Now is the time when the intensive training regimen of fitness guru Paul Winsper needs to pay off for Toronto FC.
Even though Saturday's game against the Chicago Fire is the club's first league match since the June 28 loss in New England, the fact is TFC are in the middle of a nightmare fixture pileup of eight matches in 24 days. That included the Canada Cup games against Vancouver and Montreal, as well as the two friendlies against Pachuca and Independiente. And even though the team is missing Todd Dunivant, Olivier Tebily and Danny Dichio to various ailments, the team has yet to suffer a muscle injury this season.
John Carver and company arrived late in Chicago Thursday after a routine delay in Vancouver, and it is downright steamy here. Throw the conditions into the mix and the result is Carver starts to think about energy levels. Even though it was another upbeat, high tempo training session Friday afternoon, Carver decided to wait until Saturday to pick his team. It's not about who is playing well but rather more about who appears to have the stamina.
Chicago meanwhile have issues of their own; they can't finish, and haven't won since May. Head coach Dennis Hamlett asked us when Toronto will finally cough up the rights to Brian McBride. He joked about it, but you get the sense the Fire are more than a little exasperated. But I don't think TFC will give in. They really wanted 23-year-old midfielder Justin Mapp but good luck prying him out of Chicago. Next on the list is forward Chris Rolfe who has three goals this season. That might happen; and the magic date is drawing near. The former Fulham striker McBride is eligible to play July 15th. Something will break next week.
And finally, here's why every match is so crucial now: Heading into Saturday's play, only four points separate 11 of the 14 teams in the league. With the top three in each conference guaranteed playoff berths and only two wild card spots available, teams cannot be giving away points.
TV note: The Toronto FC/Chicago Fire game can be seen Saturday night on Sportsnet Ontario, kick-off is set for 8:30 p.m. ET.
