Footie Canada Blog

Dwayne De Rosario is TFC’s leader and best player.  He’s an all-time MLS great.  Yesterday he scored TFC’s 1st goal to cut San Jose’s lead to 2-1 in an eventual 3-2 loss that all but put TFC out of the playoffs. Following his goal, DeRo celebrated by pretending to sign a cheque, which apparently means he wants MLSE to re-negotiate his contract and pay him more money.

The CBC report on this topic is here:

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2010/09/25/sp-dero-contract.html

What is clear is that DeRo is very confused. He has little or no understanding of how the salary structure in the MLS works or the concept of supply and demand. He also has no appreciation of his value in the world soccer market nor unfortunately does he have an understanding what is an appropriate way for a captain to behave.

The first, and perhaps most important thing that DeRo needs to understand is that whether JDG and Mista are underperforming is irrelevant when it comes to his salary. What DeRo seems to be doing is comparing his value and salary to the value/salaries of two underperforming players; not to the rest of the players in MLS and the rest of the players on the planet.

Designated Players like Henry, Beckham, Marquez, JDG or Mista have market values that are established based on proven abilities at the highest levels and what salary they could otherwise demand on the open market. For MLS to lure them here, they have to pay them the big bucks. Life MLS players, who are not sought out by top clubs around the world, will not be paid more than $450,000.00. DeRo is about at the top of the pay scale for career MLS players. Though one could point out Langdon Donavon is paid more, Donavon , if he was not playing for the Galaxy, could crack the Premiership and did so successfully last year on loan for Everton.

To be clear what we are talking about here, DeRo is currently unsatisfied with his $443,750 USD salary. JDG is paid $1,717,546 and Mista $987,337. At the other end of the scale, stand out defenders Attakora and Cann earn $40,000 and about $50,000 respectively.

Both Mista and JDG have not played up to expectations. What this means is MLSE are over paying and these players’ market values have dropped. This does not mean that DeRo should get a raise. What it means is Mista’s contract will not be renewed. JDG’s will probably also not be renewed unless he is going to take a substantial pay decrease. DeRo is not part of this equation, even though he thinks he is.

When DeRo agreed on his current contract, presumably it was negotiated and agreed by himself, with the assistance of an agent. If he was worth more he ought to have demanded a higher salary. The simple fact of the matter is that DeRo is now in the twilight of his career and is earning more now than he did when he was in his prime, in Houston. If DeRo was not playing with TFC, does he seriously believe he could go to Europe and get paid 2 million? The truth is he couldn’t crack the line up of a top 5 European league.

DeRo now thinks that he has outplayed expectations. Does this mean when he reaches ages 33, 34, 35, etc. and his abilities decline, that he will offer a salary reduction? In 3 years from now, when he is subbed off at the 60th minute because he’s too tired, will he do a pen signing paper motion indicating he’s prepared to cancel his contract and take less money?

What is even more concerning is that DeRo is the TFC captain/leader and he’s airing his private contractual dispute in public. Unfortunately, this is not a fictional movie starring a eccentric athlete who wants a pay raise (I already got suckered into that when I saw Jerry McGuire in the movie theatre with my buddy, thinking it was a sports movie and not a quasi chick flick). If the players follow their leader, should we expect next game to see Attakora ($40,000) and Cann ($50,000) making cheque signing moves on the pitch and publicly complaining to the press and fans?

Let’s hope that the rest of the TFC squad have a better understanding of how salaries work. If they don’t, let’s hope they have a better understanding of what it means to be a professional and do not air their dirty laundry in public.

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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.

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I’ve been hearing grumblings about there being some bad apples in the TFC dressing room and on the squad in general. Specifically, comments by DeRo about some members of the team being unprofessional. Certainly they don’t play like a team. I’ve also heard comments about Robinson, but nothing specific.

Certainly every professional team, or group of people in general, is bound to have its black sheep.  With an inexperienced coach like Cummins, the cancer is likely to spread faster than it would under a coach who commands authority.  If you’re reading this hoping to get the inside scoop, I don’t have it. And I haven’t read anywhere what the inside scoop is so the information is not out there and lips are sealed.

Does anyone have any information about who the problem players are, and what is the problem? If so, let’s hear it!

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I was out of town this long weekend so until now (late Tuesday night) I missed everything soccer related. Luckily, I have PVR. If you like sports and have anything else going on in your life other than being able to watch TV all the time I highly recommend picking up a PVR unit. Whatever you miss you can watch later!

Now; on to the headlines. On paper, TFC 4- SJ 1, is what a reasonable soccer observer could have expected, given the quality of players on each squad. San Jose were ripe for a whipping. Second last in the league, 3 of their best players on international duty and playing on the road at arguably the toughest road venue in the MLS.

I just finished watching the match and the score was 1-1. The score is no surprise at all. TFC does not play as a team, they don’t know how to build play and don’t know how to pass. They are poorly coached and/or don’t listen to their coach. I’ve been harping on this for months. For starters and most obvious: why didn’t Cummins make any strategic substitutions in the final few minutes of the game?

Substitutions aside, the team that can’t pass and play as a team runs around a lot chasing the ball and giving up possession. The team that runs around gets tired. The tired team gives up goals late in the game. TFC is that team. They actually didn’t play badly tonight. But if you just “don’t play badly” at home against a depleted SJ, that’s not saying much.

Unless they get a coach who has a proven record, TFC is not going to make the playoffs next year. With every pro team you have your share of egos. TFC is no exception. Soccer is a team sport and everyone needs to be on board. A coach needs to have a good system in place and to command the respect of his players who are on board with this system. Cummins has neither when it comes to TFC.

Obviously there will be a new coach hired in this offseason. If I read another announcement that Mo has hired another English coach who has never coached a professional match or who has coached less than 3 matches, or who has a losing record as a coach or manager, this time next year I’ll be writing something similar, about why Mo needs to be fired.

In other late news, Montreal over Vancouver 3-2. Lots of action in the second half and Montreal deserves their lead. The second game is this Saturday in Montreal. Away goals aren’t worth anything extra. My question is….. is it worth the day trip from Ottawa to check out the USL1 final in Montreal?

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