In <a href="http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/mls-11-preview-is-toronto-the-leagues-worst-team-11940" target="_blank">my 2011 season preview</a>, I predicted that Toronto would struggle for the first few months under its newest leadership structure (new general manager and head coach) but toward the end of the year start to look like a promising team for 2012. &nbsp;I had no clue that the amount of change they would undergo in a few short months: only two players would start both the first and last game of the season. &nbsp;The 2012 version of Toronto FC is a new franchise personnel-wise, and I suspect we will see more changes over the next few months.
So is this team now good enough to make a playoff run this upcoming season? &nbsp;Despite the infusion of &nbsp;new&nbsp;talent, there are still many gaps that need to be addressed by this franchise. &nbsp;To continue our series, below are three questions the team needs to address this offseason:
1. Are&nbsp;everyone’s expectations for the team realistic?
Off the pitch questions may overwhelm on the pitch questions this offseason. &nbsp;<a href="http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2011/12/15/2799575/torontos-aron-winter-invested-in-building-a-deep-squad-not-a" target="_blank">In an interview with Alex Labidou</a>, Toronto FC head coach Aron Winter bluntly stated that he would not be disappointed if his 2012 team does not make the playoffs: “We are focused on building something that will have progress not only in the playoffs”. &nbsp;When you are doing a total rebuild that is the result of some really bad management in the first few years of your franchise’s MLS existence, this kind of attitude makes sense. &nbsp;<a href="http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2011/12/18/doyle_blog/" target="_blank">To be blunt</a>, Toronto has lived too long off of the good will of its fans in a league where over 50% of teams make the playoffs.
However, the statement does ignore some realities that make this position untenable. &nbsp;Rogers Communications, the Canadian media conglomerate that part-owns many sports franchises and properties in Toronto, recently bought a stake in the Reds. &nbsp;Undoubtedly, this makes many fans salivate with the thought of corporate money being able to fund some player acquisitions.
The team is also the victim of its own success. &nbsp;By advancing past the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League plus ending the 2011 MLS season on a hot streak, the fans have seen that this team can have success against good opponents. &nbsp;For the head coach and management to essentially say “let’s not get ahead of ourselves here” especially in light of gaffs like jacking up ticket prices a few years back, there could be a major division between the team itself and its fans. &nbsp;Setting correct and manageable expectations for the team, players, and fans may define the success of this rebuild more than the on-the-field performance.
2. Is Julian de Guzman still part of the plan?
Dwayne De Rosario was quickly shipped from Toronto to New York to&nbsp;relieve&nbsp;a high-priced problem early in 2011. &nbsp;Their other high-profile player was forced to shape up while new names were brought in that could compare to de Guzman’s stature. &nbsp;As a result, de Guzman played better in 2011 and actually became an important part of the Toronto midfield. &nbsp;However, he was left unprotected in the recent expansion draft, which while it may have been done strategically could send a signal to the player about his future in Toronto.
Undeniably Julian de Guzman is a very good player that can be a critical part of the Toronto attack. &nbsp;However, with a rebuild overshadowing the team and he being the most visible sign of the old Toronto FC, does he have a role in Winter’s team? &nbsp;Maybe more importantly, does he want one?
3. How close are they to the three year plan being completed?
This question ties somewhat to the first one, but how close is this team to reaching their goal of being a replenishing playoff contender? &nbsp;Their 2011 acquisitions paid off big-time in many ways, with Danny Koevermans being their best acquisition by scoring loads of critical goals. &nbsp;The other designated player acquisition Torsten Frings helped stabilize the midfield and young players like Ashtone Morgan and Joao Plata really shined under Winter.
However gaps do exist and how management chooses to fill these gaps will be a telling sign of how close they believe the three-year plan is to completion (a year early). &nbsp;Their only big offseason acquisition so far has been Reggie Lambe, a winger who represents <del>Jamaica</del>&nbsp;Bermuda and played in England last season. &nbsp;However, the team has not locked up Plata for another year (he’s on loan from&nbsp;Ecuador) and has not addressed some of their defensive issues (hello Andy Iro!). &nbsp;Will they try and sign some established players, or just rely on the growing academy to fill in slots? &nbsp;The answer may define how quickly this team makes a playoff run, if at all.

New Look Reds Marching In? 3 Questions for Toronto FC

New Look Reds Marching In? 3 Questions for Toronto FC - World Soccer Talk

<a href="http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/kreis.jpg"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignright size-full wp-image-6990" src="http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/kreis.jpg" alt="" width="275" height="235"></figure></div></a>
In his short but impressive coaching career, Jason Kreis may be approaching heights unseen by an MLS coach. &nbsp;This weekend he essentially fielded a backup squad that handled an undefeated Revolution squad. &nbsp;RSL is in the CONCACAF Champions League final and is the prohibitive favorite to win a second MLS Cup in three years. &nbsp;Also an impressive player, Kreis is compiling the sort of record and experience that, if he were coaching in England, would make bigger clubs take note. &nbsp;Now may be the time to ask – is Jason Kreis the right MLS manager to make the leap to the European coaching ranks?
MLS head coaches have in the past been rumored to be ready to take the next step to Europe. &nbsp;Octavio Zambrano was a head coach in Moldova and Hungary but has now returned to the U.S. &nbsp;Both Bruce Arena and Bob Bradley were rumored candidates for English jobs, with Bradley supposedly being considered by both Aston Villa and Fulham in 2010. &nbsp;But neither were actually hired despite high-profile victories at the international level and winning MLS Cups.
So before we address whether Kreis should be that coaching pioneer, we need to address what impact MLS coaches going to Europe would have on the league. We spend much time and energy debating whether MLS players should make the jump and how that affects the league, and the general consensus is that the best players benefit from European playing time while those who are good MLS players might benefit more from staying in the U.S. &nbsp;Where that line is drawn is where the debate is. &nbsp;This season we are beginning to see the benefits of the exporting of MLS players: the league is getting players back in return. &nbsp;Not only are the Beckhams of the world coming to America, but loanees like Simon Dawkins are coming over. &nbsp;Dawkins, on loan from Tottenham, has given the ‘Quakes a scoring option besides Chris Wondolowski.
Would exporting coaches be the same? &nbsp;Not quite, but there would be some similarities. &nbsp;MLS currently imports Europeans who have played in Europe and in American leagues (Steve Nicol) and now is beginning to bring in new coaches from specific systems (Aron Winter). &nbsp;If American head coaches began to be viewed as possible managerial candidates in Europe, then I think the best young coaches would begin to be poached by European clubs. &nbsp;But this experience would be good for these MLS head coaches and allow them to expand their strategy and tactics beyond the North American viewpoint. &nbsp;Having someone like Jason Kreis go to the Championship, for example, would allow him to immerse himself in different football philosophies and learn the latest trends overseas. &nbsp;When he returns to MLS or is named USMNT head coach, he has a more diverse viewpoint to construct a winning team and improve the quality of MLS or the national team.
So if we agree this is a good thing, than who would be the best coach to make the jump? &nbsp;The obvious answer is Bob Bradley, since he is the best known American coach/former MLS manager around. &nbsp;Ideally, though, he is unavailable until after the 2014 World Cup. &nbsp;Kreis right now is the hot name in MLS, possibly adding numerous trophies to the Real Salt Lake trophy case. &nbsp;But he has few roots to any league outside of MLS, having played his entire career in the states and having not coached elsewhere. &nbsp;I can imagine many teams would hesitate to hire someone with just MLS experience. &nbsp;So is there a successful MLS coach with international experience that would catch the eye of a European club looking for something different?
There are a few actually. &nbsp;The obvious answer is Bruce Arena, but at age 59 he may be too old for clubs to want to take a chance on. &nbsp;A younger choice is Dominic Kinnear at age 43. &nbsp;Kinnear played a bit in&nbsp;Scotland&nbsp;when he was younger as well as a year in Mexico, so he does have some international experience. &nbsp;He has been a success in MLS, winning two MLS Cups with the Dynamo. &nbsp;If I were a club in the Scottish or Irish Premier League, or lower levels of the English game, Kinnear is the type of head coach I would consider hiring if I wanted to garner a little attention and try something different.
If you expand the list to consider internationals who are currently coaching in MLS, then there are several viable candidates to leave MLS in the future. &nbsp;I can’t believe Steve Nicol won’t get an offer back in England at some point, especially if he is successful in rebuilding the Revolution this year. &nbsp;Aron Winter is being groomed for bigger things and he could return to the continent if he is able to successfully construct a Total Football Toronto. &nbsp;Colorado’s Gary Smith could be in line for another job as well, especially considering his Arsenal connections and the fact that his owner now is a major player in the EPL with his majority ownership in Arsenal.
So what does the future hold for MLS coaches? &nbsp;I think it will be a while before American/Canadian born head coaches are viewed as viable coaching candidates in Europe. &nbsp;Over the next few years we will see foreign-born MLS coaches return to Europe (or Central and South America), showing bigger leagues that MLS is a good league for coaches. &nbsp;And as bigger-named American stars retire from playing and enter coaching, it will be easier for European clubs to justify their hiring to fans as more than a publicity stunt. &nbsp;Within the next 10-15 years we will begin to see the export of American head coaches which will lead to an improvement in MLS and the national team. &nbsp;And it will give the best MLS coaches a chance to show that they are good managers anywhere, not just in North America.

Will Jason Kreis be the First American Coach to Make the European Jump?

Will Jason Kreis be the First American Coach to Make the European Jump? - World Soccer Talk

<div style="width: 510px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a title="Toronto Skyline from BMO field by GregRob, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/gregrob/4561815791/"><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3654/4561815791_35854c6f31.jpg" alt="Toronto Skyline from BMO field" width="500" height="375"></figure></div></a>Photo by GregRob</div>

 
Team: Toronto FC 
Coach: Aron Winter 
Last Year’s Finish: 9-8-15, 35 points. &nbsp;Eastern Conference: 5th
Toronto’s offseason can be described in one word – tumultuous. &nbsp;The team couldn’t win the media cycle because every time it had a positive offseason development, it took a step back. &nbsp;They brought on Jurgen Klinsmann to serve as an advisor to management, but dragged their feat in hiring a head coach and general manager. &nbsp;They finally hired knowledgeable football people for both roles, then they were shocked to learn their best player was in Scotland trying to get a new contract with a new club. &nbsp;Everything about this team screams rebuilding, and with a vision for the club now in place, the 2011 season looks to be one of transition for the Reds.
New head coach Aron Winter and general manager Paul Mariner both have incredible soccer pedigrees, and they have immediately begun to bolster a club whose depth was decimated in the offseason. &nbsp;Most of their signings and trades have an international flair, no doubt to allow Winter to play a more “Dutch” kind of soccer. &nbsp;However, with the biggest named players engaged in contract disputes and a formerly bloated roster in transition, Toronto could fall out of the playoff race quickly and hope to avoid an early 2012 draft pick with a late season rally.

Key Roster Additions: As we speak, management is adding players, trading yesterday for forward Alan Gordon. &nbsp;The club gave up potential starting midfielder Nick LaBrocca, but midfield is the one area where the team has some depth. &nbsp;Gordon will likely start in a Winter 4-3-3, although he is not exactly an impact player. &nbsp;The Reds’ offseason pickups are primarily young drafted players and European retreads. &nbsp;Maybe the biggest name of the bunch is former Ajax academy player Javier Martina. &nbsp;Martina is another striker signing but one Winter hopes can lead by example with his knowledge of the system Winter hopes to install. &nbsp;Just one problem – Martina has never scored a club goal and has little first team experience.
Although the team was active in the Superdraft, it gave up its first pick to Vancouver for Nathan Sturgis. &nbsp;Although Sturgis has extensive time in the U.S. youth system, he has little actual MLS playing time and may be a depth player more than anything. &nbsp;In the draft, a player to watch is third round pick Joao Plata. &nbsp;The diminutive Ecuadorian impressed scouts at the MLS combine but his size and poor play towards the end saw his stock drop. &nbsp;He may be one of the surprises of the draft.
Key Roster Subtractions: The team unloaded a host of players in the offseason who were underperforming or making too much money for the cap. &nbsp;Recognizable players like Mista, O’Brian White, and Fuad Ibrahim were made available for the expansion draft or outright released. &nbsp;The Reds did make a trade in the past few weeks, sending second-leading goal scorer Chad Barrett to Los Angeles for allocation money. &nbsp;Even with depth lacking in the position, the team decided to go in a different direction.
Projected Starters: Assuming Winter goes with the 4-3-3, he should have a solid core of players that can work within his system. &nbsp;In the back, keeper Stefan Frei is a solid to good goalkeeper, and should be a strength of the defense. &nbsp;The backline is in chaos when it should be more solid. &nbsp;Team MVP Adrian Cann is renegotiating his contract after walking out of camp angry over his salary and possibly inspired by the Dwayne De Rosario tantrum. &nbsp;When he comes back, he will partner with Nana Attakora. &nbsp;The wings will be new faces, either youngsters or international players.
The midfield is the most dynamic part of this team. &nbsp;Stars Julian De Guzman and Dwayne De Rosario return and need to continue playing well for Toronto to make a playoff run. &nbsp;As we saw last year, De Rosario scoring goals will not be enough for the team, De Guzman needs to provide more help on offense. &nbsp;LaBrocca had been playing as a holding midfielder but his trade opens a spot for Sturgis or another player.
Newcomer Javier Martina, as mentioned above, will be relied upon for knowledge, but not experience, as a forward in Winter’s system. &nbsp;The experience will come from returning forward Maicon Santos, who contributed four goals last season and will need to contribute more. &nbsp;The third forward and the other guy out wide could be Jacob Peterson or newcomer Alan Gordon.
 
Player to Watch: There are two players to keep an eye on, and for very different reasons. &nbsp;Adrian Cann, assuming he signs a new deal and returns to camp, had his bluff called by management. &nbsp;How does he respond to the embarrassment and the status as a higher-paid player? &nbsp;The second player to watch is Maicon Santos. &nbsp;The Reds really need some points from their forwards, and if he is the center forward in the 4-3-3, he should have plenty of opportunities to score.
Predictions: The offseason was simply a nightmare for this team. &nbsp;The fans were mad at management, the players were mad at management, the management went through an entire change, and now Toronto is basically hitting the reset button. &nbsp;This team may be one of the more talented teams in the Eastern Conference, especially if they do sign the rumored EPL-experienced player. &nbsp;But there is so much dysfunction that it will take more than a few months to work it all out and put a quality product on the field. &nbsp;At least they will be exciting – the leadership and brain trust on staff are excellent and will bring an attacking style of soccer to BMO Field. &nbsp;I can see this club acting like some European clubs who, seeing that they would be just wasting money staying in the top flight, go down a division, regroup and refinance, and come back stronger. &nbsp;Toronto will take their lumps this year, but if all goes all planned they may be one of the Eastern Conference favorites in 2012.
Prediction: 8th place Eastern Conference

MLS '11 Preview &#8211; Is Toronto the League's Worst Team?

MLS '11 Preview - Is Toronto the League's Worst Team? - World Soccer Talk

MLS '11 Preview – Is Toronto the League's Worst Team?

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