Koevermans: TFC “the worst team in the world.”

[Grizzly]

Not surprisingly, I agree!

TFC's Koevermans stands by "worst team in world" claim

May 22, 2012

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2012/05/22/tfcs-koevermans-stands-worst-team-world-statement

TORONTO – In a fit of frustration after this past Saturday’s 3-1 loss to D.C. United, Toronto FC striker Danny Koevermans said his team is “setting a record as the worst team in the world.”

While some of his teammates were willing to debate that on Tuesday, no one can dispute that Toronto FC are off to the worst start in MLS history at 0-9-0.

Yet, if they beat the Vancouver Whitecaps on Wednesday at BMO Field in the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship final (8 pm ET, Sportsnet One), they will win the Voyageurs Cup for the fourth year in a row. Last Wednesday’s first leg ended 1-1 and Toronto expect to have Torsten Frings back in the lineup after missing two games with a shoulder injury.

Koevermans still stood by his words from Saturday.

“Name me one team in the whole world that is 0-9,” Koevermans said after Tuesday’s training at BMO Field. “That’s what I was referring to – that there is not one team in the world who have lost nine times in a row.”

Goalkeeper Milos Kocic, however, was the first to disagree.

“That’s his opinion,” he responded. “I have a different opinion. I think my team is the best in the world. It’s as simple as that. I talk to Danny, he’s one of my best mates on the team, but I don’t agree.”

Center back Adrian Cann also disagreed.

“It kind of bothers me,” he said. “I can say we’re the worst team in the world but it’s harder to say we’re the worst team in the world and do something about it. Actions speak louder than words.”

Head coach and technical director Aron Winter said Koevermans was probably speaking from frustration.

“I don’t agree and I think he has to be smarter and not say those things,” Winter said.

There was agreement, however, that winning the Canadian Championship could help salvage the season because it would mean a return to the CONCACAF Champions League.

“To make something out of the season we have to win tomorrow,” Koevermans said. “Because then you’ve got some nice games coming up from say August until November.”

The draw in Vancouver prior to the loss in Washington was just another example of the difference in the way the Reds have played in cup competitions and the league.

“Maybe it’s because the players feel we have more time in MLS to catch up, which I don’t think we will have,” Kocic said. “But maybe this is like we’re fighting for life generally. It’s a cup game, so if you lose you’re out so you are trying to push yourself.

"I think we’re a very tough team when we play cup games compared to MLS games. We are conceding goals in MLS too easily.”

[Yohan]

So mtl lost to the 'worst team in the world.' What does that make mtl? 'more worse than worst team in the world?'

[narduch]

It appears that TFC is handcuffed due to the MLSE ownership change which continues to drag on (I saw one comment that it may not happen til then end of the year).

There was an analysis on CSN that pretty much backed Koevermans up.

I'm beginning to wonder if TFC will break some of Tasmania Berlin's records (possibly the worst first division soccer team ever).

[paul-collins]

Language barrier?

Danny stands by his point but it seems to me he means "team with the worst record" rather than "worst team". I can totally see the Dutch language influence on the choice of words here (inlaws)... It comes across as even more blunt than the Dutch are renowned for.

Who's to disagree with the data?

[madmonte]

Truthfully in this, the information age, such statements are far too often overanalyzed. Especially when read in print rather than actually seeing the interview, and how he said it. You could tell he was frustrated. When asked later if he still felt that way, and he responded yes, it's not as though his frustration is dealt with.

Most players today have a high understanding of how overanalytical the media and fans of today are. That's why they don't really say anything and interviews are SO boring! I used to love guys like Charles Barkley, or many Canadian hockey players some of us grew up loving that would tell you how it was. They were unapologetic and brash, but always entertaining, always honest with themselves AND with us. That's why Charles Barkley is such a great color commentator for the NBA now. Once, he was quoted as saying that he did not see himself as a role model, and that it was not his job to be a role model, but in reality more people should be like that, as long as they reign it in and don't go overboard.

Look at De Rosario...he made a cheque signing gesture after scoring a goal. I was watching that game live, and I guarantee you, noone made ANYTHING of that gesture during the game, not the fans in attendance, and not the analysts doing the game. It was only after that it got blown WAY out of proportion, and I stood by De Ro then, like I'll stand by Koeverman's now.

Fans! Let them speak a bit! Quit overanalyzing every word! It's no wonder noone says anything anymore that isn't in the "media handbook"! Even the guys that posted this thread, I'm sure to an extent, would agree, even given the big money, and the "represent your team" attitude that is always encouraged and in fact expected, just because, as fans, you have to admit, interviews are ALWAYS boring now!

[lattes]

What do you call two teams that lose the V-cup to the worst team in the world?

Worse!

**** you Vancouver!

[tmcmurph]

They are only the worst team on weekends. They play just fine on Wednesdays. Go figure. The bunker job in Montreal was the only really weak performance by TFC in the V's Cup or CCL this year. They out played Montreal while a man down and beat Vancouver 2-1 over 2 games. It is really weird but TFC have sucked totally on weekends and played great during the week. Weird, just totally f#$ing weird but that is our 2012 edition of the V's cup in a nutshell.

Either way you translate it Koevermans is correct but only for the weekend games.

See you next year.

[Jcm144]

A beautiful way to script a futbol game. Kovermans, the man who makes the very controversial statement about TFC being the worst team in the world. He goes on to score a goal in the 88th minute to capture TFC's first win in league play. Beautiful.

[BeepBeepImaJeep]

A beautiful way to script a futbol game. Kovermans, the man who makes the very controversial statement about TFC being the worst team in the world. He goes on to score a goal in the 88th minute to capture TFC's first win in league play. Beautiful.

[kyam]

LA were upset by the Carolina Railhawks in USOC play.

That means LA now has 9 loses in all competition including against NASL side.

Do we have a new "worst team in the world"?

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[DJT]

In Norway, Stabaek (who were champions just a few years ago) began the league season at 0-1-9, so worse than TFC over the first 10 games. And the draw came in their first game, so they, too, lost 9 straight. They finally won in their eleventh game of the season on Monday. Also like TFC, they have done better in cup play, winning twice, but against opponents from the third (in extra time) and fourth tiers.