As Canadian midfielder Dwayne De Rosario is traded to his hometown Toronto FC, Andrea Canales lauds a player who "spun the notion that North American soccer consisted just of the U.S. and Mexico on its head by becoming one of the very best in MLS." At the same time, she wonders if his recent slump in form and the lack of a grass playing surface will stop the move from living up to its billing.

So while perhaps it is the perfect time for the playmaker "to return to his roots and rescue his hometown club," De Rosario has been showing signs that he is beyond his prime. He produced a career-low two assists for the Dynamo in the 2008 season, and though he has always been a player to drift before producing great game-turning moments, lately "the time periods of drifting grew and De Rosario's damaging moments didn't."

De Rosario was also one of several Canadian national team players who complained about the artificial surface at Toronto. "We would love to play in Toronto if it was grass," he told Canadian media. "We want to play in an environment that is comfortable, and right now Montreal is that venue." On the other hand, a move can sometimes be just the spur to revitalize a player's flagging career. "If Toronto gets a reenergized De Rosario," she concludes, "and if the midfielder can adjust to the turf he has so long despised, it could be a perfect match."

 

 

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