Toronto FC started the season with three Designated Players. None of the three will finish the season on the field with the club.
With Julian de Guzman traded to Dallas and Danny Koevermans out for the season with a torn ACL comes word that captain Torsten Frings will be forced to miss the remainder of the season with a hip injury that requires arthroscopic surgery. The club expects him to be ready to return to the field in the preseason, according to a statement, but at 35, there is no telling how Frings, who has battled various injuries in his time in MLS, will respond from the procedure.
TFC still has one DP on its roster, with midseason acquisition Eric Hassli leading the charge for what has been a lost season for Toronto in MLS play. The club still has CONCACAF Champions League aspirations but will most likely need to get a result at Santos Laguna without Frings' services to entertain thoughts of leapfrogging the Mexican champions and winning Group 1.
What do you think of this development? How do you think this affects the club's chances at getting out of its CCL group? Do you see Frings being able to contribute at a DP-worthy level after this surgery?
Share your thoughts below.