MLS SOCCER 2012: Toronto FC, already having established a Major League Soccer record with nine straight losses to start a season, are looking to avoid matching Real Salt Lake’s 2005 futility mark

It’s as winnable as a match can be for a winless team.
Toronto FC, already having established a Major League Soccer record with nine straight losses to start a season, are looking to avoid matching Real Salt Lake’s 2005 futility mark with a 10th consecutive regulation defeat.
Saturday’s foe is the Philadelphia Union, the league’s second-worst side.
“They’re not as desperate as us because they already have eight points,” striker Danny Koevermans said after TFC trained at BMO Field on Friday. “But they need the points too, so it’s going to be a tough one.”
Adding to the desperation for TFC is a three-week break in the schedule for international training camps and World Cup qualifying. Another loss would not only dampen any holiday plans and give them another record for futility, it would surely raise voices calling for the firing of head coach Aron Winter.
“To go into the break with positive feelings, that’s the only thing that counts,” said Koevermans, who came on as a second-half substitute last Saturday and scored in Toronto’s 3-1 loss at D.C. United.
The Reds, who have been shut out in four of five MLS matches at BMO Field this season, go into Saturday’s game with some momentum. They won their fourth straight Canadian championship at home Wednesday night, defeating the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0 to take the two-game final 2-1.
As awful as Toronto’s MLS record is this season, the club is a solid 3-1-4 in CONCACAF Champions League and the Canadian championship in 2012, though neither Winter nor the players can give a reason for the difference.
“I don’t think we’re a million miles off,” said midfielder Terry Dunfield. “I think we’ve been close in the league several times.”
While acknowledging that “an 0-9 record doesn’t lie,” Dunfield said, “I really do believe if we get one or two (victories), they’ll come in a bundle. We just need to get that monkey off our back and get those three points.”
There was a much more positive outlook as the team trained Friday for the first time after Wednesday’s win. Having played well, lifted a trophy and booked passage to the Champions League, there’s definitely more confidence.
But having been whipped by Philadelphia 6-2 last season in the worst loss at BMO Field in club history, the TFC players said there’s no fear of underestimating the visitors, who are young, physical and hard-working.
“They’re a team that’s kind of similar to us,” said defender Jeremy Hall. “They play well. They miss a few chances and give up a bunch of silly goals.
“It’s two teams at the bottom trying to get points before the break. It’s going to be a dogfight.”
A key for Toronto will be avoiding lapses in concentration. Last week, in an all-too-familiar display, the Reds conceded a goal in the first minute off a set play, gave away another just before halftime and then, after getting to within a goal, allowed D.C. to march down the field and make it 3-1 moments later.
“It’s all about focus,” said defender Richard Eckersley. “Against D.C. we had good moments where we played really well.
“If we can just limit the chances we give to the other team, then we’ll give ourselves a massive chance.”