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Toronto FC limp home to BMO Field searching for answers as they hope to keep the wheels from falling off the 2015 season. Up against the Colorado Rapids, a team who until last year TFC had their number at home, the stakes could not be higher. It's deja vu for supporters as it is beginning to feel like 2014 with what looked like a sure playoff appearance slipping away each passing week. Toronto are coming off back to back losses, and it is not just points dropped but the manner in which the side was put together and performances within the 90 minutes. The Rapids used to be good for three points at BMO, but that cannot be counted on and even with a greater group of talent, Greg Vanney will need to get his selection right to put forth a convincing display.
Keep thinking
Comparisons to 2014 at this stage could not be more accurate. Prior to the World Cup, and through, Toronto looked the part and had games in hand that could have put them at the top of the Eastern Conference. Fast forward a year, a new head coach, an entirely new marketing campaign and money spent, and here we are in mid-September with a real question of where TFC will finish the season.
Winners of four of their last fifteen games, the slide goes beyond results and points, but the manner in which they have occurred. Greg Vanney himself once stated, to the effect, it is after July that determines how good a team is and whether they have been found out. Toronto FC have been found out. Were it not for a new playoff position added for 2015, the panic would be difficult to contain, even for the spin-masters at Toronto FC.
After losing 3-1 to New England on Sunday afternoon, there should be real questions pointed to Tim Bezbatchenko who went to the media in 2014 after a similar result. And now add in the 2-0 loss to New York City FC Wednesday night, one must expect that Greg Vanney likely is not the only member of the organization feeling a bit hot under the collar. It wasn't just that the team lost 2-0, but what was an overall unmotivated display as well as baffling tactics that many could see the writing on the wall that a critical three points could be at risk.
Before 2014, one could have said, "phew, well thank goodness Colorado are coming to town" - a side that not only had never won at BMO Field, they had never earned a point. The Ryan Nelsen era put an end to that through a 1-0 loss last April, and with that in mind there is little confidence that Toronto are a sure thing to beat the worst team in the Western Conference.
Over a month ago, one might make a simple prediction to a result, but as it stands, Colorado and Toronto FC are going in opposite trajectories. While Toronto have established themselves as a team who, at home, can beat the worst team in MLS but not anyone above, Colorado has been able to knock off the likes of Sporting Kansas City, Real Salt Lake and Vancouver, while drawing DC United and then beating Seattle away. It is hard to extrapolate those kind of results from Toronto over the last two months and there are questions now as to who they can beat with sure confidence.
Colorado come in having lost once in their last five and gaining a bit of momentum after what has been a poor 2015. The arrivals of English Championship players, Irishman Kevin Doyle and Honduran Maynor Figueroa, have given the side a noticeable boost to their performances. Prior, Colorado did not have great options to lead the attack aside from Panamanian Gabriel Torres. While the Rapids one strength might be their midfield, which is anchored by Dillon Powers, veteran Sam Cronin and Brazilian Marcelo Sarvas, they are an athletic group with the willingness and ability to get physical and stuck in.
There will be real pressure for TFC and Greg Vanney this weekend, as despite recent performances, Colorado must be looked at as three points. All eyes will be on Vanney, his player selection and where he employs them. Most who have followed the side know who has played where during the best displays of the season. At points Michael Bradley, Giovinco and Jozy Altidore or Luke Moore formed a tidy trio in the attacking third with Altidore up top, Giovinco lying a bit behind and Bradley allowed to push further up field. Should Benoit Cheyrou be fit, his skill on and passing the ball will be essential. Defensively, one of the steadiest stretches has has Ashtone Morgan at left back and Justin Morrow on the right. However, centre back has been an issue and Vanney will need to get creative to find the right fit as it has been seen for some time that Damian Perquis cannot be counted on for ninety minutes. This will be the key to the match, while attacking has not been as profound of late, should Vanney not get his defensive set up correctly, the Reds will be looking at another three points lost.
In the end
TFC have found themselves in a tight spot, letting matches in hand slip away and falling well below expectations on the season. Giovinco has covered up many issues, but the players should be good enough to compete, and as of late, they have not been able to look good against many teams in MLS. Colorado usually would have been that side, but a few mid summer additions has paid off and they are a tougher side, and one that has been better on the road especially. All eyes will be on Vanney and his selection, if he gets it wrong again there is no doubt more questions than already exist will be posed.
Prediction
Toronto FC 1-1 Colorado
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