Ryan Nelsen's first official match as head coach of Toronto FC did not exactly go to plan on the opening weekend of MLS play.
The former Blackburn Rovers, Tottenham, QPR and New Zealand defender saw his side lose 1-0 to Canadian rival Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday and although it was a disappointing result first up, he took plenty of positives out of the contest.
"I feel really bad for the guys," he told MLSsoccer.com. "They worked their socks off and put a real shift in.
"They had a really good first half in which I really feel they dictated the game and had a couple of very good opportunities. If we had taken one of those, it would have been a whole different ball game.
"We've played away from home and delivered a very good account of ourselves and had some very good chances. This team will only get better.
"We had three or four guys out there who are just back (after being out injured) or who were new to the team.
"I thought we showed our strength and character, and we were always in the game."
TFC next take on Sporting Kansas City at the Rogers Centre on Saturday, March 9.
