Toronto FC

[EPJr]

Toronto FC fires Preki and Johnston

Major League Soccer's Toronto FC fired coach Preki Radosavljevic and director of soccer Mo Johnston on Tueday.

Toronto is third in the East at 7-10-7 and appears likely to miss the playoffs following Saturday's 1-0 home loss to D.C. United, which has the poorest record in the league.

Preki, inducted last month into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame, was in his first season with Toronto after earning coach of the year honors at ChivasUSA. Johnson had been with the team since its inception, and Toronto has never made the playoffs.


http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/m...i-and-johnston

[EPJr]

YOU DESIGN 2012 SUPPORTERS KIT


http://2012tfckit.mlsecontests.com/#page=gallery

[speeds]

That team just can't get on track. Shame since they have such good fans. Typical Toronto franchise.

[EPJr]

Interim coach will respect whichever direction the club takes

TORONTO – Nick Dasovic knows he might not be hired as Toronto FC’s head coach next season. But would he take the job if offered?

“Absolutely, I’d take it in a second,” TFC's interim coach told reporters on Tuesday. “In saying that, if they feel it’s not the right time, I would respect that decision as well.”

The Reds have failed to make the playoffs in each of their four years in existence. Though Dasovic fell short of breaking that streak, he was pleased with the players’ response to his more flexible approach.

Those same players endorsed him, saying the creative license they had was quite different from control that characterized Preki’s defensive regime. While the offense picked up in the new open style, the team’s once strong defense struggled down the stretch, committing mistakes that led to multi-goal games.

http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2010/10...ching-decision

[EPJr]

Point Of Re-Entry
Toronto FC: We're not afraid to go big in Draft


TORONTO – Toronto FC interim GM Earl Cochrane isn’t sure how Wednesday’s Re-Entry Draft will play out. Seeing that it’s the first time MLS has held the draft, all he can do is speculate – but he's not afraid to jump in head first.

“We kind of thought it would be a case of experienced guys that are generally a little expensive and that’s what you find here,” he told MLSsoccer.com from his office Friday afternoon.

The full list of available players was released by the league on Friday and contained some notable names, such as former MLS MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Jeff Cunningham, Juan Pablo Angel and Jimmy Conrad. Despite the star power available, Cochrane says he expects most of the action to involve lesser-known names.

“It will likely be those mid-level guys that are willing to come down [in salary] that will be most valuable to teams,” he said. The stars might generate interest, he added, but only in specific situations where the fit is perfect.

Although Cochrane was tight-lipped about TFC’s plans for the draft, he did say that the club is always looking to address the areas that need improvement. If the right player is available, Toronto won’t hesitate to grab him.

“We’re looking at several key components that anyone that knows our roster will understand,” Cochrane says. “There are maybe six key starting-11 type players we are after. The rest is about filling out our roster.”

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...re-entry-draft

[EPJr]

After graduating over 700 members from the waiting list Toronto FC has sold out of full season ticket packages for the 2011 MLS season. This marks the clubs fifth consecutive sellout in as many seasons.

http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2010/12...seats-sold-out

[agoo101284]

They were awfully quick to get that done after the shitstorm they got for being awful last season.

[EPJr]

Winter, Mariner named in TFC's management team


TORONTO — Toronto FC announced Thursday that Aron Winter (pron. A-ron Vinter) has been named the club’s new head coach and technical director. Paul Mariner joins the team as director of player development.

“We have been working over the past few months to build an integrated soccer system that will give us the best opportunity to succeed on the pitch,” said Tom Anselmi, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. “We wanted to establish a management team that is committed to the way the club wants to play, has an international perspective, knows Major League Soccer and believes in the potential of Toronto FC.”

“Aron will oversee our entire soccer operation and set the soccer direction of Toronto FC. Paul will be responsible for our club’s scouting, player acquisition, player development and our Academy,” added Anselmi.

Winter, 43, brings a wealth of international experience to Toronto as both a player and coach. He made 84 international appearances for the Netherlands and played in three FIFA World Cups and four European Championships. He started and ended his playing career in Amsterdam with Ajax (pron. I-axe) and also played in Italy for Lazio and Inter Milan, making over 400 career club appearances.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...anagement-team

[EPJr]

Toronto say no to De Rosario's Celtic loan

Winter issues statement, tells DeRo he's needed in Toronto


TORONTO — Toronto FC head coach and technical director Aron Winter says that Dwayne De Rosario will continue to play a key role for the Reds despite the misunderstanding regarding his trial with Celtic.

In fact, Toronto valued De Rosario so much that they turned down a request from Celtic to extend his stay at the club.

"Celtic inquired about the possibility of extending Dwayne's time with them,” Winter said. “My preference is for Dwayne to start the season with Toronto FC right from training camp. We are making a fresh start and need a strong competitive camp. Dwayne is the captain and leader and needs to be part of building a new winning culture."

De Rosario trained with the Scottish club on Dec. 27 without telling Toronto or having the proper documentation in hand. However, the confusion was quickly resolved, allowing De Rosario to train with Celtic until Friday.

Toronto always maintained that De Rosario would return to Toronto at the end of the trial.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...os-celtic-loan

[EPJr]

De Guzman seeks fresh start after knee surgery

Toronto DP admits injuries have so far hampered his MLS career

TORONTO — As the mercury plummets and the snow piles up at BMO Field, it seems like spring may never come for Toronto FC and their Designated Player, Julian de Guzman.

But the disappointment of 2010 hangs worse for de Guzman. The Canadian international with blazing speed and dazzling ball skills revealed last week that he is in the midst of a three-month recovery process after undergoing knee surgery to repair a damaged meniscus.

“It was the first time I have ever had this injury,” de Guzman told MLSsoccer.com. “I was told it was wear and tear from an accumulation of games, traveling and training on turf.”

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...r-knee-surgery

[EPJr]

Toronto plan big push with academies in 2011

New training facility facilitates the expansion of youth programs

— This will be an exciting year of growth for youth development programs at Toronto FC, according to the club's academy director Stuart Neely.

With TFC ownership approving a $17.6 million investment in a new training facility, planning is underway for the creation of a third academy team. Neely said he expects a program made up of U-14 and U-13 players to be up and running by spring 2012.

And that’s just the beginning, Neely said.

“It’s exciting,” Neely said. “We are looking to create U-15, U-13, U-11 all the way down to U-7 [teams]. That’s been the plan from Day 1.”

With a new management team boasting experience in the world renowned Ajax youth system, it’s a reasonable assumption that the Reds will be relying on homegrown talent a great deal moving forward, Neely said. Last year, the club signed academy standouts Doneil Henry (pictured above) and Nicholas Lindsay (pictured below) to professional contracts.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...academies-2011

[EPJr]

De Rosario unsettled, but wants to move forward

Toronto FC captain, club look to resolve lingering contract issue

TORONTO — Dwayne de Rosario spoke to media on Wednesday for the first time since he returned from a training stint with Scottish giants Celtic, and the Toronto FC midfielder made it clear he wants to move forward after sorting out the details of his contract.

“It’s not settled – no, I’m not,” he said. “But, that’s between me and the club.”

De Rosario trained with Celtic from Dec. 26 to Jan 18. However, Toronto said he started the trial without informing them or arranging the proper paperwork.

“I didn’t think that there was any confusion until I saw a press release,” he said. “But the past is the past. I’ve moved on.”

The club confirmed that they turned down a request from Celtic to extend De Rosario’s stay in Scotland until March. New TFC director of player personnel Paul Mariner said the club and De Rosario were meeting this week to talk about his contract.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...s-move-forward

[EPJr]

Youngsters lead TFC past Red Star Belgrade

TFC Academy product Stinson scores lone goal in 1-0 victory

Young players are making their mark for Toronto FC as the club continues its preseason camp in Turkey.

On Sunday, TFC Academy product and 2010 Winthrop University MVP Matt Stinson scored TFC’s goal in a 1-0 win over Serbian side Red Star Belgrade.

According to first assistant Bob de Klerk, Stinson’s goal was just the reward for the work the young Reds have been doing in training.

“I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the skill of the young guys,” de Klerk said. “[I have] big compliments [for them]. They have really picked up the new system and have done well with it.”

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...-star-belgrade

[EPJr]

De Rosario: I'm happier than I've ever been in Toronto

Coach Winter has specific plans for Canadian playmaker

TORONTO—If Toronto FC star Dwayne De Rosario is feeling any resentment from the controversy that surrounded his training session with Celtic last month, he wasn’t showing it at training Thursday.

“Other than the day I signed this is probably as happy as I’ve been here,” De Rosario said.

The attacker indicated that he was excited by the tactics that new head coach Aron Winter is trying to bring to the club.

“Anyone that likes to play with the ball on the ground, movement off the ball ... it’s perfect for me,” he said.

Although neither De Rosario or Winter would confirm what position De Rosario will play this year, it was stressed that he would likely be assigned a specific role.

De Rosario indicated a preference

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...r-been-toronto

[Master Shake]

I'd love to play for TFC Academy. I have about 9 years of rep soccer under my belt.

[EPJr]

Jason Bent Named Assistant Coach

Former Canadian international to work alongside Winter and De Klerk.

Toronto FC announced Tuesday that Jason Bent has been promoted to the position of Assistant Coach. Bent, 33, takes on the new role after spending three years as Head Coach of Toronto FC’s Senior Academy Team.

“Jason has played a big role in establishing our Academy and has proved he is ready to take the step up,” said Toronto FC Head Coach and Technical Director Aron Winter. “Developing our young players is a key part of our philosophy at this club, and having Jason working with the first team squad will help us with that. It is also the next step in his development as a coach and we believe he has a bright future ahead of him.”

Under Bent’s leadership, Toronto FC Academy’s Senior Team qualified for the Canadian Soccer League Playoffs in 2009 and 2010, and last summer two players from his squad graduated to sign professional contracts for the first time

http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/02...ssistant-coach

[EPJr]

Toronto FC ride local popularity to new radio pact

The Fan 590 renews deal to air games, cover team throughout week


TORONTO – Toronto FC announced Thursday that radio station The Fan 590 will return for a third year as the official Toronto-area radio partner of the Reds.

Play-by-play voice Dan Dunleavy will once again be calling the games, and all 34 regular season matches will be aired on the radio station or over the Web at fan590.com.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...new-radio-pact

[EPJr]

Bouchiba bringing leadership quality to Toronto

Reds' new Dutch midfielder said team lacked passion v. Charleston


He’s only been signed by Toronto FC for a little more than a day, but midfielder Elbekay Bouchiba (pictured above, center) is not afraid to speak up when the Reds performance isn’t what it should be.

“There was no passion,” Bouchiba said of Toronto’s performance against the Charleston Battery at the Carolina Challenge Cup on Wednesday. The Reds lost 2-1 to the USL-Pro side.

Bouchiba was one of three Dutch players signed by TFC on Wednesday. Also joining the club were forward Javier Martina (above, left) and forward/midfielder Nick Soolsma. Where Martina provides Toronto with some much-needed speed on the wings and Soolsma is a first-rate prospect, Bouchiba’s greatest value could come from his leadership abilities.

“We were playing like we knew that that we didn’t need to win,” Bouchiba said. “I’m sure it will be different by the time we play Vancouver [on March 19], but you must always play with passion if you are going to win.”

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...uality-toronto

[EPJr]

Adrian Cann To Rejoin Toronto FC Preseason Friday

Canadian international back in the fold.

Adrian Cann will rejoin his Toronto FC teammates in preseason training at Charleston on Friday, the club's official site said in a terse note.

The Canadian international defender left the training camp a week ago, on March 2, over a contract dispute.

The release did not mention any possible punishment for Cann's unauthorized departure.

Since Cann has left, Toronto has lost two games in the Carolina Cup Challenge, falling 1-0 to the ten-man Chicago Fire and losing 2-1 to the lower-league Charleston Battery

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/...eseason-friday

[EPJr]

Toronto FC Signs Dicoy Williams

Jamaican international defender latest to join Reds.

TORONTO - Toronto FC announced Thursday that they have signed Jamaican international defender Dicoy Williams.

"Dicoy is a strong defender that is solid in one-on-one situations and has a lot of good qualities,” said Toronto FC Head Coach and Technical Director Aron Winter. “He performed well in training camp but we couldn’t sign him until we made sure we had the international spot.”

Williams, 24, most recently played for Harbour View FC of the Digicel Premier League in Jamaica. Williams has earned six caps for the Jamaican national team. His most recent appearance was on October 10, 2010 against Trinidad & Tobago.

He spent time with the club during the Carolina Challenge Cup in Charleston, South Carolina earlier this month.

Dicoy Williams #31
Position: Defender
Height: 6’2
Weight: 187
Birthdate: October 7, 1986
Birth Place/Hometown: Kingston, Jamaica
Nationality: Jamaica
Last Club: Harbour View FC
How Acquired: Signed on March 31, 2011
Pronunciation: “Dee-koy Will-iams”

http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/03...dicoy-williams

[EPJr]

Frings, Koevermans perfect duo to lead Toronto charge

TFC boss Winter says veterans will provide leadership club needs

TORONTO — Toronto FC head coach Aron Winter was looking for leadership for his struggling team, and he feels he finally found the perfect men for the role.

On Wednesday, TFC announced the signings of German international midfielder Torsten Frings and Dutch international forward Danny Koevermans as the club’s newest Designated Players.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...toronto-charge

[EPJr]

Toronto Acquires Terry Dunfield

Midfielder to arrive at BMO Field from Canadian rival Vancouver.

Toronto FC announced Thursday that they have acquired midfielder Terry Dunfield from Vancouver Whitecaps FC in exchange for allocation money and future considerations.

"We are pleased to add Terry to our midfield, he is a passionate player and he will fit in well, " said Toronto FC Head Coach and Technical Director Aron Winter. "He has played well this season for Vancouver and we have seen first-hand what he is capable of."


http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/07...terry-dunfield

[EPJr]

Johnson Jumps To Toronto

Reds send three to San Jose for forward, allocation & international spot.

Toronto FC announced Thursday that they have acquired forward Ryan Johnson from the San Jose Earthquakes along with allocation money and an international roster spot in exchange for forward Alan Gordon, midfielder Jacob Peterson, and defender Nana Attakora.

"We are rebuilding the club and this deal was necessary to continue that process" said Toronto FC Head Coach and Technical Director Aron Winter. "I'd like to thank Alan, Jacob, and Nana for their contributions to Toronto FC. We are very pleased to add an experienced forward in Ryan Johnson. We expect him to make an immediate impact at our club."

http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/07...-jumps-toronto

[EPJr]

Toronto acquire Iro, Griffit, send Tchani to Columbus

TFC head coach Winter said team needed help on defense

Toronto FC continued to make major changes to their roster on Friday, bringing in central defender Andy Iro and midfielder Leandre Griffit in a trade that sent midfielder Tony Tchani to the Columbus Crew.

Per club and league policy, no further terms of the deal were disclosed.

"We needed help on defense and Andy is a defender that we have wanted to bring in for some time," Toronto FC head coach and technical director Aron Winter said in a statement. "After our deals yesterday, we felt we could move a central midfielder of value to acquire an important piece. Leandre also provides us depth in the midfield.”

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...chani-columbus

[EPJr]

Toronto deal defender Gargan to Chicago for Robinson

Longtime Fire DF is 11th new face to join Reds since First Kick

Toronto FC continued their midseason overhaul on Thursday, sending defender Dan Gargan to Chicago in exchange for defender Dasan Robinson and a second-round pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft.

The 28-year-old Gargan (above, left) had been a stalwart of the Toronto defense since joining the club last season, making 37 starts in 43 appearances with the Reds. But with Aron Winter trying to make over his roster on the fly — and with TFC already having conceded a league-high 41 goals through 23 league games — the Philadelphia native became a casualty of Toronto’s wheeling and dealing.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/articl...icago-robinson