Likely out going TFC defender Nick Garcia says that the biggest problem with the Reds last year was a lack of leadership on the pitch.
Although he was not specific in placing blame he suggested that very few TFC players stepped up and made themselves heard when things started to get tough.
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"It's the multi-billion dollar question -- what was wrong with TFC," he said. "I think it boils down to communication. There were not enough veteran guys on the field guiding and leading the team."
He says that he notices a change in attitude from when he was a young player to players breaking in to today. Young players don't seem to show any desire to be vocal.
"They seem to spend all their time text messaging or on Twitter. No one wants to speak up."
Garcia shuns fan boards and most social media and suggests that more players should follow suit and focus more on football.
Less distractions make for a more mentally tough player. A lack of mental toughness is the root of a lot of TFC's problems, he says. That's especially the case on the road where TFC continues to be woeful.
"It comes down to the mental approach guys take,” he says. "The hassle of traveling commercial, not sleeping in your own bed -- If guys are a little mentally weak it can be pretty tough."
Garcia wasn't claimed on Wednesday's re-entry draft, but says he expects to play two-more years. He spoke more about his future plans for an article I prepared for MLSsoccer.com.
Left out of that article were discussions of his salary expectations. Garcia said that he is only looking to be compensated fairly based on what his role ends up playing.
"If I mostly start I want to be paid as a starter. If I'm a reserve player, I understand I should be paid as one."
He understands that he's at the point of his career when his salary will begin to drop and has planned for that.