MLS Transfer market is opening very soon, and TFC starts fast, signing former Germany national team and Werder Bremen midfielder Torsten Frings and former PSV striker Danny Koevermans and their 2nd and 3rd DPs. Glasgow Rangers and Leeds were among teams that are interested in Frings but he chooses to move across the pond instead. Koevermans is a legit scorer that TFC badly needs.
Both will not be able to play until July 15th though.
This is what Aron Winter (and maybe Klinsmann, again?) can do other than coaching the team, effectively luring more higher-end talents.
- TFC acquired Whitecaps' Terry Dunfield in exchange for allocation money.
- While the deal has not been finalized yet, TFC also reportly traded Nana Attatora, Alan Gordon and Jacob Peterson to San Jose Earthquakes for Ryan Johnson, allocation money and an international slot.
TFC is out of MLS Playoff, but they still have a chance in qualifying to the next round of CONCACAF Champions League. TFC held on Pumas 1-1 at in Toronto, while FC Dallas lost to Tauro in Panama 5-3.
FCD and TFC are now tie at 7 points, 2nd and 3rd with FCD has one goal difference advantage. TFC @ FCD next three weeks will be the decision game. TFC win, they are through. If they tie, TFC is technically out because of goal differences even Tauro beating Pumas.
Toronto FC's 5th season is finally wrapped up with a 2-2 tie against NE Revolution at BMO Field.
This season should be graded as an okay one considering the team is in a "total rebuilding" phase. Aron Winter's 4-3-3 system didn't seem to work at the start and the early records show. But after some major signings and trades mid-season, the team slowly improved but wasn't enough to qualify for MLS Playoff, again.
Trading away Dwayne De Rosario is bad in any ways, but he was unhappy with team managements, which can be very bad in a long run if he stayed. Tony Tchani, who they got for DeRo, was promising for a big defensive midfielder up until DP signings. Then, Tchani was traded again for Andy Iro in desperation for a lefty center back. Iro was a pure stiff, but still got a lot of play time because of Adrian Cann's season-ending injury.
The signings of Torsten Frings and Danny Koevermans are huge. Frings is a glue guy on the defensive side and Koevermans can score, and TFC had longed for those elements for a long time. They are expensive but so far they are worth it.
For others, Joao Plata is probably the MVP of the team this season. Ryan Johnson was serviceable. Richard Eckersley also played very well at the back. Julian De Guzman finally showed up in the second half of the season. Milos Kocic stepped up very well as a starting goalie for Stefen Frei.
Accomplishments:
- Winning Canadian Championship for the third time, three in a row.
- Qualified for CONCACAF Champions League quarter-finals.
- Winning Trillium Cup (the annual series against Columbus Crew) for the first time. Team's MVP IMO: Joao Plata (Runner-up: Danny Koevermans)
Re: Toronto FC 2011 Season Thread
