The Lead

Few observers seem to understand that all Toronto FC ever needed to succeed was a “world class centreback pairing.” This apparently is the lynch pin in Toronto’s quest to a Major League Soccer cup, a CONCACAF Champions League win, and the first win for MLS in the Club World Cup in Japan. If Toronto had sorted this out five years ago, Mo Johnston would still be manager and coach, Collin Samuel would be leading the league in goals and be the subject of inquiries from Barcelona and Manchester United, and TFC would be a shining light to the footballing world.

Well, we never got this pairing, and you know the rest. Those days may be coming to an end, at least in part.

Or…not.

Perhaps MLS commissioner Don Garber is a liar and Toronto FC messed this one up all on their own, or maybe it did have to do with “MLS’ salary structure“, but in the end, someone shat the bed on one of the most important symbolic signings for this club since Danny Dichio.

What I’m getting at here is, would you rather sign Olof Mellberg or Bolton’s Paul Robinson? They’re both similar in age; one is 34, the other is 33. One is a centreback, the other is a leftback that can play as a central defender. One used to play for Juventus; the other used to play for Watford.

Or perhaps you don’t mind the idea of Darren O’Dea (pictured above), 25 year-old Celtic loanee extraordinaire and Irish international, marshaling Toronto FC’s defense for the next half-decade. A guy who couldn’t make the Celtic first team, and who was ushered out of Leeds United by Neil Warnock.

In other words, this smacks of a panicked rush job. The result could either preserve the status quo or worsen things, all while eating up cap space. Toronto FC awesome show, great job.

Canada

Canada ready for Great Britain.

Vancouver Whitecaps’ aging squad a concern for fans.

Marco Di Vaio heading back to Italy for match-fixing hearings.

England

Manchester United confirms new deal for goalkeeper Anders Lindergaard.

Robin Van Persie heading to Germany…for Arsenal training camp.

Arsenal striker set to join Bolton Wanderers on loan.

Fulham manager Martin Jol set to add duo.

Swansea and Great Britain winger Scott Sinclair wants a contract extension.

Fabrice Muamba admits to playing football after suffering from a heart attack during Bolton’s Fa Cup match.

Manchester United prepared to spend an additional  £40million on summer targets.

 Santi Carzola set to complete long-awaited move to Arsenal today, Nuri Sahin to follow.

West Ham United sends a warning to Andy Carroll.

Stewart Downing gives Liverpool the edge in Europa League action.

Joe Cole’s injury not serious according to manager Brendan Rodgers.

New Portsmouth chairman Iain McInnes on why he wants to save the club.

Manchester City’s Micah Richards praises Stuart Pearce and Great Britain.

Southampton manager Nigel Adkins confirms out-of-favor trio set to leave.

Italy

Fiorentina’s owner Andrea Della Valle confirms Aquilani signing.

Inter Milan’s Andrea Rannocchia remains silent on match-fixing scandal.

Plea Bargains accepted for Bari, Sampdoria and Andrea Masiello.

Filippo Carobbio’s legal team hits back at Antonio Conte.

Milos Krasic completes Fenerbahce switch.

Sao Paulo’s vice president confirms Lucas Moura hasn’t signed for Inter Milan.

Gonzalo Rodriguez has joined Fiorentina from Villarreal.

Vincenzo Montella happy with Fiorentina’s hierarchy.

Juventus trying to lure Salvatore Bocchetti back to Italy.

Milan turn to Giuseppe Rossi.

Spain

Jose Mourinho compliments Barcelona,  saying there’s no better team than Real Madrid or his rivals.

Real Madrid happy to keep Kaka despite ongoing speculation.

Barcelona B midfielder Oriol Rosell heads to MLS.

Bits and Bobs

Dundee United set to join the Scottish Premier League.

Portsmouth Supporters Trust bid document released.

Real Madrid and LA Galaxy highlights.

AC Milan heads to the United States for Kaka talks.

Today’s rumor roundup.

Luca Toni making Serie B return? Which means this is a good time to play the Luca Toni song.

Thanks to Michael Tomasone for the links.