The task of covering Toronto FC games these days has gotten a whole lot easier. The story keeps writing itself over and over again. Flashes of promising offensive efforts and the creativity of Sebastian Giovinco are overshadowed by shoddy defending and a lack of grit and fortitude. The result is great buildup leading to well earned goals that are quickly erased by soft, weakly conceded goals at the other end.
Toronto FC Lose to the Chicago Fire
Even in the game one win at Vancouver, and more so through the three losses that followed in Columbus, Salt Lake and Chicago, defensive efforts were just not good enough.
Saturday’s game at Chicago was probably the most revealing thus far. The first two goals scored by the Fire enroute to a 3 – 2 win, gave a textbook demonstration of just how poor Toronto’s defensive play has been of late. Crosses coming in from the flanks were passively allowed and once easily received and contained by Chicago’s forwards, a string of passes through the box often followed.
Chicago’s opening goal by Joevin Jones came after a number of clean passes and give and go style combinations deep on Toronto’s right side. Chicago forwards were allowed to keep the ball at length as Toronto FC defenders gave possession away too easily in feeble clearing attempts. Toronto FC was unable to deal with Chicago’s pace and could not close them down. One Chicago forward after another was able to hold the ball up and bring teammates into the play.
Forwards like Quincy Amerikwa and Shaun Maloney were given far too much time and space and were allowed to maneuver the ball into increasingly more dangerous locations.
To their credit, Toronto FC often looked very creative in attack. The string of passes that allowed Sebastian Giovinco to tie the score at the 20 minute mark showed just exactly how potent their offense can be. The extent of their possession and buildup play would nearly justify the high line defending they attempted to do against Vancouver.
From a tactical standpoint, Toronto FC made a key adjustment as the game went on. Through the first half, attempts to pass through the middle were easily rejected as Chicago defenders contracted and along with a responsible midfield, held a strong defensive line.
In the second half, Toronto FC moved the attack to the flanks and the result was far more space for Giovinco and company. Gaining more control of the Chicago zone, it wasn’t long before Giovinco connected with Cheyrou for a go ahead goal in the 55th minute.
The problem however, came with the the ease with which nearly all Toronto FC players allowed opposition to press them into their own half and run roughshod deep in their final third.
The lead was short lived as Chicago tied the game on a second goal, by Shaun Maloney. The goal came after Benoit Cheyrou lackadaisically allowed a cross from Toronto FC’s left side to easily drift deep and find Maloney just on the edge of the box. Maloney was allowed far too much time to maneuver to the right and send an
easy low ball through a chaotic mix of players and beat Joe Bendik on his left side. It was doubtful that Bendik really ever saw the ball.
Things went from bad to worse as Warren Creavalle, attempting to intercept a Chicago cross, erratically clipped his opposing forward, David Accam, and on his second yellow, was sent off. The ensuing free kick gave the Fire their clinching goal as Jeff Larentowicz sent a tricky, low shot just to an unsuspecting Joe Bendik’s left.
Toronto FC now has a bye week to prepare for their next trip, a potentially even more challenging visit to Dallas. Perhaps the prospective return of Steven Caldwell, Damien Perquis, and Mark Bloom will make for a back line that will tighten up and bleed fewer goals. That might be a tad hopeful however, as playing as a tough, stingy team, has yet to become part of Toronto FC’s identity. The fact is that this is absolutely necessary if Toronto FC is to rise the expectation it has been billed with, and become a contending playoff team.
Some critics have questioned the depth the team has claimed to have built going into 2015. The truth is that just about all MLS teams will get far more out of their defenders, regardless of their experience or pedigree, throughout the season, than Toronto FC has gotten from theirs thus far. Though coach Greg Vanney has lots of work to do in getting the team organized and motivated, the ultimate responsibility lies with the players on the field. MLS may not have the elegance of some of its counterparts, but it is a league with its own unique level of pace and toughness. Those who win, adapt and carry the play with sufficient grit and endurance. We see this in the standards set by the LA Galaxy, Real Salt Lake, Sporting KC, and the Columbus Crew. Those who lack intensity sit on the sidelines in November. Though still early, Toronto FC need to make their November plans now.
