Tfc @ dc

[BearcatSA]

DeRo is sometimes referred to as MeRo on the RPB board these days and it kind of sums up what the problem is. That plus the fact he'll be 33 season and is highly likely to lose a step means he is a prime candidate to be replaced by a DP signing with a more professional attitude. Won't be easy which is why I wrote (see below) that he shouldn't be left unprotected on the expansion draft. As for JdG I suspect he's going nowhere given the money he's on but if there is any kind of contract clause available to get rid of him it should be exercised because having somebody making that much money, who clearly doesn't merit it based on his current level of performance, can't be doing much for team chemistry. For TFC to turn things around quickly they need to make much better use of the DP roster spots than having JdG and Mista. Hopefully the renewal rate was high enough that the cash is still there to be able to do it, because odds on any shortfall will be coming out of 2011 operational expenses rather than MLSE's profit margin.

I understand your point about DeRo but I think the wheels will have to be falling off Brett Favre-style before he gets moved. Contract situation keeps JDG here but I fully agree with your points about his situation. Big +1 regarding getting rid of Garcia and the foreign signings new to MLS this year. The fact that Gala lost favour during Preki's time and couldn't get back into the mix during Dasovic's time with the emergence of Lindsay tells me that his time is done here as well as probably in MLS, for that matter. Needs to catch on in USL and get more first team playing time.

[paul-collins]

Hopefully the renewal rate was high enough that the cash is still there to be able to do it, because odds on any shortfall will be coming out of 2011 operational expenses rather than MLSE's profit margin.

Pray to god you're not Tom Anselmi.

[narduch]

The renewal rate was in the low 80s percentage wise, according to Paul Beirne in a chat on TFC's website yesterday.

[jpg75]

The renewal rate was in the low 80s percentage wise, according to Paul Beirne in a chat on TFC's website yesterday.

So we're looking at about 2500-3000 seats that were not renewed. Plus they're bumping the SSH membership to 18,000 from the existing 16,500 so that actually means 4000-5000 seats are becoming available to the waiting list.

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

The key missing info at this point is the breakdown on where these 3000 or so non-renewed seats are located. They will be able to get people off waiting lists into the supporters section and the corner light greys easily enough even at the higher new season ticket rate. The expensive seats are liable to be the ones that are much more difficult to shift. If even just a thousand of the priciest main and east stand seats were to wind up empty game after game the cumulative loss to TFC could easily be in excess of $1.5 million over an entire season before lost concessions revenues are factored in which would also be substantial.

Given their opening game is free gesture must be costing at least $600k in lost revenue I suspect it wasn't done with the supporters section in mind. The entire supporters section would only generate about $1.1 million over an entire season at the latest season ticket price. The two major U-turns on pricing and extensions to the deadline were out of desperation to resuscitate the golden goose because they know they can't easily replace the existing "prawns" and, therefore, very much need to keep their existing customer base aboard to make the numbers work at their current above average in MLS terms level of operations.

What must be in the back of their mind now though is that if they had to do that to turn 50 or 60% into 80% (or whatever the scenario was shaping up to be) what happens 12 months from now if there is another disappointing season? Seattle, RBNY and the Galaxy are disappearing over the horizon now in financial terms unfortunately. TFC are now part of a chasing pack with the likes of Chicago and Philadelphia and are no longer the league's model franchise and unqualified success story especially with Tom Anselmi's obvious cluelessness over what to do where a new GM is concerned factored into the equation.

[narduch]

The free home opener was used as a way to placate fans upset about the MLS Cup tickets. It lessens the burn of being forced to buy that game.

I'm willing to bet most of the 20% who didn't renew are in in expensive seats. And a lot of the people in expensive seats will be trying to relocate to cheaper parts of the stadium.

These are definitely interesting times for the team because with the GM hiring taking so long its entirely possible that 2011 will also be a write off in terms of performance. Can the fanbase handle another **** season?

[jpg75]

These are definitely interesting times for the team because with the GM hiring taking so long its entirely possible that 2011 will also be a write off in terms of performance.

I am starting to worry about that as well, i didn't like the comments from Anselmi a couple of days ago saying they were finalizing hiring an agency to help them with the GM search. Buddy, if you need an agency to help with the search you should have looked into this when you were thinking of turfing Mo and Preki. What's the turn around going to be with this agency doing the hiring? Is there going to be a GM in place by the MLS Superdraft which is 2 months away!?

[narduch]

I am starting to worry about that as well, i didn't like the comments from Anselmi a couple of days ago saying they were finalizing hiring an agency to help them with the GM search. Buddy, if you need an agency to help with the search you should have looked into this when you were thinking of turfing Mo and Preki. What's the turn around going to be with this agency doing the hiring? Is there going to be a GM in place by the MLS Superdraft which is 2 months away!?

Part of the spin coming out of the town halls was Paul Beirne and Anselmi hammering into the fans minds that Cochrane and Brennan are preparing to run this team for the next 150 days if necessary.

That doesn't inspire confidence, imo. Cochrane talks a big game but has little experience at this job. He has a better resume to be filling Michele Lissel's position as opposed to Mo Johnston's.

[jpg75]

Part of the spin coming out of the town halls was Paul Beirne and Anselmi hammering into the fans minds that Cochrane and Brennan are preparing to run this team for the next 150 days if necessary.

That doesn't inspire confidence, imo. Cochrane talks a big game but has little experience at this job. He has a better resume to be filling Michele Lissel's position as opposed to Mo Johnston's.

Well, they always have Barry MacLean to fall back on! I want to laugh and cry at the same time.

[BearcatSA]

^Shouldn't he be floating some rumour to an obscure UK based blogger about how some big European sides are interested in acquiring Joseph Nane?

[narduch]

^Shouldn't he be floating some rumour to an obscure UK based blogger about how some big European sides are interested in acquiring Joseph Nane?

Don't worry about Nane, Preki's brother is his agent. I'm sure Nane will appear on whatever team Preki is assigned to ruin next season.

[BringBackTheBlizzard]

He may have been at the time of the draft but he became a First Wave client around about the time that TFC signed him to his developmental contract.

http://www.firstwavesports.com/firstwave/clients?athlete_id=220

Personally think he has some ability and can see why he would have been drafted as a speculative sort of selection in the fourth round. Jarrod Smith getting anywhere near an MLS roster was way more puzzling.