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Posted by
Ian Clarke,
October 17, 2011 |
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Email Ian Clarke |
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FC Dallas: Frisco, Texas
Record: 15-7-11, 52 points, 4th in Western Conference
Goalscorer: Brek Shea, 10 goals
Playmaker: Andrew Jacobson, 5 assits
Players to watch: George John , Jackson Goncalves D, Marvin Chavez M
First Thoughts
Is it possible to open up the countdown and not come up with some angle to describe this game as the most important match in the team’s history? Probably not so let’s just get it out of the way – Toronto FC are now in the heart of Texas for their most important game in the history of the team! That’s right, a chance to follow in the steps, and possibly go beyond the achievement of Montreal and become only the second Canadian side to advance to the knockout round of the CONCACAF Champions League.
The cards are stacked against TFC as they will be hosted by FC Dallas who have had their number this season, winning all three encounters thus far. Toronto are rested and should be in good spirits after a solid 1-1 draw in Philadelphia, however, on Tuesday night a tie won’t be good enough to see them through. With Dallas still rediscovering their form, and Toronto showing improvements each week on many levels, come Wednesday morning they have a very good shot at starting the 2012 campaign in early March.
Keep Thinking
Toronto and Dallas now head into their fourth meeting of this 2011 season, with Dallas leading the series 3-0, through three 1-0 victories. While that scoreline implies a trio of close-fought battles where the Reds were just edged out - save for the last group stage match which was at 10am, Dallas soundly outplayed Toronto this year. TFC still hold somewhat of a trump card in that since their last encounter, nine games have been played with only two losses and they have looked significantly stronger as a unit.
Since their win over Toronto at the end of August, and an ensuing win over Sporting KC, Dallas would embark on one of the worst skids of the season going winless in eight, with a run of five losses in a row. They have bounced back of late with a 2-1 victory over Chicago and 2-0 win over Vancouver.
Their win over Vancouver, while positive in that two key attackers in Marvin Chavez and Brek Shea got on the scoresheet, must be put into context that it was against a side that finished the year without a single win away from home. Toronto don’t have much more to offer, but if you take the smaller and more accurate sample size that is the last three months, there is the hope that they can continue to pull off the near impossible, as was seen early September in Columbus.
As noted, Dallas have two primary goalscorers who will be essential to their result, or on the flipside, if TFC are to improve their chance at the win, need to shut down. There should be no surprises that limiting the influence of Brek Shea will be paramount, but that is no easy task. A big man with plenty of pace and athleticism, able to score from in close or distance, Toronto will need to be mindful of where he is at all times. As Shea dominates the left side, Marvin Chavez balances out the right. The Honduran attacker has plenty of speed and flare and has been a nice compliment to Shea up front in the absence of former league MVP David Ferreira.
For TFC to pull off what is very unlikely, that is not just a win away from BMO, but in an environment they have not traditionally done well in, as noted against Pumas, there can be no passengers. There has been encouraging team displays over the last month, but also ones where several key components fail to show up. Julian De Guzman, Ryan Johnson, Terry Dunfield, and most importantly, Danny Koevermans, must show up with fire in their eyes ready to leave it all on the pitch. Koevermans especially has proven to be a game breaker when he is putting forth his most determined effort.
However, it is the other end of the pitch that will be key to Toronto moving out of the group stage. While the back line, and defending overall, have garnered much praise since Torsten Frings has moved to a sweeper role, the last three goals surrendered have come through defensive and mental collapses. A draw simply is not good enough and with Richard Eckersley likely not seeing time at right back, a Brek Shea v Doneil Henry match up does not instill confidence.
What it comes down to at this point, is not just a back line that will likely be five players, but the players in front of them such as Julian De Guzman, Terry Dunfield and Peri Marosevic being committed to playing box to box and never coasting back to support the defence.
As seen against Pumas and New York, TFC are able to put out a strong defensive shape, but still have the ability to deliver offensive pressure. The return of Joao Plata and Danny Koevermans are two x-factors that can change the game, and Ryan Johnson, although inconsistent, has done well in this tournament so far. It has been said already, Toronto have the components, and if they are all in form and determined to remained focused for the full ninety minutes, stand a good chance at coming away with another surprising result.
In the End
With a suspect road record, not to mention three losses in a row to Dallas, there are few signs pointing to the possibility of a TFC victory. However, this season, and specifically over the last two months, the near impossible and extremely unlikely have been obstacles that Aron Winter has been able to overcome. Impressive road results and an ability to bounce back from poor performances, Toronto have shown a competitiveness and team spirit rarely seen over the last five years. Dallas are no doubt a top side, and with a balanced roster from front to back will offer no rest for the Reds – but it is doubtful that Aron Winter has not prepared his side for this and with that in mind should have the approach in place to come away from Dallas with their first fixture of 2012 booked.
Prediction
Toronto FC 2 – FC Dallas 1
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