Re: TFC 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/article/2011/07/15/toronto-acquire-iro-griffit-send-tchani-columbus
Re: TFC 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/article/2011/07/28/toronto-deal-defender-gargan-chicago-robinson
Re: TFC Toronto Trades For Eric Avila Maicon Santos dealt to Dallas in exchange for 23-year old midfielder. FC announced Tuesday that the club has acquired midfielder Eric Avila from FC Dallas in exchange for forward Maicon Santos. “We are very happy to add Eric Avila to our club, he is an attacking midfielder that fits into our immediate and long term plans,” said Toronto FC Head Coach and Technical Director Aron Winter. “All of the trades that we have made in the last few weeks have been to acquire players who fulfill a specific need for our team or fit into our style of play philosophy. I'd like to thank Maicon for his contributions to our club and for serving as Captain. We wish him well with his new club." http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/08/toronto-trades-eric-avila
Re: TFC For TFC, rebuilding also means developing young talent Winter taking a cautious approach to blooding academy products TORONTO — Toronto FC’s lineup has undergone considerable change in recent weeks, and not only from the number of new players brought in. The club has also began the process of giving more exposure to young players such as Ashtone Morgan (pictured above), Doneil Henry and Matt Stinson, the latter of which graduated this year from the Toronto FC Academy. That these youngsters are seeing more playing time is part of a rebuilding program under head coach and technical director Aron Winter. However, Winter is taking a cautious approach as he gradually introduces them into the senior team. “I’ve always said we are rebuilding," he said. "It’s long-term plans, and I want to use as much as possible Home Grown players or youth players. [But] when you use them, you have to be careful because those guys are young and they have to improve a lot.” This approach means that Winter is picking his moments to bring in the youngsters http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/08/11/tfc-rebuilding-also-means-developing-young-talent
First Town Hall For Aron Winter Toronto FC management meets with Season Seat Holders & Supporters' Groups. TORONTO – On Wednesday night Toronto FC concluded two of its four town hall sessions this year with Season Seat Holders and Supporters’ Groups. The club held several of these engagement forums last year to assure fans that TFC would be heading in a new direction in its fifth season, and that the team would revisit town halls in its ongoing commitment to feedback in 2011 This was the first time the architects of that new direction, Aron Winter, Bob de Klerk and Paul Mariner, were able to answer questions from seat holders in such a direct and interactive setting. http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/09/first-town-hall-aron-winter
Not Slowing Down Despite Playoff Elimination Winter: Reds will work to win final 2 league tilts, key CCL match “First of all, I don’t want to think next season because I’ve got three other games, including the CONCACAF game, which is also important,” Winter said after last Saturday’s 1-1 tie with the New York Red Bulls officially ended Toronto’s playoff chances. “We want to be focused first on those three games and after the last game, then we can think about next season.” http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/10/not-slowing-down-despite-playoff-elimination
Breaking Ground Toronto FC starts the dig for new Academy & Training Facility. Toronto FC centre-back Doneil Henry gestured toward the huge mounds of dirt being shoved around by heavy equipment at Downsview Athletic Park. There was diesel smoke in the autumn air, the better to peer through to find the future. “It’s going to be an amazing transformation,” said the Brampton native, a five-time starter this season. “We are going from this to something meaningful.” There will be 15 acres of meaningful at the park taken up by the Toronto FC training academy. The facility will include four new fields, one heated, a bubble for winter play and a 45,000-square foot fieldhouse that will house locker rooms, training facilities and administrative offices. The complex is scheduled to open next Spring. http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/10/new-facilities-break-ground
TFC ownership feels team is headed in right direction Anselmi: CCL win in Dallas would continue turnaround into 2012 TORONTO – It's been a long season for Toronto FC who, for the fifth straight year of the club's existence, will spend the MLS Cup playoffs on the outside looking in. But despite a rocky year, team ownership feels the club is headed in the right direction — especially with a huge game on Tuesday that could give the team something to look forward to quickly in 2012. “We’re excited about what’s going to happen in Dallas, to use that to really kick-start next year, you know if we come out of the gate early in March with an important game,” said Tom Anselmi, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, which runs Toronto FC. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/10/17/tfc-ownership-feels-team-headed-right-direction
CCL Recap: Toronto stun Dallas 3-0 to reach quarterfinals Plata nets brace, Koevermans scores as Reds oust Dallas at PHP FRISCO, Texas – Danny Koevermans opened the scoring and Joao Plata added a second-half brace as Toronto FC stunned FC Dallas 3-0 on Tuesday night at Pizza Hut Park to earn a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals. Both Dallas and Toronto needed a victory to move beyond the group stages of the tournament, but Dallas, also gearing up for the MLS Cup playoffs, started the match slow and out of sorts. Toronto, however, looked sharp and ready from the opening whistle and their first goal came after several minutes of consistent pressure in the Dallas 18-yard box. http://www.mlssoccer.com/ccl/news/a...p-toronto-stun-dallas-3-0-reach-quarterfinals
Winter suggests further changes for TFC in offseason CCL success a sign of big progress, but "more work to be done" Aron Winter says he knows what he wants to do for next season, but he isn’t ready to reveal his plans just yet. Toronto FC’s head coach and technical director says there is still more work to be done, despite Tuesday’s 3-0 victory over FC Dallas in the CONCACAF Champions League. “Of course, we are still not there,” Winter said. “Next season is going to be very important for us. We’re going to start in the preseason from the beginning with the roster that we want with the whole program and all the preseason, and all those things. It could be a nice season next year.” Toronto FC have yet to reach the playoffs in their five years in Major League Soccer, a fact their rabid fanbase knows all too well. But in Winter’s first season, the improvement has been obvious, as he rebuilt the team with director of player development Paul Mariner during the season. http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/10/20/winter-suggests-further-changes-tfc-offseason
Lindsay determined to make an impact in 2012 You don't have to spend a lot of time around Lindsay to realize that he possesses a natural character of positivity and he is quick to state that he has plenty to be positive about as he works to resume his professional soccer career at the ripe age of 19 years old. According to the TFC Academy Graduate, the offseason rehab that he has done on his injured knee has been completely successful and he is expected to be back at 100% fitness in time for the start of training camp next March. And if the attacked minded winger has his way, he will actually return to the pitch in the greatest shape of his young career http://www.rednationonline.ca/LindsayDeterminedToMakeAnImpactIn2012.aspx
5 years, 5 questions on TFC Five questions to look back on, and towards the future of TFC As another year passes by the unfortunate tradition in Toronto has become looking back on the season, the club and it's players, while 8-10 other teams continue on into the playoffs. For the last half decade, TFC own the distinction of being the only MLS club to miss out of the post-season five years in a row. However, it is not like 2007-2011 has been boring, and quite the contrary there has rarely been a dull moment, well, outside of the playing field at least http://www.rednationonline.ca/5outof5FivequestionsforfiveyearsofTFC.aspx
BMO Field or Rogers Centre? Toronto FC executives mull decision for Champions League quarterfinal match in early March. Toronto FC senior director of business operations, Paul Beirne, Tweeted on Tuesday night asking fans if they prefer BMO Field or an indoor venue for the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal first leg match to be played in early March. A crowd of upwards of 30,000, perhaps far more would likely be expected for the quarterfinals in March. But there’s a hitch. Where to play? Certainly, the preferred site is BMO Field. The team is obviously used to the surroundings, the hardy fans who fill it would no doubt be in splendid voice and any of the three warm weather opponents would likely not fancy playing in what will be, based on the calendar, less than ideal soccer weather. That could swing home field advantage more clearly toward TFC. But as tempting as that March matchup would be, there are obstacles. “The field is the least of our worries,” said Earl Cochrane, TFC’s director of team and player operations. “We can get the field up and running and ready to play and it could be in great shape. It’s all of the other stuff." Start with the seating. Rogers Centre would easily accommodate the flow of spectators. The domed stadium can hold 50,000 fans, more than twice the number of fans that can squeeze into BMO. Then there are the logistics of holding an event that can be turned into a circus by a snowstorm or ice shower. “We have to make sure the stands are safe,” Cochrane said. “Plumbing, the rest rooms, amenities. Even the scanners ticket takers use don’t operate really well depending on the temperatures. “ From a comfort level and the ease of staging indoors, the Rogers Centre beckons. “Weigh all that versus being indoors and it’s an easy one, but there are challenges of a different venue,” Cochrane said. “We’ve got obligations here to partners and sponsors.” The pitch would likely be problematic at Rogers Centre. While the sightlines are passable, the field is an artificial surface. “It’s ok. It’s not great,” Cochrane said. “Whether they could groom it up to the level we are looking for is debatable.” http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/11/reds-weigh-locatios-pros-cons
Toronto Waives Reserve Squad Players A group of seven used primarily in Reserve League matches released Wednesday. Toronto FC released seven players on Wednesday following the 2011 Expansion Draft. Defenders Kyle Davies, Demitrius Omphroy, Eddy Viator; midfielders Leandre Griffit, Matthew Gold, Gianluca Zavarise; and forward Javier Martina have all been waived according to MLSsoccer.com (later confirmed by the club). http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/11/toronto-waives-squad-players
Toronto FC deal for FC Dallas defender Hall Youngster heads to fourth team in little more than a year Toronto FC continued their ongoing roster overhaul on Tuesday, acquiring 23-year-old defender Jeremy Hall from FC Dallas in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. The well-traveled Hall joins his fourth club in barely more than a year, after making a combined 21 league appearances for the Portland Timbers and FC Dallas last season. The Timbers picked up Hall via trade last November with the New York Red Bulls, the team that drafted him 11th overall in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2011/11/29/toronto-fc-deal-fc-dallas-defender-hall
Could you tell me something about the performances from Torsten "Der Lutscher" Frings? Currently, he's train with his formerly club Werder Bremen until the new season starts? Is he really the captain?
Stuart Neely Out = Major Shake Up within the TFC Academy Earlier this week Toronto FC announced the club and Academy Director Stuart Neely have parted ways with the Scotsman resigning from his post. Even this has come as something of a shock with respect to how sudden it happened and with everyone from fans, players, club staff and parents of current/former players only having nice things to say about Neely, it does indicate that major changes are set to take place within the club’s youth development structure. With the club set to open its new academy facility in the summer, bringing in the right man is a key part of the overall package that will lure some of the best and brightest to the club, given that an important role of an Academy Director is to act as a hype man of sorts and someone with vast experience and known clubs/players on their resume will garner instant credibility. However, as we all know, in sports people whom occupy new positions tend to bring in familiar faces which brings up an intriguing question. http://www.rednationonline.ca/StuartNeelyOutMajorShakeUpTFCAcademy.aspx
Cann Could Be Ready For Preseason Toronto centre back returns from rehabilitation, keeps fitness momentum going. TORONTO – Toronto FC’s central defence was supposed to be a strong point in 2011. But injuries wrecked that notion, leaving the Reds to spend most of the year improvising. But they got some good news on Friday: Adrian Cann is coming back strong from season-ending surgery on his right knee. “Adrian Cann is a super-fit guy, his progress has been quite remarkable,” TFC director of player development Paul Mariner told MLSsoccer.com this week. “I’m surprised that he’s so far along.” Cann, the rock upon which the TFC defence was supposed to be built, suffered a torn ACL during training on May 31 and had surgery in July. http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2011/12/cann-could-be-ready-preseason
CCL: Toronto to host first leg vs. LA at Rogers Centre Reds decide on roofed venue to avoid inclement winter weather TORONTO – Toronto FC are going indoors for the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal against the LA Galaxy on March 7. The club confirmed on Wednesday that game will be played under the roof of Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball, so as to avoid inclement weather for both players and fans. The move to play under the retractable roof has seemed likely for some time, but there were decisions to be made before TFC concluded on playing there instead of BMO Field, their usual home. http://www.mlssoccer.com/ccl/news/article/2011/12/21/ccl-toronto-host-first-leg-vs-la-rogers-centre
League sources have confirmed to CSN that the first Toronto-Montreal derby will take place April 7 in Montreal's Olympic Stadium. The game will be in the afternoon, with a NHL game between Montreal and Toronto scheduled for that evening. http://www.canadiansoccernews.com/content.php?2593-League-Source-Toronto-to-play-in-Montreal-April-7
