Toronto FC: 4 players that might not be back next season

Just a couple of days removed from their first ever MLS Cup success, thoughts turn to what the roster will look like for Toronto FC next season.

The MLS offseason is moving at a rapid velocity. Only a couple of days removed from Toronto FC winning the cup, and the league has already released players available for free agency and MLS expansion side, Los Angeles FC.

Highlighting the lists of players hitting the market for TFC are the likes of Drew Moor, Steven Beitashour, Armando Cooper and Tosaint Ricketts. Both Moor and Beitashour are free agents, while Cooper and Ricketts are available for expansion roster selection.

Moor has always been one of the most clutch players for the Reds. There’s been an array of occasions that Greg Vanney has handed Moor the captain’s armband in place of Michael Bradley.

The defender says the right things off the pitch, but also leaves a solid performance on it as well. In two years with the club, Moor has knocked home five goals and added an assist. The 33-year-old registered over 2,000 minutes with Toronto this past campaign, while managing an impressive 4.2 clearances per game.

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Beitashour was never a bad addition to have in the Reds’ starting lineup. The Iranian played well in Vanney’s game of pushing people forward while hogging possession.

Beitashour didn’t put up favorable stats for Toronto FC however. The former San Jose Earthquake had an abysmal 81 percent pass success rate, while only notching six assists in his TFC career.

Both Ricketts and Cooper were very strong off the bench, especially this past campaign. Ricketts always seemed like the guy that could fit right into any position on the Reds attack.

Columbus Crew manager Gregg Berhalter noted Ricketts’ brilliant pace that he used to score a brace against his team this past season:

"“In Toronto, he hit us on transition; the guy has really, really good pace, blistering pace,” Berhalter said. “And then, in Columbus, he scores off two crosses. And the thing about Tosaint is that he can jump really high, so any type of cross this kid can jump and get on the ball."

Out of Cooper’s 10 appearances this season he only amassed one assist, on a Ricketts goal. The central midfielder just couldn’t cash in on TFC’s supplementary attack.

Sportsnet says the crowded midfield of Toronto, including Victor Vazquez, may have hindered opportunities for Cooper:

"This year, though, has been a different story. With the off-season addition of Spaniard Victor Vazquez, TFC’s stacked midfield corps became even more crowded, with competition for playing time at an all-time high, and Cooper has found opportunities somewhat scarce. When the Panamanian has played, he hasn’t looked close to the player he was in 2016."

What’s common with all four of these players, however, is they may not be wearing a red uniform next season. Would it really matter though?

All of the mentioned players come at the age of 30 or above, further meaning they only have so many good years left in them. Plus, Toronto FC are likely going to have some dollars coming their way after winning MLS glory. With more money comes a better chance to acquire younger, high-potential types of players.

The MLS is quickly moving to a pacey league along with the rest of the football universe. The Reds should move right along with the MLS, and establish more pace into an already dominating system. TFC have the chance to move on from the past and say hello to the present, which may include more MLS titles.

Next: TFC show great character in championship win

Do Toronto FC really need these four players? How crucial were they to the MLS Cup run? Any players in mind that could replace them? Let us know in the comments below.

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