The Montreal Impact are making their way over to the greenest possible pastures in North American soccer – Major League Soccer. The 19th team in MLS and the newest expansion franchise enters the league with a group of supporters who have already shown they have what it takes to emulate, replicate, and, maybe, trump (!) the likes of Portland, Vancouver and, well, that other Canadian team, Toronto FC.
Well, Montreal, welcome. Congratulations. You did it! You’re finally making your way up to the big leagues. But, you’ve got yourselves a huge advantage, being an expansion side and all: the expansion draft, the deadliest tool in a new franchise’s arsenal. Ultimately, ten players will be stolen from their clubs by the hands of Montreal, and for Toronto, protecting the right players is key for future success.
Luckily, MLS isn’t completely cruel to Toronto; Academy players like Ashtone Morgan, Doneil Henry and Matt Stinson, as well as Keith Makubuya and Oscar Cordon, are automatically protected from Montreal’s prying hands.
Here’s the rundown on who Toronto FC should protect, who’s on the bubble, and who should be left exposed for the Impact.
Automatically Safe
Doneil Henry
Matt Stinson
Ashtone Morgan
Oscar Cordon
Keith Makubuya
Nicholas Lindsay
SAFE (9)
These players should be protected by TFC, for their respective reasons.
Stefan Frei
As great as Milos Kocic has been for Toronto FC as of late, Stefan Frei is still a solid starting goalkeeper and a valuable commodity for Toronto. If Frei is no longer in Aron Winter’s plans, it’s better to protect the Swiss stopper in the expansion draft and let the trade happen directly with the interested party.
Milos Kocic
Toronto’s secondary net-minder enjoyed a solid season in 2011, and will look to continue to build on the platform set out by Aron Winter. Keeping Kocic is an obvious choice, as a solid backup and pseudo-starting keeper isn’t easy to come by in the first place.
Richard Eckersley
The English right-back is a loan player, and he’s made quite a name for himself. Even though Toronto FC supporters and followers know of Eckersley’s skill and value, a team like Montreal won’t be focusing on this position; there’s a saying in football – The player who doesn’t know where he belongs is oftentimes made a right fullback. Still, protecting him is an obvious simply because the threat of poaching by other teams is still existent.
Adrian Cann
The only defender on this list, Adrian Cann’s value is in his passport and his pedigree. The former Montreal Impact defender and Canadian international would be a perfect acquisition for Montreal, who would tout the signing as a homecoming.
Eric Avila
A young American with tremendous upswing and the ability to slot in anywhere in the midfield makes Eric a commodity that Toronto would love to protect. Eric Avila is the exact kind of player that, when left unprotected, will get picked up. Look what Vancouver did with Atiba Harris. Avila is of the same mold.
Torsten Frings
I don’t know why I put Toronto FC’s captain, most valuable player, hands-down most talented footballer, designated player, defensive organizer, midfield commander and crossing specialist on the protected list – oh wait, that’s why!
Nathan Sturgis
Yeah, you read that right. Nathan Sturgis, the least useful midfielder for Toronto FC is also probably the most valuable. For the same reason that Stefan Frei might want to be kept, Sturgis has more value to us than for an expansion draft loss, and Montreal knows it. Sturgis has high trade value, something Montreal may utilize (much like Mo Johnston did during Toronto’s expansion draft). It’s smarter to protect Sturgis and get a vital rebuilding piece than letting Montreal do the same. We gave up a first round draft pick for Sturgis and it would be quite a shame if he left for nothing.
Danny Koevermans
Look, I’m not trying to say that Danny Koevermans is the greatest striker Toronto FC have ever had and that keeping him unprotected would be the stupidest decision ever should Montreal bite on the bait. All I’m saying is that if you want to see the biggest collective facepalming across the south side of BMO Field, put Danny K on the exposed list and watch him score 20 goals (including 4 against Toronto) in an impact shirt in 2012!
Joao Plata
If we resign him, we need to protect him. It’s as simple as that. I can promise you, given the chance, every single team in MLS would snap up Joao Plata if he somehow becomes available.
The Bubble (2 Picked)
Players who are on the protection fringe.
Andy Iro
Columbus’ former giant had a mixed season with Toronto. Decent performances were overshadowed by colossal mistakes. Iro may be useful in the future but he’s by no means a guaranteed protection.
Terry Dunfield
Canadian, midfielder, international player, and a decent depth player. Terry’s salary may be drastically increased next season which would put Montreal off, but being a Canadian international overrides the salary demands. He’s an interesting player
Julian de Guzman
For those who recall my predictions last year, I also left de Guzman unprotected when Vancouver entered the league. Last year, I said de Guzman should be left unprotected because it would allow us to get rid of him; now, de Guzman’s protection is a toss up. I doubt Montreal would take him but at the same time, losing de Guzman now would feel like a loss more than a gain. It’s totally Aron Winter’s call in my opinion.
Ryan Johnson
He’s great, in our 4-3-3, but heavily left footed and aging, Ryan Johnson may not need protection at all simply because Montreal don’t need him.
Peri Marosevic
Protecting Peri is contingent on the rumour mills. He’s not quite unknown enough to elude all trades and transfers but he’s not well known enough to be protected. If Toronto hears whispers of a possible steal by Montreal, they’d do well to protect him.
Nick Soolsma
The lovely part of being Soolsma is that, beyond Aron Winter’s 4-3-3, he’s basically not an MLS player. Montreal don’t need him, nor has he produced enough to warrant an expansion draft spot, but in our system, he’s a perfect depth winger. Doesn’t need to be protected.
Who would I protect as the final two? Ryan Johnson and Terry Dunfield.
The Expendables
These players do not require protection, and are affordable to lose.
Ty Harden
Replaceable and completely common in MLS.
Danliegh Borman
The remnants of the De Rosario trade, did little to deserve a spot next year.
Kyle Davies
Such a non-factor that taking him would be an ideal, really, but Montreal won’t, because why would they?
Dicoy Williams
Injured, and based on Winter’s comments, could be out for a while longer. Again, completely pointless for Montreal to take.
Eddy Viator
French speaking Eddy Viator may be an option simply because he speaks the language. Other than that, another expendable defender.
Mikael Yourassowsky
Expect Yourassowsky to be gone by the beginning of the season anyway.
Elbekay Bouchiba
Montreal’s front office team will look at Bouchiba and ask themselves who he is?
Leandre Griffit
The most likely option for a steal. French born winger/midfielder who wants more than anything to play regular football. If he’s not taken in the expansion draft, Montreal may want to take a look at him after the fact.
Gianluca Zavarise
Not up to par to be a regular in this league.
Javier Martina
There’s a series of players in Toronto who make their careers when they leave; for this year’s crop, Martina is most likely to succeed elsewhere.
Ultimately, Toronto FC have talent in abundance, but most of the attractive players Montreal will be looking for are protected automatically as homegrown player or protected in the 10 picks. This list would be incredibly difficult to assemble if homegrown players weren’t automatically protected, but here, as the rules stand, is the best-case scenario for Toronto FC. My prediction? Montreal skips Toronto entirely and, instead, negotiates a trade deal with other teams for a protected player.
|