Thursday, February 24, 2011

Disney Pro Soccer Classic- glimpses of the rebuilding job, so far...

The first pre-season game out of Florida was streamed on the TFC website last night and it was a treat to be watching TFC 2011, Coach Winter rebuild version.  The game ended with a Toronto FC loss, final score 3-2 for the Houston Dynamo.
The first half was the enjoyable one. Toronto scored twice, Peterson and Dero, but Houston scored twice too. There was some smooth Toronto ball control and midfield movement, but defending lapses were ugly. TFC seemed to have the ball too often in their back four and no routes going forward.
You would have to be nuts to read too much into this game. There were plenty of subs for both teams. You had no idea which of the new faces are potential starters and which ones are going to be saying adios. When DeRo left the game, you had the feeling that the potential for attack went with him.
Remember a few weeks ago when Coach Winter said that a designated player could be signed before the start of the season. This team needs a star, striker or winger would do.

Next game will be Saturday against Orlando City in this same tourney. I would expect that there will be the same mixture line-up approach. There are tough days ahead, but the journey has begun. Anyone feel that somebody's play caught their eye?

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Three players land roster spots after Turkish training camp?

There is nothing official yet, but Coach Winter mentioned that the Dutch trialists below have been signed following the Turkish training camp. Bouchiba is the veteran player, but the other two are on the young side of 25.

The other news of late was the selection of TSN as the MLS Canadian broadcaster. I hold nothing back on this one, I hate TSN. The underlying tone to their broadcasts is whatever you are watching (and in my case it is mostly Raptors basketball and PGA) you are really just a hockey fan and they will use every break to update you on the NHL latest. Listen you puckheads, I don't care. TSN, I don't think you are capable of imagining how little I care about the NHL. I just know that you are going to mess up Toronto FC broadcasts beyond description. Then you will punctuate your awful shows with the latest from testosterone concussion land. You heard it here first.

Elbekay Bouchiba - Midfielder

Javier Martina - Striker

Nick Soolsma - Striker