The Sports Life

Soccer - Toronto FC adds 2 defenders

After Toronto FC gave up six goals in its first two games of the Major League Soccer season, many expected coach Mo Johnston to make a move in order to add some strength to his defence.

The Scot did just that by acquiring American defenders Marvell Wynne and Kevin Goldthwaite in separate trade deals with the New York Red Bulls and the Houston Dynamo on Thursday.

In exchange for Marvell Wynne, the son of the former major-league baseball player with the same name, New York gets Toronto's second-round selection in next year's MLS draft and partial allocation money.

Toronto receives Goldthwaite, 24, and a first-round pick in the 2008 MLS draft in the Houston deal for midfielder Richard Mulrooney, who leaves the Canadian club after just two games ? the team acquired the Memphis native last month in a trade with FC Dallas.

"We're excited about [Goldthwaite]," Johnston said. "He's a senior international. ? very good on the ball, he's left and he's versatile as well, he can move inside."

Wynne's departure from New York hardly comes as a surprise.

Wynne, who turns 21 next month, was benched in the Red Bulls' last game for the first time since he joined the team as a rookie last July, and New York coach Bruce Arena was said to be less-than-impressed with his technical ability on the field.

"It was important we added some depth to our defence and speed and Marvell brings that, he's probably the fastest guy in the league," Johnston said.

"He's a young kid, he's strong, he's quick, and he's going to get better in time. He's a generation Adidas kid that came through the ranks. We're excited and delighted to have him on board."

The deal with New York reunites Wynne with Johnston, who was fired as the Red Bulls coach late last season. Johnston was still coach of New York when he traded up with Chivas USA in order to select Wynne first overall in the 2006 MLS draft (the Red Bulls had the No. 5 pick going into the draft).

A former standout for the U.S. Under-20 national team, Wynne will no doubt help bolster a meagre Toronto defence that conceded a league-high six goals in its first two games of the season, both losses.

Wynne could make his club debut next Wednesday when Toronto takes on the Wizards in Kansas City. He will get his first chance to face his former club on June 6 when New York visits Toronto FC.

Earlier this week, Toronto announced the signing of English striker Danny Dichio from English club Preston North End.

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