Saturday, November 25, 2006

Jacqua, Kreis Headline Toronto's First 10


Call me ignorant, but as a child I thought that Canadian children moved to America once they grew up. I saw Canada as a sort of triple-A league to America's major league. The U.S. and Canada seem similar enough - except for the northerners' bagged milk phenomenon and ubiquitous use of the "word" eh - for my belief to be a reality.

Alas, these nations have major differences that are often exposed when American sports leagues expand north of Michigan. The NBA, NHL and MLB have all installed teams in "Oh Canada!" only to see them pack their bags and move south faster than you can say, "pass me some of that milk in a bag, eh."

But with Toronto FC drafting their first ten players intelligently this past week, both by picking talented players as well as tradeable commodities, the MLS has reason to hope that their Canadian expansion team will make it in the land of the Looney and Tooney. Not only did Mo Johnston snag Jason Kreis - aging, I know, but still the league's all-time leading scorer - but he also took the promising Nate Jacqua from the Chicago Fire. Kreis may be over the hill but Jacqua has a bright future ahead of him, as he indicated this year with eight goals and two assists. He's a big, scrappy presence who scores ugly and often which is exactly what Johnston will need without much of a midfield to create quality opportunities.

Then, Johnston flipped draftee Tim Regan to the Red Bulls for Edson Buddle, a speedy yet sturdy 25-year-old striker who, along with Jacqua, could form a formidable front twosome in upcoming years.

Johnston also swung a deal with FC Dallas to get Ronnie O'Brien, the talented right back who started 26 games for the winners of the regular season Western Conference crown. Both Jacqua and O'Brien are in the dawn of their careers and should give the folks in Ontario a nice nucleus to build around. Kreis, if somewhat limited by the mileage on his legs, is a wise addition as a tutor for Jacqua and others.

The Toronto roster is far from finished, with Johnston saying he may move as many as six of his draftees, possibly for hometown hero Dwayne De Rosario. It's more likely, though, that the team will be much greener than it is today (the current roster has veterans like Jose Cancela, who appear sure to be traded elsewhere). But with scorers up top, and an anchor on the back line, Toronto is on the right track to becoming a relevant player in the Eastern Conference.

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