TFC: Garber says he still has faith in Tom Anselmi By Steven Sandor Posted on November 26, 2012 1 0 644 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Don Garber, Toronto Mayor David Miller and Tom Anselmi as hosting of the 2010 MLS Cup game was awarded to Toronto. MLS Commissioner Don Garber has given Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment President Tom Anselmi his vote of confidence. In a state-of-the-MLS conference call with the media on Monday, Garber was asked to address the dwindling crowds and continued on-field misery with Toronto FC, which finished dead-last in the league this year. The club has rolled back season-ticket renewal prices to 2007 rates and is offering those who re-up the opportunities for tickets to what is expected to be the season opener at Montreal’s Olympic Stadium against the Impact. But while Garber admitted he has been disappointed by TFC’s lack of on-field success and loss of momentum in the city’s sport marketplace, he has faith that the brass can still turn the team into a winner. “Tom Anselmi is very focused on trying to turn things around,” Garber said. And he said that TFC will “look to make bold moves” in the off-season. Still, Garber admitted that the fact TFC still has yet to make the playoffs since it came into the league in 2007 is not a positive for MLS. “It certainly pains us a bit, when we look back at what was such an incredible story in 2007. That they’ve not continued the momentum from the early years is disappointing.” Garber said that MLS tries to aid the poor performers in the league as much as it can, to the point where he admitted that a “disproportionate” amount of time is spent trying to right the ships of the bottom feeders. And TFC fans can expect either a cold reception to the 2013 season or an even lengthier road trip to start the year. MLS, in order to keep as many World Cup qualifier dates open as possible — and to play a “light schedule” during the Gold Cup — will start the season on March 2, which is still well into a Canadian winter. While Montreal and Vancouver have covered-stadium options, TFC has only used Rogers Centre for the CONCACAF Champions League. TFC traditionally starts the season on the road while it waits for the weather in Toronto to improve for a home opener. But, as the season continues to start at an earlier and earlier date, it presents challenges for the likes of Toronto, Philadelphia, New York, Columbus, Colorado and Real Salt Lake — all cities which can experience frigid temperatures in early March.