Reds look to rebound against Rapids

TFC coach Aron Winter. Courtesy Toronto FC

It’s easy to look up when you’re so far down.

With a 4-0 trouncing at the hands of Mexican side Pumas UNMA in CONCACAF Champions League action behind them, Toronto FC is looking forward to its MLS game Saturday against the Colorado Rapids (1:30 p.m. ET) at BMO Field.

For the players, Saturday’s game can’t come soon enough.

“Obviously, losing 4-0, you have to learn from it,” forward Peri Marosevic told the media following Wednesday’s loss. “You have to learn from your mistakes and turn it around quickly.

“We have a big game against Colorado coming up at home and I’m kind of glad we have that game. That’s the fastest way we can get over a game, to come out and play another game and to get a good result out of that one.”

The team’s manager, Aron Winter, echoed those sentiments.

“I hope we try to get a good result Saturday and that everybody is recovered from Wednesday,” Winter said. “We’re going to watch the game again, we’re going to speak with the guys about the mistakes they made and hope they won’t make them again.”

According to Winter, the biggest issue he had was his players played more like a group of individuals against Pumas, rather than as the team that defeated the Columbus Crew last weekend.

While the game against Pumas doesn’t count in the MLS standings, being blown out in any way, shape, or form is never good for a team’s confidence.

Fortunately for the Reds, they have an opportunity to put it in the past when they take on Colorado, something that is not lost on the club.

“You look yourself in the mirror, reflect on the game, get it behind us, and so for Saturday’s game you just come back collectively and get three points,” said defender Ashtone Morgan.

They Reds will tackle Colorado with a new face in the dressing room, as the team acquired young defender Kyle Davies from the LA Galaxy for fellow defender Dasan Robinson late on Thursday, just hours before the league’s roster freeze.

Still, they have a tough task on hand when the Rapids visit.

Rapids tough in a tough division

While the Denver-based squad sits in fifth place in the Western Conference with 41 points, that same point total would actually put the team tied for first  in the Eastern Conference.

If there’s any glimmer of optimism, it rests with the fact Colorado was likewise crushed in CONCACAF action on Thursday a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Mexican side Santos Laguna.

It was the first loss by the Rapids in CONCACAF action, so the Reds know they will be facing a hungry team when Colorado visits Toronto.

At least it seems the club is up for the challenge.

“I think we’re slowly getting there,” said midfielder Terry Dunfield of competing with the league’s top teams. “It’s important now we capitalize on home games.”

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By: Adam Martin
Posted: Sep 16 2011 6:54 pm
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