Bidding adieu to Maurice Edu
Sunday, August 17, 2008 | 02:57 PM ET
It was fun while it lasted - but it was never going to last.
Fifteen years from now you’ll be able to say you remember him when he was just a kid in Canada finding his feet as a professional. Now, having served his apprenticeship with Toronto FC, Maurice Edu is ready to launch his career in Europe.
His $5-million transfer to Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers will be a whole new learning curve for the articulate, young 22-year-old who exploded onto the Major League Soccer scene in 2007, walking away with Rookie of the Year honours.
Edu has everything necessary to succeed. He can adapt to just about any position - the TFC midfielder has been employed as a central defender by his country but also has a knack of scoring important goals. He has a tenacious appetite for the ball, plays with no fear and possesses a highly tuned engine, allowing him to break from the back and support the attack.
It’s no surprise top European scouts have, for some time, had him on their radar and it was only a matter of time before he’d be tempted overseas - lured by a massive pay raise and a higher standard of soccer. But make no mistake; Edu is going to have to prove himself all over again.
Don’t expect him to walk into the Rangers starting line-up - I’m sure he won’t. Despite his natural ability, Edu is about to encounter unchartered waters. There’s no debate he enjoyed a memorable debut season in MLS but, in my opinion, he stood out in an expansion team of modest talent. His youthful zest was clear for all to see, his commitment to the cause without question, but let’s be honest - he was playing for the worst team in the league.
I’ve been fortunate enough to meet ‘Mo’ Edu on a number of occasions and among the first things that struck me were his sense of maturity and self-expectation. He’ll need to take both abroad and should be just about the first things he unpacks at the other end. Regardless of the accolades that came his way last year, Edu, himself, was disappointed not to have scored more goals and equally frustrated not to have been on the winning side more often.
I think it’s crucial he maintains a level-headed approach to the game in a city where soccer is akin to religion. He will have to get used to living in a ‘goldfish bowl’ where every performance is scrutinized in minute detail by fans and media alike. The pressure to achieve is immense but the rewards are equally vast, from both a financial and professional perspective.
Edu’s departure, sadly, does nothing for the League he leaves behind. He is but the latest of an increasingly rapid line of promising youngsters sold by MLS to the highest European bidder. Freddy Adu is in France via Portugal, Jozy Altidore in Spain and Brad Guzan in England following his transfer to Aston Villa. The export business is in full flow - the import trade is stagnant.
The individual clubs profit from the sales but the strict salary cap continues to hinder their attempts to attract suitable replacements. Seasoned professionals, who have made their money elsewhere, will consider a switch in lifestyle - not so the youngsters whose best years lie ahead. Unless or until there’s a major shift in MLS policy regarding wages, the player drain will continue.
No one can blame Mo Edu for attempting to better himself - we’d all do the same if we were in his shoes and only time will tell whether he makes the grade. He has all the equipment - now he must learn how to use it.
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About the Author
Nigel Reed lends his extensive experience, passion and knowledge of the game of soccer to his role as play-by-play announcer for CBC’s Major League Soccer broadcasts.
Reed has more than 20 years experience covering soccer, most notably a five-year stint from 1999 to 2004 where he was a host and producer for the English Premier League for BBC. He also covered English Premier League giants Liverpool and Everton for BBC Radio and provided analysis for both BBC TV and the BBC website.
More recently, Reed served as play-by-play announcer for CBC’s coverage of the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He also hosts The Soccer Show for the Toronto sports radio station the Fan 590.
Recent Posts
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- Wednesday, September 24, 2008
- Reds are playing for pride
- Tuesday, September 16, 2008
- Barrett's one for the future
- Friday, September 12, 2008
- Can Carlos Ruiz cut it in Canada?
- Sunday, August 31, 2008
- Bidding adieu to Maurice Edu
- Sunday, August 17, 2008
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Comments
philip Kinsella
liverpool
Nigel- you old rascal
hope youre well- look like you are- stumbled across this site - looks good
Tell them the truth about Scottish football !!!!!!!!!!!
no change here, Everton cant sign anyone and are playing Kids and Rafa is still after Gareth Barry even though he cant play in the champions league and keeps threatening to resign.
Tranmere still in league ( div 3) and Ronnie Moore still cracking some good gags
England turned in a belter last night 2-2 with the Czech republic - papers in meltdown about it
You wouldnt recognise the old place now- Paradise St pulled down and the new Liverpool 1 upmarket shopping centre in its place
all the gang still in place including Jacko who hasnt changed a bit
regards
Phil-
ps im doing the early bulls now for my sins- heaven help me
Posted August 21, 2008 05:26 AM
John Bladen
Alberta
I agree, Nigel.
We knew from the moment Mo took to the pitch that his stay would be brief - he's a wonderful talent. I'm not as offended by the talent drain as others seem to be. It's just part of football. We lose Edu. Spurs may lose Berbatov. Villa may lose Barry. And it gets even worse when you move into La Liga or Serie A, where the gulf between top and bottom is larger than ever. So I don't see it as an admission that MLS is 'second rate' any more than Tottenham are if/when they transfer Berbatov, or Zenit if Arshavin moves along. It's a part of the game at every level and we need to deal with it, even if it is a foreign concept for those used to MLB/NBA/NFL etc.
If they do anything, it would be nice to see MLS free up cash under the cap (rather than going the DP route). That won't happen as long as it's about the media splash (which has worked sensationally for MLS, of course) of one or two high profile signings. I'd rather see the DP scrapped and the 'cap increased, but it'll be a frosty day in Dallas before we see that, unfortunately.
Cheers
Posted August 20, 2008 02:56 PM
Colton B
Definetly going to miss Maurice Edu. I thought he didn't look as good this year, but perhaps thats because the team around him has grown in stature. It was inevitable he would leave eventually, and all we can do is thank him for his contribution, wish him luck in Scotland, and hope we can find a suitable replacement, hopefully a Canadian.
Posted August 19, 2008 10:42 AM
Drew Chad
Really enjoy Nigel Reed's play-by-play. Very professional and insightful. Same goes for Jason De Vos who, in my opinion, is a natural as an analyst. Unlike many of our hockey and North American football broadcasters, Reed and De Vos are perfectly understated and do not let their commentary get in the way of the game. Excellent!
Posted August 18, 2008 02:20 PM