An interesting precedent was set when the final stamp of approval was placed on Brian McBride's personal odyssey back to Major League Soccer.
Without looking it up, approximately two months ago McBride thanked his then-current club Fulham FC for supporting his dream of playing in the world's best league. In the next sentence, he turned to the Chicago Fire (while making sure that the MLS was listening) and informed it that he would wrap up the final years of his playing career nowhere else than back where it all began.
Problem was TFC held his rights. Problem is the MLS doesn't care.
Under most circumstances McBride would be informed that the market will dictate where he goes to play his next game, and that his personal intentions were duly noted. But the MLS gives little regard to most circumstances. It operates as a business and allowing the market to run its course with McBride would not be a wise business decision.
So after a lengthy game of posturing with a very shrewd businessman himself in Mo Johnston, McBride got his wish and TFC got what presumably adds up to a McBride half-season: Chad Barrett and a first-round pick.
Everyone is happy, right? Well … somewhat. The collective pat on the back and 'atta boy TFC received from the league for being good tenants was (hopefully) accepted under the supposition that one day the favour will be returned. The favour being that when an unnamed team holds the rights to a top Canadian international wishing to exercise his McBride-right and wrap it up in Toronto, the league will remember how Johnston handed over 'the little pot of gold' in an act of good business faith.
When asked, TFC coach John Carver agreed.
"We did everything possible to help McBride," Carver said. "I think that if something did happen in the future I'd like to think the league would give us some kind of help."
The future may potentially be as close as next season. Remember, the league was at the all-star game when Dwayne de Rosario usurped David Beckham and shook the foundation of BMO Field with his game-winning goal.
Europe has its Bosman ruling; North American can have its McBride.
Signed, sealed, now deliver
How much does Chad Barrett really know about TFC? Does he know that there is a massive amount of pressure on him to clean up a gory scoring record? Does he know that the chance of Danny Dichio returning to the lineup disappears with each missed game, and that Barrett won't need a shoe horn when he tries to step into those boots?
Expectations are extraordinarily high surrounding Barrett's arrival on Sunday. Carver, in his best Raymond Domenech voice, reiterated the point.
"It is a fine line from going into the playoffs and ending up at the bottom again. And the magic ingredient is in front of goal," Carver said.
However, the most-interesting statistic surrounding Barrett is his assist tally of four in 16 games. In Toronto, Laurent Robert and Amado Guevara are tied with three. While TFC have not been scoring goals, the lack of creativity, or creating chances, is not to blame.
CARVER Q&A NOTES … It is safe to assume the coach is not a fan of losing the soccer-specific title at BMO Field. Even on the sidelines in Salt Lake, Carver said it was "quite difficult" to tell when the ball was out of bounds due to college football marking on the field … Injured Canadian Kevin Harmse (knee) is "feeling better" according to Carver … American Idol tryouts were going on at the hotel TFC stayed at while in Salt Lake. Carver joked that he never considered a career change, but admitted to watching a few of the auditions.