes the rule.

Posted by Rudi Schuller