Johann Smith *not* on trial in Europe

[DigzTFC!]

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2009/01/17/1065819/toronto-fc-midfielder-johann-smith-on-trial-in-croatia

Toronto FC midfielder Johann Smith is currently on trial with Croatian club NK Rijeka, a league source has told Goal.com's Kyle McCarthy

can't blame him...but god damn it. We better get a significant transfer (1-2 million)

[Keyman]

FUCK
This is terrible news if you ask me. I know people are torn on his ability, and what his contribution will be this season, but I was expecting him to break out.

[Broadview]

Is he out of contract right now or locked up for next season? Maybe this might explain why Seattle took the "wrong" Smith.

[CretanBull]

^ I agree, I think he looked good and was expecting him to have a really good season for us.

[Razcle]

As mentioned. You can't blame him for going after more money. If it works out then we get a little transfer fee. If not, then we get him back as a player. This league is going to be a revolving door league for players until we can afford to pay them what they are worth on the open market.

[BFin]

Sad to lose from a "what could be" standpoint, but based on last year, im not overly concerned. He wasn't going to start, and if we bring in a "south american" striker he wouldn't even have been the first reserve. So not a massive loss, and hopefully we get some cash out of it.

[rocker]

i don't understand this... he's unhappy with his contract $$$? but he chose to come back to MLS just last year and signed a contract for that privilege. weird. strange that he'd sign at that dollar amount and then just months later want out.. unless he was just looking for some summer employment.
I'd like to hear more on this story from someone closer to him. i'm not a fan of the guy personally as I've said in other threads, so I wouldn't be gutted if he was gone.

[RedRum]

Even if Seattle knew Crazy Legs was looking across the pond, they still would have been better off taking the cash/allocation the transfer would get them rather than take Mullet Smith.

[denime]

In that case this is where he is practicing right now,can't complaint Adriatic Sea right there,Italy 1 hour drive,and I'm sure he will get better money than in MLS.
I'm sure he will enjoy to practice on turf field in the background :reddevil:

http://i44.tinypic.com/23jr9ds.jpg

[Cambridge_Red]

This kind of sucks.. the guy has tons of potential.

[mednus]

i don't understand this... he's unhappy with his contract $$$? but he chose to come back to MLS just last year and signed a contract for that privilege. weird. strange that he'd sign at that dollar amount and then just months later want out.. unless he was just looking for some summer employment.
I'd like to hear more on this story from someone closer to him. i'm not a fan of the guy personally as I've said in other threads, so I wouldn't be gutted if he was gone.


This sounds like almost every footballer anymore. They sign a contract then want to look for a better deal with another team right away. Maybe Mr. Smith thinks HE is World Footballer of the Year!

[BFin]

This sounds like almost every footballer anymore. They sign a contract then want to look for a better deal with another team right away. Maybe Mr. Smith thinks HE is World Footballer of the Year!
I hope not, or else he's more delusional than a RedBulls fan thinking they will ever be awesome.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Gotta admit i was psyched for him this year as i think it would have been a huge break out year, im not surprised hes leaving us and i wish him good luck if its true, i do think that if things do work out he will want to come back to us even tho he was here only a short time. I also think, like others, he wouldnt have had the playing time he needs and deserves this season. Once again i dont think he thinks he is footballer of the year but is like any of us, wants to do what he loves for more money, the prospect of playing in another country is a great one (especially with football). Its unfortunate that we may not benefit from his talents.

[Stryker]

Can't say I blame him.
Tough for a man to be comfortable in Toronto on $47,666.67 a year.
Assuming he's single and doesn't have the benefit of a spouses income.
That said, I thought he had alot of raw talent and was hoping he'd excel this year.

[TorCanSoc]

I thought he'd tear it up in MLS. I'm with others, I think he'll have a break out year.

[Razcle]

Does anyone think Johann came back to the US thinking he was good enough to start in the MLS and possibly make a case to be a part of the US National team that should be going to World Cup in South Africa 2010?

And because he has seen the quality of play in the MLS means he is a bench player until he gets some more control in his game. This is the feeling I get with this kid, but I have no facts to support it. Anyone else thought about this?

[Ossington Mental Youth]

i agree with the second part, cant say i have read or seen anything to agree to the first

[Damien]

He might just be trialling to keep in shape... just a thought.

[DigzTFC!]

In Croatia? That's a pretty long distance to go to stay in shape. If he leaves, I want at least 350-500K in allocation coming back our way. Not a big lost my opinion. He was way too raw to start and needs a tone of work to get his game under control.

If Toussaint Ricketts comes back to MLS I'd rather develop him. Also, Kyle Hall played well for our U-23 team. Not many saw that because all the games were streamed. I think him and Gala could push for a spot at the very least as late game appearances

Thats all assuming Mo doesn't bring in Ishmel Demontagnac or Keon Daniels who are out of contract and rumored to be on TFCs radar (very old rumors).

[J .]

No biggie, we need someone who can do it, not could. I would be happy with some cash for him. If he sticks around, good, likely a sub for our squad which I would be just fine with. But he likely doesn't fit into the starting future of TFC.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

not yet, i think he had potential for it.
He definitely had to work on his on the ball skills, i feel he was quite similar to wynne, obviously athletic but not necessarily great as far as skill but still young enough to learn

[UltraSuperMegaMo]

Ishmel Demontagnac’s trailing with Charlton, so I think it’s unlikely we’ll see him here anytime soon.

If Smith does go, I’d really like TFC to give Gala a chance. I’ve watched both Gala and Smith play for TFC, admittedly neither has played a huge number of minutes, and I’m not convinced that Smith’s particularly far ahead of Gala. Another option is playing Ibrahim wide left, he played their once or twice as a sub. and started the game against Independiente there.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

yeah, id definitely love to see Gala get some time if Smith leaves, Ibbie is ok on the wing, i still much prefer him up front, admittedly i dont know much about training but id be a little worried that if you play him too much there he wont amount to much in either position (he does have a great head for the sport so he could also amount to alot)

[UltraSuperMegaMo]

I agree 100% with regards to Ibrahim, the team should try and play to his strength which appears to be at striker / centre forward. You see lots of players who can supposedly play centre forward and the wide positions, but most look lost at their weaker position.

It always feels like the team is taking one step back for every step forward they take. Everyone’s always bashing Mo, but it must be very hard to build a squad when all your players are constantly engineering moves to other teams.

[trane]

I realy do not care, either way other then speed I have not seen alot of of promise from him, speed alone does not a football player make. He may develop. But I am not lossing any sleep over this.

[GeorgeB]

In that case this is where he is practicing right now,can't complaint Adriatic Sea right there,Italy 1 hour drive,and I'm sure he will get better money than in MLS.
I'm sure he will enjoy to practice on turf field in the background :reddevil:

http://i44.tinypic.com/23jr9ds.jpgdont forget the short drive to Opatija to party lol.i doubt we would get more than $ 500,00 euros in transfer money for him

[rocker]

I realy do not care, either way other then speed I have not seen alot of of promise from him, speed alone does not a football player make. He may develop. But I am not lossing any sleep over this.

but won't you lose sleep over missing all those stepovers!??!?! ;)

I won't lose sleep if he goes either. He is very very raw and needs a lot of work. He's still young, so he has promise in that sense... but i dunno..

[C.Ronaldo]

mo picked him up to sell him

if he was a big piece to the puzzle, he would have gotten more starts in those games that didnt mean much at the end of the season

[ben_vw]

mo picked him up to sell him

if he was a big piece to the puzzle, he would have gotten more starts in those games that didnt mean much at the end of the season

There was only one that didn't mean anything, and he started that one.

[mighty_torontofc_2008]

Can't say I blame him.
Tough for a man to be comfortable in Toronto on $47,666.67 a year.
Assuming he's single and doesn't have the benefit of a spouses income.
That said, I thought he had alot of raw talent and was hoping he'd excel this year.



god there are players making less, much less and getting by......let him go
if al he is interested in is money!!

[Troll]

Is Yohan responding to rumours on facebook? His latest status update;


Johann Smith - is home in conneticut, the tri state, the east coast, the united stated of america, the western hemishphere, and have not left since the end of the season.....


You be the judge... :noidea:

[dantdot]

Well so much for that, I had an inkling it was BS.

[Torcida]

I heard that Rijeka doesn't want him..

[MrHawk]

Rijeka does not need any more MF's, with Sharbini staying, Strok, and Pamic as their man 3. (I can only see them keeping him, if they sell Sharbini)

And I think Kantrida is a natural grass stadium, their pitch is one of the worst in Croatia right now (Behind Subicevac in Sibenik)

[MrHawk]

In that case this is where he is practicing right now,can't complaint Adriatic Sea right there,Italy 1 hour drive,and I'm sure he will get better money than in MLS.
I'm sure he will enjoy to practice on turf field in the background :reddevil:



I don't think Rijeka has the money to pay that much for a trial player. How much was he getting here?

[Torcida]

I don't think Rijeka has the money to pay that much for a trial player. How much was he getting here?
$45,000.

[MrHawk]

27,000 Euro's..............

Makes sense, I retract my statement.

[Yohan]

Is Yohan responding to rumours on facebook?
:noidea:

[TFC OZZ]

I was expecting Smith to have a big season. I'd be sad to see him go.

[Stryker]

Tribal Football and MLS Rumors have picked up the rumor.
Same thing said here, not happy with salary.

[dantdot]

Tribal Football and MLS Rumors have picked up the rumor.
Same thing said here, not happy with salary.

Two junk sources, I wouldn't read much into that, especially since he says he hasn't left the country.

[Lucky Strike]

27,000 Euro's..............

Makes sense, I retract my statement.

Euros vs. Dollars or even British Pounds actually doesn't matter. Suppose Johann Smith moves to the Eurozone and makes 47000 Euros as opposed to 47000 US here. Yes, comparatively that's more money but everything he's going to purchase is also done in Euros (i.e. greater salary but greater expenses). For instance, a burger at the restaurant here is 9-12 dollars depending on where you go. That same burger will also be 9-12 Euros. But the cost of living is also greater: there are many things that, if they don't have the same numerical price, it is actually greater. Fuel for instance is one of those items. So that doesn't give him any advantage, unless he plays in Europe, lives in the US for some reason and makes the trip back and forth for every game and practice. Not really feasible or intelligent. What really matters is the numerical amount of currency (whatever it is) he'll be making.

[Lucky Strike]

FYI - contrary to reports, he is not on trial in Europe.

http://my.thescore.com/footyblog/archive/2009/01/19/6655.aspx#comments

[Ossington Mental Youth]

There ya have it

[Shaughno]

Edit the title please. :)


"Johann Smith turned down trial in Croatia"

[Big Bruva]

As mentioned. You can't blame him for going after more money. If it works out then we get a little transfer fee. If not, then we get him back as a player. This league is going to be a revolving door league for players until we can afford to pay them what they are worth on the open market.

Exactly, thi league will not get anywhere near the top leagues until they sort out the salary cap amongst other things. A lot players that i speak to that are not near the end of their careers just see it as a stepping stone and find the league weird lol

[Stryker]

Exactly, thi league will not get anywhere near the top leagues until they sort out the salary cap amongst other things. A lot players that i speak to that are not near the end of their careers just see it as a stepping stone and find the league weird lol
So ummmmmm... whats up with the Rohan Red Bulls thing? :p

[Big Bruva]

I have contact with Johann like every other day and as far as i know he has been in Conneticut with the fame the whole time and should be coming back to T.O at the end of this month.

You really see how some people switch when a rumour comes out lol wow

[BFin]

I find it hilarious that he has been home all summer, and yet somehow, some moron in the media decided he was now on trial in Europe.
Maybe try calling the player, or better yet...doing any sort of investigation into your story.

[Stryker]

I have contact with Johann like every other day and as far as i know he has been in Conneticut with the fame the whole time and should be coming back to T.O at the end of this month.

You really see how some people switch when a rumour comes out lol wow

Not switching a thing Big Bro. Just throwing it out there to see if you'd have anything to say about it.

[dantdot]

I find it hilarious that he has been home all summer, and yet somehow, some moron in the media decided he was now on trial in Europe.
Maybe try calling the player, or better yet...doing any sort of investigation into your story.

Even Sports Illustrated just picked it up based on goal.com, there people are clueless.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/soccer/01/19/smith.croatia/

[Pigfynn]

So ummmmmm... whats up with the Rohan Red Bulls thing? :p

Ya, what's the deal with that?

[BFin]

Hahahah wow sports illustrated...wow.
I wish they had a truth and rumors section for MLS on SI, as I love the T&R for all the other sports.

[trane]

Exactly, thi league will not get anywhere near the top leagues until they sort out the salary cap amongst other things. A lot players that i speak to that are not near the end of their careers just see it as a stepping stone and find the league weird lol

Agreed. The current strucutre is problematic in many ways. At least some way for some teams, like Toronto, which are on beter financial footing to opt out of the salary cap, with a penatly perhaps(revenue sharing), as it hinders the development of the market.

[Beach_Red]

Agreed. The current strucutre is problematic in many ways. At least some way for some teams, like Toronto, which are on beter financial footing to opt out of the salary cap, with a penatly perhaps(revenue sharing), as it hinders the development of the market.

Like baseball. Sure, but would MLSE do it?

Seattle and LA, maybe.

[Pachuco]

THis is great news that Johann decided to stay with Toronto. I'm really exited about this guy taking the starting role in left wing this year.

[boban]

Euros vs. Dollars or even British Pounds actually doesn't matter. Suppose Johann Smith moves to the Eurozone and makes 47000 Euros as opposed to 47000 US here. Yes, comparatively that's more money but everything he's going to purchase is also done in Euros (i.e. greater salary but greater expenses). For instance, a burger at the restaurant here is 9-12 dollars depending on where you go. That same burger will also be 9-12 Euros. But the cost of living is also greater: there are many things that, if they don't have the same numerical price, it is actually greater. Fuel for instance is one of those items. So that doesn't give him any advantage, unless he plays in Europe, lives in the US for some reason and makes the trip back and forth for every game and practice. Not really feasible or intelligent. What really matters is the numerical amount of currency (whatever it is) he'll be making.
I guess you haven't been to Cro.