Counting down to January

Well for once there is real, tangible optimism in Toronto (Go Raptors!). The addition of DeRo has already made everyone's "fantasy line-up" look 10X better than last season and every player is now twice as good with our new addition!! BUT THERE IS MORE - as our favorite Saturday morning (ok by morning I mean noon) character Gerry Dobson has noted, it seems to be almost certain there will be another announcement in the new year, and the term being used is "big splash". Dobson notes it's strange that there has been no "official" press meeting to introduce DeRo to Toronto. Can we maybe draw the conclusion that this is because he will be introduced in the new year with another signing? Who is this big splash that we keep hearing about? It is no secret that one of Mo's targets has been none other than Julian De Guzman. Is this the man who will also be wearing red, white, blue and a sorta charcoaly grey with collars sometimes and weird long sleeves?


I feel like the question of De Guzman coming to Toronto is similar to his younger brother playing for Team Canada. It doesn't make any sense but would be great for the team and football in Canada. However, I can't help but be realistic and know that he is in his prime and coming to MLS at this point would not be the best career move. Gareth Wheeler at The Sun sometimes writes the most idiotic shit that baffles my mind and shows he doesn't know what is up when it comes to this sport or being an athlete. Case in point:

If de Guzman believes he's better off being a major player on one of England's or Europe's middle of the pack clubs, then so be it. On the flip side, returning home to become one of the faces of Canadian soccer may be a profitable and worthwhile venture.

Let's think about this for one second. If you had two choices - first, come home and play for your hometown team (ok, amazing) in a league where 13 of the 15 teams play in half empty stadiums and where the competition will be levels below where you are coming from. OR - play for, say Aston Villa or Everton, where you will have an opportunity to play in Old Trafford, Anfield, Stamford Bridge and Emirates Stadium against the best footballers in the world - and play on real grass (zing!). Come on now, how is that any different than us asking Jonathan to give up an opportunity to compete in numerous Euro and World Cups in the name of "becoming the face of Canadian soccer"? And let's be real - we all know that in order to become the face of Canadian soccer it has to be approved the CSA Board of Directors and their meeting isn't for another 3 months which they plan on using that time for giving each other back massages then handing Dale Mitchell an extension on his contract until 2014.

Hey, if De Guzman comes home I will lose my mind, but as I've written before, you have to stay realistic. Huckerby picked San Jose over here because of the turf and the weather. I've been to Spain a few times and if I could live there I would - the quality of life is pretty sweet and I can't imagine Julian would be quick to give that up.

So as much as I'd love this to happen, I'd rather not be an armchair or internet footballer giving him the gears for whatever career decision he makes. Instead, here's hoping Mo brings in a quality player (whoever he is) that will bleed TFC and give us even more optimism and confidence heading into '09!