Ives on TFC

[Nuvinho]

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_b...ur-mls-te.html

Toronto FC
What went wrong: Terrible forward play throughout the season, at least before Chad Barrett got settled. Roster turnover combined with tons of international duty resulted in a team that never did have a chance to come together.
Most costly stretch: TFC went 1-5-3 in August and September, putting itself in a terrible hole.
Biggest weakness to address: Chad Barrett looks good and Abdus Ibrahim has a bright future, but Toronto FC must find a way to land a DP-level striker. A central defense anchor wouldn't hurt either.
Bright spots: Chad Barrett emerged as a good goal-scorer and looks happy in Toronto. Amado Guevara behaved and played well while Marvell Wynne really came of age. Johann Smith also looks like a future impact player.
Worst moves: Acquiring Carlos Ruiz, signing Laurent Robert and Olivier Tebily. Failing to land top striker before the season.
Outlook: No team in MLS has as much to work with this off-season as Toronto FC, which has tons of allocation money, three first-round draft picks and a DP slot it can use on a star. There is reason for optimisim in Toronto heading into 2009, but anything short of a strong year next year will mean its time for heads to roll.

[Broadview]

Yup.

[stretchthetruth]

i'd have to agree with that as well.

[Oldtimer]

Can't disagree with anything he said.

[Shaughno]

Pretty much bang on there.

[TicTacTabarnack]

Another +1 from me.

[Billy the kid]

Why do we have a new thread everytime Ives mentions TFC?

[TicTacTabarnack]

Worst moves: Acquiring Carlos Ruiz

I don't see us protecting him from Seattle's Expansion Draft... but will they take him?

[James Oliphant]

Agreement in full.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

pretty much common sense.
dont think the worst moves were worst moves when they were made, alot worse moves could have been made, but overall, its a very astute analysis

[Shaughno]

I don't see us protecting him from Seattle's Expansion Draft... but will they take him?

I doubt it, but worse case scenario we release him on waivers.

[Nuvinho]

wasn't columbus interested in Ruiz (MLSrumor tho)??

[Nuvinho]

speaking of protecting players, which XI do we protect?

[Shaughno]

speaking of protecting players, which XI do we protect?

That's a damn good question.

Few easy ones (assuming they agree not to leave)

Dichio
Robbo
Brennan
Ibrahim
Barrett
Wynne
Ricketts
Jo.Smith

[GingerNinja]

What about protecting Sutton?
Or do you just assume no one would take him?

[Ossington Mental Youth]

theyve signed Keller and their current goalie

[Shaughno]

Yeah i thought I put him in. But... he would be an International for other teams, so it might be a gamble worth taking. Definitely Sutts and I think Edwards would make it through without being picked. I like Edwards and actually hope he stays with us for a few years.

[Shaughno]

So no point in protecting him then.

[Nuvinho]

I am trying to find the rules for the XI you can protect. I don't think dev. players count.

[Parkdale]

unless the league changes their definition of an international / domestic player, Sutton and the other Canadians are relatively safe. Now if Montreal gets a team... you know damn well they'd take Sutton as fast as possible if we wern't looking.

[TicTacTabarnack]

That's a damn good question.

Few easy ones (assuming they agree not to leave)

Dichio
Robbo
Brennan
Ibrahim
Barrett
Wynne
Ricketts
Jo.Smith

+ Guevera

[TicTacTabarnack]

I am trying to find the rules for the XI you can protect. I don't think dev. players count.

CBA has no defined rules:

Section 14.3 Expansion Draft: MLS will consult with the Union as to procedures in the event an expansion draft becomes necessary, but MLS reserves the right to conduct such an expansion draft(s) in its sole and absolute discretion. Source

Hmmm ...

[GingerNinja]

/\ Fucking MLS, making up their rules as they go.

[Nuvinho]

Sutton (unprotected, they have a goalie in Seattle and he makes a lot)
Edwards (risky to keep him unprotected tho, could be Seattle's backup)
Nana (dev)
Brennan (He has a high salary, but I still think that Seattle may take him)
Dunivant (Will definately be taken if we leave him unprotected)
Freeman (His contract isn't up til December, so we can leave him unprotected)
James (Protected, young player)
Marshall (protected or trade him for a pick before the expansion draft)
Velez (unprotected, we know why)
Wynne (protected, we know why)
Gala (dev)
Rosenlund (dev)
Melo (dev)
Elkinson (dev)
Robinson (protected, but also would Seattle want to take a $330K player)
Ricketts (protected)
Guevara (protected)
Harmse (unprotected, international for Seattle)
Jo Smith (protected)
Ja Smith (indifferent, if we have a spot protect him)
Guadet (dev)
Barrett (protected)
Ibbe (dev)
Ruiz (unprotected)
Dichio (unprotected, b/c I doubt they will pick him up)

That is 10 players who are protected, if dev. players count, just add Ibbe to the list.

[TicTacTabarnack]

Brennan (He has a high salary, but I still think that Seattle may take him)
Dunivant (Will definately be taken if we leave him unprotected)
James (Protected, young player)
Marshall (protected or trade him for a pick before the expansion draft)
Wynne (protected, we know why)
Robinson (protected, but also would Seattle want to take a $330K player)
Ricketts (protected)
Guevara (protected)
Jo Smith (protected)
Barrett (protected)
That is 10 players who are protected, if dev. players count, just add Ibbe to the list.

That's a solid 10 ... So for the last one ... We have to choose between Dichio, Velez and Edwards. Ja Smith would get snatched in my opinion, but he's considered international (though Poz got snatched by SJ and he was considered International). Isn't Freeman going to EPL or was that just something that was being bounced around?

[Wooster_TFC]

Here's my recollection of the rules (note, as stated above, they could change):


1. Can only protect 11 players.
2. Must protect all but 1 players taking up an international spot
3. Contracts run to the end of the year (after the draft)
4. Assume players cannot be waived after season over and before draft - not sure about this one, feel free to throw it out, if you do, please state who you would be releasing.
5. Seattle can only pick 1 of our players
6. G/A players are exempt from the draft

From TFC website: http://web.mlsnet.com/players/roster.jsp?club=t280

G/A
Abdus Ibrahim

Canadian
Jim Brennan
Kevin Harmse
Greg Sutton
Nana Attakora
Killian Elkinson
Gabe Gala
Derek Gaudet
Joey Melo
Tyler Rosenlund

US Spot
Chad Barrett
Brian Edwards
Hunter Freeman
Jarrod Smith (how this one works I have no idea)
Marco Velez

International Spot (* can count as US)
Danny Dichio
Rohan Ricketts
Carl Robinson
Todd Dunivant*
Amado Guevara*
Julius James*
Tyrone Marshall*
Carlos Ruiz*
Johann Smith*
Marvell Wynne*


And here are my choices:


G/A (auto-protected from draft)
Ibrahim

Protected:
Barrett
Brennan
Dichio
Dunivant
Guevara
James
Marshall
Ricketts
Robinson
Jo Smith
Wynne

Unprotected
Edwards
Freeman
Harmse
Ruiz
Sutton
Ja Smith
Velez

[Nuvinho]

Wooster is always on top of things.....thanks for the info!

We will probably lose Edwards.

[Shaughno]

And here are my choices:


G/A (auto-protected from draft)
Ibrahim

Protected:
Barrett
Brennan
Dichio
Dunivant
Guevara
James
Marshall
Ricketts
Robinson
Jo Smith
Wynne

Unprotected
Edwards
Freeman
Harmse
Ruiz
Sutton
Ja Smith
Velez

That's basically how I had it lined up in my head, though I forgot about the G/A of Ibbe.

Bolded players being those that I can't see them picking from.

[Yohan]

That's basically how I had it lined up in my head, though I forgot about the G/A of Ibbe.

Bolded players being those that I can't see them picking from.

I'm suffering from CRS (Can't Remember Shit)

does anyone have any clue to how strong Seattle's team is? (or how many players are they bringing up to MLS)

[Fort York Redcoat]

In worst moves section I agree in hindsight but at the time only a few doubted the frenchmens potential in our league. Ruiz was practically forced upon us. Still the same assesment in the end just wanted to add a little reasoning for fellow "cheerleaders".