A player that is referred to as Darren Oh Dear by fans in the UK and Ireland (that's former Celtic defender Darren O'Dea for those keeping score at home) looks to be the solution to Toronto's back-line issues.
If by solution you mean "stopgap gamble."
Sources in Europe are reporting that the deal to send him to TFC is done and he will be introduced next week. Positive thinkers will see this as adding an occasional Irish international that played 49 games for Celtic and is coming off a fairly successful loan spell with Leeds where he scored twice in 35 appearances.
A cynic sees Andy Iro redux.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
Regardless, he's a warm body and something is better than nothing.
What would have been best is Olof Mellberg. However, the league had different ideas about that.
Many feel that the front office isn't to be trusted on this, but, to use an old adage, sometimes a blind squirrel gets a nut . CSN is far from the only source reporting that the league were the ones that shot it down. Of course, it's been a long time since Toronto FC's front office got the benefit of doubt from fans.
There is no need to go through the multitude of errors, omissions, spins and "un-truths" that has contributed to the lack of trust over the five plus years. It's just understood that the cynicism is earned. That much is clear.
But, that doesn't mean they are always wrong. Just like the poor Sheppard with loose lips was helpless when the wolves ate the flock on his watch, TFC has found itself a bit screwed in regards to the Olof Mellberg signing.
Don Garber may have said that it was a TFC decision to walk away from the deal, but Mr. Garber is also a master at speaking politically.
Yes, TFC put the breaks on it. They did so after the league made it clear that it wasn't going to give them cap relief on Danny Koevermans. Without that cap relief - and the rules on it are unclear - it became impossible for TFC to sign him.
Tomato, Tomatoe.
Garber isn't lying per se when he says the league didn't strike down the deal, but he is purposely leaving out details that, if provided, would give fans a true understanding of what happened.
MLS is a private company. Garber has every right to hold back information. However, fans should not be blamed for feeling frustrated by what seems like a double standard. The league helps New York add another world class piece, but can't help a struggling team finally sign a player to fill its most glaring hole? It just seems unfair.
This is not to say TFC is without blame, although much of the blame can be traced back years to people no longer there. Basically, the Reds management lacks political clout within the league and the reason it does is because many of their past actions have rubbed members the wrong way.
Whereas the league partners might be willing to extend New York and L.A. a favour - and dream of what kind of TV contract they might gain by having power teams in the power cities - they are cold to helping Toronto.
Meanwhile TFC fans get taken for granted again, as they hope a man nicknamed Oh Dear can solve a six year problem in the centre of defense.