INTERVIEWS: Nelsen | Orr | Steven Caldwell | Bekker | Caldwell | Hagglund | Bloom
It took several glances at the sky, repeated checks of the weather app on my phone and actually stepping outside to realize the severity of the moment. Winter was gone.
I’m not afraid to admit a solitary tear rolled down my cheek.
We welcome spring with a show it should enjoy. Two teams off to successful starts will meet at BMO Field this Saturday, where Toronto FC host the Colorado Rapids.
The home opener against D.C United provided just about everything the sellout crowd could have wanted. A Jermain Defoe goal, key contributions from Michael Bradley and elements that reminded us that March was still winter’s playground in Canada.
And while that was nice and cheery, let's call a spade a spade. It wasn’t the prettiest soccer. A win is a win, of course, but we’re due for an aesthetic masterpiece. March is over. April, and the months after, are the beautiful days. When pitches become playable, grass gets greener and hefty jackets are thrown into closet with disdain. Rejoice, Toronto. We did it.
With that long winded diatribe out of the way let's get to the game, shall we?
'The Mile High Matador'
Bradley Orr and Nick Hagglund were outstanding in Columbus, but the return of captain Steven Caldwell from suspension comes at the perfect time for Ryan Nelsen.
Jose Mari was superb in Vancouver last week, powering the Rapids to a come-from-behind win at BC Place. Hailed as the ‘Mile High Matador’ by people far smarter than I, Mari’s vision is standing out for Rapids boss Pablo Mastroeni.
The 26-year-old’s equalizer out West is the early frontrunner for goal of the season, and people around the league are still buzzing. Fresh from his days at Real Zaragoza, Mari is focused on adapting to his new surroundings.
“I wanted to feel important at a club,” Mari told MLSSoccer’s Chris Bianchi. “I had great teammates at Zaragoza, terrific companions, and I felt wanted in certain ways, but I didn’t feel important to the club. Now, I feel good and I feel very happy here. I want to keep working hard to maintain that feeling.”
He’s a distributor by trade, and one Toronto’s Kyle Bekker will have to keep in check. But as we saw last week, Mari is able to do the seemingly impossible on a whim.
Gilberto grows, De Rosario looks for number one
During last week’s game, a question was asked by one of Canada’s more reputable soccer journalists. Through three and a half games, what do you think of Gilberto? More specifically, do you think he can adapt his game to Major League Soccer?
About 25 minutes into the final period, he made an exceptional turn near the edge of the box and thundered a shot off the bar.
By no means is that single event a harbinger of things to come, but the larger sample--four games worth--indicates the Brazilian’s breakthrough is coming. His excellent work rate combined with the soccer intelligence to make smart, probing runs will be rewarded soon.
Gilberto’s partner up front will likely be Dwayne De Rosario. The veteran commented on the injury bug currently infecting the team.
“It’s something that we’re naturally going to face.” he said “Hopefully less at times throughout the year, but it gives guys an opportunity to step in, get quality minutes in.”
The Canadian veteran is one of those guys. What better way to welcome in spring than with the dance Daniel Sturridge wished he came up with first. Yeah, you know the one.
