Today's News, Wednesday, Jan.08

[denime]

Mornin'





TFC TV





Arrivals of Defoe, De Rosario imminent for TFC


Toronto FC reaching out to season-ticket base


Toronto FC delivers plea to fans


Defoe's transfer to Toronto FC nearly complete


Toronto FC trumpets 'new, winning' tradition for 2014


Report: Toronto FC closing in on England striker Jermain Defoe, but hurdles...


Wileman: De Rosario's TFC return a chance to put things right






TFC Related Blogs !!




SUNSHINE

[Fort York Redcoat]

Gilberto, Dusting off the DeRo jersey, Raps tix. One more big one to go incentive-wise.

[TFC_Allez]

I'm seeing on Twitter Taylor Twellman, Alexi Lalas and Luke Wileman among others are saying that Michael Bradley to TFC is actually a real possibility...stay tuned...

[TOBOR !]

I'm seeing on Twitter Taylor Twellman, Alexi Lalas and Luke Wileman among others are saying that Michael Bradley to TFC is actually a real possibility...stay tuned...

Sportsnet is also reporting that.

Q. have we reached the end of the DP era ? I mean, can we have Laba, Gilberto, Defoe and Bradley and just tell one of them they'll be compensated somehow, but without the DP tag?

Or do you suppose we may see a new category of DP (ie, returning national, or Tier I, II, or junior/senior) ?

[TFC_Allez]

Sportsnet is also reporting that.

Q. have we reached the end of the DP era ? I mean, can we have Laba, Gilberto, Defoe and Bradley and just tell one of them they'll be compensated somehow, but without the DP tag?

Or do you suppose we may see a new category of DP (ie, returning national, or Tier I, II, or junior/senior) ?

Very interesting points.

I don't think the DP rule was meant to be a permanent thing to be honest. If they want the league to be on par with the bigger leagues from around the world, a hard salary cap and only 3 players being paid above it definitely wouldn't be the way to do it. At some point (which it seems like we might be approaching it), the DP rule would have to be done away with, and probably the salary cap would go with it. This also begs the question of how long MLS can continue to exist as a single entity?

The next few seasons and off-seasons will probably set a lot of precedents for the future of the league. But then again...this is MLS...they've been making up the rules as we go along all along anyways lol.

[Initial B]

Perhaps MLS is willing to grease the wheels for us this once to give us as much of an advantage as possible to make the playoffs. They must realize this is the last chance they have to turn around TFC's fortunes before the majority of Toronto fans give up on the franchise, turning TFC from one of the life presevers keeping them afloat into an anchor to drag them into insolvency. Maybe being a single entity has its perks.

[Yohan]

Perhaps MLS is willing to grease the wheels for us this once to give us as much of an advantage as possible to make the playoffs. They must realize this is the last chance they have to turn around TFC's fortunes before the majority of Toronto fans give up on the franchise, turning TFC from one of the life presevers keeping them afloat into an anchor to drag them into insolvency. Maybe being a single entity has its perks.

more likely TFC is one of few teams willing to throw enough cash around to attract famous USMNT players like Bradley

[tfcleeds]

Perhaps MLS is willing to grease the wheels for us this once to give us as much of an advantage as possible to make the playoffs. They must realize this is the last chance they have to turn around TFC's fortunes before the majority of Toronto fans give up on the franchise, turning TFC from one of the life presevers keeping them afloat into an anchor to drag them into insolvency. Maybe being a single entity has its perks.

They've bended the rules for other teams, why not us?

[jimiv]

This all makes sense for the league, Toronto FC is one of the lowest draws in the league and owners can't have empty stadiums for even one game a season. To attract Americans to games that TFC plays who better than one of (if not the best) US players?

[Wagner]

This all makes sense for the league, Toronto FC is one of the lowest draws in the league and owners can't have empty stadiums for even one game a season. To attract Americans to games that TFC plays who better than one of (if not the best) US players?

we are actually right in the middle of attendance, despite poor weather in 2013, and not a lot of hope on the pitch.

[TOBOR !]

we are actually right in the middle of attendance, despite poor weather in 2013, and not a lot of hope on the pitch.

I think he meant on the road.

[Shway]

more likely TFC is one of few teams willing to throw enough cash around to attract famous USMNT players like Bradley

agreed.

But if you think about the shape of the league by 2015, the league will have more teams with owners who are/have willing/shown to splash the cash.

LA, Sounders, TFC, Redbulls, DC United, Vancouver, Impact, PTFC, (future) Orlando, NYCFC, Miami

The league is at a turning point, which means better players, bigger contracts, and new owners with deep pockets. which leads to bigger sponsor money, bigger tv deals

[Cashcleaner]

They've bended the rules for other teams, why not us?

I think we're going to see exactly that. It's a World Cup year in 2014 and soccer in the US is getting hyped like mad. Honestly, friends living down there are telling me that the USMNT and the sport in general are getting quite of press right now - and the tourney doesn't even start until mid-June. Of course MLS is going to want to capitalize on this interest as much as possible. Bradley is easily one of the the top 10 Yank players out there - who wouldn't want to see a player like that if they had the chance?