Toronto FC sends forward Ali Gerba home

Mar 16, 2010 - 7:24 PM TORONTO(AP) -- Toronto FC has sent forward Ali Gerba home while the team prepares for the season in Charleston, S.C.

"Ali's performance this preseason has not been up to our expectations," Mo Johnston, Toronto FC's director of soccer, said in a statement Tuesday. "We hold all our players to a high standard, and we think that the best thing for him is a few days away from the team. This will be addressed further when the team returns back to Toronto."

The MLS team is in Charleston ahead of its opener against Columbus on March 27. The MLS Players Union has called for a strike barring a new labor contract ahead of the league opener on March 25.