Leiweke must set the Standard for Toronto FC’s DP Chase

Tim Leiweke, the new boss at MLSE, has already made his presence felt with the Raptors and now his attentions seem to be firmly focussing on the Reds. Al Dannity says Leiweke must take a hands-on approach to turning the club around.

When it comes to designated players (DP), Tim Leiweke knows more than pretty much anyone. Leiweke was the man who brought David Beckham to the Galaxy, after a two-year chase. The MLSE boss has made it clear this week that he disagrees with Toronto FC coach Ryan Nelsen on how best to acquire a DP to help the franchise. Nelsen, a legend from his playing days with Blackburn Rovers and the New Zealand national team, wants to beef up the rest of the squad first. Leiweke has made it clear that if the right DP is available, he won’t wait for the rest of the roster to take shape.

This aggressive approach differs somewhat from what he’s doing with the Raptors. Leiweke has allowed Masai Uijiri to focus on bench support this off-season. This situation with MLSE’s NBA team is particularly different. Aside from being in their off-season, the Raptors know that cap space at the end of next season matters greatly. Leiweke recognises the summer of 2014 will be his chance to work with Uijiri on building a contender on the hardwood.

In Major League Soccer (MLS) the time to act is now. The Reds are effectively out of the playoff race yet again. Another turgid half-season is not something Leiweke is willing to contemplate. If he can get in a big name that can make a change now, it could make a huge difference to the mentality of the roster next season.

“You have to be right. You’ve got to find a guy with character, a player that’s willing to understand the uniqueness of Major League Soccer and the style of play that we have here,” Leiweke told reporters. ““You had to have a player that will be unusually patient with the young, developing players and the kids. They had to be selfless. They’ve got to have the right attitude in that locker-room or you’re going to have a problem. Because there’s a huge separation of the haves and the have-nots when it comes to what they’re making. That cannot be an issue in the locker-room.”

Leiweke is willing to give the brain trust in Toronto FC time to turn things around but he has made it crystal clear that they must do so on his terms. I can’t think of a better man for the job.