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It's home sweet home for TFC as they look to build off two solid games in Toronto so far this season in preparation for their clash with Western Conference leaders FC Dallas. The Hoops, despite being in another division and over two thousand kilometers away, have become rivals for TFC over the years with late goals at BMO Field and of course the epic group stage of the 2011/12 Champions League.
Both clubs are looking to reestablish (and truthfully Toronto are just looking to establish) themselves in the league after struggling through 2012 where neither made the post season. Dallas are off to a strong start lead by their oft-injured engine David Ferreira, but the Reds counter by an in-form Robert Earnshaw who has created all kinds of problems for opposing defenders. Head coach Ryan Nelsen has done well to put out a confident and tenacious line-up and with the return of Luis Silva, has an important offensive addition. Dallas present a tough challenge early on in the year but if TFC's mentality and discipline holds, they can make good on last weekend's dropped points.
Keep thinking
Toronto are coming off a surprising, but also disappointing, 2-2 draw with the LA Galaxy last weekend. Surrendering the first goal, then equalizing and taking the lead, only to be scored on in extra time, gave plenty of positives and negatives to draw upon. There were two important items to pull from that match, the first being despite being more organized defensively, there are still issues at the back and questions as to who will be deployed as fullback opposite Richard Eckersley. The second was that the return of Luis Silva made an immediate impact and there is now an option up top other than Robert Earnshaw.
Dallas come to BMO Field on a very impressive run of form that has them playing to the potential seen in 2010 that lasted through only half of 2011. The end of that season and last year are ones to forget for a team that at one point looked to be the new heavyweight in the Western Conference. With David Ferreira healthy and in form, the 2010 league MVP controls whether the Hoops rise or fall. Their one defeat this season came on the road, a 3-1 loss to the surprising Chivas USA, and gives hope that Toronto might be able to pull off a similar result. The winning goal in that match came from Oswaldo Minda pressuring George John who fumbled the ball and created the turnover that Minda finished. Even though Dallas has three clean sheets so far, the goal scored on them have been through good pressure on the backline and creating havoc in the 18 yard box.
If Toronto are going to build on and improve on last weekend's game, it will come down to defensive discipline. On both goals to Los Angeles, an extra man found his way into the 18-yard box to cause confusion amongst TFC's defenders. With Terry Dunfield serving as a box to box midfielder, and getting far forward to contribute offensively, this means the likes of Reggie Lambe or John Bostock needs to be better at tracking back and covering the extra man coming in.
FC Dallas, like Los Angeles, has a formidable midfield and with David Ferreira, Andrew Jacobson and Fabian Castillo all able to score, will be the players to watch out for who can supplement Kenny Cooper and Blas Perez, not to mention the briefest of Reds, Eric Hassli, who is no stranger to finishing his chances on TFC.
Toronto do not have the same quantity of scoring threats and this is why the return of Luis Silva is so important in this match. Silva's late substitution brought about Toronto's first real goal from open play (scored by Jonathan Osorio) and possession this season, and first one from someone other than Robert Earnshaw. TFC's offensive capability is predictable, but at least now there is a more creative element to offset the high tempo approach that Earnshaw brings. The Welshman has been strong a finishing, but not a part of the build-up or possession and that is why Silva's return is so important - to further create some kind of possession game in the midfield that has yet to be offensively effective.
Dallas has proven in their last three matches that they are game until the final whistle and this will be a concern for TFC supporters. From a 90th minute winner against Houston, to two goals near the 80 minute mark against Real Salt Lake, to Blas Perez slotting home a goal in the 87th minute last weekend in New England, Dallas are Toronto's worst nightmare when it comes to holding on to a potential lead or draw. Several of the FC Dallas goals have come either through set pieces or through the air and this will be the focus as Danny Califf and Darren O'Dea will no doubt be charged with clearing out anything and everything.
Toronto's approach for this game most importantly is to learn from last week against Los Angeles. Dallas will be there until the end like the Galaxy and Ryan Nelsen did well to make the right substitutions to get the lead but now he will also have to try and preserve points. Getting the right starting line up will likely mean having Silva on board from the start and ensuring that John Bostock is not a passenger as seen in Montreal, but a legitimate wide threat as seen against Kansas City.
It is no secret TFC's small sample of success this season has come through high pressure from Robert Earnshaw and there is no reason to stop now as Dallas presents a similar opportunity to turn over the ball as seen twice already in Toronto. If the Reds keep doing what they've been doing, have that added element of creativity from Silva, and keep bodies back covering every man Dallas brings forward, it could be a big afternoon for TFC.
In the end
FC Dallas present many memories in TFC's short history, both good and bad. From a 4-0 thrashing in 2007, a late Dallas goal in a 1-1 draw in 2009, a repeat in 2010, to losses at home in 2011 only to go to Frisco and win 3-0 and advance in the Champions League, the Hoops have given Reds supporters some low lows and very high highs. It has been a year and a half since Dallas have been a truly formidable side and they've started 2013 off on the right foot, atop the Western Conference. TFC have yet to pull it all together but have improved on some intangibles such as confidence and mental toughness. It is these areas, at home, that could be the difference between one point and three. Ryan Nelsen knows the task ahead of him with Dallas coming to town and if he can keep his side from repeating late goals conceded, it should be another solid home performance.
Prediction
Toronto FC 2 – 1 FC Dallas
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