Being in last place is nothing new to Toronto FC. The team ended its first Major League Soccer season last year in the basement.
But this time that position comes with some added embarrassment.
Toronto finished the Carolina Challenge Cup winless and in last place (0-2-1) after falling 2-0 to the host Charleston Battery on Saturday. Charleston plays in the United Soccer Leagues.
The MLS-expansion San Jose Earthquakes (3-0-0) won the pre-season tournament, closing out their week with a 3-0 win over the New York Red Bulls. The Battery (1-1-1-) finished second in four-team tournament, while Red Bulls (0-1-2) were third.
While pre-season results rarely indicate what will happen during the season, winners from the last four Challenge Cups have gone on to capture either the MLS Cup or the MLS Supporters' Shield, given to the team with the best regular-season record.
Toronto, which it opens it regular season in Columbus on March 29, will have to improve.
"We're very, very, very disappointed," TFC head coach John Carver told mlsnet.com after the loss to Charleston. "In all my years in the game, that's the probably the worst performance I've ever seen. The only consolation is that there's no Marvell Wynne, no Maurice Edu and no Carl Robinson. To me that's the only consolation to take out of this game. I could be here a month trying to explaining that poor performance."Wynne and Edu were with the United States at the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament this week along with TFC teammates Tyler Hemming, Tyler Rosenlund and Andrea Lombardo, who were representing Canada. Robinson was in Wales attending personal matters.
Charleston's goals were scored by former Red Bulls striker Randi Patterson, in the 38th and 50th minutes.
Carver, with plenty of decisions to make on his final roster, used the game to have a look at some players on the bubble — 'keeper Brian Edwards, defender Pat Phelan, midfielder Martin Brittain and forward Kevin Gall. The 23-year-old Phelan was the 10th overall pick in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft.
On Friday, Toronto signed Canadian midfielder Rosenlund to a senior developmental contract. Rosenlund impressed TFC manager Mo Johnston with his performances with the Canadian under-23 squad at the Olympic qualifying tournament.
"If he makes some progress, which we're hoping he does, there's always an opportunity there to make the 18-man roster," Johnston said.See Also:
