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Christmas wishes are coming true!
With a pair of centerbacks and a smart first pick, Toronto FC look like a club with a clear direction.
The talk around the town has been defenders as of late, and Toronto FC have certainly addressed the issue with the signing of Danny Califf. With a complete starting back-line finally established, Toronto FC can refocus elsewhere on the pitch, in the position that the club is lacking the most quality players in – the midfield.
Toronto currently employs only a handful of midfielders – the aging Torsten Frings who may have already met his expiration date; captain fantastic himself, Terry Dunfield; TFC Academy graduate Matt Stinson; 2011 SuperDraft pick Luis Silva; finally, Bermudan speedster Reggie Lambe.
Hardly the most rounded midfield in the league, and if you look at the standard set by other teams in the league, Toronto FC are truly, truly behind in the middle of the park. Simply put, the club doesn’t have the kind of players they need in midfield to come anywhere near a playoff spot.
Torsten Frings cannot be relied on anymore; Dunfield is a depth player at best; Stinson isn’t ready to play; Luis Silva isn’t in Mariner’s plans as far as heavy responsibility, at least, not yet; Reggie Lambe is a hot-and-cold winger who has more cold days than hot.
This isn’t a new problem for Toronto FC, either. The lack of midfielders meant Toronto FC started players like Aaron Maund in the centre of the park last season. That Maund found starting time may be a strategy in showcasing his trade value, if he wasn’t in Mariner’s plans, and it certainly paid off – his trade to Real Salt Lake saw out-of-form striker Justin Braun come to Toronto.
Still, the Reds need four new midfielders, a pair of centre mids, and a pair of wingers, at the bare minimum. This number is probably closer to six or seven, but for now, Toronto FC need to establish four, starting quality midfielders of their own.
The centre midfielders have to have duel strengths, in that they can contribute to the offensive while keeping a defensive mind. This is not an easy skill and there are few players who can play this role perfectly; Ozzy Alonso in Seattle is one player who comes to mind, Adam Moffat of Houston another.
The wingers, on the other hand, have to be quick and deadly accurate in their passing, because with Toronto FC’s forward line as big and slow as they are, Toronto lacks pace all across the field.
It’s the bare minimum, but four midfielders is that wish on every fans’ Christmas list that has to come true, lest Christmas be ruined forever!
Get tweeting, folks – Santa (and Toronto FC) have gone digital.
Related:
• On the 3rd day of Christmas, Payne gave to TFC: Three Smart Drafts
• On the 2nd day of Christmas, Payne gave to TFC: Two Centerbacks
• On the 1st day of Christmas, Payne gave to TFC: A Winterized BMO Field
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