April 17, 2007 Toronto FC acquires Danny Dichio (from Toronto Sun)
Dichio a big addition for TFC
By TERRY KOSHAN -- Sun Media
In the wake of shutout losses -- 2-0 to Chivas USA and 4-0 to New England -- to start Toronto FC's inaugural Major League Soccer season coach Mo Johnston is calling for reinforcements.
Yesterday he announced that veteran English striker Danny Dichio will join the team in time for next week's home and home series with Kansas City Wizards.
Johnston said he also hopes to announce deals -- that are awaiting league approval -- with two "quality defenders" soon.
Dichio, 32, is currently on the roster of Preston North End in the Champions league but he also has played for Derby, West Brom, Sunderland, Millwall and QPR in England and had a stint in Italy with Sampdoria and Lecce.
Dichio is something of an oddity as a striker in that at 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds he commands a lot of room on the pitch.
"He's a big fellow," Johnston said.
"He will be really hard to move off the ball."
TFC's Carl Robinson played against Dichio for several seasons in England and said yesterday he is looking forward to having him as a teammate.
"Danny will be a massive asset to our club," Robinson said. "He has caused havoc on the pitch for years over in England. He's a big lad and there's not many aerials he's not going to win."
Johnston admitted that while TFC's anaemic goal scoring could certainly use the boost Dichio will bring, he is still concerned about the back end of the team's game.
Two of the team's starting defenders -- Chris Pozniak and Adam Braz -- have been hobbled by injury.
"With the signing of the two defenders we will address some of the problems we are having in the back end," Johnston said.
"We are also looking at bringing in goalkeeper help."
Starting goalkeeper Greg Sutton has been in the net for all six of TFC's goals against.
On the positive side Irish striker Ronnie O'Brien re-joined the squad yesterday after recuperating from a strained ACL for the past two weeks.
"I haven't done any cuts yet, but the knee feels pretty good," he said. "I may be ready by the home opener (Apr. 28)."
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