TORONTO

Matias Laba seems more like a "nice to have" at this point than a remedy to fix what's ailing Toronto FC, a club that's hit a disappointing early-season skid after making strides.

Signed last week, Laba, TFC's newest Designated Player, is by all accounts one of the best at what he does -- recovering balls in the middle third before initiating an attack.

Based on tape, the 21-year-old Argentine appears a work horse and a hard-as-nails defenders, a destroyer in midfield.

Moving on from the above disclaimer, Toronto's newest "nice to have" won't fix much at this point.

For one, including a pair of converted penalties -- which is being generous -- the Reds have created (goals that didn't come as a result of egregious mistakes by the opposition) five goals through eight MLS games.

Laba, unless his game suddenly changes, isn't expected to score or make the final pass. As mentioned, he's a guy who will eventually initiate an attack.

But as the stats, and everyday viewership, indicates, what if there simply isn't an attack to initiate?

The Reds are averaging 3.5 shots per game, the third lowest total in MLS. Toronto didn't have an attempt on goal through the first hour on the weekend against the New York Red Bulls, a side that has conceded the second-most goals in MLS this season.

On the surface, Laba's a landmark signing for a league that's looking to attract young foreign talent.

But how does he fix the absurd number of late goals the Reds have conceded?

How does he remedy Ashtone Morgan fanning on a late-game clearance in the worst possible area on the field?

How does he correct Darel Russell misjudging a stoppage-time header at the back post against the L.A. Galaxy?

How does he fix amateurish marking on set pieces?

For the most part, Toronto FC head coach Ryan Nelsen has been happy with his central midfielders.

Guys like Jeremy Hall, who Nelsen has consistently praised, and Jonathan Osorio have had solid starts to the season.

Still, the Reds have been poor 30 metres from both goals.

And while Laba's undoubtedly a piece who will have great influence among a proper cast of characters, the Reds need more than a "nice to have" at this point.

They need players who are, at minimum, mistake free in addition to others who are proven in the attack.

JUST SAYIN'

Taken third overall in this year's draft, TFC's Kyle Bekker remains a question mark, one whose on-field contributions have been minimal.

Remember, after holding the first and third picks this past January, the Reds traded the No. 1 pick to the New England Revolution for the No. 4 pick and allocation cash, money that can be used to buy down a players contract in order to fit them in under the MLS salary cap.

That move allowed New England to scoop up Generation Adidas defender Andrew Farrell, a consistent starter this season, at No. 1.

After watching TFC's fullbacks repeatedly make unforced errors throughout the first two months of the season, the Reds should have taken Farrell at No. 1 and attempted to do what it did with the No. 1 pick with the No. 3.

Toronto eventually traded the No. 4 spot it received from New England to Vancouver for allocation and the No. 10 spot, which it eventually traded to Seattle for allocation and the No. 16 spot.

OK, so you risk losing Bekker, but you also pick up a stud GA defender and likely a good bit of allocation cash anyway.

Hey, who knows, it's quite possible Bekker, who wasn't rated highly by some draftniks, might have been available at No 16.

Just sayin'.