The VDW signing is just one of the MLS conundrums. TFC had success with “rebuild” projects: Seba, VV, Jozy, Mavinga, Pozo, Aketxe, etc. Players with pedigree and past success. However, all of them had the drive to succeed here for different reasons.
Vanney isn’t the best coach for a player who came from a very high pedigree but that has attitude and motivation problems.
The same thing has happened to Atlanta at the moment: change of coach, change of atmosphere at the club, players aren’t performing, their big signing is unhappy there, etc. Just switch “rebuild” project to young South American project.
The same thing happens when you hire an retirement option. Some of them show up in MLS, some don’t.
I’m not blaming anyone, but this seems like a bad bet and that’s it. With Curtis now they’ve said the focus on player acquisition and team composition will change. The way MLS basically forces teams to take a risk to improve your team is worse than big leagues gambling on players that don’t work out, because your choice for good players is generally mercenaries, past success hoped to return, or a young guy who you hope ends up being good. If they don’t work out, you’re stuck until you can get them off the books.
Off topic here:
Atlanta journos have pointed out that the sole source for this "unhappy" comment is an Argintinean columnist /fan boy who loves River Plate, never understood why Pity left & would love to have him back. He's not fitting into their system yes I still think the FdB choice of manager is a poor one.
Bringing it back to on-topic - TFC has been very very good at making sure players & their families adjust to Toronto quickly with lots of supports. Pozuelo coming on Friday is OK in my books if he uses that time to recharge his brain after the last few weeks of drama with Genk & his family grieving a loss. Need him for more then just NYC.
This might be useful about the nearish future
https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/...jandro-pozuelo
^^^^^I would have thought that you might think it was smart career wise to cool it on social media with people who have just been frog marched for cause, friends or not.... but what do I know?
"There are some people who might have better technique than me, and some may be fitter than me, but the main thing is tactics. With most players, tactics are missing. You can divide tactics into insight, trust, and daring." - Johan Cruyff
I didn't like the thought of it initially, but i'm sort of in agreement now that he should maybe come back and have another chance. People dismiss his quality a lot, but forget he was on the field through our ccl run, and was very good. Not sure we get that far without him on the back line to honest.
There may have to be some consensus among the team players and coach(incase in fact there are "locker room" issues), but apart from that, see how he pans out, and he's gone this summer if it doesn't. I feel like now thats the best way to take advantage of a bad situation, possibly for both parties.
Guys there is zero chance of VDW coming back and playing. That ship sailed the moment they sent him home. No chance Vanney is going to ok this as it would completely undercut his authority with the team. Also if upper management forces Vanney to take him back that’s a move to make Vanney quit or he is just about to be fired
Think about it you have a player who has flamed out at every team he has ever played for, why would he change now? He has his money and doesn’t give a fuck period, all he worries about is his brand.
It's a real shame about this gvw situation.
He would have been fine as a rb in vanneys 4-3-3.
Auro could have gone up top on the right and we have jaychaps and DeLeon on the left.
That style of play works best on a team that has players that regularly try to run in behind. Toronto don’t have that type of player in abundance, but Curtis and Co. are in the market for one. TFC are actively working to make one or two signings using Targeted Allocation Money before the primary transfer window closes on May 7, with Curtis confirming that the club are in the market for at least one winger and potentially a defender.
From MLSsoccer.com
Maybe Andy najar as the winger? But isn’t he a right winger? Deleon is doing a good job there. They need a left winger more than a right winger. As for the defender maybe Giancarlo González? He’s rumoured to be coming back to MLS.
Rocco Romeo was red carded in a FC Copenhagen friendly today. Who I thought was on loan to HB Koge
Akinola can play out wide too. He did it for U.S.A at the U17 level and mlssoccer recently made a comparison to Paul Arriola. One thing is for certain, we certainty have more quality depth this year out wide. Akinola and Auro Jr are just naturally ready to progress and improve and Deleon and Morrow are good veterans.
My main focus would honestly be
1) CB/RB hybrid to cover Moor /Auro
2) Young LB with upside (Morgan is not MLS quality and Morrow is post 30)
3) Improvement on the wing
4) Midfield depth for Oso, MB and pozo
So I’m inclined to spend on the back line if I’m Curtis. How nice would a Aaron Long and Kemar Lawrence type be?
I feel we can survive an injury too Altidore Bradley, Osorio etc but how quickly would things go south if Morrow and Mavinga is injured for 2 months
Fine they aren't true wingers but they can play full back in 3-5-2 and can cover in a 4-3-3 if there is an injury. Morrow did it last year (although wasn't GREAT) but they would probably change formations before deploying that strategy. Is Akinola and Deleon enough? Probably not. But with Auro and Morrow we can switch and play the 3-5-2 very in injury scenarios, we have the cover up front but i'm not sure we have the depth on D.
We need a winger, LB, RB. Take your pick where you want to be weak at I guess.
Last edited by Defoe; 03-21-2019 at 10:19 PM.
https://www.tycsports.com/nota/futbo...medium=ios_app
New article on Pity not enjoying his time in MLS with more deets.
Is there a press conference today?
Alejandro Pozuelo will be introduced Monday at 2:30pm.