Cunnigham's take

Monday morning I published a story about striker Jeff Cunningham, and how personnel and formation changes at TFC have pushed the league's third-highest scoring active player to the sidelines and, eventually, to the reserve team.

DANNY MOLOSHOK/REUTERS

More than a few readers have asked me how he feels about moving to the bench, but after assisting on Toronto's first reserve game goal and scoring the second, he took off at halftime, so I never got to ask him where his head's at these days.

Got the chance after today's practice.

Before we go on, understand this about Cunningham:

The guy works hard.

I realize he arrived here with a bit of a prima donna rep, and I know some fans think he sulks on the bench, then dogs it on the field if he's not starting and scoring goals.

But in the 11 months he's been here I've noticed that most days he's one of the last guys to leave the practice field. After the team stretches and guys head to the showers Cunningham often returns to the field with a partner and a bunch of soccer balls and works on finishing.

At 31, he realizes he's not going to play forever, and after 267 MLS games he seems determined to make the most of what's left of his career, hence the extra practice.

Now, I can already hear the skeptics wondering how much good that extra work is doing. Eighteen games with TFC and four goals to show for it. Big deal.

Point taken, but there are much worse ways for an aging goal scorer to spend his free time.

Just ask Ronaldo.

Anyway, when I asked Cunningham how he feels about his new role as a substitute, he said he actually didn't mind it. The team's on a three-game winning streak, so what is there to complain about?

"I don't consider it a role. My job is to make the coaches' decision (about whom to start) as difficult as possible," he said. "Right now I'm just trying to help the team win matches, and if that means playing five minutes, or one minute, as I did against Salt Lake, then that's what it is."

As far as reserve games are concerned he couldn't even remember the last time he played in one, but thinks he said more with his performance Saturday than he can in an interview.

"I did my job, had a goal and an assist in 45 minutes," he said. "That's good enough production. It should help me get at least in the 18 for the next match."

-- Morgan Campbell

Comments

[John Dinner]

Alright...well done Morgan. This is what we are talking about. An interview with a (hopefully) rising star earlier in the week, followed by one with a guy in the autumn of his career! Nicely done, and should ensure a steady growth of readers.

Cunningham seems to be doing and saying the right things in his new 'role', even if it's not entirely true as I imagine everyone wants to play major minutes.
I hope he can work his way into at least 25 minutes a game, bringing in his change of pace and allowing Dichio to know he gets to beat on opponents for 65 and then get a breather.

[Troy Kolar]

Hi Morgan. With all of those 1st teamers playing in the reserve game, it got me wondering. Is this because there aren't enough reserves to field a team or because they actually chose to play over hitting the gym?

On that note, did TFC release Boyens and Hemming (and Zahar sp?) because the team was deep and they weren't that good or to free cap space for another signing? And if it's to free cap space, how can TFC ensure depth? Is that what the development academy's for?

I love the new look of the team and worry a bit about depth. Thanks for your insights ... Troy

[LeoSC]

Morgan: You're writing a funny and informative blog. Thanks. By the way, pass the thanks to the Sports Editor, as you guys are doing a great job of covering TFC. I am glad that Carver is having to select a team each week, rather than the alternative, which as we saw last year can be very tiring. I like John Dinner's idea, as the Dichio-Cunningham combination seems to be working in forcing the opponent to defend the entire game. It's a great time to be a TFC fan!

[JohnPaul]

Hey, Jeff has been a true professional about the situation from what I can see, and he has done well in the limited playing time he's had.

Morgan, great work covering Toronto FC. I see the star doing their part to support professional soccer in Toronto, not like TSN who I criticized in an email (another topic for another day)