We picked Ibby up _last year_ while he was still finishing school. He was not here for more than a few days here and there.

This year, he was here for pre-season, playing really well, with good possibilities of getting some playing time – then he asked for personal leave and was gone for a couple of months dealing with family / personal issues.

It was NOT a matter of him not ‘getting’ playing time, he simply was not here. There are several articles about Ibby here on 3rddegree in the past year and taking a stroll through the archives may be something you want to do.

Buzz / Chamo – if my memory of the time-frames, events is faulty please correct!

P.S. Chamo – thanks again for doing this – I check your posts frequently but rarely comment, and just wanted to let you know it is appreciated.

http://www.los-toros.com/2008/07/22/gone-baby-gone/

(Today’s GSP.Ro…)

I don’t mind losing Toja because for all intents and purposes we lost the Toja that we all fell in love with at the beginning of the season when they tried to make an attacking mid out of him. He has been playing out of position all-season long, and never did find his groove.

As far as Colin Clarke goes, sure take it back. Personally, watching his team’s choke at crunch time for three season’s in a row was enough for me.

Seriously- can I take back my complaining about Colin Clarke crashing out of the playoffs twice now?

One thing that has happened in the past when players have left FCD has been not much of a Good Bye for that player. Since Toja was MVP for 2007 and has had a great deal of impact on this team, do you see them considering some thing more for the fans when seeing him leave or do you think the blog will be updated with his comments and that’s it.

I know it is a good move for both parties and I know that there will be another player to catch my attention. This is sad but it want keep me from supporting the team. I am hooked!

In the long run Toja’s move will be good for FC Dallas and MLS. In South America there has been a perception that if a young prospect comes to MLS they were commiting career suicide. They lose visibility to their national team pool and they can kiss any aspirations of playing in Europe good-bye which is why MLS foreign acquisitions tend to be players on the downhill side of the careers.

Toja is the first young south american player to challenge that notion. When he goes, MLS will be able to approach talented young players in South America that aren’t on the fast track to superstardom and offer them “playing time” and the opportunity to get to Europe. The league will be better off by having this option available to them.

And one last thing Tojapal, don’t worry! There always is another player out there that will capture your imagination and increase your love for the beautiful game.