By Jimmy LaRoue
Overview: Time’s up. New coach Ryan Nelsen makes his coaching debut in Toronto FC’s season-opener against Vancouver in a topsy-turvy offseason for the club which saw a number of changes, significantly off the field, for a franchise that has struggled mightily on it. That’s the reason for Nelsen, brought in by new general manager Kevin Payne, the architect of D.C. United’s early MLS success but who had fallen out of favor with new team ownership.
Nelsen’s hiring came under abnormal circumstances, as he was still playing with Queens Park Rangers at the time. But Nelsen is familiar with the MLS landscape, having played in the league with D.C. United earlier in his career, and the former defender will bring a tough, workmanlike mindset to the team after the club went through two managers last season.
The club has a big loss to deal with as the season gets underway, with team captain Torsten Frings announcing his retirement after an 18-year career.
Toronto FC comes into the season after wrapping up the Disney Pro Soccer Classic with one win (against USL Pro’s Orlando City) and three losses, so the rebuilding mode doesn’t get much in the way of false hope.
A team that gave up 62 goals last season will surely focus on shoring up defensively, and it will help if they can have a healthy goalkeeper in Stefan Frei, who missed last season with a broken leg and will start the season sidelined with a broken nose. Veteran Danny Califf, brought in during the offseason, should help in front of Frei.
But the club, too, is without Designated Player Danny Koevermans, who, with 17 goals in 26 MLS matches, is still a long ways out after an ACL injury suffered last season, and Eric Hassli, who was traded to FC Dallas, meaning they will have to find some goals somewhere.
Still, the club is preaching patience with its rebuilding, and from the inside-out, everyone will need an abundance of patience, as the revolving door that was swinging back and forth all offseason is likely to continue a little longer, with the club expected to announce signings of both forward Taylor Morgan (2013 MLS SuperDraft) and midfielder Jonathan Osorio, who impressed while on preseason trial (TFC Academy).
Up front/The Middle Men: Julio Cesar in defensive midfield will likely assume Frings’ mantle in the middle with hardworking Terry Dunfield, while attacking midfielder Julio Cesar, who comes from Sporting Kansas City, had a decent preseason. New draftees Emery Welshman and Kyle Bekker should, with experience, help solidify this area also. Toronto FC is weak up front, with Danny Koevermans out until at least late-June with an ACL injury. Look for the goal scoring, whatever comes of it, to originate from Luis Silva and Justin Braun, who saw little action with Montreal and Real Salt Lake.
Bringing up the rear: Stefan Frei backstopped Toronto FC from 2009-2011, but missed last season with a broken leg, and starts this season on the bench with a broken nose. The team traded away Milos Kocic to Portland, so look for Joe Bendik, acquired in the trade from Portland, to get the nod, with former TFC Academy player Quillen Roberts as the backup. Veteran central defender Danny Califf should provide stability in front of whoever is in goal, playing centrally alongside Darren O’Dea. With Califf in the fold, Richard Eckersley will move back to right back, with Ashtone Morgan on the left. Young Gale Agbossoumonde comes to the team from the MLS lottery, having spent last season with the NASL’s Carolina Railhawks and will have to fight for playing time.
Key newcomers: Danny Califf (D-MLS Reentry Draft), Gale Agbossoumonde (D-weighted lottery), Hogan Ephraim (winger on loan from EPL’s Queens Park Rangers), Kyle Bekker (MLS SuperDraft) Emery Welshmen (MLS SuperDraft), John Bostock (MF-Tottenham Hotspur) Robert Earnshaw (F-Cardiff), Julio Cesar (MF–trade w/Sporting Kansas City), Justin Braun (F–trade from Real Salt Lake)
Key losses: Torsten Frings (retired), Eric Hassli (F–Traded to FC Dallas), Ryan Johnson (F–traded to Portland), Milos Kocic (GK–traded to Portland)
Last season: 5-21-8 (23 pts., 36 GF/62 GA, missed playoffs for sixth straight season), 2012 season stats
Extra time: If this club can find its way, it might move out of the MLS’s lower-echelon, and with Nelsen leading the club, the effort’s certainly going to be there. However, with myriad question marks and holes across the lineup, it looks to be another difficult season for Toronto FC, whose fans deserve better with the club’s longstanding failures to begin its tenure in MLS.
Other previews: MLSSoccer.com Part I, MLS Soccer.com Part II, Toronto Globe and Mail, Waking the Red (blog), CBC, Toronto Sun
Source Article from http://www.soccerwire.com/news/mens-boys/pro-men/mls-2013-preview-toronto-fc-revolving-door-on-off-field-likely-to-start-turnaround/
