As it stands, nine players from the three Canadian MLS teams will be on offer in Friday’s MLS Re-Entry Draft.

Like a good neighbour, Justin Braun is there.

“That’s what made it so frustrating,” said Makubuya. “If we were losing, why not give us a chance to play? But it is a business, and that is how it goes. But it was tough on a lot of us.”

Payne is definitely a man who thinks of sports teams on a grand scale, that they are more than wins and losses. He believes clubs should carry mystique, that they should stand for something.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber has given Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment President Tom Anselmi his vote of confidence.

By standing pat on its collection of DPs, Toronto FC’s front office has, in fact, decided to play craps.

Ex-Toronto FC prospects Keith Makubuya, Tristan Jackman and Cristian Nunez are among the latest additions made to the roster for FC Edmonton’s free-agent combine.

Still, the move will likely dampen the enthusiasm of TFC fans who hold the moral high ground over Montreal and Vancouver supporters; TFC fans could claim their team’s Canadian content was much higher than the Impact and Whitecaps. But, if the three Academy grads and Cann aren’t replaced by other Canadian prospects, that moral high ground won’t be as lofty in 2013 as it was in 2012.

Eric Hassli's wonder goal from the 2012 Amway Canadian Championship has put him on an exclusive list with the likes of Lionel Messi and Radamel Falcao.

The last time the Reds won an MLS game, July 18 over Colorado, Canada was still in control of its World Cup destiny, Mitt Romney still hadn’t become the official GOP candidate, Robin Van Persie was still an Arsenal player and Lance Armstrong had seven Tour De France titles.