If you told head coach Aron Winter that his team would be sitting in eighth place in the Eastern Conference just past the half-way point in the season, he would probably ask you if he was still employed. Well, he is. It has been a rough first half of the year to say the least for Toronto FC. They have yet to win a game on the road and post a league worst -12 goal differential. They are one of only two teams with a home goal differential in the negatives, largely in part to their inability to find the back of the net. You would not tell by looking at the numbers, but Toronto’s defense has actually been quite strong compared to recent seasons. The main problem with the club lies in their hopelessness on the attack (which can be partly attributed to the amount of injures that the club has been struck with this season). Forward Alan Gordon has missed more than half of the campaign with a nagging groin injury, while midfielders Julian De Guzman, Tony Tchani and Jacob Peterson have also missed time due to injury.
It has not been all bad for the club however, as Toronto has at times shown glimpses of what they are capable of when healthy. A big part of the problem has been a lack of chemistry in the midfield. This can also be attributed to the injury bug that has hit the team. Winter has yet to be able to field the same group of guys for more than a couple of games in a row. Say what you want, but it is almost impossible to find chemistry between your players when the line-up, formation and positioning is constantly being changed.
Management has shown their desire to make the club competitive, which can be seen through the early season signing of defender Richard Eckersley and the most recent signings of German midfielder Torsten Frings from Werder Bremen and Dutch forward Danny Koevermans from PSV. Frings and Koevermans will provide the club with a much needed boost for the second half of the season which could see the club make a push for the playoffs. While it will be tough, the playoffs still remain a possibility for TFC if they manage to hit their stride. At the moment, only two points separate them and fourth place Kansas City.
So with just over half the season in the books, let’s take a look at the first half heroes for TFC as I hand out my mid-season awards for the club:
Most Valuable Player: Stefan Frei
Undoubtedly the team’s MVP, Frei has kept Toronto in more games than I care to remember. He has started all 19 games for the club, registering 6 clean sheets and a league leading 70 saves. It scares me just to think of where this team would be this season without its captain. His play speaks for itself.
Rookie of the Year: Joao Plata
The speedy Plata has exceeded the expectations of just about everyone in the Toronto FC organization this year. The young Ecuadorian talent joined came over in 2009 to the U-18 youth academy before cracking the first team this season. He has proved to be a crucial part of the team already, at the age of 19. His speed is almost unmatched while his skill and creativity allow him to flourish in the attacking half. What is most impressive about Plata however, is his confidence. He has full confidence in his ability and knows that at the age of 19, he is already able to compete at an elite level. He has every reason to be confident as in the last six months, he was the leading scorer at the 2011 MLS combine and he won a spot in Toronto’s starting XI. Not bad for a rookie.
Offensive Player of the Year: Alan Gordon
You might be wondering why I have Gordon as the Offensive MVP when he has played only six games. I am sure that many of you are also second guessing the choice as Maicon Santos is the team leader in goals at the half way point. While that is true, Gordon was still the obvious choice for me. Santos can find the back of the net, there is no questioning that. What he can not seem to do however, is factor into a game for 90 minutes. It is almost as if he goes into hiding at times, becoming unnoticeable for an entire half of football. Gordon on the other hand is the exact opposite. He has only played six games due to injury, yet has still managed to register four goals. Gordon seems to jump start Toronto when he is in the line-up, which shows as Toronto has only lost one of the seven games Gordon has appeared in. He is Toronto’s biggest threat on set pieces and remains a valuable target man that poses a threat to defenders whenever he is on the pitch. If Gordon can stay healthy he will be a vital piece to any success Toronto hopes to have in the second half of the season.
Defensive Player of the Year: Richard Eckersley
Joining the club a couple of weeks into the season, Eckersley has proved to be Toronto’s most valuable asset on defense. His drive and determination can be seen every time he walks out onto the pitch. He is a tough, fiery competitor who wants nothing more than to win. He is the exact type of player you want on your team. He excels at one on one defending and will never back down from a challenge. While he may not be Toronto’s most consistent defender, he is certainly their most valuable.
Most Improved: Robert Tyrel Harden
With all the injuries TFC have suffered this season, Harden has proved to be a reliable, go-to man at the back for head coach Aron Winter. Harden started only 10 games in 2010 but has already started 13 in the first half of the 2011 season, second to only Maicon Santos’s 14. What is even more impressive is how well he has performed when called upon. Harden has been very solid on defense, a position which has hurt Toronto all season.
(image courtesy of torontofc.ca)
