Toronto FC News

[Joe MacCarthy]

Toronto FC to join MLS fold in 2007
By Jason Halpin / MLSnet.com Staff
http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20060511&content_id=58784&vkey=news_t280&fext=.jsp&team=t280

http://www.mlsnet.com/images/2006/05/11/FzMF8GiO.jpg
Toronto FC will play at National Soccer Stadium at Exhibition Place.

Toronto FC became the 13th Major League Soccer team Thursday, as the club's name and logo were unveiled at the site of the team's future stadium in Toronto.

"This is an exciting day for soccer fans in Toronto who can now enjoy great quality soccer and have a team they can call their own," said Tom Anselmi, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, the investor-operator of the club. "Toronto provides the perfect backdrop for the world's number one sport given our city's diversity and affinity for soccer. We're committed to making Toronto FC and Major League Soccer a success."

The team was born in October 2005 after MLSE reached an agreement with the governments of Canada and Ontario to build a permanent soccer stadium at Toronto's Exhibition Place. MLSE's executives were introduced to the league's Board of Governors at MLS Cup 2005 in Frisco, Texas. The club is the first MLS team to be located outside of the United States.

"We're thrilled to have Toronto FC as the 13th team in Major League Soccer and our first international club," said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. "The combination of a new stadium, a diverse sports market and one of the elite sports and entertainment organizations in the world provides an exciting future for Major League Soccer in Canada."

The team's logo is simple in its design, featuring a shield dominated by a large "T" and a horizontal sash bearing the city's name. The emblem features the colors red and white, evoking a strong Canadian identity.

The team's name is purposefully simple, as well.

"The absence of a conventional sports nickname is deliberate," Anselmi added. "We wanted the whole city to feel ownership and we want to provide the opportunity for a meaningful nickname to emerge over time."

The National Soccer Stadium at Exhibition Place, which is currently under construction, will serve as Toronto FC's home, as well as the home of the Canadian national team. It will also be used for community soccer leagues.

"Toronto's soccer stadium represents a significant investment and commitment to city and community building by all levels of government, the Canadian Soccer Association and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment," Anselmi said. "We're excited that Toronto will finally have a dedicated soccer facility. Our new team and sports facility will play pivotal roles in developing the sport at all levels in Canada."

The 20,000-seat stadium is due to be completed in time for the start of the 2007 MLS season. The site will be excavated by the end of May, and seats and turf are scheduled to be installed by the end of the year.

Mere months after it hosts its first Toronto FC match, the venue - discussions are underway for naming rights - will host the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in July.

In addition to Toronto FC, MLSE owns several sports teams: the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs, the NBA's Toronto Raptors and the American Hockey League's Toronto Marlies. The company also owns the Air Canada Centre, in which the Leafs and Raptors play, as well as two digital channels - Leafs TV and Raptors NBA TV.

Jason Halpin is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.

[Joe MacCarthy]

About Toronto FC
http://toronto.fc.mlsnet.com/MLS/t280/about/

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) and Major League Soccer (MLS) unveiled Toronto FC as the city's newest professional sports team on May 11, 2006. Toronto becomes the 13th Major League Soccer team and the first outside of the United States. During the ceremony, Toronto FC’s emblem was also unveiled.

Major League Soccer granted Toronto a team in October 2005 after an agreement was reached to build a permanent soccer stadium at Exhibition Place in the city.

"This is an exciting day for soccer fans in Toronto who can now enjoy great quality soccer and a have a team they can call their own," said Tom Anselmi, executive vice-president and chief operating officer at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. “Toronto provides the perfect backdrop for the world’s number one sport given our city’s diversity and affinity for soccer. We’re committed to making Toronto FC and Major League Soccer a success.”

The strength of Toronto FC’s name is its simplicity. The emblem integrates a traditional shield with contemporary imagery. The acronym FC is synonymous with soccer and great soccer clubs around the world choose to emphasize their cities’ names.

“The absence of a conventional sports nickname is deliberate,” Anselmi added. “We wanted the whole city to feel ownership and we want to provide the opportunity for a meaningful nickname to emerge over time.”

Toronto’s first professional soccer team will take to the pitch next spring wearing red and white colours that reflect a strong Canadian identity.

“We’re thrilled to have Toronto FC as the 13th team in Major League Soccer and our first international club,” said Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber. “The combination of a new stadium, a diverse sports market and one of the elite sports and entertainment organizations in the world provides an exciting future for Major League Soccer in Canada.”

Toronto FC will play an instrumental role in growing soccer and has formed pivotal relationships with the Canadian Soccer Association and Ontario Soccer Association to further develop the sport.

The National Soccer Stadium at Exhibition Place, presently under construction, will serve as a permanent home for Toronto FC and the Canadian National team. It will also be accessible to community youth and adult soccer leagues.

Construction for the 20,000-seat stadium remains on schedule and on-budget with excavation completed by May, while seat and turf installation will be completed by year's end.

The stadium will open in time for the 2007 Major League Soccer season. Discussions are presently taking place with several organizations for the stadium naming rights. The facility will also play host to the FIFA Under-20 World Cup Championship in July 2007, an event that will garner an audience of more than 600 million worldwide.

"Toronto’s soccer stadium represents a significant investment and commitment to city and community building by all levels of government, the Canadian Soccer Association and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment," Anselmi commented. “We're excited that Toronto will finally have a dedicated soccer facility. Our new team and sports facility will play pivotal roles in developing the sport at all levels in Canada.”

Major League Soccer (MLS) is a premier professional soccer league founded in 1996 after the United States hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Now in its 11th season, MLS is experiencing a period of growth highlighted by expansion, the construction of soccer-specific stadiums and new investors. The League aims to have 16 teams by 2010.

Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE) is a privately held corporation that owns the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League (NHL), the Toronto Raptors of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the Toronto Marlies Hockey Club of the American Hockey League (AHL), Toronto FC of Major League Soccer, Air Canada Centre and two digital channels — Leafs TV and Raptors NBA TV.

Soccer fans can visit www.torontofc.ca (MLS website) for the latest information on club memberships, season tickets and team updates.

[Joe MacCarthy]

T.O. unveils MLS club
By DAN RALPH
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/Canada/2006/05/11/1575031-cp.html

TORONTO (CP) - Toronto FC is up and running.

The newest franchise in Major League Soccer formally announced its new name Thursday at a news conference at Ricoh Coliseum. It also unveiled its logo and officially launched its website - torontofc.ca.

Toronto FC will begin play in May 2007 at a soccer stadium that's under construction at Exhibition Place. The $62.9-million facility, which will have a seating capacity of 20,000, is due to be completed May 1, 2007, with the world under-20 soccer championship kicking off there July 1.

"Toronto is a very international city and (soccer) is the most international game in the world," said Don Garber, the president of MLS. "There is a real diverse and ethnic makeup and when you look at that formula of getting the right people who love the game and convert them into our version as opposed to having to teach them all about soccer, that's something that exists here in Toronto."

The soccer club's logo consists of a shield with a capital T and the letters F and C on either side of the base. And a banner featuring the Toronto name appears midway across the shield.

Toronto becomes the 13th franchise in MLS - and only one in Canada - with the league hoping to expand to 16 clubs by the 2010 season.

There's no denying there are plenty of soccer fans in Toronto. They proudly display their colours whenever their favourite teams excel in the World Cup or European championship and routinely flock to Rogers Centre when such super-powers as Manchester United or Glasgow Celtic are in town for exhibition games.

But they're also extremely fickle when it comes to supporting local franchises. Toronto had clubs in both the North American Soccer League and Canadian Soccer League but they folded, in large part due to a lack of fan support.

As well, the Toronto Lynx of the North American United Soccer League have consistently struggled at the turnstiles since its inception in 1997.

"Our sense is that soccer has evolved into a game where North America has come into its own in regards to soccer on an international field," said Larry Tanenbaum, the chairman of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, which owns the MLS club in addition to the NHL's Toronto Maple Leafs and NBA's Toronto Raptors. "It's our belief this is the right time and place for Major League Soccer to launch here.

"Let's wait and see because I really believe this will be exciting soccer to see and I think we will draw those people out."

Kevan Pipe, the chief executive officer of the Canadian Soccer Association, said the combination of having a viable professional team in Toronto playing in a soccer-dedicated stadium will give Canada a solid chance of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Canada has only qualified for the sport's biggest event once, in 1986.

"By having this club in Toronto, we will now have 12 to 15 solid, professional players who will be attracted to coming back to Canada to play for this club in 2007," Pipe said. "And they will have had two seasons under their belts by the time our World Cup qualifying efforts come together.

"Yes, it is an achievable goal."

Pipe's comments might appear brash, given Canada was ranked a distant 84th in the last FIFA world rankings, sandwiched between Jordan and Libya. But he said the MLS has played a big role in the U.S. becoming a soccer power with a No. 4 world ranking because the league has given its top players a place to play and hone their skills.

"Certainly, we have our challenges cut out for us," he said. "The mathematical process of the FIFA rankings is you can go on a heck of a tear and it's a slow process up.

"The most important thing is to get into the World Cup. The rankings will follow."

[Joe MacCarthy]

T.O. joins MLS
Toronto FC will play in new $62M stadium in April 2007
By MARK KEAST - Toronto Sun
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/Canada/2006/05/12/1576468-sun.html

Toronto's pro soccer team now has a name -- Toronto FC -- and a smart new logo, unveiled yesterday at the Ricoh Coliseum.

There's a new $62-million soccer stadium scheduled for completion a year from now. The stadium, being built on the CNE grounds and financed by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, the federal government, the province and the city, is on time and budget, according to Bob Hunter, MLSE's executive vice-president, who's also running the facility.

Yesterday there were fireworks, dignitaries and kind words. Don Garber, the commissioner of the Major Soccer League, was on hand, talking about how an MLS team will become a feeder system for a beefed up Canadian national team looking for a berth in the 2010 World Cup, like what happened in the U.S. after the MLS got going 10 years ago.

So it was a good news day for MLSE and soccer enthusiasts. But it was acknowledged the hard part is about to begin.

That's doing what other long deceased pro soccer franchises in Toronto failed to do well enough -- getting out into the community, especially Toronto's multicultural communities where passion for the sport runs deepest, convincing people to buy a ticket and put their butts into seats.

If you build it, they won't necessarily come, not with the bounty of entertainment options in the city.

That's something Richard Peddie, president and CEO of MLSE, which owns the MLS franchise, admits wasn't handled well with the company's American Hockey League franchise, the Toronto Marlies, which played in front of mostly empty seats this season.

"We learned a lot about how to market soccer from marketing the Marlies," he said.

"More group sales, get out into the community. We took the hockey connection, the Leafs, for granted. We want to add 10 more people to the (Marlies) sales force. You can't just open the door and expect them to come. You have to be hunters, not just gatherers."

Said Hunter: "This is going to be a tough go. You pay the franchise fee and contribute to the cost of the stadium. You have to sell a lot of tickets to get that return on investment."

So that's the next phase.

Toronto FC is the MLS's 13th franchise, its first international club, and Garber says the objective is to expand that to 16 franchises by 2010.

The league is looking to change its playoff format. Currently, the top four teams in both conferences get in, but Toronto's entry tilts the balance. The conference which Toronto joins will be determined later this year.

The team, wearing red and white colours to reflect its Canadian identity, will start play in April 2007.

Following that will be the FIFA under-20 World Cup Championship at the new stadium in July, the third chapter after the opening of the stadium and the start of the MLS season which Canadian Soccer Association chief operating officer Kevan Pipe says will, "change the face of the game in this area overnight."

[Joe MacCarthy]

Execs put on hot seat
Grilled about other business
By LANCE HORNBY - Toronto Sun
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/Canada/2006/05/12/1576469-sun.html

http://i2.tinypic.com/zj8nlc.jpg
Tom Anselmi of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment unveils the new logo of Major League Soccer's newest team Toronto FC, Thursday, May 11, 2006. It begins play in 2007. (Toronto Sun/Veroncia Henri)

They wanted the focus to be on the new soccer team, but the tentacles of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd. often get tangled in their various enterprises.

So when chairman Larry Tanenbaum, president Richard Peddie and executive vice-president Tom Anselmi unveiled Toronto FC yesterday at Ricoh Coliseum, questions quickly turned to hockey, the future of next door's new stadium, the Argonauts and even rumoured MLSEL board turmoil.

Tanenbaum, who rarely faces a public grilling, was asked the chances of success with a Major League Soccer franchise next year in a $72-million home, while his hockey and basketball teams missed the playoffs and the minor-league hockey team plays to sparse crowds.

"Well, there's going to be a next year," Tanenbaum said "We're only focused on building winning teams here. That's what our board and shareholders are all about. Toronto FC will be one of them.

"We have an incredibly strong leadership team. In this case, Tom will be leading the charge (as the soccer team's de facto president)."

Tanenbaum insisted this pro soccer venture will fly where others haven't because "times have changed" and that the Marlies success from a logistical and developmental aspect made the financial losses bearable.

Peddie said the steel for the new structure should be going in by next month after unexpected sidetracking to dig up the old foundations of CNE Stadium.

And when talking up the 20,000 seat capacity and its concert potential, Peddie couldn't help mentioning that it could accommodate a Canadian Football League team. The Argos and the City of Toronto investigated the Ex for a new stadium a couple of years ago, but didn't proceed and the team stayed with the Blue Jays in a renovated Rogers Centre. But there's an option to escape the Rogers lease after 2009 and co-owner Howard Sokolowski said last year "I never rule anything out."

"We don't want to tamper with that lease," Peddie said. "I've not talked to Howard and (partner) David Cynamon about moving. But physically, we're capable of football, as long as it's 20,000 seats."

Tanenbaum was asked if the "football" connotation in FC was not stepping on the Boatmen's toes to a degree.

"I think the way we spell it is 'futbol', so it's different," he replied. "Toronto FC and the Argos are definitely two different names, two different sports."

If Sokolowski was miffed at the name, he was diplomatic about it yesterday.

"I'm not sure what FC means," he told the Sun's Perry Lefko. "I thought it was a soccer team. In the meantime, I wish them best of luck and look forward to the stadium going up."

There have been persistent reports that Tanenbaum is on thin ice, armed with only a 13% ownership stake and in danger of being moved aside, if the Ontario Teachers Pension Plan flexes its 58% stake. Publisher Ken Thomson also might increase his 15% stake at the expense of the teachers, with either scenario knocking out Tanenbaum and perhaps Peddie.

"My future sits right here," Tanenbaum said, within earshot of board members.

MLSEL sources say Peddie's deal goes to 2009, though the latter would only say he's subjected to annual board reviews.

[Fuςion]

The logo looks sweet. Whens the jersey comming out?

[Joe MacCarthy]

Generic FC
Ben Knight May 12, 2006
Toronto's pro soccer team has an odd name, a cool logo - and no identity.
Sportsnet.ca News
http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/columnist.jsp?content=20060512_170215_6792

In fairness, it was a difficult problem. What do you call a soccer team, when just about any nickname you choose will offend someone you can't afford to offend?

You won't get "serious" soccer fans with another dumb animal nickname. Toronto-based Liverpool and Juventus fans (and there are lots of them) won't be buying Toronto Otters scarves and replica jerseys, no matter how big the manic grin on the inevitable cartoon rodent.

But if you try to invoke one of the great teams of Europe, you offend everyone. Inter Toronto was kicked around for awhile. But if you're not a fan of Inter Milan, you're certainly not going to wear blue and black for their upstart MLS imitators. And if you are an Inter fan, you sure don't need a cheap, domestic knock-off that never won anything pretending to be your team.

A bunch of us - fans and reporters alike - lobbied for a revival of the old Toronto Blizzard. Yeah, in all honesty, it was a pretty dumb nickname at the time. But there was some honest, heartfelt history behind it by the end, and it would have gladdened many hearts to add a few new chapters to that book.

Ah, but Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, Toronto's MLS owners, knew better. They did surveys, you see. And you can't argue with surveys.

So, no Blizzard. (Sigh!) But mercifully, no Inter Toronto either. (Whew!)

And so, Toronto, put your hands together! Raise your voices high! Let's get glad for the lads! Let's scream for our team! Will you welcome...

Toronto FC?

Thud.

Now, I'm a huge supporter of Canada's entry into MLS. I look forward to covering this team closely, and writing intriguing, enjoyable articles about its players, coaches, strategies and overall place in the history of Canadian soccer. I don't intend to be a homer, but there will be important, positive stories to tell, and a likely shortage of interested media outlets ready to tell them.

But, in the tepid name of lukewarm tapioca, this has to be one of the dullest, drabbest, least heartfelt team nicknames in history. The only thing to rival it also came from MLS, when the Dallas Burn (dumb name, but at least it wasn't an animal), changed their moniker to ...

FC Dallas.

I bet you just can't wait for that inaugural Toronto-Dallas game in 2007? Confused fans won't know what the FC is going on.

On top of that, Toronto FC will take the field in red and white - presumably so you can tell the difference between them and the Canadian national team, who are pretty sure to have quite a few of the same players.

Trim colour? Grey. Now, I happen to really like grey. Red and grey are, in fact, my two favourite colours. But it's a very odd combination for a professional soccer team. Almost unheard of, except for perennial Italian minnows Cremonese. (Memo to MLSE: Invite Cremonese over for a friendly, ASAP. Let's solve this red-and-grey global supremacy thing once and for all!)

Toronto FC, then, is a team that will create its own identity on the field. Fans will come up with nicknames on their own, which is actually a fine and time-tested tradition in soccer. Very few soccer clubs have normal nicknames anyway. Arsenal may also be known as the Gunners, but no one ever calls them the Arsenal Gunners. Nor do you ever hear anyone say the Chelsea Blues, Liverpool Reds, Wigan Athletic Latics or West Browmich Albion Baggies-Throstles-Albion.

From that angle, this might actually be a cute and cunning approach.

But what about marketing? It has been written here, on multiple occasions, that Toronto FC is going to have to create its fan base from scratch. Marketing is going to be huge. So you've sidestepped (for now) the problem of a nickname that offends traditional footy fans, but what have you got left to market?

The logo is pretty cool. A neat shield design, topped by a clever maple leaf crafted from old-style soccer ball segments. It's not flashy, but that could be a plus. Soccer fans are a pretty traditional bunch, on average, and I think we're all a bit weary of the nauseating nicknames, logos and colour schemes that pretty much loused up the sports world in general throughout the nineties. A bit of tastefully restrained minimalism is actually quite refreshing.

But it's still a huge gamble.

I want to believe the suits at MLSE know exactly what they're doing. I want to believe they are bright, rational, forward-looking folk who are up to the challenge, even if their hockey and basketball teams, for the moment, aren't.

I like the fact that they got this far without offending old-school soccer fans. But I think I'd feel a whole lot better if the unveiling of the new team's name, colours and logo had actually been exciting.

... To anyone.

Onward!

[--Dev.Play10--]

OH yes man!! I am definitly getting a jersey when it comes out. Born in the T-Dot over here ;) I hope we will able to rip every other team and I hope DeRosario goes there. Do you guys think DeRosario will join Toronto FC

[tino_lettieri]

That's great news for Canada Soccer for sure, hopefully after our stadium here in Montreal is built we can get franchise #14

[Joe MacCarthy]

If Mr Saputo had an attitude change re ownership about MLS, Montreal could get in tomorrow (figuratively speaking) but until that changes, look for Vancouver to join in 2009 when the Toronto exclusivity agreement expires and hopefully Montreal will join Vancouver as well.

I'm just hoping he doesn't back out of the stadium.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Toronto FC - The Official Site of Toronto FC
www.torontofc.ca or
http://toronto.fc.mlsnet.com/MLS/t280/index.jsp

[Joe MacCarthy]

Tks to Splatypus at BS for headsup

Toronto FC story on Sportsnet Soccer Central at youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4a658dHIIk

Downloadable link for story (TorontoFC.avi) 34 Mb at sendspace
http://38.99.150.155/dl/d9241f5c963e42d69d9ef07f5e854809/44e75d53/nkim2m/TorontoFC.avi

[Xizor]

Toronto FC to join the MLS, interesting!

[Joe MacCarthy]

Peddie plans soccer surge
By GEORGE GROSS -- Toronto Sun
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/Canada/2006/08/20/1766623-sun.html

The horns of thousands of cars adorned with green-white-red flags saluting Italy's World Cup triumph were blaring on Toronto streets at all hours a few weeks ago.

A Canadian flag rarely was seen.

Richard Peddie, president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd., hopes that one of the billion-dollar corporation's teams one day will change that.

Sitting in his Air Canada Centre office, Peddie is convinced that one of his teams -- the Maple Leafs, Raptors or soccer's Toronto FC -- will reach the Holy Grail in its particular sport.

"We are making progress with the Leafs and Raptors, but we also have high hopes for our soccer team in Major League Soccer," he said. "When I looked at the soccer rankings, I realized that Canada is not even in the top 50. We plan to rectify that.

"We will pretty soon announce an internationally experienced coach. He and our scouts will then travel to Europe to check on Canadian players. We plan to sign seven or eight Canadians for our 18-man squad. They will play together in 32 league matches and could form the basis of a strong Canadian national team. That team, then, could work on improving our (soccer) reputation."

Peddie certainly has a nose for business, which is why MLSEL chairman Larry Tanenbaum and the Teachers Fund officials bank on his recommendations. That is based not only on his performance with MLSEL, but also on his business record with previous companies. He believes in all Major Soccer League partners. And what is not to believe in when that includes such well-heeled partners as Philip Anschutz and Lamar Hunt?

Anschutz, who owns the Los Angeles Kings and has shares in the Lakers, besides numerous other business companies, fell in love with soccer after watching the 1994 World Cup final, using two complimentary tickets. Since then, he has purchased four MLS teams and spent more than $100 million US to keep them above water.

Hunt, a mining magnate and founder of the American Football League, also owns multiple teams in MLS, a fact not lost on Peddie.

About meeting Anschutz, the reclusive patriarch of North American professional soccer, Peddie had this to say:

"Can you imagine sitting for hours with a man of such wealth, discussing every detail of the operation of the soccer league. The same thing happens with Lamar Hunt."

Peddie's vision lies beyond just the pro team. Toronto FC will have a development team that will attempt to keep young Canadian prospects on home turf, rather than have them go overseas to gain experience. He would be proudest if some of those Toronto FC players make Canada's World Cup team.

"Some writers in this city are xenophobic about soccer," Peddie said. "But with them or without them, soccer will be big in this city one day. We know it and that is why we became involved in its development. We don't expect any miracles from the soccer team in its first year of operation. We don't expect them to win the championship or even make the playoffs. But I know that they will be competitive."

Hopefully, the same will be said of his other two franchises who wouldn't mind some springtime horn-honking of their own.

GROSSLY ABBREVIATED

Montreal's Dick Pound, chairman of the World Anti-Doping Agency, has finished his seventh book -- Inside Dope -- which will be on store shelves next month. Pound still insists that a large number of athletes -- hockey players, cyclists, soccer, baseball and football players -- are taking banned substances. "It is pretty pervasive in cycling when second-, third- and fourth-place finishers are caught," he says ... Every week, 50,000 viewers tune in to GOLTV. They are showing pro soccer games from Germany and, starting next month, will air games from Spain, Italy, Brazil, as well as English Premier League games from Liverpool and Arsenal.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Toronto hires Johnston as head coach
Ives Galarcep
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=376689&campaign=rss&source=soccernet&cc=5901

Toronto FC, the expansion team set to join Major League Soccer in 2007, has chosen former Red Bulls head coach and Scottish legend Mo Johnston to be the team's first head coach when it begins play next year.

According to sources within Major League Soccer, Toronto FC and Johnston are finalizing a deal that will make the Scottish legend head coach of his second team this season, just two months after being fired as coach of the New York Red Bulls. The sides are expected to reach an agreement later this week.

Johnston beat out a group of candidates that included current D.C. United assistant Tom Soehn and former U.S. national team assistant Curt Onalfo.

The first MLS franchise to be based outside of the United States, Toronto FC will begin play in 2007 with a roster that will be made up mainly of Canadian players. Unlike the other teams in MLS, which count American players as domestic players on their rosters, Toronto will field a team where Canadian players count as domestic players. MLS officials are still finalizing the parameters of Toronto's roster restrictions but a league source said Toronto FC will have between four and six slots for non-Canadian senior players. Construction on Toronto FC's new home, National Soccer Stadium, has already begun and the 20,000-seat venue is expected to open next spring.

Johnston expressed interest in the Toronto position even before he was fired by the Red Bulls. Johnston's first meeting with Toronto officials came on June 26, just a day after his final game as Red Bulls head coach and a day before the Red Bulls fired him. According to a source, Johnston drew the wrath of Red Bulls officials, who gave Johnston permission to meet with Toronto, after learning that Johnston informed the team of his meeting with Toronto before the Red Bulls' 2-0 loss to Chicago on June 25.

Johnson, who played for Scotland in the 1990 World Cup, became a popular figure in European soccer after signing with Scottish club Rangers after having played for and after being a life-long supporter of archrival Celtic. Johnston spent six seasons in MLS (1999-2001) and served as captain of the Kansas City Wizards' MLS Cup-winning squad in 2000 before retiring as a player in 2001. He joined the MetroStars in 2003 as Bob Bradley's assistant coach, serving in that position for three years before replacing Bradley at the tail end of the 2005 season. He became the club's full-time coach after helping the MetroStars qualify for the 2005 MLS playoffs with a 2-0-1 stretch in the team's final three matches.

[ulster21]

What are their chances of competing for the title their first year? Also, do a certain # of players on Toronto F.C. have to be Canadian?

[Joe MacCarthy]

Toronto FC announces ticket prices
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/Canada/2006/09/30/1924916-cp.html

TORONTO (CP) - Toronto FC has set the ticket prices for its inaugural Major League Soccer season.

The team, which will play at the brand new BMO Field, announced that single game tickets will range from $15 to $60.

Season ticket prices will cost as little as $200 for the supporters section, or as much as $1,700 for the club seats, which are available exclusively to season ticket holders. The team plays 16 home games in the regular season.

Tickets go on sale to the public on Nov. 1 through Ticketmaster.

Those interested can also join the Toronto FC members' club for $50 through the team's website (www.torontofc.ca) and receive ticket discounts.

[Joe MacCarthy]

MLS commissioner visits Toronto
By NEIL STEVENS
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/Canada/2006/10/18/2060035-cp.html

TORONTO (CP) - Jim Brennan, the only player signed to date by Toronto FC, will be joined by plenty of Canadians on the roster of the MLS expansion team.

The 12 U.S. teams in the league are allowed to sign a maximum of four non-American players, and commissioner Don Garber revealed Wednesday that rules will be applied to Toronto FC so that Canadians get a good portion of the roster spots when the team kicks off next spring.

Toronto will get to use four imports, and it will be allowed as many as three Americans on top of that if it so chooses. That means as many as 11 Canadians might be on the 18-man playing roster.

Toronto will pick players from the 12 other teams in an expansion draft in late November. It also will get first pick in the entry draft Jan. 12 in Indianapolis, Garber said.

There are Canadians playing for European teams and "we've got to find a way to get some of them home," said Garber, who was beating the drum for the expansion team while in the city as guest speaker at the annual Sports Media Canada luncheon.

While pro soccer has not made it big recently in Canada's largest metropolis, Garber is optimistic Toronto FC will be a smash hit because Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is a rich owner and because a soccer-only home - a 20,000-seat stadium on the lakeshore - is being built for the team. Six of the 13 MLS clubs will be playing in soccer-specific venues next season, and the league wants all clubs to eventually have such facilities.

"If we'd continued in the United States to play in football stadiums, this league would not have succeeded," Garber said during a news conference. "You've got people (in Toronto) who understand the sport.

"They don't want to sit in a baseball or a football stadium to watch soccer."

Former Scotland star Mo Johnston was named head coach in August. Brennan, a 29-year-old midfielder from Newmarket, Ont., signed a multi-year contract in September. A handful of other player signings are expected in the next two weeks, and the roster will be filled out during the expansion draft.

The league long eyed Toronto because of the "global and international nature of the city," said Garber. Toronto FC will have a racially diverse front office that will include a Mexican marketing chief.

There already have been "thousands" of inquiries about season tickets, said Garber, who visited Canada for CFL games in a previous job helping the NFL ally with the CFL.

"I get this country," he said.

The MLS salary cap for each team was US$1.9 million last season. The league's path is one of "slow, conservative, logical growth," said Garber. Television networks are showing growing interest in expanded coverage of the 10-year-old league, he added.

[Joe MacCarthy]

MLS commish optimistic
Garber says league will work in T.O.
By MIKE RUTSEY -- Toronto Sun
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/Canada/2006/10/19/2068645-sun.html

http://i11.tinypic.com/447wkzr.jpg
Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber's plan for the game in North America is "slow, conservative, steady, logical growth." (Toronto Sun/Stan Behal)

Don Garber, commissioner of Major League Soccer, breezed through town yesterday afternoon but not before a media conference where he was bubbling with enthusiasm over his league's latest addition.

Forget the fact that Toronto has been a virtual graveyard for professional soccer investors in the past and that the Toronto FC is the MSL's 13th franchise -- Garber believes the future of soccer in this city has never looked brighter.

Fueling Garber's enthusiasm is the trio of ownership (Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment); the stadium (a new $60 million only for soccer facility that will open on time for the 2007 season); and the city itself with its multicultural roots.

"One of the things that I found very striking, and it surprised me a bit, is the ethnic and racially diversity of the team staff," Garber said after a morning visit with them. "As an American we live in a country made up of every other country from around the world and I'm not sure that all Americans think of Canada as being as diverse as the United States is.

"But one of the things that attracted us to Toronto was the global and international nature of this city and clearly the Toronto FC staff is as diverse as any MLS front-office staff and probably moreso. As a new, young, forward-thinking sports league these things are very important to us and we want our staffs to represent the diversity of the audiences that we're going after."

But what will make Toronto FC a success when there's been so much failure in the past? It's the MLS's overall plan, Garber replied.

"Soccer tried to succeed in the United States a number of times and and failed as well," Garber said. "Two months ago we announced the first long-term (eight year) television agreements in the history of the sports with major network and cable operators. That never existed in the NASL or the ASL.

"The league's approach of slow, conservative, steady, logical growth is our plan to ensure soccer has a solid foundation and will continue to thrive. We have learned from other sports leagues that have gone out of business because of a bad plan.

"And clearly Toronto is a different city today than it was 10 years ago, 20 years ago."

Having a soccer-specific stadium, he said, is a key.

"If we had to continue to play in American Football stadiums this league would have not succeeded, it would have failed," he said. "It is that direct. In Toronto, we wouldn't be here if we had to play at the Rogers Centre

"Most importantly, and this is a great example of this community, you have people that understand the game. They don't want to go to a baseball stadium or a football stadium to watch a soccer game. (Otherwise) We're not going to get the people that really get the game."

As for the next step in Toronto FC's development is the expansion draft, which will be held at the end of November at a yet-to-be-determined date and the annual player entry draft which will be held Jan. 12 in Indianapolis with Toronto awarded the first pick.

The rules regarding the team's roster makeup will be slightly different than the other 12 U.S. based teams that are allowed a maximum of four foreign players. Toronto FC, Garber said, will be able to have the four international players plus three additional players from the U.S. with the rest of the team comprised of Canadian players.

Garber was the honoured guest at yesterday's Sports Media Canada awards. Toronto's Stacy Allaster, president of the Women's Tennis Association, received the executive of the year award, CBC's Ron MacLean was named broadcaster of the year and the Calgary Herald's George Johnson was sportswriter of the year.

TSN host Dave Hodge and Sportsnet president Doug Beeforth received lifetime achievement awards.

[shevafan]

MLS is having an expansion and is adding a new team from Toronto-Toronto FC. Anyone who lives in Toronto and might become a fan come to this thread and discuss about the new team which is starting in the 2007 season.
For more information: http://toronto.fc.mlsnet.com

[Calif]

So are we going to have Toronto FC in the MLS 2007?

[shevafan]

So are we going to have Toronto FC in the MLS 2007?
yes

[Joe MacCarthy]

Buzz in the air over Toronto FC soccer club
Alek Gazdic, toronto.ctv.ca
http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20061121/toronto_fc_soccer_061121/20061121?hub=TorontoHome

Excitement is building over Toronto's newest professional sports team, as evident in season ticket sales and fan turnout at meet-and-greet nights.

Toronto FC in May became the 13th team to join the U.S.-based Major League Soccer (MLS) and the first Canadian team.

Soccer enthusiasts have been eagerly anticipating watching first-class "footie" in their own backyard since the unveiling, says head coach Mo Johnston.

"Everyone can't believe that there's a team here. The buzz is perfect," Johnston told CTV.ca.

"They can't see it coming quick enough."

Hundreds of energetic fans have been coming out to recent "pub crawl" events at various Toronto establishments to speak with Johnston and player Jim Brennan.

Johnston says there has been a strong turnout, with a few hundred people showing up each night.

Aside from chatting about the world's most popular sport, people have been posing for pictures and getting autographs.

"It's been very good," Johnston says in a heavy Scottish accent. "They're wanting autographs and asking about the team and how well we're doing."

Johnston says about 5,000 season tickets were sold just days after they went on sale in mid-November. The FC's first home game is still five months away.

The team will play in a new waterfront stadium at Exhibition Place, which is the country's first arena devoted exclusivity to soccer.

The 20,000-seat facility will be home to the FC and the Canadian National team, and will be accessible to community youth and adult soccer leagues.

The $62-million stadium will also host various community and global soccer tournaments, including the FIFA Men's under-20 World Cup in July 2007.

"It's perfect, it's beautiful, it really is," Johnston says.

"Everything that we're doing is turning to gold."

The new team will no doubt raise the profile of soccer in Canada, and officials expect a strong fan base because they say Toronto's multicultural neighbourhoods are passionate about the game.

The FC, the latest addition to the Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment empire that already includes the NHL's Maple Leafs and the NBA's Raptors, announced Johnston as head coach in August.

The Scottish-born soccer star is predicting a successful inaugural year. He says team tryouts have been encouraging so far.

"We have 850 (people) at tryouts. There's a lot of buzz about that as well."

Johnston describes Toronto as "a beautiful city," and says he has enjoyed his time in Canada since moving here a few months ago.

According to his bio on the Toronto FC website, Johnston "is perhaps the only Scot who doesn't enjoy beer."

The preference hasn't stopped him from enjoying the pub crawl meets, where he instead chooses to sip wine.

The team's next big event is the open tryout session being held from Dec. 18 to 22. Players wishing to register can sign up online at the FC website.

Major League Soccer was founded in 1996 after the U.S. hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup. The league is now in its 11th season and aims to have 16 teams by 2010.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Toronto FC to debut in California
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/Canada/2006/12/04/2622250-cp.html

TORONTO (CP) - Toronto FC will make its regular-season MLS debut on April 7 next year against Chivas USA in Carson, Calif., the league announced Monday.

The game is one of five on the opening day of the MLS season. The Canadian expansion team will then visit the New England Revolution on April 14 for the Revs' home opener at Gillette Stadium before returning to Toronto for its home opener on April 28 against the Kansas City Wizards.

The Colorado Rapids will open MLS' newest stadium April 7 when they play host to D.C. United in Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

The defending champion Houston Dynamo will open April 8 at home against the Los Angeles Galaxy.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Calling all soccer fans
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/Gross/2006/12/17/2841874-sun.html

Should be interesting to see what kind of support Toronto FC gets in 2007

The same old laments ring out each year like the New Year's bells that usher in a fresh start for everyone.

So, what about soccer? Not enough scoring. Not enough chances. Too many babies that fall down like they've been run over by a truck only to jump back into the play when they get the referee's call. Too slow-paced. And so it drones endlessly on from critic to critic.

Given a fresh start next year, can professional soccer make it in Toronto?

History, albeit almost ancient, is on soccer's side. Back to the 1960s, the star-studded Toronto City Soccer Club and Toronto Italia of the Eastern Canada Professional Soccer League drew sellout crowds at Varsity Stadium. In addition, Toronto Ukraina, Polish White Eagles, Portuguese, Hungaria and Hellas jammed the stands at Fred Hamilton Park and Stanley Park.

Recent history is not. Unfortunate failures by the Toronto Blizzard and Toronto Lynx cause soccer executives to cringe.

However, one newbie soccer executive is convinced that times have changed. He claims that there still is big interest in the city.

Tom Anselmi, the hard-working senior executive vice-president of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Ltd., is the head honcho of MLSEL's soccer franchise in Major League Soccer -- Toronto FC. Anselmi holds an optimistic outlook on the future of the team.

"I'm confident that we will succeed," Anselmi said yesterday. "We've sold about 6,000 season tickets to date and they come in at the rate of about 100 a day. That's because in Toronto we have sophisticated soccer fans.

"The new stadium at the CNE is 70% finished. It is on time and on budget. And as far as the team is concerned, we've signed eight players and sold two others. Coach Mo Johnston assures me that we will have a competitive team."

That's encouraging, of course, but when does the management of Toronto FC expect a winning team as opposed to a competitive one?

"I hope it won't take long," he replied. "At least, the coach assures me that we will be proud of the team that is built on players of the Canadian national team, as well as a couple of overseas players, the names of who I'm not prepared to disclose right now.

How and where will the team prepare for the season?

"The team will open with a week-and-half training camp in the Ontario Soccer Association's Centre in Vaughn," Anselmi said. "That will be followed by a week in Florida. The preparation will culminate with a shorter training camp either in California or in Europe."

It's a fresh start for soccer in Toronto in 2007. The turf will be fresh. A winning, well-supported team would be indeed refreshing.

GROSSLY ABBREVIATED

The soccer world is saddened by the passing of Lamar Hunt, founder of the American Football League and owner of three teams in Major League Soccer -- the Dallas FC, Kansas City Wizards and Columbus Crew. He also built two soccer stadia.

Despite his immense wealth, Hunt was a very modest human being. He used to travel in the economy section of a plane and when I asked him about it, he replied: "George, do the passengers in the first-class section touch down earlier than those in economy? Besides, the passengers in economy are friendlier and more entertaining." ...

[Joe MacCarthy]

Beckham signing a boon to Toronto FC
By NEIL DAVIDSON
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/Canada/2007/01/11/3300683-cp.html

TORONTO (CP) - David Beckham is used to big-time managers, having played for the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson, Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.

Add Canadian Frank Yallop to that list. Yallop is a former MLS coach of the year (2001) with the San Jose Earthquakes, whom he led to the MLS Cup in 2001 and 2003.

As coach of the Los Angeles Galaxy, Yallop will have Beckham in his lineup next season after the former England captain agreed to a deal with the MLS team Thursday.

While Beckham used to look over and see Roberto Carlos, Ashley Cole or Denis Irwin at left back, the star player will see Halifax's Ante Jazic there for the Galaxy.

Jazic, 30, came to Los Angeles this season after playing in Croatia (Hrvatski Dragovljac and Hajduk Split), Austria (Rapid Vienna) and Russia (Kuban Krasnodar).

The move to MLS and the Galaxy has worked for Jazic.

"So far I love MLS, the league itself. Los Angeles, I'm ecstatic about my way of life here," he said from Los Angeles. "So for me, it's been the best move of my life."

Life as a Galaxy player is fairly sedate off the pitch, according to the Canadian fullback.

"That'll change I imagine with Beckham (coming)," he said. "But you're fairly anonymous, no one knows you."

The Lakers, Clippers, Dodgers and Kings rule the Tinseltown sports roost.

"Hopefully with Beckham coming, the Galaxy will move up on that list," Jazic said. "But right now the team's fairly anonymous to the city. It's just the soccer-lovers, who love soccer, who supported soccer before, who know who the Galaxy are.

"But the average American who doesn't know anything about soccer probably doesn't know anything about the Galaxy."

The ripple effect of Beckham's signing was quickly felt north of the border, where Toronto FC reported 500 calls and 100 ticket sales Thursday morning alone. And seven TV cameras were on hand to record Toronto FC's reaction to the Beckham deal.

"He's one of those players that kind of transcends sports, like Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky," Tom Anselmi, chief operating officer of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, told reporters.

"It's terrific for the league, it's terrific for us. The phones have already been ringing off the hook," he added.

The expansion team already has a solid start to its ticket campaign, with some 7,000 season tickets sold.

The MLS schedule is not out yet but Anselmi says Beckham and the Galaxy will be in Toronto "later in the summer."

"L.A.'s going to be a better team, there's no question about that and they're going to sell a lot of tickets in every town that they're in," Anselmi said.

Toronto FC coach Mo Johnston, no stranger to making a splash himself after turning out for both Rangers and Celtic during his playing career, calls the Beckham signing "a turning point for this league."

"On and off the field, he puts bums on seats, there's no doubt about it," he said from Indianapolis where he was preparing for Friday's MLS draft.

Johnston also believes other star players will follow Beckham to North America.

The Galaxy could use the help. They were 11-15-6 last season, missing the playoffs. Los Angeles was 2-8-1 when Yallop took over in June.

Anselmi said Toronto FC and other teams are not involved in financing the Beckham deal, which according to the Galaxy is worth more than US$250 million (C$294 million) in salary and commercial endorsements.

According to the Washington Post, American forward Landon Donovan topped the Galaxy salary list last season at US$900,000, with defender Benjamin Benditson at the other end at a mere US$11,700.

The 2007 MLS salary cap is US$2.1 million.

New salary rules in the league allow a so-called designated player category. So for a star like Beckham, only US$400,000 is counted against the salary cap with the team owner paying the balance above that. Each team is allowed one of those players and can trade for a second.

It was quickly dubbed the David Beckham rule.

[Joe MacCarthy]

Toronto FC on track
Johnston likes what he sees
By DEAN McNULTY -- Sun Media
http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/TorontoFC/2007/03/01/3681255-sun.html

http://i6.tinypic.com/2rm19c4.jpg
Toronto FC coach Mo Johnston strikes a pose at the end of practice on Wednesday. (Sun Media/Michael Peake)

The mid-term report card is in and Toronto FC received a passing grade from coach Mo Johnston yesterday at the team's University of Toronto training facility.

Johnston said the team is in good shape a month into pre-season training with another month to go before the April 7 Major League Soccer season opener against Chivas USA in Los Angeles.

OPTIMISM

Johnston, however, tempered his optimism in the team as it stands now, saying he expects to add two or three more players with international or MLS experience before the start of the season.

"We just brought in Andy Welsh, who (most recently) played for Sunderland," Johnston said. "He has been very impressive so far."

Welsh, who played two seasons in the English Premiership, adds to Toronto's impressive list of forwards that includes Ronnie O'Brien, Edson Buddle and Abbe Ibrahim.

Welsh also brings experience from playing with Carl Robinson, the Welsh international midfielder, who will join the team next week in Bradenton, Fla.

If Johnston has a worry, it is that yesterday five of his potential starters were on the bench nursing various injuries. But they mostly were minor in nature.

"Right now we have a lot of money tied up sitting on the bench," Johnston said. "(Alecko) Eskandarian, Buddle, O'Brien and (Paulo) Nagamura all have minor injuries and (Maurice) Edu is still a month at least away from playing with a fractured pelvis.

"That's half a team right there."

It is in the back end of the pitch that Johnston has more concerns.

And it is in this area where Johnston likely is to add new faces to the club.

Already pencilled in for defensive jobs are first-round draft pick (10th overall) Andrew Boyens of New Zealand, as well as Canadians Adam Braz, Marco Reda, Chris Pozniak and goalkeeper Greg Sutton.

Toronto likely will have three signed keepers when the club breaks camp in Florida, but only Sutton is a sure thing.

Toronto native Jon Paul Piques, who played last year in Portugal, is in camp on a tryout with the team, as is Tomer Chencinski, a native of Thornhill.

Johnston said he still is looking for another experienced goalkeeper to join the team before the end of training camp.

"We are talking to one overseas keeper right now," he said.

"Hopefully something positive can come of that."

QUICK KICKS

Irish midfielder Ronnie O'Brien, no fan of Canada's winters, was all smiles yesterday when he was told that another snow and ice storm is headed toward Toronto later today. "I have a 7 a.m. flight so by the time the storm hits I'll be out of here," he said ... Uruguay's Jose Cancela made his first appearance this week in practice after weather problems in the United States kept him from getting a flight to Toronto until late Tuesday.

[mrdeeds]

Toronto FC Sold Out (http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2007/03/15/toronto-fc.html)

Great news for the expansion team and great news for soccer in Southern Ontario. This coupled with 2000 in Calgary to see FC United play the Edmonton Drillers for the fledgling CMISL bodes well for the future of soccer in Canada.

[druryfire]

I here that MLS is looking to expand again in the next few years, can we see more Canadian teams being represented?

[shevafan]

I here that MLS is looking to expand again in the next few years, can we see more Canadian teams being represented?
maybe montreal or vancuver. those are the probable choices

[Joe MacCarthy]

Canadian U-20 players sign with Toronto FC
http://www.canadasoccer.com/eng/media/viewArtical.asp?Press_ID=2663

http://i11.tinypic.com/4hm07l4.jpg
Andrea Lombardo

OTTAWA (ONTARIO) – Three players from the Hyundai Canadian men’s U-20 national team presented by Yahoo! Canada have signed developmental contracts with Major League Soccer franchise Toronto FC. Defender Stephen Lumley, midfielder A.J. Gray and forward Andrea Lombardo all officially joined Toronto FC on 29 March 2007.

Former Canadian U-20 defender Tyler Hemming, U-20 midfielder David Guzman, and Canadian goalkeeper Tomer Chencinski also signed developmental contracts with Toronto FC.

Lumley, Gray and Lombardo all gained international youth caps this past week in British Columbia in the first two games of the Hyundai Canadian men’s U-20 tour presented by Yahoo! Canada. Lumley of Mississauga, ON now has 12 youth caps to go along with two U-17 caps. Gray of Brampton, ON has seven youth caps to go along with nine U-17 caps. Lombardo, meanwhile, of Toronto, ON, has 16 youth caps to go along with nine U-17 caps. Lombardo is one of Canada’s six ambassadors for the road to the FIFA U-20 World Cup Canada 2007 since he is a returning member from the Nederland 2005 team.

Hemming of London, ON earned one youth cap back in 2004. The 21-year old defender attended Hartwick College. Guzman of Toronto, ON earned two youth caps in 2004. Guzman recently attended the University of Louisville. Chencinski of Thornhill, ON attended Fairleigh Dickinson University.

[Xizor]

Has Toronto played a game yet?

[Joe MacCarthy]

They've lost their first two games quite decisively. Maybe I'm biased, but from most accounts I've read it seems they are being let down by their non-Canadian players.

The consensus is the offense is weak, the midfield is poor and much of the blame goes to the defense. Ironically, defender Jim Brennan has been one of the few bright lights (according to the coach) and Marco Reda has been ok (was injured) and solid Canadian defender Chris Pozniak is injured so that leaves New Zealand rookie Andrew Boyens as the defensive scapegoat.

Not trying to hide posting the results (which you can get anywhere) but as you can see this forum has been mostly about familiarizing readers with NT and player news not results and stats.

Nonetheless, a disappointing start, but still a long season to go.

For game results and info check here (http://toronto.fc.mlsnet.com/t280/)

[judicatormd]

anyone else here watch TFC?

[tfcfan]

Toronto FC will start their 2nd season this spring.
Season tickets have been sold out.

[juanpabloangel]

they drew the final game v Montreal in a sold out game at TFC, in the Canadian Championship losing the chance to play in the Concacaf Champions League, which is a shame, but I guess that must mean the Canadian standard is not bad

[Xizor]

TFC always seems to fill up there stadium....the other MLS teams should really try to get there stadiums at least half full! :lol:

[BavarianRed]

Toronto FC defeats Kansas City Wizards in there season opener away. The final score was 3-2 for TFC and the two goals from Kansas were out of this world, nothing but spectacular, pure class... Nice win for Toronto FC hopefully we can keep playing hard like this :smoking:

[Calif]

who scored them??? Did Claudio Lopez score any of them?

[BavarianRed]

heres the scorers for both teams.......

Toronto FC- 34' [0 - 1] J. Brennan

Toronto FC 53' [0 - 2] K. Harmse

Kansas City- 56' [1 - 2] D. Arnaud

Toronto FC- 61' [1 - 3] A. Guevara

Kansas City- 76' [2 - 3] D. Arnaud

[Calif]

Wow Guevara scored cool :)

Chivas USA is playing now..:)

[BavarianRed]

oh calif, your team just got beat :D

Toronto FC 1-0 Chivas Usa :smoking:

[redbhoys2]

Toronto Fc 2009 Canadian Champions....!!! Never a doubt

[BavarianRed]

Columbus Takes Shine Off Preki Debut
A controversial second half goal seals 2-0 loss

http://web.mlsnet.com/images/2010/03/27/XwjQYNhc.jpg

COLUMBUS, Ohio - A first-half goal from Andy Iro would've been enough for the Columbus Crew on Saturday afternoon. But a controversial second-half goal from Guillermo Barros Schelotto finished things off the home-standing Crew defeated Toronto FC 2-0 in the season opener for both.

Iro, starting for the injured Chad Marshall, resembled center back usually starting in front of him he put Columbus up in the 29th minute. Schelotto's free kick near the right sideline whipped into the box, where Iro slipped his marker and headed the ball home from seven yards.

The goal, however, got Toronto going. Just two minutes later, Martin Saric wheeled and fired a left-footed shot from 20 yards on the right side of the arc that forced William Hesmer to the ground for the save.

Schelotto, the Crew's scoring leader last season with 12 goals, almost opened his account this year in the 37th minute when he pounced on a back pass from Ty Harden. The Argentine pushed the ball the TFC goal but was unable to get a quality touch before Stefan Frei came off the line to knock the attempt away.

The Reds, despite being without injured striker Chad Barrett, continued to press for the equalizer as the second half ticked along. Just before the break, O'Brian White sent a shot inches wide. White was active all day, and he went close just after halftime with a box-to-box run. His rising strike forced Crew keeper Will Hesmer into a fine save, lunging to his left to get his fingertips on the shot and preserve the lead.

Schelotto then iced the game in the 87th minute. A collision between Frei and Crew defender Danny O'Rourke on the fringe of the Toronto penalty area produced a loose ball and an open net. Toronto defender Nick Garcia tried to clear, but the ball fell to Schelotto, who had the easiest of shots to ensure the full points for Columbus.

Both Toronto and Columbus have next week off. On April 10, TFC travel to New England and the Crew are away to FC Dallas.

Scoring:

CLB - Andy Iro 1 (Guillermo Barros Schelotto), 29'; CLB Schelotto 1, 87'.

Misconduct:

TFC - Martin Saric (caution, reckless foul), 23rd; TFC-Nena Attakora (caution, recklees foul), 77th: CLB Moffat (caution, reckless tackle), 92+

Lineups:

TFC: Frei, Attakora, Brennan, Garcia, Harden, Saric (Sanyang, 66th), de Guzman, Cronin, Gala (LaBrocca, 52nd), De Rosario, White

CLB: Hesmer, Hejduk (Padula, 89th), Iro, Brunner, O'Rourke , Carroll, Moffat, Rogers, Gaven, Schelotto, Lenhart (Garey, 90+).

Attendance: 13,536

Toronto Fc 0-2 Columbus Crew... Toronto loses first game of the season.

[BavarianRed]

New England 4-1 Toronto - MLS Regular Season, Round 3

http://www.torontofc.ca/sites/default/files/imagecache/primary_image-620x350/image_nodes/2010/04/Nane041010-640.jpg

Toronto traveled to New England where they have never won. That streak has continued for another year as the Revolution beat the Reds 4-1.

After a strong first half by Toronto that saw them take a 1-0 lead from a Dwayne De Rosario header, a series of second half defensive blunders reversed the tide and handed New England an emphatic victory.

- Toronto fc lead 1-0 at halftime but they quickly lost the lead in the 2nd half and everything went really bad after the first 5 minutes into the 2nd half where New England quickly took a 2-1 and eventually adding two more goals to defeat Toronto fc.. ;)

[EPJr]

Too Early For Enmity Toward Montreal?
http://www.torontofc.ca/sites/default/files/imagecache/primary_image-620x350/image_nodes/2010/05/Cronin.jpg
Mike Ulmer's unique reception of new MLS team


05/07/10
The Montreal Impact, the Major League Soccer version, officially exists today.
Never forget this: for a Torontonian it’s never too early to hate anything from Montreal. Toronto FC has a new rival and this will be a little bit better than booing members of the Columbus Crew.

We know the name Impact has been around in North American soccer circles for quite a while and it would be small and petty to mention the team seems to be named after an excruciating dental condition. No, we will hold back on those spiteful rejoinders until…now.

http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2010/05/too-early-enmity-toward-montreal

[EPJr]

Whitecaps Draw TFC 0-0
http://nasl.uploads.mrx.ca/nasl/newser/2010/05/2010-05-15_Caps_V_Montreal_0021341.jpg


In their second match of the 2010 Nutrilite Canadian Championship on Wednesday evening, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (0W-0L-2D) had to settle for a disappointing goalless draw with Major League Soccer (MLS) club Toronto FC (2W-0L-1D) at Swangard Stadium.

Seeking their first win in this year's competition, Teitur Thordarson's side worked hard to try and find a way past the Voyageurs Cup holders. Yet, as it has been in the past two home matches, the Blue and White were unable to find the decisive breakthrough, despite creating several decent goalscoring opportunities. It is the first time in the 36 years of the Whitecaps that the club have registered three consecutive 0-0 draws. Wednesday's result also extends Vancouver's unbeaten home record versus TFC to three matches (1W-0L-2D).

http://www.nasl.com/article/whitecaps-draw-tfc-0-0

[EPJr]

Drawn Together
http://www.torontofc.ca/sites/default/files/imagecache/dl-trans/image_nodes/2010/07/CarlsbergCup.jpg
Toronto FC earn 1:1 tie with Bolton Wanderers FC , drop PK shootout
A penalty loss to Bolton 1-1 (4-3 PKs) but a good showing by the Academy kids who were up for it as well as a couple of the trialists. And of course, this beauty goal by Maicon, his first as a Red, set up by Mista's cultured left foot

[BavarianRed]

unlucky loss for tfc but still it was just a friendly, and they lost to a stronger team.. next game is on saturday against Fc Dallas at bmo field..

[BavarianRed]

I went to todays against FC Dallas, the match ended 1-1, it was a very rainy day but non the less a very good match :D

[EPJr]

Toronto FC fires Preki and Johnston

Major League Soccer's Toronto FC fired coach Preki Radosavljevic and director of soccer Mo Johnston on Tueday.

Toronto is third in the East at 7-10-7 and appears likely to miss the playoffs following Saturday's 1-0 home loss to D.C. United, which has the poorest record in the league.

Preki, inducted last month into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame, was in his first season with Toronto after earning coach of the year honors at ChivasUSA. Johnson had been with the team since its inception, and Toronto has never made the playoffs.

http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/mls/story/toronto-fires-preki-and-johnston

[EPJr]

Interim coach will respect whichever direction the club takes
http://www.torontofc.ca/sites/default/files/imagecache/dl-trans/image_nodes/2010/09/Dasovic1_0.jpg
TORONTO – Nick Dasovic knows he might not be hired as Toronto FC’s head coach next season. But would he take the job if offered?

“Absolutely, I’d take it in a second,” TFC's interim coach told reporters on Tuesday. “In saying that, if they feel it’s not the right time, I would respect that decision as well.”

Since taking over from Preki on Sept. 14, Dasovic led the club to a 3-4-3 record in all competitions over a six-week stint.

The Reds have failed to make the playoffs in each of their four years in existence. Though Dasovic fell short of breaking that streak, he was pleased with the players’ response to his more flexible approach.

Those same players endorsed him, saying the creative license they had was quite different from control that characterized Preki’s defensive regime. While the offense picked up in the new open style, the team’s once strong defense struggled down the stretch, committing mistakes that led to multi-goal games.

http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2010/10/dasovic-easy-coaching-decision

[EPJr]

YOU DESIGN 2012 SUPPORTERS KIT
http://www.torontofc.ca/sites/default/files/imagecache/dl-trans/image_nodes/2010/11/tfckit112610_640.jpg

http://2012tfckit.mlsecontests.com/#page=gallery

[EPJr]

http://www.torontofc.ca/sites/default/files/imagecache/primary_image-620x350/image_nodes/2010/08/Garcia.jpg

Toronto FC has decided to not pick up the 2011 options on Fuad Ibrahim, Amadou Sanyang and Nick Garcia. Garcia is the only Toronto FC player eligible for the Major League Soccer re-entry draft on December 8th.

“This is yet another necessary step as we look toward building our 2011 squad,” said Earl Cochrane, Toronto FC interim director of soccer.

http://www.torontofc.ca/sites/default/files/imagecache/primary_image-620x350/image_nodes/2010/11/nene640_113010.jpg

Toronto FC announced Tuesday they have acquired a natural third round selection in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft from Colorado Rapids in exchange for midfielder Joseph Nane.

Nane, 22, was selected by Toronto FC from Old Dominion University in the fourth round of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, 53rd overall. He made 11 league appearances in his rookie season, starting eight matches.


http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2010/12/tfc-decides-three

[EPJr]

Point Of Re-Entry
Toronto FC: We're not afraid to go big in Draft
http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/primary_image-620x350/image_nodes/2010/11/tfc-fans.jpg

TORONTO – Toronto FC interim GM Earl Cochrane isn’t sure how Wednesday’s Re-Entry Draft will play out. Seeing that it’s the first time MLS has held the draft, all he can do is speculate – but he's not afraid to jump in head first.

“We kind of thought it would be a case of experienced guys that are generally a little expensive and that’s what you find here,” he told MLSsoccer.com from his office Friday afternoon.

The full list of available players was released by the league on Friday and contained some notable names, such as former MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Jeff Cunningham, Juan Pablo Angel and Jimmy Conrad. Despite the star power available, Cochrane says he expects most of the action to involve lesser-known names.

“It will likely be those mid-level guys that are willing to come down [in salary] that will be most valuable to teams,” he said. The stars might generate interest, he added, but only in specific situations where the fit is perfect.

Although Cochrane was tight-lipped about TFC’s plans for the draft, he did say that the club is always looking to address the areas that need improvement. If the right player is available, Toronto won’t hesitate to grab him.

“We’re looking at several key components that anyone that knows our roster will understand,” Cochrane says. “There are maybe six key starting-11 type players we are after. The rest is about filling out our roster.”

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/toronto-wont-hesitate-grab-re-entry-draft

[EPJr]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SddADKX42TM/ScVo56FfSLI/AAAAAAAAAyI/Kg-9VTHRH2U/s400/508722293_6e5380540d.jpg
After graduating over 700 members from the waiting list Toronto FC has sold out of full season ticket packages for the 2011 MLS season. This marks the clubs fifth consecutive sellout in as many seasons.

http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2010/12/2011-season-seats-sold-out

[footballsaves]

Funny how The Red patch boys. USector and The North End Elite were vowing to bring down the season ticket sales....yet here we are, sold out before Christmas with no Full Time GM or manager! I'm goign to love coving the team again this year though!

[EPJr]

Vancouver to make MLS debut vs. Toronto
http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/primary_image-620x350/image_nodes/2010/12/tfc-vancouver.jpg
Canadian rivalry continues as team's meet in 'Caps home opener

It’s true that Canadians are polite, respectful people, but ask a Vancouverite about his or her opinion on a Toronto sports team, and you might be surprised by the lack of etiquette.

On Monday, it was announced that Vancouver Whitecaps FC will host Canadian adversary Toronto FC in their inaugural home opener at Empire Field on March 19, adding another chapter to a coast-to-coast feud that always sparks animosity.

This will mark the first-ever MLS match between the two clubs, but it will certainly not be the first time that they’ve met. The ‘Caps have played TFC in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship the past three years and, despite playing as a D-2 club, hold the series edge against their eastern foes.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/vancouver-make-mls-debut-vs-rivals-toronto

[EPJr]

http://jaredmontz.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/n508187786_1575604_2296597.jpg
LA Galaxy Acquire Chad Barrett from Toronto FC

BALTIMORE – The LA Galaxy today acquired forward Chad Barrett from Toronto FC in exchange for future considerations. A six-year MLS veteran who was raised in Southern California, Barrett has 34 career regular season goals in 147 games with the Chicago Fire and Toronto FC.

The 25-year-old was traded to Toronto in July 2008 and had an immediate impact with the club, scoring four goals and adding three assists in 13 games with the club to finish the season with a career-high nine goals, including four game-winning goals. He went on to have 16 goals and eight assists in 65 regular season games with Toronto, including seven goals in 2010 when he finished as the club’s second leading scorer. Barrett also helped TFC qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League for the first time in club history in 2010, leading them to the Nutrilite Canadian Championship.

http://www.lagalaxy.com/news/2011/01/la-galaxy-acquire-chad-barrett-toronto-fc

Barrett, who played his college soccer at UCLA, began his career with the Fire in 2005 after being selected by the club with the third pick in the first round of that year’s MLS SuperDraft. Originally coached by current Galaxy Associate Head Coach Dave Sarachan when he joined the Fire, Barrett scored 18 goals in three-and-a-half years with the Fire including seven in 2007 when he finished as the club’s Golden Boot award winner.

[EPJr]

Toronto say no to De Rosario's Celtic loan
http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/primary_image-620x350/image_nodes/2010/12/Dwayne-De-Rosario.jpg
Winter issues statement, tells DeRo he's needed in Toronto


TORONTO — Toronto FC head coach and technical director Aron Winter says that Dwayne De Rosario will continue to play a key role for the Reds despite the misunderstanding regarding his trial with Celtic.

In fact, Toronto valued De Rosario so much that they turned down a request from Celtic to extend his stay at the club.

"Celtic inquired about the possibility of extending Dwayne's time with them,” Winter said. “My preference is for Dwayne to start the season with Toronto FC right from training camp. We are making a fresh start and need a strong competitive camp. Dwayne is the captain and leader and needs to be part of building a new winning culture."

De Rosario trained with the Scottish club on Dec. 27 without telling Toronto or having the proper documentation in hand. However, the confusion was quickly resolved, allowing De Rosario to train with Celtic until Friday.

Toronto always maintained that De Rosario would return to Toronto at the end of the trial.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/toronto-say-no-de-rosarios-celtic-loan

[EPJr]

De Guzman seeks fresh start after knee surgery
http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/dl-640x380/image_nodes/2010/08/de_guzman.jpg
Toronto DP admits injuries have so far hampered his MLS career

TORONTO — As the mercury plummets and the snow piles up at BMO Field, it seems like spring may never come for Toronto FC and their Designated Player, Julian de Guzman.

But the disappointment of 2010 hangs worse for de Guzman. The Canadian international with blazing speed and dazzling ball skills revealed last week that he is in the midst of a three-month recovery process after undergoing knee surgery to repair a damaged meniscus.

“It was the first time I have ever had this injury,” de Guzman told MLSsoccer.com. “I was told it was wear and tear from an accumulation of games, traveling and training on turf.”

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/de-guzman-seeks-fresh-start-after-knee-surgery

[EPJr]

Toronto plan big push with academies in 2011
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New training facility facilitates the expansion of youth programs

— This will be an exciting year of growth for youth development programs at Toronto FC, according to the club's academy director Stuart Neely.

With TFC ownership approving a $17.6 million investment in a new training facility, planning is underway for the creation of a third academy team. Neely said he expects a program made up of U-14 and U-13 players to be up and running by spring 2012.

And that’s just the beginning, Neely said.

“It’s exciting,” Neely said. “We are looking to create U-15, U-13, U-11 all the way down to U-7 [teams]. That’s been the plan from Day 1.”

With a new management team boasting experience in the world renowned Ajax youth system, it’s a reasonable assumption that the Reds will be relying on homegrown talent a great deal moving forward, Neely said. Last year, the club signed academy standouts Doneil Henry (pictured above) and Nicholas Lindsay (pictured below) to professional contracts.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/toronto-plan-big-push-academies-2011

[EPJr]

De Rosario unsettled, but wants to move forward
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Toronto FC captain, club look to resolve lingering contract issue

TORONTO — Dwayne de Rosario spoke to media on Wednesday for the first time since he returned from a training stint with Scottish giants Celtic, and the Toronto FC midfielder made it clear he wants to move forward after sorting out the details of his contract.

“It’s not settled – no, I’m not,” he said. “But, that’s between me and the club.”

De Rosario trained with Celtic from Dec. 26 to Jan 18. However, Toronto said he started the trial without informing them or arranging the proper paperwork.

“I didn’t think that there was any confusion until I saw a press release,” he said. “But the past is the past. I’ve moved on.”

The club confirmed that they turned down a request from Celtic to extend De Rosario’s stay in Scotland until March. New TFC director of player personnel Paul Mariner said the club and De Rosario were meeting this week to talk about his contract.

[EPJr]

De Rosario: I'm happier than I've ever been in Toronto
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Coach Winter has specific plans for Canadian playmaker

TORONTO—If Toronto FC star Dwayne De Rosario is feeling any resentment from the controversy that surrounded his training session with Celtic last month, he wasn’t showing it at training Thursday.

“Other than the day I signed this is probably as happy as I’ve been here,” De Rosario said.

The attacker indicated that he was excited by the tactics that new head coach Aron Winter is trying to bring to the club.

“Anyone that likes to play with the ball on the ground, movement off the ball ... it’s perfect for me,” he said.

Although neither De Rosario or Winter would confirm what position De Rosario will play this year, it was stressed that he would likely be assigned a specific role.

De Rosario indicated a preference

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/de-rosario-im-happier-ive-ever-been-toronto

[EPJr]

Jason Bent Named Assistant Coach
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Former Canadian international to work alongside Winter and De Klerk.

Toronto FC announced Tuesday that Jason Bent has been promoted to the position of Assistant Coach. Bent, 33, takes on the new role after spending three years as Head Coach of Toronto FC’s Senior Academy Team.

“Jason has played a big role in establishing our Academy and has proved he is ready to take the step up,” said Toronto FC Head Coach and Technical Director Aron Winter. “Developing our young players is a key part of our philosophy at this club, and having Jason working with the first team squad will help us with that. It is also the next step in his development as a coach and we believe he has a bright future ahead of him.”
http://www.bcsoccerweb.com/img-news/feb-22-bent.jpg
Under Bent’s leadership, Toronto FC Academy’s Senior Team qualified for the Canadian Soccer League Playoffs in 2009 and 2010, and last summer two players from his squad graduated to sign professional contracts for the first time

http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/02/bent-named-assistant-coach

[EPJr]

Toronto FC ride local popularity to new radio pact
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The Fan 590 renews deal to air games, cover team throughout week


TORONTO – Toronto FC announced Thursday that radio station The Fan 590 will return for a third year as the official Toronto-area radio partner of the Reds.

Play-by-play voice Dan Dunleavy will once again be calling the games, and all 34 regular season matches will be aired on the radio station or over the Web at fan590.com.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/toronto-fc-ride-local-popularity-new-radio-pact

[EPJr]

Bouchiba bringing leadership quality to Toronto
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Reds' new Dutch midfielder said team lacked passion v. Charleston


He’s only been signed by Toronto FC for a little more than a day, but midfielder Elbekay Bouchiba (pictured above, center) is not afraid to speak up when the Reds performance isn’t what it should be.

“There was no passion,” Bouchiba said of Toronto’s performance against the Charleston Battery at the Carolina Challenge Cup on Wednesday. The Reds lost 2-1 to the USL-Pro side.

Bouchiba was one of three Dutch players signed by TFC on Wednesday. Also joining the club were forward Javier Martina (above, left) and forward/midfielder Nick Soolsma. Where Martina provides Toronto with some much-needed speed on the wings and Soolsma is a first-rate prospect, Bouchiba’s greatest value could come from his leadership abilities.

“We were playing like we knew that that we didn’t need to win,” Bouchiba said. “I’m sure it will be different by the time we play Vancouver [on March 19], but you must always play with passion if you are going to win.”

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/bouchiba-bringing-leadership-quality-toronto

[PManMZN1013]

Hi, how do I tryout for the TFC? I live in Toronto and I believe I am great enough to join the club. I am born in 94, and it doesn't matter if I'm on the academy, or the official club, as long as I eventually play for the TFC.
Thanks.

[EPJr]

Frings, Koevermans perfect duo to lead Toronto charge
http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/league/files/imagecache/620x350/image_nodes/2011/06/Frings-2.jpg
TFC boss Winter says veterans will provide leadership club needs

TORONTO — Toronto FC head coach Aron Winter was looking for leadership for his struggling team, and he feels he finally found the perfect men for the role.

On Wednesday, TFC announced the signings of German international midfielder Torsten Frings and Dutch international forward Danny Koevermans as the club’s newest Designated Players.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/06/29/frings-koevermans-perfect-duo-lead-toronto-charge

[EPJr]

Toronto Acquires Terry Dunfield
http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/league/files/imagecache/620x350/sites/default/files/image_nodes/2011/06/dunfield-canada_0.jpg
Midfielder to arrive at BMO Field from Canadian rival Vancouver.

Toronto FC announced Thursday that they have acquired midfielder Terry Dunfield from Vancouver Whitecaps FC in exchange for allocation money and future considerations.

"We are pleased to add Terry to our midfield, he is a passionate player and he will fit in well, " said Toronto FC Head Coach and Technical Director Aron Winter. "He has played well this season for Vancouver and we have seen first-hand what he is capable of."


http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/07/toronto-acquires-terry-dunfield

[EPJr]

Johnson Jumps To Toronto
http://www.torontofc.ca/sites/default/files/imagecache/primary_image-620x350/image_nodes/2011/07/Johnson.jpg
Reds send three to San Jose for forward, allocation & international spot.

Toronto FC announced Thursday that they have acquired forward Ryan Johnson from the San Jose Earthquakes along with allocation money and an international roster spot in exchange for forward Alan Gordon, midfielder Jacob Peterson, and defender Nana Attakora.

"We are rebuilding the club and this deal was necessary to continue that process" said Toronto FC Head Coach and Technical Director Aron Winter. "I'd like to thank Alan, Jacob, and Nana for their contributions to Toronto FC. We are very pleased to add an experienced forward in Ryan Johnson. We expect him to make an immediate impact at our club."

http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/07/johnson-jumps-toronto

[EPJr]

Toronto acquire Iro, Griffit, send Tchani to Columbus
http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/league/files/imagecache/620x350/image_nodes/2011/07/clb_tfc.jpg
TFC head coach Winter said team needed help on defense

Toronto FC continued to make major changes to their roster on Friday, bringing in central defender Andy Iro and midfielder Leandre Griffit in a trade that sent midfielder Tony Tchani to the Columbus Crew.

Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed.

"We needed help on defense and Andy is a defender that we have wanted to bring in for some time," Toronto FC head coach and technical director Aron Winter said in a statement. "After our deals yesterday, we felt we could move a central midfielder of value to acquire an important piece. Leandre also provides us depth in the midfield.”

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/07/15/toronto-acquire-iro-griffit-send-tchani-columbus

[EPJr]

Toronto deal defender Gargan to Chicago for Robinson
http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/league/files/imagecache/620x350/image_nodes/2011/07/gargan-robinson.jpg
Longtime Fire DF is 11th new face to join Reds since First Kick

Toronto FC continued their midseason overhaul on Thursday, sending defender Dan Gargan to Chicago in exchange for defender Dasan Robinson and a second-round pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft.

The 28-year-old Gargan (above, left) had been a stalwart of the Toronto defense since joining the club last season, making 37 starts in 43 appearances with the Reds. But with Aron Winter trying to make over his roster on the fly — and with TFC already having conceded a league-high 41 goals through 23 league games — the Philadelphia native became a casualty of Toronto’s wheeling and dealing.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/07/28/toronto-deal-defender-gargan-chicago-robinson

[EPJr]

Toronto Trades For Eric Avila
Maicon Santos dealt to Dallas in exchange for 23-year old midfielder.
http://www.torontofc.ca/sites/default/files/imagecache/primary_image-620x350/image_nodes/2011/07/AvilaDL.jpg

FC announced Tuesday that the club has acquired midfielder Eric Avila from FC Dallas in exchange for forward Maicon Santos.

“We are very happy to add Eric Avila to our club, he is an attacking midfielder that fits into our immediate and long term plans,” said Toronto FC Head Coach and Technical Director Aron Winter. “All of the trades that we have made in the last few weeks have been to acquire players who fulfill a specific need for our team or fit into our style of play philosophy. I'd like to thank Maicon for his contributions to our club and for serving as Captain. We wish him well with his new club."

http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/08/toronto-trades-eric-avila

[EPJr]

For TFC, rebuilding also means developing young talent
Winter taking a cautious approach to blooding academy products
http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/league/files/imagecache/620x350/image_nodes/2011/08/morgan.jpg

TORONTO — Toronto FC’s lineup has undergone considerable change in recent weeks, and not only from the number of new players brought in.

The club has also began the process of giving more exposure to young players such as Ashtone Morgan (pictured above), Doneil Henry and Matt Stinson, the latter of which graduated this year from the Toronto FC Academy.

That these youngsters are seeing more playing time is part of a rebuilding program under head coach and technical director Aron Winter. However, Winter is taking a cautious approach as he gradually introduces them into the senior team.

“I’ve always said we are rebuilding," he said. "It’s long-term plans, and I want to use as much as possible Home Grown players or youth players. [But] when you use them, you have to be careful because those guys are young and they have to improve a lot.”

This approach means that Winter is picking his moments to bring in the youngsters

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/08/11/tfc-rebuilding-also-means-developing-young-talent