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Toronto FC have found time between the Gold Cup and Pan Am games fit in a home game and are back to host Eastern Conference rivals Philadelphia Union on Saturday afternoon. The Reds are coming off a slugfest against New York City FC, a match where they got a sense of retribution from an earlier fixture that Giovinco was shut down in, but still are struggling to put in a disciplined defensive display.
Coming home will be a much needed return as the road has not been overly kind, especially to the back line. Even though TFC have been missing players to the Gold Cup, the defence has remained in tact for the most part and have looked very shabby over the last two weeks, surrendering four goals in both games. Philadelphia come to BMO on a decent run of results and looking to leapfrog Toronto in the table. Scoring is not an issue for TFC, it is defensive discipline and if that is not sorted out come Saturday, there could be more dropped points through July.
Keep thinking
It has been a tough stretch of late for Toronto FC through the Gold Cup month of July. Heading into nearly a month without four key players, the 0-0 draw with DC United looked like a missed opportunity for three points. The following game against the LA Galaxy, a 4-0 loss, TFC were completely overwhelmed by a club leaps and bounds ahead of them in terms of development and cohesion. Last weekend looked dire considering the way New York battered Toronto at home three weeks prior, but supporters were given another Giovinco show stopping performance in a 4-4 draw.
Just when you think Giovinco has put in a performance yet to be seen in MLS, or style an verve rarely displayed on a North American pitch, he finds a way to take it to another level as shown last weekend against New York. Superlatives can no longer describe what he is capable of, and the ESPN telecast debate on who is the MVP - Giovinco or David Villa, certainly must be case-closed for the time being. While the class in which Giovinco finished his chances, and kept fighting for more until the final whistle, was undoubtedly breath-taking, Toronto FC supporters still were left lamenting how it is possible to score four goals and not leave with all points.
The news this week about Steven Caldwell surely is met with mixed feelings. On his best day, the centre back was an anchor and leader on the pitch. A player with his characteristics was sorely missed in New York to lead a team who are clearly out of sorts in terms of defensive organization. The silver lining perhaps to his retirement is that one would expect Toronto FC desperately looking at any summer signings would be in the position of centre back. Justin Morrow has been unquestionably the star of the defence, and Ashtone Morgan regained his confidence and become a good MLS caliber defender. However, the centre back position requires an upgrade and finding experience and reliability an absolute necessity if TFC are to push to be a top side in the conference.
Saturday will no doubt be another fixture where the Reds are up against a good scoring side and one with several players who can contribute to putting the ball in the back of the net. TFC supporters will know too well what CJ Sapong can do to their team, as he scored several goal against them while with Sporting Kansas City. The former top 10 draft pick has six goals this season and is joined up top by the likes of Sebastian Le Toux and Francisco Aristeguieta. They might only have five goals between them, but when you have Vincent Nogueira coming off a two-goal game against Portland, and five on the season, Toronto will need to be well prepared for a team who can play out wide or through the middle, and has scoring options from both areas.
The Union come to BMO with confidence and looking to return the favour from the 1-0 loss at PPL Park back in early May. A strong run of form need to be scrutinized that their recent results have come from a home stand that has only seen them have one road game since the start of June; a 5-1 loss to LA Galaxy, and the previous road game was a 2-1 loss to DC United.
Toronto certainly have an opportunity to make a statement and show their intentions for the conference. While Philadelphia have not been completely convincing this season, they are only two points behind TFC and would leapfrog them with a win. TFC have games in hand, however, better to keep that advantage for closing in on the top teams rather than fighting for one of the final playoff positions.
Even though the Gold Cup continues, Toronto will be glad to see Jozy Altidore return to the roster. As well, Canada's group stage finish means both Ashtone Morgan and Jonathan Osorio will be back and have not traveled to be back with the team. While Altidore is a plus, the truth is scoring has not been a major issue for the club this season, and the best defensive displays have come with Ashtone Morgan and Justin Morrow as fullbacks. One must wonder how motivated Jonathan Osorio is to prove himself after a Gold Cup tournament with little playing time.
As noted, right now TFC are a side where of late the defending has been suspect and if the team is going to get back on track, will need to put in a much sturdier display. Joe Bendik has put in some of his best displays when coming off extended periods on the bench and should be motivated to regain the number one position. With hopefully Jonathan Osorio in the midfield, Benoit Cheyrou can serve as more of a holding midfielder and bring support and mettle to the back line. If Greg Vanney gets his players on board for a big performance before heading to Columbus next weekend, and are prepared to be disciplined in defence, Philadelphia present a good chance at three points for TFC.
In the end
Toronto FC are home after a rough road trip that saw them leak goals in both games and of their last three encounters only come away with two points. After being shut out in two games, Giovinco emerged last weekend and single-handedly should have won TFC the game, but lapses in defending cost the team points once again. Greg Vanney knows the score, what needs to be done and who can be counted on. By this point the reliable players are well known and liabilities should be played where the will do the least damage. If Vanney gets the side motivated for a Saturday afternoon title at home, can get support for the backline in place, all that remains is ensuring the key attackers are fit and ready to lock down an important win.
Prediction
Toronto FC 2 – 0 Philadelphia Union
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