On most days it can be difficult, if not impossible, to find game quotes with a bit of bite up on MLSsoccer.com, but last night the Spanish wing of the site (futbolmls.com) got some interesting commentary out of Toronto FC's Geovanny Caicedo.
In it, he talks about how he has been put off by the physicality of North American play, discusses a lack of experience on the squad and expresses concern ahead of the match-up against L.A. All and all - not the kind of pablum you're used to reading from an official site.
But while his concern over their preparation ahead of L.A. won't come as much of a surprise - Toronto just played their first real competitive match on Saturday and the question has already been raised numerous times - what may raise a few eyebrows is why Caicedo was not aware of the style of play he should expect in MLS.
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How does a centreback - which, despite the hype around Richard Eckersley and Joao Plata's return, should have been the focus of the offseason moves - not know what type of league he is getting into? Moreover, how does Toronto go out and get a guy that, by his own admission, isn't suited to the type of style he's coming into play?
This might be expanding a bit much on just a few quotes - and clearly there hasn't been enough to time to assess his ability at this level - but by my count Aron Winter, Paul Mariner and Co, aren't exactly putting up good numbers when it comes to identifying defenders.
Eckersley has been a success, no doubt there. Ashtone Morgan kind of fell into their lap but they saw something, enough to give him a chance, so they get half points for that. Aaron Maund is a project but one that, for those who believe in the quality of the NCAA draft, say will amount to something.
But outside of those few, you're looking at the signings of Dicoy Williams, Andy Iro, Danleigh Borman, Dasan Robinson, Mikael Yourassowski and Demitrius Omphroy as Toronto's defensive legacy in 2011. Ty Harden was a Preki signing and certainly can't be held up as a success story. Adrian Cann will make a run at a starting spot, but he too pre-dates the Winter Mariner era.
Miguel Aceval may prove himself to be something, in just the same way Caicedo could still prove himself to be capable of dealing with the physicality of MLS, but, so far, if there has been one thing that has defined Aron Winter and Paul Mariner's time in Toronto, it has been an inability to identify capable, backline talent.
If Toronto is going to succeed this season, that's a trend that cannot continue in 2012.