Hope fades on Kerr deal

With less than five hours remaining until Major League Soccer's trade/transfer deadline, Toronto FC head coach John Carver walked into his post-practice media briefing with his cell phone and a sense of hope.

Midway through the session he revealed that he had brought his cell phone home, hoping director of soccer Mo Johnston would call with good news about Brian Kerr.

The former Hibernian midfielder and a one-time protege of Carver's at Newcastle had been working out with Toronto FC since last week and was on the field again with them this morning.

But as practice ended, despite a mutual desire and ongoing negotiations between Johnston and Kerr's agent, the 26-year-old still didn't have a deal.

Hence the cell phone and the hope.

Looks like Carver will be waiting for a while.

Got a text message this afternoon from TFC PR director Michelle Lissel, warning me not to expect a team announcement regarding Kerr today.

It looks like he's not signing period. At least not until next season, if the mutual interest remains.

FIT TO BE TIED

I'm sure I'm not the only person who has noticed that Carver has been dressing up lately.

For most of the season Carver strutted the sidelines in the same gear he wears to practice every day - sneakers, track pants and a short-sleeved shirt adorned with a team logo.

I had long since noticed that most soccer coaches wear suits on game day, but I figured Carver dressed down by design, and preferred to coach in clothes that suited his image as a no-nonsense straight talker.

Then two Saturdays ago he showed up in slacks, a white dress shirt and a tie as TFC hosted Chivas. And last week he sported the same look against Columbus.

Apparently a change in weather prompted a change in wardrobe.

"I've always wanted to wear a shirt and tie but because of the climate, it was unbearable," Carver said.

So as the temperature continues to drop, look for Carver's sideline sartorial standard to keep rising.

-- Morgan Campbell

Comments

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Thats brutal, really unfortunate.
Ill assume that Gallardo didnt work out either then?