I guess you could say it was an eventful day at BMO Field today as Toronto FC made another big step towards building a contender. In their first move of the day, Toronto acquired Canadian international and former Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Terry Dunfield in exchange for allocation money and future considerations. In Dunfield, Toronto gets a fan favourite that will bring plenty of energy and hard work to a banged up midfield. Head Coach and Technical Director Aron Winter had this to say about the acquisition: “We are pleased to add Terry to our midfield, he is a passionate player and he will fit in well. He has played well this season for Vancouver and we have seen first-hand what he is capable of.”
Toronto did not stop there however. In another bold move, they dealt forward Alan Gordon, midfielder Jacob Peterson and defender Nana Attakora to San Jose in exchange for the talented Jamaican international, midfielder/forward Ryan Johnson. Johnson was the MVP and the leading goal scorer for San Jose in 2009. In 99 games with the Earthquake, Johnson has 17 goals and 13 assists. In 13 caps with Jamaica, he has 5 goals. He scored the lone goal in a 1-0 victory over Honduras in the Gold Cup last month, sealing Jamaica’s spot as winners of Group B; it was his second goal of the tournament. In Johnson, Toronto gets a very talented footballer who has had his share of success at both the club and international levels. Johnson brings a much needed element to Toronto, joining an attacking core that has lacked any real creativity up to this point in the season. “We are rebuilding the club and this deal was necessary to continue that process. I’d like to thank Alan, Jacob, and Nana for their contributions to Toronto FC. We are very pleased to add an experienced forward in Ryan Johnson. We expect him to make an immediate impact at our club,” said Winter.
Johnson has the ability to play both in the midfield and at forward. After hearing Coach Winter’s comments however, it seems safe to say that he will be utilized at forward, allowing Toronto to stick with their preferred 4-3-3 formation. This likely means the end for the inconsistent Julian De Guzman’s in Toronto. Now of course nothing is set in stone, but it would seem that this is what the new starting XI will look like for the club: Frei; Eckersley, Borman, Harden, Yourassowsky; Gargan, Frings, Dunfield; Johnson, Koevermans, Plata. I think it is safe to say that Toronto FC has significantly improved in the last two weeks. These recent additions will certainly do wonders in bolstering what has been a fairly toothless attack in Toronto. It is nice to see Toronto making strides towards fielding a competitive team game in and game out. With 13 games still to play this season, the playoffs remain in reach for Toronto.
Johnson and Dunfield will join recent signings Torsten Frings and Danny Koevermans in making their TFC debut on July 20th at home to FC Dallas in what will surely be a can’t-miss game for all MLS fans.
(image courtesy of torontofc.ca)
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