ALLISTON, Ontario – Toronto FC hope they won't be completely shorthanded for two critical away matches against Dallas and Chicago over the next week.
Canada National Team coach Stephen Hart confirmed Wednesday that pending no injuries to his squad, midfielders Dwayne De Rosario and Julian de Guzman and defender Nana Attakora will face Peru in Toronto on Saturday. They will then likely be released to rejoin TFC for their game in Chicago on Sept. 8.
The trio would miss Canada’s friendly against CONCACAF rivals Honduras the night before in Montreal.
“We’ve been in discussions," Hart said. "The Toronto players are the only players that potentially will have to have missed two games, and all the other MLS players will only miss one game.”
Hart named his 20-man roster on Thursday. Since then, he has been inundated with questions on how he’ll manage the trio given Toronto’s schedule.
“I’m leaning towards excusing them for the second game," Hart said. "But I’m in a situation if I run into a lot of injuries, it’s going to be difficult for me.”
TFC are winless in three league games and sit ninth overall in the MLS standings, which is one place out of a playoff spot. With key players out due to injuries and suspensions, the team faces a tough stretch ahead — especially given six of the club’s nine remaining games are on the road.
Hart understands TFC’s situation, but said other clubs have also weighed in with requests on their players’ playing time for the national team.
“I understand TFC’s position and ... I’ll do my best to accommodate,” Hart said. “It’s not only TFC, because a number of clubs, especially the clubs in Europe, have asked for some sort of concessions on their players, and these things have to be considered.”
[inline_node:109574]Real Salt Lake midfielder Will Johnson and D.C. United defender Dejan Jakovic are also on the Canada roster. Jakovic is the only player who has not yet joined the national team, as he's slated to play in DC's US Open Cup match on Wednesday. He’s expected to join Canada in Toronto on Thursday.
Canada wrapped up training at Nottawasaga Inn Resort, an hour north of Toronto, and will head to Toronto ahead of Saturday’s game.
The Peru match marks Canada’s first home game of 2010 and the first in Toronto since a 1-1 draw vs. Jamaica in a FIFA 2010 World Cup qualifier on Aug. 20, 2008.
