TORONTO - There is no shortage of games in the coming days for Toronto FC to test out its new roster.
And that is a mixed blessing for the rebuilding MLS side, which has found itself in a scheduling logjam after an 11-day layoff earlier this month.
Wednesday's home game against Nicaragua's Real Esteli in the CONCACAF Champions League is Toronto's third contest in a week. There are three more matches in the 10 days after that -- a gruelling stretch that involves trips to Portland, Ore., and Central America.
While coach Aron Winter may welcome the chance to field a new-look team that better suits his distinctive 4-3-3 vision, he will have to juggle personnel to keep players fresh.
The Dutchman is clearly seeing the glass as half-full, however.
"Almost everybody is fit," he told reporters after practice Tuesday. "Now we can work to get the good performance and the good results."
Despite the schedule congestion, Toronto (3-11-9) has limited time from which to salvage something from another disappointing season.
Winter, for one, is seeing light at the end of the tunnel.
"The last two games, yes they're defeats but if you watch the game, how we play, we're playing well, we're creating opportunities."
German Torsten Frings has quickly shown his pedigree in bossing the Toronto midfield. Attacking midfielder Ryan Johnson has demonstrated flashes of class on the flanks. And Dutch striker Danny Koevermans, while still finding match fitness, knows what to do in front of goal.
The backline, however, remains a roller-coaster ride that is forcing fans to buckle up for every game. The lone constants the last two games in the back four have been newcomers Andy Iro and Eddy Viator although Richard Eckersley missed one of those matches due to suspension.
In addition to bringing in new talent, Winter has shown is not afraid to give youth a chance
Toronto threw on 18-year-olds Matt Stinson and Doneil Henry and 20-year-old Ashtone Morgan as substitutes in Saturday's 4-2 loss in Kansas City.
The visit of the Nicaraguans will allow Winter to rest overworked goalkeeper Stefan Frei, who is nursing a sore hand, in favour of Milos Kocic. Frei has played every minute so far this season and, while Toronto has given up a MLS-worst 41 goals, leads the league with 85 saves.
Midfielders Terry Dunfield and Julian de Guzman both practised Tuesday and have been declared fit for Wednesday, although de Guzman may be better suited coming off the bench as he recovers from knee swelling.
The winner of the home-and-away series with the Central Americans advances to the group stage of the competition.
For Iro, the CONCACAF adventure draws "mixed reviews."
"You look at this past week and the next two weeks, it's an insane amount of games for a roster that isn't that deep," Iro said. "Now you're asking 18-, 19-year-old guys to step up in environments that maybe they're not ready for.
"For me, I've played in environments and conditions where it's like 'OK, I'm really finding I'm getting some beneficial use out if it,' and other games where I'm just like 'This is a joke.' That's what you get in the CONCACAF (Champions League)."
Winter is clearly not finished with his roster revamp. He declined comment when asked about the future of American defender-midfielder Dan Gargan.
"I'm going to speak about it when everything is approved," Winter said.
The coach has bided his time with player moves this season, examining the resources he inherited while taking in the talent in the league.
With both tasks accomplished and the transfer window open, Toronto has essentially added a revolving door to its dressing room.
But Winter appears to be nearing the end of his search to add character to the locker-room and the right talent to fit in his ambitious system on the pitch.
The players will no doubt welcome that after seeing players come and go.
"It's tough. It's especially tough for the guys that have been here," said Iro, who was happy to leave Columbus after falling out with the coach. "Players have come and gone, friends have come and gone, roommates have come and gone. So there is going to be that settling-in process for everybody, not just myself.
"I just try and be positive. I try and be realistic, more importantly and say 'Listen, we can really only go up and we've got to go up. And it's not going to be overnight.' But we keep working hard each day and we keep taking the positives from each game and there's going to be a game where it kind of comes together. And then you kind of go from there, and hope (for) a second game and a third and a fourth.
"That's kind of how you build. It's not going to be five, six new guys and all of sudden we're Man United. It's going to take time."
Notes: Winter was interviewed by a crew from The Golf Channel after practice on Tuesday.
