The trade by FC Dallas on Tuesday that sent veteran Richard Mulrooney to Toronto FC for a first-round SuperDraft pick and allocation money left a sizable hole in the heart of the Hoops midfield. But FCD's newest player, Colombian international Juan Carlos Toja, looks ready to step right in and take Mulrooney's place.
Toja, who was signed on Feb. 28 and trained with FCD during their 10-day trip to Brazil earlier this month, has been unable to join the team because he was waiting on visa approval. But, earlier this week, he got his approval and will be joining his new employer in Puerto Rico, where they will play two games in a span of three days late this week.
FCD head coach Steve Morrow is clearly ecstatic to finally get his newest signee in the fold.
"It feels very good," Morrow said. "It's a piece that we wanted to add. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to be part of our training and our games until now. It's going to be very important to get him involved.
"We have a few games before the season to get him integrated into the team and into the system and everything we're trying to do. He had some time with us in Brazil, so he's going to be a step ahead and know what's expected of him. We're excited and finally looking forward to having him part of the team."
The FCD boss already has a spot in mind for Toja.
"I see Juan Carlos (Toja) playing left mid," Morrow said. "He's a left footer, plays box-to-box and loves getting on the ball and joining the attack. He plays and follows the pass, has good movement and great energy. He brings something that this team hasn't had for a few years. I love the qualities and attributes that he will bring to this team and this league."
Toja is 21 and last played for Argentinian side River Plate in 2006. He comes to the Hoops on loan from Colombian club Independiente de Santa Fe. The midfielder also has experience with the Colombian under-20 national team and was a member of the squad that won the 2005 CONMEBOL (South American) championship.
He made his debut for Santa Fe at age 18 and signed with River Plate in January 2006. Only several weeks removed from his signing, he scored for them in a Copa Libertadores match with Bolivia's Oriente Petrolero.
FCD will play the Puerto Rico Islanders of the USL First Division on Thursday at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, just outside of the capital city of San Juan. After a day off, the Hoops will then face the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday before returning to Frisco next Monday.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
