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Toronto GM keeping fight on the ground despite early-season wins

Toronto FC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko is remaining calm despite the Canadian clubs winning beginning to the 2014 MLS season.

The Reds have already notched three victories in their opening four outings - half as many as the entirety of last season - following Saturday's 2-0 triumph over the previously unbeaten Columbus Crew.

Toronto's offseason transfer action saw them add the likes of Jermain Defoe, Michael Bradley and Julio Cesar which immediately placed pressure on them to achieve success.

After the Crew triumph, Bezbatchenko played down claims that Ryan Nelsen's side were the 'team to beat' in MLS but was happy to see them back on the winners' list following a difficult 2013 and a 3-0 loss to Real Salt Lake last term.

"This team will evolve through the course of the year," Bezbatchenko told the Toronto Sun.

"People were saying we're the team to beat. We love that target, but that's a little far-fetched.

"We're somewhere in the middle.

"We're not seeing a level of consistency that I'd like. That comes with time. You're going to see glimpses … It's a progression throughout the year."

Bradley opened up his Toronto scoring account in the 11th minute at Crew Stadium before Issey Nakajima-Farran added a second in the 85th minute after coming off the bench.

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Andrew Slevison
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