A dramatic turnaround in performance Wednesday night gave TFC a much needed confidence boost as they prepare to face arch nemesis, the Columbus Crew, at BMO Field Saturday afternoon. The Reds momentarily silenced grave concerns of their ability as a team to survive without Torsten Frings. Cohesive and determined, against stiffer opposition than Seattle or San Jose, TFC gave hope they will be able to get results over the short term.
Never having beaten the Crew at BMO, and only having beaten them for the first time in history last September, Toronto will have a stern challenge in repeating their display from midweek. Some personnel developments have fallen in their favour for this fixture, but Aron Winter will have a difficult task in finding the right balance between looking ahead to Santos, but not at the expense of a good showing, potential result and confidence.
While TFC's outing was one that the effort was exceptional, it now must become the norm to win against Columbus, regardless of who starts and gets minutes. If Toronto can show the same determination to get their season on track, the momentum will be vital to carry into next Wednesday night.ints.
Keep Thinking
Toronto's 1-1 draw with Santos Laguna brought new life to what was beginning to look like a terrible start to 2012. Despite getting into the Champions League semi finals, their two MLS matches were well below par with the home opener especially falling short against a San Jose team who should have been taken far more seriously from the get go.
TFC redeemed themselves on Wednesday with a hard-nosed, committed effort that was reflected in the scoreline against a very good Santos Laguna. Now they must refocus and regenerate to duplicate this against Columbus on Saturday afternoon.
The first concern heading into this match, is the potential hangover the Reds might be suffereing from. After the two disappointing losses to start the year, Toronto really raised their game and left it all on the pitch mid-week. What is left physically, mentally and emotionally to come out Saturday with the same determination is an important question.
This is where Aron Winter will need to get his selection right, as there are a few players, such as Eric Avila, Logan Emroy and Danny Koevermans, who will likely get the nod and can use this match to prove to the coach and supporters that they are in form. Koevermans especially, who will miss next week's return leg due to yellow card accumulation, must use this opportunity to pick up from Wednesday's game and open up his 2012 scoring account.
Columbus come to Toronto having lost their season opener, but followed that up by defeating the expansion Montreal Impact 2-0 at home. The Crew have remained in the top half of the league over the last few seasons, despite players slowly eroding away who made up their 2008 MLS Cup side. Gone are Frankie Hejduk, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, and now Robbie Rogers, but they still have top shelf MLS players in Chad Marshall and Eddie Gaven.
There will be question marks as to how good this team will be in 2012, as coaching counts for something, but whether names such as Olman Vargas, Milovan Mirosovic, Emilio Rentiera, Dilly Duka and Julius James can keep the Crew near the top of the East is yet to be seen. Their 2-0 defeat in Colorado signals they might not quite have hit a stride yet.
TFC's approach will have to follow closely to their midweek display if they are to have any hope of getting their first MLS result. A group of attackers all with Central and South American experience could cause problems for the likes of Terry Dunfield and Ty Harden who have not been consistent defending players with good movement off the ball. However, it is unlikely we'll see them, or many of the starters from midweek, for significant minutes. Who will be available after their grueling game with Santos is also a question, and it might become a matter of Winter delicately managing minutes in order to get everyone to be committed for the full ninety minutes, both Saturday and next week.
A good group of rested attackers in Erica Avila, Luis Silva, Joao Plata and with Koevermans able to leave it all out on the field, is a positive sign they should be able to create in Columbus' end. Leaving the likes of Johnson, Soolsma or DeGuzman until the end for a last gasp could also signal a chance to come away with something.
The next step for The Reds though is to prove to themselves and supporters they can hold onto leads, or turn draws into wins. Columbus, at home, present a good opportunity to progress from their match against Santos and the right balance and mental approach could get them their first points of the MLS season.
In the End
Physically and mentally spent, Toronto will have to pull it together to take on their most loathed MLS competition, the Columbus Crew. With the Champions League semi-final away leg in Mexico next Wednesday, it is unlikely a similar starting eleven will be on hand to kick off this match. However, it is a perfect opportunity for several players to make a case they can be depended on and used with more frequency through the busy early months of the season. Toronto will need to make their disciplined commitment more consistant than we've seen and if they can stay focused defensively and Danny Koevermans makes the most of this game, TFC can finally earn a point in the table.
Prediction
Toronto FC 2 – Columbus Crew 2
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