Now that the season has ended for Toronto FC, a player review seems in order. Who knows what the roster will look like in 2015. For now, the data from 2014 and player performance tells the story.
Ultimately, while statistics form the basis, some elements, such as value to the team and leadership roles play a huge part. So, on a scale of one to ten, allowing the first decimal place for the sake of separation, here is a fairly rough and subjective view of how the roster should be sorted after a sometimes impressive, but dismally ending season.
First up are the goalkeepers, defenders and a few of the midfielders. You can view my ratings for the other midfielders and forwards by clicking here.
Grading the Goalkeepers/Defenders for Toronto FC in 2014
Joe Bendik 6.6
Bendik has certainly grown into the goalkeeping position. He showed great maturity in taking the backup job during Julio Cesar’s tenure. He emerged better for it. Like Stefan Frei and Milos Kocic before him, he has the ability to make some great game-saving stops. His leadership and organizational ability in working with the back line is apparent. He occasionally does operate erratically and at times there are a few shots most feel he should have had.
Steven Caldwell 6.5
Caldwell has shown proven leadership at the back but he can’t do it alone. He has helped groom in the youngsters and has shown incredible strength and determination. He was a centre piece in Ryan Nelsen’s building process and helped initially make Toronto FC increasingly stingy and more difficult to play against. With tactical changes this year, and a midfield that was stretched high at times, Caldwell and his crew were hung out to dry.
Nick Hagglund 6.0
Youthful enthusiasm is his trademark, along with a positive attitude and a strong will to contribute on the offensive end. He is an up and coming prospect and a winner. He needs to work on his coverage and ability to close down forwards with conviction. He was caught on a number of occasions this season. Nevertheless, his future is bright.
Mark Bloom 6.3
Bloom looked very good when he came in for Eckersley on the right side late in 2013. He appeared to be a great addition to the core Ryan Nelsen was building. His great speed and passing ability, coupled with some creative runs down the right side, resulted in scoring opportunities. There were occasions where he had trouble keeping up with his defensive assignments and was troubled by forwards with good pace. He also had some issues with adjusting to the left side, as his passes were easily picked off. The outlook for his future may hinge on opportunities brought by southern US expansion teams, including Orlando City who comes into the league in 2015; his roots are in Georgia and his family is in Florida. Wherever he goes, a raise is in order. Bloom continues to make a great addition to the offensive efforts of Toronto FC. With time, he will be a stand-out in MLS.
Collen Warner 6.0
Brought in through a trade for Issey Nakajima-Farran, Warner added some bonus experience to the midfield. With strong possession and a solid work ethic, he was a regular contributor when he played. Time lost to injury proved to be a factor. One has to wonder if he was an adequate complement to or replacement for Michael Bradley. While solid through the middle, Warner did very little to provide much needed service for TFC’s forwards.
Justin Morrow 7.0
Morrow was by far the most consistent Toronto FC player this year. With his hardened approach to possession and his ability to carry the ball wide, he was a great addition and certainly provided a challenge to Ashtone Morgan’s efforts to crack the lineup. Morrow was also very consistent in his ability to create combinations on the left flank. He was a critical piece in the teams improved possession this year. He is the type of experienced MLS player Toronto FC needs more of if the team is to be successful.
Kyle Bekker 5.8
Bekker has shown some proven ability to make a solid contribution to Toronto FC’s midfield. Another bright spot on the Canadian soccer scene, like Osorio, he is one player Toronto FC needs to take the time to develop. Some have criticized his distribution ability and his weakness on the ball in the defensive third. His link up play in both directions will no doubt improve as he gains experience.
Doneil Henry 6.1
Over the course of the season, Doneil showed improvement in poise and maturity. By the end of the season, gone were the reckless challenges in the box that ultimately ended in disaster (i.e., penalties, lost games). Appearing to be no longer willing to be the goat, his work on the ball was reliable and sound. No doubt coaching and time with Caldwell added value to his game. While his future with Toronto FC looks questionable now that the Cypriot club fiasco has been publicized, the soccer world may now just be seeing glimpses of the solid centre back he is about to become.
Ashtone Morgan 3.0
One has to feel for Ashtone Morgan. He took a back seat to Justin Morrow. Realistically, Morrow offered solid defending and experience on the back line. Morgan had previously done a respectable job in the position with his pace down the left side. He was having trouble at times with his defensive game and it seemed that Toronto FC was not convinced. Jonas Elmer was actually brought in late in 2013 to add depth but even his time in the position was short. If one believes in the concept of depth at every position, then there may be a place for Astone. A little work on versatility in playing numerous positions would be a great idea. Whether or not Toronto is the answer, with the prospect of limited first line experience, remains to be seen.
Bradley Orr 6.4
Given that Orr was on loan from Blackburn Rovers and looks to be heading back, it is clear that he is not a part of Toronto FC’s future. This is really a pity given that his versatility and experience added some badly needed depth. He proved quite capable in filling in for Steven Caldwell, such as early in the season against Columbus. He was also a worthy mentor to youngsters Hagglund and Henry. He may not have had Caldwell’s organizational flair as communication sometimes lapsed on occasion. Ironically, he may be represent the very calibre of player Toronto FC now needs in going forward and entrenching an experienced, winning mentality.
Jeremy Hall 3.0
Hall was a fixture in Nelsen’s early days. He was brought in by Aron Winter as a defensive midfielder. One has to feel for him as he has always played with commitment and leaves it all on the field. He hasn’t shown the quality needed to convince that he can add to the depth chart however. He is also difficult to rank with such limited action.
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