Demystifying Mista



Kristel Valencia is a correspondent for FútbolMLS.com - Major League Soccer's Spanish language news site.

MLSsoccer.com recently had the chance to chat with Toronto FC forward Miguel Ángel Ferrer Martínez, commonly known as "Mista." The Spaniard, who arrived at TFC  in July, scored a goal and tallied an assist in his team’s 2-1 victory over Mexico’s Cruz Azul in their CONCACAF Champions League match on Tuesday.

The striker, whose résumé includes the likes of Real Madrid, Valencia and Deportivo La Coruña, talked to us about his first impressions of MLS and Toronto FC. Mista discussed exacting revenge on the New York Red Bulls this weekend, his team’s role in the Champions League and, probably most importantly, the origin of his nickname.

MLSsoccer.com: How have you felt through your first month in MLS?

Mista: I’ve felt good. Perhaps it’s been a bit tough in terms of adapting, the change in time zones and adjusting to the rhythm of life in another part of the world. I’m happy, though, because things have turned out well [and] the team and the league have welcomed me quite well.

MLSsoccer.com: What led you to make the decision to come to MLS?

Mista: When I found out about the offer and that there was a possibility of playing for an MLS team, I consulted with my Toronto teammate Julian de Guzman, with whom I played in Spain, and he gave me the push to come. He told me about the situation here, how things were – he told me about everything. It’s been a great experience and appealing one for any player.

MLSsoccer.com: Is what you’ve seen of MLS thus far what you expected?

Mista: It’s been better than I imagined. Sometimes I was told that soccer in MLS wasn’t at the level that I played at. But now that I’ve arrived, I’ve noticed that it’s a league with a lot of quality and with growth potential superior to that of many other leagues. Today’s MLS has nothing to envy about other leagues. It’s improving day by day and has the mentality of creating a league as competitive as those of other countries.

MLSsoccer.com: What are your personal goals with Toronto?

Mista: To try to be the player I want to be and to be at 100 percent as soon as possible to help my team reach the MLS playoffs, which will be something great for us. In the CONCACAF Champions League, I want us to go as far as possible because it’s an important international tournament and every player wants to do a good job in that type of competition.

MLSsoccer.com: You forged a successful career in Spain. What has been your most memorable moment in your career so far?

Mista: I think it coincides with my time with Valencia, when we won two titles. We were champions in La Liga and we were champions in the UEFA Cup. Those are the moments I cherish the most.

MLSsoccer.com: What’s your impression of your new team?

Mista: It’s a good one. Since the first day that I arrived, they helped me adapt to the city and the team. Julian and the rest have explained everything to me, what they do, what they think about doing and the way the team functions on and off the pitch. I want to thank all of them because they’ve treated me in an exemplary manner.

MLSsoccer.com: What about coach Preki’s philosophy?

Mista: He’s a coach that used to play and that makes it easier for players to know their roles on the team. I spoke with him upon my arrival, we spoke about the soccer he wants to display and, when one is on good terms, things are a lot easier. He told me what he expected of me, and I told him what I could give.

MLSsoccer.com: What can we expect from Toronto in the CONCACAF Champions League?

Mista: It’s an important tournament where only the best in the region play. It’s a situation that fills us with pride and gives us a lot of responsibility because if Toronto are in there, it’s because of personal merit. We have to keep doing things well and keep working to win games, as it’s a great competition and valued by all participating in it.

MLSsoccer.com: Do you think group rivals Cruz Azul – which you beat Tuesday – Árabe Unido and Real Salt Lake will give you a tough fight?

Mista: Cruz Azul are a side that likes to possess the ball and is dangerous. That deserves respect because it’s something you have to look out for. We don’t know much about Árabe Unido, but we’re not worried because the coach’s job is to inform us, and [Preki] is doing a good job of that.

MLSsoccer.com: Toronto host the Red Bulls after playing a tough game last week at Red Bull Arena. How are you preparing for this game?

Mista: We expected a lot out of the game at Red Bull Arena because, had we won, we would’ve been a lot closer to the [Eastern Conference’s] second spot. I think we deserve to be in second, but we lost that game despite having played well and now we want to reverse the result. We want to win to pull closer to New York and, most of all, win to get closer to a playoffs spot.

MLSsoccer.com: Have you had the opportunity to speak to Rafa Márquez and Thierry Henry, whom you faced many times in La Liga, about their MLS experience?

Mista: I had the opportunity to speak with Thierry, and he told me similar things to what I’m experiencing, such as the process of adaptation. But he told me he was happy because New York have a fantastic team.

MLSsoccer.com: Are you reviving the rivalry that existed when you played Márquez and Henry in Europe?

Mista: Seeing Henry the other day was good, but there will always be a rivalry on the pitch because you always want to win. It’s not a negative rivalry, but it is important for me to beat the Red Bulls because they’re a team that is directly competing with us.

MLSsoccer.com: What the story behind your nickname?

Mista: It’s a nickname that comes from my family. It’s the nickname they called my grandfather and my grandfather’s grandfather. The tradition kept on, passing from father to son. But [we] never really knew the meaning of the word. My father was given the name when he was born, I was given the name when I was born, and I hope that my sons and their sons keep [the tradition alive].

MLSsoccer.com: How’s life in Toronto?

Mista: Good. It’s a tranquil city. People are very nice and I can get help every time I need it. Until now, I’m liking life and the way people have received me here.

MLSsoccer.com: What have you liked the most about your time in North America?

Mista: I like the passion that people here have for their sports, not just soccer. In Spain, one lives the passion for soccer, but I’ve noticed here that people follow other sports, like basketball, hockey and baseball with wild passion. That’s good for the athletes’ motivation.

MLSsoccer.com: How’s your English coming along?

Mista: Not very well, but I’m taking classes to improve. It’s improved a lot since I got here, but I hope that in a few months I can speak English more fluently.

MLSsoccer.com: Finally, do you have an interesting anecdote of something you’ve experienced in Canada?

Mista: I had a big scare when I got here with my work permit and was stopped by customs in the airport. I was freaked a bit because I didn’t know where they were taking me, which ended up simply being to give me a permit. But since I knew nothing and was a little lost, I thought they were going to deport me back to Spain and, I thought I would have to explain myself to the club.

http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2010/08/demystifying-mista

Reds Look To Avenge New York Loss



The Basics

Toronto FC (7W-5D-7L), 26 points, third place Eastern Conference) vs. Red Bull New York (9W-4D-7L) 31 points, second place in East)

New York lead the series 5-4-1

Game Intro

Second place in the Eastern Conference is at stake, from Toronto’s perspective. Coming into a key home and home set with second-place New York, the Reds had an opportunity to close to within two points with a win last week.

However, Toronto fell 1-0 at Red Bull Arena on a goal by Joel Lindpere and are now down five points again must win this “six-pointer” to have a chance of securing second place and a guaranteed playoff seed. A New York win would move the Red Bulls within three points of Columbus for first in the conference.

Toronto FC

TFC are brimming with confidence following their upset win over two-time CONCACAF Champions League finalists Cruz Azul Tuesday in Toronto. Facing injuries and the Group A favorite, Toronto weren’t given much of a chance to win. But the Reds responded well playing what some say was their best half of the season, taking the play to the Mexican side and jumping out to a two-goal lead after 45 minutes.

Mista had his best game in Reds uniform, scoring a goal and figuring in on the first goal from Martin Saric, who returned from injury. Starting strike tandem Chad Barrett and Maicon Santos are doubtful, so Mista and O’Brian White may again fill in to help Toronto maintain their undefeated record at home. This is TFC’s second game of four in 11 days that include two MLS games and two CCL matches.

New York Red Bulls

The Red Bulls fell to the Los Angeles Galaxy last weekend before a Red Bull Arena sellout crowd of 25,000 in a battle of teams with famous Designated Players. Though Galaxy DP David Beckham didn’t play, the game still resembled a rock star-like atmosphere with another Red Bulls DP, defender Rafa Márquez, making his home debut.

Despite the loss, New York are still playing well with only one loss in their last four league matches and have an opportunity to put a firm hold on second place, while eying a run at first. Both Thierry Henry and Márquez are fighting injury and fitness, but should be ready to go against Toronto. Henry’s play will be a key to reverse an offensive drought that has seen the Red Bulls score just four goals in their last seven matches.

Heroes & Villains

Nana Attakora vs. Thierry Henry: The 21-year-old Attakora played the striker position in youth soccer and admired Henry for his offensive prowess. In his first opportunity to defend the former French National Team star, the youngster held his own keeping the former FC Barcelona and Arsenal striker off the scoresheet.

Attakora learned much about a striker’s mentality from covering Henry and his ability to apply that and his positional sense to keep Henry at bay will improve Toronto’s chances of winning this critical game.

Stat that makes you go “Hmm"

Toronto are undefeated at BMO Field in 2010 in MLS, Nutrilite Canadian Championship and CONCACAF Champions league play with a record of 10-0-4 overall.

http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2010/08/reds-look-avenge-new-york-loss

Barrett, Garcia Get Back To Training

Toronto FC forward Chad Barrett and defender Nick Garcia both returned to training on Friday at BMO Field and will be in the squad to face New York Red Bulls on Saturday (kick off 1:00 p.m. live on CBC  and The FAN 590).

Barrett has not played since leaving the 1-0 defeat in New York with a tweaked hamstring on August 11. Garcia missed Tuesday’s Champions League win over Cruz Azul with a knee injury sustained in training ahead of the match.

“Chad has trained today and has been feeling good.“ said Toronto coach Preki after training Friday. “We will look at him again tomorrow and see how he reacts after a day of training. Nick is fine and should be good to go.”

Maicon Santos remains sidelined with a knee injury. “He is making progress and we hope he won’t be out for long but he won’t play tomorrow.”

Toronto will be without midfielder Julian de Guzman who is suspended for one match after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the last league match. “We will miss Julian for sure, but we have to believe that we have other players who can step in and fill the whole,” said the coach.

http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2010/08/barrett-garcia-get-back-training

Ipak je New York .. New York

MLS Unbeaten Streak Ends For Toronto



Toronto - Mexican international Rafa Márquez opened his MLS account to kick off a 4-1 rout as the New York Red Bulls handed Toronto FC  their first home loss of the year. The three valuable points picked up at BMO Field on Saturday afternoon put the 2nd-place Red Bulls three points behind the Columbus Crew and opened up a 6-point gap over 3rd-place TFC.

While the hometown Reds seemed determined on stopping highly touted French international Thierry Henry, a clinical finish by New York’s other designated player and some cruel misfortune helped the visitors gain a 2-0 halftime lead.

Toronto actually came closest early on. Nick La Brocca nearly changed the course of the game in the 14th minute when his scorching shot from the top of the penalty area beat New York goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul. But the ball clanged off the post.

n the 35th minute, New York asserted themselves for good. A poor clearance eventually led to a scorching strike by Márquez, the former Barcelona halfback. Midfielder Tony Tchani  picked up a loose ball and slid a square ball to Márquez, who wasted no time cutting towards the Toronto goal and unleashing his shot into the upper 90, leaving goalkeeper Stefan Frei helpless.

Three minutes later, the Red Bulls doubled their lead when TFC midfielder Joseph Nane struck an own goal. New York midfielder Dane Richards was fouled by Toronto defender Dan Gargan on the right side. Márquez’s resulting free kick curved in front of the Toronto goal, and after Nana Attakora whiffed, the ball struck Nane’s shin and bounced into the back of the Reds’ goal.

Colombian striker Juan Pablo Ángel was unlucky not to make the score 3-0 when his point blank shot was snuffed out by Frei four minutes before the halftime break.

Canadian international Dwayne DeRosario finally broke Toronto’s duck with his own display of skill in the 49th minute. Receiving a loose pass from O’Brian White, DeRo beat defender Carlos Mendes to the ball and then fired a tight-angled shot through Coundoul’s legs.

Henry, who has yet to score for the Red Bulls, found himself with a glorious chance to open his own MLS account in the 56th minute. In alone on goal after a nice move around the defender, he struck his shot high, earning a chorus of catcalls from the Toronto supporters.

The game then changed for good in the 60th minute. Attakora, the man assigned with marking Henry, Attakora, was given his marching orders. A cross from the right side looked destined for an open Henry before Attakora knocked it away with his hand. Referee Jair Marrufo wasted no time flashing a red card.

RBNY captain Ángel slotted the resulting penalty kick home in off the crossbar.

Márquez left the game in the 74th minute and was replaced by former TFC defender Carl Robinson, who received a huge ovation in appreciation for his three seasons at BMO Field. And just four minutes later, Robinson got on the scoresheet, heading in a wicked cross from Dane Richards that Frei misplayed. Robinson, classy as ever, refused to celebrate his goal in front of the fans who previously cheered for him in Toronto.

Some sensational play by both goaltenders helped close out the match, with Coundoul stopping Nick La Brocca from close range in the 84th minute and Frei shutting down Lindpere with a spectacular fingertip save less than a minute later.

The loss ended Toronto’s17-game home unbeaten run, the longest in club history, which dated back to last season. The Reds will not have time to think about it, though, as they travel to Panama on Tuesday night for a CONCACAF Champions League match against Arabe Unido, before returning home to face defending MLS Cup champion Real Salt Lake next Saturday.

New York head to the West Coast next weekend for a clash with the San Jose Earthquakes.

Scoring Summary:

NY -- Rafael Marquez 1 (Tony Tchani 1) 35
NY -- own goal (Joseph Nane) 41
TOR -- Dwayne De Rosario 9 (O'Brian White 2) 49
NY -- Juan Pablo Angel 12 (penalty kick) 61
NY -- Carl Robinson 1 (unassisted) 77

New York Red Bulls -- Bouna Coundoul, Roy Miller, Tim Ream, Carlos Mendes, Chris Albright, Joel Lindpere, Rafael Marquez (Carl Robinson 74), Tony Tchani, Dane Richards, Juan Pablo Angel, Thierry Henry (Salou Ibrahim 67).

Substitutes Not Used: Danleigh Borman, Mike Petke, Seth Stammler, Sinisa Ubiparipovic, Greg Sutton.

Toronto FC -- Stefan Frei, Dan Gargan, Adrian Cann, Nana Attakora, Nick Garcia, Dwayne De Rosario, Martin Saric (Fuad Ibrahim 77), Joseph Nane, Nick LaBrocca, O'Brian White (Chad Barrett 63), Mista (Jacob Peterson 46).

Substitutes Not Used: Ty Harden, Raivis Hscanovics, Maksim Usanov, Jon Conway.

Misconduct Summary:

NY -- Carlos Mendes (caution; Reckless Tackle) 14
NY -- Rafael Marquez (caution; Reckless Tackle) 37
TOR -- Nana Attakora (ejection; Denied Goal Scoring Opportunity (Handball)) 60
NY -- Salou Ibrahim (caution; Unsporting Behavior) 72

Referee: Jair Marrufo
Referee's Assistants: Bill Dittmar, Cameron Blair
4th Official: Geoff Gamble
Attendance: 22,108

(Oficijalni sajt)

Panamanian Ejections

Reds see two sent off in 1-0 loss to Arabe Unido in CCL group match.



Toronto FC  gave up a goal before halftime and finished the game with nine men as the Reds fell to Árabe Unido 1-0 in Panama on Tuesday night in the second match of their CONCACAF Champions League group-stage campaign.

The Panamanian side dominated possession in the opening half by a 92 percent margin and, despite numerous half-chances, were finally rewarded for their efforts in the 40th minute.

Árabe Unido defender Roland de la Cruz headed down a corner kick straight into the path of striker Fidel Caesar, who unleashed a spectacular first-time half-volley towards the Toronto goal.

The shot appeared to have been stopped by Reds defender Gabe Gala, but the ball was judged to have crossed the line and the visitors went to the dressing room with a 1-0 halftime lead.

Toronto coach Preki elected to start third-string goalkeeper Milos Kocic in place of Toronto’s usual starter Stefan Frei and backup Jon Conway.

Kocic, who had been on loan to the Serbian White Eagles of the Canadian Soccer League, played admirably in the match and shut down Árabe’s Mario Angulo in the final minutes of play when the speedy attacker broke towards the Toronto goal and unleashed a hard blast that Kocic turned away.

After halftime, the Reds came out of the locker room with a new game plan and began to finally apply pressure to the home side. Second-half substitute Dwayne De Rosario narrowly missed setting up the tying goal three minutes after the break when Toronto striker Fuad Ibrahim spotted up at the top of the 6-yard box.

De Rosario had replaced striker O’Brian White and wasted no time working himself into the fray, putting the ball just inches away from the feet of Ibrahim before goalkeeper José Calderón quickly smothered the centering pass.

Two minutes later, Toronto’s aggressiveness in their penalty area backfired when midfielder Nick LaBrocca slammed into a charging Calderón and was issued a red-card ejection for the challenge, reducing the Reds to 10 men.

TFC were left down a man further in the 87th minute after De Rosario tried but failed to convert a late equalizer with a spectacular bicycle kick that failed to find the target. The resulting play saw a pressuring Ibrahim ejected for a late tackle that left Árabe defender Reinaldo Anderson sprawling on the ground.

Árabe Unido played Tuesday’s match 45 miles from their home stadium in Colón and instead faced their Canadian competitors at Estadio Agustín Sánchez in La Chorrera, home of Panamanian rivals San Francisco FC.

TFC return to league action on Saturday at Real Salt Lake and then face the defending champs again in their next Champions League match at Rio Tinto Stadium on Sept. 15.

http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2010/08/panamanian-ejections

Woodwork & Keepers In Toronto Stalemate



TORONTO – Toronto FC and Real Salt Lake  battled to a scoreless draw on Saturday night at BMO Field in a match filled with numerous opportunities and spectacular saves on both ends.

With the carnival lights of the annual Canadian National Exhition as a fitting backdrop, both teams couldn’t find the back of the net. RSL’s Chris Wingert and Canadian international Will Johnson came the closest with each hitting the goalpost for RSL inside the final 10 minutes. Toronto goalkeeper Stefan Frei also made two spectacular full-stretch saves to deny the visitors.

With only three home games remaining in their MLS season, Toronto FC could not capitalize as they failed to win for the second consecutive league match at BMO Field.

Meanwhile, RSL have lost just once in their last 12 MLS matches and moved within three points of the Los Angeles Galaxy for the overall league lead and the top spot in the Western Conference.

Injuries and suspensions meant Preki started Dan Gargan at right midfield, Ty Harden at center back for the suspended Nana Attakora and paired Mista and Dwayne De Rosario up top. But with strikers Maicon Santos and Chad Barrett still out with injuries, Toronto couldn’t generate much sustained offense.

Toronto may have enjoyed the better of the play in the opening half-hour but Real Salt Lake were dangerous up top through the active Fabian Espindola.

RSL ended the first half strongly with Frei making a diving stop on Wingert’s long-distance drive. Then midfielder Ned Grabavoy sent a drive just over the cross bar in stoppage time.

Seconds after the break Espindola took a long ball from midfield and bypassed Frei but sent the shot wide of the open goal. Then Javier Morales headed a left-footed cross from Espindola that forced Frei to make another diving save.

Toronto’s best chance came in the 78th minute when Mista sent a left footer just wide of the far post.

Both clubs will face each other twice more in a home and away set in the CONCACAF Champions League. With a four-way
tie in Group A, both games should go a long way in deciding the top two finishers.

Real Salt Lake -- Nick Rimando, Chris Wingert, Jamison Olave, Nat Borchers, Tony Beltran, Ned Grabavoy, Javier Morales, Kyle Beckerman, Andy Williams (Will Johnson 69), Alvaro Saborio (Robbie Findley 62), Fabian Espindola (Jean Alexandre 83).

Substitutes Not Used: Pablo Campos, Nelson Gonzalez, Robbie Russell, Kyle Reynish.

Toronto FC -- Stefan Frei, Maksim Usanov (O'Brian White 46), Ty Harden, Adrian Cann, Nick Garcia, Dan Gargan, Martin Saric (Jacob Peterson 69), Julian de Guzman, Nick LaBrocca, Dwayne De Rosario, Mista.

Substitutes Not Used: Gabe Gala, Raivis Hscanovics, Fuad Ibrahim, Joseph Nane, Jon Conway.

Misconduct Summary:
RSL -- Jamison Olave (caution; Tactical Foul) 18

Referee: Baldomero Toledo
Referee's Assistants: Craig Lowry, Brian Poeschel
4th Official: Steven DePiero

Attendance: 21,047

(Oficijalni sajt)