Yorkies Cards 2011 - Pack 7

We are super ultra pleased how many people have liked what we've been doing here with these cards. However I'm disappointed that we haven't done enough to warrant a 'cease-and-desist' but then we weren't trying to be too offensive. Speaking of offensive, this pack includes Alex Bunbury's offspring, as well as Terry Dunfield and the least important trophy anywhere, the Trillium Cup.

Download Pack 7 [PDF]

TFC hopes for miracle (Mo)ves at draft

While on his way to Philadelphia to attend this year's SuperDraft, TFC Director of Football Mo Johnston will likely be stopping by a leper colony to do some healing as well as turning some water into wine on the flight. That is the level of miracle many TFC supporters are expecting before the draft begins as hopes are high that the ever humble Scot will be able to deal for a high pick. With little in the way of trade worthy assets and only a pair of low picks in his pocket, the lepers best wait until next year.

Johnston's ability to swing a deal will define the rest of his off season in regards to player acquisitions. New manager Preki is not towing the company line that TFC is "close" to being a good team and has been vocal about the need to fill glaring holes. Mo Johnston's slightly overrated history at the draft has been his favoured route to team building but with only the two low round picks, TFC's gaps are unlikely to be filled in Philadelphia tomorrow.

Johnston would love to get his hands on a high first round pick with the likely target being Canadian striker Teal Bunbury but he has so little to offer in the way of trades. Names being thrown around the rumour mill include Carl Robinson, Marvell Wynne, Stefan Frei and Chad Barrett but none of those players will be enough alone to secure a high first rounder. Also, with a fairly thin roster, Toronto can't really afford to be shipping out that many players without receiving more in return.

The odds are higher right now that Mo may just have to suffer through drafting low this year while hoping for a diamond in the rough. Sadly, TFC will not find a starter in the Second Round and beyond. This would mean supporters having to have faith in Mo's ability to actually purchase quality on the open market. With the international transfer market only open for a little while longer, true quality players (not trialists or low division UK cast-offs) may not be headed to TFC in time for the beginning of the season.

Perhaps Johnston may still have a miracle left, and with his spotty track record of player acquisitions outside of the draft - supporters best hope so. If not, maybe Mo can change fish and loaves into two defenders, two wingers and a striker.

THE WORD: Mo looking to s-Teal Bunbury

------------------------------Like father, like son?

Mo Johnston must have the shakes and the cold sweats right now. The Scot has many detractors but those who do back him use his record in the MLS SuperDraft as a defence. However, with a few days to go before the 2010 draft, where he is supposed to show his wily eye for talent, Johnston and his TFC "backroom" (about two guys and a some NCAA DVD's) do not have a first round pick and only a couple of late choices at their disposal.

To say that Mo's team building and player acquisitions while at TFC have left some fans wanting is generous. Even with last season’s additions of De Rosario and De Guzman, Toronto FC is a lop-sided squad with far too many holes for Year Four of the “Mo Johnston Five Year Plan”. With no other major signings even floating on the rumour mill, the SuperDraft would seem like the likely place for Mo to look to fill those holes... albeit on the cheap.

Mo's history at the draft, and the lack of picks are causing the rumours to swirl that he is actively shopping around the league to secure a first rounder. The apparent apple of TFC's eye is Teal Bunbury the NCAA's player of the year and son of former Team Canada striker Alex Bunbury. Sadly, Bunbury will be on most MLS club's radars after a stand-out season at Akron and will likely be a hot commodity. If he scores like his father, TFC could sure use him. Remember Vic Rauter calling a Canadian match? "BUUUUUUUUNNN-Bury!!!!"

The other aspect which will hamper Mo is his lack of assets. He has few players that he'd be willing to part with that have any value. The names being mentioned by those close to the league are Chad Barrett and Carl Robinson but would the San Joses of the world really be willing to give up a high first rounder for either player? Barrett seems extremely unlikely as most teams like strikers who score and there are a lot of questions about Robinson's future in North America if he is jettisoned from Toronto.

In the end, Mo may have to deal with the lower picks and be forced to do the unthinkable - sign players from other teams! Shock! If Johnston can't get quality from the draft and fails (yet again) in filling the team’s holes through transfers, how will his defenders be able to back him this time around?

WORD FACTOR: 4 / 10