Dwayne DeRosario will remain TFC captain but will he play on Saturday against Vancouver?
It might have been a bright and sunny spring like day at training for TFC Tuesday morning, but as is the norm with this team there were also the usual darkening clouds.
Captain Dwayne DeRosario, and yes he's still the captain according to head coach Aron Winter, had been making noises all winter about whether or not he would play until his festering contract situation had been resolved. Although Winter made it clear on this day he wouldn't talk about DeRo's contract, he also pointed out that the team would have to move forward regardless. Then Winter added that he fully expects his captain to be on the pitch when Toronto opens the season against Vancouver on Saturday afternoon at Empire Fields.
As for DeRosario, he wasn't talking. DeRosario waved the media away as he quickly jumped on the team bus at the conclusion of the morning training session. We'll give DeRosario the benefit of the doubt as it was cold and blustery and the team had another function to attend. But there's a feeling this is a daily soap opera which likely run right up until the 11th hour.
At any rate, thanks for all your questions on Twitter and here are some answers.
As I pointed out, DeRosario will continue to wear the armband. When I asked Winter if DeRo would be on the pitch Saturday afternoon he said with a smile, "why not, he's my captain?"
As for the rest of the starting 11, he's not ready to tip his hand. Managers never are until the morning of game day at the earliest. I've encountered many situations where coaches haven't got it figured out in their own mind even the night before. This case is no different. You can figure out a few positions yourself based on history.
Several of you were asking about new signings. Winter had to think for a minute but told the media he figured there are 17 or 18 players under contract. Demitrius Omphroy, Javier Plata and Mikael Yourassowsky will bring it to around 20 or 21 but he wants to get that number to somewhere between 22 and 25 as quickly as possible. Who those players will be is anybody's guess. Winter's fully aware of the drain that competitions like the Nutrilite Canadian Championship and the Gold Cup will have on his thin roster.
Those who have followed this team for the first four years are running out of patience and expecting something now. Bear in mind the new management team with TFC look at it differently. This is year one for Paul Mariner, Aron Winter and the others. And that's the way they look at it. Winter pointed out several times that while he's pleased with the progress, it is not a quick fix. It will take time.
