Major League Soccer announced Friday that DeRo is the league’s MVP. He becomes the first Canadian to ever win MLS’ highest individual honour. He becomes the first player in North American pro sports history to take an MVP award in a season in which the winner played for three teams. He’s the first player from a non-playoff team to ever win the MLS MVP.

And, while other cities will be toss-ups, the key to DeRo winning the MVP award may just be the thing that some think would hold him back — playing for three teams in just one year. He still has support in Toronto, New York voters will use the pre- and post-DeRo Red Bulls as a measuring stick, and he has D.C. in the bag.

Toronto FC knocked FC Dallas out of the CONCACAF Champions League; and, in doing so, the Reds may have provided New York Red Bulls coach Hans Backe a blueprint on how his team can knock the Hoops out of the MLS playoffs, as well.

But maybe the most remarkable moment in the game came right before the final whistle, when midfielder Hernandez went off the pitch favouring his right knee. He fell awkwardly. If he can’t go against TFC in the CCL match, well, that’s huge.

Even before Torsten Frings stepped onto the pitch Wednesday night, it was understood that he would be an unquestionable leader for new-look Toronto FC. Now, with one game under his belt, the German midfielder feels that he can play the role of a leader in the dressing room as well as on the pitch to help guide his young teammates.

The rebuilding process isn't over yet. The new-look Toronto FC didn't find instant success as Brek Shea's rocket of a goal in the 48th minute proved the difference in a 1-0 result for FC Dallas on Wednesday at BMO Field.

With the MLS All-Star Game once again going head-to-head against the qualifying round of the CONCACAF Champions League (Toronto FC will face Real Esteli at the same time the All-Stars will take on Manchester United), two of the players selected in the First XI — Kasey Keller and Brek Shea — will be question marks for the game.

It’s become obligatory for every sports journalist to provide season previews for the league he or she covers. It’s automatic, and a great space killer! In that vein, The 11 presents its “waited until the last possible second before the regular season” season preview! Why the wait? Because it’s hard to figure out the East. The West? Wow, a lot of power and depth there. As for the East? Last season, New York and Columbus and six other mediocre to bad to awful clubs were in the conference. New York and Columbus left them all in the dust.