Now the MLS Cup final is over, the off season got quickly under way with the release of the protected and unprotected lists that Vancouver and Portland get to sift through and pick from in the expansion draft.
A lot of teams seemed to take the view that those 2 teams wouldn't pick up the higher priced players, meaning some big names were left unprotected. Designated players Freddie Ljungberg, Nery Castillo, Geovanni, Juan Pablo Angel, and Blaise Nkufo all joined TFC's Mista and Julian De Guzman in the available pile, meaning there's some interesting choices to be made when the draft happens on Wednesday. I have no idea how much authority Interim Gm Earl Cochrane and Assistant Jim Brennan have to be making decisions before Jürgen Klinsmann figures out what type of club TFC's going to be, but I could definitely get behind some kind of sign and trade deal to bring Nkufo to town, or even Collins John, also left exposed by Chicago, who would be a bit of a risk, but with a lot of potential.
As for who's on TFC's list, here it is in full.
Chad Barrett
Julian De Guzman
Gabe Gala
Nick Garcia
Raivas Hscanovics
Fuad Ibrahim
Milos Kocic
Mista
Joseph Nane
Amadou Sanyang
Martin Saric
Maxim Usanov
O'Brian White
Obviously the big name there is Julian De Guzman, though I imagine no other MLS club would want to be paying him that much money, hell, even hometown TFC probably don't want to pay him that much any more. Chad Barrett is the biggest name with a chance of going, especially with his family ties to the West Coast. On the one hand I hope it doesn't happen, I really like Chad Barrett, even in 2009 he was one of my favourite players, and after increasing his scoring rate this year, he's become a very valuable member of the squad. On the other hand though, he is probably paid too much, and for the money he's set to earn, we should be able to find a player of equal or greater value, whether at striker or a different position.
I'd say the player most likely to be picked up is Amadou Sanyang, relatively cheap, young and athletic with the physicality needed for MLS, even if his passsing skills certainly have room for development. Martin Saric and Milos Kocic would also be possibilities, but I really can't see any of the other players being considered by anyone else.
This is of course just the first step in what should be a very interesting off season for TFC, or at least could be if and when we get around to appointing a new management team, or even just annointing the current one with the permanent role. It will be interesting to see which of these players who don't get drafted and which of those on the protected list will stay with the club, or are quietly shuffled off to the glue factory or move on to greener pastures. Here's who I'd like to see stay from the current roster.
Goalkeeper
Frei. A no-brainer really, unless a trade to Europe happens, he's the obvious first choice goalie.
Conway. A competent back up and apparently a great guy to have in the dressing room.
Kocic. A promising young kid who should get plenty of time in the reserve league, or on loan to the CSL again to develop further, one for the future.
Defence.
Cann. Team MVP ahead of De Rosario is maybe a bit much, but he had a great year, and will hopefully get the raise he deserves and stay. Would make a great captain, though I can't see De Ro taking that well.
Attakora. Reportedly turned down contract extensions over the past year so may be looking to explore his options overseas, but hopefully can be persuaded to stay.
Harden. Competent back up for Cann and Attakora.
Henry. Having the reserve league back is huge for youngsters such as him, hopefully he'll play a lot there with occasional first team appearances here and there, and be ready to step into the starting line up a year or two down the line.
Gargan. A solid if unspectacular minimum wage player who can cover a bunch of positions and is popular with the fans. Well worth keeping.
Gomez. Back in 2009 he showed promise before missing all of last year, deserves a chance to show what he can do.
Morgan. Bring him up form the academy, then like Henry, let him play in the reserve league and develop further, with the occasional first team appearance.
Midfield
De Guzman. Probably untradeable with his contract anyway, he deserves to stay around. Should a DM be a DP? Not really, but De Guzman should play his natural game, he looked at his worst last year when trying to be too ambitious with his passing, as if he was trying too hard to prove he could be a playmaker. As a defensive player, and someone to make himself available for a pass and transition the ball from defence to midfield, he's not bad at all.
De Rosario. Obviously depends on how his contract talks go, can be too selfish at times, but you can't argue with 15 goals.
Sanyang. Needs to improve his passing, but could grow to be a very good destructive DM in this league.
Peterson. I'd hope he's not our first choice winger next year, but showed enough under Dasovic to be a good back up or second winger depending on our formation. Ideally we can keep him for less money than last year to play that role.
Lindsay. Showed great promise last year, hopefully can keep it going and establish himself ahead of Peterson in the pecking order, if he struggles, the reseve league is there to give him the necessary playing time.
Labrocca. Another decent back up, who I'd hope won't be part of the starting line up, but can come in and do a job when asked.
Forwards.
Barrett. Ideally he'd be getting less money, but proved he can be a valuable player, an injury free season would be nice as well.
Santos. Showed some good skill either side of his summer injury. Ideally one of Barrett and he would be up front alongside some as yet unknown star striker with the other as backup.
A lot of that list is strictly back up quality, if more than Frei, Cann, Attakora, De Guzman, De Rosario and either one of Barrett and Santos are part of our regular starting line-up next year, we'll be in trouble. We could do with increasing the starting quality at every position except goal and Centre back. I'd say our most pressing needs are at both full back positions, a good winger (Nyassi from Seattle is on the unprotected list, I'd dangle a draft pick at someone to pick him up) and a top class forward. It would be a bonus if any of the academy kids or recent graduates can step up right away to be starters, but I really hope we're not counting on that.
As for the rest, Garcia, Hscanovics, Usanov, Gala, Nane, Saric, White, Ibrahim and especially Mista, hopefully we'll be saying goodbye and good luck to them.
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