Juan Carlos Steaua

The little speculation snowball that could has finally rolled all the way down to the bottom of the hill and is now a full-blown transfer: Juan Carlos Toja is officially set to join Champions League entrants Steaua Bucharest. Yep, that's right... the erstwhile FC Dallas midfielder will now play his ball in the Frutti Fresh League, which has already opened for 2008/09 business (Steaua dropped their opener 1-0 at Vaslui on Wednesday).

And what kind of prospects do the 1986 European Cup champs in the Champions League this year? Anything is possible. I'd say that, as is, they look a fair bit better on paper than the 2005/06 squad that missed out on the UEFA Cup final by the hair on their chinny-chin-73rd minute Chris Riggott goal.

If they can manage to hang to Romania stalwarts Dorin Goian and Mirel Rădoi, each of whom is being courted by Premiership and Serie A clubs, the defensive core of the team should be in great shape. The midfield players that would support Toja (assuming he works in central midfield) are quick and talented. If 20-year old wonderboy Bogdan Stancu can burst onto the scene, the Colombian recruit would have two exciting strikers to combine with - the other being compatriot Dayro Moreno.



Naturally, Pizza Hut Park regulars will be much more concerned with how this affects their team. The departure of Toja probably makes it easier to sign impressive recent trialist Victor Sikora and allows more playing time for exciting rookie Eric Avila. The Hoops issued a stern Kenny Cooper hands off, and even if they sign Sikora, would still retain a free international slot.

New coach Schellas Hyndman seems to have grasped the reins firmly. He dealt away Arturo Alvarez, told off a $4 million Cooper payday without a flinch and did not hesitate to snap up former SMU charge Bruno Garda. I'm not sure if this is all going to boost them over the MLS playoff race fence or not, but I do know one thing...

I love this guy. I love this guy like undercover officer Cody Nicholson loved Clarence Worley.

I'd imagine FC Dallas fans are a bit excited, if not also quite nervous in the aftermath of the last two weeks, to see how the rest of their season will unfold. They have 1) said goodbye to a sparkplug that notched 43 regular season appearances, eight goals, two All-Star nods and one honorary Wig Night & 2) said hello to another rebuild.

Oh, Juan Carlos' hair... I think I'll miss you the most.

- Greg Seltzer

You haven't lived until you've seen my fellow St. Louis boy Bobby Rhine como Toja.