Has Toronto FC Found Their Savior In Danny Koevermans?

Ever since Toronto FC joined MLS in 2007, they have been looking for that one player who could lift them to the next level. Usually, it has been a Canadian who has been asked to wear that mantle. First it was Ali Gerba, then Dwayne DeRosario, then Julian De Guzman. For one reason or another, it never seemed to quite fit.

With a Dutch coach now in place, maybe it makes sense that a Dutch player would be the next to be dubbed Toronto FC's soccer savior. Unlike the previous incarnations, though, Danny Koevermans seems to be up for the task.

With Toronto FC Koevermans has made 7 appearances, 6 starts and 1 appearance as a substitute. In those 7 matches he has amassed a total of 511 minutes of playing time which means that with 6 goals scored he is actually scoring at a rate of 1.06 goals per 90 minutes. That scoring rate is the best in the MLS for any player that has played more then 200 minutes. Second and third on that list belong to Charlie Davies at 0.75 Connor Casey at 0.67 so they are some ways behind. You don't have to be a stat head to understand that if you make your living as a goal scoring striker then this stat is how you can really show your value.

The reality is that TFC dug themselves a pretty ridiculous hole prior to Koevermans' arrival. Even after a respectable recent run of form in which the Reds have gone 3-1-3 in MLS play, they are still six points back of the playoff pack while having played more games than every other team in that group. While Koevermans -- and fellow Designated Player Torsten Frings -- may have joined too late, his play at least suggests better days may be ahead for the only MLS franchise to fail to make the playoffs for five straight years (and likely six).