TORONTO – Aron Winter says he has never gone through anything like this before, either as a player or coach.
The former Dutch international has seen his share of adversity, true. But he's never been part of a team with five losses on the trot.
Yet that is where the Toronto FC head coach and technical director finds his team – holding an 0-5-0 record in the league and desperately in search of points.
“Of course I’ve also had [teams] that have had periods where we were not playing well, but not five defeats,” he said Tuesday at BMO Field. “Not like this. And unlucky like this, never had it, never.”
The Reds feel they were unlucky in their 1-0 loss to Chivas USA after producing several golden scoring chances in the second half, including two that were cleared off the goal line.
In three home losses they have yet to find the net and in their five league games they have been outscored 10-2.
Through it all though, Winter said he has seen positives. Namely, the Reds have been creating chances that he feels will eventually turn into goals.
“We’re not surrendering,” he said. “I’m a winner, I’m going to win also even at this moment where it is a difficult situation, five games, zero points.
“The fans I can understand don’t like it and they’re going to be upset or whatever. But you have to be honest the team is making progression. Playing well, creating chances."
Winter can also take solace from the return of some key players. Center back Adrian Cann – whose 2011 season was cut short by knee surgery – played his first league game since last May 22 against Chivas USA and put in a good showing.
Cann said on Tuesday that he caught his “second wind” in the second half and feels good.
This Saturday against the Chicago Fire it is expected that former German international Torsten Frings will play. He has been out with a hamstring injury since the 25th minute of Toronto's league opener in Seattle on March 17.
Defenders Dicoy Williams, who had knee surgery last year, and Jeremy Hall, who had surgery for an abdominal injury during preseason, are both enjoying limtied participation in training sessions and are could feature soon.
Through it all, Winter remains optimistic that the end of this current streak is nigh.
“It’s coming,” he said.
