Jacob Peterson - midfielder picked up from Colorado

Toronto FC traded allocation money to the Colorado Rapids and midfielder Jacob Peterson was acquired. That's him on the lower end of the above pic. It is not surprising that midfielders are on the Preki shopping list, three midfielders were released in December. It is good to have a transaction to talk about, but news about signing a long term agreement with the players would be needed before bigger moves can be made.

OK, relationship between odd names and MLS draft firmly established

Yes, I am determined to be culturally sensitive and recognize that soccer is a global game,
but top names from the draft today would have to include...

Dilly Duka
Bright Dike
Corben Bone
Tim Ream
Andrew Wiedman
Isaac Kissi
Chris Cutshaw
Kris Banghart

Nane Joseph - TFC's 4th round pick in 2010 draft

The emotional part of the old fan brain is cheering for this guy. It is the great underdog story, the late, late draft pick who turns out to be a star. TFC history would indicate that he has very little chance of sticking with the team. Brian Edwards is the only second round pick who has been on the roster of late. Andy Boyens in year one was a second round pick who played some games. Toronto's first round picks over the years would be Mo Edu, Julius James, O'Brien White, Sam Cronin and Stephan Frei. I honestly can't recall a 4th round pick ever surviving training camp.

Zachary Herold - TFC's 2nd round pick of 2010 draft

Meet Zachary Herold, Toronto's first pick in the draft today. A young defender, a US Under 17 player, he will be referring to Gomez and Attakora as "the old guys".
There were some whispers of trades and TFC moving up in the draft, but nothing yet. I will keep you posted.

Best Wishes for the Holiday Season

All the best to you and yours. Whatever you celebrate, do it with gusto. Bring on the New Year I say, then the countdown to MLS season 2010 can begin.

Midfielder clear out continues, no shock as Vitti goes

Toronto FC is moving swiftly into the Preki era. Yesterday Amado Guevara was let loose, today Pablo Vitti goes walking too. I guess the new coach was not impressed with the 2 goals, 1 assist in 32 appearances statistic .
Lesly Fellinga, the most obscure of TFC players has also been released.
Three midfielders off the roster and two of them had large contracts (at least in MLS 2009 terms) must give us all a clear idea of what has crept to the top of Preki's Christmas shopping list.
Stay tuned.

Guevara could be gone?

There are reports that TFC's midfielder Amado Guevara has signed for two years with Motagua in Honduras.
Ben Rycroft has the details here at Metro.

I was a big fan of Guevara's skill, guts and guile. He had ball skills galore, was always willing to drive forward with the ball in search of holes in the defense. He often seemed to be the only guy in red (ok, Dichio could do it too) who understood that drawing fouls was part of the game. He was also disciplined as a defender. He may have been too slight to be a crunching tackler, but he knew where to be. I guess that ability, knowing where to be, led him to depart Toronto and new coach Preki at the first opportunity.
It was a treat to see him play in Toronto for two years. I will be cheering for him to do well next summer at the South Africa World Cup. Adios.

Other news has been a December trickle- new asst. coach from Chivas as Preki brings in his guys. Winsper gone. Argos threat to the soccer turf as potent as their threat to be considered a big team in these parts...