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Posted by
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August 21, 2013 |
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Aaron Nielsen
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@ENBSports
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Welcome to Toronto Maximiliano Urruti and until arbitrary analysis raises its ugly head, TFC has signed a football player with a market value of 2 million Euros. However, I'm sorry to deliver bad news, but once he officially becomes an MLS player for a few games that value will drop to under half million Euros. This analysis is based on European biased scouting network opinions comparing the MLS with the Argentina Primera, but shouldn't have any influence on the player’s skills or future return and hopefully the latter isn't the reason Toronto management wanted him so bad.
Urruti is 22 year old, 5'10, right footed striker who, throughout his career, has scored 12 goals in 61 games with Argentinean club Newell's Old Boys. His professional career started in 2011 where between the 2011-2012 Argentinean season he played 26 games, 24 as a starter, 1878 minutes played and scored 7 goals on 26 shots on target with 2 assists. The 2012-2013 season he played both in the Argentina Primera and Copa Libertadores totalling 35 games, 7 as starter, 966 minutes played, 5 goals, on 10 shots on target and 1 assist.
I've been very impressed in terms of reading Toronto fans and media analysis regarding Urruti’s noticeable drop off in appearances and minutes, as it shows a greater understanding of the game. Specifically, that former NOB player Ignacio Scocco joined the club to help lead them to Copa Libertadores success, which meant Urruti become the option off the bench. Although for me this brings up a huge question: Why did Toronto FC sign Maximilano Urruti and not Ignacio Scocco?
Ignacio Scocco is a player I'm quite aware of and I imagine many in Toronto are as well as he has played with the Argentina National Team, and club-wise the 28 year old has previously played in Mexico with UNAM Pumas and in Greece with AEK Athens. He also played in the United Arab Emirates side Al-Ain the last two seasons, and throughout his career has scored 108 goals in 295 league games.
On his Wikipedia page a contributor added style of play, and I quote, "Scocco is most commonly known for his outstanding dribbling ability and pace, taking on defenders down the wing and play-making for his team mates. He combined strength and skill, and his low centre of gravity made him quick off the mark and able to keep possession of the ball, characteristics he shared with Lionel Messi. He generally likes to cut in and shoot and is also known for his phenomenal powerful shots. Former Panionios keeper Dario Krešic described Scocco's shots as unstoppable, after scoring three long range shots against him."
Statistically I’ve covered Scocco’s entire career in greater detail and of those 108 goals, 13 were by header, 5 direct free kick, 26 were goals outside the box, and he also created 48 assists and 338 career shots on target. While last season might of been his best, 24 goals in 32 Argentina Primera games, and 6 goals in 12 Copa Libertadores games, he also had 8 assists and incredibly 92 shots on target. Interesting enough during the whole Urruti negotiations with Toronto, Scocco left Newell’s as well on a free transfer to join Internacional, the same Internacional that Diego Forlan plays on.
Scocco might not want to come to Toronto, although I don't think anyone asked and him coming here has never been mentioned. Scocco would of cost more money perhaps, although we don’t know how much Urruti is getting yet and any information about Scocco going to Internacional is that he's making less than a $1,000,000 US. The reason Scocco wasn't purchased was because Toronto FC and MLS didn't want him.
The fact is Urruti fits the current MLS marketing and development agenda, although unfortunately this is a direction the MLS has accidentally gone down in the past which has brought money but hasn't done much for the team itself or its fans. The basic idea is MLS believes Urruiti has sell on value and by succeeding in MLS, the player could be sold for a profit to an European Club. In 1999, Stern John scored 18 goals helping Columbus to a MLS Conference Finals, was sold after the season to English Club Nottingham Forest for 1.5 million pounds, and the next season Columbus missed the playoffs. One could also argue that Maurice Edu leaving Toronto when he did hurt the clubs progress to becoming a potential playoff team, although based on some stories I've heard it might of got us some grass.
The problem is under the MLS system Toronto doesn't outright control players such as Laba and Urruti, the league does. If there is decent enough interest and money for a player, the league will sell him for profit with no interest in the club’s long term success or development. This doesn't even take into account that almost every player who a European team has shown interest in has also chosen to leave, and this scenario is based on the player doing well. He can also maintain play at the current level he has shown and score 5 to 7 goals a season something Toronto FC fans are already use to.
The truth is people in Rosario, Argentina didn't go to see Urruti play for Newell's Old Boys, they went to see Scocco play, supported by attendance being 10,000 per game higher this past season. Although it might not have the exact comparison, since people know the EPL, this situation to me is getting Danny Welbeck from Manchester United over Robin Van Persie because for some reason Toronto FC management or MLS believes we’d rather watch 22-year old players develop than an already established star in his prime.
Aaron Nielsen has worked within the soccer/sports industry for over 15 years. His statistical analysis brings the beautiful game in a whole new light. The detailed player data and prospect lists he produces are used by many scouts, agents, and football insiders around the world.You can find updating stats regularly at ENBSports.
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