By ISIphotos.com
By IVES GALARCEP and DYLAN BUTLER
Toronto's prodigal son is heading home.
Pulling off the biggest trade in its young history, Toronto FC has landed Canadian national team star and four-time MLS Cup champion Dwayne DeRosario in a trade from the Houston Dynamo. TFC acquired DeRosario from Houston for defender Julius James and an allocation sources are putting at between the $150K and $175K range (slightly more than I first reported). The teams finalized the deal on Friday.
The trade brings DeRosario back to Canada as a professional player for the first time since he played for the Toronto Lynx in 1997. In the 11 years since, DeRosario has established himself as one of the best big-game players in MLS, winning four league titles and earning MLS Cup MVP honors two times with San Jose (2001) and the Dynamo (2007).
According to sources with knowledge of the deal, DeRosario will not take up Toronto FC's designated player slot but is expected to sign a new contract which will make him a maximum non-DP salary of around $400K a season.
A native of the Toronto suburb of Scarborough, DeRosario steps into a Toronto FC midfield that already boasts Carl Robinson and Amado Guevara. he could play centrally with those two, or be slotted on the left flank.
The deal is a steal for Toronto FC considering TFC did not have to give up any of its three first-round draft picks in what most experts consider a strong and deep draft. Toronto also wasn't forced to trade a maximum allocation of $300,000. In fact, TFC still has approximately $800,000 in allocation funds as well as its designated player slot, which the club is expected to use to sign a marquee foward for next season.
“Dwayne is a player we’ve admired for quite some time. When the chance came to work with Houston to get this deal, we were obviously very happy,” TFC director of soccer Mo Johnston said in a team-released statement. “He’s a wonderful talent and I hope all of our supporters are as excited as we are that Dwayne is now a member of Toronto FC."
The trade looks like a pretty bad one for Houston on the surface, but there is logic behind the maneuver. With Bobby Boswell a very real candidate to leave now that he is out of contract, the Dynamo desperately needed a central defender to replace him and James was regarded as the best defender in the 2008 MLS Draft. James provides some speed and athleticism to a back-line that was exposed as slow in the MLS playoffs.
Perhaps more importantly, dealing DeRosario (Houston's highest-paid player in 2008 at just under $325K) and acquiring allocation money could also pave the way for the Dynamo to sign a Designated Player, most likely at the striker position, with Stuart Holden sliding into DeRosario's starting central midfield role. In fact, the Dynamo will create close to $600,000 in cap space with the deal, meaning it can fit in a designated player and still have $200,000 to sign or trade for another player as well as provide raises for some of its current players.
How can the Dynamo win this trade? If Houston brings in an impact designated player, Holden flourishes as the team's playmaker, and James develops into a standout defender, the Dynamo will have revamped an aging team that needed an infusion of talent.
Even if all that happens, Toronto isn't likely to regret dealing for DeRosario, a fan favorite in Toronto and the type of clutch veteran leader who can help steer the club to its first playoff appearance and beyond.
What do you think of the trade? Did Toronto FC get away with a steal? Think Houston sold DeRosario too cheaply? Do you see the Dynamo coming out ahead on the deal? Do you see Toronto FC being a major force in 2009? Do you like the idea of DeRosario wearing red?
Share your thoughts below.
Mo Johnston sucked so bad as a coach, but he sure can wheel and deal!
Missed opportunity for Houston…
According to most scouts, the top two center half prospects this year are better than James.
I would have asked for less allocation money, draft picks (#2 and #4 overall in 2009 Super Draft), and Marvell Wynne (right back is a weak position for Houston).
Then take the either Gonzales or Opara #2 overall and Stefan Frei #4 overall (solves long term GK issue).
My point was that this past summer TFC was left with something like 10 roster players for one of its games due to people leaving for international duty. Since Canada didn’t qualify for the next World Cup Qualifying round this won’t be as big a deal, but they still have 9 players who play pretty regularly for their national teams, and I’m sure TFC will play at least one game on a major friendly week.
-im amazed that people are ignoring the fact De Ro is coming home to a packed stadium and family. I really really feel quite confident that De Ro will find his previous form this up coming season.
– interaction between ‘your mother’ and ‘tim’, best thing ive read in a blog in a while
actually Roger Stuart Holden is a native of Aberdeen,Scotland
I feel great for toronto. Although i am not a fan, they should have a strong team, with dero and possibly a dp, and more cash to spend MLS’s most supported team should be a title contender next year. Keep up the good work fans you are the envy of the league.
why are so many people double-posting? 😛
Houston didn’t choose to trade DeRo – according to Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle, “(DeRo) made his desire to be traded to Toronto known to the team earlier this month.” Seems TFC had Hou over a barrel, thus no first-rounder in the deal.
DeRo asked to be traded… and he only wanted to go to Toronto.. that put Houston in a horrible position.
When you only have one partner to trade with and they know the player wants to go there, you aren’t going to get full value.
Houston will be ok because of Kinnear. He has a good eye for talent and gets the best out of his players.
WOW!!!! Julius James for De Rosario, are you kidding me. TFC should have had to give up a couple 1st round draft picks for this deal. TFC absolutely stole De Ro, there must be something going on behind the scenes. No way are Houston dumb enough to pull off this move without more to this story.
The Canadian national team still sucks. Have fun sitting at home in 2010
Whether or not DeRo is less of a player than he once was, I think Toronto could have been pushed for more here. Just from that perspective Houston got p’nked. Houston should have gotten a 1st round draft pick here.
Although Houston did well in the Ngwenya, Jaqua and Boswell trades, those players were known commodities that were either struggling in their current environment or not playing to potential in the case of Ngwenya. By the way, both Houston and Columbus won out in the Ngwenya-A Moreno trade, as could be seen this year from Columbus’ championship.
Kamara wasn’t such a hot trade. In fact, I don’t think he did much for Houston offensively, but that’s just my opinion.
In this case, I don’t think Julius James will be able to fill in for Boswell immediately should Boswell leave. Perhaps he’ll compete for the role with Ianni unless Ianni gets traded. I also imagine that Holden won’t be in MLS for too much longer.
We’ll see in time how this worked out for both teams, but initially I think Toronto won out by trading a marginal defender and some cash for a hometown hero, attacking mid and clutch veteran. Toronto will pick up some nice defenders in the draft and may snatch O’Brian White as well to bring another Canadian home. Add a quality DP and the team should be solid next year.
Houston still hasn’t addressed the most pressing issues — of faster outside backs and some strikers to add to Ching and Kamara. Perhaps they can grab BARE, that would be a huge pick-up.
Jaqua was on the books for $130k or some such nonsense. Over $600k in cap space for the shrewdest judge of talent in MLS, and a stud waiting in the wings in Holden. I think the Dynamo are going to be okay.
hungryjack I’m with you;
when you have a good coaching staff that picks players that others don’t think of or write off… You can rest assured that there will be a good outcome. And the dynamo staff have proven before that they have made astute decisions (jaqua kamara Boswell etc) and don’t forget you guys also have corey Ashe too who looks like another promising option,add to that a good forward and end of story.. Houston favorites again, so no they did not get short end of the stick.. Evrybody won and MLS too!!
TFC wins? Pft. DeRo isn’t the player he once was. Same with Guevara. They were impact players at one point, but I’d be surprised if they found their top form again. They’ll move up the standings from last, but a contender? I’m not so sure.
TFC’s move to a training facility with grass next year may have been the clincher as De Ro was never keen on Field Turf. What a Christmas gift… you won’t be able to see the south stand for De Ro banners on opening day.
I can’t believe this is all that Houston wanted. I wish the Red Bulls had traded Boyens and allocation money for DeRo.
Another vote against Julius James, who will end up in USL or playing back home. Truly a shocking defender at this level, he’s at least two years away from being able to compete for a starting job, and even then, I have to doubt the prospects for a guy whose positional sense and game reading is so poor.
Most of the times he played for TFC, he had a decent enough work rate. And he can tackle. But he was caught watching the play unfold — frequently behind or around him — time and again. It’ll take a coaching miracle to turn that into a starter for Houston before about 2011.
So basically they got a project player and some space under the cap, in exchange for a talismanic clutch player who contributed nine points overall last year. And who is local. And who wants to play in Toronto (James didn’t want to leave, he has already told friends.)
Yeah, real win for Houston on that one.
I’m surprised D-Ro didn’t want a shot at another league.
What I saw of Julius James was not very impressive last year. His passing and first touch were shocking, even for MLS standards. He is an excellent athlete, fast and has a huge leap but that doesn’t make him a footballer. I think TFC wins this one unless Houston really does something special with the allocation money.
“…with Stuart Holden sliding into DeRosario’s starting central midfield role”
C’mon, Ives. Say it: “central attacking midfielder.” You can do it.
TFC got the better end of the deal.
But, for once, MLS treated one of its better players with respect for his wishes (unlike Twellman, Joseph, Cooper, etc.)
DeRo wanted to go home. MLS found a way to send him home. And Houston got a little bit back. Seems fair enough to me.
I have to agree with many of my fellow TFC supporters about James. Despite obvious physical gifts, he often looked lost in the backline and was at fault on many of the goals scored against TFC when he played. A chronic ball-watcher. He’s going to need some serious coaching and at 24, it’s not like he’s a kid. I wondered whether he might have been converted into a target man up front.
Was hopping Mo would move him before his stock fell too low.
Houston = Pwned. Simple as that.
Holden is heading to Europe, he is looking to sublease his apartment in Houston. He is going to Netherlands.
Holden is heading to Europe, he is looking to sublease his apartment in Houston. He is going to Netherlands.
Now who did better than who?
Posted by: Tim | December 12, 2008 at 06:51 PM
You Tim. You did better than everybody. Thank you for schooling us.
Anyone who thinks this was a steal for TFC hasnt been paying attention.
1. DeRo 2008 is not DeRo 2003-2007. Other than a few clutch goals in ’08 he was invisible and didnt stand up well to the double teams that finally started to come his way.
2. Houston has Stuart Holden who, imo, has been better than DeRo in his few starts this past year.
3. Houston needed more young defenders and got a good one.
4. Houston has alot of money to add to an already impressive core.
What about TFC?
1. That got veteran leader who could be good for a team that is missing that component.
2. A player that is about the equal of Amado Guevarra but plays badly on turf!
Now who did better than who?
I though DeRo had slowed a bit and was starting to prove a little injury prone but this one still took me off guard.
Toronto has wanted him badly for years. Why give him up for so little?
Granted, James is a good prospect but hardly a proven commodity.
Surely, DeRo would be worth James, a first round pick and perhaps another useful experienced player (like Johann Smith or Todd Dunivant).
To basically give DeRo away as a salary dump makes little sense.
is this for real? is it april fools in december?
WOW, no matter what houston will make this trade work.
TFC is rele going to work in this off-season!
Ives, something weird is going on with the blog. Sorry for the quadruple post. I got a weird error message the first time, but the second time it worked…and it posted it 4 times?
Win: DeRo is not an international for Toronto. Toronto is in Canada. DeRo is from Canada.
Is it just me or does this add to the already bloated number of internationals on TFC’s roster. By my count TFC has 9 international players plus another 4 who could be called in at some point over the next couple years not to mention several more who could represent the Canadian youth teams in any games they happen to play over the next couple of years. If they get Keon Daniel, that would be another international. Fortunately Canada already got bounced from World cup Qualifying so we probably won’t hae to hear near as much complaining from the TFC front office.
This is a great trade for both teams. Holden is ready to step up and control the middle. Houston is the deepest team in the league, and this trade indicates that they will be going for a DP. They will have some money left to go after another central defender in case James is not ready to start.
As for Toronto, their fans have a right to be excited. With the allocation money they have available, and the young draft picks, they will make the playoffs next year. DeRo did not have his best statistical season, but he is still quality.
I’m not a fan of either teams, but this fan excites me because I think the biggest winner is MLS. This has the potential of making both teams better. I’m excited about it.
STUART A HOUSTON NATIVE.
DERO A CANADIAN.
ENOUGH SAID.
BOTH WINNERS.
BEST OF LUCK TO DERO. WISH HIM THE BEST!
GO DYNAMO!!!!!!!!!!
Columbus supporters laughed at us when we picked up Ngwenya.
Los Angeles supporters laughed at us when we picked up Jaqua.
DC Supporters laughed at us when we picked up Boswell.
San Jose supporters laughed at us when we picked up Kamara.
Let’s see what Julius James can do when he plays for a real coach.
I’m with staaan and others – James isn’t that young, and played all of 10 games last year. I have doubts as to how much of a positive impact he’ll have.
This is a great trade for both teams. Holden is ready to step up and control the middle. Houston is the deepest team in the league, and this trade indicates that they will be going for a DP. They will have some money left to go after another central defender in case James is not ready to start.
As for Toronto, their fans have a right to be excited. With the allocation money they have available, and the young draft picks, they will make the playoffs next year. DeRo did not have his best statistical season, but he is still quality.
I’m not a fan of either teams, but this fan excites me because I think the biggest winner is MLS. This has the potential of making both teams better. I’m excited about it.
This is a great trade for both teams. Holden is ready to step up and control the middle. Houston is the deepest team in the league, and this trade indicates that they will be going for a DP. They will have some money left to go after another central defender in case James is not ready to start.
As for Toronto, their fans have a right to be excited. With the allocation money they have available, and the young draft picks, they will make the playoffs next year. DeRo did not have his best statistical season, but he is still quality.
I’m not a fan of either teams, but this fan excites me because I think the biggest winner is MLS. This has the potential of making both teams better. I’m excited about it.
DeRosario is over the hill. Toronto paid too much to get him (both trade-wise and salary-wise).
DeRo is very overrated- look at his stats last year 7 goals 2 assists. For a central midfielder who’s supposed to be a creative force 2 assists is VERY underwhelming. Yes you’re going to tell me about how he is clutch etc. etc. but the numbers don’t lie. He is headed downhill.
Julius James is all hype.
He didn’t do anything this season to impress me except score a goal… but he’s a defender.
His strength is jumping high.
That’s about it.
But his soccer IQ is weak and he turns 25 next year. not a prospect.
Huge steal for TFC!
Great deal for Toronto. As a Rapids fan I wish they could do deals like this. I compare it to the Gomez trade. Rapids gave up a DP spot. Toronto gives up a young player and cash. Advantage Toronto.
DeRo is very overrated- look at his stats last year 7 goals 2 assists. For a central midfielder who’s supposed to be a creative force 2 assists is VERY underwhelming. Yes you’re going to tell me about how he is clutch etc. etc. but the numbers don’t lie. He is headed downhill.
The $600k includes the $150k savings on Jaqua’s contract going to Seattle as well as some allocation money they got from San Jose last year for Ramiro Corrales