It's Called Football!

Today, in a short shortened show, we'll continue our look back on the year for Toronto and Vancouver, assess what Dwayne DeRosario winning the Golden Boot means for the league and discuss Steve Nicol's departure from New England. Be sure to join us on Friday for a full hour of live extra time It's Called Football. If you haven't joined us for extra time ICF it's where we take questions from the chat, talk about some of the things we wouldn't normally on the regular show and broach topics that, frankly, we wouldn't want written down anywhere. This show is not recorded so if you want to see what gets said you'll have to tune in. The show kicks off at 2pm ET.

Today, we're joined by author Simon Kuper to talk about his new book Soccer Men and tell stories about some of the biggest stars in North America and the world. We'll also pretend to take the New England v Toronto game serious but instead end up talking about what happened to the Reserve League. We'll talk about FC Edmonton serious push for a new stadium and seriously look at possible CCL match-ups.

Today, we're joined by Sportsnet.ca's John Molinaro to take a look back on Toronto's year, discuss their overall performance in the CCL and look at who deserves to be protected in the expansion draft. We'll also talk about where this qualification ranks among (admittedly few) great moments, ask the question BMO or Rogers Centre and look at who the Caps might leave unprotected next month and who Montreal might be after.

Today, we're joined by Buzz Carrick, the FC Dallas writer for ESPN's 3rd Degree to talk about the FCD side of the pitch ahead of the Champions League match up, how much truth he places in the Brek Shea transfer rumours and if fixture congestion has caught up to the squad. We'll also look at how Toronto's tie with Phlly over the weekend could effect their form on Tuesday, if Vancovuer really is as bad as their record indicates and what it would mean for a major media company to purchase, say, several sports franchises in one city.

Today, we're joined by Jonathan Tannenwald from Philly.com to talk about how Philadelphia re-made their team and rose to the top of the Eastern Conference, Freddy Adu's off and on year and if Sebastian Le Toux deserves to be in the MLS MVP conversation. We'll also talk about what Toronto needs out of their game on Saturday, what awaits the Canadian Women's National team at the Pan Ams, Vancouver's push to not be the worst and the latest Jason DeVos' column on how poaching players is hurting our player development.

Today, we're joined Dave Clark from Sounder at Heart to continue a discussion on why MLS struggles to translate as a playoff league. As other sports continue see a ratings bump in their playoffs and MLS' stay stagnant we'll talk about some of the reasons why. Is it that MLS hyper-regional? Too confusing as a format? Or something else? We'll hammer out some theories on why. We'll also take a look at Canada's game against Puerto Rico and try to find a consensus somewhere between the Fire Hart camp and everything is fine crew.

Today, we'll take a post game look at Canada's result against St. Lucia, discuss the importance of getting Simeon Jackson going for the national team and look ahead to another game this weekend that could reveal more of where Canada stands in the region. We'll also be joined by former Canadian international, Andrew Ornoch to talk about his new development initiative Dutch Connections. And we'll discuss the Caps win over RSL last night.

Today, in an Interview Only edition of It's Called Football, we're joined by the General Secretary of the CSA, Peter Montopoli to talk about their impending announcement to study the need for a Canadian only D2 league. We'll talk to Peter about the man they've charged with heading the study, how USSF decisions have forced the CSA down this road and how this project could be linked to infrastructure projects for the Canadian Women's World Cup.

Today, on a shortened show, we talk about the throngs that lined up to worship at the alter of Thierry Henry (even after he abused draw Toronto for the draw), talk about how Toronto's bunkering style has cost them this season and talk about the factors that made both Toronto and Vancouver fall flat in their first season. We'll also look at Montreal's first signing, the idea of building a team from the back out and how attaching a DP label eventually ends up hurting a player.

Article Preview Today, we're joined by Vancouver Whitecaps legend Carl Valentine to look back on a rough first season for the Caps, look ahead to their weekend matchup against Portland at their new stadium and tell some stories from the past. We'll also talk about MLS' decision to respect the World Cup qualifying dates next season, talk about the karma involved in Toronto's game against New York and discuss the Canadian selections for WCQ.

Today, on a quick ICF, we'll take a look back on Toronto FC's draw against Pumas, debate whether Doneil Henry should replace Andy Iro outright and how set piece defending continues to be Toronto's failing. We'll also look at how Tauro defeated Dallas, discuss what that sets up next for TFC and look at how much are flights to the American south.

Today, we're joined by AFTN writer and Metro Vancouver columnist Michael McColl to look back on a year of struggles for the Vancouver Whitecaps, talk about where things went off the rails and what he's looking forward to in this next chapter for the Caps. We'll also ignore the fact that Aron Winter started his best 11 for a meaningless game, pretend Toronto will be just fine against the Pumas Tuesday and talk DeRo for MVP, the OSA's new league and the CSA handing over the reigns to Stephen Hart

Today, we're joined by FC Edmonton defender Alex Suprenant to talk about the expansion club's trip to the NASL playoffs, FCE's tale of two seasons and who they would rather face in the NASL playoffs. We'll also talk about what we've liked and disliked from the Herdman era women's national team, look at Toronto v Chivas and argue about if the club will run a B squad out and what the motivations are behind that.

Tonight, the interview we had lined up fell through but we wanted to get something up for you guys anyways. So, we're joined by Ben Knight to break down Toronto's performance against Tauro, how the new roles of Torsten Frings and Ashtone Morgan have changed TFC's attack and defence and what Dallas' loss to Pumas means for TFC in their Champions League hunt. We'll set up the scenarios for Toronto's advancement in the CCL.

Today, we're joined by Oranges at Halftime host and TSN analyst Noel Butler to talk about the Montreal Impact's resurgence, why it takes a coach getting fired for their team to ever get going and how the media in the city has reacted to Montreal's march to MLS. We'll also talk about how by playing it down the middle, Toronto has piddled away opportunities in both competitions, hear from Ben Knight on his coaching series and discuss the roster freeze deals.