TORONTO — Six points from six games.
It’s not the kind of point tally that strikes fear into opposing teams, but for a Toronto FC side with a new coach and an overhauled roster in what is a rebuilding season, six points from the first six games of the MLS campaign isn’t bad at all.
The thing is, though, those six games came over six weeks. TFC’s next six contests aren’t spread apart so much. The Reds welcome the Houston Dynamo to BMO Field on Saturday afternoon, the first of six matches in a gruelling 19-day period for the Canadian club, or roughly one game every three days.
After hosting Houston, Toronto then welcomes the Montreal Impact in the first leg of the Canadian club championship semifinals (April 24) and the New York Red Bulls in MLS (April 27). Then they hit the road to play Montreal in the second leg (May 1) and travel to Colorado (May 4) and San Jose (May 8) for a pair of tough league games.
What makes it even more challenging for coach Ryan Nelsen is the fact his team is dealing with a rash of injuries. Fullbacks Darrel Russell and Richard Eckersley (both nursing hamstring injuries) did not train with the team on Tuesday and are doubtful for the Houston match, while rookie forward Emery Welshman (ankle) is questionable. Left fullback Ashtone Morgan is suspended for the Houston game.
TFC is also missing central midfielder Terry Dunfield. Nelsen confirmed that the Canadian veteran, who sat out the last two games, will miss another four weeks due to a PCL tear and partial meniscus tear in his knee. When the four weeks are up, doctors will further evaluate Dunfield and determine his status.
Does TFC have the roster depth to deal with the heavy slate of games that loom ahead? Nelsen believes so, pointing to the steady performances of youngsters Gale Agbossoumonde and Ryan Richter who have recently deputized for injured starters.
“The guys who have come in, when asked to be the substitutes, have done really well. If you look at our guys on the bench, they’re experienced players. There are some internationals there,” Nelsen told reporters.
“It’s a real test for the team and we’re going to be using the squad. It’s an opportunity to stake a claim and if you do well in one of those games, it’s hard for me not to pick you.”
Translation: Expect Nelsen to rotate players through the starting line-up as the Reds prepare to compete on two fronts over the next three weeks.
Nelsen isn’t a fan of the term “squad rotation,” though. He has a simple phrase to describe what he’s about to do over the next six games: “Putting out a team that can win.”
“Of course, we will be rotating but I don’t call it rotating because for me it’s players that I’d be more than happy to play week in and week out. So it’s not an issue for me,” Nelsen stated.
New-look back four vs. Houston?
In this past weekend’s 1-1 draw against Philadelphia, Agbossoumonde started his second career MLS game in the centre of defence ahead of Danny Califf, even though the veteran had recovered from the flu. Agbossoumonde has looked sharp in his two appearances, and chances are he’ll start ahead of the more experienced Califf on Saturday.
Also, Richter slotted in at right fullback when Russell’s hamstring forced his early exit from the game in Philadelphia. Richter impressed in his first career MLS start, and caught the eye of Nelsen.
“You’d never known it was his first game. Fearless is probably the best way to describe it. He was fantastic, he was creative on the ball, he wanted the ball, he wanted to defend, he got up and down (the flanks). … It bodes well for the future,” Nelsen offered.
During Tuesday’s team practice, TFC trained with a back four of Richter at left back, captain Darren O’Dea and Agbossoumonde in the middle, and Canadian youngster Doneil Henry, who has yet to make a single appearance this season, on the right side of defence.
Even though Richter and Agbossoumonde lack MLS experience, Nelsen appears to be pretty confident in their abilities.
“The coach has been pretty fair. He doesn’t go on your resume. If you play well, you’ll play,” Agbossoumonde said.
Richter concurred: “That’s the identity of this team. We’re going to go out there and fight. No matter who gets thrown into the game, we’re going to fight for a win. That’s really what’s got us through this year so far. “
A bright and optimistic guy by nature, Nelsen isn’t sulking about his team’s injury problems, and instead is choosing to look at it in a positive light.
“It’s lucky that we have young guys who have come in and done really well, and created even more competition for those spots,” Nelsen said.
NOTES: Nelsen offered no update on Maximiliano Urruti, the young forward from Argentine club Newell’s Old Boys who TFC have been trying to secure on loan. Just a few weeks ago Nelsen said the deal was “virtually done.” But on Tuesday, Nelsen hinted that there was a power struggle going on between Newell’s Old Boys management (who want to send him out on loan) and the coach (who has put his foot down and wants him to stay). The deal with Toronto isn’t dead, but it’s clear that Nelsen is losing patience, saying: “It’s getting to a (point) where we’re going to have to draw a line behind it at some stage and move on.”
