Barely a year after his own departure from hometown team Toronto FC, D.C. United midfielder Dwayne De Rosario knows exactly what Julian de Guzman (above, right) is going through with his own recent trade to FC Dallas.
De Rosario (above left) has flourished since two trades in 2011 led him from Toronto, through New York to finally seeing him setting up shop at D.C., where he won last season’s MLS MVP Award. He feels de Guzman’s move to Texas could do some good after his fellow Canadian national teamer never really lived up to the hype when TFC made him their first Designated Player in 2009.
“I think it’s good for him – the change in this part of his career,” De Rosario told MLSsoccer.com after Wednesday’s MLS All-Star Game in Chester, Pa. “Hopefully he has an opportunity and Dallas gives him the respect and feeds him with the encouragement that he needs right now.”
Toronto’s roster features more Canadian players than the other two Canadian MLS teams, with the likes of Terry Dunfield, Ashtone Morgan and Doneil Henry. But what disappoints the Scarborough, Ontario-born De Rosario is that in two years, the team has seen two of the most recognizable Canadian faces look for a new start elsewhere.
“I’m happy for [de Guzman] but it’s sad because those teams are built to build Canadians,” he said. “It’s sad to see the top players of our national team leaving Canada, and that’s the disappointing part, but I wish Julian all the best.”
De Guzman made the move to North America after a stellar career in Spain with Deportivo La Coruña saw him named the team’s player of the season in 2007-08. But he struggles to consistently put out the same performances in Toronto that he did in Spain, and TFC fans often saw a different de Guzman – one playing much better when he would swap TFC red for a Canadian national team kit.
Having known de Guzman in both a club and country setting, De Rosario is confident that FC Dallas have landed a quality player who will be a crucial part of Canada’s lineup when World Cup qualifying resumes in September.
“He’s a good player,” said DeRo, “there’s no doubt about it.”
