Footie Canada Blog

Ante Jazic

Trader Mo wasn’t up to his old tricks at this most recent MLS draft.  He stayed put until TFC got its 24th pick and opted for 17-year-old central defender Zac Herold.   In a post selection interview Preki stated that going into the start of the season Herold will be one of the players fighting for a starting spot.  While TFC are desperate for a top central defender, it is too much to expect this role to be filled by Herold, at this point in time.

If you look at the TFC back line there is a lot of youth and relative inexperience.  In addition to the 17 year old Herold TFC’s line up includes Gomez (dob. 1990), Attakora (1989), Wynne (1986) and two young goalies behind them in Frei (1986) and Edwards (1984).  The only experienced players at the back are Garcia (1979) and Serioux (1979).  Neither Garcia or Serioux are dominant MLS defenders.  Additionally there is Jim Brennan, who plays sometimes in midfield and sometimes at the back.

Of the players mentioned above, the only ones that should be part of TFC’s core going forward are Frei, Gomez and Attakora with Herold as an untested potential.

Serioux has upside with some leadership ability, the long throw, and a good work ethic.  He represents a cap hit of $119,070.00.

Although he’s the captain, this should be Jim Brennan’s last year, if he’s not dealt before this upcoming season.  His contribution on the field has been wanting and it’s not clear to me where he naturally fits in with the team on the field.   He seems good at giving the chat/pep talk while in the huddle at the start of the game, but that aside doesn’t pack a lot of bang for the buck at $185,000.00 in 2009.  The original face of TFC, the club will have to be sure to treat him fairly, but in a salary cap dominated league, his salary is one that will have to be given a long hard look.

I don’t see Garcia as being worth his $190,000.00.  Slower than average and he doesn’t always make the best decisions.

Marvell Wynne has upside, and he’s still on the radar for the US Men’s National Team.

In terms of the rear at TFC, the players who could be traded for value are Marvell Wynne, Garcia and Brian Edwards.

Instead of two inexperienced goalies, TFC should have a veteran as Frei’s back up.  That would be the first acquisition.

Next, to add some veteran presence, TFC might consider trying to acquire Ante Jazic (1976) .  A Canadian defender, he’s had a solid MLS career which is reaching its twilight playing with Chivas.  As recently as 2001, Austrian club Rapid Vienna paid a transfer fee of approximately $1 million Cdn to acquire his rights from Hajduk Split.  He’s still full value in the MLS for his $90,000.00/yr in 2009 and has been called by Hart for Canada’s upcoming friendly against Jamaica.  He also looked impressive and fit in well playing with DeRo and De Guzman at the 2007 Gold Cup.  At half the price of Garcia, he brings leadership and could help mentor the TFC youngsters.  Preki is also well aware of Jazic’s ability, as he coached Jazic in Chivas.  Seems like a good fit.  One issue however could be that Jazic himself may not be all that interested in the move.  His last move was from one Californian based team to another.  After several years of the good life in L.A., a return to Toronto (though he is actually from Bedford, N.S.), may not be on the top of his wish list.

As for a central defender, it will simply be a matter of cap space and seeing whose available.  This is where TFC will need to take a hard look at  Brennan.  If Jazic was inserted for Garcia, this move, plus Brennan’s cap space, would free up $275,000.00 a year.  That would go a long way toward paying the salary of a strong central defender, who flanked by Attakora/Jazic/Gomez/Serioux, pressured by Herold for playing time and with Frei mentored by a veteran goalkeeper, would be a pretty decent back end for TFC.

Here’s hoping Mo can do what needs to be done, and get as much as possible of it done before the season starts, so the team can build the cohesion its lacked in the past.