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Toronto FC played the Columbus Crew to a 1-0 loss on Saturday, as the two rival outfits met in the pre-season Disney tournament held in Florida. Even though Toronto FC lost the match, the result itself wasn’t the most important factor of the day.
True, Toronto FC looked the better side; however, the 1-0 loss is a dismissive figure and not a cause for concern. When both sides make massive line-up changes and take team water breaks at the half-hour mark, the match itself looked a practice session, not real competition. Still, three points lost against the Crew will sting a little worse than against any other outfit.
Toronto FC will make sure to pick up those lost points against Columbus during the MLS regular season, where it counts.
So, to the game then!
Columbus took the 1-0 lead on a corner kick, when the other Higuain delivered a perfect cross that was headed in off the post by the Crew’s latest defensive acquisition, Glauber. Toronto found a few scoring chances, with Luis Silva coming closest.
Toronto FC fans weren’t sure what style or formation Ryan Nelsen would employ, and in this first pre-season game, Nelsen decided to use a standard 4-4-2. The backline started with Richard Eckersley and Ashtone Morgan at either side, with Gale Agbossoumonde and Darren O’Dea in the middle. Danny Califf wasn’t in the line-up; he may be one of the players Kevin Payne was upset with in regards to fitness.
Some notes on actual style of play: it looks like Nelsen favours a high-line with intense and heavy pressure in the midfield. It’s a style that seemed to benefit Toronto against a thin Columbus midfield, but also one that can heavily tire a team out. If this is a standard, Toronto FC really need to regain fitness if they’re going to last the full 90 minutes.
Longevity has been a problem for the club before – team breakdowns past the 75-minute mark is nothing strange for those who have witnessed this team during the last few years. So often has Toronto FC buckled down in the last 15 minutes that it’s become something of a tradition to expect a late goal when leading or level with opponents – it’s something Nelsen will want to correct, for certain.
Also worth noting is the actual build-up movement. Watching Jeremy Hall in midfield summed up the new style of passing play; plenty of movement off the ball, forward thinking, sideways heavy, with an emphasis on the triangle between fullback, central midfielder and wide midfielder. It’s something that left Luis Silva wanting for the ball, which may be worrisome since he is not a natural forward.
If Silva doesn’t see much of the ball in the number 10 spot, his place in the roster may be threatened. Still, Toronto FC has noticeably improved in movement, and the club actually started to play football again. Passing on the ground, coupled with proper crosses to actual targets is a welcomed sight, indeed.
Speaking of fullbacks, one standout in the backline was Ashtone Morgan, who remained on top of a very speedy, difficult Dominic Oduro. To have a fullback, especially on the left hand side, that can control tough MLS veterans like Oduro with efficiency, all while under the age of 25, is unbelievable. That Morgan was also an offensive presence makes him a valuable asset. To have him come out of the academy, as a local Torontonian, is the icing on the already superb cake – Toronto FC is lucky to have him.
But besides Morgan’s impressive defensive display (much improved from last season, if this early form is any indication), Toronto’s backline also benefited from the presence of Gale Agbossoumonde. He certainly looked the part of a starting centerback and didn’t look out of place in an unfamiliar backline.
Another player worth mentioning is goalkeeper Stefan Frei, who returned to action after a yearlong absence in 2012. Frei did well, distributing the ball to Richard Eckersley often, but picked up an injury when he head-butted Columbus’ Ryan Finley right in the foot (Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise)!
Other notable standouts include Justin Braun, who commanded the forward line well and was a strong distributor, and Emery Welshman, who lived up to the bill of being the kind of forward who takes defenders on 1-v-1. These two, alongside Luis Silva, played okay, but never really threatened Columbus apart from the occasional shot or two. The question has to be asked; what happens if Justin Braun is injured? Toronto’s entire forward line is so thin at this point that any absence will cripple the club’s goal threat.
New forwards are needed.
Academy midfielder Jonathan Osorio also put in a solid half of football, with one particularly impressive pass leading to a good goalscoring chance. He may be a new graduate this season if he improves on his performance today.
However, not every player looked impressive on the day. In particular, Julio Cesar looked lost in the midfield, and took some time before gelling with the team. Again, nothing to fret over, as Julio Cesar is a pretty dependable guy if his performances in Kansas are any indication. Reggie Lambe looked weak, couldn’t find crosses, and looked out of his depth. Matt Stinson is not a right fullback. Trialist Nicolas Cabrera needs to find his feet and not tumble down so easily.
In the end, Toronto FC did today what they failed to do for much of 2012 – they looked a footballing outfit. But there is still plenty of work to do, and some new worries, too.
Toronto FC has sparked hope once again – let’s hope that this game will be looked back on as the first step towards a bright future.
Disney Pro Soccer Classic: Columbus Crew vs Toronto FC - Full Match
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