The talk around MLS this week was not about Gold Cup call ups.  Talk around MLS locker rooms this past week was all about Toronto FC giving up six goals at home to the Philadelphia Union.  (Union had eight goals for before coming to Toronto last weekend).

KC goalie Jimmy Nielson was asked about playing in Toronto this weekend and he responded with “they used to be a good team”, and when asked about their own goal scoring woes going into Toronto.  Nielson replied with “hopefully Saturday in Toronto we can make a copy of Philadelphia and score six goals”  Are you serious?  What soccer player ever says aloud to the media before going into another teams stadium? 

That being known, if Toronto Fc players don’t show up with a huge effort defensively at home to Sporting Kansas City Saturday night, I am suggesting you can count this team out of any playoff chase.  Take note, I did not say must win, I am saying effort.  If head coach Aaron Winters team does not show up looking to prove a point to themselves, and the rest of the league with a better defensive game, what Else are we supposed to think about this group?

Yes the team needs to find better players.  yes the team is dealing with injuries and Gold Cup call ups.  Breaking News….”so are many other teams in MLS”.   As a competitor you have to find a way to compete at your highest level each and every game you play.  Athletes and any of us doing what we love to do for a living, need to be reminded at times, how much hard work it took for you to get where you are today and how much hard work it will take to stay where you have gotten yourself to.  Coaches are there to remind athletes of this every time they step on the pitch.  Not to beat them down and build them up constantly, but to remind them they are only as good the amount of effort they put into a practice, shift or game.

Its going to be a tough go for Winter and company in June.   But when the going gets tough, champions get tougher.

 TFC hosting Sporting Kansas City at 7pm Saturday June 4th on Sportsnet radio The FAN590 @ www.fan590.com

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