If head coach John Carver has been telling the truth (and he usually does) a brand new starting 11 might open a new chapter in Canadian soccer rivalries on Tuesday night.
Carver has always maintained that he will not tinker with a winning side; and up until Saturday night's derailment in D.C., the starting 11 have taken at least a point from the opposition in seven-straight games. But with the loss, the time is right for Carver to investigate what talent lay within the much-vaunted bench.
(Considering the impending player departures due to international duty, Tuesday's game in Montreal may serve as a glimpse to the future of the club.)
Signs pointing to a changing of the guard have surfced in the past two games against D.C. United. To start, Jarrod Smith played just shy of a full half in the home leg of the two-game set. On Saturday his substitute time was cut in half when he replaced Rohan Ricketts in the 74th minute.
With the marquee match up against the Galaxy on Saturday (and Laurent Robert lost to a red-card), Tuesday might be Smith's time to start.
I spoke with the New Zealand-native after the win over D.C., and while Smith played the role of quiet substitute to a tee, it was obvious he wanted to say he was ready to start for Carver.
"One step at a time right now and right now I am a new player and a young player to this squad and I will contribute anyway I can, which right now is to come off the bench and provide a bit of a spark and a bit of pressure on the back four."
The 51st minute of Saturday's game produced another signal that change may come in the back four. Tyrone Marshall has been the bedrock in the back through nine games, but his replacement by Cote D'Ivoire international Olivier Tebily may lead to a start for the spring signing in Montreal.
Much ado was made about Tebily's time in training camp and the length of time it took the defender to sign a contract, which can all be put to rest if Tebily starts -- and performs -- against the offensively-challenged Impact (two goals in the month of May).
Finally, the expert-proclaimed steal of the SuperDraft, Julius James, may be in line to make his TFC debut. The first-year defender has the collegiate resume and a stack of press clippings to back up the hype, but a preseason injury kept him from playing before TFC went on the month-long unbeaten streak.
James appears to be fit and ready, and as a natural centre back, Marco Velez may be the one to rest up for Saturday.
NOTES: Dwayne De Rosario may be the one to write the upset headline on Saturday when Canada takes on Brazil in Seattle, WA. De Ro told Sportsnet.ca during a conference call that he grew up idolizing the Brazilian national team, but when the whistle blows on Saturday it will be all business … "I have always admired Brazil, and rooted for them in the World Cup. The challenge is huge, but I like the big moments." De Ro also hinted that against Brazil, the team will try to play a style similar to what fans saw under Stephen Hart at last year's Gold Cup … "As a player, it is refreshing to play that game. Anytime you play with a bunch of guys who are confident and believe in their abilities, it is refreshing to be a team that wants to set the tone. Being a senior player under both Lenarduzzi and Osieck, it is definitely a good feeling to play (attacking soccer). Back in the day, we were more defensive. But now it is progressive, and we are playing attractive soccer. There is always a time and place for it (attractive soccer), and it is not a smart way all the time, but we have the creative players now."
