TORONTO

His numbers don’t scream World Cup veteran.

But that’s what Robbie Findley is: An MLSer who will always be remembered for his brief foray into the U.S. national team — an anointment that saw him appear for the Yanks at the 2010 World Cup.

Since then, Toronto FC’s newest striker has bounced from MLS to England and back to North America before the Reds took a chance on the 29-year-old late last week when they selected him in the league’s re-entry draft.

Now, Findley’s hoping to repeat what got him to the highest level to begin with: Hard work.

“I’m going to do the same thing I’ve done my entire career — work hard and try and earn a spot and do the best I can for my teammates, the fans,” Findley told the Toronto Sun exclusively this week.

The long-time Real Salt Lake striker had just wrapped up a training session with his former teammates — some of which had nothing but good things to say about where he’s headed.

“It’s a good setup,” said Findley, who got the lowdown from former TFCer Joao Plata.

“I’ve heard nothing but good things from guys who have played there. All of that is reassuring. It makes it that much better.”

For Findley, it’s a chance to reinvigorate a career the numbers say is heading in the wrong direction. The Phoenix native has scored just seven times in 41 appearances over the previous two seasons — something that’s not lost on the Oregon State product.

“I put the work in all over the field — going forward and helping back on defence,” Findley said of his lack of production in front of goal. “I try and do what I can to help that guy next to me. I want to be the best attribute to my team and not only think about myself.”

That’s not to say he isn’t a threat in and around the box. Findley burst onto the scene during Real Salt Lake’s championship season in 2009, a campaign that saw him score a career-high 12 times.

He’s good with both feet, isn’t afraid to do the dirty work in front of goal and, as he told the Sun, has pace for days.

But Findley agreed one of his biggest attributes could be finally bringing the right mentality to Toronto FC, a side mired in off-field vitriol from fans who are desperate for a winner.

“In Salt Lake we had a philosophy: The team is the star,” Findley said. “There was no person bigger than the other. We would play like that. We had a good coaching staff. We got the right pieces together. It took a lot of hard work and determination.”

It’s that mantra that took Findley to two MLS Cups with RSL — one in ’09, the other in ’13.

After the ’13 final in Kansas City, however, Findley’s career took another turn when he sustained a torn right patella.

“Going through rehab was something new for me,” Findley said. “It took a while. It took around six months. It was a long process. But I feel good now.”

The Reds will need the World Cup vet to step up if and when Jermain Defoe is sold off to England.

He could be asked to form a partnership with Gilberto, a combination that, if nothing else, would be a constant threat to get in behind opposing defences.

“I have speed, which I think is very, very dangerous,” Findley said. “I just want to make sure I work for the team.”

To long-suffering TFC fans, Findley admitted part of the intrigue about coming to Toronto is potentially helping the team achieve something it has never seen.

“The fans that the team has are amazing,” Findley said. “The times I’ve been there it’s a great crowd. It’s going to be a goal to make the playoffs. When it happens, the city will be right behind us.

“I know the kind of energy the fans bring. I think we’re going to do the right things and do the right steps to give ourselves the best chance at making the playoffs.”

And, just maybe, help Findley become known for something more than his brief foray into U.S. World Cup folklore.

SINCLAIR CANADA’S BEST ... AGAIN

Either Canada’s women’s national soccer team is depth deficient, or Christine Sinclair is just that good.

Or, maybe, it’s a bit of both.

Sinclair was named Canada’s top female player for the 11th straight year Thursday, a stunning streak that stretches back to when Charmaine Hooper won the award in 2003.

Sinclair, 31, remains the face of Canadian women’s soccer heading into next summer’s World Cup despite coming off a year in which she scored just once in 11 international appearances.

“I think I’ve developed into a more complete soccer player,” Sinclair said. “I’m dropping into midfield to (create) chances.

“My biggest step this year has been as a leader — organizing and just being that vocal player on the field for our team.”

On the men’s side, Atiba Hutchinson was named Canada’s top male player for the third time in five years.

Widely considered Canada’s best player, the 31-year-old Besiktas midfielder has played every minute for his Turkish club this season as it enters the Europa League knockout phase.