TORONTO – Dwayne De Rosario said he feels underappreciated by Toronto FC and hinted that he should be paid more for his offensive contributions to the club.
“Every year I’ve been showing, proving my worth and it’s about time they come to me with something,” the Toronto native said.
The visibly frustrated captain sounded off after a 3-2 home loss to San Jose Saturday that seriously threatens Toronto’s playoff aspirations.
WATCH: Full match highlights
Following his 66th-minute goal that cut San Jose’s lead to one, De Rosario celebrated by running towards the stands and making a signing motion as though he was writing a check.
De Rosario admitted after the game that that's exactly what he meant by the celebration.
"I think I’ve showed my commitment to this team, to this city and to this franchise, and it’s time for them to show me some commitment as well," said De Rosario, who leads the team with 12 goals this season.
WATCH: De Rosario celebrates goal vs. SJ
De Rosario is in the second year of a four-year deal with Toronto after joining the club prior to the 2009 season. In just two seasons, he has become club’s all-time leading scorer with 23 goals and nine assists in 52 MLS games.
He has also led TFC to two straight Nutrilite Canadian Championship titles, winning the tournament’s MVP award twice, and he has helped the club qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League two straight years.
"It gets frustrating after a while when you continue to give your all and perform, but in saying that I still go out there and will continue to give my 100 percent,” De Rosario said.
READ: De Rosario's stats and bio
Fellow Canadian international and midfielder Julian de Guzman is the club’s first-ever DP. By comparison, de Guzman has zero goals and two assists this season, though he occupies a more defensive role.
Mista, a Spanish striker who arrived in July as the club's second DP, has struggled with fitness since his arrival and has no goals and one assist in nine games.
De Rosario, on the other hand, is Toronto's most consistent contributor. However, his clutch performances this season may all be for naught as Toronto sit in 10th place, seven points behind Colorado for the final playoff spot with just four games left.
Saturday's loss to San Jose brings him closer to missing the playoffs for the second straight season — something he never experienced while with San Jose and Houston.
