Carver Miffed Over Shorthanded TFC

Facing a massive player shortage for their next game, Toronto FC head coach John Carver is lashing out at league officials for their refusal to schedule games around FIFA international dates. In all, nine TFC players have been called up for international duty this weekend, a testament to the talent that the club boasts, but also a real problem heading into this weekend's home game against Chivas USA."I've had some challenges in my life, but I've never had anything like this," Carver said. "We have played games with six or seven players missing, like when we beat LA earlier this season, but this time Julius James and Marvell Wynne got call-ups and Jarrod Smith is also away with New Zealand.

"I've hardly been able to work with a consistent team all season because we keep losing players to internationals. To be honest, we played on Saturday with what was probably our strongest team of the season and we were dreadful, but there haven't been many times this season when I have been able to put my strongest team on the field."

In addition to the international call-ups, TFC will be without midfielder/defender Tyler Hemming, who has asked for his release from the club. Hemming, 23, has made just three appearances this season for Toronto, totalling 97 minutes in all.

"Tyler asked to be released today, so we're now another man down," continued Carver. "If he doesn't want to be here, there is no way I'm going to beg him to stay just because we are short of players. It is his request; he wants to go."

As if that wasn't enough for a team in the thick of the race for a playoff spot, several of the remaining players are banged up and are unlikely to be able to last a full 90-minute game.

"Chad Barrett has not lasted a full game yet. Danny Dichio hasn't played a full game since suffering from a concussion and Kevin Harmse has a problem with his knees. We have called up David Monsalve from the MLS emergency pool to be our substitute goalkeeper, but we are only left with one outfield substitute.

"We should be bringing in international players to improve the standard of the team and the league, but if we are going to end up being short on international dates we will have to start signing players who are not internationals; that doesn't help develop the standard of the game."

Complete list of Toronto's international call-ups:
D - Jim Brennan - Canada
GK - Greg Sutton - Canada
D - Marvell Wynne - United States
M - Amado Guevara - Honduras
F - Carlos Ruiz - Guatemala
M - Carl Robinson - Wales
M - Jarrod Smith - New Zealand
D - Tyrone Marshall - Jamaica
D - Julius James - Trinidad and Tobago