Toronto FC coach Mo Johnston is confident the team's fortunes on the field will turn around (Frank Gunn/Canadian Press).
Soccer: John F. Molinaro
Toronto FC in good hands with Mo
Last Updated Friday, April 20, 2007
by John F. Molinaro
You can hardly blame Toronto FC players if they feel as though they've just boarded a sinking ship.
The expansion club's first two games are in the books and the official score line makes for pretty grim reading: two games played, two losses, six goals against, none scored.
A 2-0 loss to Chivas USA in the club's season opener was followed by a 4-0 shellacking at the hands of the New England Revolution a week ago, leaving many Toronto fans worried.
Aside from the opening half against Chivas, Toronto has looked abysmal: the defence, injury-riddled and lacking depth, has been ripped to shreds by opposing forwards. Toronto's own strikers can't buy a goal. And the midfield has struggled to create chances and retain possession of the ball.
In the aftermath of the New England debacle, the roster underwent an extreme makeover - Toronto pulled off two big trades this past week, announced the signing of a new striker, and is expected to make more player moves by week's end.
It might look like the team is in a desperate state, but you'd have a hard time convincing the players. They still have faith and are confident things will turn around quickly.
This past Tuesday, CBC Sports Online grilled several Toronto FC players about the team's anaemic start to the season. Not one of them hung his head, shifted his eyes, or tried to pass the buck.
And not one expressed anything but an unwavering belief in coach Mo Johnston and his vision for the team.
The likeable and passionate Scot is able to inspire such confidence.
From the minute the team first gathered for training camp in February, Johnston infused a sense of belief in his players, telling them he expected to be competitive and claim a playoff spot in the club's inaugural season - lofty goals for any expansion franchise.
It was Johnston's commitment to winning that persuaded veteran midfielder Carl Robinson, a member of the Welsh national team, to join Toronto FC in the first place.
"Mo's a winner. Mo said to me straight away that he had plans. He told me he wasn't coming here just to do OK," Robinson told CBC Sports Online before the season started. "He wants to make the playoffs and win the league, and straight away I thought that's what I want to be part of. That sold it for me."
Johnston had little time to put a team together and the first two games highlighted the club's lack of depth in defence and scoring punch up front. Hence this week's moves.
On Tuesday, he announced the signing of veteran striker Danny Dichio from English club Preston North End. Two days later, Johnston acquired a pair of promising, young defenders - Marvell Wynne and Kevin Goldthwaite - in separate trade deals with the New York Red Bulls and the Houston Dynamo.
Toronto received Goldthwaite and a first-round pick in the 2008 MLS draft in the Houston deal for midfielder Richard Mulrooney, who left the Canadian club after just two games - the team acquired the Memphis native last month in a trade with FC Dallas.
This massive shuffling of the roster might seem like a knee-jerk reaction, but give Johnston credit for acting quickly and decisively instead of taking a more conservative "wait-and-see" approach.
He had to do something because of the rash of injuries that has plagued the team - Maurice Edu, the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, is still sidelined with a nagging groin problem, as is influential midfielder Ronnie O'Brien (knee) and defender Chris Pozniak (hamstring).
Pozniak's injury forced Johnston to play midfielder Jim Brennan out of position at left-back for the first two games. Adam Boyens, a rookie straight out of the NCAA ranks, and Canadian Marco Reda, who is carrying a minor injury, have looked capable at the back, but they need more support.
Wynne and Goldthwaite will provide some much-needed relief.
"It was important we added some depth to our defence and speed and Marvell brings that, he's probably the fastest guy in the league," Johnston said after making the trade.
As for Goldthwaite, Johnston describes him as being "very good on the ball" and "versatile."
The best part of about both players is their age - Goldthwaite is 24, and Wynne turns 21 next month - a clear indication that Johnston is thinking long-term, and not searching for a quick fix.
And speaking of which, the Scot has been given the green light by Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, the club's owners, to spend some cash when he sees fit and sign a star European player, much like the L.A. Galaxy did with David Beckham.
To his credit, Johnston is resisting that temptation - his intention is to build the team up from within before bringing in a high-profile player.
"Of course, we'll do it," Johnston told CBC Sports Online this past week. "I'd love to have someone, but so far the right person's not become available. Maybe next year."
Worry not, Toronto FC fans. Your team is in safe hands.
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