One of these things is exactly like the others.

The list of this year's graduated players from the Generation Adidas program:

Kevin Alston - 26 games played, 21-years-old
Tony Beltran - 38 games played, 22-years-old
Omar Gonzalez - 30 games played, MLS rookie of the year, 21-years-old
Jeremy Hall - 24 games played, 21-years-old
Amaechi Igwe - 22 games played, 21-years-old
Patrick Nyarko - 39 games played, 23-years-old
Chris Seitz - seven games played as a keeper , 22-years-old
Anthony Wallace - 13 games played, 20-years-old
Rodney Wallace - 28 games played, 21-years-old
Steve Zakuani - 29 games played, 21-years-old

Now, here is a player that didn't graduate:
Stefan Frei - 26 games played, 23-years-old

How this isn't getting more play in MLS circles, particularly in Toronto-hostile MLS circles, is beyond me. That Frei remains on the list is particularly glaring when you consider that Chris Seitz, also a keeper, albeit one that has played 19 fewer games than Frei in MLS, was removed.

As I wrote yesterday, the feeling is that MLS left Frei in the program as a favour to Toronto. It views the Toronto market as important and this was a subtle but effective way that the league could help TFC get stronger without being too obvious about it. Outside of the absolute hardcore few understand or pay attention to the Generation Adidas program, especially in Canada (which is too bad because Canada could really use a similar program for Canadian kids).

MLS essentially just gave TFC about $150,000-$200,000 (about what Frei would be paid) in allocation under the table and an additional senior roster spot. It can now use the money that it was going to pay Frei to sign other players.

As a TFC fan, I'm ecstatic. As a journalist, I'm fascinated by the overt favouritism. If I'm a fan of another MLS team, I'm capital P pissed.

There could be something else at play here though (and this is speculation based on some things I do know). Maybe keeping Frei in the Generation Adidas program is a way of helping Philadelphia. As I reported yesterday, Toronto was shopping Frei last week. It's thought that TFC's desire to move him dropped off significantly after he was included in the GA program. However, it's also understood that Toronto is willing to move some pieces if it can move up in the draft and grab one of the top rated defenders (Ike Opara or Ofori Sarkodie).

Quietly on Wednesday Philly picked-up Salt Lake's back-up keeper Chris Seitz (the above mentioned GA graduate). As Seitz is considered to be probably the best young keeper in the league not regularly playing it was seen as a decent, if not overly exciting, move. But, what if Seitz was intended to go be flipped on to Toronto as part of a rumoured three way trade between Philly, Toronto and New York? Toronto ends up with one of the top two picks, which allows them to grab one of Opara or Sarkodie, and Seitz. Frei ends up in Philly (along with Amado Guevara maybe) and New York gets...something (I'm all out of speculation at this point).

As I said, it's a bit of speculation, but it's not based on nothing. The three way trade rumour is strong and TFC has indicated that they are willing to trade Frei.

They call it Silly Season, right?