When it comes to putting together Toronto FC's roster next season, Mo Johnston has a lot of options -- literally.
A large majority of Toronto players are currently playing on one-year deals with club options, as is the standard throughout Major League Soccer. Johnston has spent the last several weeks (and will spend the remaining month of the season) evaluating which members of his current squad will still be wearing TFC red in 2008.
Johnston said there are about a half-dozen players he considers "the nucleus" of his club who have all been secured for next year or are already under guaranteed contracts. These players include team captains Jim Brennan and Carl Robinson, midfielders Maurice Edu and Ronnie O'Brien, striker Danny Dichio and defender Marvell Wynne.
Building around these players is Johnston's main focus for this offseason. The Reds coach has said that he wants to add depth to a squad that was ravaged by injuries this season. Johnston noted, however, that wholesale changes wouldn't be forthcoming for a team he feels performed very well when healthy.
"Right now our team is hurting and we need to get stronger," Johnston said. "It's all about adding six or seven quality players to this group."
Robinson, part of the so-called nucleus, agreed that the team's flashes of brilliance this year --- such as a 4-0 win against FC Dallas on June 17, and a win and a tie in two matches with defending MLS Cup champion Houston Dynamo --- are an indication of Toronto FC's potential.
"There have been times this season when we've shown what we can do," Robinson said. "Competing against Houston, competing against D.C. [a pair of one-goal losses to the MLS overall leaders] and winning some games of football. What we've lacked at times is consistency. It's fair to say we're all over the park.
"The next five games are crucial for players because we're playing for our futures. We all want to be here next year because we've had a taste of it, we know what it's like."
Money will apparently be no object for Toronto FC, as Johnston has said that Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment has shown commitment towards building a winning team. This support from ownership is no doubt bolstered by the record ticket and merchandise sales TFC has enjoyed in their inaugural season. Johnston said that the team can also clear a bit of salary cap room by renegotiating certain option deals for current players.
"When you go into the market, if I don't take [a player's] option, he's still part of us," Johnston said. "We can then knock his contract down if he's underperformed. There will be a lot of guys coming back, but maybe at a different number. You need to take care of your dollars. If you take care of your dollars, it takes care of itself."
Besides depth, Johnston said he is also looking to add players with MLS experience to the team. This process has already begun with the in-season acquisitions of league veterans Jeff Cunningham, Todd Dunivant and Tyrone Marshall.
Toronto FC also has the expansion draft to deal with, though this year, the Reds will be one of the clubs defending players instead of choosing them. Johnston used TFC's expansion draft picks to set up a number of deals with other clubs, and might be trading again depending on which players are exposed by other clubs and which are selected by the incoming San Jose Earthquakes.
"I've kept my notes from last year and how I prepared because I want to see who's going to be available," Johnston said. "I may go in there and offer some money for a couple of players."
There is also the potential of signing a designated player to the Toronto roster, though Johnston said he prefers to wait until his current team is settled before adding the likes of a David Beckham or a Denilson.
"When you bring in a big-name designated player, he's looking for the pieces to be in order," Johnston said. "He wants to come and play with guys that have been in the league and performed well and have won championships. A designated player doesn't always make you better."
Whatever moves Johnston makes in preparation for 2008, it is clear that he will be helped by Toronto establishing itself as a world-class soccer city. Robinson was one of several Reds who joined MLS after spending years in the English Football League, and he has been impressed by the city's support.
"On match days, the feeling you get, this is like an English-based crowd," said the veteran midfielder. "You get it week in and week out. A lot of people didn't really realize the atmosphere and what it was like. You get a buzz about playing in front of crowds like this.
"I love it here. Someone spoke to me the other day about if I wanted to go back to England, but it's not in my thoughts whatsoever. ... It's not what I want. I've enjoyed my time here in my first season."
Mark Polishuk is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
