Outspoken for years about the absurdity of a team holding onto a player’s rights long after he left the league, many -- Gomez likely included -- felt that he would never play in the United States again. It turns out they were right. He’s coming to Canada.
In a series of moves this morning – trading Warren Creavalle to Philadelphia for a second round draft pick to open up some cap and roster space then flipping Kansas City some MLS magic beans for the “right of first refusal” to allow them to select Gomez – the Reds finally ended Herc’s exile from MLS.
Most TFC fans won’t care about the long running drama about Gomez’ situation though. They will just want to know how he helps TFC now. Many will wonder why TFC didn’t add a defender and instead went after yet another American forward.
The simple answer to that is that another American forward was what was available. If centrebacks (that can fit into a MLS salary structure) grew on trees three quarters of the league wouldn’t constantly be looking for them.
For better or worse you win in MLS by outscoring the rest of the league. That’s what TFC is trying to do. They will try and win games 3-2.
It’s a sports cliché that “offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships.” It’s also wrong, especially in MLS. Since 2007, the highest scoring team in MLS has won a major trophy in six of eight years. The best defensive team? Two of eight and only once when it wasn’t always the highest scoring.
Of course you have to be somewhat competent at the back. Whether TFC has reached the heights of “somewhat competent at the back” remains to be seen.
Meanwhile Gomez will come in and add depth to the attack. He’s here to back up Altidore and to add some veteran leadership. It’s not definable, but Gomez has won everywhere and should be a great influence in the room.
Regardless, the rest of the year should be fun. Whether it ends in glory or not.