Mixed feelings about next season. Is it just me?

[trane]

I am starting to think about TFC next seasons, not all the time as it is early, we do have not idea what our roster is going to look like. But I have very mixed feelings. On one hand I am looking forward to a what seems to be a proper manager, on the other hand I am dreading my reaction, if the season start with another 90 minutes of poor marking, poor passing, poor tackling, poor shots, no shots, poor tactical/position play, last minutes golas, blown opportunities, ect. , ect, ect,. I am getting a headake just thinking about all the piss poor play that we have endured over 3 seasons. There has been great moments. But I need a season of good solid footy. PLEASE.

[Carts]

I am starting to think about TFC next seasons, not all the time as it is early, we do have not idea what our roster is going to look like. But I have very mixed feelings. On one hand I am looking forward to a what seems to be a proper manager, on the other hand I am dreading my reaction, if the season start with another 90 minutes of poor marking, poor passing, poor tackling, poor shots, no shots, poor tactical/position play, last minutes golas, blown opportunities, ect. , ect, ect,. I am getting a headake just thinking about all the piss poor play that we have endured over 3 seasons. There has been great moments. But I need a season of good solid footy. PLEASE.

That doesn't sound like mixed feelings, that sounds like mostly NEGATIVE feelings...

Its January of the off-season - instead of thinking about what might be 'poor' just think of all the things that will be better...

Have some faith, have some patience since we're in the off season...

If all the bad things start to happen when the season is underway, we'll all have plenty of time to feel shitty - for now, look forward, and come for beers tomorrow for a few good laughs with fellow supporters...

Carts...

[Beach_Red]

I can't find it right now, but one of the commentators (Ives maybe) referred to TFC as "ambitious" when last season ended.

That's the way I see the team now. It was so good to get the coaching sorted out right away.

[CoachGT]

The off season is the time when the slate is wiped clean and a new, fresh page of history is lying in front of us. If your new page isn't as white as the driven snow, if it has already turned black, then it's time to look for a new pastime.

[Parkdale]

I honestly think this will be the best year of TFC yet.

The team is better than before (yes there are some soft spots, but there are also some amazing guys playing for us).
The support is only going to be better this year. We've gotten used to winning things, and we want MORE!


this is the year of 'piss or get off the pot' for a few players, and Mo too.
If we don't make the playoffs, MLSE had better be looking for a new 'Director of Soccer'.
I'm glad the pressure is on. Good things happen when people are fighting for their jobs.

[Super]

Meh. As piss poor as our play may have been last year, I'm reminded that we were only 1 point shy of the play-offs - and only 10 points shy of winning the league (supporters shield). My expectations are not as high as they were last year. I'm hoping for an overall improvement, but that's about it. No expectation of play-offs or anything - maybe then I'll be less disappointed if we shit the bed again.

[trane]

That doesn't sound like mixed feelings, that sounds like mostly NEGATIVE feelings...

Its January of the off-season - instead of thinking about what might be 'poor' just think of all the things that will be better...

Have some faith, have some patience since we're in the off season...

If all the bad things start to happen when the season is underway, we'll all have plenty of time to feel shitty - for now, look forward, and come for beers tomorrow for a few good laughs with fellow supporters...

Carts...

I thought I had replied but, I see I did not. I see alot of positives, our chore is solid, I like most of our players very much; Attakora, Sanyang, Gomez, Cronin, JDG, De Ro, both keepers, Gerba, even Barret at winger, OBW; I like the direction they have gone with the manager. We have a very solid basis. I just cannot say that in my mind I am a clean slaight, the memories of the past seasons, from last game in NY to our first strech, haunts my mind.

But I do believe in the chore of this team and the direction we seem to be directed in.

[Red CB Toronto]

Each season is a fresh start for a team, regardless if they are coming off a championship or a last place finish. With Preki at the helm this year a new vibe will help shape this team for sure.

I also think a full season with proper training in the enviroment will make JDG far more effective, DeRo is DeRo and this team does have a good base of up and coming talent. I am always looking at a glass half full with a smile in situations that may comes up.

Enjoy it for your passion of the Reds, scream loud, sing proud and it will be a good one in 2010.

Two things I really think are key thought is the backline has to step up and Chad has to find that finishing touch, if that is even a consideration.

[rocker]

i'm pumped for the new season!

maybe I was discouraged at the end of last season, but I miss my TFC now!

i need my TFC fix!!!

they better not strike/lockout. that would piss me off.

[Wooster_TFC]

I think the reason you haven't seen anything done is because of the CBA. The league will (generally speaking) not be signing players with no CBA in place. And players will be holding out to see if the cap gets a bump before signing a contract.

[TFCREDNWHITE]

Two words.


Julian DeGuzman !

This guy is going to carry our team, along with DeRo...on his shoulders!! Everyone should worship JDG....This guy is going to rip the league a "new" one within the confines of his position.

Julian DeGuzman !

[dantdot]

No mention of grass here, I think that's going to be one of the bigger variables next season. I think the season will hang on whether Mo brings in competent players, maybe Preki's connections will save him.

[TFC Bhoy]

Maybe I am just the optimist and trying to forget all our troubles of the past seasons but I just can't WAIT to be sitting at BMO with everyone and watching us beat team after team after team!! I am so excited for the new season!!!

[ManUtd4ever]

I am definitely excited about the new and improved BMO Field. I hope TFC will be improved as well but that remains to be seen. To be honest, the current roster doesn't inspire any more optimism than last year's squad but I will reserve judgment until opening day...

[Mikey]

Two words.


Julian DeGuzman !

This guy is going to carry our team, along with DeRo...on his shoulders!! Everyone should worship JDG....This guy is going to rip the league a "new" one within the confines of his position.

Julian DeGuzman !

That would be nice...He's been a waste of money so far. Here's hoping he gets off his ass and starts looking like he wants to play here in 2010

[Oldtimer]

That would be nice...He's been a waste of money so far. Here's hoping he gets off his ass and starts looking like he wants to play here in 2010

He was not match-fit Mikey.

[Oldtimer]

I feel fairly hopeful.

Having a more stable squad, with less churning by "Trader Mo" will greatly help with team dynamics. Preki knows he just has to add a few experienced pieces, so he asked Mo not to pull the trigger just to get another "gem in the rough" at the draft. Instead, Preki will be looking for trades or discovery picks.

[TFCRegina]

I am starting to think about TFC next seasons, not all the time as it is early, we do have not idea what our roster is going to look like. But I have very mixed feelings. On one hand I am looking forward to a what seems to be a proper manager, on the other hand I am dreading my reaction, if the season start with another 90 minutes of poor marking, poor passing, poor tackling, poor shots, no shots, poor tactical/position play, last minutes golas, blown opportunities, ect. , ect, ect,. I am getting a headake just thinking about all the piss poor play that we have endured over 3 seasons. There has been great moments. But I need a season of good solid footy. PLEASE.

Rain or shine, win or lose, I'll watch TFC. Yes, it's hard to watch them sometimes, but we've dropped some dead wood. Some remains, but every season we have the opportunity to retool the team. It's gotten better every season. I'm cautious in my optimism however. I'm no Maple Leaf fan which, by definition, is a blind optimist (I know enough, believe me, every year they're going to the Cup... right? :P).

The fact is, we have a solid squad assembled. There are some holes, but I have faith that we will fix these. I am cautiously optimistic about O'Brien White, who, despite being out of shape, performed admirably. Gerba will have a regime set up by two hardass coaches in Preki and his buddy Leo and this might help him become an effective piece of the puzzle.

We have 3 young defenders who've shown they can play better than out veterans at the back, and will get better.

But we also have holes in that defense. Our younger guys are getting better, but our older guys have been atrocious and need replacing.

Things will happen, moves will be made, and TFC will find some talent to fill those gaps. Of that we can be certain. Nobody can say there is a shortage of Canadian talent (we're using all of our international spots aren't we?) when we've seen a good number head to Europe. We will find someone, it's just a matter of looking for it hard enough, which i fear we've lacked the incentive to do.

With the stepping up of our academy program, we'll start to see some significant improvements overall in the team over time.

Keep the faith, and you'll be rewarded. Remember that MLS is a different beast than any other North American league.

Building a winning team for one or two seasons can be done overnight, but building a successful club for the long run is a marathon and requires heavily investment in all the successful elements. Buying up every piece your team needs is a stop gap. Building a successful program will ensure long term success.

We've gotten nothing but better and I sincerely hope it continues on this track.

[AL-MO]

I am looking forward to it. Offseason is WAY too long.

My thoughts are pretty much along the same lines as Parky. A little more pressure this year will hopefully lead to better results.

Oh and prep for the next season starts for some of us tomorrow!

[TFCRegina]

I am looking forward to it. Offseason is WAY too long.

My thoughts are pretty much along the same lines as Parky. A little more pressure this year will hopefully lead to better results.

Oh and prep for the next season starts for some of us tomorrow!

Yes, yes it does.

[jloome]

THis whole pre-season, aside from the labour issues, will feel very familiar.

1) We need a leading centre half.

2) We need a dominant striker.

3) Our wide play is weak.

Nothing has changed since last season aside from the coach, the impetus on the manager, the CBA differences, the DP, the fact that we have grass.....

We have the same issues to face. But we're better prepared to face them.

[TFC Tifoso]

THis whole pre-season, aside from the labour issues, will feel very familiar.

1) We need a leading centre half.

2) We need a dominant striker.

3) Our wide play is weak.

Nothing has changed since last season aside from the coach, the impetus on the manager, the CBA differences, the DP, the fact that we have grass.....

We have the same issues to face. But we're better prepared to face them.

I agree with this...and I also don't really buy the clean slate idea....I see it more as a continuation from the previous season, and the fact is we still have quite a few roster spots to fill, and maybe still a player or two to let go.

I am looking forward to the season, and think Preki can bring some really good things to the team's tactics, providing he is allowed to fully control the team, but there are defintely causes for concern, and a need to fill them before the season starts.

[Blizzard]

I honestly think this will be the best year of TFC yet.

The team is better than before (yes there are some soft spots, but there are also some amazing guys playing for us).
The support is only going to be better this year. We've gotten used to winning things, and we want MORE!


this is the year of 'piss or get off the pot' for a few players, and Mo too.
If we don't make the playoffs, MLSE had better be looking for a new 'Director of Soccer'.
I'm glad the pressure is on. Good things happen when people are fighting for their jobs.

Agreed. I've no mixed feelings about next year. I cannot wait for the season to start!

[torontocelt]

It is impossible to judge how the team will do this season, there are way too many variables, variables that are outwith our own teams control. Preki is the most important step TFC have taken so far, a lot of how well we do will depend on this man, our success or our failure will depend a lot due to his management of the team.

[Yagbod]

The CBA issue is choking the life out of this off season.

It chills me to the bone that we could have a work stoppage. My only hope is that the players realize how fragile this league thinks it is. I cannot imagine the MLS brass giving in to many of the union's demands right now.

Don't get me wrong, I agree with the union's demands, but it seems that this league is built on a fear of failure. The players should wait until Philly, Whitecaps (perhaps Portland) and the Impact boost the league. Then they put their feet down and demand change. Now is not the time.

Extend the CBA for 2 years, and then push the league towards the global standard.

Whenever it is changed, I also expect a higher level of 'profit sharing' to be the trade-off. In a league where the cap is 2ish million, I bet even a small amount of revenue sharing would go a long way. With revenue sharing I bet the league would be much more amenable to skewing the parity in teams. Ultimately, this league will go the way of the european leagues, at least in terms of powerhouses emerging and weaker franchises slipping down the tables. I think profit sharing will grease that slide, while simultaneously allowing the players more security and freedom.

[torontocelt]

The CBA issue is choking the life out of this off season.

It chills me to the bone that we could have a work stoppage. My only hope is that the players realize how fragile this league thinks it is. I cannot imagine the MLS brass giving in to many of the union's demands right now.

Don't get me wrong, I agree with the union's demands, but it seems that this league is built on a fear of failure. The players should wait until Philly, Whitecaps (perhaps Portland) and the Impact boost the league. Then they put their feet down and demand change. Now is not the time.

Extend the CBA for 2 years, and then push the league towards the global standard.

Whenever it is changed, I also expect a higher level of 'profit sharing' to be the trade-off. In a league where the cap is 2ish million, I bet even a small amount of revenue sharing would go a long way. With revenue sharing I bet the league would be much more amenable to skewing the parity in teams. Ultimately, this league will go the way of the european leagues, at least in terms of powerhouses emerging and weaker franchises slipping down the tables. I think profit sharing will grease that slide, while simultaneously allowing the players more security and freedom.

The thing is if players wages go up will ticket prices go up? I would guess yes but how high can they go in Toronto? The MLSE I think are nearing the max they can charge, many people on this forum disagree, how much would people on this forum pay to see TFC?

[ag futbol]

^ I don't think that really has much to do with it.

Much of what's being asked for isn't really monetary, it's contractual terms. Free agency, player rights, guaranteed contracts do not cost the league much more money. It just locks down the expense in place for a longer period of time. Players are asking for more money at the lower end (which i think we can all agree is necessary). MLS telling you they'd have to raise ticket prices to provide this is a crock of shit.

Downside: you can't cut Nick Garcia.
Upside: The droves of players who avoid MLS at the current time will give it a look, which in my opinion is a much better total package.

While striking might kill the league, failing to put a good level of product on the field while eyes are on soccer could have the same result. You can't always operate a business at your convience, you have to take advantage of the market conditions to control your destiny as well. The Krafts and Hunts of this league don't get it. They are still bitter they lost money on soccer in the 90's so they want this thing to grow at 1.5% a year forever. It won't work out that way.

[djking2]

Whatever happens this year at least I won't have to read all the bitching about the turf.

So I'm good

Can't wait actually

[koryo]

I just hope there is a season to be negative about

[Oldtimer]

Ultimately, this league will go the way of the european leagues, at least in terms of powerhouses emerging and weaker franchises slipping down the tables. I think profit sharing will grease that slide, while simultaneously allowing the players more security and freedom.

Very insightful. That is actually how it happened in Germany. Originally, the Bundesliga had tonnes of roster restrictions, etc. and relative parity. Eventually the league dropped those restrictions, and powerhouses emerged.