Wheeler: Mo must take the blame

[Grizzly]

One would think if TFC doesn't win against the Impact by 4 goals Mo would be fired though that is not taking the MLSE factor into account.

Mo must take the blame

TFC woes rest on his shoulders

By GARETH WHEELER, SUN MEDIA

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/TorontoFC/2009/06/08/9711841-sun.html

More losses, more problems. Issues on the field and off. Players and fans speaking out against the club.

To say Toronto FC has had a bad week is an understatement. To say it wasn't coming would be a lie.

For a team we've been told is the model for all Major League Soccer clubs, things couldn't look worse.

The proof of a successful team is in the win column -- not on the balance sheet -- and with only 11 points from eight home games, there isn't much proof.

With players fed up with the FieldTurf and the organization's apathy towards their complaints -- and a growing number of lacklustre performances -- the shine is wearing off TFC.

The club also has all but failed in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. And the poor quality of product falls on one man -- director of soccer Mo Johnston.

While the business side of TFC has always been in check, the soccer side has not. Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment Ltd. -- an organization with all kinds of business acumen but very little from a soccer perspective -- trusted Johnston to put together a winning team. And, in what is essentially a one-man show, Johnston has failed.

And thus, the franchise has failed. Call him the Rob Babcock or John Ferguson Jr. of soccer, Johnston simply hasn't done a good job.

It's not just the broken promises of highly touted new recruits or the failures of Chad Barrett that has made his collection of work disappointing.

Some of Johnston's other failures include quitting on North American players all too quickly -- for every Euro-bust like Laurent Robert and Andy Welsh, a North American player has been overlooked too quickly.

Edson Buddle, who scored the match winner for the L.A. Galaxy on Saturday, was deemed not good enough for TFC. So was MLS leading goal-scorer Conor Casey. And the list goes on.

There may be a hint of disrespect toward the North American development model in Johnston's team building.

Just because a player played in Scotland doesn't mean he's better suited to MLS. That doesn't bode well for TFC's latest reported recruit, Scottish striker Jamie Smith.

A merry-go-round in the coaching department -- three coaches in three years -- isn't the way to establish stability for a franchise. If Johnston had his eyes fixed on the director of soccer role before taking the coaching job, then that's neglect on his part.

The most important role on the team is its coach, and is Chris Cummins the right man long term? That's debatable. Was he the best possible candidate for the job after John Carver? Absolutely not. Is it Cummins fault what's going on now? No way.

Not securing a designated player -- this was the surest way for Johnston to make a big splash and show the organization's comittment to putting a winning team on the field -- has proven harmful. Promises of a designated player have gone unfulfilled, and seem sketchy at best. Until the designated-player spot is used, Johnston leaves himself open to criticism.

A roster put together without tactical consideration? It's the sum of its parts that makes a team click, and Johnston's team is missing some vital organs.

The team acquires the talented Amado Guevara but gives him no players to use on the wings. The team had a disastrous 2008 defensively, and Johnston brings in only one defensive reinforcement?

An unhappy Dwayne De Rosario not only has to compete with the brutal playing surface, but only has one reliable targetman in Danny Dichio, who we're told cannot be relied on for 90 minutes at this point in his career.

Making things worse, Cummins clearly doesn't trust the depth of his squad, and players have become fatigued as a result. Johnston's scouting and player recruiting have been sub-par at best.

These shortcomings, combined with terrible operational decisions, such as making grass for a friendly a priority over having grass in actual competitive matches, make what's going on a joke of epic proportions. The worst part for Johnston and TFC is the viewing public is taking notice.

Johnston can no longer hide behind the veil of newness. TFC can no longer hang its hat on the passion of supporters.

TFC isn't the Maple Leafs -- failures, broken promises, and maltreatment of the fans will not be tolerated.

[dyslexic nam]

I like the article, but unfortunately I disagree with one of your major points. I think that in the grand scheme of things, many the fans will tolerate on-field mediocrity. And if not, there are ample numbers of fans waiting to take up the slack. How do I know? Just look at the other Toronto sports franchises. The Leafs have sucked for years, yet they are still one of the financially strongest teams in the NHL. The Raptors are solidly established as a mediocre team at best (just look at the hype generated by their "big" signings - Bosh aside). And the Jays... well, need I say more. The fact is that the market is big enough that the teams, including TFC, can aim for mediocrity, and fans will still continue to line the pockets of MLSE shareholders. Even if some of the more demanding fans were to shed their loyalty to TFC due to the neglect of the on-field product (which would be tragic for the game in Canada) there would be many more waiting to get in on the action. That is why MLSE can do a half-ass job. It is sad. It is unfair. But I think it is resoundingly true.

[ottawaguy2009]

quote:Originally posted by Grizzly

One would think if TFC doesn't win against the Impact by 4 goals Mo would be fired though that is not taking the MLSE factor into account.

Mo must take the blame

TFC woes rest on his shoulders

By GARETH WHEELER, SUN MEDIA

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Soccer/TorontoFC/2009/06/08/9711841-sun.html

More losses, more problems. Issues on the field and off. Players and fans speaking out against the club.

To say Toronto FC has had a bad week is an understatement. To say it wasn't coming would be a lie.

For a team we've been told is the model for all Major League Soccer clubs, things couldn't look worse.

The proof of a successful team is in the win column -- not on the balance sheet -- and with only 11 points from eight home games, there isn't much proof.

With players fed up with the FieldTurf and the organization's apathy towards their complaints -- and a growing number of lacklustre performances -- the shine is wearing off TFC.

The club also has all but failed in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. And the poor quality of product falls on one man -- director of soccer Mo Johnston.

While the business side of TFC has always been in check, the soccer side has not. Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment Ltd. -- an organization with all kinds of business acumen but very little from a soccer perspective -- trusted Johnston to put together a winning team. And, in what is essentially a one-man show, Johnston has failed.

And thus, the franchise has failed. Call him the Rob Babcock or John Ferguson Jr. of soccer, Johnston simply hasn't done a good job.

It's not just the broken promises of highly touted new recruits or the failures of Chad Barrett that has made his collection of work disappointing.

Some of Johnston's other failures include quitting on North American players all too quickly -- for every Euro-bust like Laurent Robert and Andy Welsh, a North American player has been overlooked too quickly.

Edson Buddle, who scored the match winner for the L.A. Galaxy on Saturday, was deemed not good enough for TFC. So was MLS leading goal-scorer Conor Casey. And the list goes on.

There may be a hint of disrespect toward the North American development model in Johnston's team building.

Just because a player played in Scotland doesn't mean he's better suited to MLS. That doesn't bode well for TFC's latest reported recruit, Scottish striker Jamie Smith.

A merry-go-round in the coaching department -- three coaches in three years -- isn't the way to establish stability for a franchise. If Johnston had his eyes fixed on the director of soccer role before taking the coaching job, then that's neglect on his part.

The most important role on the team is its coach, and is Chris Cummins the right man long term? That's debatable. Was he the best possible candidate for the job after John Carver? Absolutely not. Is it Cummins fault what's going on now? No way.

Not securing a designated player -- this was the surest way for Johnston to make a big splash and show the organization's comittment to putting a winning team on the field -- has proven harmful. Promises of a designated player have gone unfulfilled, and seem sketchy at best. Until the designated-player spot is used, Johnston leaves himself open to criticism.

A roster put together without tactical consideration? It's the sum of its parts that makes a team click, and Johnston's team is missing some vital organs.

The team acquires the talented Amado Guevara but gives him no players to use on the wings. The team had a disastrous 2008 defensively, and Johnston brings in only one defensive reinforcement?

An unhappy Dwayne De Rosario not only has to compete with the brutal playing surface, but only has one reliable targetman in Danny Dichio, who we're told cannot be relied on for 90 minutes at this point in his career.

Making things worse, Cummins clearly doesn't trust the depth of his squad, and players have become fatigued as a result. Johnston's scouting and player recruiting have been sub-par at best.

These shortcomings, combined with terrible operational decisions, such as making grass for a friendly a priority over having grass in actual competitive matches, make what's going on a joke of epic proportions. The worst part for Johnston and TFC is the viewing public is taking notice.

Johnston can no longer hide behind the veil of newness. TFC can no longer hang its hat on the passion of supporters.

TFC isn't the Maple Leafs -- failures, broken promises, and maltreatment of the fans will not be tolerated.

sad but true. however, TFC is an institution now, not a mere passing fad. sure it's not good now. but give it a another 3 - 5 years and things will look up. shame on mlse for being charmed by the likes of mo johnston. pick a north american next time.

[El Hombre]

Fantastic article. Nice to see someone putting something like this in print.

One problem though: you can't complain about Johnston poor scouting and then complain that he hasn't signed a DP. If Johnston is a piss poor evaluator of talent then not having him sign a DP is a blessing.

Agree on how the team has been put together without tactical consideration and the lack of depth, though.

[Gian-Luca]

Conor Casey didn't want to play in Toronto, so tough to blame Mo on that one. Same with blaming him for the FieldTurf (he doesn't do that explicitly, but implicitly - otherwise why mention it at all?)

Wheeler however misses a trick - he complains that he didn't bring enough defensive help this year and complains that Mo overlooked North American players, but doesn't put two and two together. DC United & Houston both brought in defensive help this year in the form of Canadian defenders that would fit in perfectly in Toronto's back four. No doubt someone will argue that blah blah TFC didn't have discovery claims on them, but that suggests other teams doing a better job scouting Canadian players than the one Canadian team does.

[Cheeta]

"11 points from eight home games"

Brutal. About 5 points short of target I'd guess. See how short TFC is from making the playoffs this autumn.

With all the disruptions off the field already I doubt Trader Mo will be going anywhere until seasons end. Of course if the team doesn't stay in a reasonable hunt for a playoff spot one could view the season as already over by mid August...

[Calgary Boomer]

To quote Glenn Frey from "Beverly Hills Cop" "The Heat is On".

TFC Fans have made the club what it is...they deserve better. My worry is that MLSE is not capable of identifying the right guy to start over. He has to have some MLS experience, but also be plugged in to foreign clubs/talent. The person also needs to see a bigger picture for the club.

[tmcmurph]

I'm thinking what TFC really need is a cross town rival in USL-1. That would seriously attack their market and a loss to that team in the Voyageurs Cup competition would be so embarrassing.

I think that is the only thing that would kick the complacency out of MLSE's soccer operations. Fear.

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

quote:Originally posted by Grizzly

Edson Buddle, who scored the match winner for the L.A. Galaxy on Saturday, was deemed not good enough for TFC. So was MLS leading goal-scorer Conor Casey. And the list goes on.

This one paragraph shows Wheeler doesn't have a clue what he is talking about although that should have been obvious already after his post-Columbus hysterics.

[kyam]

quote:Originally posted by tmcmurph

I'm thinking what TFC really need is a cross town rival in USL-1. That would seriously attack their market and a loss to that team in the Voyageurs Cup competition would be so embarrassing.

I think that is the only thing that would kick the complacency out of MLSE's soccer operations. Fear.

Despite the Fieldturf, the one benefit of the Stadium being owned by the City is that the City can force TFC to share the stadium with another USL-1 team...

What if the Lynks gain promotion back to USL-1? Them playing at BMO would put a lot more legitimacy in the Lynks franchise this time around.

It did not help the Lynks before, that they played in an amateur stadium.... putting them at BMO would be a constant reminder for TFC and MLSE management that they have competition.

[Trillium]

quote:Originally posted by kyam

Despite the Fieldturf, the one benefit of the Stadium being owned by the City is that the City can force TFC to share the stadium with another USL-1 team...

What if the Lynks gain promotion back to USL-1? Them playing at BMO would put a lot more legitimacy in the Lynks franchise this time around.

It did not help the Lynks before, that they played in an amateur stadium.... putting them at BMO would be a constant reminder for TFC and MLSE management that they have competition.

Toronto needs a USL 1 team... that would spur other cities .. Hamilton and London, Quebec and Ottawa to look at running a USL 1 team... I wonder if Windsor could be Market with a downtown stadia...could they draw from Detroit for fans ?

[ag futbol]

The article is a miss-mash of valid points and over-the-top attempts to pin criticism at he GM. It's about time that a bit of Mo's dirty laundry got hung out in the press even if the final product is far from perfection.

In terms of the "terrible operational decisions". I can think of about 12 other clubs that DEFINATELY have worse operations groups than TFC. They set the standard for the whole league. Only DCU and Seattle come close to being as in-touch with the fan base. This is a completely seperate issue from Mo's performance.

The lack of points from home games is especially valid, and truthfully something i didn't even think too much of myself. Our season could be DOA by the time september roles around as we only have two league home games in two months.

[DoyleG]

quote:Originally posted by kyam

Despite the Fieldturf, the one benefit of the Stadium being owned by the City is that the City can force TFC to share the stadium with another USL-1 team...

What if the Lynks gain promotion back to USL-1? Them playing at BMO would put a lot more legitimacy in the Lynks franchise this time around.

It did not help the Lynks before, that they played in an amateur stadium.... putting them at BMO would be a constant reminder for TFC and MLSE management that they have competition.

MLSE would follow the same tactics that Ballard used against the Toronto Toros.