

Posted by

Steve Bottjer ,

October 27, 2014 Email

Steve Bottjer

On Twitter:

@BottjerRNO

With a disappointing season now officially completed, the Toronto FC brass now have a challenging and complex task ahead of them as they evaluate their roster and look to reload for next year.



Overall, the flaws in TFC’s roster became evident as the season progressed, with the Reds missing key veteran difference makers down the spine of the team. Furthermore, while the signing of three Designated Players over the offseason was touted as a Bloody Big Deal by the Toronto FC hierarchy, ultimately those three marquee signings were each relative failures who played key roles in the club being unable to meet the main objective of qualifying for the postseason for the first time in the team’s history.



Looking back on the season that was for Toronto FC, here is RedNation’s 2014 Year End Report Card for the 2014 edition of Toronto FC.



Michael Bradley - C+

While the U.S. International showed flashes of the quality that could see him be one of the top players in the league, overall, his return to North America was a disappointment. The former A.S. Roma midfielder was rarely effective for the Reds as he often tried to do too much, while the club never found the right role to properly utilize his many qualities. His season is defined by the fact that Toronto had a better record when he was out of the lineup than when he was in it.



Jermain Defoe - C+

Based purely on his ratio of goal scored to games played, the English striker was an A+ performer. However, the off the field drama surrounding him came to define his season and he likely played a key role in a derailing a TFC train that looked bound for the playoffs until it fell completely off the rails.



Gilberto - C+

Toronto’s third Designated Player showed many positive qualities in his first season in the North American top flight and there are plenty of reasons to assume he will be far better next year with an MLS season now under his belt. The Brazilian striker showed an enticing combination of technical ability and work rate. However, all of that said, with 7 goals scored he did fall far short of the expectations surrounding his primary function and he really did miss too many sitters to count.



Kyle Bekker - C+

It was a very mixed season for the young Canadian midfielder, as he often struggled to produce amid the ongoing drama that always seems to surround Toronto FC. However, he showed enough to suggest that with the right coach and a defined role that plays to his strengths he can be a useful player at the MLS level.



Joe Bendik - B

As was the case last season, Bendik came up with plenty of big saves to keep his team in games. However, whether or not he learned very much while being an understudy to Julio Cesar, his distribution continued to be a major weakness.



Mark Bloom - B+

As one of the most consistent players on the Reds, Bloom delivered a solid campaign in his first full year at the MLS level.



Warren Creavalle – B

The former Houston Dynamo player showed plenty of utility as a type of utility player for both Ryan Nelsen and Greg Vanney. Creavalle showed enough quality and athleticism to suggest that he can be a valuable squad player next season.



Dwayne De Rosario - B

While the Canadian International and former league MVP played very few minutes in 2014, De Rosario still looked plenty effective when he was given a rare chance.



Bright Dike - N/A

The Nigeria International never got a chance under either TFC Head Coach when he returned from injury.



Jackson - F

A player who in many ways defined Toronto’s season, Jackson was a big disappointment in his first season with Toronto FC. While he often showed the pace with which he has built something of a positive reputation, he also displayed many poor qualities that highlighted him as one of the most aggravating and least effective players to ever wear a TFC kit. His lack of touch was often glaring and only matched by a complete and utter lack of football intelligence. Add in his propensity for reckless fouls and an unmatched level of selfishness when in possession of the ball and it all added up to a player who hurt his team again and again in different ways every week. TFC supporters can only pray a team picks him up in the expansion draft.



Nick Hagglund –B

While he made some rookie mistakes, Hagglund was one of the few positive stories for Toronto in 2014. He showed plenty of quality in a first season in which probably played a lot more than anyone really expected him to.



Jeremy Hall - N/A

The likeable midfielder rarely played this season and it would be a major surprise if he is still a member of Toronto FC next season.



Doneil Henry - B

The Toronto native had something of a mixed season for the Reds. While many detractors will point to the mistakes he made at various points in the campaign, he generally had a solid season as one of the most athletically gifted players on the squad. Much like Hagglund, the 21 year old was often undone by the fact he was part of a too young to be effective back line in games in which team captain Steven Caldwell was unavailable due to injury or suspension.



Chris Konopka - N/A



Daniel Lovitz – B

The play of Lovitz was a nice surprise for Toronto in 2014. The rookie winger showed quality as a player capable of delivering a good ball from out wide and in taking on players 1v1. Add in a solid work ethic and his good character and it appears the Reds have a young player capable of contributing for years to come.



Luke Moore - B+

The Birmingham, England native was one of Toronto’s better performers after being acquired early in the season. The Aston Villa youth product showed quality as both a goalscorer and as a playmaker and generally meshed well up top with both Jermain Defore and Gilberto.



Ashtone Morgan - N/A

The Canadian International essentially never saw the pitch for Toronto during the 2014 campaign. It was essentially a lost season for a young player who showed so much promise for the Reds in previous seasons.



Justin Morrow – A

Arguably Toronto’s best and most consistent player in a disappointing season, the MLS veteran is a player who can be fixture on the Reds back line for years to come. Morrow was excellent defensively and generally played an intelligent offensive game, jumping forward when appropriate and falling back at the correct times.



Dominic Oduro - C

While the MLS veteran delivered some positive performances early in his tenure with Toronto, he struggled as the season progressed. His pace was a valuable weapon for Toronto, but too often it was accompanied by a poor first touch and less than ideal decision-making.



Bradley Orr - C+

The Englishman showed some utility as a veteran capable of playing multiple positions.



Jonathan Osorio – B

The Canadian International struggled with injuries at times this season while also endeavouring to find his role among all of the new players Toronto brought in over the offseason. That said, his quality was evident when he was fit and he was the team’s smartest and most technically proficient midfielder not named Michael Bradley.



Collen Warner – C

Whether fairly or not, Warner’s first season with TFC will be defined by his inability to step into the lineup and allow Michael Bradley to be an effective attacking midfielder. Outside of that, Warner showed excellent athleticism while delivering a mixed bag run of performances.



Andrew Wiedeman - N/A

Paul Mariner’s favourite American striker rarely featured for the Reds under either Ryan Nelsen or Greg Vanney.



Steven Caldwell - B

The value of Toronto’s team captain was generally highlighted by the games in which he didn’t play. When the Scottish back line leader was unavailable, Toronto’s defense often looked lost. Given his advanced age, it will be interesting to see if Caldwell has played his last game for the Reds.