Ansu Toure

With all the things that changed from a year ago, the cry for a forward is still ringing true. About the same time in 2006, we offered our hypothetical kingdom in return for some goals, and although the offer did not fall on deaf ears, here we are, a year later, in the same position. Since that last cry, we saw Jean-Philippe Peguero and Edson Buddle come and go, John Wolyniec return, and Josmer Altidore burst out on the scene. But as much as we appreciate Woly and have high hopes for Jozy, it is hard to imagine either setting the league on fire this season.

And the problem is, behind Wolyniec and Altidore, there is not much. Mike Magee, who can definitely play and score when his head is on the game, is injured. The other two forwards on the roster are second-year man Jerrod Laventure, whose first-team career consists of all of six games (but one terrific goal), and rookie fifth-round draft pick Randi Patterson. Not exactly Real Madrid's depth.

It's not like Metro has been dormant in searching for a striker. The multitude of names that were discussed for the still-open DP slot included some target men, but none were signed. So it looks like Bruce Arena is resigned of going into the season in single-striker mode, with the much beloved 4-5-1. (Or if you want to call it a 4-3-3, for if preseason is any indication, Dave van den Bergh and either Markus Schopp or Dane Richards will be able to get up the wings and knock some in. But then again, it's preseason.)

And perhaps if the wingers can get some goals, the need for another forward is not so vital. Still, the lack of depth in the spot is worrying; and this is where Ansu Toure comes in. The Liberian attacker played for the USL's Minnesota Thunder last year, and impressed enough in Metro camp to earn a roster spot. Now, Toure is not a target striker (more of a left forward), but with such little depth, beggars can't be choosers. Unfortunately for Metro, there is no roster spot for Toure. He is over the age limit for a developmental slot, and if he continues to prove his worth in the rest of training camp, Arena will be forced with a decision to drop a player in order to sign Ansu. So thanks to the MLS ridiculous 18-man senior roster limit, to get depth up front, one must sacrifice depth in the midfield or at the back.

In Metro land, it's never easy.