INTERVIEWS: Greg Vanney | Michael Bradley | Nick Hagglund | Steven Caldwell
Michael Bradley took a breath, glanced at the training field in front of him and went to work. The assembled reporters didn’t have to pry. Bradley was ready to deliver his message without prompting.
“From the players standpoint, Saturday was a turning point.”
Saturday being the day TFC managed point against the Fire in Chicago. The focus shifts to Sunday, and yet another giant game for the club.
Bradley touched on Chivas’ struggles this year, with rumours of a potential hiatus for the club in 2015 adding to their woes.
“It’s been a tough season for Chivas, but knowing some of their players, knowing their coach a little bit, they will still be a team that is going to be committed, fighting till the very end.”
Underestimating anyone in this league is a recipe for disaster and the California club tends to fare better on the road than at home. With that said, TFC will face a Chivas side without their best player.
Erick Torres will not take part in Sunday’s clash due to suspension. That’s big, considering the Mexican striker has accounted for 60 percent of the team’s goals this season.
Bradley continued speaking, but not about Chivas, or the controversial game in Chicago last weekend. What started as a run-of-the-mill post-training media session morphed into a plea to the people that make this club what it is.
“Obviously, we’ve talked about in these last seven games; we need everybody in our locker-room,” Bradley said, before pivoting. “We need the fans just as much. They’ve been incredible for us all year long. Their energy and their passion and their support can be what pushes us over in these last few games.”
On a roll now, the questions stopped. Bradley kept going.
“When they’re on fire and they’re holding up their scarves and singing the Canadian national anthem, it transfers from the stadium to the guys on the field.”
It’s been a tough summer, but the hard work is just beginning with seven games left to determine TFC’s fate. The Reds will need every advantage they can get.
“The best clubs around the world still have fans and stadiums and atmospheres that even when you go down, a goal, two goals; it’s that environment, that atmosphere, that’s still driving you on. We all have to work together. They need us and we need them.”
Bradley’s sermon concluded with a sentiment that’s been echoed by Bradley, Steven Caldwell, Dwayne De Rosario - the leaders of this club.
“We just want to win for them.”
They are talking about the people that stood by this team through thick and thin, rain and wind, botched calls and horrible gaffes: The denizens of the supporters section and the family taking in their 10th game of the season in section 108, making a trip to BMO Field a weekend staple.
Sunday, is for them. Every day should be.
Armed Forces Day
Toronto FC will honour the Armed Forces at BMO Field on Sunday afternoon.
There will be close to 400 members of the Forces and their families on hand, thanks to tickets generously donated by season ticket holders, players, and the club.
A halftime presentation featuring The SkyHawks: Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team will take place, weather permitting.
