HOW DO YOU GET THE MOST FOR YOUR MONEY? Toronto FC - Column | Posted on March 5/10 by Thomas Clavert

With a handful of preseason games under their belts, Toronto FC are already being faced with important questions heading into the 2010 campaign. This past weekend’s 4-0 loss to New York was highlighted by Designated Player Julian De Guzman being sent off for a challenge many deemed “out of frustration”.

Reviews of the game are unanimous that regardless of it being a preseason match, there was not much to get excited about from Toronto’s perspective. This is not encouraging news especially considering they are heading into their first full season with the second highest paid player in league history.

News from camp, and reviews of TFC’s first exhibitions, is the players on trial that look like they are good enough for the league and could be signed to the squad are a keeper and … midfielders. What is the definition of insanity again?

Almost anyone can look at the current roster and see what needs to be done in order to improve and have a successful season. A proven striker, wingers who can cross and a general on the back line are all essential pieces that greatly increase the team’s chances at post season play and a legitimate run at the MLS Cup.

As it stands, and like as we’ve seen in the first three years, satisfying one of those three requirements does not result in a winning team. Now there is another important reason for Toronto to make the right additions in 2010, and it is from a financial standpoint.

To put together all of these components goes further than just improving the overall team and their chances. Toronto FC are putting in more than $3 million a season for two players, both of whom last year were unable to take TFC to the top of the league, and bare minimum, post season play. To find the pieces that are clearly needed to build a stable starting XI does not just improve the whole, but will elevate the play and raise the status of your two biggest investments – Dwayne De Rosario and Julian De Guzman.

It will be a complete waste of talent if every cross into Toronto’s 18-yard box cannot be dealt with. It will be a complete waste of money if every 30-yard through ball is met with a shanked effort wide of the net.

There are eleven players on the pitch and to think that simply paying huge sums of cash and putting a star player onto the field will result in attractive play and get results, well … see the last six games of 2009.

Or better yet, look at the first two seasons of David Beckham in Los Angeles compared to the 2009 season. What was different? Coaching, support in the midfield, strikers who could finish and a young stud paired with a reliable experienced veteran on the back line. Not just one or two essential components, but all of them, especially defending.

If there ever was a reason to pay heed to what supporters have been drumming for since day one this is it and now is the time. Especially the money given to De Guzman, will end up being a complete waste and utter embarrassment for the franchise should they not be able to round out the line up to see him play to his fullest capabilities.

Another example is to look no further than the 2007-2008 Deportivo season, which saw De Guzman earn MVP honours from his club and La Liga accolades.

What did Deportivo have in place that was conducive to this level of success?

One can look at the period from the beginning of March to the end of April in 2008, where Deportivo lost only one of nine games, defeating Real Madrid, Barcelona and Sevilla in the process.

To start, the attack was sorted out. With Angel Lafita contributing up front, an exciting 21-year old striker named Xisco made his mark through this stretch, netting five goals to earn a starting XI position each week.

De Guzman was part of a three-man midfield, his partners often being attacking playmaker Sergio Gonzalez and on-loan Christien Wilhelmsson. Wilhelmsson came on at the second half of the season on loan from Nantes in Ligue 1. Earning his reputation at Belgian side Anderlecht, Wilhelmsson played the right wing to become the man whose pace would take the ball deep in the final third and could get the cross into the likes of Xisco et al.

Anchoring the back were Fabricio Coloccini and Alberto Lopo. Lopo especially was not world class but had the characteristics that were essential to a forming a successful partnership. Reliable on the field and loyal to the club, Lopo played the hard, physical style that made players think twice about taking him on.

The areas that Toronto are lacking in the most are what were in place at Deportivo in the spring of 2008 that saw De Guzman elevate his status to one of the best players in La Liga.

Los Angeles showed in 2009 you don’t need international caliber at every position to get the best out your two highest paid players, but experienced and reliable ones where you need it most.

To speak the language that MLSE understands - The return on your investments goes hand in hand with the overall success of the team. The overall success of the team will be based on addressing key positions.

An MVP caliber season from De Rosario and De Guzman with a winning team puts TFC on the map locally, across Canada and North America. It will raise the profile of football in Toronto and in Canada – which won’t just benefit TFC financially in the short-term, but will have long-term effects for the overall growth and value of the sport in this country.

The potential return on having these two put in MVP seasons along with a team that contends for the Cup should be obvious, but it is dependant on key areas of the remaining nine.