Toronto FC might as well change its motto from “All for One” to “Everything But the Kitchen Sink for Two”.
At a press conference on Monday, Toronto FC unveiled their two newest additions: former Tottenham Hotspur forward Jermain Defoe and ex- AS Roma midfielder Michael Bradley. Each player was purchased for $10 million US. To put this into perspective, Clint Dempsey’s $9 million transfer from Tottenham to the Seattle Sounders this past summer was the previous record fee for a player coming to MLS.
On top of this, the total salaries of Defoe ($32 million over four seasons) and Bradley ($36 million over six seasons) make Toronto’s combined investment in the two players a gargantuan $88 million US. Perspective: More than 28 times MLS’ salary cap for 2014, $3.1 million US. In return, TFC is getting less than a fifth of a starting eleven.
As impossible as it sounds, Toronto FC has made a smart deal. First and foremost, its fan base (myself included) has finally had enough of the team’s futility, primarily having zero playoff appearances in seven seasons of existence. If such a deal was not done, more fans would give up on the club, while remaining fans would only continue to voice their discontent.
TFC’s Designated Player history has been poor, but Defoe and Bradley have an excellent chance at turning that around. Defoe is one of the highest scorers in Premier League history, and at 31 is still at the top of his game. The former England international also holds the Premier League record for goals by a substitute, with 22 of his 124 tallies coming from off the bench. Defoe is also coming into MLS at the same age as Robbie Keane, and two years younger than Thierry Henry, when they made their moves stateside.
Bradley is widely considered the most valuable player on the United States Men’s National Team. Just as with the USMNT, Bradley will be a key piece for TFC in his role as a defensive midfielder, a position that has always been a struggle to fill for the club. Having previously played in MLS will only help him after spending eight years playing across Europe. At only 26 years old, Bradley has not even entered the prime of his career, making his move even more enticing for TFC fans.
When David Beckham first signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy back in 2007, MLS was forever changed by the new “Designated Player” rule that allowed him to make so much money in a salary-cap league. But now, on the back of TFC’s two big splashes, MLS is facing big changes yet again.
Gone are the days where the only Designated Players are international icons in their mid-30’s. In their place are players who are still at the peak of their playing ability, joined by young guns looking to live up to the expectations that come with a fat paycheque. For every Beckham, Henry, or Tim Cahill, there is now a Defoe, Bradley, or Diego Valeri.
Another change is the notion that all of the best domestic talent in MLS eventually leaves for greener pastures in Europe. In the returns of Bradley and Dempsey, the retention of players like Graham Zusi and Matt Besler of Sporting Kansas City, and the continual presence of Landon Donovan, the bulk of the hometown heroes are playing at home in North America. As of right now, seven of the eleven players that MLSsoccer.com predicted back in September would be starters for the US at the World Cup play in MLS. An eighth could be coming soon if Jermaine Jones decides to come back to MLS as well. More and more Americans are being signed as DPs as well.
Lastly, it is quickly becoming impossible for teams to win MLS Cup without having at least one DP on their roster. It took until 2011, the fifth season in which the DP rule was in effect, for a team to win MLS Cup with at least one DP on their roster. The team that broke the DP curse? The Galaxy, and their big three of Beckham, Donovan, and Keane. For good measure, the trio won the Cup again the following season.
Though the Galaxy’s reign was halted in 2013, Sporting’s Claudio Bieler kept the DP streak alive. With a new season on the horizon, the streak looks pretty safe. By virtue of numbers alone, the odds of a team without a DP winning MLS Cup are incredibly slim. All 19 clubs had at least one DP on their roster at some point in 2013. Though players have come and gone, 18 clubs would have a DP on their roster if the season started today. The only team that doesn’t, the Philadelphia Union, is on the lookout for one according to recent reports.
Toronto FC’s double signing of Jermain Defoe and Michael Bradley is arguably the biggest transfer in MLS history. That it will have the biggest impact on MLS since Beckham, though, is undisputable.
Thanks for reading! You can follow me on twitter, @MichaelNorton95. Give the site a follow while you’re at it – @LastWordOnSport. Don’t forget to take a quick moment and like our Facebook Page!
Feel free to discuss this and other footy related articles with thousands of fans at r/football.
Interested in writing for LastWordOnSports? Find more info at our “Write for Us” page.
