O'Brian White(caps) moves (slowly) westward - TFC trims more fat

What could a Jamaican possibly like about Vancouver?

Going into the MLS Expansion Draft, Toronto FC dangled a couple of big names in front of Portland and Vancouver followed by a list of its various underachievers and also-rans. Looking at the list prior to the draft, most would have believed TFC would have a better chance of having its junk grabbed if it went through U.S. airport security. Badum-bum! Thanks, I'm here through the draft - try the butty.
　
With that said, it came as a mild surprise that Vancouver decided to draft former Toronto First Round SuperDraft pick O'Brian "Montego/Malvern Molasses" White in the 6th Round. White, who entered the league injured and never seemed to find his way back to full speed is a striker with some promise but also one with an increasingly questioned work ethic and a fairly sizeable contract. The recently capped Jamaican International marks something of a project for Whitecaps FC but if they can kick-start his career it will be an egg on the face of their Canadian cousins without the risk of taking on Julian de Guzman's DP contract.
　
The draft turned out to have a fairly deep field and the newly minted Whitecaps can enter the league with quality names such as Sanna Nyassi, Atiba Harris and sexy adult film star/ goalkeeper Joe Cannon. Timbers grabbed a few big names of their own today, snagging the likes of Dax McCarty, Robbie Findlay and Jonathan Bornstein. While many of the selected may end up becoming trade bait, it's more than disturbing to compare the similarities of these two first-year clubs and our very own local fifth-year offering and the unprotected "junk" still on its books.

UPDATE:

Later in the day TFC "Interim-ish" GM Earl Cochrane and the club announced further ballast jettisoned from "Bad-Ship TFC". No less than five players, all of the scrap-heap variety, were released by the club and their contracts terminated. The players released include:

GABE GALA: The only man who wasted more time at BMO Field over the last four years was Mo Johnston

MARTIN SARIC: The Argentine-Croat version of Kevin Harmse will likely get a red card on his way to the airport

MAXIM USANOV: His Ivan Drago-esque need to "break you" and punching random things will be missed. His South End nickname "Maximum Uselessnov" will be remembered fondly

RAIVIS HSCANOVICS: So many consonants. So little talent. Gdbye swt Ltvjn frnd.

MISTA: You may have been a whiny, unsporting waste of money who didn't give a toss but your signing was a big nail in Mo Johnston's coffin. For that hombre, we salute you.

All in all it was a day where much fat was trimmed from the roster. The common thread? Apart from Gabe Gala, every departed player represents the worst of the Mo Johnston era. We're still waiting on Nick Garcia. Cochrane may be "interim-ish" but today was a necessary cull.

UPDATING THE UPDATE:

Vancouver Whitecaps sent O'Brian White to Seattle Sounders late Wednesday evening in a flurry of moves that saw them free cap room, gain allocation money and International slots. O'Brian White... more will be expected of you. Good luck.

Two economy tickets for Columbus: Saric and Conway sign on

-------------------Saric. Best Argentine-Croat we've had

Late Friday, Toronto FC announced some further additions to "Mo Johnston's Last Minute Club". As reported here yesterday, GK Brian Edwards was released and in his place comes former Chivas USA back-up keeper Jon Conway.

Also in the final boarding call was trialist Martin Saric. The 30 year old midfielder has bounced around the Argentine and various Balkan lower leagues and will likely provide bench strength and little else. Putting high hopes on his shoulders is a recipe for disappointment.

Read more at TFC's Official site.

UPDATE: On Saturday morning, TFC signed midfielder/ sometime defender and latest Re-Rapid Dan "Tuan" Gargan (get it Gargan-Tuan? Never mind.) He is rushing to Columbus on an economy flight at press time.