OFF SEASON TRADES / DP RUMOURS -- superthread!

[Shaughno]

----------
MOD NOTE:
please keep all of the off season trade talk, especially unconfirmed rumours in this thread.
We DO NOT need a new thread every time some international player is released from his club.
mods will merge all new threads (unless they deserve their own thread based on FACTS) into this one.

-------------------


From your favourite rumour source...

http://www.mls-rumors.net/



Thursday, November 27, 2008

INCOMING: MLS talking to Fernando Morientes? (http://www.mls-rumors.net/2008/11/incoming-mls-talking-to-fernando.html)


http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eG5nyD8m7lE/SS6zoZgbJUI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/_s8ZkyO4rcA/s320/fernando+mori.jpg (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_eG5nyD8m7lE/SS6zoZgbJUI/AAAAAAAAAaQ/_s8ZkyO4rcA/s1600-h/fernando+mori.jpg)
Breaking news from our friends of MLS en Espanol (http://www.mlsenespanol.net/)!

Here is the email they just sent us...

Good morning guys,

I just posted this "exclusive news" about Fernando Morientes on my blog. There is also a video I found on youtube (great goals!)

My friend from Agoge Sports (http://www.agogesports.com/) (a sport marketing agency) sent me an e-mail telling me that the MLS and Morientes's agent are discussing the possibility of bringing him to the league next season.

At this point, my friend told me only one team is willing/could add a Designated player on their roster. However, he thinks that there is a good chance they decide to bring him.

I honestly think Morientes would be a great addition to the MLS. He is still young and his talent would be perfect for the league.

Talk to you,

What do you think about this? If he joins the MLS, which team would you like to see Morientes play?
Can't really see anyone else but us being that team at the moment.


-------------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto FC Plausible/Confirmed Rumours Section


Player-------------In/Out/MLS-------------Position----------Source

Brian Kerr---------------In--------------------Midfield-------------BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7613027.stm)
Del Piero----------------In--------------------Striker--------------Various Papers
De Rosario--------------In--------------------Attacking Mid-------Various
Stefano Fiore-----------In--------------------Midfield-------------Various
Carlos Rivas Jr.---------In--------------------Midfield--------------Voyagers (http://www.estrellaiquique.cl/prontus4_nots/site/artic/20080927/pags/20080927005522.html)
Chris Seitz--------------In--------------------Keeper--------------Ives (http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2008/11/mls-cup-the-rumor-mill-recap.html)
Julius James-----------Out-------------------Defender------------TheScore (http://z15.invisionfree.com/U_Sector/index.php?showtopic=8877)
Justin Mapp-------------In--------------------Midfield-------------TheScore (http://z15.invisionfree.com/U_Sector/index.php?showtopic=8877)
Fernando Morientes-----In-------------------Striker---------------MLS-Rumors (http://www.mls-rumors.net/2008/11/incoming-mls-talking-to-fernando.html)
Tyrone Marshall---------Out------------------Defender------------TheScore (http://my.thescore.com/footyblog/archive/2008/11/27/3355.aspx)
Nuno Gomes-------------In-------------------Striker--------------TheScore (http://my.thescore.com/footyblog/archive/2008/12/01/3639.aspx)
Marvell Wynne----------Out------------------Defender------------Shitty Source (http://www.noshortcorners.com/2008/12/tis-season-again.html)
Ishmel Demontagnac----In-------------------Midfielder-----------MLS-Rumors (http://www.mls-rumors.net/2008/12/incoming-ishmel-demontagnac-to-toronto.html)

[ACSertL]

So now you're contributing to your own spreadsheet! :lol:

[Nuvinho]

I saw that rumour, but didn't know if I should post it, since there is always so much DP talk on here.....hahaha!!!!!

They say in the article that only ONE team is willing to use the DP slot.......hmmm...TFC??

Btw, can we have one thread with the catch-all for all DP talk?

[Yohan]

oh hey. another guy who meets King Tut's DP criteria :p

question is would Garber let us have Morientes if he does come

[Shaughno]

So now you're contributing to your own spreadsheet! :lol:

Hey man, always on the look out. :D

[BuSaPuNk]

Interesting how they say only one team can bring him in....I wonder if it is us?

[ensco]

Can't really see anyone else but us being that team at the moment.

If the Herbalifes sell Landycakes, then that's where Morientes would go, I'd bet.

[Shaughno]

As far as I know, we're the only team with the approved budget for a DP...

[Shaughno]

If the Herbalifes sell Landycakes, then that's where Morientes would go, I'd bet.

They still have Becks, they would have to acquire another DP slot.

[ensco]

They still have Becks, they would have to acquire another DP slot.

I wonder what happened to the Ruiz slot, though. It didn't move with him to us. Was it a "2008 only" slot?

Besides, these are technicalities in the greater game of catering to the Beckham machine....

I just think realistically that a Spanish La Liga star would want to go to one of the big hispanic-speaking cities in the US, if he's coming to MLS, and that's what MLS would want, too.

[Shaughno]

Both Ruiz and Landycunt were 'grandfathered' until this coming season where both will become DP players. IIRC anyway.

[Yohan]

Morientes would fit wonderfully with our existing system. Big target man striker. It's like having Dichio up front, but with better awareness and finishing.

Though Morientes is 32 and starting to lose a step or two. Some injuries issue last few years too

[ACSertL]

Morientes would fit wonderfully with our existing system. Big target man striker. It's like having Dichio up front, but with better awareness and finishing.

Though Morientes is 32 and starting to lose a step or two. Some injuries issue last few years too

We'd just need to make sure we'd get the proper service into him. This would be a very good thing if all the stars align.

[ensco]

I'd rather have Cooper. Hands down.

[Shaughno]

I'd rather have Cooper. Hands down.

As would I. ;)

As an aside, we need a dedicated thread for proper 'rumblings'. I have a few that I don't want to create a new thread for. :lol:

[ACSertL]

As would I. ;)

As an aside, we need a dedicated thread for proper 'rumblings'. I have a few that I don't want to create a new thread for. :lol:

Just get someone to change the name of the thread. 3rded on Cooper, but everyone would agree that Morientes would be an upgrade for sure.

[Nuvinho]

I think there should be a sticky for all DP/new player rumours etc.

[Yohan]

We'd just need to make sure we'd get the proper service into him. This would be a very good thing if all the stars align.
Guevara and Ricketts supplied decent amount of good passes. It's just our strikers other than Dichio had awareness of a dead dodo hence crappy scoring.

[Shaughno]

Fine. :lol:

From our boys over at the score, some food for thought:



Chicago have inquired about the availability of James and that is one of the reasons he has been protected by Mo Johnston. Chicago will feel that James started the season with an injury that halted his development and then was affected badly by some poor defending around him.
So what can Toronto FC expect in return? How about Justin Mapp (http://chicago.fire.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t100&player=mapp_j&playerId=map504282&statType=current) ...(continued)



...folks, this Sigi Schmid to Seattle is going to happen. It's been in the works for months. Schmid likes Marshall and if he was left unprotected he would have been taken by Seattle. Expect Marshall to be traded this winter instead.

More available here http://my.thescore.com/footyblog/archive/2008/11/26/3299.aspx

and lastly, Sean creams his pants at the thought...



Our buddy Sean Keay is praying David Edgar can be brought over from Newcastle on loan. I have no idea if Johnston and John Carver are working on such a move, but he'd be a terrific addition


More at.. http://my.thescore.com/footyblog/default.aspx

[Nuvinho]

maybe even Ameobi

[Lucky Strike]

Lol, I too came across this but decided against starting a thread because it would have sounded like: "Hey, how about X for DP?" which annoy me to no end. At least, there is "something" behind this one... I think he'd be fantastic here!

[ACSertL]

Guevara and Ricketts supplied decent amount of good passes. It's just our strikers other than Dichio had awareness of a dead dodo hence crappy scoring.

Guevara I will give you, but Ricketts was hot and cold. Either way I agree with you and think it would be a vast improvement to what we've got now.

Uh oh...Shaughno, we know a Panda Advocate that's not going to like that first rumour :)

[brad]

oh hey. another guy who meets King Tut's DP criteria :p


Not at all. Morientes was great, but never World XI. He's not good enough for King Tut.

[Oldtimer]

Poor in the EPL, doing well in Spain.

I'd be happy with him.

[Shaughno]

Poor in the EPL, doing well in Spain.

I'd be happy with him.

Happy with him for sure, but I'd rather have Cooper to be honest.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Happy with him for sure, but I'd rather have Cooper to be honest.

you and me both.
either way id be happy tho

[Shaughno]

True that man, definitely an improvement either way.

[Shaughno]

and I got my thread wish... woohoo. :lol:

[Ossington Mental Youth]

yessir cant wait to see what else arises in this thread

[Shaughno]

I have a feeling my spreadsheet will fill up quite quickly in the coming months. :lol:

[ACSertL]

I guess there has to be some merit to the rumour as opposed to 'pull out of your ass' speculation huh?

Or is there a different tab for that one? :)

[Shaughno]

:lol: The way I look at it, if there's no source, there's no rumour.

[Lucky Strike]

Poor in the EPL, doing well in Spain.

I'd be happy with him.

The wiki cites the fact that the EPL was too fast for him and that's why he struggled (and he played out of position). We hear a lot how MLS is "technical" and obviously people will never be bombing up and down the pitch because it's so hot in the summer. So Morientes would be a huge boost.

As for Morientes vs. Cooper, I'm not sure on who I'd pick:

- Morientes has very impressive credentials with big teams but is older than Cooper (32 I think) and has had a couple injuries in recent years.

- Cooper is a proven MLS scorer and is younger but does not have the résumé of Morientes.

Actually, after spelling it out like this, I think I'd prefer Cooper. That said, I would never complain if Morientes came to TFC.

[ACSertL]

Fair enough. This thread will definitely be one to bookmark.

[Lucky Strike]

I guess there has to be some merit to the rumour as opposed to 'pull out of your ass' speculation huh?

Or is there a different tab for that one? :)

In my view, this thread is a free-for-all...

...EXCEPT FOR RANDOM PLAYER SUGGESTIONS THAT AREN'T SOURCED OR RUMOURED.

[ACSertL]

The wiki cites the fact that the EPL was too fast for him and that's why he struggled (and he played out of position). We hear a lot how MLS is "technical" and obviously people will never be bombing up and down the pitch because it's so hot in the summer. So Morientes would be a huge boost.

As for Morientes vs. Cooper, I'm not sure on who I'd pick:

- Morientes has very impressive credentials with big teams but is older than Cooper (32 I think) and has had a couple injuries in recent years.

- Cooper is a proven MLS scorer and is younger but does not have the résumé of Morientes.

Actually, after spelling it out like this, I think I'd prefer Cooper. That said, I would never complain if Morientes came to TFC.

I think the only 'drawback' of trying to acquire Cooper would be any aspirations he might have for playing in Europe thus cutting any potential TFC career short. Other than that I see no losses in that deal.

[BuSaPuNk]

I would also perfer Cooper as well. More of an upside and younger. Proven leauge scorer that is the big point. He can score in this leauge. Morientes and really anyone new to the MLS needs to adapt to the style of play. Now with that said when are we going after Podolski??

[Shaughno]

I think the only 'drawback' of trying to acquire Cooper would be any aspirations he might have for playing in Europe thus cutting any potential TFC career short. Other than that I see no losses in that deal.

Even still, if you get him and he only plays here for 1-3 seasons. You still benefit, plus get something on the side if he goes to Europe.

[ACSertL]

Even still, if you get him and he only plays here for 1-3 seasons. You still benefit, plus get something on the side if he goes to Europe.

That is true, especially the compensation part. I guess this is why you never get too attached to players at the club level.

[Lucky Strike]

I think the only 'drawback' of trying to acquire Cooper would be any aspirations he might have for playing in Europe thus cutting any potential TFC career short. Other than that I see no losses in that deal.

Right. Couldn't agree more.

[justin]

this thread will be a couple hundred pages by march :lol:

[ACSertL]

I would also perfer Cooper as well. More of an upside and younger. Proven leauge scorer that is the big point. He can score in this leauge. Morientes and really anyone new to the MLS needs to adapt to the style of play. Now with that said when are we going after Podolski??

:lol:

When werewolf88 gets back from his trip you'll have to get on his case about that!!

[Nuvinho]

Wow!!!! Just checked the salary for Kenny Cooper, is that correct he makes $83,000???

How much would it take to keep him in MLS, and maybe even in a TFC uniform ( wishful thinking )??? $600,000?? or Landycakes money $800,000??

[Shaughno]

Wow!!!! Just checked the salary for Kenny Cooper, is that correct he makes $83,000???

How much would it take to keep him in MLS, and maybe even in a TFC uniform ( wishful thinking )??? $600,000?? or Landycakes money $800,000??

I believe so yeah, it's pro-rated though from what I recall so expect it to be substantially higher next year.

[Lucky Strike]

Wow!!!! Just checked the salary for Kenny Cooper, is that correct he makes $83,000???

How much would it take to keep him in MLS, and maybe even in a TFC uniform ( wishful thinking )??? $600,000?? or Landycakes money $800,000??

At LEAST max money, probably DP money... He'd probably be a "cheap" DP at 700-900K.

[justin]

i'd be happy paying cooper landycakes money as a DP, but i just dont see it happening

[Shaughno]

At LEAST max money, probably DP money... He'd probably be a "cheap" DP at 700-900K.


Given that there have been offers of $1m-$2m for him already, I'd be inclined to agree.

[ccopela]

Isn't the Cooper to another MLS team pretty unsubstantiated? I haven't seen a source for this rumour... Am I missing something? I think he'll be in Europe before he goes to another MLS team.

[Shaughno]

^^ It was in another thread and we were discussing the 'who'd you rather have' of Cooper and Morientes originally. Sidetracked from there. ;)

[Pigfynn]

The more I think about the whole Edgar thing the more I think that's exactly what Carver's been up to over there. David doesn't seem to rate as highly with Kinnear as he did Keegan. I haven't even seen him make a substitute appearence in 4 games or so.

He, along with a DP striker would make a huge difference for next season...I think I'm going to call it actually...David Edgar to TFC on loan for next season!

[ccopela]

Well here's another player rumour that was posted a couple days ago but I'll add it here to keep things together. Obviously not a DP rumour but a player rumour nonetheless.

Carlos Rivas Jr. was playing in Chile and apparently came back to Canada to play for a 'Canadian MLS team'. I believe he would count as a domestic player. His father was a former Chilean national team player I think but now lives in Toronto.

It was posted by a poster on the Voyageurs board. (check the bottom of the page)

http://www.canadian-soccer.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14360&whichpage=12

[Shaughno]

Well here's another player rumour that was posted a couple days ago but I'll add it here to keep things together. Obviously not a DP rumour but a player rumour nonetheless.

Carlos Rivas Jr. was playing in Chile and apparently came back to Canada to play for a 'Canadian MLS team'. I believe he would count as a domestic player. His father was a former Chilean national team player I think but now lives in Toronto.

It was posted by a poster on the Voyageurs board. (check the bottom of the page)

http://www.canadian-soccer.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14360&whichpage=12


I have that one in my spreadsheet already. Here's the direct link...

http://www.estrellaiquique.cl/prontus4_nots/site/artic/20080927/pags/20080927005522.html

[ccopela]

The more I think about the whole Edgar thing the more I think that's exactly what Carver's been up to over there. David doesn't seem to rate as highly with Kinnear as he did Keegan. I haven't even seen him make a substitute appearence in 4 games or so.

He, along with a DP striker would make a huge difference for next season...I think I'm going to call it actually...David Edgar to TFC on loan for next season!


I don't see the loan thing happening because the European season doesn't coincide with the MLS season. I think it will make it an awkward loan. Would he come in April and leave in July? when the EPL season starts again? I think Newcastle would rather have him loaned out to a Championship team. Also don't forget that he's in line to play for Canada in the Gold Cup this summer which makes him less appealing for TFC.

[Pigfynn]

^^Well you're no fun.

Maybe he wants to come home though...you never know...I should ask his Dad he lives down the road from me.

[zeelaw]

Ameobi isnt comming, he's currently the barcodes best player.

[Shaughno]

^^Well you're no fun.

Maybe he wants to come home though...you never know...I should ask his Dad he lives down the road from me.


I was just gonna say, go talk to his pops. :lol:

[RedRum]

I just think realistically that a Spanish La Liga star would want to go to one of the big hispanic-speaking cities in the US, if he's coming to MLS, and that's what MLS would want, too.

In the last 3 years or so there has been a massive influx of hispanics into the GTA. My wife told me almost half of the life insurance policies she processes these days are Hispanic names.

Going after a guy like that would be perfect timing on MLSE's part.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Id love to hearmore about this Rivas rumor (seems to be the most realistic of the lot)
I honestly wouldnt doubt it if he did show to the training camp come spring

[ccopela]

Id love to hearmore about this Rivas rumor (seems to be the most realistic of the lot)
I honestly wouldnt doubt it if he did show to the training camp come spring

I agree if it is true we'll likely see him at training camp in the spring and now that Ja. Smith is gone he may end up being a decent replacement for him, and wouldn't take up an international slot. I can't see a guy who barely got playing time playing in the Chilean second division making much more than Smith was making.

I also wonder with the switch in the dev roster rules if this will help or hurt his chances of signing a contract.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Im curious to see whos going to be cut with those changes.

[Lucky Strike]

Im curious to see whos going to be cut with those changes.

Well we have 25 players and 24 roster spots. And...

- Freeman is gone for sure.
- It's not unfathomable that Velez and Ruiz will be gone.
- Regan won't re-sign, particularly if we're pressed for spots.

That leaves us with 21 players for 24 spots. At least the first few new players won't require others to leave.

[Nuvinho]

For the 4 developmental players.......I can see maybe Joey Melo gone, as he never seemed to get a chance this past year.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

was thinking the same thing about Melo.
Really dont know anything about the kid.
Anyone have any Unbiased opinions?
He really got no time at all.
Did he play a full game at any point?
Anything longer than 7 mins?

[Ossington Mental Youth]

guess these changes might fuck any people we might have taken on from the CSL (there were rumors at one point, never heard of anything else afterwards)

[RedsYNWA]

Are U Guys Crazy COOPER over Morientes ?????????
you will never see Cooper getting even close to the career numbers put up by FM
The guy still has a good 4 years left in him and I would love to see him in TO

[ccopela]

For the 4 developmental players.......I can see maybe Joey Melo gone, as he never seemed to get a chance this past year.

Never saw anything from Kilian Elkinson either so it wouldn't surprise me to see him gone next year too. But it also wouldn't surprise me if he was back next year too because I actually know absolutely nothing about him.

[Lucky Strike]

For the 4 developmental players.......I can see maybe Joey Melo gone, as he never seemed to get a chance this past year.

I think GA players count as developmental, right? I'm not sure because it seems there are a lot of exceptions with this category of players.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

yeah, really really vague rules around the whole GA slot

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Looks like Cooper might be going to Eintracht

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=596444&sec=mls&root=mls&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos2&cc=5901

[Shaughno]

Are U Guys Crazy COOPER over Morientes ?????????
you will never see Cooper getting even close to the career numbers put up by FM
The guy still has a good 4 years left in him and I would love to see him in TO

Coming from a Liverpool fan of course. ;) He's fantastic when he's on. No doubting that and he would excel here, I'm quite sure of that. Cooper though is 8 years younger and a proven talent in this league. He's wanted in Europe and will most likely go. I was thinking long term situations between the two, personally.


Never saw anything from Kilian Elkinson either so it wouldn't surprise me to see him gone next year too. But it also wouldn't surprise me if he was back next year too because I actually know absolutely nothing about him.

He's a good kid, with plenty of potential. I hope we don't lose him, but I'm still quite baffled by the whole cutting the reserve division. It's a perfect place to develop the younger talent instead of them only getting time in training...

[Shaughno]

Looks like Cooper might be going to Eintracht

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=596444&sec=mls&root=mls&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos2&cc=5901


As I figured, it would be something with his father that would take him out of Dallas...



The big fellow and his family may make a trip to Germany soon for a personal look-see at the Bundesliga outfit. Bernd Hölzenbein, a once-prominent German international who played for Kenny Cooper Sr. in American indoor soccer some years ago, is now a scout for Frankfurt. He was in Colorado last week to see Cooper and speak to the family.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

yeah the cutting of the developmental league is mindboggling.
i suspect alot of teams just had senior reject players tho, toobad, could/should have been filled with academy signings, to ease them into the league.

[ensco]

Frankfurt makes a huge amount of sense for Cooper.

Eintracht are a rich, underperforming club with a ton of history - kind of like the Leafs. They are having a roller coaster season - until November they were in the relegation zone.

Unlike most cities in Germany, English is spoken everywhere in Frankfurt, he'd be very comfortable there.

They are strong in midfield (Japanese international Junichi Inamoto is the most recognizable name there) but are weak at striker - Fenin, the Czech kid who scored the beautiful goal against the Argies in the U 20 final here, is the main option but there's no depth there. Liberopoulos, the Greek international, is the other option but I think Cooper would easily displace him if he were there.

If you ever get a chance, the "Waldstadion" (built for the World Cup) will make you cry, it's such a beautiful place to see a game. Especially against Bayern Munich. 50,000 people singing for 90 minutes.

[Nuvinho]

Maybe tomorrow or Monday, we'll see trades from around the league. Since today is US Thankgiving, figure no one is taking Mo's calls.

[Shaughno]

Most likely Monday. Black Friday, I highly doubt anything will get done.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

looking forward to see whats in the mix

[Hitcho]

Do Dallas have a DP slot to use? What if we acquired Morientes and then traded him for Cooper?!

[ensco]

Do Dallas have a DP slot to use? What if we acquired Morientes and then traded him for Cooper?!

Won't happen that way because "we" don't acquire players, the MLS does and then allocates them.

It'd be nice if we could see teams' discovery lists....

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Dallas traded their dp slot to NY for Guevara.
NY has it for antoher year i think

[Ossington Mental Youth]

also what happened to that wunderkind that NE and NY were fighting over that went to NE but was recently released... Jose Angulo i think his name was

[jloome]

In my view, this thread is a free-for-all...

...EXCEPT FOR RANDOM PLAYER SUGGESTIONS THAT AREN'T SOURCED OR RUMOURED.

Uh, LSMFT, I'm sure this isn't what you meant, but "random" is a bit harsh; some of the names on those speculation threads took a few hours of research. They weren't random players, they were players that would be a good fit here.

Not sure why people are so virulently opposed to hypothetical discussions. Makes life more interesting than just sitting around waiting.

[jloome]

also what happened to that wunderkind that NE and NY were fighting over that went to NE but was recently released... Jose Angulo i think his name was

Pretty sure he was unprotected the other day under one of the teams, think it was new England. But Angulo's not the kid you're talking about, I think -- you mean the kid New York wouldn't sign right away, so he went to Belgium for a stint, right?

Can't remember his name either.:D

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Nono, i know the one youre talking about but yamtalkinbout Angulo

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2008/01/mls-gives-new-e.html

http://news.bostonherald.com/sports/soccer/revolution/view/2008_11_27_Revolution_lose_Khano_Smith/srvc=home&position=also


The Revolution also announced they had waived veteran backup keeper Doug Warren and forward Jose Angulo.

[jloome]

Wow, after all the fuss over his rights, he gets waived six months in?!?

Guess high school to MLS was too much of a jump.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

HAHAHA
yeha, also i think he spent a huge amount of time injured (bad knees and apparently out of shape)
If we had those Developmental slots, he'd get a look most likely

[Lucky Strike]

Uh, LSMFT, I'm sure this isn't what you meant, but "random" is a bit harsh; some of the names on those speculation threads took a few hours of research. They weren't random players, they were players that would be a good fit here.

Not sure why people are so virulently opposed to hypothetical discussions. Makes life more interesting than just sitting around waiting.

LSMFT? That's a new acronym for me: what is that?

As for the hypothetical, it's good when there is in fact research (ie. his contract his up so he might be available, he doesn't get first team action, the club is having to sell players, etc.) but it's just pointless when someone walks in and goes: Messi for DP and expect us to take him seriously. There's no point discussing something that'll never happen or the impact that such a player would have because we know he'd be good. It's just not conducive to discussion is all.

[Stryker]

I have a good source from within the club that tells me TFC are close to a deal with Mats Sundin.

[Nuvinho]

I have a good source from within the club that tells me TFC are close to a deal with Mats Sundin.

Will he bring his close friend and our new CB Olaf Melberg??

[jloome]

LSMFT? That's a new acronym for me: what is that?

As for the hypothetical, it's good when there is in fact research (ie. his contract his up so he might be available, he doesn't get first team action, the club is having to sell players, etc.) but it's just pointless when someone walks in and goes: Messi for DP and expect us to take him seriously. There's no point discussing something that'll never happen or the impact that such a player would have because we know he'd be good. It's just not conducive to discussion is all.

Agreed. I spend two hours coming up with a list of realistic names for people to kibbitz over, then make the mistake of suggesting people offer their own suggestions. Mostly, the answer back is "Messi" or "Torres". Drives me nuts.

LSMFT was the acronym on the tear-away label for a pack of Lucky Strikes. "Lucky Strikes Means Fine Tobacco."

[jloome]

Will he bring his close friend and our new CB Olaf Melberg??

We could do worse; we could keep Velez and James there.

[Yohan]

We could do worse; we could keep Velez and James there.
Mellberg just had a decent game for Juve against Zenit on Tues...

I keep wondering how well Tebily would have done if Velez didnt take away his chances and if he wasnt so pussy whipped by his wife and stayed

[King Tut]

oh hey. another guy who meets King Tut's DP criteria :p

question is would Garber let us have Morientes if he does come

Morientes? Fuck yah. That's what I'm talking about! :hump:

[invictusTFC]

but I'm still quite baffled by the whole cutting the reserve division. It's a perfect place to develop the younger talent instead of them only getting time in training...

It is evident now more than ever that the MLS and USL should form a partnership. The USL is starting to lose some of their best teams to that MSL (Seattle this season, and possibly Vancouver, Portland and Montreal in the not so distant future). Many people have made an argument for a unified North American league with promotion and relegation, but I'm not sure that the North American market is ready for something so radical and unfamiliar due to the landscape of the current North American major sports league landscape. Owners simply pay too much money for franchises to risk devaluing them with relegation
However, the MLS and USL can try and work towards that mutual goal by establishing a developmental arrangement in which teams like TFC can place a B-Team in lets say the USL-2 or USL-PDL division. The team will be able to call-up players when needed from the B-Side, and it will be a place where players like Joey Melo and Elkerington can develop by playing regular competitive football. Players from the TFC academy can graduate to the B-Team and then to the first team as a natural progression. This will allow MLS clubs to fill their roster spots with real depth and not depend on a number of developmental players who are still too raw and green to bring anything tangeable to the table.

[Beach_Red]

Owners simply pay too much money for franchises to risk devaluing them with relegation.

The big spending owners would be fine with a promotion/relegation system, it's easy to manipulate with money - the big spending European owners never have to worry about relegation.

There just wouldn't be any other teams, no mid-level teams, no mid-spending owners, it just becomes far too expensive a club to try and join. Here the NFL is a kind of an example - anytime an owner wants to put a team in LA he (or she)'d be welcome - all they have to do is put down a billion dollars. But it's like joining the top four of the EPL because you're instantly in a profitable league, sharing the big TV revenue with all the other teams (not just the top few or the others that get to play in Europe). In exchange for this, the league keeps down the player costs with a cap and there's no need to spend any money on farm teams or academies as all teams draw from the same player pool.

The other system in North America is the NHL and MLB with farm teams.

Clearly niether of these systems work for soccer.

But this is really for another thread.;)

[Big Bruva]

Ameobi will not be coming.

Cooper is proven and younger but it would be a smart career move for him to go to europe, you can talk about thinking long term coz he is young but if he did come i doubt he would stay long term.

Morientes was a very good player and flopped when he put on my teams famous red shirt, you can not say i would take Morientes over Cooper coz Morientes has a brilliant resume, you have to go by what they are doing now unless ya just looking to sell shirts only. Morientes would still be a brilliant player in this league and i think at 32 thats a very good dp age if your looking for a superstar name, good age and quality.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Even those that fancy Cooper realize that Morientes would still be an amazing catch/coup. We would be grateful/lucky to have either of em

[Ossington Mental Youth]

I guess the prob is that Cooper hasnt got a euro appeal, which is ridiculous because some cats would take him if he played and killed the second league of anywhere overseas

[Baggio2TFC]

Hey guys,

I know it is a strech but how AWSOME would it be to have Ricardo Quaresma play for TFC! He has been released by Inter Milan! Who knows! Not sure where the link is but I read it on The Score last night and today.

Would be fucking Fantastic! I would pay a boat load to get him here, but am sure others would as well. Oh well, one can dream!

[Jack]

What?

Quaresma hasn't been released, he's been relegated to the bench.

This is from Corriere dello Sport:
ESCLUSIONI - Contro il Napoli domani Mourinho non ha convocato Materazzi, Quaresma e Balotelli, tre esclusioni pesanti che il portoghese ha spiegato: «Voglio avere in panchina un solo difensore e porto Burdisso perchè può giocare anche come laterale e a centrocampo. Materazzi ha giocato due ottime partite contro le Juventus e in Champions e sicuramente tornerà in gruppo nella prossima gara. Balotelli e Quaresma? I minuti giocati in Coppa e il lavoro di questa settimana non mi hanno soddisfatto»

Basically, Quaresma and Balotelli didn't work hard in practice or in the match against Panathinaikos, so he's benched them, not released them.

[Lucky Strike]

Hey guys,

I know it is a strech but how AWSOME would it be to have Ricardo Quaresma play for TFC! He has been released by Inter Milan! Who knows! Not sure where the link is but I read it on The Score last night and today.

Would be fucking Fantastic! I would pay a boat load to get him here, but am sure others would as well. Oh well, one can dream!

Yeah, he wasn't released: it's a typo on the ticker.

[invictusTFC]

Hey guys,

I know it is a strech but how AWSOME would it be to have Ricardo Quaresma play for TFC! He has been released by Inter Milan! Who knows! Not sure where the link is but I read it on The Score last night and today.

Would be fucking Fantastic! I would pay a boat load to get him here, but am sure others would as well. Oh well, one can dream!

I say:
Pass the Dutchie on the left hand side!

[poppamidnight]

sorry if im kicking a dead horse here, havent been keeping up-to-date as of late,
but has the De-Ro rumors finally gone down the crapper?

Correct me if im wrong, but didnt he sign a 2 year deal last year? (making the upcoming year the last one on the table?)

Wouldn't Houston want to wash their hands of all the speculation that will creep up next year, possibly becoming a distraction for them?

But back to the current roster situation for us:

keep in mind, we do have a few draft picks coming in to, so IN ADDITION to any player abroad mo seems to be looking at bringing in, we're gunna need to clear another 2-3 spots for those draft picks

Based on what I've heard so far, in my eyes the most likely (in order) to go are:

1 - Freeman (lock)
2 - Ruiz
3 - Marco Velez
4 - Kilian Elkinson
5 - Derek Guadet

Then trade-wise theres the possibilities of:
1- Marshal (due to Seattles desire in him)....could be a future pick/allocation in return (no roster spot)
2 - Julius James (Chi-Town) - would be a roster-player in return, therefore no clearing of roster spots

and sometime within the year we might hear speculation on Wynne being sold overseas starting to creep up again

It will be tight, but if Mo is coming of of the superdraft with roster-players AND bringing in some players abroad, then it looks like he's going to need to make a move trade or sale-wise to get under the roster limit (releasing that handful wont cut it)

[Nuvinho]

So far the 20 senior spots:

1. Sutton
2. Edwards
3. Wynne
4. Nana (Will probably get promoted to Senior roster)
5. Velez
6. Marshall
7. James
8. Dunivant
9. Brennan
10. Harmse
11. Robinson
12. Roselund (Will probably get promoted to Senior Roster)
13. Guevara
14. Ricketts
15. Smith (no need to say Jo. Smith anymore)
16. Dichio
17. Barrett
18.
19.
20.

4 developmental contracts:

1. Ibbe
2.
3.
4.

I am unsure if GA contracts can be on the developmental roster? So we got 3 draft picks, a need for an experienced CB, a wing player, and a DP striker. Mo is definately gonna have to make some trades.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Dont think there was ever any truth to the DeRo rumors, more speculation adn wishing on part of the supporters.

Do think that you are correct in that we are going to see some people leave including RUiz (not sure where, prob to central america), Freeman (overseas, obviously), Marshall (to join Sigi at Seattle) and James (possibly to Chicago for Mapp).
Let the rumors roll!

[Nuvinho]

Another question: Do Senior Developmental contracts still exist? Then maybe Nana and Roselund get those, and open up 2 senior spots.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Dont think so, think they are all just considered developmental contracts now

[Shaughno]

*** FYI once I get the chance this week I will be updating the first post to include any and all 'proper rumours'. As in, rumours that actually contain a published source or contain some credibility. ***

[Ossington Mental Youth]

sweet, have there been any?
I cant think of any at the moment

[Shaughno]

There have been a few yeah, I'm super busy though this week and away on business part of next week so it may take a little bit for me to get to it.

By that I mean, there have been a few names that have come up through Ives, MLSRumors, TheScore, etc.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

werd, only one i can think of is Carlos Rivas (i think his name is)
excited to see the rest of em tho

[Lucky Strike]

See http://64.13.252.151/forums/showthread.php?p=283533#post283533 for dedicated discussion on a potential big DP signing: Nuno Gomes of Benfica.

[trane]

Kaka, has said that one day he may leave Milan, why not January? Why not TFC?

[loconet]

Kaka, has said that one day he may leave Milan, why not January? Why not TFC?

I heard Maradona and Pele are looking for a comeback as well?? :eek:, Why not TFC?

[Nuvinho]

Shaughno, looking forward to hear some rumour news :)

[King Tut]

*** FYI once I get the chance this week I will be updating the first post to include any and all 'proper rumours'. As in, rumours that actually contain a published source or contain some credibility. ***

Come on man..ENough with the teasing...:D

Can we get the "Proper Rumours"? :o

[TFC07]

Toronto FC defender Marvell Wynne has yet to receive an official offer, but a gaggle of clubs from Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands are in contact.

Source: http://www.noshortcorners.com/2008/12/tis-season-again.html

[ccopela]

Come on man..ENough with the teasing...:D

Can we get the "Proper Rumours"? :o

I don't think it's going to be anything new... just a post that includes all the rumours to date... Rivas, Stefano Fiore, Nuno Gomes, Brian Kerr, etc.

[Shaughno]

I don't think it's going to be anything new... just a post that includes all the rumours to date... Rivas, Stefano Fiore, Nuno Gomes, Brian Kerr, etc.


Correct. Working on it now actually.

[Lucky Strike]

Toronto FC defender Marvell Wynne has yet to receive an official offer, but a gaggle of clubs from Belgium, France, Germany and the Netherlands are in contact.

Source: http://www.noshortcorners.com/2008/12/tis-season-again.html

Hmmm.... It would be a great shame to sell him, although I'm more comforted by the fact that Attakora was done well in his place. Still though, I'd rather hold on to Wynne if at all possible.

[Shaughno]

Well here's the list as is at the moment. I have more on my list, but I left out the ones that lack proper sources.



-------------------------------------------------------------------
Toronto FC Plausible/Confirmed Rumours Section


Player-------------In/Out/MLS-------------Position----------Source

Brian Kerr-----------In--------------------Midfield-------------BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7613027.stm)
Del Piero------------In--------------------Striker--------------Various Papers
De Rosario----------In---------------------Attacking Mid-------Various
Stefano Fiore--------In--------------------Midfield-------------Various
Carlos Rivas Jr.------In--------------------Midfield--------------Voyagers (http://www.estrellaiquique.cl/prontus4_nots/site/artic/20080927/pags/20080927005522.html)
Chris Seitz-----------In--------------------Keeper--------------Ives (http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2008/11/mls-cup-the-rumor-mill-recap.html)
Julius James---------Out-------------------Defender------------TheScore (http://z15.invisionfree.com/U_Sector/index.php?showtopic=8877)
Justin Mapp----------In---------------------Midfield------------TheScore (http://z15.invisionfree.com/U_Sector/index.php?showtopic=8877)
Fernando Morientes---In--------------------Striker--------------MLS-Rumors (http://www.mls-rumors.net/2008/11/incoming-mls-talking-to-fernando.html)
Tyrone Marshall-------Out------------------Defender------------TheScore (http://my.thescore.com/footyblog/archive/2008/11/27/3355.aspx)
Nuno Gomes----------In--------------------Striker--------------TheScore (http://my.thescore.com/footyblog/archive/2008/12/01/3639.aspx)
Marvell Wynne--------Out------------------Defender------------Shitty Source (http://www.noshortcorners.com/2008/12/tis-season-again.html)

[Ossington Mental Youth]

nice one shaughno

[Shaughno]

Cheers. Like I said, I have more without sources but it's nothing really new. ;)

[Lucky Strike]

Hahaha, "shitty source" for Wynne!

Seriously, though: good work and thank you! It's very nice to see all the rumours concisely laid out and that we don't have to go digging for them.

[Shaughno]

^^ I had it done already just to keep tabs, then a few people had mentioned keeping it in a thread so I obliged. :p

[ACSertL]

:lol: @ shitty source.

Very nice Shaughno. I imagine this will be a very popular thread.

[Nuvinho]

NYRB willing to trade their 2nd DP slot.

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2008/12/osorio-discusses-his-future-wanting-just-one-dp-and-the-return-of-rojas-and-pietravallo.html

[Lucky Strike]

NYRB willing to trade their 2nd DP slot.

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2008/12/osorio-discusses-his-future-wanting-just-one-dp-and-the-return-of-rojas-and-pietravallo.html

Was their 2nd DP slot a waste of time?

All signs point to yes...

[Nuvinho]

Reyna retired during the season, he was the 2nd DP.

[Shaughno]

:rofl: They used it on Reyna FFS! It was useless from the get-go!

[DOMIN8R]

Love the "Toronto FC Plausible/Confirmed Rumours Section"

[Lucky Strike]

Reyna retired during the season, he was the 2nd DP.

Yes I know, I was referencing the giant sign (and the greatest one in history) mocking Reyna back in May.

EDIT: http://images.google.ca/images?hl=en&q=Claudio+Reyna+TFC&gbv=2&safe=active It's the 2nd picture from the start (I'd give a direct link but the site is blocked here at work).

[Lucky Strike]

Love the "Toronto FC Plausible/Confirmed Rumours Section"

I reject your reality and substitute my own... :D

[Shaughno]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2082/2466711976_31eff479b3.jpg?v=0

[jloome]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2082/2466711976_31eff479b3.jpg?v=0

This was so funny, even the Shite bull fans were laughing over it. I shot coffee out of my nose at the time, which was unpleasant, but momentary.

[Stouffville_RPB]

NYRB willing to trade their 2nd DP slot.

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2008/12/osorio-discusses-his-future-wanting-just-one-dp-and-the-return-of-rojas-and-pietravallo.html

Having 2 DP's is a waste. You can pay a DP as much as you want but $400,000 still counts towards the cap. That would mean $800,000 of a $2,300,000 cap is going towards 2 players.

[jloome]

Having 2 DP's is a waste. You can pay a DP as much as you want but $400,000 still counts towards the cap. That would mean $800,000 of a $2,300,000 cap is going towards 2 players.

Yeah, it's not very practical. But I suppose it depends who you get. If we were to get a top striker and a commanding centre half who could be here for years, it might be worth it.

[Dinodoc]

Though if not mistaken, the second DP, only 350k of the salary goes to the cap, however yes I agree, 750k on 2 players of 2.3m is a bit to much of the budget for a balanced team.

Ok maybe i read that wrong somewhere, can't find it anywhere, however apparently the DP cut is now 415k:

http://web.mlsnet.com/about/league.jsp?section=regulations&content=overview

about halfway down:


A Designated Player's salary charge will be capped at $415,000 per annum in 2008, but his salary could be higher.

[Daveisonfire]

Was their 2nd DP slot a waste of time?

All signs point to yes...

Best banner ever!!

[Lucky Strike]

According to MLSR Twitter, Ishmel Demontagnac is a target of TFC's. According to his wiki, the guy has the potential to be a Premier League player but has temperament issues. If anyone can set him straight, it'd be Carver.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishmel_Demontagnac

There's good and bad in this...

[Stouffville_RPB]

According to MLSR Twitter, Ishmel Demontagnac is a target of TFC's. According to his wiki, the guy has the potential to be a Premier League player but has temperament issues. If anyone can set him straight, it'd be Carver.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishmel_Demontagnac

There's good and bad in this...


Not interested in him. NEXT!!!

[maninb]

According to MLSR Twitter, Ishmel Demontagnac is a target of TFC's. According to his wiki, the guy has the potential to be a Premier League player but has temperament issues. If anyone can set him straight, it'd be Carver.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ishmel_Demontagnac

There's good and bad in this...


A complete violent nutter who scores once every 9 games in a shite league!!!! yeah we REALLY need that sort around...

[Lucky Strike]

A complete violent nutter who scores once every 9 games in a shite league!!!! yeah we REALLY need that sort around...

Well, not that I was saying we should sign him but I always like to point out that while I love stats, the ratio of goals per appearance can be misleading. In this case, if what his wiki says is true, he was used as a substitute for a large portion of his appearances. Which means that his goal-scoring ratio is not as low as it’s made out to be. It would be more accurate to count his goals per 90 minutes if anyone can get those stats. By good and bad I mean:

Good:
- Young
- Judged to have premier-league like talent

Bad:

- Obviously huge temper issues which resulted in his release from a League One side.
- He’s a challenging project player.

[Yohan]

A complete violent nutter who scores once every 9 games in a shite league!!!! yeah we REALLY need that sort around...
He's a winger though. i think it's worth having a look at him on trial and pre season. I mean, we gave Brittain a trial lol

Joey Barton is another nutter but no one would have qualms about taking him on... right? lol

[Ossington Mental Youth]

fuck it, change of scenery might just be what he needs.
Carver is the lion tamer

[Shaughno]

He's a winger though. i think it's worth having a look at him on trial and pre season. I mean, we gave Brittain a trial lol

Joey Barton is another nutter but no one would have qualms about taking him on... right? lol


He's a winger who can tear apart defences in the blink of an eye. When was the last time you saw a midfielder score a hattrick outside of the top talents around.

[Nodoubtguy]

Ishmel Demontagnac to TFC

http://www.mls-rumors.net/2008/12/incoming-ishmel-demontagnac-to-toronto.html


A source within TFC has confirmed to me that the discovery list recently posted on MLSR is a hoax. However, the source did share the name of a player TFC will be filing a discovery claim on when the process begins on Monday: Ishmel Demontagnac

[Shaughno]

Officially added to my list now. ;)

[Ossington Mental Youth]

wonder if he'd convert to a striker.
also wonder what the chances are that he'd wanna come here...

[Shaughno]

I'd say nil and nil, but what do I know. :p

[Beach_Red]

fuck it, change of scenery might just be what he needs.
Carver is the lion tamer

Seems like that was a big consideration in hiring Carver - knowing that a lot of guys who come to MLS will be "projects." We might as well get used to it.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

I dont mind, keeps our team interesting on and off the field

[T_Mizz]

I'd say nil and nil, but what do I know. :p
I'd say if we're using a discovery on him the chances are good I can't imagine them using a discovery on a player who doesn't already have a deal in place.

[Shaughno]

I'd say if we're using a discovery on him the chances are good I can't imagine them using a discovery on a player who doesn't already have a deal in place.

It's still a rumour at this point. We were going to use a DS on Kiki Musumpa as well, we all know how that turned out.

[Yohan]

If this dude misbehaves, we will feed him to Dichio :p

[T_Mizz]

oh sorry yeah my comment was on the assumption that the rumour was true, if it's true than the chances should be 100%

[jloome]

I don't see anything criminal in his background, so I'm assumign his blowups have all been on-field. As such, at least a work permit wouldn't be affected.

He almost never got to start, despite looking in a class of his own every time on the pitch, because he showed contempt to his teammates, slagged off in training and let everyone know he was the next big thing.

He'd be very risky, because success might actually make his temperament worse.

The question is whether he's a hot-head, like a young Hartson, or whether he's an out-and-out bastard, ala Stan Collymore. If it's the latter (and if it's compounded by having the same mental health issues as collymore), we would probably want to pass.

Having said all that, he'd absolutely wreck MLS. Wreck it. The guy is very much a younger Shaun Wright-Phillips in terms of pace and ball skills, way above our league's level.

Carver must have a LOT of self-confidence to think he can fix his issues.

[Shaughno]

^^ I was thinking along the same lines. From what I've heard of first hand accounts, the kid is an absolute talent. No criminal or legal problems from my understanding, just bad temper, attitude and ego on and off the pitch.

[Lucky Strike]

^^ I was thinking along the same lines. From what I've heard of first hand accounts, the kid is an absolute talent. No criminal or legal problems from my understanding, just bad temper, attitude and ego on and off the pitch.

In your (or anyone else's) opinion, do you think a fresh start would help his issues? Different country, different continent yet everyone speaks the same language (wouldn't be too hard to adapt). Coupled with Carver, does anyone think this could truly work? He sounds like a good talent but obviously has baggage. How much of it could he lose by crossing the Atlantic?

[Lucky Strike]

http://www.saddlers.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10428~35465,00.html

Good information for Demontagnac on the # of starts vs. substitutes he's made. This (goals vs. minutes played gives us a better picture than goals per appearance.

[Stouffville_RPB]

In your (or anyone else's) opinion, do you think a fresh start would help his issues? Different country, different continent yet everyone speaks the same language (wouldn't be too hard to adapt). Coupled with Carver, does anyone think this could truly work? He sounds like a good talent but obviously has baggage. How much of it could he lose by crossing the Atlantic?

Not nearly enough. I'm all for talent, I even accept that some players may need a little bit of work, however there is a limit. This guy crosses it.

[Beach_Red]

I don't see anything criminal in his background, so I'm assumign his blowups have all been on-field. As such, at least a work permit wouldn't be affected.

Carver must have a LOT of self-confidence to think he can fix his issues.

You know there was a guy TFC was looking at once who had a criminal charge from an on-field incident and he couldn't get a work permit for Canada.

As for fixing issues, for some guys ending up in the MLS would be an awfully humbling experience - for others, they could play half a season here and then go play in Greece ;).

[Shaughno]

In your (or anyone else's) opinion, do you think a fresh start would help his issues? Different country, different continent yet everyone speaks the same language (wouldn't be too hard to adapt). Coupled with Carver, does anyone think this could truly work? He sounds like a good talent but obviously has baggage. How much of it could he lose by crossing the Atlantic?


I'm not sure to be honest. I think it all stems down to whether this kid just has a big ego, or he has mental problems. If it's the former, it's fixable. If it's the later, I'm not sure it's worth the risk.

[jloome]

Doesn't bode well for his being salvageable that no-one else has come in to sign him yet.

[jloome]

Oops, I'm wrong. Apparently, he's on trial at Crystal Palace. Stay tuned, I guess.

EDITED: But he's a real nutter. If you read the English fan boards, Walsall cut him after he took a poke at a couple of teammates in the dressing room, had to be restrained, and was arrested by police and charged with affray.

So apparently, he might have criminal record problems, too, which would make a work permit very hard to obtain.

If he doesn't have a conviction, we might land him, as it's doubtful anyone will take aflyer on him. But he really soudns nutty.

The upside? Several CCC fans say he's one of the best players they've ever seen.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

read a couple of interviews where Warnock decided not to sign him.
He is training there tho for the meantime

[jloome]

read a couple of interviews where Warnock decided not to sign him.
He is training there tho for the meantime


Yeah, you're right. Here's a link

http://www.crystalpalace-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=419489

Gotta wonder if upcoming court appearances have anything to do with it. One of the chat boards (Forrest I think) alluded to him slugging a fan?!? Surely that would've made bigger headlines. The others all say it was a locker-room punch-up and that he'd actually done it once before, when subbed off.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

yeah i heard he broke and entered into a locker room and trashed it or some ish.
im kinda down with this guy

[jloome]

yeah i heard he broke and entered into a locker room and trashed it or some ish.
im kinda down with this guy


Talent seems immense, the kind of player who would do a Huckerby on MLS, when he isn't being bailed out of jail.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

i think he might be bigger than Huckerby, guess it matters a) what his options are, b) whether he really wants to come here

sounds like he hasnt really got any advisors outside of his agent

[Lucky Strike]

Makes you wonder how people can be so deranged: I mean, what makes his brain think these are good/logical choices?

[Shaughno]

Makes you wonder how people can be so deranged: I mean, what makes his brain think these are good/logical choices?

For some players, I'm sure it's a mental problem that they have no choice in the matter. Others, are just idiots who don't seem to appreciate the fact that they are earning a living by playing a game.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

also some people are bad seeds

[ensco]

It's best to hold off judgment here.

The locker room culture in the UK is deranged. Hazing rituals are brutal and out of control. If he went crazy because his teammates forcibly dunked him in a bathtub of piss and shit on his birthday (which is the sort of thing that goes on over there) then I've got no problem with him. This stuff mostly (not entirely) went out of junior hockey here 20 years ago, but persists there.

Of course, if he's just an out-of-control ego, that's different.

If he comes, let's wait and see.

[Stouffville_RPB]

http://www.saddlers.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10428~35465,00.html

Good information for Demontagnac on the # of starts vs. substitutes he's made. This (goals vs. minutes played gives us a better picture than goals per appearance.


I love how the shirt sponsor is "Easy Fit" when it sounds like he is anything but that.

[Shaughno]

'06 Young Player of the Year
'07 Goal of the Year

It also sounds like Walsall wants to see him continue to improve while playing for them. As in, they haven't given up on him yet.

I gotta say, at the very least if we can, bring him in for a trial.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

for sure, im not ready to jump to conclusions.
also im a fan of footy players that do shitty things for some reason

[MrHawk]

http://www.nogometni-magazin.com/newspro/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EkklFlZZFphDHlxHMr&tmpl=coranto_hrv_news

Bosko Balaban, has called the MLS about possibly transfering.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

looks like hes still got it and hes young

[Ossington Mental Youth]

im a little confused as to what type of striker we should be looking at to be honest, obviously 'like angel' is preferred, also people have suggested that we dont need a poacher

[Shaughno]

im a little confused as to what type of striker we should be looking at to be honest,

We have a hard working bulldog. Dichio's been good for us, but we need a powerful striker who's able to pop in goals at will. That's what I think anyway. A target poacher of sorts. Let Barrett run around pestering the defense and have the strong striker work inside the box. Someone who plays similar to Ruud Van Nistelrooy, would be my preference. Strong, big, able to hold up the ball in the box and will score goals when you give him the ball.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Bosko sorta looks the type, no?

[Shaughno]

I don't see why not.

"He earned the nickname amongst Bruges fans of "Super Bosko", due to him scoring four times in one match and scoring at an average of 0.5 goals per match."

and

"Balaban came on as a substitute after one hour of playing and with Croatia 5–0 up, subsequently scoring the fastest-ever goal by a single player for the Croatian national team, spending some 20 seconds on the pitch before being on target."

[Ossington Mental Youth]

sounds like he'd be a SChelotto type of signing, not a big name but effective as all hell. The type of signing id prefer.

[Nuvinho]

Kevin Kyle's name came up on MLS rumors today.......a scottish striker

http://www.mls-rumors.net/2008/12/incoming-coventry-city-striker-kevin.html

[MrHawk]

He's decent with FK's and does have some scoring ability, but has really lacked this year.

He would be an easy whipping boy here though.

[tfcmanu]

BRAZILIAN RONALDO boys... mark my words he might be going back to Brazil to play MOJO in Brazil to talk to his family about Canada/TFC and coming here this could happen.

Ronaldo eyeing Brazil move
Nearly fully recovered from his latest knee surgery, Brazilian legend Ronaldo has stated that he's ready to give up soccer in Europe (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=586849&sec=global&cc=5901) for a chance to return to his native Brazil and play for Flamengo.
A free agent after having his contract with AC Milan expire last summer, Ronaldo has been fielding a variety of offers, but appears ready to settle in with Flamengo, the club he has been rehabbing with.
No word yet on whether Major League Soccer has made one of the many offers Ronaldo is weighing. - BULLSHIT!

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2008/10/morning-tick-10.html

http://www.thecelebritydatabase.com/forum/sports-lounge/20394-ronaldo-trying-comeback-eyeing-manchester-city.html

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/2008/11/19/7461656-ap.html

http://www.soccerticketsonline.com/89/

http://www.soccerway.com/news/2008/November/28/injury-plagued-ronaldo-targets-january-return

:noidea:

[Ossington Mental Youth]

No thanks on Ronaldo

[Pigfynn]

Bosko sorta looks the type, no?


Yup, I'd take this guy. Solid goal scorer at a very high level. Give 'em the cash and get him over here.

[ACSertL]

Ok fine, I'll be the dick that posts it in here...why don't we try to trade for Dave Van Den Bergh? :)

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Kyle looks like our type as well, attitude problem, decent background and coaches cast him aside. Like the sounds of him.

[MrHawk]

Bosko earned high ranks for his goal scoring spree during the WC 2002, he scored 3 goals vs Latvia, which prompted his sale to Aston Villa (Which lead to a dismal term).

His best years were at Brugge by far and I think they may be a bit behind him. Maybe a change of scenary will be good for him

[Stouffville_RPB]

BRAZILIAN RONALDO boys... mark my words he might be going back to Brazil to play MOJO in Brazil to talk to his family about Canada/TFC and coming here this could happen.

Ronaldo eyeing Brazil move
Nearly fully recovered from his latest knee surgery, Brazilian legend Ronaldo has stated that he's ready to give up soccer in Europe (http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=586849&sec=global&cc=5901) for a chance to return to his native Brazil and play for Flamengo.
A free agent after having his contract with AC Milan expire last summer, Ronaldo has been fielding a variety of offers, but appears ready to settle in with Flamengo, the club he has been rehabbing with.
No word yet on whether Major League Soccer has made one of the many offers Ronaldo is weighing. - BULLSHIT!

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2008/10/morning-tick-10.html

http://www.thecelebritydatabase.com/forum/sports-lounge/20394-ronaldo-trying-comeback-eyeing-manchester-city.html

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/2008/11/19/7461656-ap.html

http://www.soccerticketsonline.com/89/

http://www.soccerway.com/news/2008/November/28/injury-plagued-ronaldo-targets-january-return

:noidea:

There is nothing in there that states Ronaldo is even remotely considering MLS. The only article that mentions MLS is just some guys dream of one day seeing Ronaldo play in North America.

Ronaldo won't play in MLS unless he doesn't find his form at Flamengo and the fans start to get on him. Even then he may still decide to just retire unless someone gives him a tonne of cash to play here for a year or two.

[ACSertL]

From Kevin Kyle's wiki:


In 2006 Kyle received the dubious nickname of "Scaldin' Balls" from the Daily Mirror (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daily_Mirror), a parody of David Beckham (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Beckham)'s "golden balls" nickname, after Kyle missed one of Sunderland's matches after scalding his testicles with boiling water whilst feeding his young son.

Awesome :)

[Ossington Mental Youth]

HAHAHHAA
meant to post that
'Scaldin balls'

[Stouffville_RPB]

^^ Ouch!!

[C.Ronaldo]

Toronto needs to pull off a beckham size signing in order to make the league legit and the beckham deal legit.

Like Seattle did, although he's well over the hill

[C.Ronaldo]

to that note.

I see Del Piero and only Del Piero as that big name.

Hes in good form and is very popular.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

we'd all love to have Del Piero but i think hes locked in until 2010 and most people that follow Juve/Serie A said he wants to retire there.

We dont need a Beckham size signing to make the league legit at all, i dont see how the two correlate. What id like to see is a Schelotto signing, a dude that makes an instant impact and destroys the league at every chance. Fuck a big name, bring me a consistant goal scorer.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

people just get giddy at the thought of having a 'superstar' on your team, regardless of how good or how much that player contributes. I really just wanna see quality football whcih doesnt mean a big name is necessary.

[Lucky Strike]

http://www.nogometni-magazin.com/newspro/coranto/viewnews.cgi?id=EkklFlZZFphDHlxHMr&tmpl=coranto_hrv_news

Bosko Balaban, has called the MLS about possibly transfering.

My Serbo-Croatian is a bit rusty, is there anything else beyond considering MLS as a destination?

[Lucky Strike]

Kevin Kyle's name came up on MLS rumors today.......a scottish striker

http://www.mls-rumors.net/2008/12/incoming-coventry-city-striker-kevin.html

Hmm... according to the Hartlepool site, he's scored 3 times in 10 starts which, if you take the opinion that MLS is comparable to lower-half CCC to top-half League One (which I found a lot of people do), that means about 9 goals a season for an MLS side. Definitely useful numbers but not necessarily the large impact player we're looking for.

http://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10326~19032,00.html

[Lucky Strike]

And after catching up on the new material since I last read the thread, this Bosko Balaban guy would seem to be a great catch. I don't know how Belgium and Croatia compare to MLS, but he's had excellent numbers there.

[MrHawk]

There is stuff in that artcile, but nothing that relates to us (only Hoffenheim)

[Shaughno]

MLS-Rumors has Jared Borgetti (Mex striker) linked with the MLS.

[Jack]

MLS-Rumors has Jared Borgetti (Mex striker) linked with the MLS.

I was watching TV Azteca the other day and they had an in-depth analysis of the league.

Apparently Jared wasn't being used hardly at all in Monterrey recently after being a key guy for them early last season.

They seemed to be pretty down on him. Apparently he doesn't figure into Monterrey's plans moving forward.

The most recent article I've read about (here (http://www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/noticia/397563.jared-quiere-volver.html)- a newspaper from Torreon) him says he wants to stay in Mexico and perhaps finish his career with Santo Laguna.

He also says he has an offer from MLS that he hasn't eliminated from the equation.

He feels good and feels he can continue playing. No major injuries or anything like that.

He still wants to play for the national team.

[Yohan]

Borghetti would be a good signing. Big, strong target man. His heading skills are amazing.

Though he is getting there in terms of age and never been a really fast player. Hence why i think he didnt work out in Bolton. Game was too fast for him

Good signing for sure.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

suspect hed prob go to a city that has a large mexican population like in Dallas or something (arent they looking for an impact dp IF they get their DP back from NJ?)

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Hmm... according to the Hartlepool site, he's scored 3 times in 10 starts which, if you take the opinion that MLS is comparable to lower-half CCC to top-half League One (which I found a lot of people do), that means about 9 goals a season for an MLS side. Definitely useful numbers but not necessarily the large impact player we're looking for.

http://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10326~19032,00.html

read similar sort of things that suggested he has fallen out with several coaches, not unlike Ricketts and could benefit froma change of scenery, just just my analysis tho

[Shaughno]

Word from Ives is that Chivas and NYRB may be lining up a deal. Galindo+ for DP slot+. He lists more players but says a variation in players mayb happen, but figures Chivas want their DP slot back to sign a Mexican impact player.

[Jack]

He's 35 years old and never really had a major injury.

He's 6'1", and about 170lb so not really "big and strong". He's not a big strong target man in that sense.

He's just really good in the air and really good at getting into positions to score.

[Shaughno]

I'd say Borgetti is definitely a target striker, just not a big and strong one. :p

[Torcida]

I don't see why not.

"He earned the nickname amongst Bruges fans of "Super Bosko", due to him scoring four times in one match and scoring at an average of 0.5 goals per match."

and

"Balaban came on as a substitute after one hour of playing and with Croatia 5–0 up, subsequently scoring the fastest-ever goal by a single player for the Croatian national team, spending some 20 seconds on the pitch before being on target."
That was against Andorra. He Scored a beautiful diving header outside the box.

I'm not a fan of Bosko but he might be a good signing for us.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Word from Ives is that Chivas and NYRB may be lining up a deal. Galindo+ for DP slot+. He lists more players but says a variation in players mayb happen, but figures Chivas want their DP slot back to sign a Mexican impact player.

thats what i was thinking of

[Shaughno]

It makes sense to me really.

[ccopela]

Kyle also seems to fit the trend of a lot of our UK rumored players/current players. He played for Sunderland.

[Jack]

I'd say Borgetti is definitely a target striker, just not a big and strong one. :p
That's right.

He's wiry strong, though.


Really his thing is, he gets into position and his heading ability is off the charts. He's a good goal poacher.

cgQqtrU11wI
kX3w0empFUg

[Shaughno]

Thing with Borgetti, is do we have good enough service to supply him right now? I'm not so sure.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

also i really doubt he wants to come here

[Shaughno]

Agreed, I think in the rank of MLS teams... we're probably last for pretty much any Mexican talent.

[Jack]

He's stated his priority is to find a club in Mexico.

If not, I imagine he'd go for a place like Chivas or Dallas, rather than up here.

If he teams up with Cuau in Chicago, that would be deadly. I'm not sure how they get along. They played together on the national team, but I'm pretty sure they've never played together at the club level.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

HAHAHA
i agree with that too

[Ossington Mental Youth]

dunno how chicago could afford em

[Jack]

I'm not sure what their cap situation is like.

Allocations maybe? Columbus did it with Schelotto.

Anyway, I realize it would probably never happen as Borgetti could get more money than that in Mexico for sure.

[jloome]

Balaban, maybe. I don't know enough about him. I remember him crapping out at Villa, but he also got very little time to gel there.

His strike rate in Croatia and Belgium was really impressive, and both of those leagues are fairly equivalent to MLS. At 30, unless his desire to win has faded, he would seem a good target.

Kevin Kyle would not. He's a bit of a prick, almost never scores, sets up the odd nice goal, though. He's devolved from a promising youth career in Scotland into a "playmaking forward", i.e. a guy who can't finish but started a striker and never moved.

Borghetti's lack of pace and general fitness was questioned, as I remember, in England, but he's always had a rep as a very good finisher. Poacher type, again. Not likely to walk around/muscle off a defense and create his own.

AS to the earlier question, I think we're looking for a low-rent Didier Drogba, a guy who is strong enough and fast enough to be both good stationary and cutting through the back line. The closest prototypes in this league right now would be (forgive me!) Kenny Cooper and Mac Kandjii, but the former's going to Europe and the latter hasn't shown the football sense/finishing for this level yet.

There are a few players I've run into that would fit that bill, but no idea whether they're on TFC's radar. The club gets flooded with player suggestions and has already politely (as you would expect, I'm an amateur fanboy) told me to fuck off with mine.

One of my favourites of these is Mame Cheikh Niang, who was the former league scoring leader as a 22-year-old in South Africa, went to Wolfsburg on a big deal, but only made four first-team appearances in his two years, scoring once. He's on loan in Norway now and (allegedly, it's wiki) has three in six games. Crapshoot, but an interesting one. Certainly not DP level but maybe a very good high-pay-plus-allocation signing, if we could outbid the Norwegians (which, traditionally,MLS doesn't.)

It's also why I liked Washington so much, although if WSM09 is to be believed (and Everton does, they've bought the rights to its scouting database) he's on $37,500 a week, which is out of our range.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

I defo wanna seem more of Mac Kandji, got very little play this season even tho they brought him in. Also they played him as a winger. Curious to see if they sign him, i would imagine they will but im also curious to see where his rights lie if they decide not to (i know somewhere in the USL, some southern team but im thinking MLS rights)

[Lucky Strike]

I defo wanna seem more of Mac Kandji, got very little play this season even tho they brought him in. Also they played him as a winger. Curious to see if they sign him, i would imagine they will but im also curious to see where his rights lie if they decide not to (i know somewhere in the USL, some southern team but im thinking MLS rights)

He was loaned from Atlanta. Since they've decided to suspend operations for 2009, what does that mean for him and RBNY?

Edit: his wiki provides some insight but is not definitive.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macoumba_Kandji

[Nuvinho]

^ I think the owner of Atlanta, holds a minority share in another USL club, so he transfered the rights to that team.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

^ I think the owner of Atlanta, holds a minority share in another USL club, so he transfered the rights to that team.

yeah south carolina or something

[brad]

Thing with Borgetti, is do we have good enough service to supply him right now? I'm not so sure.

Not even close. Sure, a player like that would clean up a few of the scraps that other players couldn't finish, which would translate into a few points here and there. May be enough to scrape us into the playoffs, but not enough to transform this team the way a DP slot could.

We really need a player that can not only finish, but come deep to pick up the ball and make things happen.

[Shaughno]

Not even close. Sure, a player like that would clean up a few of the scraps that other players couldn't finish, which would translate into a few points here and there. May be enough to scrape us into the playoffs, but not enough to transform this team the way a DP slot could.

We really need a player that can not only finish, but come deep to pick up the ball and make things happen.

I dunno, that's what our mid's and Barrett should be doing IMO. We need a proper finisher. Someone who doesn't stray too far from the box, so even when we resort to kick and run, he's there and ready to strike... literally.

[flatpicker]

I don't feel an overwhelming need to get some high profile player in here, just one that can get the job done.
As long as we can get a person that has good control and a nice one touch shot that hits the mark.

I would happy to see someone like Rickie Lambert come in.
He the right age (26), and knows how to launch the ball quickly.
He's not playing in a top league (League One) so the cost might be lower than picking up someone from a top league who is on the downslide and older.

And I also wouldn't mind bringing in someone with a Bristol Rovers connection!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rickie_Lambert

Some fine Lambert goals in this vid (along with a few other Rovers)...
And these are not career highlights... these are all recent goals (1:46, 3:00 and the last one are awesome)
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[jloome]

I don't feel an overwhelming need to get some high profile player in here, just one that can get the job done.
As long as we can get a person that has good control and a nice one touch shot that hits the mark.

I would happy to see someone like Rickie Lambert come in.
He the right age (26), and knows how to launch the ball quickly.
He's not playing in a top league (League One) so the cost might be lower than picking up someone from a top league who is on the downslide and older.

And I also wouldn't mind bringing in someone with a Bristol Rovers connection!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rickie_Lambert

Some fine Lambert goals in this vid (along with a few other Rovers)...
And these are not career highlights... these are all recent goals (the last one is awesome)
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QF2nS5z3A-k&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QF2nS5z3A-k&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>


Great pick. Lambert's a perfect example of a fine striker playing, in all likelihood, below his potential. But for better wheels, he'd be in the prem. There are a few other guys in the league like that. He'd be a great pickup; the only downside is he'd probably take DP money and yet has no profile, so doubtless there would be serious resistance.

[jloome]

I don't feel an overwhelming need to get some high profile player in here, just one that can get the job done.
As long as we can get a person that has good control and a nice one touch shot that hits the mark.

I would happy to see someone like Rickie Lambert come in.
He the right age (26), and knows how to launch the ball quickly.
He's not playing in a top league (League One) so the cost might be lower than picking up someone from a top league who is on the downslide and older.

And I also wouldn't mind bringing in someone with a Bristol Rovers connection!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rickie_Lambert

Some fine Lambert goals in this vid (along with a few other Rovers)...
And these are not career highlights... these are all recent goals (the last one is awesome)
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QF2nS5z3A-k&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QF2nS5z3A-k&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>


Great pick. Lambert's a perfect example of a fine striker playing, in all likelihood, below his potential. But for better wheels and consistent service, he'd be in the prem. There are a few other guys in the league like that. He'd be a great pickup; the only downside is he'd probably take DP money and yet has no profile, so doubtless there would be serious resistance.

[flatpicker]

He probably would require DP money... but I don't care if people haven't heard of him over here.
Let's face it, any player that people in Toronto have heard of is either to good to come here or to old to last long.

We already sellout BMO... the focus should only be on winning now... a guy like Lambert would help a lot.

[Marco2K]

Well the bottom line is that Mo has to make "GOOD" choices with the pickups.

Like alot of you guys have said it does not have to be an old guy at the end of his career. A guy coming over just to collect his cheque and pack it in. I want a younger guy that still has room to improve. A guy that can come here and blossom.

I dont watch the B division of the english leagues but i am sure there are alot of players that can come in and help tfc.

Portugal has players that tfc can pick up.

Brasil has a tonne of players. I thought Mo was going to Brasil in November?


He better not fuck this up!!!!!

[Ossington Mental Youth]

yeah, i gotta say that one of my big concerns is that the marketing aspect is a bigger influence on the DP than the actual talent

[Marco2K]

Imagine you were MO!!!

I would be in south america right now!!!

ON MLSE DIME!!!

[Pigfynn]

I wouldn't be assuming that there will be a DP at all...I'm not convinced this will happen....not a bit.

[Beach_Red]

I wouldn't be assuming that there will be a DP at all...I'm not convinced this will happen....not a bit.

You're right. It takes two - the team has to make an offer and someone has to accept it. the only way to gaurantee someone will accept an offer is to overpay. Till then, we make offers and see who says yes.

[ccopela]

After seeing that Nuno Gomes has apparently turned down an offer to come here. I was looking at the other rumoured names that have come up as a potential DP I was thinking I would love to see Bosko Balaban here. It would be even better to see him here with a Scheletto type deal where he is making DP money but not an actual DP (because of allocation) Obviously if someone like Del Piero or Henry was legitimately available i would prefer them but at this moment they don't seem to be realistic.

[Stouffville_RPB]

I don't feel an overwhelming need to get some high profile player in here, just one that can get the job done.
As long as we can get a person that has good control and a nice one touch shot that hits the mark.

I would happy to see someone like Rickie Lambert come in.
He the right age (26), and knows how to launch the ball quickly.
He's not playing in a top league (League One) so the cost might be lower than picking up someone from a top league who is on the downslide and older.

And I also wouldn't mind bringing in someone with a Bristol Rovers connection!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rickie_Lambert

Some fine Lambert goals in this vid (along with a few other Rovers)...
And these are not career highlights... these are all recent goals (1:46, 3:00 and the last one are awesome)
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QF2nS5z3A-k&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QF2nS5z3A-k&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

That guy can snipe! Sign him up! That is what we need, someone who puts it in when he gets the chance. I don't care if he's flashy or a big name, if he scores goals and helps TFC win it's the right move.

[ccopela]

Here is video of Balaban.

http://video.google.com/videosearch?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=bosko%20balaban&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wv#source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=bosko%20balaban&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wv&emb=1

[MrHawk]

http://www.mls-rumors.net/2008/12/incoming-boko-balaban-to-toronto-fc.html

It's apparently on MLS Rumors (It's funny, as I got the information from a Croatian news site), but it just stated he called them, no deep talks.

If he doesn't come in the Winter x-fer window, and he does sign for TFC, he won't make any impact. He will be exhausted from his year of competition (League, Croatian Cup, European games)

[flatpicker]

That guy can snipe! Sign him up! That is what we need, someone who puts it in when he gets the chance. I don't care if he's flashy or a big name, if he scores goals and helps TFC win it's the right move.


tell me about it!
Lambert has radar built into his boot!

Go get him Mo!

[Strikers]

That Lambert kid sure can score some beauty goals. Would be awsome if he would
agree to come play across the pond for us.

[DigzTFC!]

http://torontofc.neulion.com/tfc/console.jsp?catid=2&id=336

Click on the Danny Dichio TFC Kit Party link. He states that Mo went down to Jamaica to scout players.

http://www.mls-rumors.net/2008/12/incoming-mls-interest-in-keon-daniel.html

Does this sound like something.....

[Ossington Mental Youth]

HAHAHAHA i think MLSR is just stealing from this thread, pretty hilarious

[ccopela]

http://torontofc.neulion.com/tfc/console.jsp?catid=2&id=336

Click on the Danny Dichio TFC Kit Party link. He states that Mo went down to Jamaica to scout players.

http://www.mls-rumors.net/2008/12/incoming-mls-interest-in-keon-daniel.html

Does this sound like something.....

Keon Daniel was a player I mentioned last offseason that TFC should look into. Now that he's out of contract there is even more reason to look in to him. Sounds like if we don't get him then someone else in MLS will.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

wouldnt be surprised if we inquired about him, think sunderland or stoke or someone overseas did too but he got screwed cuz hes jamaican (and jamaicas fifa rating etc)

[Pigfynn]

With regard to Balaban I posted this in the Balaban rumour thread about the fact that he's on 400-500k in euros over in Croatia:


Ok, so if it's 400,000 to 500,000 Euros

that's $506,000 to $633,000 american dollars.

So...pay him the league max before becoming a DP. Which is what? $350,000

and cover the other $150,000 to $200,000 with allocation money.

This is assuming he'd come for the same money, if not he'd have to be a DP.

either way, I'm ok with it.