TORONTO – Toronto FC striker Danny Koevermans has been a super-sub since returning from a groin injury.
But that's not a role the Designated Player should get too comfortable with.
“Danny came back from an injury and when he’s fit he’s going to play, always,” head coach and technical director Aron Winter said after Koevermans' goal gave the Reds their first league win of the season against Philadelphia on May 26. “Because he’s a DP, he’s a good striker making goals and you have to bring him slowly.”
That means bringing him in as a substitute for the three matches since his return. In the two league games during that span, he managed to score a goal in each.
The only game in which he has not played since his return from injury was the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship finals against Vancouver. The big Dutchman was preparing to enter the game during the second half but, just before he was about to go on, each team got a red card and plans changed.
Koevermans said that on the day before the match against Philadelphia he felt he was ready to start against the Union – but that he understood why he ended up coming off the bench.
“Every time I come on, I try to do my job,” Koevermans said. “I had an injury and I think it’s kind of normal that you don’t start."
For now, at least. But to hear Winter tell it, that won't be the case for long.
“When you’re going to play in this league you have to be 100 percent fit,” Winter offered. “His moments are coming. Of course when Danny’s fit he’s going to play. That’s why we signed him. But I’m trying to get consistency in the team and give a lot of confidence to everybody and his moment’s coming.”
