A quick thought or two on Toronto FC’s draft day trade of forward Chad Barrett.   I am just bouncing back from a nasty nasal infection that floored me for over a week after the world juniors.  I cleared my head just enough, and pumped up on antibiotics to follow the draft on-line Thursday.

Chad Barrett to LA.  I like Chad as a player and as a young man growing into his role on and off the field.  I appreciated his efforts both on and off the pitch.  As a newcomer to Toronto Chad had some growing up to do, but he was only in his early 20′s so I cut he and memories of me at that age some slack.  Last season TFC made sure some poor influences were removed from the team and hence Barrett’s space became his own, instead of he and a back up goalie who talked too much for a guy who did not play very much at all. 

The important thing for Barrett is he battled through the Downs of his early years in MLS.  Chad’s efforts outweighed for me the missed opportunities that were littered throughout his 2009 season in particular.  Last season Chad grew to become the teams second leading scorer with his seven goals, but more importantly, he developed a real “touch” to his service game. 

Chad’s tenacity to get to the ball and fight for possession will be missed up front.  Toronto fans I think liked Barrett for the fact he wanted to win, he wanted the ball, despite hearing the moans and groans from fans born of his missed chances to put the ball in the back of the net. 

In the end money seemed to be root of this trade.  To lose a player who fought for this city’s team, and played hard for the crest he worse every game is a shame.  It is a trade predicted by many as last season was winding down. 

Now with LA the pressure is only on Chad to support an already good cast, despite the loss of Buddle to Europe.  Barrett I think will be a key piece to the Galaxy’s chase for a tile while Toronto rebuild once again.  I wish him well.

This entry was posted on Friday, January 14th, 2011 at 11:48 am and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.