Let’s start with the bad news. CSN has been told that TFC is not interested in Carlos Bocanegra. Now, it’s a single voice, and it hasn’t been confirmed by enough people to report it as being anything more than one person’s opinion, but it’s out there.
However, for the sake of sanity, let’s assume it isn’t true. Maybe someone wants us to think they aren’t interested so there isn’t a disappointment like when the Olof Mellberg deal fell through (you know, when Don Garber absolutely did not block the deal because he was afraid that it would set a bad precedent for paying defenders, and the majority of the league’s owners did step up to support a franchise that put an awful lot of cash into their pockets back in 2007. Like then).
Let’s pretend that Toronto has someone in Scotland right now trying to rescue the US international from the Scottish third tier.
We should pretend that because if it isn’t true than why the hell aren’t they?
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]Without an explanation from the club Toronto fans would have every right to be confused. On the surface the series of events that lead to TFC having the first allocation pick when he potentially comes available seem a bit too good to be true. It’s not like historical football clubs go bankrupt and fall into the third tier every day, thus forcing their players to scramble to find new clubs. Without Rangers going down, Bocanegra is likely a couple years from returning to MLS. Now, it seems like a logical place for him to go.
Some may question how he could transfer in to MLS as the window has closed, but Rangers have been letting their players out of contract when they find clubs. So, he’d be a free transfer and, as such, could join a team up until the roster freeze Sept 16.
For six years Toronto has struggled – struggled beyond comprehension – to find a centreback. They have played Marco Velez and a way-past-his-prime Nick Garcia at the back. They’ve had a fullback there for long stretches this year. It’s been a problem.
It’s possible that they will never have this clear of a shot at a player like Bocanegra ever again. Really. Bocanegra is the type of player that would thrive in MLS and is a player that would start on every team in the league. He’s exactly the type of player that TFC has never had and he would instantly take the Reds to another level.
Star centrebacks in MLS are rare and they are game changers. Unless Bocanegra has made it clear beyond a doubt that he will not play in Toronto, then TFC needs to be doing everything in its power to make this signing. If he has made himself clear, and that’s more than possible, then the club might want to tell fans that. Although it would be frustrating, fans are better able to cope with a player not wanting to come than the team not trying.
Maybe there is something that fans don't know. Maybe there is a deal in place that will sent him elsewhere. Maybe he hates hockey. Who knows? However, this makes too much sense.
TFC has spent 6-years looking for a centreback. One just fell from the sky. They need to take advantage.