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Chad Barrett is in Salt Lake for tonight’s Toronto-Real Salt Lake match

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                                                        Photo by ISIphotos.com

Those of you wondering just when the Chicago Fire-Toronto FC deal is going to be completed may not be waiting much longer.

Sources have told SBI that Chad Barrett is in Salt Lake City today with Toronto FC, which faces Real Salt Lake tonight (9pm). I haven’t received confirmation that Barrett has been cleared to play, but Barrett is with TFC today and could be in uniform for tonight’s match if the final details of the Toronto-Chicago trade can be hammered out before kickoff tonight.

Chicago Fire fans won’t be too upset to hear that news, especially not after catching a glimpse of rookie striker Patrick Nyarko, who looked dangerous up top for the Fire in last night’s 0-0 tie vs. Kansas City.

If Barrett’s first appearance for TFC does come tonight it will come against a Real Salt Lake defense that is the second toughest in MLS, second only to the Chicago Fire.

As for Jeff Cunningham, the word I’m hearing is that there is interest in the Jamaican-born striker from several clubs, including from some teams in (yes, you guessed it) Norway. A move within MLS seems unlikely since A) Toronto already has three first-round picks next year, B) Toronto already has a boat-load of allocation money and C) Toronto will likely use the international player slot Cunningham vacates in order to bring in an international forward.

What do you think about Barrett joining Toronto FC?  Will he regain the scoring touch he showed earlier in the season? Will Toronto FC keep struggling offensively?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Everyone seems to forget TFC is still a second year expansion team. But with the great fan support comes pressure to deliver a winner. They must show the faithful that the team is progressing. Having lost the Canadian Championship to a USL team, it has become apparent that TFC needs to improve their offence, defence and goaltending. It is that simple. Carl Robinson must go, he is the most overrated player in MLS. Mo has to remember he is in Canada and we want a local star. Atiba Hutchinson, Will Johnson and Paul Stalteri fit the bill and actually improve the team substantially.

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  2. This is James Edward from the Deseret News. I’m sitting here in the Rice-Eccles Stadium press box, and I’m looking right at Chad Barrett. It’s 30 minutes until kick off and he’s wearing a Toronto FC golf shirt.

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  3. I think Toronto’s artificial turf hurts the team. Most international players prefer to play on grass. Huckerby is one example. He signed with SJ because they have grass in the Bay area.

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  4. I, an RSL fan, would take Cunny back on a couple of conditions. The first would be that he shuts his pie hole both on and off the pitch. Second, he has to win every sprint in every practice to show Jesus Kries that he has “heart.” Third, he would always have to refer to himself in third person (“Jeff had a good came tonight,” said Cunny). Fourth, and this one is straight from Jesus Kries, Cunny would have to lick the boots of all those who score in games he does not score in. That should put a muzzle on him!

    PS: I hope they start Chad tonight.

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  5. White kix, How can you say he was disappointing with RSL? He led the league in scoring while playing for them. His productivity was not an issue there, it was that he and Kreis didn’t get along.

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  6. Any tuth that Mo jo0hnson wants to trade Cunningham to the Fire and is demanding Rolfe, Mapp, Cuah and Conde for him?

    Chad had 5 goals while playing with Cuah, how many will he have with Guevara who hardly ever shows up

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  7. In a year, some team is gonning to feel lucky they picked up Cunningham, and TFC is gonning to feel stupid again (See, Buddle, Edson). Does anyone else see the similarities? Both of them score goals in bunches for the Crew (Cunningham also scored many many in a short amount of time for Colorado). They both had dissapointing spells with team that play on artificial turf (RSL, NY), followed by dissapointing spells at TFC. Buddle has benefited this year, and next it’s Cunningham’s turn. He is still one of (If not THE) most talented forwards in the league. He has tremendous pace and skill on the ball, and good vision for a forward. Whatever team he goes to, will feel very lucky at this time next year. You can say what you want now, but check in with me in a year.

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  8. Graeme – i dont think he was necessarily knocking him, but rather pointing out that Barrett also could look dangerous but not necessarily produce….

    in otherwords, he’s saying you can look as dangerous as you want, but if you cant produce then what good are ya..

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  9. @KingSnak:

    Seriously – you’re going to knock Nyarko for not scoring coming off the bench in his rookie season when Barrett is a 2005 GenAd guy who has scored I think 18 goals in 82. Barrett has had the chance to prove himself in Chicago as a striker and failed. Let’s face it – at UCLA he was known for assists more than goals anyway. Believe me, from even a low-level football perspective, it will be more entertaining to watch a Nyarko/Banner combination up top than a Barrett/anyone.

    @DG:

    From 3 years of watching Barrett, he seems to do better in a 4-4-2 [assists guy], so you’re observation of a 4-5-1 is right on. Your 2 cents is worth at least 3…

    As for Cunningham, I think he’s been capped for both the US and Jamaica if memory serves. Either way, he’s not Canadian.

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  10. i wish barrett the best… ive been hoping he’d get out of his funk, but it seemed he couldnt do it in chicago… as ive said before, i hope a change of scenery does him well….

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  11. with tebily leaving I really hope TFC can unload cunningham him for a central defender.

    also, i think barrett can turn it around with the change of scenery. I think he will do well in toronto paired with dichio in a 4-4-2.

    The only problem I see is that when TFC has their full squad in place (ie healthy dichio and edu/wynne back from beijing), Carver will continue to insist on a 5 man midfield with a lone striker. I don’t think this will suit Barrett at all. I am not sure Carver will sit either of Robo, Edu, Ricketts, Robert, Guevara to play a 4-4-2. This is a mistake I think. Personally I think Ricketts should start on the bench and take off Robert between 45-60′. play barrett/ibby for now until dichio returns.

    just my worthless two cents.

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  12. kingsnake- its his 2nd game, and he hasnt even started yet… so the fact he’s looking dangerous is positive enough for now

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  13. I wonder if Frank Klopas knew that Garber would announce the deal at the all-star game. I dont see why the Fire wouldnt hold the deal for three more weeks or so. Garber spoilt BArrett for Chicago awfully early, what with Carr being out for the season. Until McBride shows the Fire is thin up front. Also, I dont like the rumor of Toronto receiving future considerations should Barrett bolt in the offseason. Would the league structure compensate them through yet another allocation and the transfer cash? The downside of McBride is his assumed perishability. Why should the Fire additionally compensate if Barrett turns out to be short term as well?

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  14. Listen, chumps who can’t seem to put the ball in the back of the net always seem to get hot against RSL for one game. I hope he doesn’t play. If he does, I’ll take Brant’s suggestion and wear a helmet tonight 🙂

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  15. Are you kidding me ?

    Because we are all down on him, he’ll prove us wrong and score a boatload, but in reality even if he starts strong, he’s a choker and he’ll back in his FIRE form before you know it. Nice kid, belongs in a lower level league.

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  16. I hope Chad does well for Toronto (except against the Fire, of course). As mentioned he’s a good guy and a pretty good player too.

    My comments from watching the game last night included “well I guess we won’t get anywhere near Barrett’s work rate with Frankowski” and, when he failed to get a shot off, “Barrett would have at least put that over the bar!”

    Hopefully Nyarko will pan out and McBride will continue his form.

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  17. Toronto FC fans must be happy. Even though they have to take Barrett, they either are going to have some young studs next year OR they can use their (seemingly) dozens of bargaining chips in trades.

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  18. It’s funny how all the pictures on your main page today are of forwards, and all of them EXCEPT Barrett are shown celebrating after a goal…and Barrett is shown just kicking the ball. Does it mean anything that Barrett hasn’t had his picture taken after scoring a goal?

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  19. Great reporting Ives,

    TFC supporters were wondering who would want Cunningham. I think his wife is pregnant so long travel might be hard, especailly to a place like Norway. Anywho, their are reports that Dickov is once again in Canada. Can you confirm this? Also, their are rumors that Tebily might be leaving for personal reasons.

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  20. That sound you just heard?

    Well it wasn’t Chicago being disappointed.

    I had been getting a sinking feeling with nothing yet to be announced.

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  21. I hope Chad gets back on track always was a stand up guy and honest. He makes nice runs and you coudl see the difference between him and tomaz just by the chances he would help create.

    And your right Nyarko looked good as a sub, but it was so hot I wonder how much the fatigue of the backline played into some of that

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  22. Not sure if TFC will be able to get it together this year but it looks like they are poised to make a run next year.

    Ives– Do you see any chance of the CBA being re-worked this off season instead of next?

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