Just a few weeks ago, I talked about how a designated player would be a good fit with Toronto FC. At the time, everything we heard mentioned that DP was on its way, possibly by this past Monday or Tuesday. Early this afternoon, Kristian Jack figured out that we will not be getting a designated player at the beginning of the season.
I still think that a DP would be a good fit with our team, but he would have to be the right player, and right now, we evidently haven't been able to find that player.
I still think that a DP would be a good fit with our team, but he would have to be the right player, and right now, we evidently haven't been able to find that player.
The DP issue was brushed aside a little bit when we traded for Dwayne De Rosario. In some peoples' opinions, he is worth a DP spot himself. We should also bear in mind that before the 2007 season, Chivas USA traded their DP spot to New York for Amado Guevara. Both Guevara and De Rosario are among the league's best at their position in attacking midfield, and when you put those two together with Carl Robinson, we possibly have the league's best central midfield.
If you read Ives' post today, it would appear that Mo Johnston is 100% focused on using the draft to improve our squad - not through draftees, but through trades. Ives mentions that we could be in for both Adrian Serioux and Wilman Conde, each of whom are established defenders in MLS. If we acquired these two, it could potentially solve our defensive problems. A defensive line of Wynne / Conde / Serioux / Brennan is pretty good.
The biggest issue that we were hoping a DP would solve is our goalscoring issue. Aside from DP speculation, there hasn't been much news about a new striker. The addition of DeRo will certainly help both Barrett's and Guevara's goalscoring totals, but you have to feel that Mo must be working on a deal for another striker. Hypothetically speaking, if Rohan Ricketts can score 5 this year, if DeRo scores 10, if Guevara scores 7, and Barrett scores 12, that's 34 goals from just 4 players. I think that all of the previously mentioned numbers are attainable by these players.
Obviously, one of the main issues with signing a DP is the $400K cap hit. We already know DeRo will be making $400K, and Carl Robinson will be making around $300K. We can't really afford to become an "LA Galaxy" and spend all our money on 3 players, but lose 5-3 all the time.
What we want with TFC has to necessitate the TFC supporter in us, not the football supporter. in us. It would be awesome to see a world class superstar at BMO Field, but if that's not the best thing for the team, we have to get over it.
I have faith in Mo to put things together for us by March, and if it means bringing us more depth and a more solid starting eleven, I won't be too sad if we didn't sign a designated player.
If you read Ives' post today, it would appear that Mo Johnston is 100% focused on using the draft to improve our squad - not through draftees, but through trades. Ives mentions that we could be in for both Adrian Serioux and Wilman Conde, each of whom are established defenders in MLS. If we acquired these two, it could potentially solve our defensive problems. A defensive line of Wynne / Conde / Serioux / Brennan is pretty good.
The biggest issue that we were hoping a DP would solve is our goalscoring issue. Aside from DP speculation, there hasn't been much news about a new striker. The addition of DeRo will certainly help both Barrett's and Guevara's goalscoring totals, but you have to feel that Mo must be working on a deal for another striker. Hypothetically speaking, if Rohan Ricketts can score 5 this year, if DeRo scores 10, if Guevara scores 7, and Barrett scores 12, that's 34 goals from just 4 players. I think that all of the previously mentioned numbers are attainable by these players.
Obviously, one of the main issues with signing a DP is the $400K cap hit. We already know DeRo will be making $400K, and Carl Robinson will be making around $300K. We can't really afford to become an "LA Galaxy" and spend all our money on 3 players, but lose 5-3 all the time.
What we want with TFC has to necessitate the TFC supporter in us, not the football supporter. in us. It would be awesome to see a world class superstar at BMO Field, but if that's not the best thing for the team, we have to get over it.
I have faith in Mo to put things together for us by March, and if it means bringing us more depth and a more solid starting eleven, I won't be too sad if we didn't sign a designated player.
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Since DeRo has come home I think I've cooled off on the DP issue. My main concern is if Carver is at my temperature, he wanted a DP but is DeRo and whatever tricks Mo Jo has up his sleeve enough to pacify Carver?
If we land either Serioux or Conde, who goes? Velez? Dunni?
If Mo could get both Conde and Serioux, it would probably push the team to the top, in my opinion. And why automatically get rid of Velez or Dunivant? (Marshall, on the other hand...)
With Dunivant returning (who pre-injury was a reliable defender), Brennan might be able to move up to his natural left midfield position - where he's looked pretty dangerous in the few games he's played there. Sure Wynne/Conde/Serioux/Brennan looks good, but Wynne/Conde/Serioux/Dunivant doesn't look much worse. And Ricketts/Robinson/Guevera/Brennan looks like a pretty balanced and dangerous midfield.
Additionally, Carver would be able to give Wynne a few opportunities at midfield, depending on the opponant.
Could pushing for Conde/Serioux be forward planning in case Wynne goes to Europe?
Why do I always pose questions?
Check this link on Soccer By Ives...
http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2009/01/mls-hot-stove-trade-talk-galore-ahead-of-draft.html#more
Reports that Toronto FC has already closed the door on signing a designated player before the start of the season are not true, team sources told SBI. With plenty of allocation money on hand to fit a DP salary onto its salary cap, Toronto could make a DP signing this pre-season if the right player came along, but a summer signing is still probably more likely.
Great find, Tim. I hadn't been able to get online today yet. Thanks for the link!
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