In this episode of the Paul James on Soccer podcast, Paul speaks candidly about his new book, Cracked Open, discussing his struggle with drug addiction, his reasons for writing his book and outlining the process that he undertook while writing about his life and his very personal story. He also reads an excerpt from Cracked Open. Visit Paul James and order his book at www.pauljamescrackedopen.ca.

Paul James on Soccer

Episode 42: Paul James on Soccer

In this episode of the Paul James on Soccer podcast, Paul provides his thoughts on the Canadian Soccer Association's recent announcement that the Canadian Men's National Team will play all of its 2012 home World Cup qualifiers in Toronto at BMO Field. He also discusses the selection of the United States as the opponent for Canada in their last friendly before their second round of World Cup qualifying kicks off. Paul discusses the Vancouver Whitecaps acquisition of Sebastian Le Toux and their hiring of Carl Robinson as an Assistant Coach, as well as breaks down Toronto FC's offseason roster moves. He also provides his analysis the Canadian Women's National Team's performance at the recent CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Vancouver. Lastly, Paul provides a quick teaser about his upcoming book.

Episode 41: Paul James on Soccer

In this episode of the Paul James on Soccer podcast, former Canadian International and Vancouver Whitecaps defender Chris Williams sits in again for Paul and discusses a wide range of topics related to the performance of the Canadian Women's National Team at the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Vancouver. He also provides his thoughts on Josh Simpson's recent decision to terminate his contract with Manisaspor due to unpaid wages and his signing with BSC Young Boys in Switzerland. Chris also breaks down Toronto FC's offseason and their signing of defender Geovanny Caicedo, as well as provides his opinion on the state of the Whitecaps attack heading into their second MLS campaign and Vancouver's decision to release Designated Player Mustapha Jarju.

Episode 40: Paul James on Soccer

In this episode of the Paul James on Soccer podcast, Marius Rovde, goalkeeper coach with both the U20 and U17 Canadian National teams and the Vancouver Whitecaps, sits in for Paul and discusses the state of the Canadian Men's National Team keeper pool, the next generation of Canadian keepers, what he looks for when trying to find young keepers with the potential to move on to the professional and International levels and how the young talent that Canada has at the keeper position compares to that of other CONCACAF countries. He also provides his thoughts on the general state of youth player development in Canada, the importance of having at least one of the Canadian MLS clubs competing in the 2012 MLS Playoffs and the performance of John Herdman and the Canadian Women's National Team at the 2012 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying tournament in Vancouver.

Episode 39: Paul James on Soccer

In this episode of the Paul James on Soccer podcast, we kick off six weeks of guests sitting in for Paul. First up is former Canadian International and Vancouver Whitecaps defender Chris Williams, who discusses the recent purchase of MLSE by Rogers and Bell and the ramifications for Toronto FC. Chris also provides his analysis of the resignation of Vancouver Whitecaps CEO Paul Barber, the Whitecaps signing of South Korea International Lee-Young Pyo, Vancouver Head Coach Martin Rennie and Toronto FC's recent signing of winger Reggie Lambe. Lastly, Chris provides his picks for the Canadian players who shone the brightest in 2011.

Episode 38: Paul James on Soccer

In this episode of the Paul James on Soccer podcast, Paul provides his position opinions on the recent signal by Jonathan de Guzman that he would like play for Canada and the hiring of Nick Dasovic as the new Head Coach for the Canadian Men’s Under-20 national team. He also discusses Junior Hoilett and Stephen Hart and provides his picks for the Male and Female Canadian Players of the Year for 2011. Paul also breaks down the rumoured news that Toronto FC have re-signed Joao Plata and talks about the recent announcement that Terry Dunfield is recovering from hernia surgery. He also provides commentary on the resignation of Stuart Neely as TFC Academy Director, Toronto's recent acquisition of former FC Dallas defender Jeremy Hall and the Whitecaps trading of Shea Salinas to San Jose for allocation money.

Episode 37: Paul James on Soccer

In this episode of the Paul James on Soccer podcast, Paul breaks down Montreal's picks in the MLS Expansion Draft, touts their acquisitions of Donovan Ricketts and Davy Arnaud and discusses Brian Ching's unhappiness around being selected in the Expansion Draft. He also discusses the Expansion Draft from the standpoint of Toronto FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps and talks about the player that Montreal will be getting in Jeb Brovsky. Paul also provides his analysis of the recent rumour that Toronto FC are considering bringing former TFC midfielder Pablo Vitti back to the team and discusses where the MLS ranks in the global football pecking order. In a discussion centred on youth player development, Paul discusses the pros and cons of staying in North America versus going to Europe and provides his thoughts on a recent RedNation interview with Bobby Graham of the Winstars Soccer Consulting and Academy. Lastly, Paul answers a question submitted by a listener pertaining to his recent comments about Stephen Hart following the Canadian Men's National Team's lacklustre draw on the road against St. Kitts and Nevis in World Cup Qualifying and ends the podcast with a passionate defense of the enduring value that former National Team Coaches can bring to the Canadian soccer system.

Episode 36: Paul James on Soccer

In this episode of the Paul James on Soccer podcast, Paul speaks at length regarding the Canadian Men's National Team as he breaks down Canada's 4-0 victory over St. Kitts in World Cup Qualifying, discusses the potential and merits of David Edgar, Adam Straith, Ashtone Morgan, Nik Ledgerwood and Tosaint Ricketts, and provides his thoughts on Dwayne De Rosario's achievement of tying Dale Mitchell as Canada's All Time Leading Scorer. He also discusses the recent announcement that De Rosario has been named as the first ever Canadian player to win the MLS MVP award and gives his commentary on the Los Angeles Galaxy's 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo in the MLS Cup final. Lastly, in some interesting Vancouver Whitecaps talk, Paul discusses the signing of Bryce Alderson, the possible conversion of Gershon Koffie to a right back and how the Major League Soccer move to an unbalanced schedule should benefit a Whitecaps side that endured a very heavy travel load during their first season in the league.

Episode 35: Paul James on Soccer

In this episode of the Paul James on Soccer podcast, Paul pulls no punches in assessing Canada's lacklustre performance in World Cup qualifying against St. Kitts and looks forward to the big challenges the team will face in the next round against higher quality opposition. He also discusses the recent announcement by former Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Impact player David Testo, who has joined the rare group of professional athletes who have announced publicly that they are gay. Paul also talks about the MLS Cup Final, touts the success of Andre Hainault and the Houston Dynamo and explains why staying with the Los Angeles Galaxy is the best option for global superstar David Beckham. Lastly, Paul provides his opinions on which players Toronto FC should protect in the upcoming MLS Expansion Draft.

Episode 34: Paul James on Soccer

In this episode of the Paul James on Soccer podcast, Paul provides his thoughts on Canada's roster for the team's World Cup qualifying matches against St. Kitts and Nevis, the return of Patrice Bernier to the National Team fold and the recent decision by defender Andre Hainault to turn down a call-up in order to focus on the MLS Playoffs with his club team, the Houston Dynamo. He also discusses Toronto FC's decision to release Demetrius Omphroy and Matt Gold, TFC's apparent move away from NCAA players in favour of developing their own players via their Academy system and why the college system is still a vital mechanism for both the MLS and the players in the league. Paul also provides his pick for which CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal opponent would provide Toronto with the best chance to move to the semi-finals of the competition and explains why TFC should play their home Champions League fixture in March at the Rogers Centre. Lastly, he provides his analysis of Martin Rennie's first weeks on the job as Head Coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps, the Caps decision to re-sign Atiba Harris and the importance of Vancouver retaining the services of Camilo in 2012.

Episode 33: Paul James on Soccer

In this episode of the Paul James on Soccer podcast, Paul provides his thoughts on MLS Golden Boot Winner Dwayne De Rosario and D.C. United's intention to sign him as a Designated Player and pulls no punches in talking about the Vancouver Whitecaps recent firings of Assistant Coaches Colin Miller and Denis Hamlett. He also breaks down Vancouver's 2011 roster and provides his opinions around how the Whitecaps should retool for 2012. Paul also discusses the Toronto FC goalkeeping situation with Stefan Frei and Milos Kocic, the fact that the majority of MLS players are often left in precarious situations due to the prevalence of team options and non-guaranteed contracts with the league, and the comments of Aron Winter, Paul Mariner and Bob De Klerk at TFC's end of season media event. Lastly, Paul provides his thoughts on the Canadian Women's National Team's victory over Brazil and their Gold Medal at the Pan American games, as well as the no nonsense manner in which Head Coach John Herdman has been leading his squad.

Episode 32: Paul James on Soccer

In this episode of the Paul James on Soccer podcast, Paul provides his thoughts on Toronto FC's huge victory over FC Dallas to earn a spot in the Knockout stage of the CONCACAF Champions League and whether or not that achievement will buoy attendance and fan interest for TFC as the team heads into a crucial year in 2012. He also provides his thoughts on Toronto's underwhelming performance in their final league match against New England, gives his opinion on a much debated recent article on TFC in the Toronto Star by Cathal Kelly and highlights the importance of bringing Joao Plata back to Toronto next season. Paul also provides his assessment of Vancouver's loss to Colorado in their season finale, speculates on the absence of Eric Hassli from that game and discusses whether or not Whitecaps fans should be concerned by the manner in which Martin Rennie's 2011 Carolina squad struggled down the stretch and in the playoffs. Lastly, Paul provides his picks for his favourites and dark horse teams for the 2011 MLS Cup and discusses the historical and future ramifications of the MLS coming to Canada.

Episode 31: Paul James on Soccer

In this episode of the Paul James on Soccer podcast, Paul breaks down Canada's disappointing 0-0 draw with Puerto Rico in World Cup Qualifying, explains how he would have attacked a team playing ten men back, picks his Man of the Match for Canada against Puerto Rico and touts the merits of young forward Tosaint Ricketts. He also provides his analysis of the Vancouver Whitecaps recent two game win streak and their recent loss to Dallas, which meant that the club has gone winless on the road in their first season in the MLS. And ahead of Toronto's crucial CONCACAF Champions League fixture against FC Dallas, Paul provides his analysis of the Texan's performance against Vancouver, Toronto's very positive showing in a 1-1 road draw against Philadelphia and discusses the positive news that came last week in the form of Toronto FC breaking ground on a multimillion dollar Academy and Training Facility at Downsview Park in Toronto. Lastly, Paul provides his thoughts on Montreal's decision to release a number of their core players in advance of their first season in MLS, explains the benefits of Hot Yoga for teams competing in the CONCACAF region and provides his thoughts on whether Vancouver's Jordan Harvey is a better fit as a midfielder or left back.

Episode 30: Paul James on Soccer

In this episode of the Paul James on Soccer podcast, Paul discusses the positive manner in which Stephen Hart has dealt with the lack of playing time that Simeon Jackson has been receiving at the club and Jackson's stellar play with Canada in his most recent International fixtures. He also talks about Canada's progress as a team as they look to build confidence and momentum through their first round of World Cup qualifying. Paul also gives his thoughts on a recent statement by TFC forward Ryan Johnson that the current Toronto FC squad is a legitimate playoff team and discusses Vancouver's bounce-back win over Real Salt Lake. He also provides his assessment of Vancouver players Carlyle Mitchell and Long Tan and answers two thought provoking Whitecaps related questions submitted by listeners: 1. Is the MLS more competitive in Vancouver's first year in the league than it was when Toronto FC debuted back in 2007; and 2. Would Vancouver's season have turned out differently had Teitur Thordarson not been fired as Head Coach in the middle of the season? Lastly, Paul provides some positive signings on the Montreal Impact's signing of defender Nelson Rivaz and their astute hiring of Mike Sorber as an Assistant Coach, as he ends the podcast with a thought provoking discussion of how important it is for a Head Coach to hire not only a competent coach as his lead assistant, but also a genuine friend who will have his back when times get tough.

Episode 29: Paul James on Soccer

In this episode of the Paul James on Soccer podcast, Paul discusses Canada's roster for the Canadian Men's National Team's next two World Cup qualifying matches against St. Lucia and Puerto Rico, highlights the importance of team harmony in any successful qualifying campaign and talks about the challenges Stephen Hart faces in managing playing time and egos at the International level. He also discusses some of Hart's recent comments on midfielder Terry Dunfield and breaks down TFC's recent draws against Pumas in the Champions League and New York in the MLS, praises the manner in which an undermanned Toronto squad rose to the challenge against a superior Mexican side in the Champions League and provides further commentary on TFC's chances against Dallas in their final group stage fixture. Lastly, Paul provides his thoughts on Vancouver's underwhelming performance in their loss to Portland, touts the tactical flexibility that a 4-3-3 system offers and expresses his excitement around the advent of BC Place as an MLS soccer venue.

Episode 28: Paul James on Soccer

Paul James, who is a member of the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame, has been involved in Canadian soccer as a player, television analyst, writer and coach. Paul breaks down the game and how it relates in Canada.

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Paul James on Soccer

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