Toronto FC captain Dwayne De Rosario is clearly not happy with the current state of his contract. In yesterday’s game against San Jose Earthquakes, a critical game no less, Dwayne De Rosario scored to put Toronto back into the game at 2-1. However, instead of breaking into the traditional chicken dance that Toronto FC fans have grown accustomed to, De Rosario headed over towards the section where MLSE executives like to sit back and enjoy their money making machine. It was a clear sign of what De Rosario wants; more money. He mimed the signing of a cheque or a contract, sending a message that he wants a pay raise. Asked later about his celebration, De Rosario admitted that he wasn’t happy with the state of his contract.
De Rosario’s celebration came at an inappropriate time for Toronto FC. Having dealt with Mo Johnston and signed a contract with him, De Rosario has spoken up after Johnston’s termination, at a time where Toronto FC’s front office is in shambles and has no real leader. Ryan Cochrane can’t be expected to give De Rosario his coveted Designated Player contract, even if he wanted to. On top of that, De Rosario, captain of the team, sent a very personal message out, looking to cover his own bases instead of focusing on his team. Yes, this is De Rosario’s team, and as captain, sending a message like that when you’re 2-0 down in a crucial game is incredibly poor timing. For someone who has the kind of experience Dwayne De Rosario has, the mistake he made is almost uncharacteristic. When you need to focus on the team and the first thing you do is look after your contract, it just doesn't leave a good taste.
The argument is that De Rosario was promised DP status when he signed with Toronto FC. Ultimately, the deal fell through when MLS said that De Rosario, being an MLS native player, and not a foreign European talent, could not qualify for DP. This, however, sent mixed messages; wasn’t Brian McBride an MLS native once? Landon Donovan was also given the status and he’s been in MLS for almost his entire career. LA Galaxy fought for Donovan to be given that status and so it was given. It is for this reason that De Rosario probably had no other choice but to display in public his dissatisfaction. If you are the best player on your team, you should be payed accordingly. If De Rosario has shown he is worthy of DP status, which, by looking at the 12 goals scored this season, he certainly has, then it is up to Toronto FC to call MLS and fight to give De Rosario that status, not just use the generic line MLS feeds players and exploit it. If Toronto FC wanted to show De Rosario how important he is, and feed an ego which needs feeding, then they should have called MLS and demanded De Rosario be given DP status. This would have made De Rosario happy from the get go, and if not immediately, then at least after a stellar year last season.
It is true that, though De Rosario has been in this league since its early stages, he is not the kind of player the DP rule was created for; however, he has certainly proven he is deserving of a pay raise. If applying for DP is the way of getting it, then that’s the way it has to be. If not, De Rosario needs to work a bonus-type clause in his contract, or a retirement gig needs to come into effect where he’s compensated later for work now, much like Jimmy Brennan.
Things honestly wouldn’t look so grim if Toronto FC were in fifth place, tied with the likes of FC Dallas and cruising their way into playoffs. De Rosario would have his raise with minimal setbacks. It is the lack of playoff success again that adds insult to injury. De Rosario does more for this squad then DPs Julian de Guzman and Miguel Mista do combined. Julian de Guzman, in particular, looks like he just cannot handle the pressure he is under; such is the scrutiny he is put under. Perhaps it is because De Rosario does so much for much less that we look at de Guzman with tainted eyes. However, de Guzman has been slowly showing Toronto FC supporters and fans that what he can bring to the table is just not worthy of the kind of money he’s making. All of this comes at a time where Toronto FC attempt to make playoffs. Once again, the squad is plagued with off-the-field controversy, and as the “FOURTH SEASON” comes to a close, once again, Toronto FC have failed to make those coveted playoffs.
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