TFC’s De Guzman lives up to DP status

It’s been far from a sweet homecoming for Julian de Guzman.

The Canadian star earned a reputation as one of the best midfielders in La Liga, Spain’s first division, during his four-year stint with Deportivo la Coruna.

When the native of Scarborough, Ont., signed with Toronto FC late in the 2009 Major League Soccer campaign, the expectation was he would quickly become the Reds’ franchise player.

It didn’t quite work out that way. De Guzman failed to score a single goal in 25 matches in 2010, his first full season with the club.

Even though holding midfielders are not noted for their goal-scoring prowess, de Guzman took criticism for his lack of offensive production and lacklustre performances. The general consensus among fans and media alike was that he didn’t live up to his designated-player status, and the US$1.9 million contract associated with it.

When de Guzman underwent off-season knee surgery and missed the first two games of the 2011 regular season, his critics thought they would see more of the same from the Canadian midfielder.

But de Guzman, 30, proved them wrong by having his best campaign as a Red this past year, and finally lived up to his DP status.

One the main reasons for de Guzman’s renaissance was because of the tactical system introduced by Dutch-born TFC coach Aron Winter and his assistant Bob de Klerk. The Reds’ new playing style – with its emphasis on passing, retaining possession and building from the back – is tailor made for the Canadian.

“I knew they had a system I was very familiar with and I was excited to get back (from his injury layoff) as soon as possible,” de Guzman said. “I knew that as long as I am healthy and fit, (the coaches would) see the best of me.”

While the surgery was necessary to repair a torn meniscus in his knee, it did prevent de Guzman from fully participating in pre-season training. That weighed heavily on his mind.

“It’s always important to (make) the first impression with new bosses. It was unfortunate for my part that I wasn’t able to be involved in the training sessions,” de Guzman said.

To his credit, Winter did not put any pressure on de Guzman, and only recalled the Canadian to the team when he was fully recovered.

Paul Mariner, TFC’s director of player development, offered: “Obviously you want to get your DP back in and you want to get him playing as quickly as possible. But the coaches, with the medical team, did a really good job.”

De Guzman went on to make 19 league appearances (16 as a starter) for the Reds, and scored a spectacular goal in the team’s 3-3 draw against D.C. United on Aug. 6. It was his first goal for TFC.

Twelve days later, De Guzman found the back of the net again in a crucial CONCACAF Champions League win over Panama’s Tauro FC, and then he bagged his second MLS goal on Sept. 10 in a 4-2 victory against the Columbus Crew.

The Canadian veteran credited Winter’s system for his newfound scoring touch.

“It comes down to being involved in a very successful system that I am familiar with,” de Guzman explained. “We have the right balance in the team where it allows me as a player to excel going forward.”

De Guzman also believes Winter’s system gives him more attacking freedom.

“Scoring goals is always a great thing. I know it’s not a big part of my (game), but I do find myself getting involved in the front part of the attacking areas,” de Guzman explained.

“One of my main roles is playing that defensive role in the midfield, but being able to have that freedom, it just shows you have players you have confidence in where I can forward and take the risk and get shots off.”

After a rough start to the season, Winter overhauled his roster in the summer with a series of free-agent signings and trades. Since then, the team looked more like a cohesive unit as players began to comprehend the coaching staff’s tactical approach.

“The first couple of games it was almost like them speaking another language and no one really understood what they wanted from each individual,” de Guzman recalled.

“That’s why they were forced to make certain changes at the midpoint of the season. Now that they have the guys they want, it feels more like a team. Every one comprehends the system very well and (we’re) getting better at it, and the more time we spend together as a team the better we’ll become.”

This is the final instalment of John Molinaro’s five-part, end-of-season series on Toronto FC.

Part 1– Coach Aron Winter says the team made progress in 2011, but that there is still plenty of work to do. | Read here

Part 2– Milos Kocic or Stefan Frei: who will be the Reds’ No. 1 goalkeeper next year. | Read here

Part 3 – A case for the defence: why did TFC’s back line struggle, and what needs to be done to address its defensive woes? | Read here

Part 4 — Matt Stinson, Ashtone Morgan and Doneil Henry: what’s ahead for these promising youth academy graduates who saw a lot of playing time in 2011? | | Read here