MLS SuperDraft: The Best Draft Picks Since 2000

After a busy 2012 MLS SuperDraft, this article takes a look back at the best players to come into Major League Soccer from the NCAA ranks.  Some teams place very little importance to this drafting process and the quality that can be gained from subsequent drafting. This article will give a little life to this process and show just how important a good draft can be to the success of an MLS franchise.  Counting down the best MLS picks of the past decade.Begin Slideshow

MLS Signing: Toronto FC Make Eckersley Move Permanent

After a few terrible seasons without any real quality in the full-back positions, Toronto has locked up a mainstay starter to secure this position.  Last season, English full-back Richard Eckersley was signed on loan from League Championship side Burnley.  In his first season with The Reds, Eckersley showed competence at right-back, a desire to push forward and attack from the back, as well as great heart and desire on the pitch.  However, after finally finding the right-back the team needed, it became evident that retaining Eckersley from his loaner team would not be an easy task due to finances and league policies.  In fact, there were several instances in this short offseason where it appeared as though this signing would not be possible.  On Thursday, January 26, Toronto FC officially announced the re-signing of the former Manchester United youth defender Richard Eckersley.  At only 22 years of age, Eckersley holds and has already proven a great deal of potential to be successful in the MLS.  Both team and fans alike can breathe one deep sigh of relief that this deal has been finalized.  Per Toronto FC, club manager and technical director Aron Winter stated: “Signing Richard was a very high offseason priority, our ...

MLS News: Grading Toronto FC’s New 2012 Away Kit

 In an odd sort of fashion, Toronto FC's new kit was just recently released today via an on-line soccer shop.  The team is yet to reveal these 2012 away kits themselves yet somehow, someway they are currently for sale.  Apart from the strange fashion in which these jerseys were leaked, Toronto will be supporting a new look in away fixtures this upcoming season.  In a change from the all white 2011 kits, this year's away jersey will support red shoulders that extend down the sides and back of the kit.  Most notably, and in another odd note, it appears as if Toronto has changed their crest for this kit by eliminating the grey from the "T" for a much plainer but appealing look of red and white.  These jerseys are indeed plain and it will be hard to erase the success and appeal of the "all white" kits, but certainly these jerseys could be much worse.  Frankly some of the kits that have been released thus far are absolutely terrible (Columbus what were you thinking with these?).Toronto fans have been fortunate to have a wide variety of fashionable looks over their early five-year history.  Heading into year six I think it is safe ...

Report: David Beckham to Remain in the MLS: Family to Keep Becks in LA

Despite recent rumors of David Beckham heading the Paris to join French side Paris Saint-Germain, it appears as though the tides have now turned for this aging star. Soccernet.com is citing Beckham's family as being the deciding factor in the difficult decision facing Becks this off-season.  Leonardo was planning on giving the former England captain time to reconsider his position, but it now seems as though Beckham's decision is final. He does not want to leave his family behind in California - as he has done in previous loan spells at AC Milan - on what would be a long-term basis.Beckham has long been vocal about his aspirations to add to the MLS ever since his arrival. He has shown interest in owning his own team once his playing career is over. Many feel that the MLS was using this as leverage to keep Beckham a part of Major League Soccer.Whatever transpired, it seemed certain that Beckham would be taking his dangerous right boot to Paris this transfer window.  What does Beckham's decision mean for the MLS?LA will be again be favored contenders.The LA Galaxy will retain all three of their key designated players and remain favorites to retain their MLS title in 2012.MLS ...

Toronto FC: 5 Biggest Names That Flopped for the Club

By far, the best part of living anywhere near Toronto is that there is always something to complain about in terms of sports.  Let's face it, Toronto clubs have all been rather pathetic over the past decade or so.  With the introduction of Toronto FC into the fold came another avenue to scrutinize, examine and complain about.  MLS is a growing league, and with the introduction of David Beckham and the Designated Player Rule, each team has sought European talent to strengthen their side.As you will soon see, not all of these European imports live up to their pedigree, name or price tag.  Here are the five biggest import flops in TFC's young history. Begin Slideshow

5 Reasons TFC Should Never Have Traded Dwayne De Rosario

2011 was a year of great drama regarding the most successful player to lace up for Toronto FC.  With two great seasons under his belt in his native town, Dwayne De Rosario made public demands for increased wages.  Then the great Celtic fiasco began, in which De Rosario began training with Celtic FC without permission from Toronto.   Goal.com reported intern management stated, "We were unaware of Dwayne's plan to train with Celtic and we will contact them to understand the situation.  Obviously, if there is interest in a short-term loan arrangement by either him or Celtic, they will need to approach us and the league formally, and we will consider based on what is in TFC's best interest." These two moments spoiled De Rosario's name in Toronto. However, despite the conflict surrounding Dwayne in his last months with The Reds, this is a list of five reasons Toronto should have held onto this Canadian star.Begin Slideshow

MLS Transfers: Houston Dynamo Make Their First Deal of the Offseason

Nathan Sturgis, a 24-year-old journeyman midfielder, joined his fifth MLS club in only seven years yesterday evening, landing with the Houston Dynamo.  This young utility player has seen brief stints of both success and lackluster play throughout his MLS career.  Houston signed Stugris from Toronto FC for a conditional 2014 draft pick (essentially not much).  It would appear that Toronto unloading Sturgis might mean that Aron Winter has his targets set on bringing in another piece to his side.  Losing Sturgis (who did not particularly impress in Toronto) frees up both cap room and an American international slot.  Having just last season signed Sturgis from the Vancouver Whitecaps for a first overall (eighth) pick in the 2011 SuperDraft, Toronto sees a great deal of loss as this deal goes through.Houston looks to Sturgis to add depth and leadership.  President of Business Operations Chris Canetti told MLSsoccer.com that:Dom [Kinnear] knows in his mind what he likes, and when he really likes a guy he envisions, far more than anyone else, how that guy will fit into the club and into his scheme. That was certainly the case with Adam Moffat and hopefully it will be the same situation where Dom sees Sturgis in a certain role with our club and ...

Reggie Lambe: Toronto FC Signs Young Bermudian Winger To Boost Offense

I feel obliged to share the information at hand, seeing that it has not yet been mentioned.  Early this December, Toronto FC inked 20-year-old Reggie Lambe to a professional contract in Toronto.  The team did not release financial details.Lambe joins Toronto from Championship side Ipswich Town F.C.  Despite lack of playing time at Ipswich, Aron Winter stated on the Toronto FC website he was very glad to add another attacking winger with speed to complement his side. Winter said, "Reggie is a dangerous winger with a great amount of speed and ability. He will be an important player and will fit in well with our club."Lambe may not have found a great deal of success in England. However, he has already seen 13 caps for his Bermudian national side for which he was named captain earlier this year.  His speed and ability on the ball should definitely add attacking options to Winter's squad and provided depth.Toronto fans are hoping that Toronto's technical directors are on to something with this acquisition.  Following the formula of the successful drafting of the small and speedy Joao Plata, who proved to be a fan favorite and very capable MLS player, Toronto is looking to Lambe to compliment Plata's speed, skill and success on the other side ...

MLS Teams Clash: Rogers Centre to Host Toronto/LA Galaxy CONCACAF Matchup

The hotly debated topic regarding a venue for Toronto FC's leg of the CONCACAF quarter-final match on March 7, 2012 has finally been resolved.Paul Beirne, Senior Director of Business operations to the club, announced Wednesday that Toronto would move this all-important game indoors to the multipurpose Rogers Centre, home of the Toronto Blue Jays.  This decision has been heavily scrutinized by Toronto supporters for months. However, as reported by torontofc.ca, this venue change was a necessity due to the unpredictability of March weather in Southern Ontario. Bernie said of the decision:"A lot of thought went into selecting the home site for this very important match.  While we would have loved to host our quarterfinal match at our home, BMO Field, ultimately the decision came down to our ability to deliver a safe and enjoyable event in a venue that could withstand the unpredictability of March’s weather conditions."Obviously, an important and very difficult process, Toronto management made a very tough decision on this occasion. But, it was the proper choice. Although some supporters may still yet feel disappointment, there are definite positives going forward with this venue—which I have outlined in a previous article.Toronto has the opportunity to make this game memorable. With an improving ...

MLS Predictions: 5 Reasons to Believe in Toronto FC in 2012

Toronto FC has struggled throughout its young beginning.  In five years, Toronto is yet to receive a playoff berth and has been a constant revolving door of players and coaches.  Toronto fans are again having to deal with a rebuilding team five years after TFC's conception.  With a new head coach in place to begin the 2011 season, TFC is disappointing yet again, buying and selling players, and finishing bottom-dwellers of the MLS Eastern Conference.  With a new season quickly approaching, there are positive signs that this might be a turnaround year for this struggling Toronto franchise. Begin Slideshow