Johnson and Kocic Gone

[cmonyoureds]

To Portland for 3rd overall pick - as reported by Toronto Sun.
Says 4(?) contracts out on offer, mainly Swedish players if I recall article correctly.

Didn't see elsewhere, if I missed it, sorry.

[cmonyoureds]

No link because of pesky pay wall thingey.

[Phil]

Article:

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/12/12...for-draft-pick

Sad to see them go, allocation and a Joe Bendick coming back from Portland and the 3rd pick.

[tfcmanu]

Portland-TFC trade is official, with Toronto also receiving GK Joe Bendik and allocation money along w/No. 3 overall pick in 2013 draft

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

https://twitter.com/SoccerByIves

http://www.soccerbyives.net/2012/12/...son-kocic.html

[Shakes McQueen]

The Payneful rebuild begins.

Yeah, that's right.

- Scott

[Globetrotter]

big difference between 3rd round and 3rd overall.

[mastermixer]

The Payneful rebuild begins.

Yeah, that's right.

- Scott

Well played, sir.

[Phil]

big difference between 3rd round and 3rd overall.

Fixed, my bad. We have the first and third picks in the draft this year.

[MartinUtd]

Seems like a Salary dump. Can we assume Freddy Hall will be gone by the end of training camp (at latest)?

[Globetrotter]

why are we shopping the 1st pick if we the consensus is a center back that could step in right away (like omar gonzalez?)

[Auzzy]

Already being discussed at length here: http://redpatchboys.ca/forums/showth...tion-etc/page8

[razor787]

This trade gets me excited. 1st and 3rd overall, plus we have Siva from last year who was 4th overall, we're going to have some good, cheap, young talent on the roster. Those guys, along with Henry and Morgan from our academy, and it looks like we're going to have a solid team that will only improve as these kids get older, and learn the game more.

[ManUtd4ever]

A fairly good return, all things considered. It will be up to Payne to make proper use of the allocation vis a vis free agent player acquisitions, and to draft wisely. I would assume that two future starters can be drafted with two of the top three picks in the upcoming draft.

I wish Johnson and Kocic well, as they were significant contributors to our memorable 2011-2012 CCL run.

[mastermixer]

Johnson didn't sound like he wanted to be here much longer so I'm not too sad to see him leave. Kocic on the other hand was soldier for TFC and showed the pride to play for us not many players seem to have.
Portland seems like they have a lot of shuffling to do with these new players. We shall see what happens.

[Suds]

I liked both these guys. Both were brighter spots in what was a dismal 2012.

In a way I'm glad for Kocic because he didn't seem to factor into Mariner's plans. He can now go get a fresh start and battle for a starting job.

[DangerRed]

Kocic was a shabby, error-prone goalkeeper and RyJo would score once in a while but not much and not enough. A player's departure tends to romanticize his career around here, for whatever reason. I don't get it.

Good trade.

[Canada72]

Will always remember Johnson's goal vs LA at Rogers Centre - the season went down hill fast after those LA games...

[flatpicker]

^ Thanks for posting that.

Hadn't seen that vid before. At first I was like,"where is this? I see people in red, but that ain't BMO". Then the camera pans back, and then I realized. Gotta say, it was pretty awesome seeing that many people out for a TFC game. And all the streamers and banners looked awesome. That was a fun game to be at, even if a few of the friends I brought with me needed me to explain the rules a few times.

At any rate, I like that work is being done on this team. Mr. Payne has me optimistic. Well, as optimistic as one can be after 6 years of futility.

[Belfast_Boy]

Cool. We needed change and here it begins. The hope is growing.
Wish both guys success at their new club as long as it isn't when we play them.

[[NBF]]

Portland: You gotta admit they've improved and sooner rather than later. Check out this lineup.

------------------------Ricketts-----------------------
-------------------------------------------------------
(*2)Harrington----Horst----------Mosquera------Wallace
-------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------Jewsbury-----------------------
Nagbe-----------------------------------(*1)W.Johnson
-----------------------Chara(DP)----------------------
-------------------------------------------------------
---------------Boyd(DP)-------(*3)R.Johnson----------

Toronto FC: We are only 3 or 4 players away!

-------------------------Frei---------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------
Eckersley---------(*1)----------O'Dea-----------Morgan
-------------------------------------------------------
-------------------(*4?)Frings(DP)-----------------------
(*3)-----------------------------------------------(*2)
-------------------------Silva--------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------
------------Hassli(DP)---------Koevermans(DP)----------

- 5 of 8 internationals spots already being used on Koevermans, Hassli, Frings, O'Dea, and Eckersley.

[Petor]

Will always remember Johnson's goal vs LA at Rogers Centre - the season went down hill fast after those LA games...

Thanks for posting that, I've only seen this one, same end of the field but on the other side.

[Mango Kid]

It is going to be such a TFC moment when they package the #1 and #3 picks for the #2.

[Walms]

Will always remember Johnson's goal vs LA at Rogers Centre - the season went down hill fast after those LA games...

Thanks for the memories, that was one of the best nights I've had!

Wish Milos and Ryan the best of luck, it was great having you with the reds!

[TFC07]

Yeah, that game in Rogers Centre was best soccer game I have ever been to. This is a good trade for both sides. We get a high draft pick and allocation money to sign good players.

[Flipityflu]

i think this is a good start.

[PopePouri]

Epic!!

[Derko]

I remember Kocic stopping a penalty, not many TFC goalkeepers can say that!!

[Parkdale]

best of luck to them both.

I can't wait to see how Payne plays the draft (it will be him calling all the shots right? Obviously with some input from Earl, and maybe some from Mariner)

[ensco]

Interesting trade.

I feel a little better about the Hassli deal now. I see the two deals as kind of connected. Hassli and 3rd overall this year for Johnson and high pick next year doesn't seem bad at all.

[TFCRegina]

Unimpressed.

We'll see what happens I suppose.