It's Called Football!

Today we’re joined by TFC centreback Adrian Cann to update on his recovery, discuss where his contract talks are at with Toronto FC and what he thinks of the Aron Winter era so far. We’ll also get into the MLS draft and its place in the North American development pyramid, talk Brian Ching’s apparent change of heart and muse on a number of issues we missed while we were on holidays.

In the last in our ICF Year in Review series we feature three more interviews that made their mark this year. The first interview today was an inclusive for It’s Called Football and it came on the heels of an exclusive for Canadian Soccer News as we were the first to report that Carolina Morace had stepped down as the head coach of the women’s national team. In his first interview with the media, Peter Montopoli spoke to us first about her decision, how it came about and the women’s performance at the World Cup. This next interview was also about coaches. But in this case, the incoming coach at Vancouver. ICF had a a chance to be one of the first to speak to the Whitecaps new coach Martin Rennie. . The last interview and the last in our series of looks back is as much about looking forward and we’ve timed it to coordinate with some news we expect to happen in the next few weeks. This is an interview with Toronto FC defender Adrian Cann from September. He was still on the road to rehab at that time but now healed he found himself as he does now, without a contract for the upcoming year. We speak to him to keep his name on the radar and his story fresh in the mind.

These first two interviews today were, at the time, a look at what was to come with controversy. The last, we’re airing because it was oddly one of our favourite interviews of the year. And it’s not one you’ll expect. This first though is exactly what we’ve come to expect from the Score’s Kristian Jack as we speak to him him in April about Dwayne DeRosario. A lot of it serves as a warning of what was to come. This next interview is again about someone who found himself mired in controversy this season. And even here he finds himself defending a decision to play a big name friendly in the middle of the year. We spoke to then Whitecaps CEO Paul Barber. The last interview today is with a man few will even know but Dr. John Galluci – MLS medical coordinator proved to be one of the year’s most illuminating interviews as he talks about the most common injuries in MLS and gives us a look behind the scenes in his world.

This is the first of three year in review shows, as we re-air some of the best interviews on ICF from 2011. We chose this first interview with CSA vice president Victor Montagliani in part because there is a good chance he could be the CSA president next year – and as a man with a number of visions for what this game could be, it’s important to understand where he’s coming from and what he’s after. And partly we chose it to dream – as there are some big ones in it. Have a listen. This next one was with the NASL commissioner David Downs. It was a timely interview and we were the first in Canada to talk to the D2 boss about his aspirations into Canada. Aspirations that they still very much have – even as Canada takes a look at the possibility of its own league. Like the CSA, its important to remember that the NASL still very much considers Canada fertile ground. Have a listen This last one features an interview with Earl Cochrane from very early on in the year. The Winter era had just begun and Earl was now working on the competition side of things and had sat on a committee with MLS that sought to reduce the Canadian requirements. In this interview Earl explains why he thought it was the right decision and fights off the idea of criticism.

Today, we’re joined by Phillipe Germain from Montreal's Soccer Plus podcast to talk about Patrice Beriner’s return home, if he’s equipped to handle the pressure and who else might be on Montreal’s radar. We’ll also talk about what could lead to the death of Canada’s provincial teams, preview CSN’s year end awards and given that it’s our last podcast of 2011 look back on the stories that came to define Canadian football in the last year.

Today, we're joined by CSN's new Whitecaps editor, Michael McColl, to talk about the real reason behind Paul Barber's desparture, if Martin Rennie can manage some of the egos he's inherited and talk about what's coming to CSN in the months ahead. We'll also check in with Ben Knight about the CSA selection committee, completely ignore the non-story of Stefan Frei training with Liverpool and talk at length about what the MLSE sale means for soccer and soccer coverage in Toronto.

Today, we're joined by president of the Vancouver Whitecaps Bob Lenarduzzi to talk about his new book, look back on the year that was for Vancouver and to gives us a peak on what's coming in the days ahead regarding player signings. We'll also get into what's behind the departure of TFC Academy director Stuart Neely, glean what we can from the latest interview from JDG2 and check in with Ben Knight on his CSA election investigation.

Today, we're joined by Phillipe Germain, host of the SoccerPlus podcast and Canadian correspondent for World Soccer magazine, to discuss the Montreal Impact's latest wheelings and dealings, what their motivation was in going after Brian Ching and why the Andre Hainault trade will not work, plus his thoughts on the Nicholas Anelka rumours and how that personality might clash within the Impact organization We'll also get into the legal wranglings that are holding up Ottawa's stadium progress, talk about price vs value in MLS and what Toronto and Vancouver's waived players mean for the direction of their clubs

Today, we're joined by Phillipe Germain, host of the SoccerPlus podcast and Canadian correspondent for World Soccer magazine, to discuss the Montreal Impact's latest wheelings and dealings, what their motivation was in going after Brian Ching and why the Andre Hainault trade will not work, plus his thoughts on the Nicholas Anelka rumours and how that personality might clash within the Impact organization We'll also get into the legal wranglings that are holding up Ottawa's stadium progress, talk about price vs value in MLS and what Toronto and Vancouver's waived players mean for the direction of their clubs

Today, we're joined by Jarred Peters of the Score and Winnipeg Free Press to discuss if Stephen Hart is equipped to lead Canada through the next round of World Cup qualifying, how the Canadian talent pool compares to the rest of the group and what games he views as key to their success. We'll also discuss some of the expansion draft surprises, if the MLS Cup lived up to the hype and talk about LA's fourth best player like his legacy matters more than it does.

Today, we're joined by Alex Campbell Jr., owner of the Victoria Highlanders, and the man who has turned over a significant portion of that ownership to the fans and local teams. We'll talk to him about the motivations behind his decision and how the business model will work and what he thinks about the idea of a national league and if regional community invested teams are a solution. We'll also talk about Canada's lack of interest/effort in the St. Kitts game, what to expect out of the next round of qualifying and (in lieu of the recent Torsten Frings panic) discuss if MLS winter loans are a good or bad thing for the league.

We’re joined today by Canadian international Patrice Bernier to talk about his return to international football, a scary ride into St. Kitts and where he sees Canada compared to the rest of the region. We'll also be talking about David Testo's decision to come out (and the greater impact it could have on the sport), what Toronto drawing LA means for the team (as well as the city) and on the eve of a sure thing, we'll look back on other sure things and what should have been for Canada.

Today, we're joined by John Herdman, the head coach of the Canadian women's national team, to talk about the current direction of the team, where things fell apart at the World Cup and what they're doing to correct it. Not one to shy away from an opinion, Herdman gives some pretty blunt assessments of the former leadership and where he's taking the team now. We'll also look at the recent signings and releases by Toronto and Vancouver, talk about some of the moves in the lead up to the next Canada game and discuss the Canadian contributions in the MLS playoffs over the weekend.

Today, we're joined by John Herdman, the head coach of the Canadian women's national team, to talk about the current direction of the team, where things fell apart at the World Cup and what they're doing to correct it. Not one to shy away from an opinion, Herdman gives some pretty blunt assessments of the former leadership and where he's taking the team now. We'll also look at the recent signings and releases by Toronto and Vancouver, talk about some of the moves in the lead up to the next Canada game and discuss the Canadian contributions in the MLS playoffs over the weekend.

Today, we’re joined by Bill Ault – editor for Canadakicks.com and the director of BASE skills to talk about some concerning developments surrounding the OSA’s intent to implement the long term player development initiative. For those who don’t know Bill, he’s as plugged in a guy as there is in Ontario for development and we’ll get into what this means for Ontario and Canadian soccer. We’ll also chop up – or maybe flop up – the Marquez fight from the weekend, look at the Canadians in the MLS playoffs and talk up some TFC and Toronto soccer rumours. As well as talk about what the Canadian Women's gold medal win means for the team moving forward.