Getty Images The new man in charge at Toronto has wasted no time in making a big splash, if reports are true of a ground-shaker of a move about to happen around BMO Field.
Soccer By Ives has reported that Ryan Nelsen, who was playing English Premier League Soccer just a few days ago, will become the new manager at Toronto (where coaching careers go to die … but never mind that for now.)
The report is here. It says Nelsen will be named as early as Tuesday.
So the club’s new president, Kevin Payne, is “all in” here. It’s a bold play from the former, longtime D.C. United president. Not that it was all that hard to see coming, although I had speculated it was as an assistant to TFC manager Paul Mariner.
What this means for Mariner was initially unclear; as the story unfolded through Monday afternoon, the news looked increasingly bleak for Steve Nicol’s former, longtime assistant at New England. Apparently, he won’t be staying around in any capacity.
Remember that Mariner was the club’s technical director, in charge of player acquisition initially. Then he stepped into the managerial chair late last spring after the club finally gave up on Dutchman Aron Winter.
The question now … have things gotten better at Toronto, or is this just the next act in the theater of the wacky for Major League Soccer’s second most dysfunctional club. (Thank goodness Chivas USA is still around to keep everyone else off the bottom, eh?)
Nelsen was always a highly respected figure as a player, but that doesn’t always translate into managerial ability. Hence, the risk here.
Payne hired Ben Olsen at D.C. United with no prior managerial experience, and that one has turned out pretty well. On the other hand, Payne’s two previous hires at RFK Stadium (Curt Onalfo and Tom Soehn) turned out significantly less successfully.
-
Can Borussia Dortmund remain a force next season or will they fade?
May 25, 2013, 10:30 PM EDT
Getty Images
Jurgen Klopp has a mountain to climb in order to erase the pain of the Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich.
-
Manchester City beats Chelsea at Yankee Stadium in another goal fest
May 25, 2013, 8:50 PM EDT
Reuters
Chelsea lost to Manchester City 5-3 for the sweep in the pair’s double dip in the United States.
-
Reuters
It’s official: the Robbie Rogers’s return to soccer is nearly complete.
-
Robert Lewandowski the next to defect, hints Jupp Heynckes
May 25, 2013, 7:19 PM EDT
Getty Images
Outgoing Bayern Munich manager Jupp Heynckes hinted at Borussia Dortmund sensation Robert Lewandowski’s probable switch to Bayern after the Champions League final.
-
AP
Bayern Munich defeated Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the Champions League final at Wembley Stadium in London. The postmatch reactions pretty much cover it all.
-
AP
The 2013 Champions League final was incredibly exciting, and passed every test as a match that will live on in the memory of fans.
-
Bayern Munich – Borussia Dortmund: The tactics and the game’s shifting momentum
May 25, 2013, 5:25 PM EDT
How a wonderfully entertaining UEFA Champions League final played out:
-
Bayern Munich 2-1 Borussia Dortmund: Robben the hero, Bayern crowned Champions League winners
May 25, 2013, 4:59 PM EDT
Getty Images
Arjen Robben, criticized by many for his woeful record in major finals, finally got over the hump in stunning fashion as his 89th minute winner sent Bayern Munich to the promised land.
-
Getty Images
There have been two to make the semis; You know who they are?
-
Getty Images
Looking back at his ground-breaking announcement, even Robbie Rogers is a little confused about why it was all such a big deal:
-
First chances to see Mike Magee, Robbie Rogers with their new clubs
May 25, 2013, 12:20 PM EDT
Looking at the weekend MLS schedule and wondering if we’ll see one of these two on the field?
-
Getty Images
Something to like from the Galaxy side – but one big concern, too:
-
Getty Images
Despite the Chicago Fire’s awful record through 12 MLS rounds, there’s still enough to like about Frank Klopas’ club.
-
USA Today reports LA Galaxy trade Mike Magee for rights to Robbie Rogers
May 24, 2013, 9:29 PM EDT
In a mind-blowing move, USA Today have reported the LA Galaxy have sent a player to the Chicago Fire in exchange for the rights to Robbie Rogers.



