It's said that the best way to get over a poor result is to jump right back into competition and try to get a good one.
Both Toronto and Colorado are coming off exceedingly poor results against Mexican sides in the CONCACAF Champions League, and it remains to be seen which side can erase the lingering stench quicker.
TFC completely fell apart in Mexico City against Pumas, after a promising first 15 minutes that saw the Reds have two point-blank chances saved. From then on it looked like men versus boys, with the host side (who surprisingly used most of their 'A' lineup, after using mostly kids and reserves in the first two CCL games) toying with a disjointed and lackadaisical Toronto team for a brutal final 30 minutes of the first half.
What resulted was a 4-0 drubbing, the type that makes even the most ardent supporters question their motivation for watching.
And while losing so completely in the thin, dirty air of Mexico City is bad, what Colorado presented to its home fans a day eariler may have been worse.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
The 4-1 loss to visiting Santos Laguna may have been slightly better scoreline, but I doubt any of the (outnumbered) Rapids supporters at Dick's Sporting Goods Park felt any more positive about their side than TFC fans do about the Reds right now. Especially when considering the relative league standing of Colorado versus Toronto.
And so both teams converge at BMO Field on Saturday afternoon (rescheduled from Saturday night for TV purposes). Tails firmly between their legs, both sides will need to shake off the shackles of their latest respective drubbings and try to get back on the horse, so to speak.
Colorado, for the sake of heading into the playoffs on a high rather than a limp.
Toronto, for the sake of the continuing improvement that Aron Winter and company speak so ardently about.
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Notes: Newly-acquired TFC defender Kyle Davies, 22, is available for selection and may see time for the Reds. The former US U-20 captain is cup-tied to former team Los Angeles for the CONCACAF Champions League and can only participate in the league for the remainder of 2011.
Colorado attacker Macoumba Kandji has finally recovered from the injury suffered when creating the winning goal at MLS Cup 2010 in Toronto last November.
Toronto FC v. Colorado Rapids
Saturday, September 17, 2011. 1:30pm EDT.
BMO Field. Toronto, ON.
Watch: TSN
Listen: FAN590.com
Rudi Schuller contributes Toronto FC and Canadian national team content to the 24th Minute. He manages the Euro File here at Canadian Soccer News, and is MLSsoccer.com's beat writer for all things concerning Canada's men's national teams. Follow Rudi on Twitter, @RudiSchuller.