With inexperience and an abundance of cash comes great pressure and scrutiny. That is exactly what general manager Tim Bezbatchenko and rookie head coach Greg Vanney face this MLS season.
For a city like Toronto, where winning last happened more than a generation ago, sports fans have taken a rather helpless stance towards every local organization.
Toronto FC: Hope of a City on a Promising Midfield
You see, NHL side Toronto Maple Leafs have made the playoffs once in the last 9 years, and haven’t won a championship since 1967. Bear in mind, the Leafs are one of the biggest spenders in the league. NBA side Toronto Raptors have never won a championship, making the post-season twice in the last four seasons. Meanwhile, the shameless Toronto Blue Jays haven’t made the playoffs since I was barely a fetus (1992). Money is something we have in abundance in Toronto, and we have no idea how to utilize it. So excuse us Torontonions when we are rather anxious going into every game, just hoping it’s better than a 3-0 loss.
Last seasons’ very much talked about ‘bloody big deal’ came crumbling down when (now) former DP signings Jermain Defoe and Gilberto were brought in to take Toronto to the playoffs for the first time in their nine year franchise history and failed miserably. Defoe fled back to England after a season, and Gilberto is back playing south of the equator. Bezbatchenko may be on his last lifeline now, after spending a truck full of cash for former Juventus playmaker and Italian international Sebastian Giovinco, USA international Jozy Altidore, Polish international Damien Perquis, and three-time Ligue 1 team-of-the-year member Benoit Cheyrou.
In the first 25 minutes of Toronto’s season opener versus the Vancouver Whitecaps, the overhaul showed as Toronto looked disconnected. Key signing Sebastian Giovinco quickly realized he won’t be able to have his way with anyone in this league, as he was physically manhandled.
As Toronto eventually took control of the match and took three points, one aspect was evident- the control and presence of French playmaker Benoit Cheyrou. He will definitely play a significant role in maintaining the structure in midfield.
Cheyrou spent his last five seasons in France’s top division as part of an elite Olympique de Marseille squad. The 33-year-old midfielder crossed the pond to join the MLS outfit this off-season. While Michael Bradley is clearly the key cog in Toronto’s midfield, Cheyrou stepped up when Toronto had no control over the game. He provides the balance in midfield, and is the reliable partner that Bradley has needed ever since arriving in Toronto. One of the first TFC chances was created from a key 50/50 ball that Cheyrou won, and played to Justin Morrow for a scoring opportunity. Cheyrou got his first MLS assist when he played a significant role in Robbie Findley’s game winning goal. With an 80% passing rate on a completely overhauled team, Cheyrou showed that he will be a vital piece of Toronto’s season.
For a team that has had nothing to cheer about in 9 years, with players feigning ‘groin injuries’ when the going got tough, Cheyrou’s encouraging demonstration to make a play under pressure, his experience, control, and tempo setting abilities will be a imperative for TFC to have success.
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