Ty Harden in - Jorge Andrade... not so much

--------------------Oregon's Jorge Andrade, apparently

Somewhere in Toronto FC's media relations department, a hack is spellchecking "Franz Beckenbauer" for Mo's inevitable comparison between Der Kaiser and TFC's newest defender Ty Harden. There of course is no comparison, Harden is just another mediocre body in TFC's new "Adopt-a-Rapid" campaign acquired today for a third-round draft pick in 2011. Of course that has never stopped TFC PR from trumpeting lesser players in the past has it?

"He's a good quality, young defender and there are many things I like about him. He showed a lot of promise in his rookie season with the Galaxy and we hope he can add some toughness to our back line" crowed manager Preki from TFC's Florida camp. What he didn't mention apart from Harden's fair rookie season with Galaxy was that the player left football to pursue charity work in Kenya for a year before returning to MLS with Rapids last season. That's a sign of a fine gentleman no doubt but hardly the making of the new Roberto Carlos. Harden played in 7 matches with Colorado last season and had a 1 match loan spell with Rochester in the USL. Exciting.

Harden is as stated, a body to be added to a paper thin defence. As depth, he is passable, but he will not be any kind of changing force in a back four that alarmingly looks like it could include Nick Garcia on opening day. Harden seems like a solid citizen and his year in Kenya is a wonderful act but from a purely football perspective he is yet another one of Mo's on-the-cheap specials - and don't let the TFC PR machine tell you any different.

Of course the PR department will probably be busy now making up excuses on why their trialist saviour - Jorge Andrade, didn't even bother to show up to training camp. Yes, the man who was meant to be the possible stalwart of TFC:2010's defence has so far been a Florida no-show. No official word yet if Andrade has hooked up with another poorly managed club or if his non-existent left knee gave out on the way to the airport. One thing is for sure, The Yorkies' PR department won't be comparing Mo Johnston to Franz Beckenbauer as a director of football.

THE STARTING 11: Surprises for Toronto FC trialists

Much like the corn sprouts in the summer, January means Farmer Mo is out harvesting his crop of trialists for TFC training camp. The supporters get excited over the possibilities like Jorge Andrade and Ibrahim Said even if past crops such as Kiki Musampa withered in the Florida sun. The anticipation is on both sides however, the trialists themselves usually come to Toronto with little knowledge of the city or the club. The trialist may be surprised by some of their experiences...

11. Have to wake up at 5AM to fluff Julian De Guzman's hair

10. Predrag "Preki" Radosavljevic spelling bee at the end of each day

9. Must try to steal Trillium Cup from Columbus in 1980's comedy film fashion

8. Must bring the Timbits to practice

7. Trialists must share drive to Florida in an MLSE-rented 1976 Oldsmobile

6. Get to stay in luxury basement apartment in beautiful downtown Oshawa

5. Met at airport by Rohan Ricketts - not an official team rep, just working as a cabbie

4. Free Laurent Robert jersey with every trial!

3. If late for lunch, Ali Gerba shrugs mysteriously at your empty plate

2. Have to read "The Little Engine That Could" to Chad Barrett every bedtime

1. Have to carry Mo Johnston around in bejewelled medieval carriage

THE WORD: TFC to trial Jorge Andrade - College Street holds its breath

----------------------------"Do I look good in red?"

Rumours are swirling around the big smoke today that Toronto FC are willing to offer a trial to former Portuguese international defender Jorge Andrade. The hulking 31 year old, 6-Foot central defender has had a very solid career with Porto, Deportivo La Coruna and most recently Juventus but had his success cut short by a crippling knee injury. The Italian club cut Andrade loose after his most recent injury woes and the Lisbon native has been searching for a club ever since.

If the opportunity is indeed true, Andrade would come to Toronto for a physical and if his knee is sound he would be offered a trial at The Reds' training camp. It is a no-risk move for Mo Johnston and his staff with the slim possibility of being a coup. If Andrade could prove healthy and find form even close to what he showed at Deportivo La Coruna (where he played along side Julian De Guzman) he could be a major help to TFC's Swiss Cheese back line.

For Andrade, TFC and MLS is about the highest level proving ground he could find right now and he would play in a city where he could be a potential idol. If he could become a TFC regular, Toronto's massive Portuguese community, especially the Porto supporters, would embrace him like a fat kid on a chorizo. Andrade is a long shot as of right now, but if there is truth to this possibility it has the potential to be mutually beneficial to TFC and the man from Lisbon.

WORD FACTOR: 6 / 10