Reds stay positive before Fire fight
Despite recent road record, players in upbeat mood
Captain Jim Brennan is sounding the battle cry ahead of the visit to the Windy City. "We've got to stay positive and go out there and do what we can to get the results," he said. "Obviously we are frustrated that we didn't get the win in Los Angeles but things went our way with the other results so we are still in the race and we have got a couple of home games left to play so we can still push forward."
The TFC squad is under no illusion as to the size of the task facing them as they make the short trip West, but will take heart from Chicago's faltering home form. The Fire are sitting in second spot in the Eastern Standings three points behind leaders Columbus, but they threw away a two goal lead against the Crew on Sunday to tie 2-2 and have only won four out of 13 home games this season, scoring a league low 13 goals.
"They have won more games on the road this season than at home but they're a good side, there is no doubt about that," said Brennan. "It is usually a good game when we play against Chicago. We will be pumping on all cylinders and will be going for a win. Against the Galaxy we had a lot of possession but didn't have that penetrating pass. Because we pushed on we opened up at the back, but I thought we played alright, we just didn't get the result that we wanted."
It is now four games on the road without a goal for Toronto with Dwayne De Rosario's strike in New England on August 1 the last time the net bulged for the Reds away from BMO Field. Striker Ali Gerba went closest to scoring in the loss against the Galaxy, hitting the bar and also being denied by LA 'keeper Donovan Ricketts, but the Canadian international is confident the goals will start to flow.
"The result in LA was very disappointing," said Gerba. "We went there to win the game and we had a few good chances but we were a little bit unlucky. At least we keep creating in front of goal. We had some good opportunities and if we keep knocking at the door the goals will start to come."
"We have to show some guts and keep working hard to try and win some games. We have been fortunate because we haven't lost much ground but one of these days the luck will run out so we have to start winning games and not expecting other teams to do us favours."
Gerba was pleased to get the opportunity to link up with fellow Canadian Julian de Guzman for the first time in the match at the Home Depot Center, and believes the Toronto born midfielder will have a big impact on the team. "You could see his work ethic. He has had a couple of months off but you could see in the game that he was giving everything. Everyone just has to be patient until he gets his full fitness. I know how he plays and the movement that we can expect and hopefully we can keep building on that."
Toronto FC's players were off on Wednesday and will return to training at BMO Field on Thursday morning before leaving for Chicago on Friday afternoon.
