TORONTO – Saturday's encounter between Toronto FC and the Colorado Rapids will be a homecoming of sorts of two of TFC's key off-season acquisitions.
Both Drew Moor and Clint Irwin (above) leapt from the Rocky Mountains to the shores of Lake Ontario over the winter, to embark on a new challenge.
Both have fit seamlessly into the side's revamped defensive structure – Moor at center back and Irwin between the posts – as they navigate an eight-match road-trip that puts them back in the Rockies on Saturday evening (8:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE).
TFC have taken four points from their first three matches, and Moor was “impressed” despite the result at Sporting KC, a 1-0 loss he missed through a bout of the flu.
“I like everything from this team,” said Moor last Wednesday, assessing their performance in Kansas City.
“[It's] a hard-working group of guys; everybody trying to get on the same page. There is nobody out there who is [doing] his own thing,” he continued. “When I'm on the field, all I have to do is my job [and not] worry about other peoples'. When you have confidence in [those] around you, it makes playing a lot easier.”
For Moor, the adjustment off the field, coming to a club in the spotlight, has been as vital as any on it.
With the added attention, does TFC's moneyed reputation cause him any pressure?
“Not at all,” he responded quickly. “It's something that I'm not used to, but I think it's fun. The media presence is a lot more – I'm not used to so many people in the locker room after games – but as a player, we're there for business, trying to get three points each game.”
Less than a month into the new season, and despite being on the road for much of it, Irwin said that, “[Toronto] is starting to feel like home.”
“When you're traded it takes a little while; basically: pack up your life and move it to a new spot,” said the 'keeper. “Looking forward, “It's going to great.”
Settling in progress, and with Moor having returned to training post-illness, both are expected to feature on Saturday against their former club.
“Of course [it's circled on the calendar],” admitted Moor. “This will be a tough trip, mentally. [Colorado] was home for six-and-a-half years, it's an organization that I still, and will always, hold very close to my heart. It's always tough to go back into your old place and play against your buddies.
“The organization treated me so well, I loved every second, and my wife and I started our lives together there. It'll be tough to go back and see the old sights.”
“It's a place that I really enjoyed playing [and] have a lot of friends,” Irwin chimed in. “I'm excited to get back, play there; see all the fans that supported us. It's going to be a really good experience and game.”
As a former captain and starting ‘keeper, and fan favorites at that, both are hopeful of a welcome return.
“I left on good terms,” said Moor, who departed as a free agent. “Colorado made a very good offer. I was ready for a new challenge, a new home, a new place, but the organization was so good to me and the fans always treated me with so much respect. Hopefully, it's a warm reception; I can't see it being anything other.”
Irwin, for his part, is a little less certain.
“I'm not exactly sure [what kind of reaction I'll get]. It wasn't really my choice to leave; there shouldn't be any ill will. They have good fans and I had a good relationship with them. Whatever their reaction, I'm not too concerned. The result is more important “
And even though they hope for a warm welcome, the visitor's dressing room will be a strange experience for the former Rapids.
“When you're at a place for so long, you become familiar, set in your ways. Suddenly you're on the other side of things. It'll be fun though. I'll see a lot of faces that I've seen for many years,” anticipated Moor. “I'll enjoy that part of it, but have to remember that there's a very important three points on the table.”
