The Joao Plata era at Toronto is over.
The wee man, who was effective at times in 2011 and invisible in all of 2012, was traded today to Salt Lake for a second round draft pick in 2015.
So, a bag of balls. In essence Salt Lake is rolling the dice on a guy that will cost them little, while Toronto is freeing up an international slot that it feels it can more effectively use.
Reaction to the move among fans has been mixed. Many are lamenting the loss of a player that was a fan favourite and only 20-years-old. Others have suggested that Plata’s worth has always been grossly overstated and freeing up the international slot is more valuable than anything he would provide in 2013.
There is a third group of fans that are angry and feel the move was forced by the Plata camp. Those fans have a lingering distaste towards both Paul Mariner (who is blamed for forcing Plata out by not using him) and Earl Cochrane (who is blamed for “screwing up” the loan and therefore causing hard feelings when Plata left TFC last summer). Those opinions are purely speculative and run counter to the words of Kevin Payne who plainly said that Plata was not in TFC’s plans for 2013.
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Regardless, the move is, at best, a minor transfer that is getting more attention in Toronto due to the club’s shaky record with transfers. Many former Reds have moved on only to find much greater success elsewhere.
Could Plata be the next in line?
Anything is possible, but Plata’s form at both Toronto and LDU Quito suggests it’s unlikely. In 23 appearances last year Plata found the net just once. Further, both TFC and LDU Quito have made it known that he’s not in their plans for ’13.
In particular, his MLS form in ’12 was atrocious. He started seven times and appeared in 10 games for Toronto last year. He failed to produce a single goal or assist and only managed just three shots on goal.
A deeper look at the advanced stats is even more damning. Whereas fans see Plata as a player that can use his quickness to beat a defender 1-on-1 and create opportunities, the Opta stats don’t back that up.
With TFC last year Plata attempted to beat a defender on the dribble 119 times. He was successful 19.
Giving the ball away 100 times in 10 appearances is bad news for any player. When that player is 5’2” and about 125-lbs, and can’t physically contribute on the defensive side of things, it’s a disaster.
The question, then, is why would a team like Salt Lake be interested in him. After all, the Royals have been far more successful at identifying MLS talent than TFC. It’s a fair point, but again you must keep the importance of the transfer in perspective.
RSL plans to use Plata as a fourth forward. He will not be relied upon to start, nor will he be expected to put big numbers up. What they likely envision is a player that can come off the bench late in games to cause tired defenders problems.
Bluntly, TFC cannot afford to spend an international slot on an “icing player.” The Reds still need to bake the cake.