This could be absolutely awesome. Or it could be a complete disaster.
While that's an apt way of describing the totality of Toronto FC's latest rebuilding project, it's especially appropriate when it comes to the move that will make the biggest waves throughout the city's soccer community.
Dwayne De Rosario is, once again, coming home.
Most of the buildup and subsequent reaction has been built upon emotion and sentimentality, and the desire for thw compelling narrative of a hometown boy finally making good. The reality is that no matter where you fall on the spectrum, none of us will truly be able to evaluate this move until we see how things actually play out.
But we can definitely take some educated guesses.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
The past can't be ignored. De Rosario's infamous "cheque-signing motion" became the quintessential symbol of his reputation as a selfish player on and off the field. He left Toronto FC under a cloud the first time around, with the dressing room in tatters and much of the goodwill of his initial arrival having been squandered.
So it's reasonable for some fans to worry about whether "MeRo" can ley bygones be bygones and accept a new role in Toronto -- not the captain and not the focal point of the offence. A piece, but not the piece of a new regime that's looking to wrench the club out of its painful seven-year cycle of ineptitude and on-field failure.
While we don't know what's going on inside De Rosario's head, we can reasonably assume what's going on in GM Tim Bezbatchenko's head. Bez was brought on board not as a salesman, a la Kevin Payne or Mo Johnston (the salesmanship is up to Tim Leiweke... and Drake). He was brought on-board as a young, number-crunching guru, a "capologist", a man who would take a ruthless hatchet to the overgrowth amongst TFC's contracts, so that a new path could be forged forward.
So while Leiweke and Bezbatchenko surely know DeRo will sell a few tickets, there's nothing to suggest they would contravene their stated goals and undo the work they've already done in the name of placating De Rosario's ego.
In other words, if TFC is bringing De Rosario back, they're doing it on their terms. And if De Rosario is accepting those terms, it means he's fully cognizant that his role with the team will be much different than it was before.
And we have seen evidence this year that perhaps, De Rosario is indeed a changed man.
During a terrible, difficult, transitional year for Canada, the 35-year-old regularly accepted the national-team call, speaking at every opportunity about the need to help guide the next generation forward. Given his historical resistance to injury, it's even possible De Rosario sees himself as being part of Canada's next World Cup qualifying campaign.
Grand aspirations aside, even De Rosario knows his playing days are numbered. While he can't control a game in the same way he did a half-decade ago, there's no reason to believe he can't be a significant contributor to an MLS team in 2014. After all, Leiweke and Bezbatchenko wouldn't use up the salary cap space on DeRo unless they believe he could truly help the team, no matter how inspiring a story his return might be.
From De Rosario's perspective, this is one last chance to rehabilitate his image at home, while also being a part of a Toronto side that (don't laugh) is -- in the very, very early going -- looking like a legitimate contender in 2014. Even if it means a pay cut and a bit of public contrition, that seems like a pretty good deal for a man who'll turn 36 early in the season.
From Toronto FC's perspective, it's a chance to show that they've made a break with the dysfunction of old, that they're committed to assembling the pieces necessary to finally put a winner on the field... and yes, to acquire all of the feel-good P.R. that will come with the move.
Perhaps a newly-motivated De Rosario, knowing this is his likely last hurrah in a long and storied MLS career, will buy into the team concept and provide the same sort of attacking punch he brought to Toronto on the first go-round.
Or, perhaps he'll be unable to integrate into the team, will cause trouble in the dressing room and will end his second tenure with TFC in much the same way as his first ended.
Awesome, or disaster. Which one? We won't know until we see it.
But Bezbatchenko has already done enough in his short tenure as general manager to deserve the benefit of the doubt when it comes to this move. And enough has happened since DeRo's original departure from TFC to suggest that he deserves it as well.
In all, it seems like a calculated risk, with a potential for great reward. For that reason -- and because, yes, the "hometown boy making good at last" story is a damn fine one -- I hope Toronto FC fans will join me in summarizing our feelings about this move with three simple words:
Welcome home, Dwayne.
.