Toronto FC’s quest for a playoff berth continued in Chicago on Saturday night as the Reds engaged the Fire in hopes of picking up a badly needed 3 in keeping pace with rivals in the tight Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer.
The 1 – 1 draw was unsurprising and in terms of the playoff race, not terribly disappointing given that the Columbus/Houston and Philadelphia/New York games ended in draws as well. What was unpredictable was the way in which the game ended. Chicago had held the lead for the majority of the contest. Toronto held the balance of possession but still had problems advancing through the midfield and creating quality chances. A late surge by Toronto in the final 10 minutes saw Dwayne DeRosario scoring after just coming off the bench.
A goal by Gilberto in extra time was called back by what the referee interpreted as a foul on Fire defender Soumare. The controversy surrounding this call was immense as a visibly frustrated Michael Bradley continued questioning the referee long after the match ended. His post game interview was charged with emotion and criticism officiating practice in MLS, especially concerning games involving Canadian and American teams and an apparent desire of Canadian referees to appear unbiased.
Given the changes and struggles TFC has been through over the past month, it will be interesting to see how the team responds going into upcoming games against Chivas and Portland. The lackluster play that was so evident during the last days of Ryan Nelsen’s term has only marginally improved throughout games under Greg Vanney. Given Bradley’s response to the game’s outcome, it may be his leadership and driving motivation that determines the season.
Toronto FC Find Some Emotion in Salvaging a Tie in Chicago
Bradley was also adamant that TFC played a strong and determined match throughout. Of course, it may be a matter of optics and no one can speak truly for the experience of the player on field. While TFC did hold possession and once again started with some apparent intent, the Fire were left with far too much room in the first half, and for a portion of the second. Lovel Palmer managed to beat Mark Bloom on a header to score off a corner in the 11th minute. Quincy Amerikwa and company took advantage of the gifted space and sought time and time again to make Toronto pay. Joe Bendik, late in the first half made several series of outstanding saves, game saver quality in fact. At the 56th minute Bendik hauled down a surging Watson in the box but managed to save the ensuing penalty by Larentowicz. More alarming, a flurry of activity off the save saw a couple more shots from the Fire, calling on further Bendik heroics. The Toronto defence seemed frozen during the action and could not recover possession.
Beyond that point, Chicago hung back, kept all players behind the ball, a situation that literally invited TFC to break down the opponent. For much of the match TFC had tried unsuccessfully to reach Gilberto. An apparent 4 -1 – 4 -1 formation seemed to have Bradley stretched out, attempting to play deep at both ends, and a lack of adequate service left Gilberto isolated. A couple of combinations with Jackson brought little.
Nearing the latter portion of the 2nd half, incoming subs Luke Moore, Daniel Lovitz, and especially DeRosario seemed to spark a little more urgency as TFC began a more direct attack. Communication seemed to improve as TFC pressed higher, leading to several attempts and some a series of corners. Bradley began pressing higher and a greater utilization of wide areas began to expose Chicago.
The final ten to fifteen minutes saw a determined TFC playing with the true intent and energy Vanney had spoken of coming into his role. At times prior, even with possession and build up play, the lack of movement off the ball was woefully evident. With the exception of Gilberto, the majority of the squad, while appearing to support each other and show for the ball, did not have a pace anywhere near enough to trouble defenders. The result was easy coverage assignments for the Fire and possession that ended far too weakly. A close look at any successful team, especially in MLS, clearly shows a movement and work rate far beyond that shown by TFC throughout much of the Chicago match. Overall tempo, movement on offense, especially as teams battle the intensity and physicality of close coverage, is a brand of soccer characteristic of a growing MLS.
Combined with a habit of slow starts, the apparent lack of emotion and desire appears to be at the root of the pace and energy issue. To have any hope, Toronto FC will need to maintain some level of fervor going forward. Players are keenly aware of the need to do this. Justin Morrow, just back from injury, said in his first half interview: “we need to show that we care.” The lift may come from Bradley or Bendik, or both in any proportion, but it needs to come from somewhere. Ongoing talk around this team always focuses on the incredible sum of money spent to revamp it going into the season. This can be misleading in some ways. The admitted lack of quality from last season was remedied with measures beyond the DP’s. In fact, TFC has played some of its better games this season without Bradley or Defoe, or even Gilberto playing at his current level. It has been the addition of MLS capable players such as Jackson, Morrow, Warner, and Oduro that have complemented the pre-existing youth of Henry, Osorio, and Bekker. In this sense, Bezbatchenko was right on in his assessment prior to the firing of Nelsen. The overall play has not been good enough, but at this point, it is less about about talent or quality and more about a driving and determined mentality.
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