Also: MUFC Update, Development Day in Huntsville, Euro 2024 qualifying, MLS Decision Day, and Grillin’ For Graham

I remember the first time I saw Michael Bradley play live in Toronto and it was on the opposing team.

It was a lovely summer evening in August of 2013 and many of our small but mighty Italian community in Huntsville headed down Highway 11 and the 400 for the match.

Of course, on that night, we weren’t there to see Toronto FC, though a couple of the people with us already were season ticket holders.

It was an exhibition match against AS Roma during the twilight of Francesco Totti’s career and the 18,000-plus in attendance gave him a huge ovation when he entered late in the 4-1 Roma victory.

Soon to be Toronto FC star midfielder and eventual captain, Michael Bradley started that match for Roma. He had been impressive for his intelligence, energy and passion on the pitch in Europe – and for Roma – before eventually being transferred to TFC in January 2014.

I remember many of us being impressed by Bradley from his European adventure and we were excited by the signing.

It was the beginning of an incredible period of sustained success that all future Reds captains and squads will be judged against. Now, 10 years on, Bradley has announced his retirement and he will be playing his farewell match on October 21 at home versus Orlando. Kick-off is 6 p.m. For those who can’t make it, TSN 4 will have the match live as will MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

Bradley’s decade of service to TFC included nine trophies: one MLS Cup (2017), three Eastern Conference Championships (2016, 2017, 2019), one Supporters’ Shield (2017) and four Canadian Championships (2016, 2017, 2018, 2020). The 2017 domestic treble marked the first time in history an MLS team achieved that result.

And while he was a fierce competitor on the pitch, he was also a wonderful individual off of it. From my own kids getting high fives and a supportive word at BMO Field pre-match, to people I know having friendly conversations in public with Bradley, he showed a quality of character we can all respect and admire.

To the best captain in TFC history and a legendary Red for life we must say “Thank You” for all your efforts on and off the pitch.

Good luck in your next adventures – hopefully we see you as a coach or manager pacing the sidelines sometime soon!

MUFC updates

The MUFC U13 Girls finished their season this week with an away match against Toronto High Park. On October 12, Olivea O’Halloran scored the lone goal for MUFC in a 7-1 loss to Bradford.

Though the season didn’t go exactly as planned they had some great moments and a good base to improve from in the coming years. Andi Stevenson led the team in goal scoring with her good friend O’Halloran just behind her.

The roster for this season included Stevenson, O’Halloran, Cora Richardson, Emily Bunker, Ella Willmott, Aliyah Loranger, Sophie Rix, Leila Hurrell, Lucy Guy, Kyra Nicholas, Fiona Wilson, Esperanza Coulson, Jovie Moore, Piper Hemington, Waverly Earl, and Oakley Collis.

The MUFC U13 girls were coached by Mark O’Dell with Emily O’Reilly as assistant coach and Kristina Smith team manager. Occasionally other coaches like Graham Thompson pitched in on the training pitch as well.

MUFC DEVELOPMENT DAY IN HUNTSVILLE

For the rep development age groups, the next MUFC Development Day takes place at Conroy Park in Huntsville on Saturday, October 21.

Arrive early to the appropriate time to register, which will be followed by a 15-minute warm-up and subsequent training session.

All those interested in rep soccer for the 2024 calendar year are encouraged to attend and express their interest.

If interested in rep soccer for 2024, but unable to attend, please email muskokaunitedfc@gmail.com and the administrator will put you in touch with the appropriate coach.

The MUFC board has indicated that next year’s coaching staffs for all age groups, plus competitive rosters and other pertinent information related to 2024 will be announced soon.

European Qualifying

Let’s give credit where it’s due: England was full value in their 3-1 victory over Italia on Tuesday and have earned their spot in Euro 2024, to be hosted by Germany.

The Three Lions joined other qualifiers Austria, Belgium, France, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, and Turkey as well as the hosts in the tournament. There are still 12 direct qualifying spots available, with as well as three teams joining from a playoff round (that includes a whole lot of rules about who performed well during the previous Nations League that did not qualify directly).

The defending champion Azzurri will have two opportunities to qualify. The first will be through getting positive results against both North Macedonia and Ukraine in November to finish second in their group. The second, back-door entry, will be via the playoffs which they have already qualified for by winning their Nations League group last time around.

For full fixtures, results and standings, visit: https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/

MLS Decision day

Saturday, October 21 is Major League Soccer (MLS) Decision Day with several teams able to qualify for the playoffs if things go their way. Scenarios courtesy of MLS staff article.

Montréal will clinch a berth in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs (Eastern Conference) if:

1. Montréal win at Columbus or…
2. Chicago lose/draw at New York City AND Charlotte lose/draw vs. Miami or…
3. Chicago lose/draw at New York City AND New York lose/draw at Nashville or…
4. Charlotte lose/draw vs. Miami AND New York lose/draw at Nashville

New York Red Bulls will clinch a berth in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs (Eastern Conference) if:

1. New York win at Nashville AND Montréal lose/draw at Columbus or…
2. New York win at Nashville AND Chicago lose/draw at New York City or…
3. New York win at Nashville AND New York advantage in tiebreakers over Chicago or…
4. New York draw at Nashville AND Chicago lose/draw at New York City AND Charlotte lose/draw vs. Miami

Chicago will clinch a berth in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs (Eastern Conference) if:

1. Chicago win at New York City AND Montréal lose/draw at Columbus or…
2. Chicago win at New York City AND New York lose/draw at Nashville or…
3. Chicago win at New York City AND Chicago advantage in tiebreakers over New York or…
4. Chicago draw at New York City AND New York lose at Nashville AND Charlotte lose/draw vs. Miami

Charlotte will clinch a berth in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs (Eastern Conference) if:

1. Charlotte win vs. Miami AND Montréal lose/draw at Columbus AND Chicago lose/draw at New York City or…
2. Charlotte win vs. Miami AND Montréal lose/draw at Columbus AND New York lose/draw at Nashville or…
3. Charlotte win vs. Miami AND Chicago lose/draw at New York City AND New York lose/draw at Nashville

New York City will clinch a berth in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs (Eastern Conference) if:

1. New York City win vs. Chicago AND New York lose at Nashville AND Charlotte lose/draw vs. Miami

Portland will clinch a berth in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs (Western Conference) if:

1. Portland win vs. Houston or…
2. Portland draw vs. Houston AND San Jose draw vs. Austin or…
3. Portland draw vs. Houston AND Dallas draw at LA or…
4. San Jose lose vs. Austin or…
5. Dallas lose at LA or…
6. Kansas City draw vs. Minnesota

Dallas will clinch a berth in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs (Western Conference) if:

1. Dallas win at LA or…
2. Dallas draw at LA AND Portland lose vs. Houston or…
3. Dallas draw at LA AND San Jose lose/draw vs. Austin or…
4. San Jose lose vs. Austin AND Dallas advantage in tiebreakers over San Jose or…
5. Kansas City draw vs. Minnesota

San Jose will clinch a berth in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs (Western Conference) if:

1. San Jose win vs. Austin or…
2. San Jose draw vs. Austin AND Portland lose vs. Houston or…
3. San Jose draw vs. Austin AND Dallas lose at LA or…
4. Dallas lose at LA AND San Jose advantage in tiebreakers over Dallas or…
5. Kansas City draw vs. Minnesota

Kansas City will clinch a berth in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs (Western Conference) if:

1. Kansas City win vs. Minnesota AND Portland lose/draw vs. Houston or…
2. Kansas City win vs. Minnesota AND San Jose lose/draw vs. Austin or…
3. Kansas City win vs. Minnesota AND Dallas lose/draw at LA

Minnesota will clinch a berth in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs (Western Conference) if:

1. Minnesota win at Kansas City AND Portland lose/draw vs. Houston or…
2. Minnesota win at Kansas City AND San Jose lose/draw vs. Austin or…
3. Minnesota win at Kansas City AND Dallas lose/draw at LA

All MLS matches are available to stream on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

There are also several Top 4 seed scenarios on the go, with our only real Canadian hope to cheer for Vancouver in the mix.

Vancouver will clinch a top-four seed in the Western Conference if:

1. Vancouver win vs. LAFC AND Seattle lose at St. Louis AND Houston lose/draw at Portland or…
2. Vancouver win vs. LAFC AND Seattle lose at St. Louis AND Salt Lake lose/draw at Colorado or…
3. Vancouver win vs. LAFC AND Houston lose/draw at Portland AND Salt Lake lose/draw at Colorado

For more on the playoff race and scenarios, check out: https://www.mlssoccer.com/competitions/mls-cup-playoffs/

Grillin’ for graham

A group of boys from the MUFC U17 team and who play on the HHS Hoyas team set up a Grillin’ for Graham Fundraiser during the Muskoka-Parry Sound playoffs that raised over $500 and was donated to the Go Fund Me campaign.

As well, last weekend, a dedicated group of friends went over to help do some fall clean-up, which included winterizing the lawnmower, storing away some summer items and getting the snowblower ready to go for the coming months.

Way to go boys! They also qualified for the GBSAA finals, which you can read about in our weekly Muskoka School Sports Report on the weekend.

Those who haven’t, also please visit: You’ll Never Walk Alone to find out how much our friend means to us and our community.