Ali Gerba #9 of Canada celebrates after scoring the game's only goal against Jamaica in the CONCACAF Gold Cup at The Home Depot Center on July 3, 2009 in Carson, California. Canada won 1-0..Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
Ali Gerba's recent interview with Kristian Jack from The Score television network should be displayed in the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame as testament to how difficult it can be to coach soccer players in this country in the 21st century.
Gerba regurgitated what many disgruntled Canadian soccer players do when they have been cut or released from a contract. It's the hard training, the coach, the coaching style, the tactics and the crème de la crème of reasons - too much running.
The sense of entitlement Gerba displays in the interview is unrealistic. His assertion that director of soccer Mo Johnston and head coach Predrag (Preki) Radosavljevic would likely be fired by Toronto FC and that he would in fact return to the club highlights an unrealistic perspective but one that is remarkably consistent with how some Canadian players view playing for their country, as if it is their right instead of an honour.
Ironically, this interview took place a day after TFC's designated player Julian de Guzman - reportedly pulling in more this year than most of his teammates combined - cowardly jumped out of the way of a free kick which ostensibly prevented Toronto FC from gaining any points in their encounter with the Colorado Rapids.
Not that all Canadian soccer players have the same mentality as Gerba but really, it is an alarming pattern. The next thing we know Gerba's mother will be calling Johnston for an explanation of what is happening or de Guzman's father will be relaying tactical information gleaned from his son's playing time in Spain.
When viewed objectively, Gerba's naive and audacious suggestion of his imminent return to Toronto FC illustrated his delusional way of thinking. Never once does he take responsibility for himself or suggest why he has been through 11 teams in 10 seasons.
He was right on one issue though - Johnston has made mistakes during his tenure with Toronto FC. He sure has and the signing of Gerba was one of them.
Managers, coaches, whoever ultimately makes the decision to sign players has a responsibility to commit to doing their due diligence when scouting potential. In even the most basic critique of players, you question attitude first and foremost. Had Johnston spoken to any of Gerba's former coaches and managers he would have been given a realistic appraisal of what to expect.
Johnston clearly has put the Toronto FC team and squad in place without too much thought beyond listening to the wrong people and without any understanding of what it takes to create the right culture. The signing of de Guzman could well be the biggest mistake of his tenure, as the return on the high-priced investment so far is bordering on zero.
Preki, meanwhile, appears to have a better understanding, but having inherited such a dysfunctional group to begin with, he was forced to move players out. However, moving so many players out at one time could prove to be a mistake because without sufficient talent you cannot win either. It really is a balancing act. Eventually Preki could assemble a team in his image but it requires some patience and smarts.
Many years from now, when Canada eventually qualifies for a senior men's World Cup finals again, history will show that the watershed moment for the change in attitude, within our soccer culture, came from Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment's decision to enter Major League Soccer. The Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Impact following suit will be viewed as professionalizing the game from coast to coast with the right attitude and mentality.
Blame Johnston for a lack of due diligence, for signing the wrong players, for moving out the Jeff Cunninghams, the Edson Buddles and Conor Caseys of the world - after all, that is what the fans wanted - but to blame him for signing Preki as the new coach, well, it is very premature.
Likewise, blaming Preki for his training being too hard or for demanding too much would merely be a microcosm of how our industry has devolved over the past 25 years. The tail has wagged the dog for far too long.