Domino effect begins as Reds ship Kocic and Johnson to Timbers

Another team for Milos!



With all due respect to Justin Braun, TFC has made its first major deal under Kevin Payne's leadership. The long rumoured/now official deal between Toronto and Portland sees Milos Kocic and Ryan Johnson being fitted for hipster lumberjack shirts and skinny jeans while The Reds receive Timbers' First Round SuperDraft Pick (3rd Overall) and hulking backup keeper Joe Bendik "Like Beckham" in return.
　
While the move doesn't immediately aid the ever-shrinking squad numbers of TFC, this deal can be regarded as the first domino to fall in The Reds' re-building (again) effort. By all accounts the club has a number of irons in the Scandinavian fire that they would like to make happen but were up against the wall in regards to salary cap. Eliminating Kocic and Johnson's wages helps ease that pain.
　
By acquiring another high draft pick, Kevin Payne & Posse now have some flexibility at next month's SuperDraft. They can keep both picks and pray to the Nativity Baby Jesus that both picks turn into Blue (or Red) Chips and accelerate the youth movement. They can deal one for a warm MLS body and still have a remaining high pick. Or - least likely - deal both away in a major deal or a couple of deals to plug the now increasing holes in the starting eleven. The addition of Bendik, will offer some much needed competition to Freddy Hall as the # 2 keeper and/or allow young Quinlan Roberts the opportunity to go out on loan.
　
The departing Reds will be met with different emotions from TFC supporters. Milos Kocic was more than a suitable backup keeper, especially in 2012 when Stefan Frei missed the majority of the season. His heart and spirit will be missed by many but the majority will agree that Frei is the superior keeper overall and Kocic deserves a chance elsewhere. As for Ryan Johnson, we may have not seen as mercurial a talent since Amado Guevara was here. All the tools, speed and power to be great... but always just missing that certain spark. That being said, he logged many minutes in his roles at forward/midfield and his departure leaves another big hole to fill. These dominoes better start dropping soon.

UPDATE: According to The Toronto Sun's Kurt Larson this afternoon, Freddy Hall's option is not being picked up by the club. This of course means that Joe Bendik "Like Someone" is your new # 2 keeper - and Reggie Lambe will still send out illegible Tweets. As you were.

Balls of String: Stories to watch as Toronto FC plays out a lost season

"Today's attendance is 19,575... thank you fans"



Getting casual fans to watch TFC matches when times were good... well at least fun.... was a challenge. Now, as yet another season enters the "playing for next year" phase, even getting the most ardent supporters interested grows harder. For those of you who know they are addicted to this club and will be back next year despite 2012, finding a reason to watch a futile string of matches may be frustrating. So, if you need more reasons to watch a match aside from hearing Thomas Rongen's Dutch "donkey hitting his foot on a rock" analogy - here are some stories that you can keep your eye on...
　
FRINGS AIN'T WHAT THEY USED TO BE
When we last heard, the club whispered under its breath that club captain Torsten Frings had suffered a hip injury and had headed back to Deutschland to visit some BundesDoctors. The wording seemed to hint that Frings may be shut down for the year and if that is the case - is it unreasonable to think that TFC may cut ties with the Bavarian talisman? Frings has definitely lost a step this season (possibly due to injury) but with only a year left on the pricey 35-year old, will the club look in a different direction? Also see: Danny Koevermans
NOW UPDATED WITH 50% MORE HORRIBLE TRUTH (HERE)
　
EL MILAGRO DE LA CONCACAF
Most sane Reds supporters would concede that TFC's 3-1 loss to Santos Laguna at BMO Field all but ends the club's quest to progress in Champions League. While all signs point to "no way Jose", could TFC pull out a miraculous double of victories in Mexico and El Salvador AND get help to steal their CCL Group?
　
4-4-?
While not exactly blessed with a plethora of football knowledge in his starting eleven, Paul Mariner's tactics as manager have been described (sometimes fairly, sometimes not) as "dump and chase" or "hoof ball". Decried as a relic of 1960's English football, the style has even drawn mocking from opponents and without the scoring prowess of Danny Koevermans has not been effective. Will Mariner try to massage a little more "football" into his soccer in an attempt to separate the wheat from the chaff in his squad?
　
THAT ONE'S A KEEPER
It seems pretty evident that a TFC keeper is being frozen. No, not by an opponent from the penalty spot but by the coaching staff. After Stefan Frei went down with a major injury, Milos Kocic became the defacto # 1 but recently he has been replaced by very raw Bermudian Freddy Hall. Is Kocic's benching a sign that his TFC days are numbered and is Frei headed back to his place as The Reds' main man in goal for 2013?
　
END OF THE ROAD?
We may only see them if garbage minutes allow but it would seem as if 2012 may mark the end for a few old faces. Adrian Cann and Ty Harden have been phantoms (even when not injured) and do not seem to fit into Mariner's plans while other names such as Eric Avila have been surprising in their omissions. More than a few Reds may be down to their last few weeks with the club.
　
PETER OUT OR "PAUL" UP?
The on-field performance lately has been far from inspiring. Lack of talent is one thing but coming out flat is just downright infuriating for fans to watch. With little to play for except clichés, will we see a scrappy TFC inspired by their manager - or, will heads and effort levels drop in unison as other teams prepare for the playoffs?
　
CHILDREN ARE THE FUTURE?
Will the blend of injuries and general lack of talent on the club allow Paul Mariner to "audition" the younger members of the team for 2013? While a few veterans will be necessary to give the appearance of "trying" to win, the remaining fixtures may be an opportunity to see what youngsters can really cut it at the MLS level. While the likes of Ashtone Morgan and Luis Silva have solidified a future, names like Aaron Maund, Quincy Amarikwa, Matt Stinson and Logan Emory still need to show they have the consistency to demand a salary next year.
　
BIT OF A HASSLI
The imposing Frenchman avec le tattoos du neck was brought over to TFC as something of a panic buy after Danny Koevermans went down for the season and beyond. As far as panic buys go, he's a fairly good one - despite likely being able to snatch him for free at the end of 2012 if the injury hadn't forced Mariner's hand. However, Hassli has yet to find any consistency and has been far from the replacement needed up top. The Reds once again find themselves desperate for a consistent goalscorer but will Hassli find the form in the last few weeks of 2012 to warrant his pricey return?
　
TICKETS! WHO NEEDS 'EM, WHO WANTS "EM?
Oh to be a TFC Season Ticket Rep over the next few months. Not an enviable task. Through no fault of their own (except guilt by association), these poor souls will have to convince TFC season ticket holders to hand over wads of cash for yet another season that is yet to hold promise of much different. Many Day One ticket holders are finally calling it a day and casual support is bleeding on a weekly basis. Will MLSE have the Saputo-prodded smarts to lower season tickets across the board? GASP! Will they freeze ticket prices once again? Can they offer anything to the long-abused to avoid TFC matches from resembling FC Dallas matches? This is a question that only time will tell.
　
C.O.-OH NO!
The inevitable coronation of Tom Anselmi to MLSE's COO (aka head virgin sacrificer) will have many TFC supporters rolling their eyes. How a man so directly involved with the slaying of a golden goose is exalted to one of North America's highest sports management positions is beyond us, but hey. Maple Leafs and Raptors fans are suddenly screaming that "the sky is falling", but to them we say... "you are absolutely right". Welcome to our world. From a TFC slant, it will be interesting to see if Anselmi continues his iron grip over the club or if in a move of appeasement, an actual football man (not looking at you Earl Cochrane or Jim Brennan) is put into place as a TFC "President". Either that or the new owners move the Argos into BMO, get us a fluffy mascot, thundersticks and the TFC City Dancers. Whatevs.

AFTER 90: Some New England evolution

THE BUZZ:

Can the Reds momentum carry from their amazing midweek win?

Will Paul Mariner manage TFC's first win at his old stomping ground?

Does new-boy Andrew Wiedeman make an appearance?

Is Kevin McKenna here yet?

Can Terry "Thierry" Dunfield continue his best form as a Red?

Is Olaf Mellberg here yet?

Have those musket dudes behind the New England goal ever actually shot someone and/or felt the warm embrace of a woman?

FIRST HALF:

8' - GOAL: Toronto - Luis Silva

NEW ENGLAND 0 - TORONTO 1

42' - SUB: Andrew Wiedeman on for Danny Koevermans

FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHT: Lambe going all Reggienaldo on the assist

FIRST HALF LOWLIGHT: Koevermans leaving on a stretcher with a nasty knee knock

HALFTIME: NEW ENGLAND 0 - TORONTO 1

SECOND HALF:

69' - SUB: Aaron Maund in for Reggie Lambe

85' - YELLOW CARD: Terry Dunfield

90' - SUB: Matt Stinson in for Luis Silva

90'+ - YELLOW CARD: Ashtone Morgan

SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHT: Milos Kocic saving the game late

SECOND HALF LOWLIGHT: A ridiculous 7 minutes of Extra Time

FULL TIME: NEW ENGLAND 0 - TORONTO 1

PLAYER RATINGS: Milos Kocic 7.5 / Doneil Henry 5.5 / Richard Eckersley 7 / Logan Emory 7 / Ashtone Morgan 6.5 / Reggie Lambe 6.5 (Aaron Maund 6) / Terry Dunfield 6.5 / Torsten Frings 6 / Luis Silva 6.5 (Matt Stinson N/A) / Danny Koevermans 6.5 (Andrew Wiedeman 5.5) / Ryan Johnson 5.5

THE YORKIES' TFC MAN OF THE MATCH: Milos Kocic

THE MOOD:

While much of the excitement for Reds supporters in the lead-up to the match was around the Olof Mellberg to TFC rumours, for once, the match overshadowed off-field news. Far from a pretty match (outside of the very sweet goal by Silva), TFC did show a steely backbone in preserving a 1-0 lead for the majority of the match. While they still have some serious holes to fill there are some very pleasing signs that the squad is indeed playing as more of a "club" under Paul Mariner.

Unfortunately there is a very dark lining around the good result in that Danny Koevermans picked up what could turn into a season-ending injury. With the big Dutchman being the only reliable source of goals in the recent weeks, his absence would put a big roadblock before any TFC resurgence, even if the playoffs are still a pipe dream. The truth is, whether Koevermans is out or not, TFC desperately needs another striker. While the focus on potential transfers is justifiably on the centreback position, the striker role could be about to be a very weak link and one that Ryan Johnson nor any other current options are good enough to carry. Testing times ahead made a bit easier for tonight by TFC's first win in Foxboro.

AFTER 90: Dead leg

St.Hubert - this leg goes to Quebec

THE BUZZ:
Will Aron Winter regret saying "we're better than Montreal"?

Did Jesse Marsch pin those word to Impact's dressing room?

Do people honestly prefer St.Hubert's over Swiss Chalet?

Is TONIGHT the new start for TFC 2012?

Could there be more old Italians on Montreal?

Does a bad loss tonight mark the end of Winter?

Can someone please direct me to la bibliotheque?!

FIRST HALF:

No events

FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHT: Kocic going all "Cobra"... twice

FIRST HALF LOWLIGHT: The Reds' phobia of Montreal's goal

HALFTIME: MONTREAL 0 - TORONTO 0

SECOND HALF:

60' - SUB: Luis Silva on for Eric Avila

73' - SUB: Richard Eckersley on for Reggie Lambe

90' - SUB: Logan Emory on for Terry Dunfield

90'+ - YELLOW CARD: Luis Silva

SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHT: Staying awake longer than TFC's offence

SECOND HALF LOWLIGHT: See First Half. Repeat.

FULL TIME: MONTREAL 0 - TORONTO 0

PLAYER RATINGS: Milos Kocic 7 / Doneil Henry 6.5 / Adrian Cann 6 / Miguel Aceval 6 / Ashtone Morgan 5.5 / Terry Dunfield 5 (Logan Emory N/A) / Julian de Guzman 5 / Torsten Frings 5.5 / Reggie Lambe 6 (Richard Eckersley N/A) / Ryan Johnson 4 / Eric Avila 4 (Luis Silva 4)

THE YORKIES' TFC PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Milos Kocic

THE MOOD:

If you were to believe that Aron Winter set out his team to grind out a 0-0 in the away leg of an important cup competition, you could have been pleased with tonight's result. The problem is, no one can really think that bunkering at The Big O was the plan. No, TFC looked like they intended to go out and play football - they just weren't capable of beating that team they are apparently "better than". Only scrappy defending and Montreal's lack of finishing numerous chances saved a further blush to Toronto's annus horribilis.

Aron Winter will very likely have the gall to play tonight's result as some sort of warped "moral victory" but in his quiet moments, the affable Dutchman must wonder where the improvement is. Knowing TFC's pedigree in this competition, they will somehow get a win in the 2nd Leg (after a tornado, earthquake and missile strike delay the game) but this club is still so very far from sustainable progress that a Finals berth will only be a soother. As Craig Forrest exclaimed tonight when the CSA's sub board malfunctioned - but can be used here otherwise... "what a gong show".

AFTER 90: A Hollywood ending

You can't spell Hollywood without "Soolsma"



THE BUZZ:
A tiny Home Depot Center crowd, an apparently "fatigued" Galaxy playing their first team... again, and a Toronto FC squad who have pulled off the odd cup miracle. Could the Hollywood stars have aligned for The Reds tonight? Not so fast... Los Angeles are still the cream of the MLS crop and TFC needs a top-notch performance to head to the semi-finals where Santos Laguna awaits tonight’s winner.
　
FIRST HALF:
20' - YELLOW CARD: Richard Eckersley
33' - GOAL: Toronto - Ryan Johnson
LOS ANGELES 0 - TORONTO 1
　
FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHT: The absolute smash-and-grab goal
FIRST HALF LOWLIGHT: Watching TFC's very high line tested
　
HALFTIME: LOS ANGELES 0 - TORONTO 1
　
SECOND HALF:
45' - SUB: Terry Dunfield on for Joao Plata
55' - GOAL: Los Angeles - Ty Harden (OG)
LOS ANGELES 1 - TORONTO 1
62' - YELLOW CARD: Miguel Aceval
63' - SUB: Luis Silva on for Julian de Guzman
66' - GOAL: Toronto - Nick Soolsma
LOS ANGELES 1 - TORONTO 2
69' - SUB: Aaron Maund on for Danny Koevermans
90'+ - YELLOW CARD: Torsten Frings
　
SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHT: Nick Soolsma thrilling his cat and TFC supporters alike
SECOND HALF LOWLIGHT: Ty Harden as the catalyst of turtling
　
FULL TIME: LOS ANGELES 1 - TORONTO 2
　
PLAYER RATINGS: Milos Kocic 8 / Richard Eckersley 6.5 / Miguel Aceval 6 / Ty Harden 5 / Ashtone Morgan 6.5 / Torsten Frings 6.5 / Nick Soolsma 7 / Julian de Guzman 5.5 (Luis Silva 6 ) / Joao Plata 6 (Terry Dunfield 5.5 ) / Danny Koevermans 5 (Aaron Maund 6 ) / Ryan Johnson 8
　
THE YORKIES' TFC MAN OF THE MATCH: Milos Kocic
　
THE MOOD:
Is "holy crap I'm gonna throw up" a mood? Against all of North America's odds, MLS' perennial underdog, Toronto FC, knocked the league's glamour club out of the Champions League. Workmanlike, unexpected and in the end, gutsy can describe TFC's performance tonight as they ground down a ropey Galaxy with two smash-and-grab goals. They didn't make it easy on themselves, falling into lapses of over-turtling at times and making some curious substitutions, but in hindsight, Aron Winter will look like he tactically outwitted Bruce Arena. Fabulous performances from Milos Kocic, Ryan Johnson and feline-friend Nick Soolsma propel Toronto FC forward as the only MLS club remaining in the Champions League - and making a little Canadian football history to boot. Could have only happened in Hollywood.

Yorkies Cards 2011 - Pack 2

Didja like what you've seen so far? If you answered "no" then it probably won't get much better than that.  In this package of brilliance, you will find the inaction shots of Milos Kocic, 2010-workhorse-2011-goat Dan Gargan and the biggest endorsement 'miss' going of the not-yet-Harvey's sponsored Torsten Frings.

Download Pack 2 [PDF]