Toja's Smashing The Record

As I pointed out a few weeks ago, Toja is on pace to set the all-time record for fouls committed in a season in the MLS. Since then he's up his pace. He's now committed 61 in 18 games. Keep in mind most years committing 61 fouls is good enough for a top 5 (or should that be worst 5?) finish for the season. Toja's managed it in just 18 games. At this rate he's on pace to commit 102 in 30 games. That would blow away the current record of 83 fouls committed in 31 games. Diego Serna did that with the Miami Fusion back in 2000. More so, for a playing that is so dangerous offensively he's conspicuously absent from the fouls suffered top 10. in fact, 3 of his Dallas teammates have suffered as many or more. Toja has a lot of talent but he still has a lot to learn about some of the finer points of the beautiful game.

Toja > Beckham! Toja > Angel! Toja > Schelletto!

Major League Soccer Talk has a great point in their blog today. As much as we talk about the impact players like David Beckham will have on the MLS, the league still needs to continue to sign played like Juan Toja. If you haven't already seen it, make a point to watch the DCU-FC Dallas game. You'll see Toja's talent on display as Morrow's Hoops claw back from a 3-0 deficit to tie things up at RFK.

The MLS doesn't need players like him just because for his $100,000 salary he's arguably been the best player in the league. They also need talent like Toja because there is a good chance they can be selling him for a pretty sum in a few years. Major League Soccer has been and for quite some time will continue to be a selling league. And, as MLS Talk, they also help enhance the view of the league overseas. You have to wonder if the league had a few more Toja's and few less Kirovski's if teams would've been able to bring in some of those marquee players that got away like Borgetti, Figo or even Zidane.

A Record In The Making

Maybe it's the horrible hair or his skill on the ball but no one has been talking about an MLS Toja of FC Dallas is well on his way to setting. The young Colombian was brought in by Steve Morrow for his offensive skills. He has done well in fulfilling that role. It seems that along with reaching back in history for the Spinal Tap hair, Toja noticed that now ex-FC Dallas Simo Valakari had lead the league in fouls committed during his 3 years in the league. Valakari lead Major League Soccer in fouls committed each of his 3 years in the league (73 in 26gp in 04; 78 fouls in 28gp in 05; 81 in 31gp in 06). It seems that beside leading FCD's offense, Toja has taken it upon himself to take up Simo's old role in leading the league in fouls committed. The all-time league record holder for fouls committed is Diego Serna. He accomplished that by committing 83 fouls in 31 games in 2000. Juan Toja has now committed 49 in 16 games. He's on pace to commit 93 fouls in 30 games in 2007. Will Toja be the new record holder come October?