Carl Robinson on his way to New York
As expected, Toronto FC parted ways with club original Carl Robinson on Saturday, although reports are conflicting as to how that parting happened. CBC reports and the Welshman was released and will now go on trial with New York, while the New York Post says the Red Bulls dealt ‘2011 draft picks’ in exchange for Robinson’s services. Three Four Three FC – the blog that initially reported the story — also has a trade taking place, while adding Toronto will absorb ‘north of 200k while New York Will only absorb a bit over 100k’ of Robinson’s salary. I assume official word on the transaction will be released shortly.
Duane Rollins is hearing speculation the money freed up from Robbo’s departure could be used to sign veteran Scottish striker Paul Dickov in during the summer window, which I’m sure will send waves of excitement through your collective TFC supporting veins. Boy it didn’t take long for that link to come back did it? It’s like the Rasputin of Toronto FC rumours.
On the subject of Robinson’s release, I’m pretty much with Paul James. This move is probably more about finances than it is play on the field. Robinson is still a good player, who I think still could have played a role on the club in the middle of the park with Julian de Guzman. But with Mo Johnston managing the salary cap like I managed my credit card when I was 21, tough decisions have to be made, and this was one of them. The question now is, will sophomore Sam Cronin play next to de Guzman this season, or will trialist Martin Saric be brought aboard to partner the team’s designated player? Well, I suppose that’s one of the questions with this team, along with who will play in the centre of defence, who’s going to play wide in the midfield, is Preki confident with Marvell Wynne and Jim Brennan as his fullbacks, and will a striker who can bag 10-15 goals be brought in?
My hunch is Robinson sticks with the Red Bulls. New York Post writer Brian Lewis says the club has been after the former Welsh international for a while, and has quotes from coach Hans Backe talking about the style he wants his team to play – one that could accommodate Robinson and another holding player:
"At some points in our midfield we can split it up in the attacking game, but I don’t think we’ll play with one holding mid, because in my opinion when you play with one holding you force your back four ten yards more back, and that means your team will be rather long,” Backe told the Post.
"If you start flat, you have a tighter team when it comes into games. But if you force the back four to play with just one holding (and force the defenders) ten yards more back, it’ll be a little bit more space to cover. So we’ll probably start with a flat 4-4-2, and then in the attacking game break the lines a little but so to say.”
Whitecaps draw with Sounders
The Whitecaps battled the Sounders to a 0-0 draw at Swangard on Saturday.
The highlights:
It seems the biggest positive to come out of the game was ‘Caps defence, which you would probably expect after a a 0-0 result. Vancouver Province writer Marc Weber was impressed with new centre back Greg Janicki, a 25-year old American who was with DC United last season. Whitecaps coach Teitur Thordarson agreed with Weber.
“He was outstanding tonight,” Thordarson told the Province. “It was against good players and a good team and it gives me a certain feeling we’ll be good in the back. “They [Janicki and fellow newcomer Nelson Akwari] were a very good pair.”
Weber notes Vancouver used ten players in central defence last season for various reasons, so Thordarson has extra reason to be encouraged by the performances of Janicki and Akwari.
The Sounders also had some kind things to say about the ‘Caps in the Seattle Times
Coach Sigi Schmid:
"Vancouver played well. In comparison to the first time we played them, I thought they were better organized defensively. They were more compact as a group. They probably found a little more of their shape, and I thought their line-up did a pretty good job at the back. At times, it was a staggering game. I thought both teams had the wide players pushed up too high, so it became a 4-2-4 formation. I thought Vancouver did and were on the edge of creating some chances, and I thought their left-back Hirano did very well."
Midfielder Freddie Ljungberg:
"It may have not been the best game to watch, but it was a good game for our fitness. I thought Vancouver played quite well. They played very direct and are a physical side, so it hard for us to play against them today. I think they will do very well when they get into MLS next year."
Much as I’m TFC die hard, I hope Carl knocks in a brace against us.
give him 30 chances and he’ll get his brace…
sorry, not saying I don’t love the guy, his attitude/work rate, the off field stuff he did for us (the fans) and the sport in general here in TO, but if he scores 2 against us…well that’s just outside of what my brain could handle.
connor Casey, Jeff Cunningham, Edson Buddle…..the precedent for former pouring them in against us has been firmly set.
someone on another board said it best, at least he has escaped Mo’s clusterfu@k.
…former ^ PLAYERS^
”Much as I’m TFC die hard, I hope Carl knocks in a brace against us.”
hoping a red bull scores a brace on tfc doesn’t really make you a die hard, does it?
it’s really starting to seem like mo is in panic mode.
TFC is now 0 for 2 when it comes to the handling the departure of talisman players. Players and fans all understand that money plays a big part of roster decisions in the modern game but there are still much better ways to do things.
It seems like the closer the season gets the more questions the TFC roster has.
“it’s really starting to seem like mo is in panic mode.”
It’s the same story year-after-year. We have no end game. If it wasn’t for Preki, I doubt we even would have taken steps to balance the roster.
I don’t think it is possible for me to see the name Rasputin written without having that Boney M song stuck in my head for the rest of the day.
Thanks, Joe.
“hoping a red bull scores a brace on tfc doesn’t really make you a die hard, does it?”
Oh, but it really does. I’m loyal to the Team and the players. I hate disloyalty and foul play. Carl has been fouled here by the management and it would be a much needed slap in the face to those idiots if something like that were to occur. They might get some sense knocked into them. It would in the end be very good for the team in the long run.
Either way he’s going to feed An-hell for more than a few.
“I don’t think it is possible for me to see the name Rasputin written without having that Boney M song stuck in my head for the rest of the day.
Thanks, Joe.”
– hey that’s a great song!
Best of luck to Carl. His work ethic and leadership will be missed. Joe, I like the line about yer credit card at 21. It does appear that Mo has absolutely no idea what he’s doing. The gaping holes that were evident last year are still here. I’d love to know what the plan is? I really doubt a 37 year old, League One striker coming back from a major injury is the solution. Even in his best form Dichov was not a terribly prolific striker. I suppose the key to not getting upset at the mess down at BMO is to not care until Mo’s outta the picture. After all we’ve got South Africa to look forward to this summer.
“– hey that’s a great song!”
It was just a statement of fact. I love cheesy 70s/80s tunes.
^^^Oh good.