Today’s News, Monday , Nov.03

[denime]

If Toronto FC wants to improve its product on the field MLSEL will have to open the vault and sign a designated player

By GARETH WHEELER



To designate, or not to designate, that is the question?
Sounds poetic but, according to reports, that question already has been put to the board of directors at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd., and will be voted on next Monday -- whether or not Toronto FC needs and will be allowed to pursue a designated player for next season.
A DP, regarded as one of the missing links for TFC, allows a team to pay a player essentially as much as it wants, with only $400,000 US of that salary being counted against the cap. ...


Read more (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/soccer/2008/11/03/7286521-sun.html)


SUNSHINE (http://www.torontosun.com/sunshinegirl/) :thumbsup: :drool5: :hurray: :yum:

[The Kingpin]

"Nevertheless, win, lose or draw, the Sounders' commitment to putting a winner on the field cannot be questioned.

Now it's up to TFC to prove the same."

I think it was always up to the club to prove that they can produce a winning product. This DP situation has already been hammered to death, what this article doesn't mention is that to be really serious about winning you must have turf that does not turn quality players away. you simply are limiting your choices by having an artificial surface. It's only when this changes that it will prove to me that this club is serious about winning. I do understand all of the implications, but you can't tell me that MLSE has very little clout with the local and provincial governments. Make this happen, and I will feel the club is serious. Because a high quality DP as well as key support players will follow. Just my summary stemming from numerous arduous discussions on the RPB message boards.

[JDG]

Signing a DP would eliminate the beliefs of many disgruntled TFC supporters that the organization doesn't want to spend money, and that a DP-type player wouldn't want to come to Toronto and play on FieldTurf.


Anyone who thinks the team doesn't want to spend money isn't looking very closely because we've been spending to the cap all along. Up until we clear space for a new signing. This is what prevented us from signing Ali Gerba. From what I heard, we were extremely close to signing him, and it was the lack of cap space that preveted us from being able to give him what he needeed.

[The Kingpin]

Anyone who thinks the team doesn't want to spend money isn't looking very closely because we've been spending to the cap all along. Up until we clear space for a new signing. This is what prevented us from signing Ali Gerba. From what I heard, we were extremely close to signing him, and it was the lack of cap space that preveted us from being able to give him what he needeed.

Then what we may need is an effective and detail orientated 'Capologist'. Having a former footballer or the company accountant managing the cap probably isn't a good idea (if this is the case of course), but you get the point, this is an extremely detailed element of the game. I do understand it's tough to understand player demands in advance, but how can we be 'close' to signing someone if they are not willing to fit under the cap.

The fact that Gerba went to Franchise FC isn't promising anyway as they are a League One team (though doing well) and we have had limited success drawing quality players from this level of football. I don't think people are talking about the team being misers with respect to the current roster, it is the lack of a DP that draws those conclusions as this is where the real spending begins.

[wzhxvy]

SUNSHINE (http://www.torontosun.com/sunshinegirl/) :thumbsup: :drool5: :hurray: :yum::hump::D;):p:canada::drinking:

[CoachGT]

Funny, I thought Seattle born Keller, their keeper, was their first player. If you go by their website, Seattle now has four players on the roster, that fourth of which is their DP.

If you look at league results, the teams with DPs haven't performed that much better than teams without. I'm still not convinced that a DP will automatically bring a winning season, although it will be a good demonstration of commitment to the fans.
And as has been stated already, coaches and players come and go, but a fan is forever.

[JDG]

Then what we may need is an effective and detail orientated 'Capologist'. Having a former footballer or the company accountant managing the cap probably isn't a good idea (if this is the case of course), but you get the point, this is an extremely detailed element of the game. I do understand it's tough to understand player demands in advance, but how can we be 'close' to signing someone if they are not willing to fit under the cap.

The fact that Gerba went to Franchise FC isn't promising anyway as they are a League One team (though doing well) and we have had limited success drawing quality players from this level of football. I don't think people are talking about the team being misers with respect to the current roster, it is the lack of a DP that draws those conclusions as this is where the real spending begins.


LOL - they mangae their budget as well as anyone could. The problem with the Gerba signing was largely due to the fact that we couldn't dump Cunny fast enough to free up space. It wasn't sloppy accounting.

[Nuvinho]

IMO, the next 2 big news days for TFC will be Novemeber 10th, when the budget get taken to the board and Novemeber 11th, when we see if they approved it.

[Stouffville_RPB]

glad to see the sunshine girl have really turned the corner after a bit of a drought the last while

[jabbronies]

Just because the Sounders signed a DP doesn't mean they will be good. Just look at how great the Galaxy are with David Beckham and Donavan on the team. They tried to build a team around a DP. A team that had a shit load of holes to fill...As oppose to placing a DP within an already solid team structure that probably only lacks a certain element or two.

[Mrs. Workie]

whether or not Toronto FC needs and will be allowed to pursue a designated player for next season.


Uh, Ya, duh. I think that's obvious.

I hate that it's left up to a "board of directors" to make this decision, but I hope they make the right one.

[Oldtimer]

SANDY — It's no secret that the Major League Soccer playoffs don't typically get good attendance. There are varying theories, one of the most obvious being that soccer is a long way from truly mattering in this country. Even though Real Salt Lake drew a very respectable 14,719 fans at Rio Tinto Stadium for a game that was only finalized six days earlier, the attendance in the league's other three first-round games wasn't nearly so high.


http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705259856,00.html

[The Kingpin]

LOL - they mangae their budget as well as anyone could. The problem with the Gerba signing was largely due to the fact that we couldn't dump Cunny fast enough to free up space. It wasn't sloppy accounting.

But JDG, wouldn't that be construed as bad business as well? If you put that excuse in terms of your own industry, would that fly with your bosses? In my industry it would be like saying I couldn't obtain an account because I couldn't release the current poorly performing account quickly enough. This is not my core point though...

You didn't acknowledge the other key point. It's spending beyond the cap that is being referenced. No one is denying that they are spending to the cap. The addition of a quality player could really help the club, and could you imagine if we had a scorer this season, I'm rather certain that we would be talking about playoffs right now. I believe this is what many are referencing.

[The Kingpin]

http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,705259856,00.html

Could this be because of the NFL/NBA in the US and now the NHL in Canada. I don't think it would affect TFC attendance, but hey... You never know... :noidea:

[CoachGT]

Could this be because of the NFL/NBA in the US and now the NHL in Canada. I don't think it would affect TFC attendance, but hey... You never know... :noidea:

I doubt that other sports might have detracted this past weekend. KC and NY have never been known for big attendance (unless Becks is playing) so no big surprises there. The only thought I have for New England is that this was a pretty nice weekend weather-wise and that may have played a part. I don't think that the New England fan base is primarily NFL fans even though they play in the same spot. I wonder what New England's number would have been like if their stadium was closer to the heart of the city.....

[Roogsy]

glad to see the sunshine girl have really turned the corner after a bit of a drought the last while

It only happens when they use the girls that are in the Calendar and they are promoting it. As soon as they stop using the Calendar girls, we are going back to less-than-acceptable SSGs.

[CretanBull]

IMO (not that I'm really complaining!) but even the Sun caladar girls who are much better looking than the others are still trashy looking. Now, I'm not expecting classy from a girl willing to pose half naked in a newspaper but I'd like to at least see pornstar-chic levels of hotness.

Edit:

Like Rhian, 20, from Manchester:

http://www.page3.com/index2.shtml#main-image

[JDG]

IMO (not that I'm really complaining!) but even the Sun caladar girls who are much better looking than the others are still trashy looking. Now, I'm not expecting classy from a girl willing to pose half naked in a newspaper but I'd like to at least see pornstar-chic levels of hotness.

Edit:

Like Rhian, 20, from Manchester:

http://www.page3.com/index2.shtml#main-image

Very cute, but she needs a cheesburger or three. She's a bit top heavy for that frame.

[CretanBull]

^ Agreed, but what I was trying to get at was that she (and typically Page 3 girls in general) tend to look less trashy than Sunshine girls.

[Nodoubtguy]

^ Agreed, but what I was trying to get at was that she (and typically Page 3 girls in general) tend to look less trashy than Sunshine girls.

Yeah, theres a little less "stripper" to them....

[Beach_Red]

You didn't acknowledge the other key point. It's spending beyond the cap that is being referenced. No one is denying that they are spending to the cap. The addition of a quality player could really help the club, and could you imagine if we had a scorer this season, I'm rather certain that we would be talking about playoffs right now. I believe this is what many are referencing.

In fact, MLSE has the right corporate structure for this league - they will always spend up to the cap. Once this silly DP rule is gone and the cap is raised they won't have to ask the board for approval of a special budget item.

There will always be the problem of clearing up enough cap space to sign new players and also the problem of limited roster space - that's what makes some GMs better than others.

I doubt at your job you're only allowed to have a limited number of accounts, so the comparison doesn't really work, but you're right, the addition of a scorer would have made a huge difference.

[trane]

Ali Gerba played six games for the Dons and scored four goals. Fuck. I was hoping we could sign him.

[rocker]

Why does Gerba go to a different team every year tho?
he's been on 7 different teams in 3 years. something is going there..... he's really either ambitious and hungry to get better contracts, or he loves to travel, or he wears out his welcome each time.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Why does Gerba go to a different team every year tho?
he's been on 7 different teams in 3 years. something is going there..... he's really either ambitious and hungry to get better contracts, or he loves to travel, or he wears out his welcome each time.

thats not to mention thelevel ofthe actual clubs hes beenplaying at.
Mostly 3 division teams...

itd be nice to see him have a go but not at a substantial cost.

didnt he play in the MLS previously?
in floriday?

[The Kingpin]

In fact, MLSE has the right corporate structure for this league - they will always spend up to the cap. Once this silly DP rule is gone and the cap is raised they won't have to ask the board for approval of a special budget item.

There will always be the problem of clearing up enough cap space to sign new players and also the problem of limited roster space - that's what makes some GMs better than others.

I doubt at your job you're only allowed to have a limited number of accounts, so the comparison doesn't really work, but you're right, the addition of a scorer would have made a huge difference.

My occupation is not really the best example, you're right. But your bolded statement is really what I was saying with respect to the current cap situation. It's not whether you spend to the cap it's how you spend to the cap. Thus, maybe we could use an experienced contract negotiator and capologist, that could only help couldn't it?

Oh, and yes. Page3 girls are ALWAYS of higher grade. Why we are continuing with this Sunshine Girl link is beyond me.... :)

[Parkdale]

Why we are continuing with this Sunshine Girl link is beyond me.... :)

they're local.

There's always the chance someone might know one of them.
I saw a girl I went to highschool with in there one time.

[The Kingpin]

they're local.

There's always the chance someone might know one of them.
I saw a girl I went to highschool with in there one time.

I had a room mate who was a Sunshine Girl and Bud Girl... I'll see if I can suss out that photo... I dated one when I used to host Bikini shows in my early 20's, but I personally think the quality was higher then. But the hairstyles certainly weren't...

The worst part is the only one we have known around here is Damien... :eek:

[Sonny Cheeba]

they're local.

There's always the chance someone might know one of them.
I saw a girl I went to highschool with in there one time.

haven't we all.


i'm getting tired of the DP talk for TFC. i don't think a DP will change MLS's schedule to fit FIFA internationals, won't get us grass, and thus won't necessarily make us winners.

they can spend money all they want on a DP and still not fix what needs to be fixed. GRASS GRASS GRASS

[Stouffville_RPB]

It only happens when they use the girls that are in the Calendar and they are promoting it. As soon as they stop using the Calendar girls, we are going back to less-than-acceptable SSGs.

i'll enjoy while it lasts i guess :D

[Parkdale]

as for DP's,

does New England need one? How about Houston?

[Roogsy]

as for DP's,

does New England need one? How about Houston?

Apparently NE does since they haven't won squat.

Let's see how Houston does this year before we continue using them as a the standard. Last year was the first year of the DP and I am not sure any team had one the entire year. Now that there are several, let's see if it's a team with a DP or not that wins the league. If they do...can we stop with the "Houston didn't need a DP" comments?

[Beach_Red]

My occupation is not really the best example, you're right. But your bolded statement is really what I was saying with respect to the current cap situation. It's not whether you spend to the cap it's how you spend to the cap. Thus, maybe we could use an experienced contract negotiator and capologist, that could only help couldn't it?

Oh, and yes. Page3 girls are ALWAYS of higher grade. Why we are continuing with this Sunshine Girl link is beyond me.... :)

So far, starting from scratch with an expansion team, our GM has shown more ability with the cap, roster, allocation and other weird MLS rules than pretty much anyone else in the league. The worst thing we've had has been lack of depth - which really showed with international call-ups - but picking up 3-4 bona fide starters a year is actually pretty good. That's why it takes 3-4 years to build a team. There have been a lot of complaints about our GM, but his manupulation of MLS rules isn't a legitimate one.

Now, New England is probably the perfect example of a team that needs a DP. Could you imagine if we went to the championship game four times and lost every time - and still had no DP? Look how much we're screaming about not having one in our second year when we're still a team of left-overs and never-weres.

Last year NE lost 1-0 in the final, they couldn't manage a single goal. If that's not the best argument for a DP, I don't know what is.

[CoachGT]

FYI, just watched the Newcastle / Aston Villa game. They had a shot of our own John Carver on the sidelines with Alan Shearer.

[James17930]

Houston has a DP whom they are simply able to pay a regular salary to because he was in the league before the DP rule.

[Marco2K]

Anyone who thinks the team doesn't want to spend money isn't looking very closely because we've been spending to the cap all along. Up until we clear space for a new signing. This is what prevented us from signing Ali Gerba. From what I heard, we were extremely close to signing him, and it was the lack of cap space that preveted us from being able to give him what he needeed.



Are you kidding me. MLSE if fuckin DUMB AND CHEAP. they are spending up to the cap which is 2.6 million or something. COME ON. they are paying TUCKER 4 million while he plays for the AVS.


I think there is no way the board says "no" we dont want to allow you to bring in a good player in which we will pay 3-4 million.

Come on. the 300 000 players are only so good. especialy if Mo keeps getting 2nd tier english players

[Redcoe15]

SUNSHINE (http://www.torontosun.com/sunshinegirl/) :thumbsup: :drool5: :hurray: :yum:
:party: