I have to admit, I missed an extended portion of John Carver's post-match rant on officiating thanks to a flashback. I couldn't remember the exact date, but I knew the details, and when I left the conference room at BMO I went through some old notes to uncover the source of the flashback.

It went like this:

"I have to be honest; he is a bit temperamental at times. But a good coach is how he handles players. I have had some awkward players in my time, and (he) is by no means one of the most awkward."

Any guesses? That is Carver talking about the singing of French international Laurent Robert on April 3. A lot of ink was spilled over the disposition of both Robert and the proposed signing of Portuguese forward Joao Pinto. We know the story behind Pinto; and since Robert has pulled on the No. 32 in Toronto he has been a model citizen.

(TFC is also enjoying the play of Amado Guevara, a player well-known in soccer circles for owning a dubious disposition.)

As for Carver, well, the Englishman is now the one answering questions about his disposition after it was revealed the MLS had targeted his behavior on the touchline in a recent DVD sent out to game officials.

When I snapped out of the aforementioned flashback, I quickly drifted away again when Carver was asked to explain how and why he was centered out by officials after just six games in the league.

"I am a passionate guy, as you all know, the ones who have spent a lot of time with me. And everyday I am like that on the training ground, and if that is taken away from me, then it is not worth me being here."

Trying to cover this team in earnest I have been around Carver a fair amount, enough to see that he is indeed a passionate individual. But contrary to what he said, none of us who assemble on weekdays to watch training or on weekends to watch games really know that much about Carver.

Enter the internet.

A few Boolean searches, coupled with some investigative message board reading and I uncovered a lot about Pilgrim leader and first governor of Plymouth Colony John Carver, and a relevant piece of information about a John Carver charged with improper conduct (rule E1) following an incident at the end of the Birmingham City against Newcastle United Premier League.

(To his credit, the article points out that Carver apologized for his outburst afterwards, which may have saved him from a lengthy ban).

Now two offences does not a ticking time-bomb make, but I have written before that any organized team will always be a reflection of its coach. And TFC have played with the passion of Carver so far this season, seeing the game through the allotted 90 minutes instead of checking out early as was sometimes the case in the club's inaugural season.

But playing with passion is a double-edged sword; one that can turn a winning club into a club without a coach, or a member of the starting 11. As much as Carver wants to fight the system and toe the touchline, he needs to consider the repercussions and the 20-odd players that play under him.