Greg Sutton has only started one game in net for Toronto FC this season. (Bill Kostroun/Associated Press)

Chances are very good that Greg Sutton will once again be on the bench Saturday when Toronto FC hosts the New England Revolution (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 3:30 p.m. ET).

And while the veteran admits he's disappointed that he's been supplanted by rookie Stefan Frei as the club's starting goalkeeper this season, he's not pouting about the situation.

"It's disappointing. Any time you don't play you're going to be disappointed," Sutton told CBCSports.ca in a one-on-one interview.

"There are certain periods in your career where you may not be happy with how things are going for yourself but in order to get through those times you have to continue to work at your trade and be positive. I think I've done that as much as I can, knowing that things can change.

"I know my abilities. I'm confident in my abilities and if I'm called upon to step in I'll be ready to play."

That the 32-year-old goalkeeper is able to maintain such a philosophical attitude about his lack of playing time — he's started just one game and played a mere 135 minutes this season — is a testament to his character and professionalism.

"I think you have to remain positive. If you don't, you're just going to send yourself into a downward spiral and just fill yourself up with negativity," said Sutton.

"As hard as it is to watch the game from the sidelines, I have to understand that I'm doing something that I'm getting paid to do. This is my career and it's a livelihood for myself and my family, so I have to be positive because if I don't, I'm doing an injustice to myself, my family and I may lose this opportunity."

Rookie Frei impressive

Toronto FC selected Frei, a product of the University of California at Berkeley, with the 13th pick in the first round of the 2009 Major League Soccer draft. The Swiss-born rookie impressed the Toronto coach staff in training camp, so much so that he won the starting goalkeeper's job and was between the posts for the club's first game of the regular season.

Since then, Frei has firmly established himself as Toronto's No. 1 shot stopper, winning plaudits for his solid and mature play, and is an early candidate to win the league's rookie of the year award at the end of the MLS campaign.

With Frei on top of his game, Sutton isn't the least bit surprised that he's been relegated to the role of backup.

"It's understandable that they're sticking with a winning lineup, so you have to keep that frustration to yourself and not let it leak out because that's not the right way to do things as a professional," Sutton stated.

So, what is Sutton's evaluation of Frei thus far?

"Stefan is a great professional and he's a good talent. There are some things that he needs to get accustomed to, like playing a full season as a pro. That's a tough thing to do and I think he's starting to see a little bit of that now," Sutton explained.

"He's struggled a bit in the last few games, but those are the peaks and valleys you have to be able to deal with as a professional and sometimes those valleys can lead to the demise of some players, but I think Stefan will continue to play with confidence because he has the ability."

Starting job Frei's to lose

With Toronto coach Chris Cummins keen to keep using Frei, the only way Sutton might get back into the starting lineup is if the rookie gets injured or if he makes a series of high-profile mistakes.

But Sutton insists he's not hoping for Frei's demise.

"No. Look, I want our team to be successful, first and foremost. If I'm part of that, so be it. If Stefan is in goal, so be it," Sutton said.

"Obviously, I'm going to do everything I can to try to get back into the starting lineup. I know it's a long season and there are going to be some periods when we're probably going to struggle, so there may be some opportunities for me. You can't wish bad luck on a teammate. It's not fair. Patience is a big virtue."

And in that same vein, Sutton claims he hasn't asked to be traded as a way to resolve this issue over his lack of playing time.

"No, I think it's too early for me to start looking at that," Sutton admitted. "As I said, it's a long season and things can change quickly. I'm happy in Toronto and as long as they want me here I'll be here."