Today's News,Tuesday,May 04

[Beach_Red]

In any case I would not hold your breath TFC fans for a DP striker this season. The club can’t afford it under the salary cap. Plain and simple. It’ll most likely be one of these guys, or maybe both if Mo can work the money out, that we will have to rely upon to score goals. Only time will tell if this is the right path to take.

I'm not buying this inability to afford a DP under the cap. Why did it take almost three seasons to sign the first one? And he was signed mid-season when the roster was full but there were no cap issues then. Teams find all kinds of ways to clear cap space.

No, it's the money that needs to be spent above the cap that's the problem. We'll see what happens in a few weeks, but there's a good chance NY will sign another DP despite not selling nearly as many tickets as TFC. And watch, Vancouver will sign a DP for their first season in MLS like Seattle did.

[ManUtd4ever]

Mo will have to be very creative in dealing for allocation money in order to sign a DP this season. He dug quite a hole last season...

[bgnewf]

I'm not buying this inability to afford a DP under the cap. Why did it take almost three seasons to sign the first one? And he was signed mid-season when the roster was full but there were no cap issues then. Teams find all kinds of ways to clear cap space.

With due respect, you are forgetting about allocation dollars here. The allocation bucks Mo built up in his wheeling and dealing in 2008-2009 were used to get us way over the cap last season. But unlike cap space, allocation dollars expire, and most of them already did. That is one of the primary reasons for the season ending clearout of high salary talent last year. We have significantly less allocation dollars and cap space still left on the books.

No, it's the money that needs to be spent above the cap that's the problem. We'll see what happens in a few weeks, but there's a good chance NY will sign another DP despite not selling nearly as many tickets as TFC. And watch, Vancouver will sign a DP for their first season in MLS like Seattle did.

I for one am sick to death of the "MLSE won't spend money" argument. They are not shy in spending dollars. That has never been the issue with the MLSE empire in recent years. The issues are about whom they hire to spend the money and if it is being spent wisely. If MLSE thought they could sign a Raul for example and that it would get them into the playoffs, and if Mo could make the cap/allocation dollars work, they would IMHO do it.

[Beach_Red]

I for one am sick to death of the "MLSE won't spend money" argument. They are not shy in spending dollars. That has never been the issue with the MLSE empire in recent years. The issues are about whom they hire to spend the money and if it is being spent wisely. If MLSE thought they could sign a Raul for example and that it would get them into the playoffs, and if Mo could make the cap/allocation dollars work, they would IMHO do it.

They have to be pressured to spend. Sometimes it's outside pressure, sometimes it's inside but they're like any big burocratic company, it's tough to get them to spend. We'll see how the Leafs do in the free agent market and if the Raptors resign Bosh or someone else for big money.

Salary cap is a perfect excuse. We shouldn't accept excuses from coaches, managers or owners. Why did it take three and half seasons to sign the first DP?

Some teams in salary cap leagues hire a specialist, a 'capologist,' to deal with this exact problem. What do you think the chances are they'd do that for TFC? No, they leave it in the hands of a guy they hired with virtually no experience. So, they may spend money, but I for one, am sick to death of letting them pass all the blame to the people they hire.

Really, we're saying the same thing. The team isn't managed well enough. I still think for it to be pretty much a one-man operation it needs to have a more experienced 'one-man,' but also a bigger, better support staff.

[Oldtimer]

allocation information is in this thread:

http://64.13.252.151/forums/showthread.php?t=4655

[Auzzy]

Check Preki's media scrum from today: http://torontofc.neulion.com/tfc/con...atid=2&id=1872

Can someone please explain to me: why are they still training indoors on artificial turf??? Preki is obviously not happy with it. This is the only week for a while where they can do some real training -- which isn't happening in many other weeks, due to mid-week games & travel. But still they have to be extra careful during training, due to the combined effect of players with some bumps & bruises, and the indoor artificial turf.

There have got to be some grass fields available in the GTA --- and I've seen some in use myself. It's May!!!???

[J .]

I just started reading Paul James' articles so i might be a bit off base here, but is he full of shit?

He seems to have some sort of agenda against national team players..some justified, others just seem like sour grapes or him talking out of his ass. He's coached at different national levels so i'm sure he's had to deal with a lot of red tape and a lot of egos, but really, what pro player would not relish the chance to play a world cup favourite with the world's best player in the line-up?

I know i might be asking for too much here, but can he at least follow up his rants with facts or sources??

Well Gerry Dobson is saying the same thing about players not wanting to play. Its just that no one is willing to 'out' these guys yet. He is also right, there is a poor culture around the CMNT from the associations to the players.

[RPB_RED_NATION_RPB]

According to reports, Hart is facing resistance from several players, who are said to be nervous about facing a Lionel Messi-lead Argentine squad prior to it leaving for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.


Haha...what a circus we have!

[cochrdoc]

Boys,
Sign me up.I`ll play Messi.If I can`t catch him I`ll just foul him behind the play or give him the double wammy Garcia got.Has Garcia come to yet.I can`t believe Garcia is still out.Maybe the leafs could use Brown next season as a goon.

[S_D]

I don't think we can assume that TFC is right up against the cap right now. We shed major salaries (Guevara, Vitti, Serioux, a portion of Gerba and Robbo) plus the cap increased with the new agreement by about $200K. Most of the players we've added appear to be modest salary. I reckon we would have had to lose about $500K in allocations to be right up against the cap. Maybe we did, but are we sure we did? What are the numbers?

Most of that 200k salary increase went to cover the increase of dev player salaries. There is a great analysis of the cap agreement in the big soccer blogs about it.

Both Mo and Preki have come out and said there isn't a lot of cash/wiggle room left. I am sure there is money available (who knows how much), and since we are at a full roster, if they bring in some players, other players will have to be traded or let go, freeing up some cash. I am sure some may even be able to be traded for allocation $$.

I wouldn't hold your breath hoping there is a lot of cash laying around though lol. We should get a better idea when the union releases the salaries.

[S_D]

According to reports, Hart is facing resistance from several players, who are said to be nervous about facing a Lionel Messi-lead Argentine squad prior to it leaving for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.


Haha...what a circus we have!

haha

well then tell the players they won't be included in the WCQ's. It is one thing not being available due to injury or club release refusal, but scared? Send them on their way.

[jloome]

Well Gerry Dobson is saying the same thing about players not wanting to play. Its just that no one is willing to 'out' these guys yet. He is also right, there is a poor culture around the CMNT from the associations to the players.

Careful boys, that's just one side of the story.

There significant considerations from the MNT side with respect to how thje CSA has treated players over the years. You have to remember what a dysfunctional organization it is.

So James may think players have poor attitude, but if he'd been told he had to spring for his own plane ticket and insurance, as has actually happened in the past, he'd be telling someone to piss up a rope, too.

[ag futbol]

I just started reading Paul James' articles so i might be a bit off base here, but is he full of shit?

He seems to have some sort of agenda against national team players..some justified, others just seem like sour grapes or him talking out of his ass. He's coached at different national levels so i'm sure he's had to deal with a lot of red tape and a lot of egos, but really, what pro player would not relish the chance to play a world cup favourite with the world's best player in the line-up?

I know i might be asking for too much here, but can he at least follow up his rants with facts or sources??

Bingo.

Summary of Paul James: everything is the players fault, basically renders the CSA blameless on all matters with the exception of some kid glove criticism, thinks football is what it was 25 years ago and can't wrap his head around modern tactics.

He has "old boys club" written all over him.

[nascarguy]

the photo of the day


AP Photo


A law enforcement officer chases down a fan who ran onto the field

[James17930]

Careful boys, that's just one side of the story.

There significant considerations from the MNT side with respect to how thje CSA has treated players over the years. You have to remember what a dysfunctional organization it is.

So James may think players have poor attitude, but if he'd been told he had to spring for his own plane ticket and insurance, as has actually happened in the past, he'd be telling someone to piss up a rope, too.

And the other shoe drops.

Yes, if the players are being told they have to pay their own way then really they should all boycott the game. I mean, I can't imagine any other national association in the world asking for that.

Too bad we don't know yet. Anyone able to do a little digging?

[Alonso]

With due respect, you are forgetting about allocation dollars here. The allocation bucks Mo built up in his wheeling and dealing in 2008-2009 were used to get us way over the cap last season. But unlike cap space, allocation dollars expire, and most of them already did. That is one of the primary reasons for the season ending clearout of high salary talent last year. We have significantly less allocation dollars and cap space still left on the books.




I for one am sick to death of the "MLSE won't spend money" argument. They are not shy in spending dollars. That has never been the issue with the MLSE empire in recent years. The issues are about whom they hire to spend the money and if it is being spent wisely. If MLSE thought they could sign a Raul for example and that it would get them into the playoffs, and if Mo could make the cap/allocation dollars work, they would IMHO do it.

When has this ever been the case with MLSE? Name one instance where they signed anyone near the caliber of Raul in any of the corporations sports franchises?

Its simply not in the cards for a sports loving city like Toronto that will fill stadiums regardless of the product on the field. Only private ownership can bring the love of the game back to Toronto.

Yes MLSE spends the cap on the Raptors (but a few teams spend into the luxury tax realm like Boston, LA) and the Leafs are at maximum cap to, but like TFC are poorly managed.

TFC brings in enough money and is enough of a success that they should have 3 dp's by the end of next year 2011. But will it happen? NO CHANCE THANKS TO MLSE.

[CretanBull]

I for one am sick to death of the "MLSE won't spend money" argument. They are not shy in spending dollars. That has never been the issue with the MLSE empire in recent years. The issues are about whom they hire to spend the money and if it is being spent wisely. If MLSE thought they could sign a Raul for example and that it would get them into the playoffs, and if Mo could make the cap/allocation dollars work, they would IMHO do it.

I think that they have to be given credit for spending money on salaries...the Leafs, Raptors and TFC are all at or near the cap in each of their leagues (Leafs have recently cut salary, not to be cheap but to help the rebuilding process).

Having said that, in terms of TFC how much have MLSE spent on scouting? Developing the front office? Hiring competent/experienced excutives? These are areas that fall outside of the league's cap restrictions and if we invested in them it would give us a competitive edge.

[Alonso]

But there are no details or hard numbers. Hard to even make a wild guess of what we've lost in allocation based on that info.

That thread is more than useless, it actually gets you more messed up then if you hadn't read it at all.

Way too many variables with way too many uncertainties.

This is what we know about the pay structure of TFC: 0.0001 of nothing!