With the Major League Soccer Transfer window barely open, the opening moves have been made and rumors permeate across the MLS with implications for Toronto FC.
TFC has yet to make transfer related moves in terms of adding player talent, but it did address the concern of fitness by adding Paul Winsper to their staff from Newcastle United. Coach Mo Johnston was very pleased with the addition and hopefully will nip in the bud possible injuries during the hectic summer months.
While Toronto waits for Trader Mo to make a player related move, other clubs that will try to block Toronto from glory in 2008 have made some important choices. Two clubs in particular, close in final regular season position when related to Toronto FC stand out in particular: the Kansas City Wizards and the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Kansas City, the team to garner the last playoff spot in 2007, is rumored to lose Eddie Johnson to English side Fulham. Johnson scored 15 times in 24 games, six times were game winners. The Wizards also have lost Nick Garcia to San Jose for the 1st pick in the draft on Friday then traded Jose Burciaga Jr. to the Colorado Rapids for their 2nd round pick. Garcia and Burciaga have both featured on defense for several years and their departure leaves a hole which at this point seems likely to be filled by younger talents from the draft.
With KC potentially losing key players, a door opens for the Reds. If Johnson ends up in England the Wizards attack will have to look elsewhere for offensive magic. There are no players in the draft able to take over and I am unconvinced of their current roster players to make useful offensive additions. KC will be able to add some players, most likely address departure of the core of their defense via the draft. It appears that Julius James would be the pundits choice as a starting point to fill this void. The loss of three key players weakens a Wizards squad that just beat out the Columbus Crew for the last spot by three points.
Contrary to the moves of the Wizards, the Galaxy seem to be making a bid to seek fame in 2008 and are casting the dice on winning this season and next. The Gals have added midfielder Clint Mathis from New York and forward Carlos Ruiz from FC Dallas. With Beckham looking to have a healthy 2008 season, the Galaxy is a much more dangerous squad than the 2007 campaign. Beckham, Donovan and Mathis combine as a formidable trio of midfielders and Ruiz will give credibility to the forward position that already has potential star Quavas Kirk developing in the wings. The Galaxy are lacking a keeper after the loss of MLS veteran Cannon to San Jose and his departure will be a tough void to fill.
Until we see what happens on draft day this Friday, the picture will remain muddy. Nonetheless, TFC fans can expect two different clubs next time the Reds face either the Wizards or the Galaxy in 2008 as opposed to 2007. One thing will remain the same; both of these clubs are important stepping stones for TFC and should be used as a benchmark if the team is to make the playoffs.
While there are more transfers to come, already there are signs pointing to a potentially strong 2008 campaign for Toronto FC. With a solid core of players in place, Reds supporters should be confident when looking towards next season. With the Wizards apparently reloading and the Galaxy putting their eggs in one expensive basket, TFC is in position to make moves towards a playoff birth.
Mathis, Beckham and Donovan, if healthy, will be a very formidable midfield trio and with Ruiz upfront, Toronto could have problems defensively. However, injuries could relegate Galaxy dreams of fame to mere overpaid California dreaming. If and when injuries do happen, look for the Galaxy to fall short.
The Wizards are likely not to be the “force” they were last season and appear to be looking towards being competitive when their new stadium is ready. Thus far, Kansas City appears to be lacking offensive fire power, has been seriously weakened on defense and could be without a very good keeper. Teams with predatory playoff instincts should view the Wizards as potential prey. The players Kansas City are losing are not freely available in MLS and with the moves they have made it is not illogical to assume that Kansas City is looking towards developing in 2008 to win in 2009.
For TFC, fame and fortune will rest with Trader Mo Johnston. What happens in the coming months is crucial for success. With Canadian Josh Wagenaar rumored to be heading to the club his addition would firmly address any goalkeeping issues. Wagenaar would be a definitive move in the right direction for a club that suffered from par to sub par keeping on many nights and Wagenaar could possibly be an improvement over Sutton.
With the Wizards and Galaxy striking out in separate directions, TFC faithful will be looking towards Mo Johnston to see if he is able to make the right moves when adding to a TFC squad that in 2007 ended up decimated by an injury epidemic. The bright side is that the squad was competitively good when healthy. With a solid core in place if Johnston can add the right pieces to the TFC puzzle, pre-season confidence in a playoff match up being hosted in Toronto will not be misplaced.
