Toronto FC's Chad Barrett celebrates his second goal against Chicago Fire during the second half of their MLS soccer match in Toronto May 8, 2010.MARK BLINCH
Short of bodies and with needs at almost every position and no first-round picks, Toronto FC did the logical thing at the start of the SuperDraft - giving away a player for little to no return.
The unloading of costly forward Chad Barrett, who was reportedly due a raise on his $212,500 (all currency U.S.) 2010 salary, to the Los Angeles Galaxy for future considerations was addition by subtraction for the new management group. TFC head coach and technical director Aron Winter has now freed up more money under the salary cap, which will allow him to bring more players able to adapt to the Dutchman's possession-oriented game. And while Barrett's work rate was never in question, a strike rate of 16 goals in 65 appearances is not exactly prolific.
The Reds then began to restock through the draft, taking speedy fullback Demitrius Omphroy with the 26th pick, defender/midfielder Matt Gold 43rd and El Salvador international midfielder Junior Burgos 44th, before trading backup goalkeeper Jon Conway to the Chicago Fire for the rights to draft talented Ecuadorean playmaker Joao Plata 49th overall.
Omphroy, a talented, attacking defender who's comfortable on the ball and has the versatility to switch positions, certainly fits Winter's system of play. Omphroy also faces a daily challenge - the 21-year-old battles multiple sclerosis - but at least he'll be among friends in Toronto. Goalkeeper Stefan Frei played alongside Omphroy for the University of California Golden Bears for two seasons before being drafted in 2009.
Gold and Burgos will add depth to the squad, while Plata represents an interesting choice: Despite leading the MLS scouting combine in scoring with three goals, the under-20 Ecuadorean international tumbled through the rounds, with teams doubtless put off by his 5-foot-2 stature.
And TFC hopes were also boosted by reports out of Scotland that Celtic is no longer interested in taking Reds captain Dwayne De Rosario on loan, meaning he'll be back for the start of training camp at the end of the month.