INTERVIEWS: Nelsen | Oduro | Defoe | Caldwell
They’re back. After three weeks off Toronto FC is back in action.
When we last left them, a Jermain Defoe penalty secured three points against San Jose at BMO Field. Defoe scored seven goals in seven games. Nick Hagglund vaulted himself into the Rookie Of The Year conversation. TFC sat in a playoff position with a number of games on the teams in front of them.
And then the World Cup break came.
There is no doubt that Brazil is delivering with many calling this year’s World Cup the best in years, but it is nice to have the boys back in action. For the dedicated football fan, the hardest part is waiting - there’s never enough footy to enjoy.
“It's odd taking a break in the middle of the season, we're dying to get back playing,” noted captain Steven Caldwell, with the excitement audible in his voice.
It doesn’t start easy for Ryan Nelsen’s side as a trip to Red Bull Arena awaits.
Like Toronto FC’s Julio Cesar and Michael Bradley, the Red Bulls saw two of their stars make the trip to Brazil. Tim Cahill was Australia’s shining light, scoring one of the goals of the tournament against the Netherlands. The Socceroos put up a fight, but were unable to make headway in a very difficult group.
Thierry Henry wasn’t playing, instead lending his insight to BBC’s mammoth broadcast team. Henry was insightful, sparring with his fellow pundits while providing the type of analysis players of his ilk rarely do.
Henry is back in the fold for Friday’s match while Cahill is doubtful. “I wouldn’t expect him back until [Wednesday] night at the earliest. If that is the case, he is in for Thursday practice before the game,” Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke has said according to Empire Of Soccer.
“Tim always wants to play of course. As the coach and coaching staff, we have to look at many aspects of it; not just that the player wants to play — they all want to play. The fact that we had a whole week of training with the guys, Tim’s travel schedule - it can be very counter productive.”
Red Bulls midfielder Dax McCarty will also miss out after failing to recover from a fracture in his kneecap.
Reds raring to go
Meanwhile TFC is raring to go. Dominic Oduro is rocking a new hairstyle, substituting Columbus yellow for TFC red in his mohawk.
The 28-year-old’s mission statement is clear.
"I just want to entertain people," he told the Canadian Press on Wednesday. "This sport is all about entertainment and why not entertain with my hair. That's how I see it so I just want to do something crazy to my hair almost every home game - if my hair will let me."
Next up? An homage to the World Cup if we’re lucky.
Toronto goalkeeper Joe Bendik wants his side to seize the opportunity in front of them.
“We have a lot of games in hand,” said the American. “Each game we play, we have an opportunity to move far up the table."
Games in hand mean nothing if you don't win them. Friday’s game marks the beginning of a hectic schedule that will see TFC play nine games in 34 days.
The road to the franchise’s first playoff berth begins on Friday. With your eyes fixed on Toronto and Brazil this summer, prepare to feast on footy - and be grateful for the bounty.
