As preseason games go, Toronto FC’s 1-0 win over Red Star Belgrade Sunday in Turkey was significant. Usually, when facing European opposition in friendlies or preseason games, MLS teams are used to seeing squads filled with “B” team players and prospects. But Red Star Belgrade fielded what was close to a full-strength squad — and only used three subs, as if the Toronto FC match was a regular Serbian league game. The club resumes its Serbian league schedule Feb. 27 after the end of the winter break.

Paul Stalteri, Canada’s all-time leader in national-team appearances, will have the chance to add another cap. Stalteri was called up Sunday by national-team coach Stephen Hart.

It’s rare for Caleb Porter to take a break from his passion. The University of Akron head coach is a self-professed soccer junkie, constantly watching, reading about and developing tactics for the game so it was a strange thing for him to put everything aside for a month following his Zips’ 1-0 win over Louisville in the NCAA title match on Dec. 12. The championship was Akron’s first as a school. But given the stamp the 35-year-old Porter has put on the program in his five years in charge, it might not be the last.

Canadian coach Stephen Hart is still waiting on an answer from Junior Hoilett. The Blackburn Rover from Brampton, Ont. has once again asked the Canadian Soccer Association to be patient, and declined to join the national team for its Feb. 9 friendly against Greece.

On a day designed for new Toronto FC head coach and technical director Aron Winter to look at fresh faces, a couple of veterans were the talking point of Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Serbian powerhouse Partizan Belgrade in Turkey. TFC defender Nana Attakora scored just six minutes in and Dwayne De Rosario, TFC’s all-time leading scorer, missed a penalty in the Reds’ first preseason friendly of 2011. Partizan fans, eager to see the team’s new striker pairing of Prince Tagoe and Dominic Aidiyah — both nabbed in the transfer window, and both played for the first 45 minutes —had to settle for a penalty goal from Nemanja Tomic.

Reading, currently sitting ninth in the English League Championship, announced Monday that it had agreed to terms with reigning Canadian U-20 player of the year Ethan Gage, who was out of contract with the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Mississauga native Igor Pisanjuk has asked Hungarian side Ferencvaros to set him free. “I asked for my release from Ferencvaros, so, for now, I’m waiting on try outs.” Pisanjuk said via e-mail.

Dwayne De Rosario was on his way back to Toronto Friday after a loan deal between Celtic and Toronto FC did not materialize. Sources close to Celtic have indicated to The 11 that the Scottish giants had a loan offer for De Rosario refused by Toronto FC’s brass.

STV has just reported that Celtic will not be asking Dwayne De Rosario to stay once his trial spell with the club is done on Friday.

So, here’s the question. Based on the criteria of most valuable to his or her team, to whom would you give the award (man, woman or both)? We at The 11 would love to know.