Report: Toronto FC Hunting For a Striker to Add Depth to Frontline

A series of roster moves in recent weeks has left Toronto FC in demand for an additional striker. Due to the departures of Luke Moore and Herculez Gomez, the club is left extremely thin and inexperienced up top following their starting duo of Sebastian Giovinco and Jozy Altidore. Apart from them, Toronto only have Canadian youngsters Mo Babouli and Jordan Hamilton, who possess very little or no MLS experience at all.

This does not breed confidence for fans should these strikers need to take the field, as they are not yet proven in MLS. As a result, Greg Vanney has come out and spoken with the media recently saying Toronto are now definitely searching for good solid depth at the position at the right price.

To make matters worse for the club, Altidore will now miss his second straight match to begin the season. This leaves Toronto once again scrambling to select a suitable starting XI with no available strikers with experience apart from Giovinco. Toronto did manage to win their first match in these conditions despite possessing under 40% of the ball and having a pass completion percentage of less than 60%.

It is unlikely to think they can manage that feat two weeks straight or throughout the entire season. Furthermore, with both Giovinco and Altidore being international players, there will be times Toronto are left without both their designated player strikers, leaving them with little chance to win those games with their current roster.

This situation led Toronto to make two moves this past week, both non-player based that can line them up for a new striker who fits under their current salary cap situation. First, Toronto dealt Targeted Allocation Money and an international spot for General Allocation Money to Seattle Sounders. Next, they dealt additional Targeted Allocation Money to Real Salt Lake for the rights of first refusal to American youth international striker, Ben Spencer.

Spencer, who has spent time with Toronto FC II could be making a return to MLS and could very well end up with Toronto FC. However, it is more likely Toronto strikes a deal within MLS for a sign and trade with Ben Spencer to acquire a more experienced striker, which is what they are looking for. Ben Spencer should be in strong demand by many American-based MLS Clubs and there will be teams willing to give up an experienced striker to take a chance on Spencer.

With the additional General Allocation Money Toronto now possesses, they should be able to trade for a solid MLS striker that fits under the salary cap. Despite trading away an international roster spot, Toronto still has a spot available to use, so a trade could involve an international player as well. These recent moves surely leaves Toronto poised to acquire the solid and experienced striker that Greg Vanney is targeting. Although no serious targets have been mentioned yet, a move should happen quickly with the international break fast approaching.