Toronto FC continues to stockpile allocation money with another trade

Toronto FC will reportedly trade Mark Delgado to the Los Angeles Galaxy in return for $400,000 in general allocation money, with the potential for another $100,000.

Toronto FC has already been extremely active since their disastrous 2021 season concluded. Now, they are expected to announce another trade for more allocation money.

As reported by the Canadian Press via Sportsnet, Mark Delgado is headed to the Los Angeles Galaxy. In return, TFC will receive $400,000 in 2022 general allocation money (GAM), with the potential for an additional $100,000 in 2023 if certain performance metrics are met this coming season.

While Delgado has not been a high profile player during his seven seasons in Southern Ontario, he has been extremely reliable. He will leave having played the fourth-most games in club history, with 225 appearances in all competitions.

This references how much the 26-year-old has meant to the club. He played an integral role in helping them to three MLS Cup finals, including winning it all in 2017.

Delgado originally joined Toronto FC when they selected him with the 14th pick in the 2014 MLS dispersal draft after Chivas USA folded. He had previously signed a home grown player contract with Chivas USA during 2012.

The midfielder had the option to play for the United States or Mexico internationally, eventually deciding to represent the former. He made his senior team debut in 2018 and has gone on to play six times in total.

The trade will see Delgado reunite with former Reds head coach Grey Vanney, who rates him highly. He will be a key player in Vanney’s team, which in turn should improve the prospects of TFC acquiring the additional $100,000 GAM for 2023.

The Glendora, California native signed a long-term extension with Toronto FC in 2020. Last season he had a base salary of $500,000, with overall guaranteed compensation of $581,250.

As per Michael Singh of Waking the Red, the TFC roster now stands at 20 out of a possible 30 players, or 21 if you include Lorenzo Insigne. As such, more roster moves will undoubtedly take place as we count down towards opening day on Feb. 26.

This is the third move Toronto FC has made to gain more 2022 GAM, after previously acquiring $75,000 from the Colorado Rapids and $50,000 from FC Dallas. As per the Collective Bargaining Agreement, GAM has increased from $1.525 million to $1.625 million for this coming season.

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In other news, Toronto FC announced two additions to their coaching staff. Mike Sorber will serve as assistant coach and technical director, while Paul Stalteri will be an assistant coach on Bob Bradley’s staff.

Sorber’s previous MLS experience includes spells as an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Union, Montreal Impact and Los Angeles FC. He also has a prior working relationship with Bradley as an assistant on the United States Men’s National Team, which should prove beneficial.

Meanwhile, Stalteri comes to Toronto after spending two seasons as an assistant coach with York United FC in the Canadian Premier League. He enjoyed an impressive playing career mostly in Europe, was capped 84 times for the Canadian international team and inducted into the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2017.

What is your take on the trade? Further, what is your opinion of Delgado’s time with TFC? Let us know in the comments section below.