[projekktor id=’12160′]
Toronto FC have never started a season at 2 and 0, let alone 3 and 0, which is what they hope to do Saturday in Salt Lake City.
The Reds have a quiet confidence, but they know that there’s still a long season ahead of them.
After only two games, Jermain Defoe has rightfully earned every penny of his sizeable contract, and he’s happy to be fulfilling such high expectations. “It’s good pressure to have. That’s the mindset I’ve got really. People always say when you work hard for some reason you seem to get lucky.”
Defoe’s performance is much like his beginning with Tottenham ten years ago. He scored the opening goal in his first match with the Spurs, and then went on to net six more — a total of 7 in 15 games, earning him the club’s player of the year honours. But he expects to share the spotlight this season, and points to Gilberto as an example: “My goal actually came off his shot and I managed to score. Hopefully we can do the same tomorrow and if we can get 3 points that would be good.”
Toronto FC have won three games in a row only three times in the club’s history — but never to start off a season, something they hope to do tomorrow. Hometown hero Dwayne de Rosario is proud to be a part of it — especially for the fans: “I think they deserve it more than anybody. So we’re happy we got the win at home but we’ve got to continue to create great moments and grow and built our support.”
The Reds’ next opponent — Real Salt Lake — may be fourth in the western conference with a record of 1-0-2, but last year’s MLS cup runners-up still pose quite a threat.
Head coach Ryan Nelsen: “They’re a consistent model that keeps throwing out performances. They all know their jobs — they all know their roles, and obviously at their home stadium and home altitude, it’s a big advantage.”
