Designated Player Next For Toronto?

Toronto FC head coach John Carver has guaranteed the club's fans that a Designated Player will call BMO Field home by the start of next season, adding that the team has already "earmarked a couple of players." Carver says he has talked to general manager Mo Johnston about how to improve the team in the near-term, and both agree that a designated player is the best way to go about achieving further success.

"I'll guarantee you that this will definitely happen by the start of next season," said Carver. "I'm guaranteeing it. We've already started planning for it. We are now thinking about what we're going to do next year. How can we take this on to another level. The conversation we've had, without going into detail, is that it's going to happen. The time is right now to bring in at least one DP, if not two."Carver stressed that the players Toronto is looking at signing are not in the twilight of their career, but rather international superstars who would instantly take the club's reputation - and quality of play - to another level.

"We have to bring in a top-quality striker. We have to bring in a top-quality midfield player and we need to bring in a leader at center-back," Carver continued. "I'm not looking for a DP who's at the end of his career. I don't want guys who are only going to be here for one or two years, I want them to be here for a while. I'm thinking long-term for the club."

While laying out the club's future plans, Carver also emphasized his commitment to getting TFC into the playoffs this season, despite long odds. Toronto currently sits at foot of the Eastern Conference on 27 points, six points behind D.C. United for the last postseason spot.

"It would be wrong for me not to be thinking about next season, but my priority right now is this season and not giving up on the situation. Players are coming to me and telling me that we can still do it; they haven't given up on it, and they won't until it's mathematically impossible to get into the playoffs."