TORONTO -- Goalkeeper Milos Kocic was answering reporters questions outside the Toronto FC locker-room Tuesday morning when it became clear he was needed elsewhere. Laken Tomlinson Super Bowl Jersey . His teammates had headed to a nearby room at BMO Field for a players-only meeting in the wake of a fourth straight MLS loss. A team official hovered by the media scrum, trying to politely intercede. But the questions continued. Then out came impatient captain Torsten Frings to reclaim his goalie. The former German international gave Kocic a "lets wrap it up" gesture and the scrum was over. On and off the pitch, Frings runs the Toronto FC show. The good news for manager Aron Winter is that Frings is now just "a couple of days" away from returning from the strained hamstring that has sidelined him since the season opener in Seattle on March 17. "Its not going to take weeks with him," Winter said of his 35-year-old defensive stopper. "Hes very close to coming back," he added. Asked if Frings could play Saturday against visiting Chivas USA (2-3-0), Winter replied: "That, we have to wait (and see)." But when Winter was asked if he will be popping the champagne at seeing Frings back, the Dutch coach turned serious. "No, no, no ... Im popping the champagne at the end of the season when we make the playoffs and we have got good results." Still, he welcomed the imminent return of his captain. "Torsten is very important for the team. Its not only about his qualities, technical and tactical, but also about his leadership." Like the luxury German automobile he drives, Frings is a thoroughbred. And when he talks, players listen. His English is ever-improving, as witnessed by a recent "Whats up bro" to a colleague as he walked on the pitch at BMO Field. The team declined to make Frings available Tuesday. At 0-4-0, Toronto needs something to kickstart its season. Despite reaching the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League, Winters side has yet to register a point in MLS play this season. The team has been outscored 9-2 in four league games -- although six of those goals were conceded in its first two outings. Toronto also has yet to lead an MLS game this season. Winters position is the club is playing well but paying the price for defensive mistakes and not converting its own chances in front of goal. Critics might respond that good teams find ways to win. Toronto has done that just once this season, compiling a 1-5-2 record in league and CONCACAF Champions League play. Like a parent with a wayward child, Winter manages to be hopeful, disappointed, perplexed and understanding about his team all at the same time. But he has added to his shopping list of discontent in recent days. While never one to name names in public, he has said some players have let the team down at certain moments. And he has tangentially suggested that some veterans have not stepped up in Frings absence. He also noted he did not see "the fire" in his players until it was too late in Saturdays 2-1 loss in Montreal. "The confidence is there, but were missing something," he said. "Were trying to figure it out, to be sharper on certain things. But its not a good start, its a very bad start. "Im still confident, Ive got all the belief with the other games that we have, that were going to get a lot of points to get to the playoffs." Winter has said he will make changes. Asked whether that will come from inside or outside the squad, he replied "both." Giveaways have cost Toronto FC dearly recently. "The goals we concede are just ridiculous," said Kocic. In Montreal, the Impact scored after midfielder Terry Dunfields pocket was picked and defender Ty Harden failed to clear the ball properly. Players respond to such errors in different ways. "Thats part of football," said Dunfield, adding "mistakes are going to happen." "I wish I could say I could just forget it but of course Ive thinking about it -- especially the second goal in Montreal -- thats all Ive thought about for like the last three days," said Harden. Winter has no answer for such errors. "I dont know exactly why, but its not good," he said. Such giveaways are a cardinal sin in a 4-3-3 system designed around ball possession. "Were trying to mimic Barcelona and Ajax and all that stuff. If you want to mimic them then you have to keep the ball," said Kocic who did his part with some artful distribution from the back. "Whats really the point of playing this system if were not doing the right things?" be added. Tuesdays players-only meeting was nothing special, according to defender Richard Eckersley who says such gatherings are held regularly. "The message was Were all in as a team and were going to show that Saturday." Despite the recent run, players insist morale is good. "This is one of the tightest groups of players Ive ever been part of," said Dunfield. Added Eckersley: "I believe in this team. I think weve got a great team spirit. Eventually, if we just be a bit patient, it will all come good." After five games in 14 days (an 0-4-1 run that included a trip to Mexico), Toronto players now get to sleep in their own bed and take part in a full week of training. "Saturday to me is like a clean slate," said Eckersley. "Were starting again." But Kocic has not forgotten one bit of Torontos bad start. "You dont want to get into that mentality of losing games and I feel like it can easily go the wrong way if we dont step up on the weekend and understand that we have to score goals, we have to possess (the ball)," he said. "There are no more excuses," he added. NOTES -- Winter says defender Adrian Cann, back from a serious knee injury, could play Saturday. With emergency MLS pool goalie Brian Rowe now on duty in Portland, Toronto FC has elevated 17-year-old academy goalie Quillan Roberts to the main roster. Rowe is expected back in Toronto after Portlands goalie ranks return to normal. Patrick Willis Super Bowl Jersey .7 million, one-year contract.The deal, announced Friday, includes a $50,000 performance bonus if the left-hander appears in 60 games. Dante Pettis Super Bowl Jersey .Y. -- Sore nose and all, Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists to help Pittsburgh beat Buffalo 5-3 on Friday night, snapping the Penguins mini-slump and slowing the Sabres late-season surge. https://www.49ersrookiestore.com/49ers-Matt-Breida-Jersey/ . Each day, TSN.ca provides the latest rumours, reports and speculation from around the NHL beat. The latest from Bob As tweeted by TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie on Monday, the Columbus Blue Jackets need to resolve their offseason plans with forward R. MIAMI -- It took eight starts, but Jacob deGrom finally has a win in the big leagues. deGrom pitched seven scoreless innings to earn his first major league win for the New York Mets in a 4-0 victory against the Miami Marlins on Saturday. "To have a performance like that and get the win feels good," said deGrom. "I have a lot of people here from the Daytona area, which is only about four hours away, and my whole family is here." deGrom (1-4), who was the first Mets starting pitcher to go winless in his first seven starts, struck out seven as he allowed five hits and issued three walks. "He had all his pitches working and he was throwing them all for strikes at any count," Mets third baseman David Wright said. "Its a lot of fun to play defence behind him because he works so quickly and effectively." Lucas Duda hit a two-run home run, his 10th, and Wright had three hits and an RBI for New York, which has won three of four. It was the second shutout in the series for the Mets as Zack Wheeler tossed a 1-0 shut out on Thursday. "Right now were in a little bit of a spell where were not able to get the consecutive hits and get a little bit of a rally going, but we will," Marlins manager Mike Redmond said. Jeurys Familia pitched the eighth and Jenrry Mejia came in for the ninth to preserve the shut out. Marlins starter Tom Koehler (5-6) retired the first 11 batters he faced before allowing two runs and four hits in seven innings while striking out eight. "It was nice to get through seven and get out of the jam in the sixth, but at the same time its a little frustrating giving up those two runs and not really getting those bunts down -- thats really kinnd of eating at me right now," Koehler said. Dwight Clark Super Bowl Jersey. . Miami second baseman Rafael Furcal left the game in the fourth inning with a left calf and hamstring and injury after grounding out to end the third. Furcal, who missed the first 2 1-2 months of the season with hamstring and groin injuries, was scheduled to have an MRI after the game. "It definitely doesnt sound good," Redmond said. Before the game shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria was scratched from the starting lineup with soreness in his elbow on his throwing arm, but could be in the lineup on Sunday. "He was availabe if we needed him to hit, I think the throwing was the biggest concern for him today, but Im anticipating him being ready for tomorrow, but well see," Redmond said. Chris Young hit a two-out single in the fourth to give the Mets a 1-0 lead and Wright singled home a run in the sixth for a two-run advantage. Miamis best opportunity to score came in the sixth after Giancarlo Stanton stole third base with one out, but deGrom retired the next two batters to end the threat. "He made some real, real good pitches with his slider today, and he used his change-up to right handers effectively today," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "He certainly deserved to win." Dudas home run to right field came off Chris Hatcher in the ninth inning to give the Mets a 4-0 cushion. NOTES: Marlins teammates Garrett Jones and Jeff Baker celebrated their 32nd birthdays today. ... Mets RF Curtis Granderson has reached base safely in his last 30 starts. ... Mets LHP Jonathon Niese (3-4, 2.67) will take the mound in Sundays series finale against Miami RHP Anthony DeSclafani (1-1, 5.60). ' ' '