Toronto FC announced today that midfielder Alen Stevanovic has been recalled by Torino FC in Seria B.
For someone that was used sparingly, underperformed when he did see the pitch and found himself down more blind alleys than any midfielder should, it's hard to classify this as a big loss to Toronto.
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The one area where his departure will be felt, and it's the now the one that is most glaring, is depth.
For all of Toronto's problems - whether it be the lack of a true striker or the need to add another centreback - the bare reality is they lack any kind of surplus at any single position on the field. Now part of that has been injuries, part has been sketchy scouting, but Stevanovic's departure (and freeing of salary cap space) presents the opportunity to add some able bodies to their shallow pool.
As the transfer window nears its opening, the losses mount and the clamoring for some solutions increase, instead of looking for a name signing - one who will be undoubtedly heaped with the same kind of a saviour burden that Julian DeGuzman has placed on him and his DP salary - it would be refreshing to see Toronto just add bodies that can contribute. I'm talking about guys who are, and will never be anything more than, workhorses. Sometimes it's those players, who make the team more solid but will never win an MVP award, that will make the biggest difference.
What Toronto doesn't need now is to add a name that will show they, as the club, are 'doing something' to improve.
Albeit it's just a rumour, but as someone who has his best year's behind him, I'd suggest that Rob Friend would fall into that latter kind of an addition.