As one designated player enters the fray another exits for Toronto FC.
Head coach Aron Winter confirmed that injured captain Torsten Frings will be in the starting lineup Saturday when the Reds host the Chicago Fire.
Frings has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury in the team’s season opener against Seattle. Since then, TFC have gone on to lose their first five games of the MLS campaign, and are the only side in the 19-team league without a single point.
While the return of Frings is good news, the team’s injury woes continue, as forward Danny Koevermans is questionable for Saturday’s match after pulling his groin. Midfielder Nick Soolsma has already been ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Winter told reporters that Koevermans complained of pain after Thursday’s training session and he watched Friday’s practice at BMO Field in street clothes.
“Danny, I hope tomorrow he can play but I think not. But we have still another 24 hours,” Winter cautioned.
If Koevermans can’t play, look for Ryan Johnson to play as the team’s lone forward, supported by Joao Plata and Reggie Lambe on the wings.
“We have enough depth in the squad to fill (Koevermans’) boots. To have Torsten back is a big bonus for us too,” midfielder Julian de Guzman said.
Toronto has looked lost at times without Frings, especially in midfield where they have been overrun by opponents, and in defence, where costly errors have been a major factor why the club is 0-5. Last season, the German often dropped back as a fifth defender for the Reds to anchor the back line.
Where will Frings play against Chicago? In defence or in midfield? Winter wouldn’t say.
“The most important thing is that Torsten is back,” Winter offered.
But with the club having conceded 10 goals and sporting the league’s worst goal differential (minus-eight, tied with Montreal), Frings leaves no doubt as to how he should be deployed against Chicago.
“At this moment, in my opinion, it’s better if I play in the back line. We (concede) too many goals in the games and we have to keep the zero. It’s very important — if you keep the zero then you can win the game and get points,” Frings stated.
Of course, Frings’ return only addresses the problems in midfield and defence, not up front. The Reds have registered just two goals this season and have been shut out in all three of their home matches thus far.
Bad luck has worked against Toronto (there have been some shots that have hit the woodwork), and they ran into a hot goalkeeper in Dan Kennedy during last week’s 1-0 loss to Chivas USA. But they’ve also been let down by a lack of clinical finishing in front of goal, spurning scoring chances that should have been buried.
“We created chances and that’s the first thing we have to do. We don’t have the luck at this moment. Danny and Ryan had good chances and they didn’t score, but I’m sure it’s coming. … Tomorrow I think we’ll score some goals,” Frings asserted.
Winter is just as confident suggesting that once that first goal comes the floodgates will open for TFC.
“For sure, 100 per cent,” Winter assured.
Off to the worst start to the season in franchise history, the Reds remain pretty optimistic about their future fortunes, with players and coaches suggesting the team is about to turn the corner.
It would be foolish to write them out of playoff contention should they lose to Chicago, especially with 28 more games left in the season. Still, there is a growing sense among some of the players that Saturday’s contest is a make-or-break affair.
“This has become probably the most important game of the season right now, and it’s a great opportunity for us to turn things around,” de Guzman stated.
Frings paints a more daunting picture should the Reds suffer their sixth straight loss.
“I said last week that I thought we were ready for points. We played well against Chivas but we didn’t win the game. Now, (Saturday) we need the points. It’s very important for us. This may be the last chance for the playoffs,” Frings said.
As for Winter, he’s starting to come under heavy scrutiny after the club’s 0-5 start. The Dutchman maintains he’s not bothered by it, though.
“There’s always pressure on me but I look forward to the game tomorrow,” Winter said. “We worked hard this week and we have a lot of confidence and faith we’ll get a good result.”