Toronto FC looks like it will be in the playoff hunt in 2012. However, as we’ve stated many times before, making the playoffs alone is an exceptionally pathetic goal. With the resources available to them, what Toronto should be aiming for is to be a championship contending team.
Aron Winter as much as said so earlier in the off-season when he suggested that the 2012 season would not necessarily be a failure if the Reds missed the playoffs. On the surface that seems absurd, but when you consider the nuance of what he was saying – we want to build a team that competes to win and we’re willing to wait another year to get there if that’s what it takes – you can wrap your head around it.
There is still work to be done. The Reds are a playoff team now, but not a championship contending team. To make that jump in 2012 they would need at least one, but more likely two, players to unexpectedly break-out and become stars. That’s in addition to the expected performers – Frings, Koevermans, de Guzman, etc – doing what’s expected.
In MLS that’s not unheard of. Let’s take a look at who the most likely candidates are to make that jump (odd of the likelihood are noted):
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
100/1 - Aaron Maund
If you’ve read CSN for any length of time you’ll know what the party line is about the value of late NCAA picks. Not much. Still, the odd one does surprise so we can’t discount the possibility that Maund will be that breakout performer. We shouldn’t expect it either. His goal is to do enough to still be with the club in 2013.
75/1 - Oscar Cordon
Cordon was likely the least impactful of the academy graduates in 2011. The chances of him going from bit player to stand-out are slim, but let’s not discount any of the academy grads. With a full year of experience behind them it seems very likely that they all will play slightly bigger roles. In Cordon’s case that probably means playing minutes similar to what Ashtone Morgan or Matt Stinson got last year.
50/1 - Doneil Henry
Long-term Henry might be the best of the bunch. To be getting any kind of professional minutes at centreback at 17 is telling. Barring injury, this kid has a future. Will that future start in 2012? It’s possible, but that might require a few injuries from the CBs above him on the depth chart for him to get a shot. Thus, the poor odds.
12/1 - Matt Stinson
Stinson is more steady than spectacular. It’s possible he’ll have a more important role to play in 2012 than many fans will recognize. However, he doesn’t seem like a player that is ever going to jump up and grab fan’s attention. Stinson will contribute, but will he be a breakout performer? The midfied is awfully deep...
10/1 - Reggie Lambe
Having signed almost immediately after the season, Lambe has become the forgotten man by many. He’s here to play a role – natural winger – that TFC has not had much success with in past. He’ll get lots of minutes. If Lambe can find the net four or five times he’ll be a very important breakout player. It’s not a sure thing, but it’s not farfetched either.
5/1 - Nick Soolsma
Soolsma wasn’t insignificant in 2011, but he was not close to being a sure thing to return up until September. However, the Dutchman improved greatly down the stretch and seems the most likely prospect to step up and be the secondary scorer the club needs to be a true contender.
4/1 - Ty Harden
Many will scoff at the idea that Harden could step up and be a breakout. He did have moments of struggle in 2011. He also had a glorified pylon as a partner on the backline. Many people are suggesting that he is currently the no 2 centreback on the depth chart. If that’s the case it’s imperative that Harden be one of the breakouts
3/1 - Eric Avila
Avila showed flashes last year of being able to step up and be the type of creative midfielder that every team needs. Understandably there are a lot of hopes riding on him continuing that progression.
2/1 - Ashtone Morgan
The face of the TFC academy is confident, aggressive and skilled. And, he looks likely to be a regular starter. There are a lot of people cheering for Morgan to succeed. He just might.
4/5 - Luis Silva
Reports from training camp have suggested that Silva has been a star. It would be more surprising if Silva wasn’t a breakout than if he is. This player looks every bit like a pre-season Rookie of the Year candidate.