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TORONTO — It has been a long time since the last streamers were unfurled and snaked around the feet and legs of a visiting player attempting a corner kick at BMO Field.
Toronto FC has not played since May 1, a 1-1 draw with the New York Red Bulls.
Saturday, it is back to work for TFC with a rematch with its opening-game opponent, the Columbus Crew who were 2-0 winners on March 29 in Ohio.
“We've had a break,” TFC head coach John Carver said this week at BMO Field after a training session. “Everybody will be refreshed, the fans, the players, myself. Can't wait for the game. I think we owe them one. I felt we did enough to get something from the game, we didn't get anything from the game.'
TFC has an altered lineup since then with such additions as Laurent Robert, Amado Guevara, Rohan Ricketts and are a more formidable opponent with three victories and a draw in the past four games after opening the season with two losses.
So Saturday's match could be used as a measuring stick.
“It will be a test of where we are, how far we've come in a short space of time,” Carver said.
Columbus has been mightily impressive in building the best record in MLS with a 6-1 record.
“They've gone on a great run.” Carver said. “They're very well organized. They're scoring goals (14 for the season). They are conceding goals (nine) as well so it should be a good, entertaining game. But we've got home territory, we've got the home fans, we'll have the atmosphere and hopefully we can take the game to them.”
After having more than two weeks off, TFC faces an arduous schedule. After Saturday's match, which has been changed to a 4 p.m. start, TFC is home next Wednesday to D.C. United, then visits D.C. United on May 24, visits Montreal for the opener of the Canada Cup against the Impact of the United Soccer Leagues on May 27 and then is at home to the Los Angeles Galaxy on May 31.
Canada also plays Brazil on May 31 in an international friendly in Seattle so the possibility exists that there will absences for that game and other international fixtures.
Carver said he has had a chat with Canadian head coach Dale Mitchell. “He was at the game against New York,” Carver said. “I sat with him the following day, watching the reserve game. As long as everybody's sensible, I'll be sensible. I think we can get along quite nicely. He hasn't said who he is going to use yet.”
Carver also said it helps that Mitchell's assistant with the national team is Nick Dasovic who is head coach of the TFC Academy as well as second assistant coach for TFC's senior team.
“I think there should be some good communication for the two groups,” Carver said.
Earlier this year there was talk about TFC possibly signing winger Darren Huckerby. Huckerby recently was told that he will not be re-signed by Norwich City.
“We've said all along we're not stopping with what we've got.” Carver said. “And the one thing we can sign at the moment is players who are out of contract. He is one that is out of contract. He's one that we've talked about. As it stands at the moment nothing happened.
“I'm looking for players to improve the side and he's certainly one player that would take the side in the right direction.”
