It must be difficult for the Toronto FC players and coaching staff to keep their eyes on the ball these days. With just four matches remaining, the team remains six points in arrears of the final playoff spot. With only two wins since May 31, its hard to imagine the Reds picking up enough points now to secure a spot in the post-season tournament.
With each match, the focus increasingly shifts from playoff aspirations to earning a spot on next year's roster.The head coach says this changing priority even applies to himself. Much has been written lately about John Carver's future in Toronto. Carver might get fired, he might get fed up and simply walk away or the lure of the English Premier League might be too strong and the moment an offer, any offer comes up, he'll be gone.
Ironically, the worst situation in the EPL anyone could get themselves into, is the only one where Carver could end up. And even that is unlikely.
It isn't like he hasn't received offers back in England over the course of this season. He has. But despite his frustration over the head-scratching ways of MLS, the confounding salary cap and in general the way things are done, he has not lost interest. Nor has he lost his zest to succeed here. In other words, he has no intention of leaving. He likes calling the shots. You can see it in his eyes and in his demeanor. And no matter how bad it gets, I've yet to see the Saturday evening funk from another dismal performance last beyond Sunday. Besides, his wife loves it here. Never underestimate the importance of that.
Back to the one scenario that could entice him away. It's common knowledge that Carver and Newcastle legend Alan Shearer are close. If, and it's a big if, Shearer were to take charge at St. James's Park, then Carver might have a decision to make should his old friend come calling. But given the mess that exists there now, it's hard to imagine that scenario taking place. I last spoke to Shearer a little more than a year ago, and at that time, he felt the prospects of managing the club were a long way off. If it were to ever happen, the circumstances would have to be perfect. He said that more than once. The environment at Newcastle seems a long way from perfect.
Back we go to Toronto. There are whispers emanating from Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment that the board understands the importance of making real progress in Year 3. They know the season-ticket base will start to erode if they don't take serious action.
Have you renewed yours yet? Or are you waiting to see if they give you enough reasons to do so? MLSE have been talking the talk. It says here that this off-season they will finally walk the walk. Does this mean an upgrade of player talent across the board? The signing of a designated player? Concrete plans for a new state of the art training facility? Real grass at BMO Field? Perhaps something none of us have even considered? Maybe all of the above. Carver is counting on it. So are the rest of us.
News from training Thursday: Defender/Midfielder Kevin Harmse has been called up for the World Cup Qualifiers against Honduras and Mexico while Jim Brennan has not. Carver says that Carlos Ruiz is doubtful for this Saturday's match against New York. If so, he'll do everything he can to hold him back from joining up with Guatemala.
