Music: {allcanada} De Rosario returns to BMO since being traded

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Dwayne De Rosario could gloat.

He could easily say "see, I told you so," make a sarcastic remark or take a not-so-subtle dig at his former team.

Instead, he took the high road.

To hear the Canadian international tell it, he takes no joy from Toronto FC's 0-7 record to start the Major League Soccer season. Of course, the former TFC star is going to try everything in his power to ensure the Reds suffer their eighth consecutive loss (thus establishing a new league record) when his DC United pay a visit Saturday afternoon.

But he insists he's not revelling in the Reds' misery ahead of his first MLS game back at BMO Field since being traded by TFC.

"That's not me. That's not my character," De Rosario said Friday afternoon. "I'm not one to do that because we have a game against them, so I'm not going to speak negatively or be gleeful in any way. ... It's going to be a big game and I don't want to emphasize too much on their record."

A 33-year-old native of Scarborough, Ont., De Rosario played two seasons in Toronto before a public and protracted contract dispute with the team's new management hastened his exit last year. TFC traded him to New York, who eventually dealt him to DC.

Since leaving his hometown club, De Rosario has thrived on an individual level, finishing joint top-scorer in MLS in 2011 and winning the league MVP award. DC failed to make the post-season, though, and De Rosario hasn't made it to the playoffs since 2008 when he played for Houston.

His departure from Toronto splits public opinion. Some fans and media pundits feel he was a selfish and destructive force, and that he had to go. Others feel the team made a grave mistake in trading away its best player.

In light of their record and scoring woes (six goals in seven MLS games), TFC sure could use him now, couldn't they? But asked Friday if he had any regrets about trading De Rosario, TFC coach Aron Winter had a one word answer: no.

That doesn't surprise De Rosario.

"He's not going to say yes. Could he publically say yes? How would that look? Hey, he answered the way he felt necessary to answer," De Rosario said.

Winter was also asked why he didn't have any regrets, and once again he recited the same answer he's always given -- that De Rosario didn't want to be here and asked to be traded.

De Rosario simply smiled when told of Winter's remarks, declining to give his account of things.

"Eventually it'll come out. All truths one day comes out, right?" he said.

De Rosario still has positive memories of his time in Toronto, most notably helping the team win a pair of Canadian club championships, representing TFC at the league's all-star game, and being named team MVP in 2009.

Still, you get the sense he has regrets about leaving Toronto and that his heart is still here.

"This is my city, and I'll always want this city and this country to be successful in this sport," De Rosario stated. "The disappointing side (of playing in Toronto) was obviously not making the playoffs and winning a (league) championship. But it could go either way and if they wanted me here they could have kept me here."

De Rosario said he wasn't sure what kind of reaction he would get Saturday from TFC fans. It could get ugly, or the game could just as easily pass without fans heckling him all that much. Either way, he's just excited to get a chance to play at BMO Field again.

"I haven't played in front of my home crowd for a while, so it's always special playing in this stadium in front of my local fans, and friends and the local community," De Rosario said.

But what if he scores against Toronto? Will he do his famous shake-and-bake goal celebration, or will he forgo his usual routine out of respect for his old team?

De Rosario leaves no doubts: "It's part of my enjoyment and my having fun of scoring; it's nothing personal. It's just what I do."

Another former TFC player making his return to BMO Field Saturday will be Maicon Santos.

The former club captain was traded away to FC Dallas last year for Eric Avila. The Brazilian became a free agent at the end of the season, and landed in DC where this year he has scored six goals in 10 games.

De Rosario was somewhat influential in bringing Santos to DC, recommending the Brazilian to coach Ben Olsen.

"I know the potential Maicon has. I think he's showing that this year. In the right environment, give him the confidence he needs and he'll reap the rewards," De Rosario explained.

"I think the coaching staff has done a good job making him feel comfortable and the players as well. He's really taken his chances and has done a great job this year."