For anyone remotely familiar with Toronto FC and the current race for a playoff spot this season, the phrase “best of times, worst of times” may seem appropriate. Toronto looked to be primed for a blowout, floundering early in a far too common display of defensive gaffes. The best of times was realized as TFC managed to erase a 2 – 0 deficit and win 3 – 2 on a brace from Nick Hagglund and an 89th minute free kick from Michael Bradley.
Toronto FC came into its game on Saturday, September 27th against a Portland Timbers team that had 2 wins and 2 ties in its last 4 games. Definitely a team on an upswing in momentum, Portland had shown some offensive brilliance last week in scoring 3 against the Vancouver White Caps. In the process, the Timbers had kept a clean sheet and worked their way into the final playoff spot in the MLS Western Conference.
Portland had definitely been hitting their stride, boasting offensive threats in Diego Valeri and Fenando Adi. Midfielders Chara and Will Johnson were in the lineup and by any standard, anchored a squad that was solid, perhaps the biggest challenge for Toronto FC since last facing DC United and Sporting Kansas City. Having lost in those contests in August, things did not get much better; a string of losses through August and September were only recently halted with a tie against Chicago and albeit a convincing wins against Chivas, not the kind of test Portland would pose.
A game that would like so many others, a must win to keep pace in the standings, Portland came out organized and attack minded. Toronto FC looked to have some early pace but gave the ball away cheaply and often. The first sixteen minutes saw an early and serious leg injury to Will Johnson and a pair of goals from the Timbers. Nick Haglund’s giveaway in the 12th minute and Steven Caldwell’s errant foot in the 16th saw Portland make a dream start of it and place Toronto in a deep hole.
For Toronto FC, there was a desire to build on the confidence gained from the two games prior. An intense week of training, the majority of the team back (exceptions injured Warner and Defoe and suspended Jackson), and a night with the whole team sequestered in a local hotel, all pointed to the gravity and opportunity of the moment. A win would mean 3 points and leapfrog over Columbus into 5th spot (at least for the moment). It would also mark Toronto FC’s best total in the win column, given that last week it had tied the 2009 total of 10.
Through the remainder of the first half (extended by 8 minutes due to the injury to Johnson), and into the second, Toronto FC went to work in righting the wrongs of the early minutes. Possession and build up play started to develop as Portland began to sit back. With the usual 4 – 4 – 2 formation, Toronto continued to work. Daniel Lovitz and Dominic Oduro did well to find lanes out wide, especially Oduro, as his speed was quite troubling to the Portland backfield.
While Portland was able to dictate the pace for the first two-thirds of the match, Toronto FC displayed some decent ball movement at times. Michael Bradley proved true to his leadership pledge and looked determined in anchoring and distributing service that was adequately weighted and directed. Bradley made a number of very nice links with Jonathan Osorio that brought the ball neatly through the middle. It not only took advantage of space in forming a direct attack, but also exposed wide areas from which Toronto FC were able to provide good service across goal. Gilberto was in fair offensive form but even after several connections in close was not able to finish.
Possession and build up play continued through the second half. In the 62nd minute, Hagglund won a header at the top of the 18 and sent it into the back of the net. About 7 minutes later, he scored off another header, this time in close near the right post, from a beautiful cross. With Bradley’s free kick winner, all Toronto FC goals came off set pieces.
Toward, the latter part of the second, Lovitz looked to be losing his battles down low and was replaced by DeRosario. DeRosario had an immediate impact as crosses found him in close on a couple of occasions. The 72nd minute saw former Toronto FC hopeful Maxim Urrutti come on. If anything, given the success of most other former Toronto FC players over the years (and of late) one would fear the possibilities. It was not to be however, as determination won the day. Bradley “walked the walk” in his multi-dimensional leadership role. Truly by example, on the day, he was everything a designated player is supposed to be. While Oduro gave the spark with speed and hold up play, Bradley was the general, and not only brought back shades of Seattle and Columbus, but did so emphatically and when it was needed most. A loss would surely have meant a loss of confidence in facing the tough competition coming out of the West. Even worse, it would have meant a drop of points that would have been increasingly harder to overcome.
The days ahead will be interesting. Gilberto has said that Jermain Defoe must earn his place back. Gilberto may have a solid lock on a first team start, but the same may not be said of Luke Moore. At times, Moore was far too weak on the ball and did not dominate in the final third. His work rate is lacking, certainly compared to Gilberto. Having shown some opportunistic flashes, very few will mind seeing him return to his off the bench role down the stretch. Defoe has done his best to execute some damage control in the wake of Ryan Nelsen’s firing, and present a team focus. Once healthy, he would make a great addition to the possession based attack Toronto FC has established over the past three games.
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