Toronto FC Discussion Thread

[Wo1verine]

Why is Toronto so eager to get rid of Defoe?
Shouldn't they keep their best player and tell him to suck it up?

[LittleOzzy]

Why is Toronto so eager to get rid of Defoe?
Shouldn't they keep their best player and tell him to suck it up?

He clearly doesn't want to come back, even if TFC wants him.

Telling him to suck it up may work for awhile, but he could easily become a locker room problem, and dog it on the field.

I would love for him to return, but only if he's motivated.

[ForeverTFC]

Looks like the Defoe saga may be over:

The UK’s Sun reports Defoe has agreed to a multi-year deal with Sunderland that will pay him close to US $120,000 per week over the lifetime of a thee-and-a-half-year deal.

It’s unclear how large of a transfer fee Toronto FC received in the reported deal as MLSE’s top brass remain tight-lipped.

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/01/13/je ... and-report

[ForeverTFC]

Confirmed: Altidore to TFC.

TSN has learned Toronto FC has agreed to swap striker Jermain Defoe to Sunderland AFC of the Barclays Premier League with US Men's National team striker Jozy Altidore and cash heading to Toronto. The cash amount received by Toronto FC has not been disclosed at this time but is believed to be significant.

Rumour has it Giovinco may be next.

[Wo1verine]

Not really big name players?
As a causal fan, i never heard of them anyways.

[ForeverTFC]

Confirmed: Altidore to TFC.

TSN has learned Toronto FC has agreed to swap striker Jermain Defoe to Sunderland AFC of the Barclays Premier League with US Men's National team striker Jozy Altidore and cash heading to Toronto. The cash amount received by Toronto FC has not been disclosed at this time but is believed to be significant.

Rumour has it Giovinco may be next.

EDIT: TFC has sold Defoe for $11 Million. WOW!

[ForeverTFC]

TFC bought Defoe for $10 million, so it looks like they made money off of him. Defoe is also getting a raise with Sunderland.

Greatest of all time agent or what?!

Also sound like Altidore will have to go through allocation, but don't see anyone taking him with the money he's asking for.

[ForeverTFC]

Not really big name players?
As a causal fan, i never heard of them anyways.

Altidore is a USMNT player; one of their best alongside Bradley. Giovinco is a Juve product, italian by the name of The Atomic Ant, with insane skill.

Full disclosure: I'm a Juventus fan with a higher opinion on Giovinco than perhaps anyone else in the world outside his immediate family, but still ....

[ForeverTFC]

Consolidated post with the updates as they stand now:

TSN has learned Toronto FC has agreed to swap striker Jermain Defoe to Sunderland AFC of the Barclays Premier League with US Men's National team striker Jozy Altidore and cash heading to Major League Soccer. The cash amount received has not been disclosed at this time but is believed to be significant.
Although the swap has been completed, Altidore is not yet a Toronto FC player. Altidore played for the New York Red Bulls from 2006-08, meaning he would have to go through Major League Soccer's allocation process for re-entry into the league. Toronto FC sits sixth in the allocation rankings and the club doesn't believe any of the teams ahead of them have interest in the player (Montreal, San Jose, Colorado, Chicago, Houston). However, there is sentiment among many the league would prefer to see Altidore land with an American based team, namely back with the Red Bulls. Toronto FC wants to keep the player. But depending on how the process plays out, they may be forced into a settlement with said team ahead of them in the allocation rankings if they decide they want Altidore. Again, Toronto FC doesn't want the cash transaction; they want the player.

TSN can also confirm negotiations to bring Juventus attacking midfielder/striker Sebastian Giovinco to Toronto FC continue to advance and a deal is on the verge of being completed to see the Italian join Toronto FC on July 1st. A fourth designated player spot is needed for any deal to be consummated or current Toronto FC striker Gilberto would have to be dealt to open another Designated Player spot. Financial terms are close to being completed, indicated Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment have approved an annual salary in the $7 million range. Giovinco, 27, has seen limited first team chances with Juventus this season, starting only two Serie A games. He has featured for country 20 times and would represent the type of elite playmaker required at Toronto FC. Giovinco has a superior work rate and talent to help Toronto FC bolster an attack lacking a creative spark in the attacking third.

For the lazy:
- Defoe to Sunderland for $11million
-Altidore coming to MLS and wants to join TFC/Bradley
-Altidore must go through allocation in the MLS and cannot sign outright with TFC
-MLS wants Altidore with an American team, RedBulls interested
-Giovinvo/Juventus and TFC close to completing a move for the Atomic Ant to join TFC in July

http://www.tsn.ca/toronto-fc-completes- ... d-1.181889

[GED Education]

I had to do market research for the company I work for - we have sponsorship with MLSE. We have tickets to the Leafs/Raptors/TFC due to this sponsorship. I was asked about the TFC ticket situation, and they're throwing in a ROW of seats at no extra expense, if we re-up seasons tickets for TFC. Last season, we had tickets that nobody used after week 5 or 6.....does anyone know if this team will be any good? Like can they compete for the playoffs?

[ForeverTFC]

I had to do market research for the company I work for - we have sponsorship with MLSE. We have tickets to the Leafs/Raptors/TFC due to this sponsorship. I was asked about the TFC ticket situation, and they're throwing in a ROW of seats at no extra expense, if we re-up seasons tickets for TFC. Last season, we had tickets that nobody used after week 5 or 6.....does anyone know if this team will be any good? Like can they compete for the playoffs?

They're definitely making moves right now. Two of the top US players will be playing for them next season, potentially alongside an Italian international. If they fix the back four, and find a competent winger to replace Jackson, it's likely the best team they have fielded - on paper - in their history.

[ForeverTFC]

Apparently Altidore will NOT have to go through allocation because his transfer fee is above a certain threshold. He will be joining his good friend Bradley at Toronto FC next season.

Wheeler is also really making it sound as if Giovinco to Toronto is a done deal.

Rumour has it that Toronto will pay Altidore around 6 million per, and Giovinco over 7 million per. MLSE still committed to spending big with TFC.

By the way, seems like TFC sold Defoe for 15 million, and bought Altidore for 4 million, netting them 11 million. That's pretty nifty work by the FO if true. In the last two years, TFC have gone through negotiations with Tottenham, QPR, Roma, Sunderland, Juventus. They are holding their own against the seasoned vets in Europe.

[T-d0t]

Altidore with Bradley should be fun.. And giovinco is pacey as hell

[T-d0t]

Love the moves.. Is Gilberto gone tho (by default) ?

[ForeverTFC]

Altidore with Bradley should be fun.. And giovinco is pacey as hell

If Giovinco can handle the physicality of the MLS, he'll go down as one of its best players. Those that don't really follow the Serie A are in for a treat.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8dWTwx5t7o[/youtube]

[ForeverTFC]

Love the moves.. Is Gilberto gone tho (by default) ?

No. Rumours have it that the MLS may be adding a 4th DP spot. Hope that is the case.

Bradley
Giovinco
Gilbero/Altidore

That is a deadly core. Bring in a good CB/RB, a couple wingers, and we are in business.

[LittleOzzy]

Love the moves.. Is Gilberto gone tho (by default) ?

No. Rumours have it that the MLS may be adding a 4th DP spot. Hope that is the case.

Bradley
Giovinco
Gilbero/Altidore

That is a deadly core. Bring in a good CB/RB, a couple wingers, and we are in business.

That's what I want to see. Hopefully the players union fights for another DP spot.

If not, Gilberto is gone. Likely with a trade within MLS.

[ForeverTFC]

Ugh, now being reported that Altidore will in fact go through allocation....

In other news, if Eto'o doesn't go to the Serie A, he will be coming to North America. Cosmos and Sounders interested.

[Hue Durant]

Altidore sucks man..

[T-d0t]

Altidore sucks man..

He wasn't good in the BPL.. But MLS is a diff story