TFC Training Camp

[jpg75]

The boys have started training:

http://www.thestar.com/sports/soccer/mls/torontofc/dwaynederosario/article/759983--injured-players-sit-out-toronto-fc-fitness-testing

Details on the injured:

While most Toronto FC players sweated through fitness testing Wednesday, three teammates, including star Dwayne DeRosario, were on the limp.

DeRosario, who led the team in scoring last season with a TFC-record 11 goals, is out two to four weeks with a calf strain picked up last weekend as he played for Canada in a 1-0 loss to Jamaica in a friendly...

...Two other players, striker Chad Barrett and newly acquired forward Jacob Peterson, also sat out the testing at York University which saw players running on treadmills as medical staff monitored them.

“Even though this fitness test doesn’t look that fun, I’d rather be doing that than walking around with this piece of weight attached to my foot,” Barrett said of a cast on his right foot following surgery seven weeks ago to repair a small break incurred in November when he was trying to get ready for a United States team training camp.

Barrett said he hopes to start running again within the next month...

...Meanwhile, Peterson, who was acquired last month in a trade from Colorado for allocation money, is coming off season-ending knee surgery in late September.

“Hopefully a couple of months and I’ll be back 100 per cent,” said Peterson, a 24-year-old going into his fifth season in MLS.

“I don’t want to rush it. It’s a long season, so I’ll come back when I’m ready,” said Peterson, who has been doing light jogging for the past couple of weeks.

[loyola]

As reported by Rudi, Adam Strret (U-23 keeper) is in camp.

Could he still be with WHU but working on a loan move?

[jpg75]

It has to be a loan deal, there's no way West Ham is letting him walk for free regardless of how many good young keepers they have. Aside from one reserve friendly he's been playing U18's for West Ham, so this probably makes sense if TFC guarantee he'll see some PT in friendlies throughout camp, the season and maybe even some V's Cup games? He won't stay with the team if he's the #3 keeper.

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

Odds on they would move on Brian Edwards through a trade or possibly even waivers at some point. Using a full roster spot and one of the five additional places for American players on a backup keeper is not an ideal situation. If it is a loan deal I don't think they would guarantee playing time beyond friendlies. At least I hope not anyway. He should have to earn playing time like any other player and why would a Premiership club be interested in securing his future services with a long-term contract if he wasn't able to? He's approaching an age now where most youth players at that sort of level have to move on to smaller clubs because only a small portion are retained with full pro level contracts.

[ag futbol]

Odds on they would move on Brian Edwards through a trade or possibly even waivers at some point. Using a full roster spot and one of the five additional places for American players on a backup keeper is not an ideal situation. If it is a loan deal I don't think they would guarantee playing time beyond friendlies. At least I hope not anyway. He should have to earn playing time like any other player and why would a Premiership club be interested in securing his future services with a long-term contract if he wasn't able to? He's approaching an age now where most youth players at that sort of level have to move on to smaller clubs because only a small portion are retained with full pro level contracts.

I agree, that`s the first thing that came through my head as well.

Some CSL work (maybe) plus regular games in the V`s cup + a few regular starts with Frei taking the majority of the work might make this worth while.

[VPjr]

I wonder if Adam was feeling like he wasn't progressing at WHU? He is a 1991 so if he is still playing exclusively for the U18's, he is now running out of options unless they decide to play him as an overager. I wonder why, if this is a loan, he has not be been loaned out to a smaller club within England, where he would get more game play opportunities and where they could keep a closer eye on him.

Being the 3rd keeper for TFC would be a backwards step, in my opinion, primarily because of the lack of playing opportunities. Of course, there could be something brewing in that regard that we are not aware of.

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

He would probably have to displace one of these guys to have a future at West Ham:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marek_%C5%A0t%C4%9Bch

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P%C3%A9ter_Kurucz

Given he is now beyond the U-18 age group the timing is right for him to have been told that he is free to go on trials elsewhere to secure himself a contract at another club. Nothing out of the ordinary in that given only a small portion of players that come through a youth system get retained. Given the financial crisis in the UK right now a lot of smaller clubs will be looking to reduce the number of player contracts and their overall wage bill rather than adding new players so maybe MLS looks like a better opportunity than it would have two or three years ago with additional Canadian expansion just around the corner?

[Andrew W]

Good points by all, but I think it would be prudent of TFC to at least look at a young Canadian keeper with potential. A Brian Edwards could have some value elsewhere (see KC where Hartman may not be brought back). I would love to see TFC and Vancouver at least have a young Canuck in the fold much like Salt Lake had Seitz in the system (ultimately to lose him to Philly in the expansion draft) because who knows what will happen with Canadian ratios in the coming months and years. Plus, if Frei has another season like last, he's bound to be attracting interest from Europe where he'd (I believe) have the EU passport to make things easier.

Hope it works out for a promising young keeper whether it's with TFC, Vancouver next year or where ever.

[youllneverwalkalone]

I wonder if Adam was feeling like he wasn't progressing at WHU? He is a 1991 so if he is still playing exclusively for the U18's, he is now running out of options unless they decide to play him as an overager. I wonder why, if this is a loan, he has not be been loaned out to a smaller club within England, where he would get more game play opportunities and where they could keep a closer eye on him.

Being the 3rd keeper for TFC would be a backwards step, in my opinion, primarily because of the lack of playing opportunities. Of course, there could be something brewing in that regard that we are not aware of.

We were told he's eligible for a British passport, but maybe it's come to light that he's not? I would then assume he can't play professionally in England without a work permit. I beleive this is why Hoilett had to go out on loan to Germany until they could get the special tribunal ruling. Unlikely that such a case would be heard for Street to go out on loan AFC Hornchurch, Bromley, or Welling United.

[VPjr]

^ That makes a lot of sense YNWA.

I think BBTB makes some very good points too.

combined, it makes total sense why he is in Toronto's camp.

[loyola]

Anyone knows how tall is Street? From what I've seen in video and pics, he doesn't look like a tall keeper. 5'11 or 6'0 I would say (I could be wrong).

Highl;ights clip here:

[jpg75]

Street is pretty tall, i think he's about 6'3" or 6'4"

Here you go, he's right beside Nana - who is about 6 feet

[SeanKeay]

This was a long time ago, but there is no way he is a small kid. When I coached against his Dixie squad when he was like 11-12 years old the kid must of been pushing 6 feet.

I figure hes coming in around 6 foot 4-5 these days, but that's just a guess without a measuring stick.

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

No Jorge Andrade according to Kristian Jack. Didn't show up in Florida for his trial.

http://twitter.com/KristianJack

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

One of the latest trialists is Vincent Kayizzi from Uganda, who sounds quite confident about his chances of making the team:-

http://www.monitor.co.ug/Sports/Soccer/-/690266/860362/-/157w5ynz/-/index.html

Speaking to Daily Monitor on phone from Florida where the club are currently camped for pre-season training, Kayizzi revealed that he will have a 10-day trial and is hopeful he will make the grade.

“I took part in the first training session on Tuesday,” he said. “I enjoyed myself and I think I can easily fit in here. I have an 80% chance, unless there is another obstacle,” added the 26-year-old.

He's been playing for Srem in Serbia so is probably somebody Preki rather than Mo Johnston has brought in. Some quick googling suggests he is a right midfielder:-

http://allafrica.com/stories/200809010448.html

In midfield, contrary to the left side, where Abubaker Tabula and David Obua arrive tomorrow, the Scot will also be able to decide who among Wagaluka, Joseph Kabagambe and Vincent Kayizzi deserves a starting place on the right side of midfield.

Two Americans called Dan Gargan and Hunter Gilstrap were also involved in the first exhibition game against an NCAA team:-

http://toronto.fc.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20100211&content_id=8063788&vkey=news_t280&fext=.jsp&team=t280

Trialist Dan Gargan headed in an equalizer with ten minutes remaining after University of Central Florida had opened the scoring with a second half penalty...Gargan was one of two trialists in the TFC starting line-up. The American defender played at right back and Ugandan Vincent Kayizzi started in midfield....Preki made a number of changes to the line-up for the second half including Hunter Gilstrap replacing Stefan Frei in goal. Last season, Gilstrap played for Cleveland City Stars in the United Soccer League...

Dan Gargan played for the Rapids between 2005 and 2008 before moving to Chivas USA and played for the Puerto Rico Islanders last season:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Gargan

Described as right-sided defender in this link:-

http://www.lasoccernews.com/article.php?article_id=2806

“Dan is both young and has good experience in the league, and will bring depth to our squad, particularly on the right side,” said Chivas USA Head Coach Preki. “He’s got a good mind for the game and we’re happy to bring him into the team.”

If I were Brian Edwards I would be wondering why they have brought in Hunter Gilstrap:-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunter_Gilstrap

[Grizzly]

Srem is in the Serbian second division so unless he is playing way below his level I would take his claims to have 80% chance of making the team with a grain of salt.

[VPjr]

anyone know if Street is still in camp with TFC?

[dbailey62]

I hear no.

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

Srem is in the Serbian second division so unless he is playing way below his level I would take his claims to have 80% chance of making the team with a grain of salt.

Maybe worth bearing in mind that Preki signed a player called Bojan Stepanovic from there when he was with Chivas.

http://chivas.usa.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t120&player=stepanovic_b&playerId=ste482922&statType=current

Might be worth trying to figure out how the roster is shaping up at this point. Assuming there are 16 international roster spots (8 given to all MLS teams, 5 extra Americans and roster spots acquired in trades from NER, Houston and San Jose) and Ibrahim, Herrold and Frei are not going anywhere as GA players, 13 are left for the senior roster and between 5 and 7 Canadian domestic players are needed to balance out the senior roster of 18 to 20 players:-

senior roster: Brennan, Attakora, JDG, DeRosario, Gerba and White (6)

development: [Frei, Herrold, Ibrahim], Gala (1)

It's probably safe to assume the 6 domestic senior roster players are not going anywhere. Of the 13 international roster spots potentially up for grabs on the senior roster I suspect the following for better or worse will be claimed by players on guaranteed contracts for 2010:-

Robinson, Garcia, Barrett

while the following are unlikely to be going anywhere:-

Harden, Peterson, Cronin

and Marvell Wynne will be around unless there is a trade.

That leaves 6 international roster spots very much up for grabs with only Edwards, Sanyang and Gomez still around from last season. Given the rumoured 400k raise in the salary cap two or three of the new faces are likely to be on 100k+ regular starter type money so Edwards, Sanyang and Gomez are on thin ice if any more "depth" players are added by Preki from here on. There is very limited scope for adding young Canadians at the moment due to the three American Generation Adidas players. TFC Academy trialists will/would be battling it out with Gabe Gala where the development roster is concerned. An additional senior roster Canadian is required to get up to 20 on the senior roster as things stand if all the international roster spots get used assuming there is no way back now for Serioux. There is always the possibility that Mo Johnston will trade for another international roster spot, however.

[Grizzly]

Srem is in the Serbian second division so unless he is playing way below his level I would take his claims to have 80% chance of making the team with a grain of salt.

Maybe worth bearing in mind that Preki signed a player called Bojan Stepanovic from there when he was with Chivas.

http://chivas.usa.mlsnet.com/players/bio.jsp?team=t120&player=stepanovic_b&playerId=ste482922&statType=current

Yes but it is also worth bearing in mind that Stepanovic turned out to be a pretty mediocre depth player who was released by Chivas at the end of the season.

[ag futbol]

Very true, Preki loves his mediocre depth players however, ahah.

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

I'm almost certain that in the monthly Gol TV program he appears on at the Football Factory Mo Johnston talked about Preki being in Croatia to look at a winger. I suspect that was Kayizzi even if it means that Mo's grasp of the geography of the former Yugoslavia is not all it might be.

If Preki can look after the depth stuff and Mo can work the phones to sort out trades and bring in higher profile players maybe between them things will work well. Not sure about this Paul Dikov move given he's 37 now:-

http://toronto.fc.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20100213&content_id=8074056&vkey=news_t280&fext=.jsp&team=t280

but this was an interesting hint why he didn't sign the last time around:-

"The last time I came here I was very close to signing, but decided at the time it was best to stay in the Championship in England. Obviously there is now a new manager so I have come out here for a few days to join in training and hopefully we can sort something out."

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

Latest exhibition game ends in a 1-0 victory:-

http://web.mlsnet.com/news/team_news.jsp?ymd=20100214&content_id=8074958&vkey=news_t280&fext=.jsp&team=t280

http://torontofc.neulion.com/tfc/console.jsp?catid=2&id=1609

thanks to a goal by Vincent Kayizzi:-

http://torontofc.neulion.com/tfc/console.jsp?catid=2&id=1608

Latest trialist according to tweets from Luke Wileman appears to be Junior Ischia from Argentina:-

http://twitter.com/LukeWileman

http://www.soccerway.com/players/junior-ischia/71876/

[jpg75]

Weird, we posted the same link 2 minutes apart on different boards. I wasn't even sure it was the right guy, but looks like a good guess on my part:

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1296408&page=5

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

I think jloome posted that link first on the RPB board, for what it's worth. I googled his name carefully to double check I would have came up with the same player before posting it here though rather than just cutting and pasting. Not sure the Argentinian regional third tier is the place TFC should be looking for players at the moment but given it's a trial nothing much is lost if it doesn't pan out.