we won't have that next year either if the 2 DPs aren't coming until after the world cup. We're basically being set up for failure if that's the case (not that I think 2 DPs are going to be a magical cure of course)Originally Posted by Cashcleaner
we won't have that next year either if the 2 DPs aren't coming until after the world cup. We're basically being set up for failure if that's the case (not that I think 2 DPs are going to be a magical cure of course)
This season the number one issue has been the attack and I think that has a lot to do with the condition the team was in and the best player for the attack we have had has not played in two seasons. Koev has been a money sink and there is nothing that can be done.
Add in we have a strong Attacking players salary still tied up in a Right back and you the offensive issues become clear.
This season we haven't let that many goals in, and if we actually had the confidence in our scoring ability I think that would be a lower number. Double the goals with a competent offence and you end up with a playoff calibre team.
The Phili game which I caught most of which is rare these days, was lost more due to bad luck, (ie a more skilled player sinks the same shots) with Convey and specifically Earnshaw.
The Penalty at the end was likely not a bad call and the goal was what it was.
The boys were playing 11v10 for while there and still couldn't muster a goal.
That is were the major issues have been.
Again last several years the entire offensive salary has sat in the back line, even wasting a DP slot (again) to sit him in the DM role. Then we have a single injury upfront and we have no other options. Next year maybe the first time since Carver left that we have had a proper cap spread.
No way TL and MLSE lose that much face. They will make mistakes but if things got really bad, and only 8K of paid tickets were showing up a game, the papering would start in earnest. I could see them giving away 8K of seats a game. Yes they do some now. But, nowhere near what would be done in that case.
And the raz a ma taz would get ramped up to ear busting heights. We might even see Muhammad Ali.
That's not true. You can do it with 36 points (1-0-33).I think you should win some sort of award if you can achieve this record.
MLSE doesn't sell assets. There is no low point in season ticket sales that would cause MLSE to sell TFC. Plus I doubt MLS wants TFC to move. With the exception of Miami there aren't any more viable big markets in the U.S. to move a team to.
klevaThat's not true. You can do it with 36 points (1-0-33).
WE DID IT!
I'm not saying that MLSE would sell TFC. I'm saying that MLS would take the franchise away from MLSE and give it to some other city. If nothing brings back the fans, and MLS increases in popularity down in the US, I could see there being a break-even point where MLS would make more money moving TFC somewhere else.
You know, I almost want Lieweke to fail and see MLSE broken and humbled. Almost.
But I'm sure that there are numerous groups within MLS that would love to see this happen considering the number of bridges MLSE has burned over the years.
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^ I don't think the league would ever consider such an action. If Toronto left, what would happen to Montreal or Vancouver? I'm not suggesting their respective success as clubs depends on ours, but in the very least, the Impact would certainly lose out on their closest rivals - the highest attended games by far for both our clubs is the Toronto/Montreal "derby". Take TFC out of the equation of MLS in Canada and you've severely ham-stringed the other two clubs.
Did the USA , of all countries, just fix soccer? - C. Ronaldo, May 27th commenting on the FBI-led investigations into fraud and corruption throughout FIFA.
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Maybe some players, or agents, but the actual owners and MLS front office would love to see Toronto succeed. They don't benefit when any franchise flounders and dies.
- Scott
“Heroism breaks its heart, and idealism its back, on the intransigence of the credulous and the mediocre, manipulated by the cynical and the corrupt.” ~Christopher Hitchens
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I think we have a few players who look like they may be nice pieces to a real team, but aside from that I have little "belief" right now.
- Scott
“Heroism breaks its heart, and idealism its back, on the intransigence of the credulous and the mediocre, manipulated by the cynical and the corrupt.” ~Christopher Hitchens
Consider what Chivas draws for attendance, I think we have a long way to fall yet before MLS yanks the plug. I'm surpised they haven't tried to move the Goats to a different major city with a large hispanic population, like Pheonix.
O, Maple Leaf around the world, You speak as you rise high above,
Of courage, peace and quiet strength, Of the Canada that I love.
Remind us all, our union bound by ties we cannot sever,
Bright flag revered on every ground, The Maple Leaf forever
Because of the first few years of ridiculous success off the field, there will always, always be someone who thinks they can bring it back.
There have been a few times where there have been some revealing comments regarding Garber's desire to figure out how to get Toronto back to what it was. It's all about $ and he knows there are $ here. They just need to get their hands on them again.
Come on we all know that they (TFC, ML$E) just need, to be competitive and in the game, and fans will flock back, Poor attendance is in direct relation to wins and losses. IF TFC can manage to become a .500 team with a few blowouts and the fickle ones will return, my opinion
I'm not quite as sure about that. I think it will take a couple of years of competitive to get many back. But there are going to be a number of individuals who have crossed the point of no return. I agree that many will return, but there will be some who will not. I think that baseball may be a valid comparison. The 1994 strike in baseball hurt that game for a long time, even in the some of the hottest baseball cities in the US. It really hasn't recovered fully here, partially because of being non-competitive, but there are other reasons too.
Pretty good post. But there are a few I don't rate quite as highly.
Bendik - He's okay, but his greatest asset is his value. I don't think he is as highly skilled as others seem to think.
Osorio - Good young player, but in a real lineup over the short term I see him as depth, coming on in the 60th minute for energy. Longer term, (2-3 years from now) he may be the starter.
Rey - Depth mostly, there is still room for an upgrade. With better players around, I suspect he may come down a bit in value.
Dike - 3rd or 4th striker, along with Weideman. He adds energy, but at a level that is difficult to sustain over a full 90.
If the concept is to bring in 7 players to help bolster the lineup, I can see Laba, Caldwell, Bendik and Rey being the four that stay with the others being relegated to the bench. Henry and Ecks are on the bubble (if Ecks stays, and he might because of other connections to the city). Osorio is on the same bubble. Morgan has an outside chance of starting infrequently. But I really can't see 7 better players being added in one window (off season).
Last edited by CoachGT; 10-11-2013 at 12:15 PM.
My optimism turned a corner and slammed right into apathy.
bingo
Can we rename the thread to reflect the hijack, ie player assessment thread? lol
Keep
Goalkeeper
Joe Bendik, 24, 46k
-Even if he gets 100% increase in his wage, Bendik would be a bargain for a starter in MLS. He's not a top 5 GK yet, but he's good enough at his value, and this is only his first season that he got consistent mins. He's only 24, and he'll get better.
Chris Konopka, 28, 46k
-If he's just a back up at 46k, he'll be good enough.
Quillan Roberts, 19, 46k
-TFC believes in this young lad, and with couple of seasons on loan, he'll be ready to challenge for first team.
Defender
Doneil Henry, 20, 50k
-His education has been costly for TFC, but he's got potential. Right now, he's 3rd CB level. I think a year at NASL/USL level would do him wonders, and be challenging for a starter spot for 2015.
Ashtone Morgan, 22, 60k
-Had fire lit on his ass and he stepped up, but only to about avg MLS fullback level. Still has a lot to work on, esp his positioning and first touch.
Gale Agbossoumonde, 21, 46k
-Cheap depth for 4th defender. Every MLS teams needs guys like Boss who is cheap but can do the job when called upon.
Steven Caldwell, 33, 80k
-I'm pretty sure his salary is likely 160k or abouts, but TFC needs Caldwell to perform for at least one more season. Time is catching up very fast for him though.
Midfield
Jeremy Hall, 25, 80k
-Can play multiple positions and just good enough to be value for what he brings to the table as depth.
Kyle Bekker, 23, 46k
-He needs to develop better footy IQ and be more composed. MLS is too fast for him right now. He needs a loan at USL/NASL badly to develop and more importantly, get more confidence.
Reggie Lambe, 22, 67k
-If you think Lambe as a draft pick, he's about the level where you'd get most NCAA guys. Needs to develop consistency. I'd think of loaning him out too.
Darel Russell, 32, 100k
-Good enough to play in MLS, and brings the grit and experience that every team needs, esp a team full of young guys.
Jonathan Osorio, 21, 46k
-The boy is going to get a raise. I think he's been less impress as CM than RM, but this just means he needs more development. I don't think he's quite starter level in MLS yet, and I wouldn't pin him to carry the team for 2014, if Nelsen insists on playing 2 CMs.
Matias Laba, 21, 200k
-Lynchpin of TFC. Whoever said don't waste DP spot on a DM... well, in MLS, DMs are one of those positions that are critically important. The dip in play when Laba was playing and not is so evident.
Bobby Convey, 30, 200k
-Another veteran who is good enough to start at LM for most MLS clubs. You'd like more pace for a wide midfielder, but Convey can cross and pass decently. If someone better comes along, sure, trade Convey, but I don't think Convey has done anything to lose his spot. 1 goal 4 assists in 20 games isn't bad.
Alvaro Rey, 180k
-When I think of a 'Spanish winger', Rey fits the mold. Instead of using pace and athleticism, he uses technical skills to beat a defender and deliver a cross into the box. Start to show signs why Nelsen wanted him pretty badly and with getting used to MLS, I think he'll be one to watch for in 2014.
Manny Aparicio, 18, 35k
-Young attacking midfielder who can pass, but needs experience. I'm hoping a loan at USL level will get him some development, and hopefully also learn how to be a box to box midfielder if he's going to fit under Nelsen's plan.
Forward
Robert Earnshaw, 32, 139k
-Earnshaw is one of streakiest and also unluckiest strikers I've ever seen in MLS. The quality is there, it's just well, hard to put it together sometimes. With a year of MLS experience in his belt, and hopefully be injury free, I think Earnshaw has one year as good, first off the bench, occasional starter role left in him.
Bright Dike, 26, 58k
-Strong, with some pace, and good wage. When he becomes fully recovered, he's going to be a good depth for TFC. And if he can replicate 5 goals in 12 games production as he did in Portland, even better.
“Years have gone by and I’ve finally learned to accept myself for who I am: a beggar for good football.
I go about the world, hand outstretched, and in the stadiums I plead: ‘A pretty move, for the love of God.’
And when good football happens, I give thanks for the miracle and I don’t give a damn which team or country performs it.”
-Eduardo Galeano
I agree mostly but Russell is expendable. 100k and an international spot for a bench player is not good enough. Maybe at 65k but we should be looking to bring in a domestic to replace Russell.
russell has a green card as reported by Larson so doesn't take up international spot.
Russell has a green card. He's on a pricey salary but other than that I think he's worthwhile to keep around as a squad player.
not an int. he has green card
“Years have gone by and I’ve finally learned to accept myself for who I am: a beggar for good football.
I go about the world, hand outstretched, and in the stadiums I plead: ‘A pretty move, for the love of God.’
And when good football happens, I give thanks for the miracle and I don’t give a damn which team or country performs it.”
-Eduardo Galeano
I think you guys are WAAAAAY to optimistic about 2014. It's going to be another rebuilding year. We won't make the play-offs and its extremely unlikely we'll even be in the running. I'm willing to bet anyone $100 today we won't make the playoffs next year (and I'm a fan / ssh).
If you listen to what TL and RN have said is they're looking to announce the DPs in Jan but its likely that they won't join until the summer window. That means the first half of the year will be exactly what we've been watching now. We have no draft picks so we can't pick up a valuable tool there. Only thing we could do is sign existing guys. And who wants to come to Toronto to play on one of the worst teams in the league year in and out?
I actually, incredibly...BELIEVE that TFC will miss the playoffs again because Lieweke wants to make his own bullshit in 2014.
TORONTO FC, 2017 MLS CHAMPIONS!!! (Still the greatest in league history!)
Thanks guys! As long as he doesn't start and is a good guy in the room then I guess its fine.
If MLS hasn't taken Chivas away from their owners, and Chivas isn't even a place in the United States or Canada so is really rooted in nothing, then TFC could have cardboard cutouts of people in the stands and MLS would say "Good job!" Plus now that Bezbechenko, one of MLS' own, is part of TFC management I doubt MLS is even going to glance in TFC's direction any time soon.
I don't have hope. I just want to be surprised. I think two decent DP who aren't injury prone being the spine can do a world of wonders.
How about Wiedeman? I've been on and off on him since his arrival here but he's provided some value recently. Goes to show how much of a boneheaded move it was on Mariner's part to play him in midfield all the time. His hustle is fantastic but he's not just effort; give him a decent chance in the box and he usually finishes.
The way I see things right now, if we sign two starter quality/DP strikers, I'd have Dike as first off the bench and Wiedeman filling in for injuries and cup matches. I'm not sure Earnshaw is in the plans for next year and Wiedeman seems to have played his way into Nelsen's good books (took him forever to even get a look at the start of the season as opposed to now).
Greatest Finisher in the modern era for a reason. LMAO
In all seriousness I want Wiedeman and Dike to say if we bring in two or one quality DP striker. Dike can't lineup with him if Earnshaw is gone at the end of the season. If not Earnshaw and DP with Dike first choice off the bench and Wiedeman as a extra or backup and cup player. If we bring two and Earnshaw is still here i'd like Wiedeman and Welshman to get some playing time on loan somewhere.
The big unknown going into thinking of what we need or anything is who if anyone is going out on loan as RN said he was looking to do so. Season long loans? Coming back for preseason? Who knows. There's a few guys on the squad who can do well with getting some soild playing time for full year if we can bring in some bodys to fill in.
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