SoccerCanadian rivals playing by the numbers

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Nigel Reed thinks Toronto FC could use a player such as Whitecaps captain Jay DeMerit. (Getty Images)

What is it about Roman numerals? Six hundred years after the fall of the Eastern Empire they are still in common use.
 
Think clocks, legal documents and yacht marinas. It seems when you've got something important or official to say, Roman numerals are de rigueur despite perfectly clear and understandable modern numbers.
 
The Toronto FC marketers are clever. Instead of launching the franchise's fifth season, they have gone all Roman. You will have noticed the new look campaign, proudly promoting Season V. It's a strategy they hope will create a renewed buzz about the team.
 
Why wouldn't they? Bearing in mind what's gone before the corporate message needed to change. With a new management team, new players, a new style and philosophy to boot, it's a kind of wipe the slate clean statement supported by fresh branding.
 
Think of the possibilities. Season V, as opposed to 5, can be a smart publicity tool. Clearly, the most obvious is "V for Victory". It's what the fans want to see, what the management aims to achieve and what the ownership needs to deliver.
 
It could also backfire with embarrassing consequences. How about "V for Very Sorry We're Re-Building" or, worse still, "V for Vancouver's Ahead Of Us In the Standings"? Both of which are accurate but unlikely to enthuse the paying customer.

Dire 3-0 loss to DC United
 
Aron Winter, pronounced with another of those Vs, was understandably "upset" at his team's failure to launch against DC United. The TFC head coach offered no excuses, or explanations, for another costly slow start in successive home games.
 
He did, however, suggest a possible timeline for improvement. According to Winter, who let's not forget has to prove himself as a senior coach, it could take "up to a year" to turn this thing around. His forecast, based on recent events, may be optimistic.
 
Most fans will understand his plea for patience. He and Paul Mariner inherited a team with major problems. They are in the process of resolving issues not of their making, while attempting, simultaneously, to field a competitive side.
 
As the makeover continues, Winter needs one thing above all. Toronto FC needs a leader - a face of the franchise. A strong man prepared to roll up his sleeves and die for the cause. A player who will set an example and raise the bar for those around him.
 
Such a player does not currently feature on his roster. I'm not talking about who wears the captain's armband. I'm talking about the character of a proven professional who has boatloads of experience, plus belief and trust in his team-mates.
 
Someone like, say, Jay DeMerit. For a player who went undrafted and unsigned after graduating from the University of Illinois, DeMerit has done alright for himself. The U.S. World Cup defender, who played in the English Premier League, is now captaining the Whitecaps. 
 
DeMerit tough as nails

A tough, uncompromising central defender, who's had to battle for everything he's achieved, DeMerit is the ideal player to lead an expansion team through the trials and tribulations of a first season in Major League Soccer.
 
He is temporarily sidelined with a groin injury and he's being missed on the field. But you can bet DeMerit is doing his bit behind the scenes to encourage and cajole his fellow Whitecaps. I have no doubt he will be reminding them of their commitments and responsibilities.
 
DeMerit is by no means the only player missing. The Caps' depth is being severely tested by a lengthy injury list and despite the dour stalemate with Chivas USA, Vancouver had the better of the chances led by the powerful Eric Hassli and creative Davide Chiumiento.
 
A first clean sheet also helps. The Whitecaps are full of endeavour but without DeMerit and Greg Janicki their defensive foundation is showing signs of stress. Opponents are keen to take advantage but Jay Nolly's shutout can only foster self confidence at the back.
 
So after six, or should that be VI, games a-piece Canada's MLS rivals have six points on the board. Both teams have a week to rest up and recover before the going gets tougher. The advent of the 2011 Canadian Championship will soon mean two games a week.
 
Interestingly, the Romans had no numeral for zero. So after Season V, TFC will probably have to find another way of expressing the number of times the franchise has qualified for the MLS playoffs.

Follow Nigel Reed on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/#!/Nigel_Reed

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