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Toronto FC’s new management shift, a restructuring of already-established figureheads to new positions within the organization, sees the club attempt consistency once more. As the Reds continue to struggle in the regular season, the thinking is clearly focused on next season.
Earl Cochrane takes over as General Manager, with Tom Anselmi promoted to Chief Operation Officers of MLSE. Paul Mariner retains his position as head coach of Toronto FC for the 2013 season. With wholesale changes expected, player movements, whether in or out, will be the topic of off-season discourse for Toronto FC. With that being said, figuring out which players will continue at the club and which players are necessary to sign will be the big project for Mariner and co.
Earl Cochrane said Toronto FC are perhaps four starting players and four substitute players away from being a complete team. Certainly, we will see some MLS journeymen being picked up, so the purpose of this piece is to highlight some of the key performers Toronto FC may be attracted to. Who knows? We may just see some of these players in TFC red come 2013:
1) Dejan Jakovic
A Canadian centerback who has plenty of experience in MLS and has featured 18 times this season. Toronto FC would need to make big moves in order to sign the centerback, perhaps sending Eric Avila to DC, but solidifying the backline with Darren O’Dea and Jakovic in the center would be worth it.
2) Sam Cronin
Surely he wouldn’t return to Toronto FC, would he? There’s a rumour out there that Toronto FC have been considering a possible…redrafting (?) of Sam Cronin, sending their 2013 First Round Draft Pick to San Jose in exchange for the young midfielder. Cronin’s return would be welcome by TFC faithful, and a starting spot in midfield would be almost assured.
3) Ben Zemanski
Chivas USA are the other MLS side who have experienced perennial disappointment, but amidst the changes at the club, Shalrie Joseph signing for Chivas meant that Zemanski no longer has as valuable a role for the Goats. Zemanski is exactly the kind of link-up midfielder Toronto FC needs, and, if slotted beside Luis Silva and Sam Cronin, would give the squad a midfield three that is, at once, young, smart and skillful.
4) Zac MacMath
The Philadelphia Union goalkeeper is an important backup player, because the one thing Toronto FC have an abundance of is solid goalkeepers. MacMath can be picked up for a second round draft pick and allocation, but would be important should Toronto FC choose to cash-in on one of Stefan Frei or Milos Kocic.
5) Stephen Keel
One of MLS’ most underrated defenders, Stephen Keel has featured only a handful of times for New York Red Bulls and will welcome a possible starting role at Toronto FC. He shouldn’t be hard to sign either and is certainly an upgrade from the likes of Ty Harden and Logan Emory. Keel is a real possibility if Toronto FC do their homework for a cheap, reliable MLS centerback.
6) Nelson Rivas
What Montreal did right this year was shoring up their backline. What Montreal did wrong this year was shoring up their backline too much. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing and with Matteo Ferrari, Shavar Thomas, Alessandro Nesta and a flurry of MLS journeymen CBs, having an injury-prone Rivas in the salary cap is irresponsible. Toronto FC may capitalize on this.
7) Cam Weaver
Let’s be realistic – aside from Eric Hassli and Ryan Johnson, Toronto FC doesn’t boast much in the offense. Luis Silva is so obviously an attacking midfielder that putting him up top reduces his impact. So, with few forwards, Cam Weaver, always underappreciated but never forgotten, can be one of those depth players Toronto FC needs.
8) Danny Cruz
Houston to DC United to Philadelphia Union and not enough games in-between to establish himself as a key player; Toronto need to capitalize on this, quickly. Make a big offer for Cruz, maybe three or four players including Aaron Maund and Ty Harden, and grab Cruz. He’s got the potential to burst onto the MLS scene when given 25+ games in a season, and Toronto FC need a right winger, badly.
9) Joao Plata
It’s an experiment I’ve always wondered about – put Joao Plata in the number 10 role. He’s too small to take on bigger fullbacks, and showed it during the beginning of his second season at Toronto FC. However, the hole behind the opposition’s midfield would give Plata enough space to make the first key touch that would set up a goal from outside the box, the kind of goal we saw Plata score plenty of during his first season. Much of Toronto FC’s success next year will come down to maximizing a player’s potential in each position, and having Plata in the number 10 spot may be a smart and bold move by Paul Mariner.
10) Daniel Ludueña
Toronto FC need to sign a big, big player over the off-season, and picking up a true attacking midfielder Designated Player is key. I work under the assumption that not only will Danny Koevermans be released, but that Torsten Frings’ short-term replacement needs to be found. Signing Zemanski and Cronin as the two defensive midfielders means Toronto FC can look for a quality number 10, and the Santos Laguna man is almost made for the job.
Toronto FC and Santos Laguna have met numerous times over the last few years and Ludueña has looked the part of creative attacking midfielder. He’s also the perfect DP for any team in Major League Soccer, a star that can attract names, and quality enough to warrant a DP contract. At 30 years of age, he’s at the prime of a possible MLS switch – if Toronto FC can convince him (with bags of cash) to play up north, they will truly, truly have a quality attacking midfielder to build around.
One can dream!
My Lineup (4-5-1):
Milos Kocic
Richard Eckersley --- Nelson Rivas --- Darren O’Dea --- Ashtone Morgan
Sam Cronin --- Ben Zemansk
Danny Cruz --- Luis Silva --- Ryan Johnson
Eric Hassli
Bench:
Freddy Hall
Doneil Henry
Adrian Cann
Matt Stinson
Terry Dunfield
Reggie Lambe
Cam Weaver
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