It’s becoming an annual tradition in Toronto. Around Halloween, TFC fans start the debate wondering what to do about those damn Reds.
Despite still strong popularity and financial muscle that 90 per cent of MLS teams could only dream of, TFC has arguably been the worst team in league history so far (the trophy-less New York MetroBulls likely edge them out, but it’s undoubtedly bleak). Dramatic changes have been called for at the end of each year and, for the most part, they have occurred.
As CSN reported earlier this year, TFC has reached the 100 player landmark faster than any other club in league history and it broke the single season record for player appearances in 2011. To use a cliché, the only consistent thing about TFC has been its inconsistency.
And here we are again. In the season ending press conference both Paul Mariner and Aron Winter talked about how there was still work to be done and that there would be more changes to come. They are right – to a point. TFC does need to improve in a few key areas, but there should also be a clear message sent to the front office.
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DON’T PANIC!
If you look at the blueprint of every successful MLS team you’ll find a similarity. The core of the championship teams has typically remained in place for several years. The nature of the league is that you will move several pieces each year, but those pieces are generally the plumbers, not the stars.
At the start of 2011, TFC committed itself to Aron Winter’s vision. He’s been consistent in saying that he needs three years to fully fulfill that vision. TFC management, fans, coaches and players must remain true to that plan now. There can be no deviation and no moves of desperation. The changes Winter makes this off-season must not tamper with the core he started to put together this year. If TFC is to become a championship team by 2013 (as Winter has said is his goal), at least 7 or 8 players that played key roles at the end of 2011 must be playing key roles in 2013.
Who are those players?
How about Danny Koevermans, Torsten Frings, Joao Plata, Eric Avila, Ashtone Morgan, Doneil Henry and one of Milos Kocic or Stefan Frei. If Julian de Guzman wants to commit to Toronto for $200-300,000 then add him to the list.
That’s your untouchables. Clearly, it’s an incomplete list – it’s still missing a centreback and a true No 10 would need
to be added to make this team a true contender. It’s also not the best seven players right now – remember this is a 2013 projection, not a 2011 reality.
You can nitpick the specific players, but the idea remains the same. Identify your core, commit to them and build around them.
And it might not work. Chances are it won’t actually – if winning championships were easy everyone would do it. What’s important is that you are giving yourself the best chance to win and up until now TFC has not done that.
So...
DON’T PANIC!