2013 MLS Previews: Toronto FC

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OVERVIEW

Entering their seventh season of existence, Toronto FC continues to seek the first playoff appearance in franchise history. In 2012 Toronto finished last in the league with a 5-21-8 record and 23 points, one of two teams to average fewer than a point a game in the standings. Will new head coach Ryan Nelsen, the former Scottish international in his first managing role, be the man to lead this squad to their long-sought goals?

The Reds will have to push ahead in 2013 with an already-ailing roster. Both of the team’s Designated Players, captain Torsten Frings and striker Danny Koevermans, are recovering from surgeries in the offseason — Frings to his hip, Koevermans to his ACL. Nearly $4 million in player salaries will be sidelined to start the season as both stars fight through their recovery. But the loss of the German and Dutchman are but two of a growing collection of injuries. (UPDATE: Frings to retire rather than rehab way back for 2013 MLS season [Toronto Star])

Defender Logan Emery is back on the pitch but still recuperating from offseason shoulder surgery. And in the team’s opening preseason match at the Disney Pro Soccer Classic, goalkeeper Stephen Frei returned from an ankle injury only to take a boot to the face and sustain a broken nose. The injuries have led Toronto to bring in a steady stream of trialists and academy players in their preseason friendlies, hoping to find additional bodies to supplement the roster.

PRESEASON PERFORMANCE

Feb 13, 2013; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Orlando City SC defender Rob Valentino (22) attempts to slide tackle Toronto FC forward Taylor Morgan (28) during the second half at ESPN Wide World of Sports. Toronto defeated Orlando City 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto was 1-3-0 in the preseason, their only action taking place at the tournament in Orlando. Against lower-division opposition TFC won comfortably but looked disjointed at times; against fellow MLS clubs, the early returns on their 2013 dreams did not look promising.

The Reds lost 1-0 to Columbus in the game where Frei was injured. They would follow that with a 3-0 victory over USL Pro side Orlando City Soccer Club. Taylor Morgan opened the scoring in the second half; Terry Dunfield and Jonathan Osorio added insurance before full-time. But TFC would falter twice more before returning to Canada, losing their final two matches to the Philadelphia Union and Sporting Kansas City and being shut out both times.

ROSTER OUTLOOK FOR 2013

In goal, Toronto will depend more heavily on former Portland Timbers goalkeeper Joe Bendik after Frei went down to injury. Backing up Bendik will be 18-year-old TFC Academy graduate Quillan Roberts, the Ontario native who finds himself as the backup for the Reds for at least as long as it takes Frei to return to full health.

Feb 23, 2013; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Toronto FC defender Gale Agbossoumonde prepares to kick the ball during the second half of the match against the Sporting KC at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

In defense, 13-year MLS veteran Danny Califf joins his fifth league club and will anchor an otherwise young back line. Former Manchester United youth team starter Richard Eckersley will be in his third year with Toronto, and former Celtic FC youth teamer Darren O’Dea will likely start next to Califf in his sophomore campaign. On the opposite flank from Eckersley could be a number of players; most likely is Togo-born Gale Agbossoumonde, who was acquired this offseason via lottery. The former U.S. U-17 and U-20 starter has the potential to shine early.

The midfield will be anchored by Terry Dunfield with Frings’ departure. The 31-year-old started 30 games last year for Toronto, though this will be just his second full MLS campaign after arriving in 2011 as part of Vancouver’s entry to the league. Jeremy Hall shores up the defensive midfielder role, while Bermuda international Reggie Lambe starts in his second year on American soil after a youth career in England. Kyle Bekker, the third overall pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, will have a shot at securing a starting gig in his rookie campaign. Fellow SuperDraft pick Emery Welshman will also be in the mix, as is former youth side captain Matt Stinson and 2012 SuperDraft first-round selection Luis Silva.

Of course, Silva could also be starting up front with Koevermans’ injury; he was at a forward slot throughout the preseason, likely showing Nelsen’s confidence in the youngster assuming his attacking role from a different spot on the pitch. Justin Braun and Andrew Wiedeman will battle for the other striker spot, with Wiedeman likelier to start.

FINAL NOTES

As much as Nelsen could potentially turn things around for the Reds, the first goal in Toronto should be incremental improvement in the standings. Bendik will need to be at his best to mitigate the loss of Frei, and a young roster will need to mature quickly to give TFC a shot in a deep Eastern Conference.