LETTERS FROM CAMP: All together now

W Connection prepare for the season



PUTTING THE " " IN "FULL ROSTER"
So the gang's all here. Apparently. And by here we of course mean cosmopolitan Orlando, Florida. Toronto FC has released their official 30-man Florida squad and... hey... that's a... bunch of people, now isn’t it? With the "complex deal" for a player that was ready to be announced last week or early this week and the mystical "three other attacking players" seemingly vanished - The Reds instead unveiled a roster whose only surprise is in its lack of surprises.
　
Maybe we just misunderstood Kevin Payne? Perhaps the "complex deal" was to bring in one Trinidadian trialist and the "three other" players were boys from the very fringes of Canadian football/TFC Academy? That would explain it right? And explain the rising panic in TFC supporters as March 2nd hurtles towards lone striker Justin Braun backed-up on the bench by... er... Justin Braun. Phew?
　
The above mentioned trialist in camp is indeed T&T international and sometime member of W Connection (which is both a Trinidadian club and a smooth, sexy R'n'B band) Joevin Jones. The young leftback could possibly provide some cover on the left side if he proves capable - and his name translates to "Joe's Wine" - so that's a party. The three academy-ish players are relatively unknown defenders Daniel "The Breeze" Fabrizi, Derrick "Slappa De" Bassi and one-time Uruguayan club flirt Jonathan "I've Played Midfield in South America Briefly" Osario - the nickname admittedly needs work.
　
It's not all terribly horrifying and season write-offish challenging news. With the lack of the usual slew of TFC trialists (where's a Kiki Musampa when you need him?) and the absolute giant gaping hole in scoring ability, there may be an opportunity for some of the unsigned Supplemental Draft Picks to overcome some of their Supplemental Disabilities and find a spot with the first team. So yeah.... that.
Rebuilding! Shining light! Red thread etc.

UPDATE: This morning the club announced the addition of Argentine trialist Nicolas Cabrera or Nicolas Alejandro Cabrera to his friends. A 28-year old winger who has plenty of experience with big Argentine clubs such as Independiente, Velez Sarsfield and the best of all names - Newell's Old Boys. Intriguing.
　
THE LAND OF THE MIDDAY SUN
Toronto FC's website succumbed to the overwhelming pressure of TFC's broadcast partners and was forced at knifepoint* (*no knives involved) to release the club's full schedule yesterday. As not requested by any fans who have to stand on BMO Field's reflective tin surfaces, the schedule features many a midday kick-off in the middle of the summer. On the bright side - there is a good chance that you may see a spontaneous combustion included in the price of your ticket. Looking at you Richard Eckersley.
　
The wacky schedule is of course to appease the almighty television schedule because as we know, MLS TV ratings are huge! We're talking Shopping Channel huge! However, if there were no matches on television we'd all be complaining that the sport gets no coverage in Canada so double-edged swords* and all that (*no swords involved). One revelation from the released broadcast schedule was the realization that zero matches would appear on MLSE-owned GOL TV. This is good news for those who already pay enough for TSN and Sportsnet and better news for those already paying for GOL TV whose reasons for dishing out for the "specialty" channel now add up to minus four.

LETTERS FROM CAMP: Payne management

"It's good to talk..."



With just a few days before The Reds go all snowbird and head down to Orlando ("WHOOO! SPRING BREAK!"), Kevin Payne took time away from packing his mesh "Daytona Beach '84" tank-tops to hold a round-table discussion with some members of the mainstream Toronto football media. The boss of all things Eff Cee seemed to be in "line drawn in sand" mode which may or may not be a beach metaphor. Here's a few of K-Payne's phat rhymes...
　
ON THE KIDS:
- Some TFC Academy players will be invited to join the first team down in Florida due to some early "impressive performances".
- No word if they will be allowed any beachside hijinks with locals much like in the 1983 seminal theatrical spring break opus... "Spring Break"
　
ON NEW SIGNINGS:
- TFC are "looking almost exclusively south" for new players adding that European targets are "overpriced"
- Somewhere Mikael Yourassowsky said "WTF man?!"
- Did not get into any type of financial conversation about the Greek Debt Crisis or the falling value of the Euro over the Honduran Lempira
- Club is hoping to announce new signing this week or early next week but warned "it has been a complex deal"
- Possibly related, possibly not, but definitely complex, Payne dropped that "Peralta deal is not dead"
- In addition to the above 'imminent deal' the club is also working on 3 further deals with attacking players preferably under the age of 27.
　
ON THE MONEYZ:
- Claimed that the business side of TFC was in "great shape"
- Thousands of TFC supporters rolled their eyes in unison
- Ryan Nelsen was awarded a three-year contract
　
ON FITNESS:
- "Very disappointed" that "many players showed up unfit" and that "1 or 2 were not even close to being fit"
- Sternly stated "that won't happen again"
　
ON THE DP'S:
- When asked about Torsten Frings, Payne stated "he's deserving of every opportunity to prove he can still do the job" but then quickly added that the German is not in full training yet.
- Claimed that there are "no discussions yet to buy (Frings) out"
- Journalists likely safe to put "yet" in all caps
- Payne was clear that "buying out a DP is an option". Clubs may only do this once a year if you were hoping to hear that Frings, Hassli and Koevermans were all on a bus to Pearson.
- Rather randomly dropped that "the jury is out on Hassli". Not sure what the Frenchman is charged with but it sounds ominous in a 12 Angry Men kind of way
- When asked if it was explained to him why Hassli's contract was renewed a week before he was hired, Payne paused and wryly said "No."
- Somewhere Paul Mariner's ears started to burn.
- Unsurprising to most, Danny Koevermans won't likely be ready to play until the end of June at the earliest. His form would likely be found a month or two after that.
- As if wanting to end things with a big asterisk, Payne let it be known that the 3 DP's along with Darren O'Dea and Richard Eckersley eat up a "very, very large percentage of the salary cap"... so see you this time next year?
　
IN PARTING:
- First home fixture now solidly scheduled for SkyDome on March 9 at 1:30 PM. Get your thundersticks now!
- Payne may or may not have put on mesh "Daytona Beach '84" tank-top and strapped surfboard on top of Studebaker station wagon with Florida plates and peeled out of BMO Field parking lot.

LETTERS FROM CAMP: All quiet on the southern front

Eddie Johnson's a thing... right?



FLORIDULL
There's a strange feeling amongst TFC supporters that training camp is quiet... too quiet. So unaccustomed are we to a drama-free lead up to the season that some are getting worried. Why no more trialists? Why not enough friendlies? Why is no one threatening to leave the team? You can't blame Toronto fans - it's just all so new.
　
To fill the void (a little) TFC will play a scrimmage today against University of South Florida (Up The Bulls) in preparation for their upcoming participation in the Mickey Mouse Cup next week. Sadly no footage will be made available as Florida has somehow become more rural to TFC TV than Turkey was last year.
　
What's that you say? You still need more crumbs? Well you can always hold your breath for the Eddie Johnson MLS allocation process. One "lucky" team will get their hands on the American striker who didn't have the best European sojourn after ditching MLS. TFC has the fourth highest shot at landing Johnson and despite seemingly needing some Koevermans cover, don't appear to be interested.
　
Still bored? Come on - we're trying! For those of you out there who still harbour negative views or at worst apathy towards Julian de Guzman, the Toronto Sun's Kurt Larson catches up with the Scarborough native to find out where he's at. The sometimes unfairly maligned midfielder has some interesting thoughts about his time with TFC, the future of his contract and the tactical naivety of Preki.
　
APPLY WITHIN
Most TFC fans have heard about the club's "TFC Dream Job" competition by now. The Yorkies are of course endorsing applicant Maurice J. but couldn't help wonder what specific Twitter hashtags the club may have used if this competition had been available in the first four years of the club's existence...
　
#CarlosRuizLocator
#ButtyStacker
#BitchyWrangler
#RetweetWithRicketts
#CollinSamuelBuffetCleanUp
#DichioShaver
#JimmyBarista
#FirstWavePhoneOperator
#KevinHarmseRedCardCollector
#GabeGalaEgoMaintenace
#BarretBallCollection / #TopRowOnly
#TitusBiographer
#GerbaGirdler
#ImaginaryChequeCashier
#JPetersonNRAGodBlessAmericaFreedomFriesPickUpTruckAssociate
#HscnvcsVwlFndr
#TakeAPunchFromMaxim
#MaiconSantosMikeSandersTransformer
#FiveYearPlanner

LETTERS FROM CAMP: Flo Riders

TAKING THE KIDS TO DISNEY
The Reds announced yesterday that they were taking a compliment of 33 players with them to Florida to continue pre-season training. No major surprise to the travel itinerary as the club has yet to make further cuts after their initial four less than two weeks ago. Not making the trip are long-term injury projects Dicoy Williams and Nicholas Lindsay along with Jeremy Hall who (for undisclosed reasons) "trained away from the team" recently. Two younger Academy prospects, Brandon John and Tristan Jackman, don't get to ride the teacups at Disney neither but it is a magical time for (very) young Jordan Hamilton. The Academy youngster who is a month shy of his 16th birthday gets to continue his journey with the pros for at least a few weeks more.
　
The Reds will train in the Orlando area while participating in the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic. The tournament will see TFC play at least three matches in their group stage involving Swedish club BK Hacken, Orlando City and FC Dallas. It was announced yesterday that live match streaming will be made available on the MLS website which should be much more interesting than the TFC YouTube video of the players boarding a bus to the airport. Way to depart Torsten!
　
ON TRIAL?
Our good friends over at Waking The Red have been digging through the rumour mill and have emerged with two candidates who could be joining TFC as trialists in The Sunshine State. In line with Paul Mariner's hint last week that two domestic but non-MLS players may join on trial, the names of Kevin Huezo and Julian Uccello have surfaced.
　
Huezo is a 20-year old leftback who has very little in the way of professional pedigree but has had flirtations with the USA U-20 team as well as Mexican club Pachuca's junior ranks. Uccello is an intriguing character. The 25-year old Toronto-born striker was once promising enough to go on extended trial with Manchester United and ended up in AC Milan's youth ranks. However, things haven't gone as hoped for the twice-capped Canada U-20 and his pro career has seen him bounce around the Italian lower divisions with such clubs as Crotone and Casale. His healthy strike rate at those levels and TFC's weakness at back-up striker could give him the slightest in with the club.

UPDATE: This afternoon, TFC officially tweeted (if that's a thing) that Kevin Huezo would indeed be on a trial with The Reds but joined by another former USA U-20 Moises Orozco. Both players were involved with the U-20 program when new TFC Academy Director Thomas Rongen was involved which illuminates the effects the Dutchman is having on TFC already. No official denial or acknowledgement of any Julian Uccello trial yet.
　
BRAVE WORDS
Much of the Canadian football community was shocked by the story that emerged from long-time player, coach and personality Paul James. In his cathartic and tell-all novel "Cracked Open", James tells the story of a career in football with some highs... but extraordinary lows. The most shocking element of the former Toronto Blizzard and Canadian international midfielder's novel is his admittance to being a long-term crack cocaine addict. Weaving a tale that tackles James' many demons, while traversing the strange world of the CSA, is both a brave and a frightening story. "Cracked Open" is available online now through James' website.

THE STARTING 11: TFC Florida to-do list

Yar! There be treasure beneath that hideous logo!

Florida - the land of orange juice from concentrate, mothballed space vehicles, Hanging Chads (not Barrett) and Quebecois evacuees. On a map, it looks like America's wang but for the next few weeks The Sunshine State will be home to our beloved Toronto FC. This is no Daytona Beach '84 Spring Break though! There will be no time for keggers and panty raids - just serious footy business. However, like any business trip there will be a few things to do off the clock....

　

11. Elbekay Bouchiba will visit the state's numerous seniors' homes to discuss long-term injuries

　

10. Team to stop by Dunedin, Florida - mock the Blue Jays about Reds' ability to fill SkyDome with ease

　

9. Reggie Lambe will stare mourningly at the sea, warning sailors about the perils of the Bermuda Triangle

　

8. Team-building trip to Cape Canaveral just to hear Bob de Klerk say "One shmalll shtep for de man..."

　

7. Torsten Frings to tour Everglades - stare down gators menacingly

　

6. Three-day visit to the Dutch Pavilion at Epcot Center

　

5. Temporary re-branding TFC Academy team as "CSL: Miami"

　

4. Bitchy the Hawk to get into mid-season form by beating up on weak-assed flamingos

　

3. Paul Mariner and Aron Winter to drive around in Julian de Guzman's Lamborghini dressed as Miami Vice's Crockett & Tubbs

　

2. Search for "The Lost Treasure of the Tampa Bay Mutiny"

　

1. Lather Richard Eckersley in SPF 730 sunblock hourly

Letters from Camp: “More trialists? You bet Yourassowsky!”

Sweet Yourassed fashion scarf there Mikael!

TRIAL HARDER
Toronto FC released the names of more trialists joining the club in Florida today and they are... well... projects. Think more "new in camp" than "Nou Camp". The four players added to Florida’s Camp Wananfooty are:
MIKAEL YOURASSOWSKY: This 5 foot 11 Belgian defender had a bright start to his career, apprenticing with both Anderlecht and Argentine powerhouse Boca Juniors. However, the 27-year-old's professional record has been spotty and nomadic at best since with stops in Greece, Mexico and most recently a spell in Croatia's top division at NK Rijeka - ironically the most solid stretch of his career.
IVO "IN" DE HEUS: It's never a good sign if the most online research you can find on a player is his personal resume. Little is known about this Dutch midfielder apart from a lengthy stretch spent in the Ajax youth system (surprise!) and short professional stints with Dutch clubs Willem II and AGOVV Apeldoorn (Like Apple Jacks – just more footbally). Apparently caught the eye of TFC Assistant Bob de Klerk during his Ajax youth days.
JAMAL GAY: In an effort to help opposing supporters with their offensive chants, TFC invited Trinidad & Tobago International Gay to camp. Apart from his 6 foot 2 frame, there is little to get excited about over the 22-year-old striker. Came up through the Joe Public system before moving on to a lacklustre spell with Rot-Weiss Oberhausen in the German second division. Most recently loaned out to Turkish third division side Dardanel Spor A.S. who are apparently named after a popular brand of tuna - so that's something. Gay has scored 3 goals with the T&T National team but is always last in jersey sales.
JOEVIN JONES: Another Trinidad & Tobago International prospect. 19-year-old defender who has little professional record and emerged from the W Connection club. Despite 6 appearances with the T&T Nats he recently failed to make an impression at the Colorado Rapids camp and was released by The Maroons. First name is French for “Joe’s wine”.
　
DANNY'S KIDS
While the club has yet to make an official announcement, club legend Danny Dichio let it slip on Twitter yesterday evening that he was indeed taking Jason Bent's place as Head Coach of the TFC Academy U-19 squad. Dichio, who by all accounts has taken his education as a young coach very seriously (since being forced into retirement), is a natural choice and the second good homegrown coaching move made by TFC after the recent Bent promotion to the 1st Team. There is word also that fellow "Wall of Honour" (barf) recipient Jim Brennan will be involved in a coaching role with the Academy leaving a massive hole in the club's Auto Show, cartoon narration and coffee retrieval departments.
　
FIELD OF GREEN
Club owners MLSE released a report today slapping there own backs loudly and proudly over the profit that BMO Field has managed to make during its management by the sports, entertainment and panda meat juggernaut. The 2010 profit of $641,000 was in fact 3 times higher than projected and as part of their profit-sharing agreement, MLSE has provided the City of Toronto with $1.2 Million over the last 4 years. Mayor Rob Ford likely commented "Gravy Train. Union fat cats. KFC Double-Down. Argos." TFC supporters commented in unison "Ummm... roof?"

Letters from Camp: "Bent it like Jason"

Jason: On staff

GET BENT!
Aron Winter added some bench strength on the coaching side by promoting Jason Bent from the Academy ranks to 1st Team Assistant Coach. It's a solid move on the club's part as the 33-year-old Bent is a decent, young Canadian coaching prospect and his three years as Academy Head Coach gives him a strong bond with the crop of Academy youngsters moving to the 1st Team. For the Toronto native, whose playing career with the likes of Colorado and Plymouth Argyle was cut short by injury, it is a chance to learn the ropes of professional level coaching under some solid Dutch professors. No word yet from the club regarding who will fill the position of Academy Head Coach with possibilities including Danny Dichio, Mr. Coffee (Jim Brennan) or a professional poached from The Netherlands.
　
SIGN FIRST, CONFIRM LATER
It seems like Aron Winter may have got caught out as an MLS rookie manager when he announced the signings last week of Javier Martina, Elkebay Bouchiba and Nick Soolsma. While all signs point to the probability that the Dutch trio will indeed be signed, their contracts may well be stuck in the world of visas and MLS head office red tape. Toronto FC is being very careful in press releases to never refer to the three players as "signed" before any kind of official confirmation. Winter may have indeed had his first foray into the wacky world of Major League Soccer contracts.
　
THE MAGIC KINGDOM OF TRIALISTS
TFC had their first training session at their new Orlando-based camp on Tuesday which saw Aron Winter himself kitted out and looking fit enough to roam the midfield! All members of the 1st Team squad are on hand in Florida and so far the following players are also confirmed:
TRIALISTS: Javier Martina, Nick Soolsma, Chris Hunter, David Monsalve and Gianluca Zavarise
TFC ACADEMY: Ashtone Morgan, Matt Stinson, Oscar Cordon and Keith "Booyah" Makubuya
DRAFT PICKS: Demetrius Omphroy and Joao Plata
There is yet to be any confirmed word about would-be signing Elkebay Bouchiba or draft picks Matt Gold and Efrain Burgos Jr. While Bouchiba and Burgos may be held up by American work visas, the omission of Gold as well as the unknown status of trialist Eddy Sidra are mysterious. The club is expected to release its full list of camp participants shortly.

Letters from Camp: Grade A Florida Oranje

"Orlando, Florida... The Grammar Interesting"

NOT SO FRIENDLY
As Aron Winter gets used to life in the weird and wonderful world of North American football he will stumble across continental oddities that get under his skin. During a media scrum at TFC's Oakville training facility this week, the manager was grumbling about upcoming friendlies against other MLS clubs and mentioning he wouldn't have allowed it if he had it his way. It is of course nearly unheard of in Europe to play preseason matches against clubs in your own division but MLS of course tries to mimic other North American pro loops and their "exhibition season". Unfortunately for Winter, this will likely remain the norm unless he can talk MLSE into funding a month and a half camp somewhere distant like Turkey next year, or alternatively, only schedule friendlies versus CONCACAF clubs outside of MLS.
　
NO LUCK FOR THE IRISH
Supplemental draft pick Steven Beattie announced via Twitter today that he was leaving Toronto FC with his university being the most likely destination. The young Dublin native had been extraordinarily excited only weeks ago about joining TFC's camp but felt that his opportunities had been limited with The Reds. While not divulging too much of what led to his decision, he did tweet that he "wasn't getting a fair shot here". A "fair shot" for an unproven NCAA Division II player may be different in Beattie's eyes to TFC management's.
　
DISNEY ON ICE... er...ONLINE!
After enjoying a long weekend off (I wonder what Ty Harden got for Family Day?) The Reds will travel down to the Orlando area of Central Florida to continue training camp. When not drinking fresh OJ, riding on the teacups or watching the Space Shuttle take-off, TFC will take part in the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic(?). The Reds will face Houston on Thursday at 8PM and two days later play either FC Dallas or USL's Orlando City. The league is trying to promote the tourney by streaming the matches online via sources such as ESPN3's website but north of the border TFC-TV seems the most likely destination for footy starved Reds' support.
　
OLA TRIALISTOS!
Aron Winter wants to pack lightly for spring break. No, not tiny orange Speedos but rather a trimmed down squad that can concentrate on game tactics. Reports out of Toronto whisper that TFC will invite 3 or 4 South and/or Central American trialists while some of the out-of-contract players who were with TFC in Turkey may still return but no more than that. With just about a month to go before the season starts, Winter wants to start putting his 1st Team squad together. Wasn't it more fun when Mo was signing players 2 hours before the first game of the season?
　
DE RO ME SO HAPPY!
Toronto captain Dwayne De Rosario is claiming to be at his happiest in Toronto since the day he signed and it‘s not due to Toronto‘s natty new kit. While the mercurial midfielder claims that Aron Winter's tactics are suited to his game and that it will pay dividends on the field there may be other reasons for the Scarberian's smile. When asked about his contract situation, De Ro answered pleasantly and optimistically, while some news outlets in the city hinted generously that a DP offer could be in the pipe for the formerly corn-rowed goal-scorer.

Mickey Mo heads for the Magic Kingdom

------The MLSE Board of Directors are thrilled with Mo's work

Finally, Little Chaddy Barrett can stop calling Uncle Mo in the middle of the night asking "when are we getting to Disney World?" TFC said their goodbyes to cosmopolitan Bradenton, Florida yesterday and travelled the Interstate to Orlando for the next phase of training camp which includes the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic (the WDWPSC to its friends) tournament later this month. Apparently the mouse-eared trophy is highly sought after by Pro Soccerers.

The Reds finished off the Bradenton portion of camp with a goalless draw against DC United on Wednesday which saw the ongoing inclusion of trialists in Preki's squad. Paul Dickov made another appearance, despite rumours of his ongoing courtship with Leeds United, as well returns for Dan “The Man” Gargan, Vincent “The Ugandan Kid” Kayizzi and the awesomely named keeper Hunter “The Jock” Gilstrap. There were debuts for new trialists as well: Argentine forward Martin Saric who has bounced around Argentine and Balkan lower divisions; Serbian striker Kosta Bajic who has only played at an amateur level in Serbia; and, a very surprising, but still unofficial inclusion of Finnish International Alexei Eremenko.

Eremenko is a step above your average trialist indeed. the talented 26 year old Russian-born Finn has 40 caps for his nation and has played for some decent sized squads such as FC Saturn, Lecce and HJK. The odd thing about Eremenko's inclusion is that by all accounts he is in the midst of a 3 year contract with Ukrainian side Metalist Kharkiv. If Mo could pull this Thumper out of his hat it could be quite the coup and a big help to TFC's often limp left wing. His contract status as well as his wage would seem like major stumbling blocks however. As the days go on at The Mo-gical Kingdom, hopefully the news from the top will be more Aladdin and much less Pinocchio. Sing it together now… “It’s a small squad after all…”

THE STARTING 11: Florida training camp surprises

Ah Florida... it's The Sunshine State ya know? Oranges, Space Shuttles, flamingos, swamps and now Toronto FC! Our beloved boys in red track suits have departed the polar confines of Canada and have done what many Canadians do this time of year - head south. Mo's Marvels and a U-Haul full of trialists have decamped to cosmopolitan Bradenton, Florida where they will run around like puppies on natural grass and try not to get injured/ make the team. It's not all wind sprints and keepy-uppies though; there are always a few odd surprises...

11. Due to tiny size of squad, team is sharing a one bedroom motel room

10. Tourists gather daily to watch the British players turn bright red in the Florida sun

9. Rohan Ricketts asked to attend - thought TFC was going to see "Flo Rida"

8. Team had a 3-3 draw in match against the remaining cast of "The Golden Girls"

7. Florida's numerous retirement homes perfect for TFC scouting trips

6. During tour of The Everglades, team found members of Tampa Bay Mutiny roaming around aimlessly

5. Trialists keep asking Mo "where the Return half of their airline ticket is?"

4. Club took a team building trip to Disney World - left Chad Barrett on The Teacups

3. Jim Brennan and Marvell Wynne keep showing up to practice dressed as Miami Vice's Crockett & Tubbs

2. Every morning, Mo stands on the beach hoping that cheap Cuban players may come to shore on a raft

1. New back-up goalkeeper on trial - an alligator