Some random mid-week musings on Canada’s three Major League Soccer clubs…

Time to try Wenger in defence or midfield

You never say never, because you can’t be certain how young players will develop over time, but Andrew Wenger is not going to become an elite forward in MLS. The time has come for the Montreal Impact to stop trying to force a square peg into a round hole.

Selected first overall by Montreal in the 2012 draft, Wenger was a central defender at Duke University who was also routinely used as a defensive midfielder. In his senior year, Duke moved him to the forward position and he ended up scoring 17 goals.

But his goal-scoring prowess at the college level hasn’t carried over into his pro career. He netted a respectable four goals in 23 games in his rookie campaign in 2012, but has managed only one in 18 matches this season.

Not only have the goals dried up, but he’s regressed. His finishing has worsened (he scored against CD Heredia in the CONCACAF Champions League Tuesday but squandered plenty of other chances) and he hasn’t developed a goal-scorer’s natural confidence inside the penalty box. His shots are often rushed, and he lacks composure in front of the goal.

With starters Matteo Ferrari, Jeb Brovsky and Alessandro Nesta given the night off against Heredia, coach Marco Schällibaum drafted in three young and inexperienced defenders (Karl Ouimette, Maxim Tissot and Wandrille Lefevre) to man the back line alongside Hassoun Camara.

In light of Montreal’s lack of defensive depth, why not give Wenger some playing time at the back, his natural position? Or why not deploy him as a defensive midfielder?

Koevermans done at TFC

It shouldn’t have come as a surprise when Toronto FC coach Ryan Nelsen revealed this week that Dutch striker Danny Koevermans is likely done for the season.

"He’s out. He’s probably out for the season again," Nelsen told reporters on Tuesday.

Nelsen said Koevermans aggravated a calf problem in practice last week, the latest in a long list of injuries the striker has had since joining the club as a designated player in 2011. He only returned to action midway through the current MLS campaign after suffering a season-ending knee injury last summer.

Koevermans has played just 78 minutes in 2013, and with his $1.66-million (USD) contract set to expire at the end of the year he’s likely played his last game in a TFC uniform.

From prolific to a pity, looks like we've seen the end of Koevermans, something @JohnMolinaro predicted months ago. — Kurtis Larson (@KurtLarSUN) September 24, 2013

Both Nelsen and new general manager Tim Bezbatchenko have publically said they plan to sit down with the Dutchman to talk about his future at the end of the season. But reading between the lines, it’s their polite way of saying Koevermans won’t be back.

And nor should he.

No doubt that Koevermans has been an asset for TFC when he’s been healthy, bagging 17 goals. But the Dutchman has been dogged by injury and fitness issues—he’s been limited to just 26 league appearances since coming to Toronto.

Even if TFC could negotiate Koevermans down to a more cost-effective, non-DP contract, they shouldn’t. Koevermans turns 35 in November, and the Reds would be much better off finding younger and more durable options than taking a gamble on the veteran.

It’s time for TFC to cut their losses.

Reo-Coker’s best position

Vancouver Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie has used English midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker in a variety of positions this season, including at full back.

But he’s been most effective in a three-man midfield and when given licence to get forward, with Gershon Koffie playing in a holding role.

We saw this in last weekend’s 3–0 win in Montreal when Reo-Coker bossed the game. His surging runs caused plenty of problems for the Impact’s defence, and it was his run past Nesta and cross into the box that eventually led to Vancouver earning a penalty decision that Kenny Miller duly converted.

When he’s supported by the excellent Koffie, Reo-Coker can support the forward with his positive and bright play in the final third of the pitch. The Koffie-Re-Coker axis allows the Englishman to have a greater influence on the game and makes the most of his talents and skills in the most crucial area of the field.