January 27, 2011 MLS--TFC Assembles Key Actors (from TorontoFC.ca)

TFC Assembles Key Actors
Players address concerns, sound eager to start preseason.
Mike Ulmer
TorontoFC.ca
January 27, 2011

When Toronto FC met the media on Wednesday, the theme was change.

First, the club would be undertaking an ambitious pre-season. Toronto flies to Turkey on Thursday, their base until mid-February when they head to Orlando and then Charleston,  South Carolina. The team isn’t back in Toronto until early February before heading off to Orlando and Charleston to continue preseason.

There are, of course, endless questions about what has happened and what is to come.

Captain Dwayne De Rosario is back in the fold after a brief training session with Celtic in Glasgow that prompted plenty of consternation. De Rosario, who has been consistent in his demand that the club redo his contract, drew a laugh when he said he didn’t really understand what the fuss was about.

“I didn’t think there was any confusion until I saw the press release,” he said.

“Rumors are rumors. At end of the day I just play my game.”

De Rosario said talks were ongoing but defended last year’s outbursts, particularly his now infamous cheque-writing gesture.

“I’m a passionate guy. I’m hungry for success to win and sometimes you react upon that.”

Meanwhile, Head Coach Aron Winter said the team will be auditioning as many as half a dozen players in Turkey. “We would not let them come if we did not think they were going to help,” he said.

In the first two days, coaches sat down with players, outlined their plans and asked for input.

“To be brutally honest if you are a player in that locker room and you are not excited by the proposition,” said director of player development Paul Mariner, “then there is something wrong with you.”

Defender Nana Attakora said he noticed a different vibe.

“The coaches sat down with players and told them how they wanted to play. Then they asked 'how do you feel about doing that?' It was the first time that happened.”

Attakora said he had turned down the team’s contract offer because of the confusion that reigned after upper management cleaned house.

“The main reason I didn’t take the offer was there was no management in place. Preki and Mo had been fired and I didn’t want to commit. When talks resume, we’ll see what happens.”

While recovering from knee surgery, midfielder Julian de Guzman said he was making excellent progress.

“In Turkey I will take my first running steps. By the time we get to Orlando, I should be able to train with the rest of the guys.

The Canadian international said he relished playing the Total Football furnished by the staff.

“It makes me and the rest of the guys excited to see guys with such great and important backgrounds bringing it here. There have been a lot of changes through the organization. This is something I have been preaching and praising growing up in Toronto: total football.  We’re very excited and can’t wait to get the season going.”

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