Toronto FC's 2016 New Year's Resolutions

 

Toronto FC have plenty of things to fix in the next year, hopefully they can accomplish some of the following.

January 1st is a time to plan and not follow through on a series of unrealistic and ambitious goals. It is a time to fool yourself that this year is finally going to be different. How are you going to make sure that happens? You're just going to do it, that's all.

Toronto FC have some New Year's Resolution of their own. Some are obvious and attainable. Others are lofty and unrealistic.

Play Competent Defence

Toronto FC will score enough goals to get by with an average defensive record in 2016. What does competent defence even mean? It means Jackson not playing RB. It means not systematically breaking down on the counter time and time again - especially at the most crucial of times (playoffs).

Setting out to only play ‘competent defence' is a good way to manage expectations and is likely one that they can attain. With how the defence looks on paper - which we all know is of greatest importance - Toronto FC appears unlikely to disappoint.

Who are we kidding, though? Top 5 in goals conceded is where we are heading.

Acquire Above Average Keeper

I don't think I'm asking for too much here. He doesn't even need to be great at anything. How about an average ball stopper, distributor of the ball and someone who can handle set pieces? Perhaps not a keeper that can win games with his play but simply a keeper that ensures his play doesn't lose you games will do. Not that I'm accusing the previous stoppers of such crimes, however.

I think Bez will deliver on this. He will acquire an above average keeper capable of everything mentioned above. It will likely turn out with him shitting the bed, losing confidence and us turning to Roberts/Bono. Come on folks - it's TFC. We can't have nice things.

Home Playoff Game

Please? We all want this so bad. It can even rain during it. We won't even get wet this year. I won't believe it's real until kick off either. Last season I had already purchased my tickets (thanks for the ‘speedy' reimbursement, by the way) and came up with multiple ethical excuses as to why I had to be somewhere else so I could cheer Toronto FC as they played towards defeat in their first home playoff game.

If there's one advice everyone should have for a New Year's Resolution it should be to set the bar low. For TFC, it all ties back to success and the playoffs in 2016. Will Toronto FC finally fulfill this resolution or leave us feeling as empty as

Didier Drogba unlikely to return to Montreal Impact

According to reports out of Montreal, Didier Drogba is unlikely to return to MLS in 2016 as he inches closer to a Chelsea return. 

The Montreal Impact sent out several surprising tweets last week about the future of their star Designated Player, Didier Drogba. According to the Impact, they were doing their best to keep the Ivorian but they claimed the situation was beyond their control.

On Monday, reports began to emerge out of Montreal that the Impact were unlikely to have Drogba back in 2016, as he continues to be linked to a move back to Stamford Bridge with Chelsea.

Patrick Friolet, who covers the team for French sports channel, RDS, tweeted on Monday evening that the Impact do not expect to have Drogba back next season, and have already started their pursuit of his replacement. Friolet also claims that Chelsea would like to have Drogba coaching the team in a couple of year’s time, once he gets all the required licenses.

The news is devastating for the Impact and their supporters, after Drogba revitalized the franchise last season. Even though he did not arrive until the end of August, the striker scored 12 goals in 12 games, and helped Montreal reach the Eastern Conference semi-finals for the first time in club history.  The 37-year-old spent a total of 9 seasons with Chelsea, during two stints with the club. If the reports are to be believed, expect Drogba to return to the Blues once again in January. 

Vancouver Whitecaps sign Japan striker Masato Kudo

The Vancouver Whitecaps have signed Japan international striker Masato Kudo on a free transfer, the MLS club announced on Tuesday.

Kudo, 25, has scored 92 goals in 260 appearances for Kashiwa Reysol in the J-League and earned four caps with Japan in 2013.

"Masato has a very good goal scoring record and we are always looking at adding to the group," Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson said in a statement.

"He has a natural ability to find space in the box, which generates goal scoring opportunities. He is technically good with both feet and, as always required, he is a hard working player.

"Masato can play as a lone forward, or in a partnership, and is able to play wide when called upon."

Kudo joins a Whitecaps team that managed just seven goals in its final eight regular-season games in 2015, then failed to score in two legs against the eventual champions Portland Timbers in the playoffs.

"I am thrilled to join Vancouver Whitecaps FC for the new season," Kudo said in a statement.

"I am hoping to score as many goals as possible and help lead the team to victory. I am also really looking forward to playing in front of the great supporters at BC Place."