David Beckham's pending arrival aside, Toronto sports fans are craving Major League Soccer.

Toronto FC has topped 10,000 in season tickets, according to a team spokesman, with 2,600 of that total coming since news broke last week that Beckham is joining the Los Angeles Galaxy. The newly constructed BMO Field will seat 20,000 fans.

Toronto FC coach Mo Johnston, right, and top draft pick Maurice Edu share a laugh at Monday's news conference.
(Frank Gunn/Canadian Press)

"It's wonderful and it can only get better," Johnston told reporters, referring to the season-ticket base. "

Toronto FC showed off three of its four draft choices at a Monday news conference, including first overall pick Maurice Edu.

Edu, 20, is a defensive midfielder who started 55 games in three seasons at the University of Maryland and has 10 goals and 11 assists in his collegiate career.

As a sophomore in 2005, Edu helped the Terps win a national championship.

"I don't know about Maurice's attacking ability, but we're going to hold the reins on him," said Johnston of Edu, who has signed a three-year deal with an option for two additional seasons.

Midfielder Rich Assante and forward Jeff Gonsalves also were on hand at Monday's announcement.

Assante is another defensive midfielder, dubbed a "pit bull" by Johnston, who added Gonsalves and Assante will have to prove they belong at the MLS level.

Playmaker, others needed

Johnston said his team is "comfortable all through the field" but hopes to sign a pair of internationals within the next 10 days: a "seasoned pro" who is captain of both his club and the national side, and a younger player.

Johnston is looking for a playmaker in central midfield, a left-sided midfielder, a backup goalie and some forward help. He plans to take 28 to 32 to training camp.

The team has signed 16 players, including Canadians Greg Sutton, Adam Braz, Chris Pozniak, Marco Reda and Jim Brennan.

Toronto FC begins its inaugural MLS season on April 7 against Chivas USA in Carson, Calif. FC's home opener is April 28 against the Kansas City Wizards.

Beckham has signed a five-year, $250-million US deal with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

With files from the Canadian Press