The 2010 remake of Toronto FC’s squad has seen the addition of a large contingent of former Colorado players, so there is plenty on the line when the two teams meet at BMO Field on Saturday. Five players who joined Toronto this season have previously played for the Rapids, and three made the move directly from Denver.
Midfielder Jacob Peterson believes the Colorado connection gives the match extra meaning. “Everybody says that playing against your old club doesn’t mean much or is just another game, but the fact of the matter is that it is different,” he says. “Obviously we have got a lot of ex Colorado guys here and it is an important game for us. We have been in a funk here and we need three points.”
Toronto are unbeaten in seven MLS matches, but have drawn their last three in a row, all at home. “It has been a bit of a struggle the last few weeks. The key is keeping a shutout and we have managed to do that. We have been good defensively from Stefan in goal all the way through to the forwards, now we have got to have more of a creative edge and be better going forward.”
The Five Ex Rapids:
Nick LaBrocca: played 61 games from 07-09
Jacob Peterson: played 95 games from 06-09
Ty Harden: played 7 games in 2009
Adrian Cann: played 2 games in 2004
Dan Gargan: played 51 games from 05-07
Colorado have their own Toronto FC connections including former Reds defender Marvell Wynne who went in the opposite direction when LaBrocca moved to Toronto.
Wynne returned to BMO Field for the first time since leaving the club as Colorado visited the stadium on Friday morning. “It feels very different being back here,” he said. “It’s always a good atmosphere so it will be a good playing environment, but it will be different to have the fans not supporting me. It’s always good to be back in a familiar place though. Walking down this hallway and seeing myself in some of the pictures brings back good memories.”
Wynne has started all 13 of Colorado’s games this season. “It has been good,” he said. “The team has been great and I like the city. It has been an easy transition.”
