TFC notebook

I made my weekly appearance on Champions Soccer Radio Network’s Around the League in 90 minutes today. The program should be available for download now.

ATL90 is a worthwhile listen if you are a fan of MLS, but if your interest starts and stops at TFC then you can catch my hit in the second to last segment.

Since TFC didn’t play last week there wasn’t much to talk about. It will be interesting to see how TFC handles the rust this Saturday after a 15-day layoff. They won’t have much time to recover, as the Reds will play five games in 15 days starting this weekend.

This weekend sees the first-place Columbus Crew come to town. Columbus defeated Toronto 2-0 to start the season, but that was before Toronto added a couple key players in Amado Guevara and Laurent Robert. Guevara and Robert have been the engine that has driven TFC lately. Although the Reds are still struggling to score, they have been dangerous on the set-pieces, something they struggled with last season with holding midfielder Carl Robinson and defender Jim Brennan handling most of the duties.

With a 70 per cent chance of rain, it could be an ugly game. Toronto has been bunking up the midfield in recent games by playing a 4-5-1 and I suspect they will put a similar line-up out this week.

One area to look for change might be up front where fan favourite Danny Dichio has struggled early. With only one goal in five starts it might be time to put the temperamental Jeff Cunningham back in the starting XI.

The game is at 4 p.m. and can be seen on CBC or at CBCSports.ca. U-Sector and North End Elite will be doing their typical march to the stadium, leaving from the corner of King and Dufferin at 3:15 p.m. The U-Sector pre-game warm-up starts at 1 p.m. at the Dufferin Gate (where I’ll be there doing “research” for Out Of Left Field—I’m dedicated that way). The NEE pre-game festivities while be at the Rhino. The Red Patch Boys tailgate.

In other TFC news, former Canadian international Paul Peschisolido is training with TFC. Peschisolido is currently out of contract and his appearance at BMO has fueled speculation that he may come home to finish his career. It’s likely wishful thinking. Although it would be wonderful to have a Toronto-boy like Peschisolido come home, the reality is that he is 37-years old and has deep family roots in England (He’s married to Karren Brady, the Managing Director of Birmingham City). TFC would also have to do some juggling of its roster to add Peschisolido. A player would need to be moved to the development roster, or cut. But, don’t let his age fool you. Peschisolido still has the pace of a man half his age and is only 12-months removed from scoring the goal that sent Derby to the EPL. As a super-sub, Peschisolido would add value to TFC.