TORONTO — Stefan Frei has seen a lot of change in his three years with Toronto FC, but at least one aspect has remained the same: no postseason. And with that comes no chance at MLS Cup.
And if the Reds are going to change that troubling trend — they’ve amassed just 15 points in 17 games ahead of Saturday’s match at Real Salt Lake (9 pm ET, watch LIVE online) — they need to address perhaps the biggest problem with the club.
“I think we need to get some consistency,” Frei said. “You need time to get that consistency. But I think if we’re patient as players, as fans, as a front office, as coaches, and stick to our guns and believe in what we want to achieve, I think we can get that consistency. We will eventually get the results that we need.”
Frei’s first season with TFC was in 2009, and he has seen anything but a consistent approach since then. The team has changed head coaches four times since then (not including former assistant Nick Dasovic’s brief interim spell last season), and the club underwent an overhaul on the technical staff before the 2011 season.
“It’s just the change that’s been going on,” he said. “I’ve been here for three years and I’ve have had five coaches. Everybody has their own idea of how the team should be playing. Even if you have a bunch of experienced players, if you have a new coach come in, it’s going to take some time to adjust to that.”
TFC have fought tooth and nail for their results this season, but they’re winless in their last nine games dating back to a 2-1 win over Houston in the beginning of May. The latest blow came against the Seattle Sounders, who eked out a 1-0 victory last Saturday at BMO Field, the Reds’ third loss in 10 games at home this year.
Still, Frei is preaching patience during what has become a disappointing season in Toronto.
“I think we really need to let this rebuilding now take its course and let us get consistent with it,” he said. "I think the way they want us to play is the right way. We’re slowly starting to develop the skills that are needed to play this way and I think they want to bring in a couple of players to fill out the way they want to play.”
