April 17, 2008 MLS Toronto FC prepares for home opener with better record than last year (from MLSnet.com)

04/17/2008 6:00PM
TFC fans with more to root for
Success on the field only heightens support for Reds
By Mark Polishuk / MLSnet.com Staff

TORONTO -- Last season, Toronto FC entered their inaugural home opener with an 0-3 record and nothing but zeroes on the scoresheet. The sold-out crowd at BMO Field didn't care about their team's struggles; they still saluted the Reds with a raucous ovation that quickly established Toronto as one of the top soccer cities in North America.

Coming into the 2008 opener, however, the BMO Field faithful have more than just civic pride as reason to root for their team. TFC enter their first home match with the momentum of a 3-2 win last Sunday against the Galaxy in Los Angeles. Should Toronto win Saturday's match against visiting Real Salt Lake, the Reds will improve to 2-2 and be at the .500 mark for the first time in the club's short history.

"Getting our first win on the road was something that we needed to do," said team captain Jim Brennan. "Now that sets up for our first home game. We're looking for three points -- we're not looking to draw the game, we want to win."

Eighteen of TFC's 25 total points last season came at home, and with their next five games all at BMO Field, this homestand might be an early barometer of just how successful the club can be in 2008. Head coach John Carver, however, says his team shouldn't get too ahead of themselves after one win.

"Don't think because we have five games at home that we should just walk onto the pitch and win the five games," Carver said. "It doesn't work that way. ... I've got to make sure we prepare for the [Real] game the way we prepared for L.A. and take nothing for granted."

Carver, in fact, said he was "disappointed" that his team had only three points after their first three matches, adding that he felt they deserved something from their spirited 2-0 loss in Columbus on March 29. It is clear that though fans might enjoy the early success, the new coach has his eyes on the bigger picture.

"All along I've said I want to see us go as far as we can," Carver said. "I want to see progress. I think I've seen that from the first game to the last game on Sunday against L.A., but I hope I see continuous progress.

"Every minute is precious to us. I'm looking to improve individuals and I'm looking to improve the team. The only way you can do that is not resting on your laurels."

Brennan echoed his coach's confidence, saying Toronto's improved start to the season is no surprise given that their preseason training camp was free of the distractions that surround a first-year club.

"Last year, it was hard getting things going, getting our feet on the ground, trying to figure out formations you want to play in, players coming and going," Brennan said. "This time around we're set. We've got a year under our belts and we're looking forward to a win on Saturday. It's always hard having the first three games of the season away, but having five games at home is fantastic. No travel, no nothing, we can just stay home and concentrate on how we're going to attack these games and get the results that we need."

Two of TFC's new midfielders, former French international Laurent Robert and 2004 MLS MVP Amado Guevara, each collected an assist against the Galaxy, and their arrival has already given a new spark to the Toronto attack. Yet another new midfielder, Englishman Rohan Ricketts, is looking to make an impact in his first appearance after signing with the Reds on April 11.

Ricketts, a veteran of the English Premiership and Football League Championship, adds versatility and even more depth to TFC's increasingly crowded midfield. He said it didn't matter which position he played, and also joked that it didn't matter "where" he played.

"[In the] park, street, petrol station, hotel lobby," said Ricketts. "I just want to play football. As long as I've got a football, I feel at home."

Ricketts is used to wild crowds from his three years with Tottenham Hotspur, but he said he is looking forward to seeing the BMO Field reception live up to its considerable reputation.

"I've heard it from teammates, hotel receptionists, taxi drivers, [the media], everyone is going on about it," Ricketts said. "I've heard it's unbelievable. It's like a carnival. It's good that a team that's only started a year ago has so much of a following. It's unbelievable. If an English team started now, they'd be lucky to have change rooms. This is a big club and it's a big opportunity for me."

Julius James, Toronto's first-round MLS SuperDraft pick, might also get his first taste of league action on Saturday. The University of Connecticut defender has been hampered by shoulder and knee injuries since the preseason, but was well enough to sit on the bench last Sunday against the Galaxy.

"Julius is close," Carver said. "I'm not going to tell you if he's going to play or not, but he's close to getting to match fitness. He had two serious injuries to his shoulder and his knee, and every day he's getting fitter and stronger and I'll make that decision when the time is right for him to play."

Brennan predicts that just as the fans will be doubly inspired by the club's early success, James, Ricketts and the other new players will be inspired by the Toronto matchday atmosphere. It will all add up, Brennan feels, to a much improved season for the Reds and perhaps even a playoff berth.

"It's going to be a special moment for them ... the first game out there," Brennan said. "These guys will feel the same way [I did last year], walking out there and seeing our fans, especially when the national anthem is sung with the scarves up. They'll remember that.

"It's going to be bigger than last year, I think. Everybody is talking about it. Even on the streets people are stopping us saying they can't wait for the first game. So there's a buzz around the place and we've just got to get it right on the pitch."

Mark Polishuk is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.

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