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Toronto FC's 7th season in MLS ended more or less the same way the previous 6 did: bottom three in the league and on the outside of the playoff picture, looking in. Toronto FC, for all intents and purposes, was a club dangerously teetering on the edge of irrelevance. Looking back on the offseason that was, Toronto FC management, has absolutely nailed this rebuild!…on paper of course.
Unless you've been living under a rock or are new to MLS, you've had to have heard something of what has been happening north of the border.
The easiest way to cover the off-season that was in 2013/2014 is to attempt to chronicle the events as they unfolded, and there were plenty!
It all began with some common slicing and dicing of the roster. There was never a doubt in anyone's mind that the tenures of goalkeeper Stefan Frei, right-back Richard Eckersley, and Dutch target man and goal scoring machine Danny Koevermans had come to an end in Toronto. In addition to those stalwarts, Darel Russell, Robert Earnshaw, Justin Braun and Bobby Convey, all had their team options declined.
Of the players listed above, not one is currently on the Reds' roster as preseason has begun. Richard Eckersley, and Bobby Convey we're shipped separately to the Red Bulls, and the rest, besides Justin Braun who recently signed with Sacremento Republic FC of USL, are still to the best of my knowledge, out of contract.
Once the dirty work had been done, General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko began assembling. Former SJ Earthquakes and 2012 MLS All-star Justin Morrow was added along with FC Dallas midfielder Jackson. Then, as many had predicted when he was unceremoniously declined by DC United, 4-time MLS Cup Champion and Toronto FC all-time leading goal scorer Dwayne De Rosario was selected during the second stage of MLS Re-Entry. Based on the reactions of a fair number of TFC supporters through social media, this move was celebrated and righted quite a few wrongs, although that last part is still very debatable.
The Reds had added three very important pieces from within the league that all have considerable experience and talent; a huge step in the right direction for a club that has historically lacked a veteran presence on the roster, especially considering how young the core of this team is. But the player acquisitions most certainly didn't end there.
It's pretty easy to see, looking back, that barring the success of Danny Koevermans in pre-ACL tear form and young DP Matias Laba, who showed he has a bright future ahead of him in the North American game, TFC has consistently struck out and overpaid for the services of designated players. But heading into a new season without Danny K or Robert Earmshaw, the Reds were desperate for someone who was able to put the ball in the net on a consistent basis.
Enter, Gilberto.
In front of a large crowd of media at the Air Canada Centre, Brazilian striker Gilberto Oliveira Souza Junior was introduced as Toronto FC's second Designated Player. Having made 24 appearances for Brazilian Serie A club, Portuguesa, and notching 14 goals in 2013, the 24 year-old forward easily has the potential to step into a notoriously unproductive Toronto attack and have an instant impact.
Then came the real shocker.
To quote Tim Leiweke, "To do one DP is a smart move. To do two DP's is not the smartest thing we've ever done. And to do three is, uh, financial suicide."
Having the backing of the un-holy alliance of Bell and Rogers (two monstrous telecom/cable giants in Canada) being his financiers, it would appear that money is of no object to this new administration.
In what was rightfully billed by TFC marketing as "It's a Bloody Big Deal", former Tottenham Hotspur striker and England national team World Cup hopeful, Jermain Defoe was introduced to a throng of media and a large number supporters in the balcony serenading him at Real Sports Bar in the heart of Toronto. Then, in a move that most fans thought was a joke when it was initially reported, management decided to one up themselves by also introducing a midfield general who patrolled the centre of the pitch at AS Roma and is the centre piece of the American contingent headed to Brazil this summer; 26 year-old Michael Bradley walked out onto the same stage to wild applause. These two additions, costing an estimated $100 million in terms of salary and transfer fees not only garnered attention at home and abroad, but also made it abundantly clear that this iteration of Toronto FC was being built not to just be competitive, but to be contenders.
When all the excitement died down for a moment, attention shifted to the now excess DP Matias Laba, who now finds himself in a precarious position at the club. TFC currently have four DP's under contract for the 2014 season, which as we all know, is not possible come March 1st. As a much loved player by the fans, with incredible ball winning abilities, Laba will more than likely have met his end in Toronto. Since nothing is official yet from the player or the club in regards to a move within the league or overseas, you'll have to stay tuned for further developments.
2010 UEFA Champions League winner and Brazil national team goalkeeper Julio Cesar has been loaned to TFC leading up to the World Cup. Since having fallen out of favour at QPR, now a Championship club following their relegation, Cesar has made only 1 appearance this season for an FA Cup match.
Now, sit back, relax, and take a moment to let all that sink in…
There are 3 simple words that seem to come to mind after all thats transpired: "wow", "goals" and "depth".
Knowing Tim Leiweke's ability to be the great entertainer he is, he certainly obtained the wow-factor after making three DP additions within the span of a few months. He has, in essence, staked his reputation on the success or failure of these 3 players.
Goals. They've been hard to come by around TFC since they started their inaugural campaign going goal-less for the first 4 matches they played. Whether they come from the midfield, or from the strike combinations up front, scoring goals will not be TFC's weakness going into the regular season, especially when young Gilberto has been quoted as bravely predicting he will score 25 goals this season. Pair that with Michael Bradley's abilities to distribute the ball around the pitch, Jermain Defoe being in match form and the threat he is, and a young, hungry team, ready to take the city and league by storm…I don't know about you, but I smell success.
A rare commodity that's now afforded to second year coach Ryan Nelsen is depth…and that's depth at all positions.
The recent addition of right-fullback Bradley Orr on loan from Blackburn Rovers, a central defensive pairing of captain Steven Caldwell and Doneil Henry, and either Ashtone Morgan or Justin Morrow as the "nasty leftback", and your backline is strong with options off the bench.
The depth at midfield is incredible. Alvaro Rey, Jonathan Osorio, Kyle Bekker, Reggie Lambe, Jeremy Hall; all were probable starters last season, all are now depth players. A starting midfield four of Jackson, Michael Bradley, Dwayne De Rosario, and hopefully Matias Laba (if Tim B can work some magic with MLS head office), and you now have one of the strongest midfields in the league without a doubt.
In goal, with Julio Cesar being a starting keeper with an in-form Joe Bendik waiting in the wings, it doesn't seem like stopping goals will be an issue for this team.
After 7 seasons in Toronto, the ugly stepchild of MLSE is finally coming into its own and repaying the loyal and ever-present supporters who have had to endure it all. The buzz throughout the city, not just from those in soccer community, but from even the casual bystanders, has been a sight to see. Having seen this team be the laughing stock of MLS soccer for so long, I must say I have been absolutely ecstatic by all that's happened, but being the fan I am, I know how quickly things can fall apart. The important thing at the present is that Toronto FC has become relevant again…and no one could be happier than this author. There are few things better than a warm summer's day at a sold out BMO Field. Throw in a winning team, and you have the potential to witness greatness. In the words of Tim Leiweke, "Why can't we be great?".
(image courtesy of torontofc.ca)
