What a shame. It's a fine day in Southern California as Toronto FC prepares to play Chivas USA in a critical league match. The mood among the players is upbeat. It's a solid squad. The wayward Carlos Ruiz is in the fold. He seems quite happy as we chat after training. This is a quality team looking for big things.
And they had better come up with the three points. Because the undercurrent is one of frustration, bewilderment and, quite frankly, disgust over what is about to happen next week. That is when the league's main shortcoming is about to hit Toronto right between the eyes.
We're talking about the consequences of the league's refusal or inability to deal effectively and fairly with international dates. The next round of World Cup Qualifying means Toronto could lose an astonishing nine players for next Saturday's match against Chivas USA at BMO Field.
Let's go through it. Sutton and Brennan to Canada, Tyrone Marshall to Jamaica, Julius James to Trinidad and Tobago, Marvell Wynne to the U.S. and Carl Robinson to Wales.
Had enough? How about Jarrod Smith to New Zealand, Amado Guevara to Honduras and Carlos Ruiz to Guatemala. Throw in the injuries to Todd Dunivant, Nana Attakora and Danny Dichio and it's nothing short of a disaster.
It's so bad, the Reds actually petitioned the league this week to have this match postponed. Toronto likely would have had an ally in Chivas, as injuries have decimated coach Preki's side. TFC may not have three substitutes on the bench.
But the league would have none of it. The answer was a flat out no. And TFC have yet to hear a convincing explanation. Only in Major League Soccer could something as unbelievable as this take place. Anywhere else, this match would get moved.
Toronto also wanted the midweek reserve game with Columbus cancelled in order to save all the warm bodies and make them available for the critical Chivas match. The league said no to that as well. With just cause, Toronto is ready to mail in the three points in the reserve game just to protect their players for the league match.
A cynic would suggest that the L.A. Galaxy or D.C. United might get treated a little better. D.C. wouldn't care anyway as they don't lose anyone to international duty. This is where the league has gotten it wrong. They may tell Toronto it's their fault for signing all these internationals. But isn't the idea to bring in the best players possible to improve the quality of play around the league? And yet by not allowing teams to re-schedule games because of a personnel crisis, the league is compromising the integrity of its own competition.
Meanwhile Toronto FC are asking people to renew their season tickets at a time when they very well might be putting a second team on the pitch. It's a nightmare scenario facing Mo Johnston, John Carver and the rest. But they're getting no help from the league.
To rub salt into the wound, just imagine the following scenario: A shorthanded Toronto lose to Chivas next Saturday while influential midfielder Amado Guevara is helping Honduras hammer a nail into Canada's coffin by beating our World Cup team in Montreal. It could happen.
The time has come for MLS to do something. The league's reputation is at stake.
