What do Tim Regan and Sam Reynolds have in common? For the hardcore TFC fan the answer is obvious. Both men have played for the Reds in their three year existence. Reynolds as an emergency keeper in 2007 and Regan as an emergency fullback in 2008.
There are 60 others that can claim alumnus status for TFC. That’s 62 players in three seasons. With MLS’ tiny, little rosters.
Consider that for a moment as you reflect on yesterday’s announcement that three other TFC players have left the building. Clearly there is a turnover on any professional sports team, but it’s more than a bit insane to think just how many players have gone through Gate 4 at BMO.
Trader Mo is the nickname hung on general manager Mo Johnston. He wheels and deals and, it appears, fancies himself as a mastermind that is just one great trade away from taking the team to the promised land. It’s all part of some elusive five year plan, we’re told.
But, really, 62 players in three years. You know it will be more than 70 by this time next year. And, Johnston typically does not use all of his limited roster spots.
At some point stability has to take the place of tinkering. When rumours of dressing room issues emerged last year you couldn’t help but believe them. There was simply too much turnover for natural leadership to emerge in the room. Yes, Jimmy and Carl had been there for all three years, but how many others had? Not many.
Of course the biggest problem has been the lack of stability in the coaching staff. Four in four years. At that rate you might as well have an annual “Coach the TFC” contest amongst season ticket holders.
Friday, December 18, 2009
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2 comments:
62 players in a sport where ~20 guys dress for a given game sounds like a lot. In theory, that means they've turned over entire roster twice in three seasons. Sun Media should burn through people so fast!
i agree in theory.. but unless you go through all other MLS teams over the past three seasons and calculate turnover for each team, the stat is meaningless. I mean, just off the top of my head, the Galaxy had massive turnover over 3 seasons but got it right. NY had a lot of turnover with the transition to Osorio and got it wrong. i'm too busy to calculate whether TFC's turnover is high or low in the MLS context.
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