Letters from Camp: TFC wraps up some Turkey leftovers

"Mmm, you can really taste the Soolsma!"

From our Dutch horshe's mouth came word today that Toronto FC had snapped up its first new signings of 2011. During today's media scrum, manager Aron Winter informed the press that three of the players who were on trial with the club in Turkey are now indeed fully signed-on members of the Red-Oranje Army. The newest Reds are:
　
JAVIER MARTINA: The 23-year-old Dutch forward originally from the Netherlands Antilles impressed onlookers during all three of TFC's friendly matches. Usually the talisman when The Reds moved forward against their Balkan foes, Martina will have every chance to carve himself a place in the fairly barren Toronto front-line. The very technical former Jong Ajax prospect is the type of two-way forward Winter will need in his 4-3-3.
　
ELKEBAY BOUCHIBA: The versatile Dutch journeyman can play in the central and holding midfield roles and isn't afraid to spread his game to the flanks. Once again the two-way style Dutch player comes into the mix and the 32-year-old Bouchiba will be able to offer depth in a number of positions. With stops at clubs like AZ, FC Twente and Sparta Rotterdam, the sturdy midfielder will offer a Carl Robinson-like presence off the bench. Made a good impression despite only attending the second half of camp.
　
NICK SOOLSMA: Most definitely the most surprising of the signings. Going into camp, Soolsma was the least known of the trialists only having spent short spells in the Dutch lower divisions with clubs like HFC Haarlem and VV Young Boys. Considered the dark horse going in but impressed with hard training and a very good showing against a tough Dinamo Zagreb defence. The 23-year-old seems to have a burgeoning partnership with Martina.
　
There is yet to be any formal word out of TFC about the fates of the remaining Turkey-based (not turkey baste) trialists but there may still be a chance for some return appearances when the club travels to Florida next week. The most interesting prospect remaining would be talented Ghanaian midfielder King Osei Gyan but whispers are percolating that his asking price may be a bit steep for The Reds. With a new Americas-based group of trialists expected next week, the club isn't likely to pull the trigger on an expensive contract just yet.
　
One last potential player acquisition today sees TFC in a weighted MLS player lottery for the rights to USA U-20 defensive prospect Korey "Darth" Veeder. The young American has spent time with the US program's U-17 residency program as well as spending time with the USL's Crystal Palace Baltimore. TFC have a 45.52% chance of landing Veeder's rights. If The Reds feel the power of the force we will update below.
　
UPDATE: Columbus Crew beat the odds and won the rights to “Darth” Vedder. He has indeed fallen to the dark side.

THE STARTING 11: New Dutch names for Toronto FC players

TFC unveil their new "Oranje" kit... and players

One of the hardest things for a new coach is getting to know his new charges on a personal level. Building those bonds between management and players can be the difference between early success and failure. For Aron Winter, it's that extra bit hard, what with having a foreign background to most of the established Toronto FC squad. However, it looks like there may be an easy solution for the blossoming relationship between The Reds and their new boss. Instead of Winter wrapping his head and tongue around a bunch of new names, wouldn't it be easier for the players to take on a new "Dutch-ier" persona?
　
11. Jools de Goozey
　
10. Nathin Van Sturgsie
　
9. Jimmy Ty Hardenbaink
　
8. Maijkon Saantdorf
　
7. Duuanje Der Roosarijo
　
6. Jacob Petersoon of Hesselink
　
5. Naanja Attacocu
　
4. Nick Van Brokkel
　
3. Adriuun Cann Nistoolroy
　
2. Gargo Dan Basten
　
1. Stefan Van Der Frei

THE WORD: Dutch-based Canadian first to join Toronto FC's "Oranje Revolution"?

Polish-Canadian Dutch treat?

It's barely been 24 hours since Aron Winter was declared Toronto FC's head honcho but perhaps the Dutch legend's links to his homeland may help the club land a new striker. Rumours from Holland claim that Scarborough raised Andrew Ornoch, currently playing for Eerste Divisie (Dutch 2nd Tier) side BV Veendam, will be leaving that club in the near future to join The Reds when training camp opens in late January. The poorly translated Dutch-to-English report states:

Aron Winter has his first reinforcement. The former footballer, who recently started working as manager at Toronto FC, will be provided with Andrew Ornoch.

Ornoch came last season to BV Veendam. The attacker, however, suffers from homesickness and decided to return to his native Canada. There he will work for Toronto FC, reports the club from Groningen.

BV Veendam and Ornoch spoke earlier and concluded that the player would take trips to the training camp of the club in Turkey. In consultation has now decided that both parties finally split up.

Oh, the Dutch... "split up" sounds so emotional! The 25-year-old Ornoch has been linked before to TFC but a deal couldn't be completed, with Mo Johnston's capped out salary structure the rumoured reason. However, with plenty of cap room, free roster spots, the new management's relations within Dutch football and the player's apparent desire to play in Canada - a deal could come into reality soon.
　
The Canadian International has had career stops in Hungary and Denmark previous to Holland but hasn't managed to cross into the "prolific striker" mode quite yet but at a young age and with a chance to play regularly at home, the Polish-born hitman could be the right fit in Winter's desired "attacking total football". With rumours persisting about Dutch winger Bas Ent and American defender Evan Schwartz (both having played for USL's Dayton Dutch Lions) joining Toronto, the club could have an oranje shade quicker than expected.
　
WORD FACTOR: 5 / 10