Dallas wins Cunnigham sweepstakes

TFC brass have talked openly for weeks about their desire to trade Jeff Cunningham, and there was plenty of speculation in the soccer blogosphere this morning about where he would go.

Steven Goff of the Washington Post said the L.A. Galaxy was interested, even though they already had Landon Donovan, Edson Buddle and Carlos Ruiz.

And Drew Epperley, author of the WVHooligan soccer blog, gave a team-by-team breakdown of potential Cunningham suitors, and also listed the Galaxy as a front-runner.

Turns out Mo Johnston and Schellas Hyndman fooled them all.

FC Dallas won the Jeff Cunningham sweepstakes.

In return, TFC received a third-round pick in the 2009 MLS Superdraft.

I had a quick word with Mo Johnston, who confirmed 1) that he has been trying to trade Cunningham for a while and 2) Cunningham's salary ($257,500) made unloading him difficult.

But the deal, at last, is done and after an injury riddled 2007 and inconsistent 2008, Cunningham gets a fresh start in Dallas, and a chance to finally bag that 100th goal.

The question for him is: does he beat out Dominic Oduro (five goals in nine starts) for the starting spot alongside all-star striker Kenny Cooper, or does he spend the rest of this season shuttling in and out of the lineup?

And the question for TFC is, who is available to help right now?

So right now TFC has two third-round draft picks to go along with three first-rounders in next January's draft, but none of those guys will be available tomorrow in Colorado, when a short-handed TFC squad faces the Rapids.

Danny Dichio, who is recovering from a concussion, made the trip, but his status is still uncertain. If he can't play, and with Cunningham in Texas, TFC may find itself undermanned up front yet again.

If the U.S. men's team keeps winning at the Olympics, TFC might not have its full squad back until August 30. Yeah, that's a long way away, but still too soon for draft picks to help.  Logic (and the team's six-game MLS winless streak) dictate that more moves are coming.

But when?

-- Morgan Campbell

Comments

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Ill tell ya this much, Mo keeps it interesting.
He did make some great moves (albeit a little late for some people) wiht our midfield and with the future of our club. Kinda feel discouraged as its a bit late in the game to be pulling new talent thatll have a great effect. Godwilling the man does it anyways and not in the form of Carlos Ruiz as being suggested by many (dudes a guatamulan sp? Cunny). I gotta say that the Dickov fiasco did not instill alot of faith either. Regardless he hasnt done any wrong (for the most part) this season, his timing is a bit off tho. PLEASE HAVE SOMETHING UP YOUR SLEEVE MO! PLEASE

[Matt]

Play Smith more, with Dichio (if he can start) and keep bringing in Ibriham to insert energy into the lineup. Ibriham was infinitely more effective than Cunningham. He has a solid boot and isn't afraid to kick the ball form outside the 18-yard box.

I will say I was frustrated with Dichio at the start of the season but his size seems to be an important factor waering down the opposing D and winning a few headers on those nice crosses from Robert and Ricketts (have we even one a header since Dichio has been out?).

[Jurgen Pinkpank]

TFC will always be in trouble and in the lower standings if players are traded away and/or new players come in continuosly.
Their does not seem to be any contenuity or uniformety on the team which effects their overall performance on the field.
Instead of getting a new player every week and trading away a player every week, management should be concentrating on a team effort with the players they have and use the offseason to improve the team.

[Paul]

Agree with Jurgen that the constant expectation of trades seems there to obscure inability to build a functioning team.

Just curious if Mo and JC are at all afraid that Jeff will start scoring for FCD?

[Andy]

It seems there's a real concerted effort by TFC to ensure they have a serious presence in the 2009 draft - is there something to suggest that this particular draft is extra special??

[doug]

o'brian white is one reason to be excited for the 2009 draft, although seattle will have top spot.

basically TFC in all the wheeling and dealing the last two weeks, has swapped Chad Barrett for Jeff Cunningham in the line-up - i think that is a positive move - the team gets younger and rid of a bad attitude. added first and third round picks that might end up as something to boot.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Although next week is the overall transfer deadline, if im not mistaken, Sept 15 is the deadline for the MLS which means we might still be able to sign a striker (god knows who) from a MLS team (god knows who) should we not sign someone from outside the league (PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE)

[Steve]

Hi Gang,

Offensive firepower is all well and good (man, do I agree we need some), but I also think that there is something to be said about our D lately. We're a little weak in the back with Wynne at the Olympics, Dunivant injured sitting at home in Colorado, and Tebily sipping Bordeaux back home.

Anyone thought of Defensive moves? Why don't we offer Los Angeles something for Ante Jazic? Maybe I am way off base (I know his stats aren't ideal), but a Canadian International wouldn't be such a bad thing, at least in the short term.

[Matt]

Barrett, Ibriham and Dichio worked out well for us today. And bravo to Mr Robinson for playing excellent after being cast into the centre back role.

[Tim]

That game in Colorado was ugly. A win, but ugly.
Horrible indirect free kick too, that should have been a goal.

Keep Smith out. He just doesnt have the speed or power to get past defenders.

[JP]

Hi Morgan...appreciate your blog...it's got a very nice touch of humour and reality...Don't know if you are also covering football (the american kind) but can you please blog for us and let ARGOS fans know they are not welcome at BMO field. Their greedy owners let the soccer fans of the city and the country in a big lurch and by bailing out of the york univertity multi facility project for the sweetheard deal they made with their buddies at rogers. We remember almost loosing the FIFA UNDER 20 because of it until MLSE (no less greedy themseleves) came into to rescue the project with the city..Now that the stadium is a big hit, for soccer, the johnny come lately argos want to force the city to reconfigure the beautiful sightlines for their purpose. we already paid for 1 $600m public stadium that they are playing in so no need to have them skip bail and move into another one. If you can comment on this issue and the people know the supporters are organizing against this we would be greatful.

JP

[doug]

apparently TFC has signed canadian junior Derek Gaudet to a development contract.

[Skinn]

Bueller ..... Bueller .....

[seven]

If you aren't going to have any new posts could you at least fix this posts headline. Spelling Cunningham's name wrong is bad enough, but Dallas certainly didn't win a sweepstakes.

[Skinn]

Try to keep up Morgan. News that Edu has been sold is all over the internet, and the local blogger has nothing to say. Common.

[Ben]

True enough Skinn. And all this talk about new players coming from Carver and Johnson - all I see is players heading the other way (although I'll definitely miss some more then others).

Also - any idea if any of the reported $5mil transfer fee goes to TFC or does the league get it all?

[Brian Van Beuren]

Ben,

I'd imagine Toronto FC would see all if not, much of the $5 million (was that a 'DP' I heard whistled from the background?)

Good question though, when it comes to the MLS, nothing is ever too straight-forward. Can we get a confirmation?

Cheers,
Brian