Female Canadian Soccer Reporter Burns Unfunny Toronto Fans
May 12, 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKfZbCqoEIM
Broadcast journalists have had to cope with idiots trying to ruin their reports by shouting a particular obscene viral phrase for quite some time now.
You know the one—the "FHRITP" line.
So fair play to City News reporter Shauna Hunt for showing up a group of Toronto FC fans by asking them why they were shouting the phrase during her live broadcast.
Their reasoning was as childish as their original statement, and Hunt managed to show them up for the fools they are.
The "jokers" were no doubt hoping to go viral. It looks like they might get their wish but not for the reason they hoped.
Update
Toronto FC have said they will act after seeing the footage.
We're appalled that this trend of disrespectful behaviour would make its way to our city, let alone anywhere near our stadium.
We are working to identify the individuals, and when we do they will be banned from all of our facilities.
Moving forward, we will also work with our local television outlets to provide extra security support to female reporters doing live hits at any of our games. Our organization is committed to an environment where everyone can feel safe and included and discrimination or intolerance of any kind will be met with a swift and serious response.
We’re thankful to the vast majority of our fans who have stood up against such sexist behaviour and are working with us to help prevent it in the future.
Update: May 13
It looks like one of the supporters who challenged Shauna Hunt is going to pay the price with his job.
.@HydroOne just confirmed to @TheTorontoSun employee Shawn Simoes, man alleged to be wearing the Arsenal jersey at #TFC game, to be fired.
The fan, identified as Shawn Simoes (in the yellow Arsenal shirt in the video above), works for Hydro One. A company spokesperson told the Toronto Sun:
Hydro One is taking steps to terminate one of its employees for violating its code of conduct. Respect for all people is ingrained in our values. We’re committed to a work environment where harassment of any kind is met with zero tolerance and a swift response.
Image of Jozy Altidore Being Shown the Middle Finger by Vancouver Fan Goes Viral
Mar 11, 2015
Jozy Altidore's making a fast impact in his return to Major League Soccer.
He scored two goals in his first match—a 3-1 win for Toronto FC over the Vancouver Whitecaps—but when scoring the final goal (a cheeky Panenka), he found himself on the receiving end of an all-too-common gesture of disapproval.
While the middle-figure salute is generally taken as offensive, in this particular case, it was well-received all around.
For a league that's still growing, the prevailing theme of the viral photo was that at least they're watching (and obviously care).
"I saw it online," Altidore told the Toronto Sun. "Someone asked what I thought. I thought it was cool. It captures what the game means to them, what the rivalry means to them."
The fan was later identified as Whitecaps diehard Kirsty Olychick.
She admitted that it was just a natural reaction and meant no offense to the American international.
Per the same Sun report:
I don't think he even noticed I was doing it, nothing was said to me at the time.
I am completely surprised at the reaction it is getting and, thankfully, most of it is positive. I heard he was amused by the picture and really that is all that matters. If I had a chance to talk to him, I would make sure he wasn't offended as it was nothing malicious. It is all in good banter.
[Twitter]
Sebastian Giovinco to Toronto FC: Latest Details, Comments and Reaction
Jan 19, 2015
GENOA, ITALY - NOVEMBER 18: Sebastian Giovinco of Italy in action during the International Friendly match between Italy and Albania at Luigi Ferraris on November 18, 2014 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Toronto FC have completed the signing of Juventus forward Sebastian Giovinco, with the Italian set to join the MLS outfit in the summer after the completion of the 2014-15 Serie A season.
The Canadian club announced the move via Twitter on Monday but did not disclose any information about the financial terms of the deal:
Toronto FC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko provided the following statement in part, via the club's official website:
Having Sebastian join us in time for training camp is incredibly important for our team and our plans this year. Sebastian is a world-class player who makes all of his teammates better and his arrival is a monumental moment for Major League Soccer and Toronto. Because he was so driven to join his new team now, Seba and his agent took it upon themselves and went to great lengths to negotiate his release from Juventus. That speaks volumes about his commitment to this team, the leadership he brings, and the fact that he is fully behind our vision for the long term.
Kurtis Larson of the Toronto Sun reports that Giovinco could be set to earn $7 million (£4.6 million) a year across a five-year contract.
This would potentially make the Italy international one of the highest-paid players in MLS with top-earner Kaka of Orlando City currently demanding a similar figure.
Toronto general manager Tim Bezbatchenko hailed the signing of the 27-year-old Giovinco, per the club's website, which is something of a surprise move despite him being out of favour at Juve. He has started just twice in the league this season:
Today marks a very special day for Toronto FC with the addition of Sebastian Giovinco. Seba is in the prime of his career and he has chosen to join Toronto FC and MLS at a time when many of the top clubs in the world were pursuing him. We are very pleased to bring a fantastic player to Toronto FC for our club and for our fans, especially those in the Italian community.
Indeed, Toronto have pulled off quite a move in signing Giovinco, a high-profile signing for the whole league, per beIN Sports' Tancredi Palmeri.
What a coup for MLS. Toronto have secured the services of Giovinco.
He joins the Canadian club following the recent addition of Jozy Altidore, who switched from Sunderland last week with Jermain Defoe going the other way.
Giovinco figures to bring some excitement and intrigue to his new club in the near future.
What Signings of Jozy Altidore, Sebastian Giovinco Reveal About Toronto and MLS
Jan 19, 2015
Over the last week, Toronto FC has made a massive statement in the transfer market with the acquisitions of Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco.
Altidore was officially announced as a TFC player Friday after the club finalized a swap with Sunderland that involved Jermain Defoe, who only lasted one season with the Reds.
NEWS: Toronto FC signs U.S. international @JozyAltidore.
Monday will mark another type of landmark announcement by Toronto, as Sebastian Giovinco will be announced as the club's latest designated player. The 27-year-old Italian will join the Canadian side in July after his contract at Juventus runs out, per Sportsnet's John Molinaro.
With Major League Soccer entering a new chapter of its history in 2015 following the retirements of Landon Donovan and Thierry Henry, Toronto has helped continue one league precedent and begin another with its two recent deals.
The Altidore signing continued the rapid trend of Americans returning to home soil to in the ever-evolving MLS.
Clint Dempsey and the Seattle Sounders started the movement in 2013, when the United States captain moved to the Pacific Northwest from Tottenham Hotspur.
SEATTLE, WA - AUGUST 05: Former U.S. National Team Captain Clint Dempsey speaks to the media during a press conference announcing his signing with the Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field on August 5, 2013 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greu
Toronto helped continue the trend before the 2014 campaign, as it brought in Michael Bradley as one of its three new designated players alongside Gilberto and Defoe.
Bradley will be the lone man standing of the three unless the number of designated players per team is raised from three to four. Gilberto looks like he will be the odd man out when Giovinco arrives.
Over the last 12 months, Maurice Edu, DaMarcus Beasley, Jermaine Jones, Mix Diskerud and Brek Shea have highlighted the wave of American players returning home.
Altidore became the 12th player from the 2014 United States World Cup roster to ink a deal with MLS, which is a significant number for the league trying to draw fans of the USMNT to its stadiums.
Not only will the returning USMNT stars continue to raise the level of play on the field, they will also provide a bit of a boost in regard to attendance.
Altidore's switch back to MLS, where he played as a teenager for the New York Red Bulls, is particularly significant for the national team since he will be able to play with Bradley on a consistent basis.
Having two first-team players in the same club lineup is a rarity for the USMNT outside of the Sporting Kansas City combination of Matt Besler and Graham Zusi. When healthy, Bradley and Altidore will be able to build up their attacking chemistry, which should reap rewards for the USMNT down the road.
Bradley is expected to play as a holding midfielder at the club, while his position with the USMNT is up in the air after manager Jurgen Klinsmann played him in an advanced role during the second half of 2014.
Even if Bradley returns to his normal defensive midfield role at the international level, he will have built a connection with Altidore. As a forward who is expected to hold up play with his strength, Altidore will benefit from having a strong passer like Bradley feeding him during the MLS season.
JACKSONVILLE, FL - JUNE 07: Midfielder Michael Bradley #4 of the United States congratulates forward Jozy Altidore #17 after Altidore's first half goal during the international friendly match against Nigeria at EverBank Field on June 7, 2014 in Jacksonvil
Although the acquisition of Altidore is an important one for MLS, the addition of Giovinco is the more meaningful one to the future of the league.
Since the David Beckham signing in 2007, MLS has been labeled as a retirement league by outside observers across the pond. The recent additions of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard did not help quell that image one bit.
MLS has shown no fear in bringing over older stars of the game like Beckham, Henry, Robbie Keane and Marco Di Vaio, but no high-profile European has ever inked a deal with the league in his prime.
All of that changes with Giovinco, who has made 21 appearances for Italy over the last four years. The presence of the 27-year-old on the pitches across North America will force each team in the league to improve its defending with the potential of more key European stars looking at the league more seriously now.
GENOA, ITALY - NOVEMBER 18: Sebastian Giovinco of Italy in action during the International Friendly match between Italy and Albania at Luigi Ferraris on November 18, 2014 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
The league may not see a complete influx of talent from European shores over the next 12 months, but Giovinco's deal with Toronto proves the players' interest to join MLS is definitely there. If Giovinco is able to find success in MLS, it would not be shocking to see more new faces come over for the 2016 campaign.
One of the main reasons Toronto was able to lure Giovinco over to MLS was the hefty payday it promised the Italian attacker.
Exact terms of the contract have not been released by the club per MLS rules, but Giovinco is set to become one of the highest-paid players in the league. Sportsnet's John Molinaro reported the Italian's deal is believed to be worth $7 million per year.
TURIN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 16: Sebastian Giovinco of Juventus looks on during the Serie A match between Juventus and AC Chievo Verona at Juventus Arena on February 16, 2014 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
If that is the correct price for Giovinco, only Orlando City's Kaka would be paid more than him in 2015. Kaka's guaranteed compensation in 2014 was listed at $7,167,500 by the MLS Players' Union salary database.
While it is great for the league to lure big-name players with large amounts of cash, the acquisitions give the players yet another advantage in the talks over the new collective bargaining agreement.
The league and the players' union are in the middle of discussions for the new CBA at the moment,and player salary is one of the key issues in the negotiations.
For the 2014 season, the minimum salary in the league was $36,500 for select first-year players. If MLS clubs are willing to dish out enormous sums of cash for top players, they should be able to spend more money on younger players as well.
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 17: MLS commissioner Don Garber speaks prior to the 2013 MLS SuperDraft Presented by Adidas at the Indiana Convention Center on January 17, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
With the Giovinco deal fresh on their minds, the players' union should go into the newest set of negotiations with aggressive demands for an increase in salary.
While league executives bay balk at a large increase, the MLS brass has no leg to stand on in regard to its salary defense. Acquisitions like the Giovinco one have opened the door for bigger salary demands for the average player.
The two Toronto signings carry with them two completely different impacts on the league. But in the long run, they both should leave a positive impact on MLS for years to come.
Toronto FC's Potential Signing of Jozy Altidore Is a Sign of Positives to Come
Jan 14, 2015
Sunderland's Jozy Altidore celebrates his goal during their English Premier League soccer match against Chelsea at the Stadium of Light, Sunderland, England, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)
Almost one year to the day since Toronto FC's acquisition of Jermain Defoe, the club have made another transfer splash. A deal to send the English striker to Sunderland in exchange for U.S. international Jozy Altidore and cash could soon be completed, per Gareth Wheeler of TSN. Altidore is subject to the allocation process, but it will be a fantastic move for TFC if the deal is confirmed.
#TFC doesn't believe 5 teams in front in allocation rankings want Jozy. BUT, belief is #MLS may prefer Altidore south of the border.
When head coach Ryan Nelsen was sacked last August, Toronto ended up missing the playoffs with the newly appointed Greg Vanney. President and CEO Tim Leiweke added to the controversy by announcing that he'd resign by June 30, 2015.
Toronto FC fans were experiencing deja-vu. Their team hasn't made the playoffs since the club's inception in 2007. The failures of the 2014 season were especially disappointing due to the $100 million TFC spent to sign Defoe and Michael Bradley.
Now, it appears that the club is starting to improve. TSN's Luke Wileman claimed that the squad appears to be happier than ever:
Spent some time at TFC today, for first time in a long time, feels a good place to be, seems a different atmosphere at Downsview this year
This attitude was apparent before Defoe's expected departure and the Altidore rumours surfaced. Assuming the American international is signed, this will alleviate some of the pressure on general manager Tim Bezbatchenko.
A few noted journalists questioned the Altidore signing, including ex-Canada international Jason deVos. However, the 25-year-old fits Vanney's system. He's a strong, physical, hard-working striker who has solid finishing attributes. This is exactly what the TFC coaching staff want from their forwards.
Bradley, who is Altidore's U.S. teammate, spoke highly of the ex-New York Red Bulls striker when he sat down with Kurtis Larson of the Toronto Sun.
JACKSONVILLE, FL - JUNE 07: Midfielder Michael Bradley #4 of the United States congratulates forward Jozy Altidore #17 after Altidore's first half goal during the international friendly match against Nigeria at EverBank Field on June 7, 2014 in Jacksonvil
"There isn’t anybody who thinks more of Jozy as a player than me,” Bradley said.
“He and I have played together on the national team for a long time. Wherever he ends up at the end of this transfer window, that club is going to be getting a complete striker. He’s somebody who has a desire and a determination to improve himself like no other.”
There's no possibility that Bradley would try to deceive Toronto FC. He's an honest guy who is determined to help TFC qualify for the playoffs in 2015. The midfielder wouldn't give Altidore a ringing endorsement if he couldn't produce for the team.
Altidore's one goal in 42 Premier League appearances is a disappointment, but his 15 goals in 37 MLS games are closer to what TFC fans can expect from the American.
U.S. men's national team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann wasn't too excited about Altidore's imminent move to MLS when he was asked about it by Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl.
With Jozy, I just say it would be nice if I would see him one day in the European Champions League. Because I think he’s a Champions League player. He has that potential, the talent to do so.
Now if there is no solution in Europe for him, if the next solution for him is MLS, that’s totally cool with me. I have no problem with that.
From a competitive standpoint, it’s normal that a coach wishes that his players go to the highest level possible. Which would be in his case the Bundesliga or Serie A or La Liga or even the French league, if it’s not the Premier League right now.
At the end of the day, whether he decides to go to Toronto or New York, that’s purely his decision, just as it was Michael Bradley’s decision or Clint Dempsey’s decision [to move from Europe to MLS].
Jozy is in a different stage right now because of what he went through since he was 18 going overseas and the difficulties he had all over the place except at Alkmaar.
You never can say something in general. If tomorrow another player comes with a specific situation and says, ‘I’m ready for Europe, what are my options?’ I will explain to him what his options can be.
It will always go in both directions, but for me as a coach the most important thing is that I see them continue to develop make the most out of themselves. And when I get the feeling they’re not making the most out of themselves, then obviously they will have issues with me.
Altidore is expected to sign a four-year deal with Toronto, as stated in Wheeler's report. ESPN's Jeff Carlisle reported the USMNT stalwart is looking to earn about $5 million to $6 million annually.
Carlisle also said that TFC has a higher standing in the allocation rankings and is still the frontrunner, so it's likely that Altidore will land in Toronto.
Spending at least $5 million a year on Altidore seems like a lot, but U.S. internationals are overpaid in MLS. Clint Dempsey and Michael Bradley are two of the league's top earners, per the MLS Player Union.
As long as Altidore produces at least 12 goals a season, which is definitely possible, the money he receives won't be an issue. It will also give him confidence and that will translate with the national team.
Defoe leaving will be a relief for both parties
The sale of Defoe to Sunderland is a massive move for Bezbatchenko, Vanney and the rest of the TFC staff.
A year ago, Toronto unveiled Defoe, who was supposed to be the team's saviour. However, injuries and unhappiness are among the reasons for the Englishman seeking a return to the Premier League.
January 13th, 2014 - Jermain Defoe introduced as a TFC player. "I feel at home already," he said.
January 13th, 2015 - Jermain Defoe sold.
Defoe scored 11 goals in 19 appearances with Toronto during the 2014 season. There's no doubt that the striker is a talented goalscorer who helped TFC, and he'll provide the same attributes for Sunderland. However, Altidore, who's 25 and determined to prove himself after a poor spell in England, is a solid replacement.
Swapping an unhappy, 32-year-old Defoe for a hard-working, 25-year-old Altidore is a win.
Will 'the next Alessandro Del Piero' join Toronto FC?
The Defoe and Altidore news is big enough. However, Wheeler also claims that Juventus forward Sebastian Giovinco is close to a deal with Toronto FC and will join in July:
If the move is confirmed, that means the new CBA will include a fourth designated player, and TFC will have to restructure Gilberto's deal or the club will be forced to sell the Brazilian.
Giovinco was a highly touted youth product with Juventus. He was expected to be the heir to Alessandro Del Piero and had a bright future ahead of him. A solid 2011/12 season with Parma, where he scored 15 goals and recorded 11 assists, led to Juve re-signing the forward.
Giovinco was supposed to be Del Piero's successor.
However, since he came back to the Bianconeri he hasn't met these lofty expectations. That's not completely his fault, but at 27 and with experience in Europe and the Italian national team, he'd be a terrific addition for TFC.
Giovinco, who stands at just 5'4", is a quick, technical attacker who can score and operate in a playmaking role. His height would be worrying in a physical league like MLS, but he experiences that in Italy and players such as Joao Plata have managed to make an impact.
The Italian would be a great strike partner alongside Altidore up front, but this move is still in the works and it will take a bit of shuffling to execute this deal.
The coaching staff is key for TFC
Toronto recently addedex-New York Red Bull Robin Fraser as an assistant coach. Fraser was a part of Mike Petke's staff, but he left New York just before Petke was fired.
Fraser is highly respected across the league. He was an assistant at Real Salt Lake, a club for which he played, and helped guide the team to an MLS Cup in 2009.
The Jamaican-born American was also the Chivas USA head coach for two seasons before joining New York when Petke was hired. He helped lead the Red Bulls to a Supporters' Shield win in 2013 and the Eastern Conference finals last year.
CARSON, CA - AUGUST 12: Head coach Robin Fraser of Chivas USA stands before the MLS match against Los Angeles Galaxy at The Home Depot Center on August 12, 2012 in Carson, California. The Galaxy won 4-0. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images)
Fraser's departure coincided with Petke's firing, so it's possible that one led to the other. If that's the case, then that says a lot about the ex-U.S. international's credentials.
Hiring talented assistants is extremely important for every coach. They can undertake many responsibilities, like coaching the defence or attack.
Assistants can also help the head coach by giving him insights during a game to help the team tactically adjust during a match.
The Fraser hiring was a terrific move by Toronto, and he should positively impact the club this season.
Peter Galindo covers MLS and U.S. soccer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @pgalindo16.
Toronto FC will have a new look in 2014, but what additional storylines will complete your season preview? In part three of our 19-part series, we will take an in-depth look at the most intriguing plots surrounding the Reds this season...
Toronto FC Still Have Major Holes Despite Big Offseason
Feb 19, 2014
TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 11: Toronto FC head coach Ryan Nelsen talks to reporters during media day at the Kia training grounds on February 11, 2014 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
In case you've been stuck under a rock all offseason, Toronto FC made splash after splash to help bolster their squad that had an absolutely terrible 2013 campaign.
Michael Bradley, Jermain Defoe, Dwayne De Rosario and Julio Cesar are among the big names that have been brought in by the club's ownership to resurrect a franchise that clearly needed a facelift.
Despite bringing in two midfield playmakers in Bradley and De Rosario, as well as a proven goalscorer in Defoe and an experienced keeper in Cesar, the Reds still have a few major holes that will prevent them from being a major player in the race for the MLS Cup in 2014.
Whenever a club brings in a ton of talent all at once, one has to worry about the team jelling as one cohesive unit. This is something that should not be expected in the first game of the season, but it is something to be worried about if a team does not begin the campaign well.
Bradley will not have a problem getting used to his teammates, but players like De Rosario and Defoe are older and have not seen as much consistency in their respective games of late. This is something that could strike a bit of fear into the minds of Toronto fans, who expect a winning product on the pitch.
Jan 13, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto FC new players Jermain Defoe and Michael Bradley are introduced as they pose along with president and CEO of MLSE Tim Leiweke and head coach Ryan Nelsen during a press conference at Real Sports Bar and Grill
While the midfield does not have a problem with depth anymore, the group of forwards on the Toronto roster bring up yet another concern about the club.
Behind Defoe, who is competing for a potential spot on the England World Cup roster, sits only one proven goalscorer in fellow designated player Gilberto.
Not much is known about the 24-year-old forward, but he did score 14 goals in 2013 for Portuguesa in the Brazilian top flight.
After the two big-name forwards there is basically nothing—Bright Dike went down with an Achilles injury earlier this week. Dike could have been a solid third option up front in attack, but now that plan has been thrown out the window.
Another concern about the new-look TFC squad is the man who will mind the net in 2014—Cesar. The 34-year-old Brazilian international played second fiddle at Queens Park Rangers to Robert Green and has not played a competitive game in quite some time.
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: Julio Cesar of Queens Park Rangers organises his defence during the Barclays Premier League match between Queens Park Rangers and Everton at Loftus Road on October 21, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty I
Cesar moved to Toronto partly because of his connection to Reds manager Ryan Nelsen, who retired from QPR last season to become the man in charge in Ontario.
Nelsen used his old QPR connections to bring in Bradley Orr on loan from Blackburn Rovers as well. Cesar and Orr have played in the Championship of late and there could be some concern that they will be not be up to the competitive level that MLS brings to the table.
Then, there is Nelsen himself, who before last season did not have a managerial job anywhere in the world. The former New Zealand international received a mulligan of sorts for his massively disappointing 2013 because of the lack of the talent on the pitch.
This season, the manager will not be allowed to make any excuses in regards to the team's talent as the club's ownership have given him plenty of expensive toys to play with.
If Nelsen fails to deliver results early on in a season that will carry high expectations, he could easily become the first manager to be sacked in 2014.
The pressure is certainly on Nelsen. Whether or not he responds in a positive manner remains to be seen. If he can deal with the lofty expectations that the club and their fans have, he could end up being one of the favorites to win the Manager of the Year Award.
Toronto definitely have a few holes in their squad, but if they can overcome those flaws, they will become one of the best stories of the 2014 MLS season.
As he prepares to join Toronto FC next month, Jermain Defoe 's long goodbye to Tottenham Hotspur will continue over the coming weeks in one form or another...
What Michael Bradley's Move to Toronto FC Will Mean for USMNT at World Cup
Jan 9, 2014
Jun 11, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; United States midfielder Michael Bradley (4) against Panama in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier at CenturyLink Field. The United States defeated Panama 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Michael Bradley's sudden transfer from AS Roma in Serie A to Toronto FC of Major League Soccer surprised everyone in the American footballing landscape.
Bradley's move is one that mirrors Clint Dempsey's transfer to Seattle from Tottenham Hotspur during the summer, as the MLS team receiving the United States men's national team star splashed a pretty large sum of cash for the player.
Now that the reality of Bradley donning the red and white of TFC is upon us, it is time to look at what the move means for the United States when the 2014 FIFA World Cup kicks off in June.
The instant reaction to the Bradley transfer is that the 26-year-old is moving to one of the bottom feeders of the league, which is a correct statement if you only look at the 2013 Eastern Conference standings.
The Reds lacked talent at close to every position in manager Ryan Nelsen's first season and they had to rebuild with new talent.
Rebuild is exactly what Toronto did, as they acquired the services of MLS veteran Dwayne De Rosario, who on his best day is one of the best playmakers in the entire league.
Although he is 35, De Rosario will have an immediate impact on the Toronto attack that will officially feature Tottenham Hotspur forward Jermain Defoe in a few days' time.
With the duo of De Rosario and Defoe, as well as new signing Gilberto, playing in front of him in the Toronto attack, Bradley will have plenty of quality to feed from his defensive midfield position.
Having playmakers around him is a very good thing for Bradley, who is more of a distributor in the midfield than a consistent scorer. If was asked, though, he would probably attempt that role as well given his work ethic and pride in his game.
When he takes to the pitch for the Yanks this summer, Bradley will also have plenty of playmakers in front of him, with the likes of Landon Donovan, Jozy Altidore and Dempsey leading the American front line.
While we can sit here and debate how the abilities of Bradley's teammates at the club and international level stack up against one another, it is easier to be happy to see that he will actually be playing with other world-class talents on a consistent basis.
Consistency is another thing Bradley is searching for as he prepares for the quest to South America that has the Americans pitted up against Ghana, Portugal and Germany in group play.
This season at Roma, Bradley started just five matches and appeared as a substitute on six occasions. That is simply not enough game time for the midfielder to be in the best form of his life heading into Brazil.
When he arrives in Ontario, the 26-year-old will be the first name on Nelsen's team sheet for every single match as long as he is fit.
One other thing that the move back to MLS creates for Bradley is the pressure to succeed. He is being brought into Toronto alongside the likes of De Rosario and Defoe to rescue the Reds from their less than spectacular history and pack BMO Field—one of the best venues in the league—once again.
Bradley should thrive under the pressure of being the main man north of the border, which will prepare him for the same role in Brazil.
As we have seen with our own eyes over the last 12 months, Bradley is the best American player and means more to the team when he is on the pitch than Dempsey or Donovan.
By becoming the man in Toronto and having a few playmakers at his disposal, Bradley will be able to prepare for the World Cup just fine, but it will take some time for a certain part of the American fanbase to realize that this move was the correct one for American success in Brazil.
Major League Soccer has 19 teams and over 437 professional soccer players in America. Yet the sport hasn't reached the popularity of the NHL, NBA and NFL. Even baseball (MLB) is prioritized on television and sports coverage over soccer...
