Said brings promise, unpredictability

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Ibrahim Said has 52 caps for Egypt.

Ibrahim Said has 52 caps for Egypt.

TFC returns to Charleston, South Carolina tonight to take part in its fourth consecutive Carolina Challenge Cup. Toronto has participated in the pre-season tournament every year since its inception, and this little tradition has become much anticipated amongst TFC supporters as it gives us a glimpse into the Reds preparation shortly before the real thing kicks off.

This year, perhaps more than any other since the first, that little glimpse is badly needed. With Preki coming in and cleaning house, TFC heads into Charleston with an alarmingly thin roster, and many more questions than most would feel comfortable with merely two weeks prior to First Kick.

Supporters have heard that help is on the way, with numerous trialists rumoured to be joining the squad tonight. Perhaps the biggest name linking up with Toronto is Egyptian international Ibrahim Said.

A highly-skilled, defensively sound centre back with a penchant to join the attack, Said is exactly the type of player that Toronto sorely needs. The current central defensive corps of (Young) Nana Attakora, perennial back-up Ty Harden, 17-year-old rookie Zac Herold, and everyone’s new favourite whipping boy Nick Garcia is woefully lacking even to the most optimistic of supporters, and Said’s pedigree would give the Reds’ backline an instant shot of stability, not to mention credibility.

(Here’s a primer on Said, showing off his two-way game):

The word “stability” hasn’t always been synonymous with the Egyptian, however. A standout talent good enough to garner over 50 caps for arguably the best African national team of the past decade, Said’s eccentricities have drawn heavy criticism and notoriety in his conservative homeland. He’s also drawn ire in Europe, most notably whilst under contract for Everton, when he allegedly lied to his employers about an ill family member back in Egypt so he could play in his hometown derby. He was summarily dropped from the Merseyside club.

Of course, no player with Said’s skillset comes to MLS unless he is flawed in some way, and to his credit Said has gone public in stating that he wishes to use his opportunity with Toronto to prove his detractors wrong and show himself a new man and consummate professional. Everyone deserves a second chance, and quite frankly TFC is in no position to turn highly-skilled central defenders down.

If Toronto FC is Ibrahim Said’s reclamation project, then we, the supporters, may end up the true winners in the end.

Of course, he still needs to sign a contract. And TFC still needs to find a consistent striker, and some wide midfielders. And the season needs to start.

But we’ll worry about all of that later. Tonight, there is football.

Join us tonight at the Duke of Gloucester for a viewing of the match versus host Charleston Battery at 7:15pm.

Posted by Rudi Schuller

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