Sock tassels to be raised to BMO Field rafters as TFC waives Terry Dunfield

"You waived who in the whatnow?!"



In the past when TFC has jettisoned "plumbers" like Dan Gargan, Ty Harden and their ilk we have met the news with bemusement that their stars had even managed to shine so brightly here. It was usually a mix between Torontonians' odd love affairs with "blue collar" athletes and some savvy Toronto FC marketing that propelled lesser skilled players to stardom in the vacuum of talent. Terry Dunfield's release however feels a wee bit different.
　
While Dunfield definitely fits into the "heart over skill" type of player of which TFC has had more than their fair share, his cult status was based on him being a seemingly nice Canadian guy. In an era where "nice" and "TFC" aren't usually appearing in the same sentence, Terry Dunfield's personality and team spirit have been a breath of fresh air. His enthusiasm definitely needs to be bottled and hand-fed to remaining Reds during halftime talks.
　
This being said, a (likely not-so popular) feeling this morning should be one of hope that perhaps TFC are thinking with their footballing minds and not their hearts or marketing department. We have seen depth players retained for too long here in the past due to their affinity amongst supporters. Kevin Payne promised that the roster would be very different by the end of the season and the tough truth is that Dunfield has no value going forward.
　
As likeable a man as Dunfield is, he is not going to get any better, he is coming off of injury and wouldn't likely be a starting member of any MLS playoff contender. TFC are obviously looking towards 2014 and blooding in future players is far more important than giving a feel-good fan favourite minutes just to appease the (understandably) angry crowd. It may seem cutthroat, but it is wise.

AFTER 90: Grand Theft Dunfield

"To Club Escobar! Tell 'em Terry sent ya!"

THE BUZZ:

Will the choice to play a B squad destroy any chance of TFC fight?

At this point in TFC's season does it really matter?

Will fans feel let down if TFC loses to Santos Laguna anyways?

Do you guys know any good clubs in Houston for later?

Is that Miguel Aceval over there?

Did someone put something in my drink..?

Are these Paul Mariner's shorts?

FIRST HALF:

21' - GOAL: Houston: Will Bruin

HOUSTON 1 - TORONTO

FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHT: A TFC record six defended corner kicks

FIRST HALF LOWLIGHT: That hole where a midfield should be

HALFTIME: HOUSTON 1 - TORONTO 0

SECOND HALF:

59' - SUB: Eric Avila on for Andrew Wiedeman

68' - SUB: Ashtone Morgan on for Logan Emory

85' - GOAL: Toronto: Terry Dunfield

HOUSTON 1 - TORONTO 1

89' - SUB: Adrian Cann on for Quincy Amerikwa

SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHT: Terry Bearfeather's smash n' grab

SECOND HALF LOWLIGHT: Paul Mariner saying that this was "the best the team had looked in a long time." Umm. Okay.

FULL TIME: HOUSTON 1 - TORONTO 1

PLAYER RATINGS: Freddy Hall 5.5 / Jeremy Hall 6 / Richard Eckersley 6.5 / Darren O'Dea 7 / Logan Emory 6 (Ashtone Morgan 6) / Andrew Wiedeman 5 (Eric Avila N/A) / Aaron Maund 5.5 / Terry Dunfield 6.5 / Ryan Johnson 5 / Quincy Amarikwa 5.5 (Adrian Cann N/A) / Luis Silva 6.5

THE YORKIES' TFC MAN OF THE MATCH: Darren O'Dea

THE MOOD:

The criminal masterminds that are TFC have once again got a felony on their hands in Houston, Texas. No Torsten Frings wasn't arrested at Club Escobar's "Hot Bavarian Fridays" but rather Terry "Canadian Pirlo" Dunfield stole a late equalizing goal in a match that saw Houston dominate TFC. Was it a well-crafted "rope-a-dope" by Paul Mariner to lull Houston into naptime? Not likely but it showed that The Reds didn't give up and had heart if not anything in the way of tactics.

 

Many will agree with Mariner's choice to sit the starters in preparation for Santos Laguna's CCL visit. It's hard to argue prioritizing the CCL over MLS right now as TFC have no hope at the playoffs. However, if the manager doesn't find a way to make The Reds a far more potent offensive threat then smash n' grabs will be the only results they muster and Central America is no place to go and try to steal anything.

AFTER 90: With all to play for...

BC Place: actual attendance pictured

THE BUZZ:

Could this be the end to TFC's Canadian reign?

Will Aron Winter "park the bus" at BC Place?

Will he let Ryan Johnson know beforehand?

Who has to wash BC Place's giant curtains?

Has the Whitecaps schedule left them tired?

Are Granola Buttys a thing?

Am I the only one who would trade Vancouver's assistant coach Carl Robinson for our new one?

　

FIRST HALF:

11' - YELLOW CARD: Jeremy Hall

　

FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHT: Scrappy teamwork to cover errors

FIRST HALF LOWLIGHT: Seeing Carl Robinson as Vancouver's assistant... then seeing ours

　

HALFTIME: VANCOUVER 0 - TORONTO 0

　

SECOND HALF:

49' - YELLOW CARD: Terry Dunfield

64' - SUB: Danny Koevermans in for Eric Avila

66' - GOAL: Toronto - Ryan Johnson

VANCOUVER 0 - TORONTO 1

71' - SUB: Nick Soolsma in for Reggie Lambe

79' - SUB: Luis Silva in for Joao Plata

90'+ - GOAL: Vancouver - Eric Hassli

VANCOUVER 1 - TORONTO 1

　

SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHT: Ryan Johnson officially earning the name "Cup Killah"

SECOND HALF LOWLIGHT: A lightning bolt strike by Hassli

　

FULL TIME: VANCOUVER 1 - TORONTO 1

　

PLAYER RATINGS: Milos Kocic 6.5 / Jeremy Hall 6 / Adrian Cann 6.5 / Doneil Henry 7 / Ashtone Morgan 6 / Terry Dunfield 7 / Julian de Guzman 5.5 / Eric Avila 5.5 (Danny Koevermans 5) / Reggie Lambe 6 (Nick Soolsma 6.5) / Ryan Johnson 7 / Joao Plata 5.5 (Luis Silva N/A)

　

THE YORKIES' TFC PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Terry Dunfield

　

THE MOOD:

Unlike the 1st Leg against Montreal in the Canadian Championship Semi-Final, we are left with a feeling that Toronto FC actually played to plan tonight. Rather than simply parking the bus, Aron Winter's pre-match promise of counter-attacking football actually came to fruition. With the daring to pressure a very lacklustre Vancouver, of course came the reward in a massive away goal.

　

While The Reds were by no means a polished football machine, they managed to blend some scrappy teamwork and kept the pressure on Whitecaps who looked disjointed for large stretches. But, as one would expect from a cup match between these two clubs, a shocking moment turned everything on its head when Eric Hassli scored a wonder goal that no goalkeeper could have stopped. If nothing else, Toronto fans are in for a 2nd Leg treat next week with all to play for. Weather permitting.

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]

LETTERS FROM CAMP: "My God, they're full of stars!"

"You are just on loan Dave..."



A SALARY CAP FAR, FAR AWAY?
In the most uneventful (in a good way) pre-season of Toronto FC's history, we can't help but gaze into the distance at our next meaningful opponent, LA Galaxy. In one of the shrewdest moves in MLS governance, Galaxy persuaded the league to allow them to use Mexican Pesos as their salary cap currency. This has to be the explanation for a club that already boasted David Beckham, Landon Donovan and Robbie Keane but has remarkably added Edson Buddle, Sao Paulo defender Leonardo and extended the loan of midfielder Juninho in the last fortnight. If the peso-policy isn't real, then you'd almost have to believe that MLS wants LA to be a "superclub" and face fellow giant Seattle in the CCL Semi Final on their march to the FIFA Club World Cup. But that thinking would be crazy right? Yes. Crazy. After all... there's "proof" out there!
　
Sadly for LA Galaxy's accountants, their fans can't join in on the excitement yet. The club had to cap attendance at the CCL QF 2nd Leg against TFC at 7500. In their defence, the average mid-March temperature in Los Angeles is a chilly 19 degrees Celsius. Brrr. That is far too cold to enjoy a prawn sandwich.
　
CUP RUNNETH IS OVER
While the details of who is available for TFC in the CCL QF seem to be ever-changing, CONCACAF has made it clear that Eric Avila and Jeremy Hall cannot be selected. Both players were included in other CCL squads in the current Champions League season which leaves them cup-tied. There is an appeal process for TFC to lobby CONCACAF but those two players seem to be no-go's. Avila's absence will be felt the most but does give rookie Luis Silva a shot at early SkyDome stardom.
　
HIT DUN-FIELD RUNNING
Terry Dunfield reveals that he had successful surgery on a nagging hernia problem this off-season. The Canadian international claims to be nearing 100% after the December operation in Germany and is raring to go in 2012. The groin tear was suffered while still with Vancouver last season which could explain why Dunfield's TFC appearances could be described as "sparing" at best. Even if fully fit, it may be hard for the affable Canuck to crack the Starting 11 regularly with a lot of competition this year in the middle of the pitch.

Dunfield in, Nana out as TFC open transfer window wider (Now with 50% more trade!)

Same stadium - new red shirt



The Reds made a curious pair of deals today in that they both seem to represent the beginning of a path to change rather than a conclusion. The club officially announced the acquisition of 29-year-old Canadian international midfielder Terry Dunfield from Vancouver Whitecaps while a deal sending Nana Attakora to San Jose Earthquakes has been announced by the player, but at time of writing yet to be officially announced by TFC.
　
The feisty Dunfield, most famous in these parts for his recent goal at BMO Field with Canada, had seen his minutes and performance dwindle lately with Whitecaps. Highly regarded for his grit and work ethic, the Vancouver native can definitely add some depth in the midfield but his acquisition will raise loud(er) questions over the immediate future of Julian de Guzman. With Tony Tchani returning to health and DP Torsten Frings about to enter the fray, space may be limited in the middle of the pitch.
　
The departure of Nana Attakora is a disappointing ending to a TFC career which started on Day One and which many supporters thought would last for years to come. The young capped Canadian emerged as a solid MLS back last year and many expected him to jump from strength to strength this season. Yet, somehow Attakora fell afoul of the new TFC management through a bizarre combination of contract dispute, apparent sub-standard form and a rash of injuries. It is hard to comment fully on this deal until the details of what TFC is getting in return are confirmed but the glaring alarm on this transfer is that a team which is desperately in need of defence traded away a potential defensive stalwart. It is easy to imagine that both deals are the first steps towards even further flux at BMO Field.
　
UPDATES BELOW AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE...

 4:15PM - Toronto FC have confirmed a very big deal. The Nana Attakora deal now includes Jacob Peterson and Alan Gordon who all head to San Jose in return for Jamaican international midfielder/forward Ryan Johnson. The move opens a number of roster spots as well as affecting cap space with more moves, especially defensive, no doubt in the pipeline.