Originally posted on January 15th, 2014 on Soccer Newsday
In what was likely the most important day in Toronto FC history since Major League Soccer announced the expansion of the franchise, Jan. 13, 2014, will be remembered as a rebirth of sorts for the team, with the unveiling of newly signed Jermain Defoe and Michael Bradley.
These 2 players, along with recently signed Brazilian forward Gilberto, and the return of Dwayne De Rosario, signal that MLSE, the owners of TFC, are finally making the commitment of bringing important, established players to Toronto that fans have always hoped for. And leading that charge is MLSE President Tim Leiweke, who had promised big signings and has delivered.
During Monday’s media conference, Leiweke understood that some people might not appreciate the amount of money the franchise has put out for their 2 new designated players.
“A lot of people will criticize us for the commitment made, what they think is the amount of money that we’ve committed here, but I think a very simple saying we will steal from the Kennedys is appropriate today. Some people see things as they are and say ‘why,’ others dream of what can be, and they say ‘why not.’ Today is ‘Why not.’ Why can’t we be great?”
And the fans, the supporters, who have watched this team week in and week out, have always dreamt of what it could be like to have a winning soccer club to cheer for. The supporters, whose hearts have been broken and spirits crushed by last minute goals and losses. They too have always asked, “why can’t we be great?” It was these supporters, who packed the media conference at Real Sports Bar & Grill, cheering and chanting as if it was a Saturday afternoon in July at BMO. Except now there was the promise that these signings can make those afternoons relevant and fun again.
Building something special
The signing of Defoe brings a striker the likes of which this franchise has not yet seen. Defoe brings his 142 career goals to a squad that has been desperate for a proven, consistent goal scorer. Defoe, the 31-year-old Londoner who will remain at Tottenham until Feb. 28 on loan, noted how quickly he decided that a move to TFC was right for him.
“An hour after the meeting, I told my agent this is something I want to do. It wasn’t easy because the relationship with Tottenham. I only had a year left on my contract. Tim Leiweke just said to me he wanted me to be part of something special. When someone says that to you, it’s hard to turn it down. You want to look back at the end of your career and say you went to a club and made a difference.”
While the rumours of Defoe coming to Toronto have been floating around mainstream and social media for some time, the acquisition of Bradley seemed to come out of nowhere. The rugged midfielder had been playing in Serie A the past 3 seasons, the last 2 spent at Roma, where he had seen his playing time reduced under new coach Rudi Garcia. Having missed part of the season due to a foot injury, Bradley scored in his first game back against Udinese, coming off the bench to secure a win for the Roman side, sending the commentator into frenzy.
The 26-year-old US Men’s National Team player is in the prime of his career, and while some may question his motivation to leave a club chasing a Scudetto and Champions League birth for what was one of the worst teams in MLS, Bradley had some words for his critics.
“I have never been more excited, and more motivated, for any challenge in my career,” he said. “What they’re trying to build here is really special, something really unique and different from anywhere else in MLS and North American soccer.”
TFC manager Ryan Nelsen will rely on the intensity and commanding force that Bradley brings to the field. Bradley’s work ethic will also be a good model for youngsters Kyle Bekker and Jonathan Osario to emulate, and playing with someone of his caliber can only have positive effects on them.
Breaking the bank
Roma is expected to receive a $10 million transfer for Bradley, who is rumoured to have signed a contract around $6.5 million per season. The transfer fee paid to Tottenham is expected to be more than $10 million, with Defoe bringing in a reported yearly salary of $8.3 million. While there are critics of the amount of money that MLSE put out, these were necessary for TFC to be seen as serious players for talent in MLS.
Although these signings immediately improve Toronto FC, Leiweke was quick to point out that there is still work to do.
“We didn’t accomplish anything today,” he said. “We created a very good opportunity but the hard work is in front of us. Nothing was won today.”
That work begins immediately for Nelsen and the rest of the coaching staff.
And while nothing yet has been won, these signings have made TFC relevant again, and they should now challenge the top teams in the league, rather than wallowing at the bottom of the standings.
It would be a welcome change for the franchise. But more importantly, a welcome change for the fans.
