Toronto FC enters its sixth season in Major League Soccer, and hopes are high amongst supporters for tangible success, namely, a berth in the MLS playoffs in 2012. Aron Winter started preseason with a successful 2-0-1 record, scoring 13 goals in four games, making the finals of the Disney Pro Soccer Classic Tournament.
With a Champions League game against the Los Angeles Galaxy coming up on March 7, here is our season preview for Toronto FC.
2011 Record and Finish
Toronto FC finished their MLS campaign finishing 16th overall, with a 6-13-15 overall record, their worst season performance in five years. The MLS season was a story of two halves, but the Nutrilite Canadian Championship and the CONCACAF Champions League proved much more successful for the Reds, who claimed their third consecutive Voyageurs Cup and making it to the quarter-finals of North America’s international tournament.
Player Coming and Goings
Aron Winter and Paul Mariner’s transfer season was perhaps less frantic than the ones Toronto FC supporters were used to under Mo Johnston.
13 players were released from the squad:
Defenders
Demitrius Omphroy, Eddy Viator, Kyle Davies, Andy Iro, Mikael Yourassowsky, and Danleigh Borman;
Midfielders
Matt Gold, Nathan Sturgis, Elbekay Bouchiba, Gianluca Zavarise, and Leandre Griffit;
Forwards
Javier Martina, and Peri Marosevic,
Meanwhile, Toronto FC added a few key acquisitions:
Rightback Jeremy Hall, traded from Dallas for a second round 2012 draft pick, is a fast, physical defender. He is still raw, and must be shaped to play in a 4-3-3; definitely a project player.
Coming over from England, winger Reggie Lambe and rightback Richard Eckersley signed via free transfers from Ipswich Town and Burnley FC respectively. Fans of Eckersley will remember his hard work, offensive flair and defensive prowess. Lambe, in his few appearances in preseason, displays speed, but has not looked threatening enough.
South America also proved resourceful for Toronto, who signed Chilean international centerback Miguel Aceval from Universidad de Concepcion, and Ecuadorian international centerback Geovanny Caicedo also signed on from LDU Quito. Sound familiar? LDU Quito also gave Toronto FC a fully signed Joao Plata! Miguel Aceval has looked great during preseason, Caicedo has not, and Plata is still as impressive as ever.
Finally, Toronto FC drafted midfielder Luis Silva, defender Aaron Maund, and rightback Michael Green, as well as bringing on trialists Moises Orozco, Kevin Huezo and Efrain Burgos Jr.
Five Key Questions Facing Toronto FC
1. Will Danny Koevermans continue his goalscoring form?
Last season, Danny Koevermans came over from PSV Eindhoven and proceeded to tear the back of the net like nobodies business, scoring 8 goals in 10 games in regular season play. A lot of Toronto FC’s goalscoring threat will come from Danny Koevermans’ supply and capitalize on chances himself – will Koevermans put up similar numbers in 2012?
2. How will Toronto FC’s backline handle MLS opposition?
With a projected backline of Richard Eckersley, Ty Harden, Miguel Aceval and Ashtone Morgan, Toronto FC supporters will be wondering if this is a step up from last season’s league-worst team in goals conceded.
3. Who will start in the attacking midfield role?
Both Eric Avila and fourth overall draft pick Luis Silva have made a case for themselves, and “Quick Silva” has also demonstrated a goalscoring touch that Avila may not have. The battle for the starting role will be interesting to watch, and a problem Toronto FC will be happy to have.
4. Who will start between the posts?
Last season, Toronto FC’s starting goalkeeper Stefan Frei saw some hefty competition with his teammate, Milos Kocic – both are deserving of a starting role, which will add another incentive for each of their performances.
5. Will the Toronto FC Academy graduate any other players?
Stefan Vukovic, anyone? The young forward had an impressive 2011, scoring 18 goals, yet Aron Winter has not played him in preseason. Will he graduate at some point in 2012.
Key Players
Besides Toronto FC’s Designated Players Torsten Frings and Danny Koevermans, Toronto FC have three more key players:
Stefan Frei
Frei will need to continue his stellar shot-stopping ability and work on his distribution and cross-handling. If Frei can continue to develop and not remain at a similar level, he’ll make the number 1 spot his own.
Miguel Aceval
A lot of Toronto FC’s defensive woes came from the lack of a solid centerback. With Adrian Cann and Dicoy Williams injured, Toronto FC went through a slew of centerbacks like Andy Iro, Doneil Henry and Eddy Viator as they looked for some consistency. Aceval has a lot of responsibilities as he leads the backline for TFC.
Ashtone Morgan
Ashtone Morgan’s second full year will define his career with Toronto. If he can establish himself as the clear first choice, he’ll be a key player for Toronto FC. With a need for distribution from the flanks, a lot of Danny Koevermans’ goals will come from crosses!
Biggest X factor
Speed!
Toronto FC’s speed will be their biggest X-Factor in 2012. Between Joao Plata, Luis Silva, Richard Eckersley, Ashtone Morgan, Eric Avila, Reggie Lambe and Ryan Johnson, Toronto has plenty of speed where it counts. With buildup play being the focus of the defensive midfielders and defenders, the speed up top will be the perfect compliment in the offensive side of Toronto’s 4-3-3.
Breakout Player To Watch
Luis Silva
In the 2012 MLS SuperDraft, Toronto FC selected, from UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, attacking midfielder Luis Silva. The fourth overall pick has scored four goals in preseason so far, has been a great distributor and his movement is mature beyond his years. “Quick-Silva” is definitely one to watch for Toronto FC.
Prediction
Eastern Conference Fourth Overall
With a core group still in tact, and several key additions to Toronto FC’s lineup, the Reds look like a strong threat in 2012. Considering the new, unbalanced schedule, a building of comfort in Winter’s 4-3-3, and season-to-season consistency (finally!), Toronto FC look set to make their first playoff appearance.
Good luck to Aron Winter and all the players and staff at Toronto FC!
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