TORONTO - Some coaches direct practice from midfield or the sidelines. Not Toronto FC coach Mo Johnston. During Friday's practice, the 43-year-old former MLS All-Star was right in the midst of the action with his players, making cross kicks and setting up passes.
Given the ever-fluctuating state of the Toronto roster, however, at this rate Johnston might soon find himself back on the pitch. After two weeks off, Toronto heads into a stretch of three games in the next eight days, beginning with Saturday afternoon's match against the Chicago Fire at BMO Field. The busy schedule will prove a test for TFC, as the team is still trying to find a set rotation of regulars.
Saturday's lineup will be missing two players who had played all but six of Toronto FC's first 360 minutes in team history. Forward Alecko Eskandarian will not play due to a calf injury suffered during the week's training. Eskandarian had his lower leg taped at Friday's practice, though he was still able to jog and work out with team trainer Carmelo Lobue.
TFC will also be without midfielder Paulo Nagamura, dealt on May 4 to Chivas USA in exchange for a first-round pick in next year's MLS SuperDraft. Johnston said that part of the reason for the deal was that Nagamura missed Los Angeles, where the midfielder had played the previous two seasons for the Galaxy before being acquired by Toronto in the 2006 expansion draft.
"Naga wasn't happy," Johnston said. "He was showing some tendencies that he was a little bit homesick. For me, when someone's not happy, you try to correct it in a way that helps the team. He's a great kid, and we loved having him around.
"We got a first-round draft pick when we got him for free," Johnston added. "I think that's good business."
Nagamura's right-side midfield spot will be taken by Ronnie O'Brien, who is scheduled to make his long-awaited Toronto debut on Saturday. Johnston said the 28-year-old Irishman will make at least a reserve appearance, pending his fitness at game time. O'Brien has been sidelined with strained ligaments in his right knee since the preseason.
Roster depth will continue to be an issue for Toronto throughout the summer, as some players could be called into action by their country's national teams.
Johnston cited Carl Robinson (Wales) and Andy Boyens (New Zealand) as possible candidates to be capped by their respective countries for international competition. Johnston said that Steve Staunton, head coach for the Republic of Ireland national team, had called to inquire about O'Brien's availability, but the TFC boss couldn't let his still-healing midfielder go.
"He's just getting back," Johnston said. "It's impossible for him to go play for the Republic of Ireland because he's been out for six or seven weeks. We need him here."
TFC's Canadian contingent may be the most greatly affected. Johnston said defender Jim Brennan and goalkeeper Greg Sutton will both likely play for Canada in the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer, while defenders Marco Reda and Adam Braz might see action for the Canadian under-23 team in Olympic qualifying. In addition, several members of the TFC reserve squad will be playing in this summer's FIFA Under-20 World Cup, hosted by Canada and with several matches taking place at BMO Field.
"We're going to be depleted, but that's what we have a big squad for," Johnston said. "When your country calls you, it's always an honor. The only thing is, if we get too many of them [away], we have to be careful. We have to put a good team on the field."
Turf war: Johnston dismissed any talk of a feud between he and the Chicago Fire management after the two sides exchanged words in the media this past week over the quality of the BMO Field turf.
"I've got the utmost respect for them," Johnston said. "They've got a very healthy franchise. We'd like to emulate that here in terms of winning championships and winning cups."
The dispute began last Tuesday, when Chicago coach Dave Sarachan told the Chicago Sun-Times that he was worried about his team's fitness in the wake of three May games (in New England, Toronto and New York) on artificial surfaces. Johnston responded by saying that BMO Field's FieldTurf surface was safe, and that the Fire should be "more concerned about playing in front of only 7,000 or 8,000 fans in Chicago."
Johnston said on Friday there were no hard feelings over the comments on either side. He cited his friendship with several Chicago assistant coaches, as well as team president John Guppy.
"If they're going to have a pop at us, please come up and see us first before you open your mouth," Johnston said. "That's the only thing I would say."
"We don't feel sore after practice," he added. "Everyone keeps saying it's hard. The only coach that's seen this [field] from America is [Kansas City coach Curt Onalfo], and he felt the surface was good."
Mark Polishuk is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
