Adrian Cann named TFC's 2010 MVP winner

Toronto FC defender Adrian Cann has been named the club’s Most Valuable Player for 2010. Cann, 30, made 26 appearances in his first season with his hometown team and produced consistently strong performances in the heart of the defence.

Cann signed with Toronto after a successful preseason trial and made his debut in the 2-1 win against Philadelphia Union at BMO Field on April 15. He was a starter in all 26 of his MLS appearances.

“I am honoured to receive the award,” said Cann. “It is a surprise to me because a lot of players had a very good year. It was great to be back playing at home this year with lots of support from my family and friends. The fans have been incredible and nothing compares to them in MLS.”

Cann was originally drafted 16th overall in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft by the Colorado Rapids and also played for Montreal Impact and Vancouver Whitecaps. Prior to moving to Toronto, he spent two years playing in Europe with Danish team Esberg FB.

Goalkeeper Stefan Frei has been named Toronto FC’s 2010 Humanitarian of the Year, an award recognizing his commitment to working in the community.

“Toronto FC is more than just a football club. We represent the community and the city,” said Frei. “It is not just about performing on the pitch; we also have a responsibility off it as well. Everyone is part of the club and it is important that we stay connected and work together.”

Toronto FC captain Dwayne De Rosario is the Golden Boot winner after finishing as the team’s top goal scorer with a career high 15 regular season goals.

The awards were presented at Toronto FC’s 90th Minute Party in downtown Toronto on Wednesday night as part of the build up to Sunday’s MLS Cup at BMO Field. The League’s Championship match between FC Dallas and Colorado Rapids kicks off at 8:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast in Canada live on TSN2.



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TORONTO FC RELIEVES JOHNSTON AND PREKI OF DUTIES

TORONTO FC RELIEVES JOHNSTON AND PREKI OF DUTIES

Toronto FC announced Tuesday that effective immediately, Mo Johnston has been relieved of his duties as Club Manager, Director of Soccer Operations and that Predrag (“Preki”) Radosavljevic has been relieved of his duties as Head Coach. Toronto FC Assistant Coach Nick Dasovic will take over as Interim Head Coach and Earl Cochrane has been appointed Interim Director of Soccer Operations.

Assistant Coaches Leo Percovich and Danny Dichio, Goalie Coach Mike Toshack and Assistant General Manager Jim Brennan will remain with the club.

“This was a difficult decision, but one that was made in the both the short-term and long-term interest of the club. Mo has been with the club since its inception and has embraced the Toronto community. Preki is a proven winner who led the team to the Nutrilite Canadian Championship and our first taste of CONCACAF success,” said Tom Anselmi, executive vice-president and chief operating officer for Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. “At the start of the season, we set a team goal of improving on last year’s record and making the playoffs. Anything less would be unacceptable to our club and our supporters. We felt we had to make this move at this time to best position the team for the final push for the playoffs as well as for its long-term success. The search for a new management team begins today.

“I want to thank Mo for his years of dedicated service to building Toronto FC from day one, as the inaugural Head Coach and then as Manager, Director of Soccer Operations. I also want to thank Preki for his passionate determination.”

Johnston became Toronto FC’s first Head Coach and Director of Soccer Operations in team history on August 25, 2006. In February 2008, he was named Manager, Director of Soccer. Johnston leaves Toronto FC with a MLS record of 32-51-31. Preki was hired by the club in November, 17, 2009 and leaves with a MLS record of 7-10-7.

Dasovic is in his third season with Toronto FC. He joined the club in May 2008 as Head of the TFC Academy. He became a member of the first team in 2009 when he was named Assistant Coach.

“We have great confidence in Nick’s ability to lead the team for the balance of the year. He brings experience both as a player and a coach to the game. He understands our expectations and we think he will inspire a renewed effort and enthusiasm among our players necessary for this final playoff push,” said Anselmi.

Prior to joining Toronto FC, Dasovic spent five years with the Canadian National team program. He was also the Head Coach of the Men’s Olympic team that finished third in the CONCACAF Olympic qualification tournament and an Assistant Coach of the Men’s National Team in 2007.

Cochrane has been with the team since 2007. Prior to joining Toronto FC, he held positions with the Canadian Soccer Association and with other MLS Clubs in both team management and communications capacities. Cochrane was also a former professional soccer player in Asia.

“Earl knows our team, our coaches, our culture and our vision. We believe he has the necessary skills to assume these responsibilities on an interim basis,” added Anselmi.

The team currently has a record of 7-10-7 and remains five points out of a playoff position.

STATEMENT FROM MO JOHNSTON

“I'd like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude for being given the role as inaugural Head Coach and Manager, Director of Soccer Operations for Toronto FC. This club has grown to become one of the finest teams in MLS and it's been an honour to be part of it from the beginning.

I'd like to express my thanks to Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment for the opportunity and support they've shown over the years. This is a first-class organization and it has been a dream to work for this company.

During my four years in Toronto I've grown to love this city and country. I would also like to express my appreciation to the phenomenal supporters who have created the foundation for a successful club. I believe these supporters and this club will be the driving force in the growth of soccer in Canada. The establishment of this club will prove to be the turning point in the development of this sport.

I wish everyone involved with the club the greatest success. TFC will always be in my heart.”

Full-Time: Whitecaps v TFC match recap and review

In their second match of the 2010 Nutrilite Canadian Championship on Wednesday evening, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (0W-0L-2D) had to settle for a disappointing goalless draw with Major League Soccer (MLS) club Toronto FC (2W-0L-1D) at Swangard Stadium.

Mike Martignago, Tyler Green and Marc Weber from the Vancouver Province broke down the match. Listen to the Full-Time midweek podcast here.

You can also follow Full-Time on twitter here.

Photo courtesy of Bob Frid

TORONTO FC CAPTAIN NAMED MLS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Toronto FC announced Monday captain Dwayne De Rosario was voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for Week 5 of the 2010 MLS season. De Rosario supplied a goal and an assist in Toronto FC’s 2-0 victory over Seattle Sounders FC on Sunday, April 25 at BMO Field.

The midfielder capitalized on a Sounders defensive error to gain possession inside the area and score the game-winning goal for the home side. In the 58th minute, Toronto forward Chad Barrett attempted to play a ball through the Sounders defense to De Rosario running to the top of the penalty box. The ball took a deflection, and as Seattle midfielder Osvaldo Alonso tried to clear it, De Rosario stripped him of the ball and blasted a shot past Seattle goalkeeper Kasey Keller.

Leading 1-0 in the 76th minute, De Rosario sprinted up the right side of the field to receive a through ball from Dan Gargan. Upon reaching the top of the 18-yard box, De Rosario slips the ball square to O’Brien White, who with one touch placed a shot around Keller for Toronto’s second goal.

Sunday’s one goal, one assist effort was the fourth consecutive game that De Rosario notched a goal or assist.

This is De Rosario’s fifth career Player of the Week award: 2003 – Week 26; 2005 – Week 26; 2006 – Week 6; 2007 – Week 5. Below is this year’s Player of the Month recipients.



2010 MLS Player of the Week Winners

Week 1: Javier Morales (Real Salt Lake)

Week 2: Kenny Mansally (New England Revolution)

Week 3: Sebastien Le Toux (Philadelphia Union)

Week 4: Edson Buddle (Los Angeles Galaxy)

Week 5: Dwayne De Rosario (Toronto FC)