The biggest day in our club's history? Possibly. More to come later.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Danny Dichio retires
Toronto FC fan favourite Danny Dichio has called time on his playing career. The man is Toronto FC's first real "legend". Possibly my favourite memory so far at BMO Field happened at 23:13 in our match against the Chicago Fire on May 12, 2007.
He's an English journeyman, having spent time at QPR, Sunderland, Millwall, and Preston Northend. I had to check out his wikipedia page when he first came here to find out what he was all about, and his scoring record at Preston was less than impressive - 5 goals in 61 appearances. After watching him play at our inaugural home opener against Kansas City, I knew I'd like him, and I don't think any supporter will deny his contributions to our development as a club.
His personality and work ethic made him an instant favourite in the team, and the fact that he scored our first ever goal made him an instant legend. From that moment forward, this was Danny's team, and we played better when he was on the pitch. He struggled through several injuries in his tenure as a player here, but we always seemed to play better with him on the field - even this year, when many supporters still preferred him to players like Chad Barrett.
His involvement in the club is not finished. He has taken a full time role as the club's academy coach and team ambassador immediately. This definitely is not the last we've heard of Danny Dichio.
He's an English journeyman, having spent time at QPR, Sunderland, Millwall, and Preston Northend. I had to check out his wikipedia page when he first came here to find out what he was all about, and his scoring record at Preston was less than impressive - 5 goals in 61 appearances. After watching him play at our inaugural home opener against Kansas City, I knew I'd like him, and I don't think any supporter will deny his contributions to our development as a club.
His personality and work ethic made him an instant favourite in the team, and the fact that he scored our first ever goal made him an instant legend. From that moment forward, this was Danny's team, and we played better when he was on the pitch. He struggled through several injuries in his tenure as a player here, but we always seemed to play better with him on the field - even this year, when many supporters still preferred him to players like Chad Barrett.
His involvement in the club is not finished. He has taken a full time role as the club's academy coach and team ambassador immediately. This definitely is not the last we've heard of Danny Dichio.
Monday, September 7, 2009
I do not think we will make the playoffs this year
This realization has taken a few weeks longer this season, but it's still just as painful. After watching TFC shit the bed this past weekend in Colorado, my faith in our ability to bounce back and hit a good run of form is effectively dead. I'm not too urked by a 1-0 loss away to the Rapids - they've been a good team this year. It's the manner in which we lost though that bugs me - one shot on goal to Colorado's five, fifteen fouls to Colorado's five, and of course, two red cards, neither of which were deserved in my mind.
As I watched the match, I thought of several things that I would immediately change in the team. For example - having Chad Barrett on set pieces. Whether it's finishing sitters, or executing simple little free kicks, he can't do it. I think his crossing and his passing might be worse than his finishing. The fact that he plays a central role in our attack game in and game out is beyond me. Why did Mo even bother bringing in Ali Gerba?
Speaking of Gerba, was anyone else left wondering why we don't have any natural wingers in the team when players of his size and Dichio's size are in the 18-yard box? This absolutely has to fall on Mo Johnston. Two of the biggest strikers in the league can't get any service because we have a defensive midfielder and an ill-fated striker playing at left and right midfield. Good one Mo.
Chris Cummins' substitutions left me a little baffled as well. It was pretty obvious to me that Amadou Sanyang would be in trouble after he was yellow carded so early in the match. For me, he should have been the first player substituted in the second half. Seeing a healthy Adrian Serioux left on the bench was an interesting call as well, and his sending off was about as bad a call as Honduras' penalty two months ago at the Gold Cup.
In the end, this team is still bad defensively, and very, very, very boring to watch on the road. We continue to send long balls up to an unimpressive Chad Barrett, while Ali Gerba and Danny Dichio ride the bench. We have six games left, and we have to go - at worst - at least 3-1-2 to have any chance at making the post season in my mind. This could be one very long winter.
As I watched the match, I thought of several things that I would immediately change in the team. For example - having Chad Barrett on set pieces. Whether it's finishing sitters, or executing simple little free kicks, he can't do it. I think his crossing and his passing might be worse than his finishing. The fact that he plays a central role in our attack game in and game out is beyond me. Why did Mo even bother bringing in Ali Gerba?
Speaking of Gerba, was anyone else left wondering why we don't have any natural wingers in the team when players of his size and Dichio's size are in the 18-yard box? This absolutely has to fall on Mo Johnston. Two of the biggest strikers in the league can't get any service because we have a defensive midfielder and an ill-fated striker playing at left and right midfield. Good one Mo.
Chris Cummins' substitutions left me a little baffled as well. It was pretty obvious to me that Amadou Sanyang would be in trouble after he was yellow carded so early in the match. For me, he should have been the first player substituted in the second half. Seeing a healthy Adrian Serioux left on the bench was an interesting call as well, and his sending off was about as bad a call as Honduras' penalty two months ago at the Gold Cup.
In the end, this team is still bad defensively, and very, very, very boring to watch on the road. We continue to send long balls up to an unimpressive Chad Barrett, while Ali Gerba and Danny Dichio ride the bench. We have six games left, and we have to go - at worst - at least 3-1-2 to have any chance at making the post season in my mind. This could be one very long winter.
Julian De Guzman set to become our first Designated Player
According to Kristian Jack at the Score, Julian De Guzman has agreed to become our first designated player. Mo Johnston is apparently shopping players around the league in order to make room for him under the salary cap. Anyone else seeing Danny Dichio's two-month early retirement in the near future?
Let's face it - JDG will step into this league and instantly become one of the top five players. As a supporter, seeing Julian De Guzman in our team is an exciting prospect, but at this point I'm not sure whether or not bringing him in would help or not. Assuming Mo can make room for him by trading several players for allocation money, it could upset the balance in the team (or lack there of?). On the other hand, bringing him into our midfield could be just what we need.
These next few weeks could be interesting, though I'd rather it be because of our good form in a tight playoff race.
Let's face it - JDG will step into this league and instantly become one of the top five players. As a supporter, seeing Julian De Guzman in our team is an exciting prospect, but at this point I'm not sure whether or not bringing him in would help or not. Assuming Mo can make room for him by trading several players for allocation money, it could upset the balance in the team (or lack there of?). On the other hand, bringing him into our midfield could be just what we need.
These next few weeks could be interesting, though I'd rather it be because of our good form in a tight playoff race.
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