Toronto FC 2010 Seaston Starts With A ...

Posted on 4/1/2010

Well, if it was a bang it was a shot to the kidneys of Toronto FC.  It’s been a difficult start to the last couple of seasons having to go up against the top team in Major League Soccer the last two regular seasons, but it also acts as a very good measuring stick of where the clubs stands and where it should be.  With so many changes to this club the right up to kick-off it’s going to take some time for players to get used to their surroundings and exactly what their responsibilities are.

A 2-0 loss to the Columbus Crew and this game still could have gone either way.  Toronto FC did a pretty good job of limiting the Crew’s chances throughout the game, but if Columbus could have finished on at least two clear cut chances and one bad back pass it could have been a lot worse.  It could have been a lot better too.  O’Brian White had a couple of good strikes on goal, making Hesmer come up with a great save on the second.  White was not afraid to take a chance from distance, which I like.  Toronto FC last season did not have too much trouble moving the ball forward, but found themselves at a stand-still at certain times in the final third.  Sometimes the best thing to do is just let one go and see what happens.  Will the ball take a deflection, will it go out for a corner, will the keeper be able to handle the shot?  A lot can happen on a play if you don’t think too much.  Of course at the other end of the pitch this theory does not work very well.  Everything has to be well thought out, well covered and communication has to be there or lots more goals like the first one Toronto FC conceded against Columbus will happen again.  Nana Attakora admitted after the match there was confusion on that play.

Give Columbus credit on shutting down players on Toronto FC who could have made a difference.  Every time Julian de Guzman had a touch on the ball two Columbus Crew midfielders had closed him down, leaving him with very few options and they even created a couple of turnovers in dangerous places.  Dwayne De Rosario seemed to need one more step or a foot more space and he could have been a difference maker in this game.  That will certainly come as the season progresses.  It’s always interesting as well to check up on the local media on the other side of the ball and see what their assessment of the game was.  In the Columbus Dispatch they have Columbus dominating Toronto FC, said the Reds played hard defensively, but only crediting De Rosario with a couple of opportunities and happy two missed breakaways in the second half did not come back to haunt them.  I think that is fair. 

It’s no surprise that Preki will have this team playing tough and it will be a challenge for other teams to find space and passing channels to move forward.  I hope Toronto will be able to contain their discipline as early yellows can hurt you late if you have to be cautious on the ball.  Two weeks off will be good for the club to get to know each other both on and off the pitch before heading to New England.