ALLISTON, ONT.—Julian de Guzman insists he’s not bitter and has no regrets about his time with Toronto FC.

But the 31-year-old Scarborough native is also not upset that his tumultuous two-and-a-half-year stint with his hometown club is behind him.

“It was a challenge as a player,” de Guzman said Tuesday after Canada trained here ahead of Friday’s key World Cup qualifying match against Panama at BMO Field.

“It’s something I can use to help me grow and get stronger mentally.”

De Guzman arrived at TFC from Spain’s La Liga amid great fanfare in the fall of 2009 as the club’s first designated player. But he never lived up to the hype, struggling to find a comfort level in Major League Soccer and with a team in a constant state of flux.

By the time he was dealt to FC Dallas in July for young striker Andrew Wiedeman in what amounted to a salary dump, he had been reduced to spot duty and was a flashpoint for frustrated fans because of his top wage and mediocre performance.

De Guzman said while TFC’s training facilities, fan support, marketing and the city of Toronto are on a level “you don’t find at a lot of European clubs,” the continual roster overhauls and coaching changes made it very difficult to build a winning chemistry.

“There was a great deal of transition every season and just a general lack of stability,” said de Guzman, who played for five head coaches in 65 MLS matches for TFC.

“I really feel for the fans.”

While not interested in pointing fingers at specific TFC management or coaches, de Guzman said “as a team I continue to follow and wish the best for” he hopes the front office can build some stability within the club and the locker room to help them succeed.

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