In August of 2008 supporters of Toronto FC woke to the headlines that midfielder Maurice Edu had been sold to Scottish giant Glasgow Rangers for the reasonable sum of US$5 million. In just over a season-and-a-half Edu scored six goals and was named MLS top rookie in 2007. The sale quantified both Toronto FC as a franchise and Mo Johnston as an evaluator of talent.
While August of 2009 might be a little early for another sale, what has been said concerning rookie goalkeeper Stefan Frei over the past 14 days is an indication that TFC fans will at some point be in for another rude awakening.
"Stef's a fantastic young 'keeper. He's got a terrific future ahead of him."
-- TFC coach Chris Cummins
"He is good. He's material for the national team."
-- Columbus Crew coach Robert Warzycha
Cummins’ praise is a given; after all, he is the coach. But he is also no slouch in evaluating talent, himself. In the days leading up to his appointment as interim, his work in developing current Aston Villa forward Ashley Young surfaced.
Warzycha is another case. The Crew coach has limited exposure to Frei, but is still able to see an international future for the Swiss-born goalkeeper. While it is a treat to watch Frei between the posts this season, the rub lies in the fact that budding international goalkeepers do not linger in MLS. The 23-year-old, stolen at No. 13 in the '09 MLS SuperDraft, oozes confidence in a dry position that makes him more valuable than the previously auctioned-off Edu.
Plus he makes ridiculous saves.
Against Columbus, Frei secured a point that many would argue was a generous result when he turned aside league veteran Pat Noonan from six yards out.
"It's a one-on-one and as a 'keeper you try to stand up and make the striker make a decision," Frei said. "I think he did a little stutter hoping I was going to go down but I didn't."
An early nomination for TFC quote of the year. Frei never uses the cliches of luck or preparation as reasons; he prefers to highlight that he was just better on the day.
In the same post-match interview Frei showcased that his rookie status is as hollow as the net he defends by calling out a pair of multi-capped internationals for their momentary lapses in reason.
"I told Marco (Velez) afterwards that next time just take charge and if you have to take Jimmy (Brennan) out, take him out," Frei said. "If they communicate and one guy takes charge that's not going to happen, so it's unfortunate."
The Edu summer sale came as a surprise because of the fact the U.S. international was great at a humble position. The only attention I remember being heaped on the defensive-minded midfielder came from Aston Villa (there's that team again) manager Martin O'Neill, who hand-picked Edu and defender Marvell Wynne as two TFC players who might be able to play the European game.
Edu is now gone; Wynne waits and Frei is likely just biding his time. As the club's current midfield continues to age and its talisman striker rolls on in his season-long retirement party, director of soccer Mo Johnston just might look at the young and obviously talented goalkeeper as a valuable pawn in the business of soccer.
Do you think Stefan Frei will be the next TFC player sold? |
Toronto FC vs. D.C. United
Alas! A first-place showdown! On Saturday TFC can take another step towards its goal of making the MLS playoffs when it faces the only team above it in the Eastern Division. The match is the first of 10 to be shown on Sportsnet this season and kicks off from RFK Stadium on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Follow TFC with Twitter. I will be updating from training, on match days and whenever news breaks from the team.
