Jorge Villafaña’s 69th-minute equalizer in a 1-1 tie means instead of a two-point gap the Whitecaps sit four points up on Dallas for the fifth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference with two games remaining.

The Whitecaps can now clinch with a victory over Portland at home in two weeks time, following the international break.

If Vancouver slips up at home, they might need a result at Salt Lake in the final game of the season.

Dallas closes out its schedule at Seattle and home to Chivas.

Dallas were the clear favourites heading into Sunday’s game as Chivas left Vancouver mid-week 4-0 losers and mired in a club-record seven-game losing streak.

Instead, Dallas needed three late saves from goalkeeper Kevin Hartman to escape the Home Depot Center with a point.

After the 4-0 victory over Chivas, Caps’ coach Martin Rennie said his team just had to focus on themselves. As for getting help from a demoralized-looking Chivas side?

“It depends which Chivas team decides to turn up,” he said after Wednesday’s game. “They’ve got enough quality to cause Dallas problems, but it depends if they’ve mailed it in or not.”

It sure looked like it at B.C. Place, but it was a well-timed poke from the Caps’ coach, who sympathized with Chivas coach Robin Fraser and said his players simply weren’t defending for him.

Chivas did the Whitecaps a huge favour on Sunday and the Portland game has taken on even more significance because of it.

The Whitecaps can be the first Canadian MLS team to ever clinch a playoff spot, and they can do so in front of their home fans.

Comment:  Absolutely anywhere in America can become a soccer hotbed, even the laid-back, sunsplashed, tony beach town of Santa Barbara, CA. 

Consider that when Harder Stadium played host to the most significant soccer match in its history, just 9,127 showed up to see the U.S. National Team–16 months ahead of the 1994 World Cup it would host–hold Romania to a 1-1 draw.

This match’s significance was along the lines of, perhaps, a game in the French fourth division.  In winning, the Gauchos clinched the No. 3 seed in the Big West Conference playoffs and avenged a loss at Cal Poly earlier in the season.  Hardly anyone in U.S. collegiate soccer noticed.   But those among the 13,822 who hadn’t made the trip down the coast from San Luis Obispo went home happy and will be back again.

Somehow, Santa Barbara has become a soccer hotbed, at least on the collegiate level.  Last year, Harder Stadium was site of six of the season’s 10 best-attended men’s matches.  An early-season game against UCLA drew a throng of 15,896; followed by Duke at 11,242.  UCSB hosted the 2010 NCAA Division I men’s final between Akron and Louisville, and that attracted 9,672.  In all, the Gauchos, in 12 home games, led NCAA soccer in total attendance, 70,471, and average turnstile count, 5,873.   By comparison, the late, unlamented Miami Fusion could muster only an additional 1,500 per home game before it was booted out of Major League Soccer.

There are other collegiate soccer hotbeds, like reigning champion Akron, and long-time powers Maryland, UConn, Virginia and Indiana.   Like those schools, UCSB men’s soccer is a winner and represents a school far from any bright lights, but it has the additional advantage of not having to compete for attention with a gridiron football team.  Regardless, most NCAA Division I men’s teams are lucky to break four figures on a regular basis, and nearly every NASL and USL club would kill for the Gauchos’ box office numbers.

Gaucho coach Tim Vom Steeg must be left marvelling at it all.  When he was a younger man, standout defender Vom Steeg was a member of the now-forgotten Real Santa Barbara (1989 and 1990), then of the Western Soccer League and American Professional Soccer League.   It was the highest level of soccer in the U.S. at the time.  Playing a few miles down the coast at La Playa Stadium on the campus of Santa Barbara City College, Real Santa Barbara faced the likes of Marcelo Balboa, Eric Wynalda, Robin Fraser, Martin Vasquez and Dominic Kinnear.  Announced attendance was always in the neighborhood of 830, but reality said that there were no more than a hundred souls in the stands, and most of them could be caught gazing beyond the field, past the gently swaying palm trees and marina to the blue Pacific.  The prospect of any Real Santa Barbara game being televised nationally–like the UCSB-Cal Poly match–would have been both laughable and embarrassing.

Obviously, things have changed in Santa Barbara.  But there is the suspicion that the biggest change involves the rise of a generation of soccer-savvy young people who are willing to rally around the right team at the right time and who realize that those good times they see beamed from major European stadiums can be replicated here in the U.S.

Freddie Adu

The thought to be USA national team savior has been playing well in both the Turkish second division this past season with several goals in several appearances and also had a great showing on the national stage for the Gold Cup, willing the team to win in the closing stages of the semi-finals and willing the US team to a 2-0 lead in the finals. With the Turkish league questioning its upcoming season the tide seems right for the USA international to come home. The hype is right and some teams need him.

Chivas USA looked like the team that could use him. Adding him into the attack along with Moreno, Braun, and LaBrocca could have pushed this team into the playoff picture. Questions came up about perhaps adding him as a DP in order to save their position at the top of the Allocation Order, which could open the door to get Eddie Johnson who is currently a free agent. Robin Fraser and company looked in favor of the move that could bring some more publicity to the team as they look for a new stadium and change the look of the team. Unfortunately, the owner backed out at the last minute which has now opened up the door for the Eastern conference contending Philadelphia Union.

It seems that now Philadelphia who sit second in the allocation order may take the chance on the youngster who would be reuniting with Peter Nowak. Some questions still remain though. Should he be given the DP tag in order for Philly to keep their spot in the Allocation order? Is he worth the DP money with so many questions surrounding him? How will he fit into this team?

For sure Philadelphia needs more attack minded players. A team that seems the have a stalwart defense but a questionable scoring ability could use an athlete and talented player like Adu. He could truly be the next piece this team needs to make a run at the MLS Cup Finals. Although this team does not need the hype bringing him into town will definitely bring more spotlight to Philadelphia and its great fans, which may be good for the team and even the league who would get to showcase their great stadium and fans.

PPL Park

For now it looks like Philadelphia is Adu’s destination, but it is a big gamble and I would not be surprised if they pass it up. Reports say we will all know tomorrow when the announcement is expected to be made. If Philadelphia decides to pull a “Feilhaber” and pass him up it looks like Houston may have a chance to sign the talented youngster. Do you think Philadelphia is the right fit for Adu? Leave your comments.

-Zack Kaiser

• English Premier League roundup: Blackpool 1-2 Birmingham, Fulham 3-0 West Brom (congrats, Andrew!), Manchester United 2-1 Stoke.
• Manchester United winger Nani hopes that United can maintain their unbeaten season.
• Manchester City’s Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Toure were involved in spirited tactical debate over the merits and demerits of using a false nine with inside-out wingers and overlapping fullbacks when attacking a 4-2-3-1 with deep holding mids got into a fight during training.
• Carlo Ancelotti is aware that he’ll be sacked if Chelsea’s results don’t improve.
• Everton manager David Moyes isn’t going to walk away from Everton in spite of the team’s recent bad form.
• Apparently two months in Liverpool has made Landon Donovan an Evertonian for life.
• Liverpool player Daniel Agger would like to remind Roy Hodgson that “play” is a crucial part of his job description.
• West Ham manager Avram Grant has given credit for West Ham’s revitalization to his lucky scarf; how West Ham will survive the warm months is yet to be determined.
• Aston Villa midfielder Robert Pires has revealed that several players are unhappy with Gerard Houllier’s management style.
• Newcastle have signed Hatem Ben-Arfa on a permanent deal from Marseille; the winger was already on loan at St. James’ Park and is currently recuperating from a double broken leg inflicted on him by Nigel de Jong earlier in the season.
• Welshman Gareth Bale has been tapped as a potential member of the Great Britain national team for the 2012 Olympics.
• Sergio Aguero has signed a two year extension with Atletico Madrid.
• Ajax caretaker manager Frank de Boer has agreed to a long-term deal that will keep him as Ajax manager through 2014.
• Chivas USA have appointed Real Salt Lake assistant Robin Fraser as their head coach.
• John Rooney – little brother of Manchester United and England striker Wayne – was among a handful of non-college players at the MLS combine, and has supposedly already signed a contract with the league.

The 44-year-old spent 10 years playing in MLS and the last four seasons as an assistant with Real Salt Lake. During his time in Salt Lake City, the team won the MLS Cup in 2009 and built its current 25-game winning streak.During his MLS career, Fraser was a two-time defender of the year and a five-time All-Star.

He played for the Los Angeles Galaxy, Colorado Rapids and Columbus Crew before retiring in 2005.Fraser, who was born in Jamaica and became a United States citizen in 1986, made 27 appearances for the U.S. national team.

Toronto school board voted to close Arlington MS by Sept 2011.

Next year Arlington Middle School will close its doors forever. But it didn’t have to be this way, says local parent Robin Fraser.
On June 23, school trustees voted in favour of closing the school and expanding and upgrading four elementary schools — JR Wilcox, Cedarvale, Rawlinson and Humewood.
The vote followed months of meetings, known cumulatively as an Accommodation Review Committee or ARC, looking at how to tackle enrolment and space issues in that cluster of schools.
Fraser, who has a son graduating from Arlington and a daughter at nearby Humewood, fought for alternatives to closures.
“After my deputation to move (Arlington) into a sports school there was a healthy discussion,” she said. “(Then) they all voted to close Arlington except (trustee) Ms. Maria Rodrigues.”
The plan is to close Arlington by September 2011.Fraser has concerns about the impact of the closure, including the disruption of moving next year’s grade 7 students to other schools for their grade 8 year.
“It affects my daughter in Humewood. They haven’t shown us if there’s enough cash to make the remaining schools (kindergarten) to 8,” she said. “Unless they can show me they will put in proper resources and (experienced) grade 7 and 8 teachers, I will probably put my daughter somewhere else.”
Another review in the ward focused on schools in the Davisville area. Trustees voted to keep all schools with higher enrollment open and dedicated $4 million in improvements to those schools.
“I’m hearing talks about reinvesting in Davisville. I’m not hearing about investment to our (schools) in this ARC,” Fraser said.
Local trustee Josh Matlow said a local committee — with parent reps — will be set up in September to discuss the specific improvements to the remaining schools.
He didn’t have specifics on the amount allocated for the retrofits for the expanding schools, but said when the design team decides what’s needed, there will be enough money to fund those priorities.
Education activist Chris Glover said there’s an economic impact to the school closures, and it’s bad optics to close a school like Arlington, which is located in a low– to middle-income community.
“In Davisville, they are looking to get money and repair schools but it shouldn’t come from the eight schools they voted to close,” said Glover, a member of Campaign for Public Education.
And while enrolment may declining now, that will change soon enough, cautioned Glover.
“Enrolment is down this year in elementary by 1,000 but will increase next year by 150, not including full-day kindergarten.”
But Matlow disputes that claim.
“If you look at the data we have lost thousands and thousands of students. I’ve heard it’s supposed to level off in 10 years. There’s no suggestion enrolment is going up.”

Committee targets Arlington middle school for closure
Five local schools to become four if board approves recommendation
By Kris Scheuer
(Written for Town Crier April 28.)

Arlington Middle School is recommended for closure.

Five local schools are half empty,  one will close, but which one should it be?
An accommodation review committee report has recommended that Arlington Middle School be shut down while JR Wilcox, Cedarvale, Rawlinson, Humewood elementary schools all expand from grades 6 to 8.
Board staff will make its own recommendations and trustees will vote on this issue at the end of June.
Meanwhile, Arlington school council chair Robin Fraser is pushing everyone to rethink their decision.
“My person opinion, I am little confused about the recommendation because Arlington has the best facility,” said Fraser, who has a son at the school. “It has a larger gym, auditorium, a lunch room, science labs, a music room.”
It’s also right on Cedarvale park with a baseball diamond, soccer and football fields and a ravine, she added.
Her solution is to keep the 1971-built Arlington and close 90-year-old JR Wilcox instead.“Our thinking was bring Wilcox over to Arlington,” said Fraser, a member of the accommodation review committee.
The main drawback for Arlington is if it shifted from a middle school to include JK to grade 6, it would need a playground.
Arlington Principal Andre Patterson took the Town Crier on a tour of the school and pointed out all the attributes that parent Fraser mentioned.
He also indicates the main floor art room could become a kindergarten and with the addition of a doorway and steps, it could open up onto the parking lot.
Fraser, an interior designer, envisions that parking lot turning into a playground instead.
But as Patterson points out the board doesn’t own that parkland, they city does.
But beside the fact Arlington doesn’t have any land around the school, it has a lot to offer within it, he said.
“Because of our International Baccalaureate program we have kids from 25 different schools,” he said.
The program not only attracts junior high students from local elementary schools but also from Markham and Woodbridge as well, he said.
Despite Arlington’s attributes, enrollment is on the decline with about 240 kids this year, which is 46 percent of capacity. So principal Patterson sympathizes with the school board’s challenges.
“We can’t have half empty buildings and say we are doing the best for kids,” said Patterson.
St. Paul’s school trustee Josh Matlow said closing Arlington school is a reasonable recommendation.
“JR Wilcox and Arlington are around 50 to 60 percent capacity. Humewood is around the same. Something had to change,” he said.
“We are funded with a formula per pupil. Schools that are half empty get half the resources and teachers.”
“I am convinced it’s the right thing to do,” said trustee Matlow. “For us to continue with the status quo with resources so thinly spread across Toronto when we are aware we have 100 schools that are half empty is irresponsible.”
The five local schools range from 46 to 58 percent full and by 2018 they will be at about 52 percent capacity if nothing changes, according to school board documents. If the board votes to close Arlington, the city would be among those given first dibs to purchase the building.
“My hope is the city considers creating a community recreation centre there,” said Matlow.

The budget is an unnecessary evil. – Dr. Jan Wallander, Honorary President, Svenska Handelsbanken

The budget is the bane of corporate America. – Jack Welsh, Ex-CEO, General Electric

Annual budgets may sound boring to many, but their impact on society, how we work, and our output as a nation are huge.

In their book Beyond Budgeting – How Managers Can Break Free from the Annual Performance Trap, Jeremy Hope and Robin Fraser paint a very compelling picture for doing away with the annual budget, and moving to a move agile, decentralized value creation model altogether.

Hope and Robin argue that budgets have been hijacked by a generation of financial engineers that have used them as remote control devices to “manage by the numbers.”

They go one to say that “budgets have been turned into fixed performance contracts that force managers at all levels to commit to delivering specified financial outcomes, even though many of the variables underpinning those outcomes are beyond their control. This leads to undesirable and, in many cases, unethical behaviour.”

Examples of dysfunctional behaviour due to annual budgets include:

x always negotiate the lowest targets and the highest rewards.

x always make the bonus, whatever it takes (even if that means stuffing the distribution channel with “sale-or-return” products.

x never put customer care above sales targets.

x Never share knowledge or resources with other teams-they are the enemy.

x Always ask for more resources than you need, expecting to be cut back to what you actually need.

x Always spend what’s in the budget.

x Always have the ability to explain adverse variances.

x Never provide accurate forecasts.

x Always meet the numbers, never beat them.

x Never takes risks.

The solution

Hope and Fraser argue that the way out is to enable managers to focus on continuous value creation instead of merely trying to “make the numbers.” (I’m paraphrasing here).

When it comes to setting targets, choice high-level KPIs such as return on capital, frees chase flows, or cost-to-income ratios.

When it comes to rewarding people evaluate teams based on how they compare with industry benchmarks, their peers, and prior years.

For managing resources, make resources available and accessible to front-line teams as and when required through fast-track approvals.

To bring about these changes a change in core philosophy will be required. The fixed performance contract is based on central control. It assumes the absence of trust.

The relative improvement contract is based on self-regulation. It assumes that teams can be trusted to manage their own affairs (within agreed boundaries) and to be fully accountable for their results.

Summary

It’s hard to explain, and I am not doing the book justice. But if you are looking for a more lean, less wasteful, agile way to create your budgets, Beyond Budgeting may be the book you’re looking for.

Good reading for those of you looking for a more agile way to approach capital expenditures and budgets at your company.