Give Toronto FC credit for keeping this one under wraps until they were ready to release it.
For sure, the Dwayne De Rosario to Toronto rumours had been flying around for months, but there was nothing out of the ordinary in recent days to suggest this trade was imminent. And here's why.
It only came together on Friday morning. Both TFC boss Mo Johnston and Houston coach Dominic Kinnear are scouting at the NCAA Final Four in Dallas. One thing led to another and before long, the deal was done.
You can never say who wins a trade until the following season has concluded, but this one points to a Toronto steal. While Julius James was a high draft choice and might still be useful, the Toronto brass came to the conclusion this season that he was never going to be another Maurice Edu in terms of his talent. That might have been a big ask to begin with. But he was raw as a footballer, and in my opinion there were signs off the pitch that perhaps he thought he was much better than he really was. That's always a red flag. And the money they gave up? No problem. Toronto has boatloads of allocation dollars any ways, nearly a million bucks still, after this deal.
It all boils down to what De Rosario can contribute. I'm sure he's happy to be coming home. But no doubt he also heard all the talk about his potential as a DP. He won't be one here although he'll still likely get a raise which will bring him somewhere around the $400,000 mark.
DeRo is most effective when he's happy. And, he has never missed the playoffs. As for Houston, my guess is they're compiling money for a DP of their own. This is the first time in a while they flamed out early in the playoffs. They may be ready for a philosophical change.
DeRo is laying low this weekend to let it all sink in. It has already sunk in for TFC supporters.
Just wait until Mo Johnston's next big splash.
