From my fellow blogger up in the Great White North (CANADA, eh ?) comes the latest card contest. WAXAHOLIC kicks off the English Premier League Season with THIS (click here for details).

For a country that supposedly doesn't care about collecting soccer cards, a few gems from the 2012 NATIONAL SPORTS COLLECTORS CONVENTION: 

New York's THIERRY HENRY - autographed card

The above card is cool for several reasons. One, its a nice design by Upper Deck, who are best known for either plain white borders OR glittery metallic haz-mat cardboard. Two, the cards are surely limited edition with a total of 35 world-wide. Now that may seem small for American collectors, but given that Henry is a fan favorite in no less than 40 other countries, its truly scarce. Three, its an autograph of a FIFA World Cup winner (France 1998). 

And four, the photo for the non-autograph version of the card is different. This, in itself, prevents much of the counterfeit signatures that are added to these issues.

The cards were part of a wrapper redemption offer only at the Upper Deck booth at the National Convention.

As Canada has a axe to grind with the USA (just kidding) when it comes to some of our soccer battles, this gem should be a peace offering. Canadian International and MLS All-Star / MVP and soon to be 100 goal scorer - DWAYNE De ROSARIO.

DC United's DWAYNE De ROSARIO

A look at the reverse of the non-signed cards and the Limited Edition seal on each card.

I really like these. I wish Upper Deck would put more effort like this into their soccer products. And if they should need an adviser, call me because I have a thousand ideas.

OH, CANADA - Happy Anniversary !

Celebrating 100 years of their National Federation, Canada is coming into their own. The nice neighbors to the North have had little to celebrate in international terms, but have always been supportive of the "other" sport. They did manage to qualify for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, and appeared in several card and sticker sets (see below).

1986 Panini World Cup - MEXICO '86

But Canada is not new to the professional ranks. When hockey season is over, the summer months have seen Championships with both Toronto (1976) and Vancouver (1979) during the NASL years.

 In the last decade, new professional clubs have been established in Toronto, Edmonton, Ottawa, with the Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Impact moving up from lower league to the MLS.

The development of Canadian players in North America has also taken big strides with players like Dwayne De Rosario of DC United (see below) as last season's MLS MVP.

2010 Upper Deck World of Sports - De Rosario

The Canadian Soccer Association recently revealed its All-time XI:

Goalkeeper

Craig Forest —
Defender

Bob Lenarduzzi —
Randy Samuel —
Bruce Wilson —
Midfielders

Paul James —
Julian de Guzman — 
Dwayne De Rosario —
Mike Sweeney —

Forwards

Alex Bunbury — .
Dale Mitchell —
Branko Segota — 

Second Team 
(GK) Tino Lettieri; (D) Paul Stalteri; (D) Robert Iarusci; (D) Colin Miller;
(M) Wes McLeod; (M) Paul Peschisolido, (M) Lyndon Hooper, (M) Gerry Gray,
(M) Randy Ragan, (F) John Catliff; (F) Mike Stojanovic

Congratulation  Canada !

Turning Over LEAFS in TORONTO

Well it is finally done. One of Canada's best has come home. After four Championships titles (two with San Jose and two with Houston) Ontario native Dwayne De Rosario has been traded to Toronto FC. Seen here on this 2008 Upper Deck - with a wicked team patch - De Ro will be right at home in Canada.

The reception he got at this summer's MLS All-Star Game in Toronto was high-lighted by his late Penalty Kick against West Ham United.

Speaking of TORONTO ... when I was covering NHL games for FLA Hockey Magazine, I met the oldest living MAPLE LEAF - Murray "Army" Armstrong. At age 93 he has some great stories about the game. He played in the 1938 Stanley Cup with Toronto and later played with both the Detroit Red Wings and the now defunct New York Americans. One of his claims to fame is that a young player that came up to take his place on the Detroit roster was Gordie Howe.

The second accomplishment was being awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy. In a twist of longevity, Murray was actually friends with Patrick. Armstrong went on to coach in the NCAA - winning 5 titles and developed several NHL players. After almost a year of planning to do so, I got Murray to autograph a few custom made cards that I designed like the In The Game series.