Sunday’s monolithic Onward! broadside against the admiral of Ye Goode Shyppe TFC had two purposes:
- State the obvious as loudly, clearly and un-take-backably as possible.
- Start a discussion.
It’s turning into quite a conversation.
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Excluding all the personal stuff about me being immature and childish (I prefer “child-like”), the biggest concern both fans and colleagues expressed is what will happen after Mo Johnston’s departure?
The point is valid, and my friend Duane Rollins lays it out very well this morning.
Essentially, all agree Toronto FC is caught in a management earthquake. The cautious approach says let the earth stop shaking (play out the 2010 MLS season) before starting the clean-up.
I respectfully counter that it’s time to evacuate – especially since this particular earthquake is clearly and unquestionably Mo-induced.
Let’s go read the seismograph. Here’s what’s shaking – and why:
1) The roster:
Had to be blown up after the 0-5 faceplant that snuffed out the 2009 season. It was left late. Appallingly late.
Yes, the uncertainty turfed up by lingering CBA negotiations didn’t help, but Mo threw every cent he could possibly commit at last year’s team – the one riven with internal dissention and creepy cliques. Sure, you can’t always know how players are (or aren’t) going to gel, and MLS roster rules could drive anyone insane. But it was Mo’s team, and Mo is responsible.
2) The coach:
Preki’s a hard-ass butt-kicker. Everybody knew the job was dangerous when he took it. So he inherits Mo’s mess, and starts kicking serious can. Mo is left scrambling trying to find players to fill the chasming void.
But how’d we get here? John Carver was an odd choice in ’08, and Chris Cummins wasn’t ready a year ago. I understand that Mo likely wanted his old pal Preki all along, and grabbed him as soon as he was available. But that crying lack of an experienced coach the past two seasons bred and festered the locker room discontent, and Cummins had no answer when it all went ulcerous at once.
3) The former players:
TFC has a history of failed goal scorers. Jeff Cunningham, Carlos Ruiz, Collin Samuel and Edson Buddle are all scoring well and frequently since they left Toronto. Cunningham won the Golden Freaking MLS Boot last year, knocking home half chances for FC Bouncy Castle. Oh, and apparently Pablo Vitti’s been finding twine lately, too.
It will be very interesting to see what kinds of seasons departed stalwarts like Carl Robinson and Marvell Wynne have, now that they’re not swimming in TFC toxicity.
4) Mo’s signings:
You have to be Mo’s kind of player. Or maybe now it’s Preki calling shots. Either way, it really helps if you’re a client of First Wave Management, or a former member of last year’s underwhelming Colorado Rapids squad. And if you’ve got reconstructive knee surgery on your resume – well, howdy pal, how quickly can we fly you in?
This is the world Mo made, folks. Maybe Preki makes it better, or maybe that just isn’t possible.
I understand completely that dropping Mo now might torch the oh-ten campaign. But there are already lots of fires in earthquake country, and they burn sweltering and toxic for a long, long time.
I respect all those who call for caution. I just think it’s way, way, WAY too late.
And speaking of Earthquakes – who did you say is running that team in San Jose? Yeah, no guarantees, and SJ’s been pretty wretched. But I’ll take my chances right now with a proven champion – especially a Canadian one.
… And the man could be available – at any moment.
(Sssssh!)
Onward!