The first thing you notice is the flags, then the Carlsberg umbrellas, and then the sound of a dozen or so labourers tightening the bolts so BMO Field stays intact as 20k supporters prepare to welcome home the team on Saturday.
Media Day always brings out quadruple the normal numbers, partially due to the free lunch, but mostly due to a word John Carver used repeatedly during his post-training Q&A: Belief.
The first-year manager has instilled the idea of belief in his team, to the point where the word took on a life of its own on Thursday.
Carver raved about it, pontificating that if you don't have it in your heart or mind, then why bother putting on the uniform. Captain Jim Brennan bandied it around when I asked him for his thoughts on the team this year. And new signing Rohan Ricketts, who I am officially anointing the No. 2 fan favourite behind Big Danny, explained that it was a belief in himself that brought him to Toronto.
Ricketts is a true character; 20 seconds into a conversation and he was already saying he would play football in a hotel lobby or petrol station if it meant he got a regular game. Plus, as an Englishman himself, Ricketts has no problem poking fun at the ‘holier than thou attitude’ that exist in England towards the MLS.
In anticipation of the home opener, check back on Friday as I will have interviews with both Ricketts and Brennan about their expectations this season, along with Carver's words on the home opener.
Training notes: Collin Samuel was on the sidelines on Thursday. After a few well-placed inquiries, I was told he will be on his way out of town in a few days ... Julius James is listed as probable for Saturday. Carver pointed out that the serious injuries to his shoulder and knee have stalled his progress in training ... Olivier Tebily is still training with the team, but no contract has been offered ... Paul Winsper is not only blasting the team into shape, but his methods are great for team building. On Thursday he split the team in two for a series of sprint races, with each side gaining a point for a victory. The catch? The losers had to do push ups.
