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So long Ronnie, we hardly knew 'ya
Comments (8)
Monday, March 3, 2008 | 02:50 PM ET
13 games.
That's how many games Ronnie O'Brien suited up for Toronto FC before Mo Johnston traded the player he once described as the best right-sided midfielder to the San Jose Earthquakes last week.
It leaves me asking myself one question: what could have been?
Chronic knee problems meant O'Brien only appeared in 13 games during Toronto's inaugural MLS campaign, but it was clear when he did play he was the Canadian club's most talented player.
The Irishman was at the heart of everything that was good on the field for Toronto (and there wasn't much of that in 2007), prying defences open with deft passes, controlling the midfield with his playmaking artistry and acting as the club's midfield general.
O'Brien could have been the club's creative linchpin for years to come, someone the team could have built around, but Johnston was unconvinced about his troubled knee and didn't want to take a gamble on losing O'Brien for another long stretch this season - especially when he was on a guaranteed contract worth $260,000 a season.
So, Trader Mo dealt O'Brien and received a first-round pick in next year's draft and some allocation money, and the Scot claims he has $450,000 in cap space that he will spend on a replacement (or replacements) for O'Brien.
Good luck with that, Mo.
O'Brien's departure leaves a gaping hole in the right side of the midfield, to say nothing of the fact it leaves Toronto without a bona fide playmaker. Who can he find in the next month - remember, the seasons starts on March 29 - to replace O'Brien?
The pickings for a right-sided midfielder who can orchestrate the attack are mighty slim in MLS, which means unless he can find a diamond in the rough, Mo will have to wait until June when the European league season is over.
By then it, Toronto could be glued to the bottom of the Eastern Conference and completely out of the playoff picture.
O'Brien was looking to leave Toronto - he wasn't too keen about playing on the FieldTurf at BMO Field - but if I was Mo, I would have done everything in my power to keep him in Toronto because talent like his is rare in MLS.
An opportunity lost, as far as I'm concerned.
So long Ronnie, we hardly knew 'ya.
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About the Author
John F. Molinaro is a reporter for CBC Sport Online whose chief love is international soccer. John served as senior editor of Sports Online's Euro 2004 website, which helped him win a CBC.ca Award of Excellence, and was the driving force behind our coverage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He holds an honours BA in sociology from York University and a print journalism diploma from Sheridan College, and is also the author of The Top 100 Pro Wrestlers of All Time (Stewart House, 2002).
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Comments (8)
Rick
I agree with the author with respect to O'Brien's immense talent. However, Toronto's aquisition of a first-round pick for 2009 was not taken into consideration in the trade's evaluation. Johnson did give up a very talented player, in O'Brien. Considering Johnson's drafting record, however, I believe it was a great trade for Toronto. That is, Johnson opted not to gamble on the health of an aging and injury-prone player for the chance to aquire a future player with Edu-type talent. Perhaps the Maple Leafs should take a page out of Johnson's book.
Posted March 3, 2008 05:58 PM
Tony Mikulandra
Toronto
I have to say Ronnie O'Brien didn't stand out in the few matches I watched him play. The good things I saw from TFC players was limited to a few guys on the team. Edu, Dicchio and Sutton seemed the most professional, a fair share of the rest looked like semi-pros. I think it's a good sign that Johnston is building through the draft instead of signing established players. In soccer you want to build a proper team by developing youth. The biggest thing lacking in TFC's first season was continuity. A lot of this was due to injury and the signing and trading of players to make up for the injury losses. If TFC can avoid serious injury problems, shore up their defending,(by that I mean drastically improving their defence), and start scoring goals regularly (easier said than done) they can compete for a playoff position. One thing I would like to see is Edu playing in a forward position, perhaps as a winger? I thought he was the most threatening attacking option for TFC and would help the team much more as a forward. This is something the coach should seriously consider.
Posted March 3, 2008 10:10 PM
Peter M Stroud
EDU BELONGS IN CENTRAL MIDFIELD
Regarding the O'Brien trade, I agree with the opinion that a first-round draft pick with Mo's drafting record is probably a great move. TFC fans will fill the stadium no matter how bad the team is in the short run.
Regarding Maurice Edu as a forward, I find that idea slightly naive. He played as a defensive midfielder all through college. Granted, last year he showed surprising attacking ability, but even still he will always be most useful as a holding midfielder. There are only a few quality players in this position in MLS (Shalrie Joseph comes to mind) and if you look through the years, most championship teams in most leagues had someone there. (Patrick Vieira, Roy Keane, Makelele, and Cambiasso all brought their teams championships)
I think the set-up TFC already has, with two athletic central midfielders with strong defensive and positional skills (the other being Robinson, TFC's best all-round player) is a good one to go with.
Maurice is just fine playing right where he is. Mo Johnston just needs to find another good forward, that's all.
Posted March 4, 2008 09:02 AM
Tony Mikulandra
Toronto
I know he played as a defensive mid his college career, but this is MLS and a man of Edu's talents can easily play as a forward if needed. When you consider he outscored every other forward (except Dichio) and finished with one assist I would have played him as a forward for the second half of last season instead of Buddle and Lombardo, the latter having no business playing as forward. 1 assist for a player of his caliber tells me he has limited offensive options surrounding him, therefore see how he produces as a forward.
Posted March 4, 2008 11:42 AM
George
Toronto
O Brien was ok I never thought he was spectacular although I do agree he was TFCs best playmaker. I think with his trick knee, TFC made the right move letting him go.
Now that they have some wiggle room on wages they should try and get Ian Hume, he's Canadian, he's got talent and speed that would make him stand out in the MLS and he is a catalyst, the type of player that motivates others.
Maybe Molinaro can do a piece on that, potential Canadian's playing in Europe coming to TFC.
PS...unload Lombardo! The fact that guy makes any money playing soccer is a shock to my sensibilities.
Posted March 5, 2008 12:01 PM
cwithy
vancouver
He had to go. He wanted to go, and you can't heap the expectation of an entire team on one person and on one bad knee.
It is a good move that may not have come at the best time.
And, I'm sorry, but did you see the Gunners last night?! Stunning.
Posted March 5, 2008 01:27 PM
Kris
Kind of shocked Ronnie was let-go, what with TFC's lack of offensive production. MLSE needs to spend the dough and get that awful field-turf out of there. The only other pro pitch I can think of that uses it is in Russia.
Rumours circulating that one of Sunderland's midfielders could be coming to Toronto soon. We need offensive midfield help!
Posted March 6, 2008 01:29 PM
Julian
Toronto
Interesting. O'Brien as a player working the midfield, playing the ball up front for Dichio who back lobs to Cunningham, making a run past the defence, scores, MLS cup lifted into the sun...all a dream. Let us face facts. His knee was the factor. An injured player is one thing, however a chronic injury that continues to side line a player that has more potential than he shows is fraying a team that is only now trying to create depth in the squad. Money is more important for a team that needs a savings account to double instead of personal feelings. How can a team get better if the management uses the heart instead of the head? O'Brien was a liability. Let's celebrate Harmse as the new midfielder that is hardboiled, the Gattuso with blonde hair gusto and an ability to be quick on his feet. Never fear change, especially with soccer in Toronto.
Posted March 10, 2008 04:10 PM