As cliche as it may sound sometimes, the more things change, the more they really do remain the same.
As the 2014 Major League Soccer season winds down, Toronto FC assesses its failure to make the playoffs, and the same lingering questions and issues remain, just as they did this time last year. The acquisition of three designated players and a number of experienced supporting players, both from MLS and abroad, did not suffice in fulfilling the naïve playoff promise made last January.
More Disappointment for Toronto FC
The season had been on a downward slide from August onward and ended with a whimper as the Reds lost 1 – 0 to New England. The loss came on a goal that should not have been scored (an assumed offside was enough to trigger the team to stop defending) and with an effort that at many times seemed deserving of more.
In the days that followed, it was revealed that Doneil Henry had been sold to a then-unnamed team in Cyprus, only to be loaned back for the season. The team was later revealed to be Apollon Limassol, by all reports a respectable and historically solid organization. Many had been hoping Henry might find his way to Europe when he leaves, and whether or not this is a well chosen path remains to be seen. With all respects though, the team has further European connections and exposure may be greater. Cyprus does not carry an elite billing as a soccer entity, so it may not offer Henry much more in terms of development opportunity than his current situation.
In late October, the team held its end of season press conference and as expected, General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko was held to a degree of accountability for the outcome. Given that the firing of Ryan Nelsen was supposed to spark some life in the team, a 2 – 2 – 6 record and a failure to hang on to a playoff spot, Bezbatchenko had a lot to answer for. He was resolute however in his determination to keep going and build on the core developed thus far. If anything, his new coach, Greg Vanney, speaking in more thorough, analytical terms, did well in furthering his own cause, along with justifying Bezbatchenko’s faith in him. Vanney has yet to thoroughly impress, but he does speak in more realistic and constructive terms than any Toronto FC coach to date.
The presser was notable also for the absence of Jermain Defoe and Michael Bradley. Defoe did a brief interview just before the New England game and gave no indication of his future intentions. While many doubt his commitment to Toronto, he did little to dispel any of that, virtually throwing his ultimate faith to the powers that be.
In a recent, lengthy follow up interview, Bradley attempted to add some clarity, indicating that Defoe’s future is one that must be clearly decided by him alone. Where the truth lies and the eventual outcome, is currently anyone’s guess.
Despite holding onto a playoff position for much of the season, the team sputtered in late August, fired coach Ryan Nelson, who had been the architect of much of the squad, and after losing significant games to New England, Philadelphia, New York, and Houston, found itself all but eliminated. Toronto FC held onto the notion that they would in the end, determine their own fate. Needing to win their last two and hope that Columbus would lose theirs, they did indeed exercise their own self determination, this time with an all too common less than adequate performance in a 1 – 1 draw with the Montreal Impact. This latest performance was harshly felt for a number of reasons. Firstly, the Impact are perhaps Toronto FC’s ultimate rival. The intensity of the chaos that defined the final ten minutes of the game certainly proved that fact. Secondly, and most critical, Toronto FC was eliminated from playoff contention by a team that, while obviously better than their record, were still the lowest team in the Eastern Conference.
There is so much that can be said in terms of the tactical deficiencies and gaffes that described this season. The overwhelming impression is that while having started with promise, Toronto FC sputtered throughout. Early losses that came on the heels of impressive wins were discounted as part of the growing process. Concerns regarding an inability to establish an identity were periodically dispelled by refreshing and surprising flashes of determination in come from behind victories. On paper and on the field, this was an improved team, at least in comparison with years past. In terms of wins and points, it was the best Toronto FC team ever. It was however, a group of professionals that played well below expectations.
During a number of outings midway through the season, Toronto FC held pace with a number of opponents who themselves were struggling to find an identity. Columbus and the New York Red Bulls would make the best examples. Just when Toronto FC appeared to be lapsing back into old ways, talent would win the day. Wins in Columbus and ties in New York and Chicago kept the critics at bay. Ironically, some of the best play came in losses. A 2 – 1 loss to Sporting Kansas City in late July may have not been desired, but it was a Toronto FC squad that had held pace with some of the best talent in the league. Moving into August, injuries abounded and the team fell apart. Motivation appeared to wane. Ryan Nelsen appeared unable to rescue the former winning mentality. Following the most recent, mid-October tie with the Impact, a game that put the final nail in Toronto FC’s playoff hopes, coach Greg Vanney, acknowledged that a winning mentality had to return. With a series of miserable performances and unexpected losses in September and October, especially to Houston and New York, Toronto FC fans and surrounding media expressed deep disappointment. Winning ways had been lost and Toronto FC of old had returned.
Whatever the reason, Toronto FC was unable to establish and hold a winning mentality. It may have some roots in a poor preseason, one that began with injuries to key players and continued throughout. Defoe played nineteen games and Gilberto, who took quite a while to find form, was held back by injury as well. The two rarely saw action together. Bradley himself was absent both due to the World Cup and his own injury challenges. Lack of depth and the will to overcome such obstacles were clear. Perhaps early wins, especially those over some strong teams, gave false hope.
In many ways, the firing of Ryan Nelsen was critical, more for what it revealed than even the way the team responded. It had looked very much as though Nelsen’s methods were becoming largely ineffective. As an inexperienced coach who had begun a rebuilding process a year earlier, he had begun to fashion the midfield and backline into a stingy outfit. It seemed that the only remaining pieces were up front, and Defoe and Gilberto would answer the call. Bradley had been an available piece that could not be missed. The cost however, was Matias Laba (to Vancouver). Laba, along with Steven Caldwell, provided the anchors a successful defense required. With Laba gone and Caldwell shouldering the load, the defensive focus was once again lost and Nelsen’s model with it.
The change in direction now focuses on building around Bradley. It is obvious that Bradley will need support, but of what flavor no one is sure. The defense requires further depth as does the midfield. What will happen with Defoe and Gilberto is anyone’s guess. While Defoe is rumored to be less than committed, other rumors have Gilberto leaving as well.
Bradley was quite candid, though obvious in his assessment. A new mentality of determination and will to win, an influx of experienced winning players are needed to complement the core that has been built. No one is sure what that will look like entirely. In some cases, it will mean that not all current members will be around in 2015.
Whatever the changes, it would be nice to see Toronto FC keep things simple and positive. Firstly, no one appreciates empty promises that cannot be fulfilled by the squad at hand. Management needs to be realistic and assess the squad accurately. False hope is not appreciated by a tested and nearly beleaguered fan base. Secondly, a winning attitude is never too much for any fan to ask. There is no excuse for the lacklustre performances that dominated much of August and September. The losses to Philadelphia and New England were unspirited and flat. Thirdly, a focus on playing organized, competent, and bright, attractive soccer should be the first priority. We may forget, but going back to Nelsen’s early days, Toronto FC has largely improved on this. Possession was once a far off notion and combination play a rarity. Long balls to invisible forwards and cheaply lost balls resulting in soft, gifted goals were main features of the TFC game. In this sense, the team has come a long way, but the focus must not be lost.
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