TORONTO - The Toronto FC makeover turned serious Friday, with disgruntled captain Dwayne De Rosario shipped to New York.
In dispatching DeRo, new head coach Aron Winter and director of player development Paul Mariner dumped the mercurial midfielder and his salary demands on the Red Bulls.
"I am sorry to the wonderful and passionate fans at TFC about my departure to NY Red Bulls," said De Rosario in a post on his Facebook fan page. "Just wanted to say it has truly been an honor coming back home & playing for my home crowd.
"Unfortunately things didn't work out as it was my goal to help TFC succeed in winning a 'MLS Championship'. You the fans will always hold a special place in my heart at TFC. Best Wishes."
TFC showed their mettle in jettisoning arguably the face of the franchise, not to mention an attacking midfielder who accounted for 15 of Toronto's 33 goals last season.
But there is no 'i' in Total Football and Winter wasted little time ending his part in the debate over what his captain should make. If there is any doubt that this is Winter's team, trading the franchise's second ever captain should dispel it.
The two-time MLS Cup MVP and two-time winner of MLS goal of the year netted 21-year-old midfielder Tony Tchani, 26-year-old defender-midfielder Danleigh Borman and a first-round pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft.
Toronto's loss was New York's gain.
"Dwayne has been one of the league's best players over the past several years and we are thrilled that he is a Red Bull," New York GM and sporting director Erik Soler said in a statement.
"He is one of the most dangerous players MLS has seen in the attacking third and he is a true leader both on and off the field. We had to trade Tony and Danleigh -- two very talented, young players who both need more playing time with a first team in MLS to develop their potential. At the end, we think this is a massive step in our quest towards the MLS Cup title."
Toronto gets younger and saves money, perhaps paving the way for more help.
The 32-year-old De Rosario, an 11-year MLS veteran, made US$443,750 last season. In contrast, designated player Julian de Guzman made $1.7 million.
Tchani was taken second overall in the 2010 MLS SuperDraft out of the University of Virginia. The 21-year-old from Cameroon, who moved to the U.S. as a teenager, played in 27 matches in his rookie year, scoring one goal and three assists.
The six-foot-four, 185-pound Tchani, who made $179,000 last year, is seen as a talented central midfielder who is a work in progress.
"Just wanted to thank the Red Bull organization and the fans for what they have done for me n their support also, but it is time to move on. Off to the airport for Toronto," he said on his Facebook page.
He scored 17 goals in two seasons at the University of Virginia and is touted as a midfielder who can operate in all areas of the pitch.
"I can make things happen," he said draft day.
Borman was in his fourth season with New York after being taken seventh overall) in the 2008 MLS supplemental draft out of the University of Rhode Island. He has four goals and two assists in 59 games. His 2010 salary was $40,000.
A left-footer, the South African could offer Winter another option at a left back position that has been fluid at best so far this season.
Said Winter: "We have acquired two very strong players that I believe will have an immediate and long-term impact at our club . . . It is unfortunate to have to trade our captain, but this deal is part of our rebuild process and helps to open cap room for our club."
De Rosario joins former Toronto FC teammates Carl Robinson and goalie Greg Sutton in New York, not to mention Thierry Henry, Rafa Marquez, Luke Rodgers and Juan Agudelo.
De Rosario, who can make goals as well as score them, will have plenty of players looking for his playmaking skills.
Winter will be looking for de Guzman, due back soon after a layoff from knee surgery, to put his mark on the Toronto midfield.
Rumours swirled Friday that DeRo was on the move, prompting a media surge to BMO Field.
The disgruntled midfielder was absent from practice Friday, and certainly appeared not long for the team.
When asked if a deal had been done, an icy Winter said, "Not yet. But we're still in trade discussions with a number of teams. The most important thing is to focus on the game (Saturday).
"He's still a member of the club."
At least for another three hours or so.
Controversy a constant for De Rosario
Controversy has been a constant for the midfielder for several months. He's been upset at his salary for some time, celebrating one goal last season by pretending to sign a cheque. He threatened a boycott if he wasn't given a new deal, but had softened his stance -- publicly at least -- by the season-opener.
Tom Anselmi, executive vice-president and chief operating officer of team owner Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment, later called the cheque-writing gesture disappointing and unacceptable.
The player and club also seemed at odds over De Rosario's trip to Scotland to train with Glasgow Celtic.
On the field, De Rosario's performance has been one of the bright spots in an otherwise dismal few seasons for the Major League Soccer club. But off the field, he seemed to fall out of favour with the team -- while he was the leading scorer, the squad gave last season's MVP award to defender Adrian Cann.
While the De Ro trade was all over Twitter -- one tweet read "Thank you .TFC fans! .DeRo hashtag has officially passed .JonasShirtless!" -- his teammates insisted it wasn't a distraction ahead of Saturday's game against visiting Chivas USA.
"We have a task at hand (Saturday), the game, we all know that it's important, the season's young," said goalkeeper Stefan Frei. "All this stuff going on around us doesn't matter. (Saturday) is an important part, we have to get three points to make sure we keep it strong at home."
De Rosario has 27 goals in 57 career games for Toronto.
De Rosario has also played for the San Jose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo, winning championships in 2001 and 2003 with the Quakes and 2006 and 2007 with the Dynamo.
He has played for Canada 56 times, scoring 15 goals.
