MLS Toronto FC

Toronto FC Inks De Rosario to Long Term Contract

Published on January 22, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Toronto FC News Release


Toronto FC announced Thursday that they have signed midfielder Dwayne De Rosario to a four year contract. The new deal extends the Canadian International's stay with Toronto FC beyond the two year contract he originally had with the club. As per team policy, financial terms were not disclosed.

"We are absolutely delighted to get this deal done," said manager, director of soccer Mo Johnson. "We worked long and hard with all parties involved in coming to an agreement with Dwayne. This new deal means he's going to be wearing a Toronto FC shirt for many years to come, and we couldn't be happier."

With eight star-studded seasons in MLS, De Rosario has scored 51 goals and 42 assists. He has won four MLS Cups (2001 and 2004 with San Jose, 2006 and 2007 with Houston) and has scored the game winning goal and received the MLS Cup MVP award in two of them (2001 and 2007). He was named to the MLS All-Star Team for the 2006, 2007, and 2008 seasons and was named the MVP in 2006 for his goal in the MLS All-star's 1-0 win over Chelsea. At the 2008 Pepsi MLS All Star game held at BMO Field, Dwayne scored the game-winner from the penalty spot in the All-Stars 3-2 win over West Ham United.

The native of Scarbourgh, 30, also won the Sierra Mist MLS Goal of the Year in back-to-back seasons in 2004 and 2005 and was a finalist for the award in 2006.

Statistically, 2005 and 2006 were De Rosario's best years. In 2005 with San Jose, he set career highs in games played (29), games started (26), minutes (2,375), goals (9) and assists (13) - his 13 assists was a league best that year. He was named to the MLS Best XI for his superb season and was an MLS MVP finalist. In 2006, San Jose relocated to Houston and De Rosario was not affected in the least - he broke his career highs in games played (30), games started (29), minutes (2,534), and goals (11). He was again a finalist for the League MVP and in Houston's inaugural game tied an MLS record with 4 assists.

De Rosario has also never had a year without a playoff game since his start with San Jose in 2001. He has played 23 playoff games and has logged 1,513 minutes over eight seasons with San Jose and Houston and has scored 5 goals and 5 assists - most of which have been timely to say the least. In 2001 he scored in overtime against Los Angeles to win the MLS Cup for San Jose, in 2004 he set up Landon Donovan for the clinching goal in 4-2 MLS Cup win over Chicago, and in 2007 he almost single-handedly carried Houston to it's second straight MLS Cup by assisting on Joseph Ngwenya's game-tying goal against New England and fifteen minutes later netted the game-winning goal in the 74th minute on snap header from a Brad Davis cross.

The Canadian International has also had a major impact on the Canadian National team, having scored 15 goals, fourth all time, in 53 career appearances. In 2007, De Rosario won his third consecutive male Canadian Player of the Year award. In 2001, he participated in the FIFA Confederations Cup in Japan and was an integral part of Canada's Gold Cup winning squad in 2000.

De Rosario turned pro at age 18 in 1997, signing with the Toronto Lynx of the A-League. He then signed with FSV Zwickau of the German Second Division half way through the 1997 season. After playing two-seasons in Germany, he returned to the A-League in 1999 with the Richmond Kickers. In 2000 he led the Kickers with 15 goals and five assists for 35 points and was named to the 2000 All-A-League second team while helping the Kickers to a 20-6-1 record and a second place finish in the Atlantic Division. He was acquired by San Jose the next year.

De Rosario Career Highlights:

-Winner of four MLS Cups (San Jose 2001, 2004; Houston 2006,2007)

-MLS Cup MVP twice

-Named to MLS All-Star Team in three straight seasons (2006, 2007, 2008)

-Named MLS All-Star MVP in 2006 after scoring lone goal against Chelsea

-Winner of Sierra Mist MLS Goal of the Year in consecutive seasons (2004, 2005)

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