Posted by

Lars Lowther ,

July 7, 2011 Email Lars Lowther





No, I'm not referring to the band that sang Absolutely (Story of a Girl).



I'm referring to how long it is until July 15th. That's when the transfer window opens and Aron Winter has an opportunity to bring a new centreback (as well as his new designated players) in.



It's clear after the five nil annhiliation of Toronto FC that a strong centreback is needed. It's also clear that they need improvement in the midfield and forward positions (Frings and Koevermans should both improve those areas) but the defensive side of Toronto was exposed for what it is.



Toronto was panicky, out of place and makeshift. But what do you expect? Richard Eckersley was brought in as our right back only to wind up at centre back. Yes, I know that others have said that he fits into that roll or at least can cover for that roll, but that's not where we brought him in, and it's not where he's been training. We also have Ty Harden, who won some award for a brutal LA side back in the day for best defender, playing back there. And we have Dan Gargan...no comment. And then there's Borman, who can turn into a lot.



The point is, the defense was thrown together because of injuries and other problems. It's hard to make a quick fix on this club. It's just not good enough talent wise and the defense certainly is the weakest point. And it's been the weakest point in all five years. Last year, when they played extremely defensively, the club only scored if De Rosario was on the pitch. And it still wasn't great defensively. Toronto has lacked, for five straight years, a solid backline. And when July 15th comes, there better be reinforcements at the back, or there will be hell to pay with Toronto FC supporters.



Unfortunately, it's not so easy to sign sure things for your defense. And that's TFC's problem. Avoiding making awful signings (ala Marco Velez) and picking the perfect players on frees. If it was so easy, I'd have a first rate job as a manager.



But if I was manager, I'd be shopping that first round pick around like it was nobody's business. Surely Toronto can get a starting quality centreback for the price of a lottery pick in a draft of semi-talented NCAA players...right?



Well, if that option's available, they should be taking it because the club still is a defensive nightmare.



And it showed tonight. Check our Steve Bottjer's match report.



It tells the whole story, as it usually does, and TFC just wasn't good enough again.



I sat with a friend of mine and I said to Dave, you know "TFC has looked great in these first 20 minutes." And then the goalapalooza started. And I shut my mouth and settled into the reality that it would end 3-0. Except it didn't. It ended 5-0. Disappointing but not all that unexpected. A blowout for this club of mine is normal. It's just a matter of the score.



Oh well, that's been our season. Did we expect much else? TFC needs to make hay while this transfer window shines and change things up.



At least there's still Champions League...

