Toronto FC head coach John Carver has told his players to 'set the standard' when they open the season at Columbus Crew on Saturday. The players trained at BMO Field Thursday and Carver has described this week as one of the most exciting times of the season.
"It is very important to set standards," said Carver. "We don't want to come away losing the game. There is a certain way I want to play, and it won't be getting behind the ball and defending all game. We will go there and try to win the game and hopefully we will be good enough to get something out of it."
Carver has already selected his starting 11 for the game, but won't tell the players until Friday. "We have a couple of players returning from international duty, so when they get back and then I will tell the players. But I know who will be starting the game, i've made that decision already."
The TFC coach is relishing the challenge of his first season in charge. "I know there are high expectations, but real pressure is when you can't pay your mortgage, this is a completely different kind of pressure. It is a motivational tool. I'll use the fans as a motivational tool as well. The support coming to Columbus is incredible."
The team starts the season with three games on the road before the home opener on Saturday, April 19 against Real Salt Lake, and Carver is already looking forward to playing at BMO Field. "I've seen videos of what it's like here at a match, and it is something very special. This has to become a fortress. I've spoken to two or three MLS coaches during preseason, and they have all said the same thing, that it's difficult coming to play here. That's exactly how it should be and we have a big advantage because of our fans."
Carver will complete a full evaluation of the way his team has prepared for the new season over the next couple of weeks, and will then begin planning for next preseason. "There are a number of options for next year. I would like to spend more time at home and make use of this great facility here. We have to make sure we get quality opposition to play against. That was why it was great to go to Florida where other teams were training. We could also go to Europe. Planning next year's preseason is something that I will start to look at in two or three weeks."
Carver said he and Manager Mo Johnston are working "tirelessly hard" trying to add players to the squad. The players will train again at BMO Field, Friday, before leaving for Columbus.
TFC at Columbus Crew is live on Rogers Sportsnet on Saturday, kick off 4pm.
