Well, it seemed like things had been pretty much figured out. Discovering how to win on the road is something most soccer teams struggle with. At the tail end of their recent marathon session of seven straight on the road, Toronto FC had finally looked like a team that had begun to reckon with the challenge.
Hunkering down in a defensive, 4 – 4 – 2 formation, they were able to hold off the likes of Kaka and Brek Shea in Orlando and a fairly composed attack in Philadelphia the following week. Winning the final two games on the road put a nice bookend on the trip given the win at the start in Vancouver.
Toronto FC Falls to Houston in Home Opener
What had really been learned in the losses in between was that playing a high defensive line and attempting to keep numbers forward was not something Toronto FC was quite yet comfortable with.
Counter attacks created from lost battles in the midfield left the back line well exposed with little help from the midfield. The losses in Chicago and Dallas were painful examples of a poor tactical stance. What is more glaring, as it reared its head once again in the home opener this past weekend against Houston, is that Toronto FC does simply not have the speed to stay with breaking forwards, such as Giles Barnes or Fabian Castillo. In so many instances, turnovers have led to quick counter attacks that have ended in goals even the most untrained eye can see coming from miles away.
The home opener against the Dynamo was really disappointing on a number of levels. The hype and expectations for a winning performance going in were quite high. A newly renovated BMO Field, a team that seemed to be on track, and a first look at the new acquisitions from the off season in Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore, and Damien Perquis all had local fans in a bit of a frenzy.
The sunshine gave way to clouds and a downpour as the game settled into a rhythm. Toronto FC looked somewhat sluggish but did not look out of place, at least through most of the first half. Giovinco and Altidore had some minor looks on goal but there was very little given on the defensive end as overall shape and intensity in defending prevailed. The turning point came just after the 40th minute when Michael Bradley committed the ultimate transgression and brought down Boniek Garcia in the box. Chris Konopka was equal to the challenge on the penalty, stopping the first shot, but giving a rebound in the process, the ball was quickly buried.
It seemed from that point things had changed. Toronto focused on using a diamond four in the midfield. Throughout the early part of the second half, this appeared to be a desperate attempt to get back in the game as Houston began to counter with success, ultimately going up 2-0 with a goal off an explosive counter from Houston and a finish from Will Bruin.
Takeaways
Things Were Going OK – Do What Works
For a couple of weeks, the wins in Orlando and Philadelphia had taken the pressure off Coach Vanney and crew. The busy post game analyses, focusing on what went wrong, who is to blame, and how the dire situation might be fixed were for a while, kept at bay. Now, they have returned.
For a time, pundits had less to chew on. Toronto FC had demonstrated clinical defending, keeping two consecutive clean sheets in the process. This appeared to be Vanney’s specialty.
Gone was the discussion about an inability to handle crosses, deal with speedy forwards, or failure to eliminate quick breaks or counter attacks out of the midfield. Defending with a solid shape, with just about everyone behind the ball, Toronto FC had closed the space between the back four and the midfield, and did a fantastic job of clearing their lines.
Many seem to think that playing well at home requires an ability to dictate the pace and play on the front foot. Both Vanney and Altidore have said this in interviews recently. It may be the norm, but in making the transition, Toronto FC will have to adjust and bring far more energy to the field. The effort against Houston looked more like the late stages of last season rather than a team moving forward.
What the current challenge shows is that this is a team yet to find its identity, at least as a formidable home side. Ultimately, winning is winning and as Tim Bezbatchenko has said, this is a results-based business. Playing defensively, with lower possession, but an ability to control play on your own zone, and to be genuinely tough to play against in the process, makes a far more emphatic statement, especially if it gets results on the scoresheet.
Osorio came to Play, Finally
For a young rising prospect who held so much promise, Jonathan Osorio was not really fitting into the current scheme, at least under Vanney. Looking lethal while playing high on the left side for so much of his earlier time with the club, Osorio was billed as having much promise. Greg Vanney had been attempting to utilize his speed by placing him wide right, a position he was obviously uncomfortable in. Even on the left, in a similar wide role, he was nearly invisible and even at times, failed to track back.
Coming off the bench for Robbie Findley against Houston, Osorio was perhaps the most effective Toronto FC forward on the day. He held up the ball several times, playing wide left. He was also dangerous cutting in from the wide position and was able to deliver excellent crosses, the most notable the one that for find the head of Jozy Altidore for Toronto’s only goal. Maybe it was just a one-off, but if Vanney can find a way of utilizing each player to their strengths like this more frequently, attractive soccer and the success that goes with it, will be easy.
Bradley – What To Do
Speaking of utilizing players, the most glaring question is how best to play Michael Bradley. Bradley has been less effective playing deep in front of his back four as opposed to his recent attacking role, just below Giovinco and Altidore. Despite being a fair defender, with a load of energy, Bradley has been just as culpable as the rest of the group when it comes to bobbling passes deep in his own end and failing to close down forwards. When on his game, he has a tenacity that needs to be consistently brought to every match. His ability to connect with his top forwards has been pretty good and he can deliver on the counter, as good as anyone in MLS.
The solution may be found within, if Vanney can utilize Collen Warner, or a similar defensive midfielder to take on the front of the back four clean up duties. Time will tell, but the more Bradley is placed outside his element, the greater the opportunity lost. It may be stating the obvious, but he has looked far more effective in tandem with Altidore or Giovinco in an offensive role than as a catalyst for moving out of the back.
You Just Don’t Have the Horses
Running down the likes of Castillo or Barnes is just not something most teams can easily do, especially when you leave yourself vulnerable to their attack. Hagglund, Pequis, Creavalle, and even Bradley have looked woefully inadequate in these situations. Settling into two lines of four with a disciplined and stable shape has proven the best safeguard against the threat. Transition to offence is something that will always be a work in progress but there is no excuse for bleeding goals, especially at home.
Is this on Vanney?
In a word, yes. The decision to play the diamond four and at times a very high line, in an attempt to generate more offence is a coaching move.
Interviewed after the game, Vanney seemed to depart from his once “we have to be tougher to play against at home” defensive strategy. It is inconceivable that he could take leave of the one approach that has resulted in clean sheets. On the road or at home, remember….it’s all about results.
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