Who would have thought within two-month period, on two occasions, TFC would be competing in the biggest match of their existence, but for very different reasons. From beating the LA Galaxy and the glory of reaching the Champions League semi-finals to facing DC United to avoid what would go down as the worst start to a season in MLS history.
On the brink of going 0-8, the Reds need to feel real urgency to avoid this embarrassing record at all costs. At home to DC United, the storyline heading in is how the former captain who went on to win the league MVP is now in a position to condemn his former club into the record books.
Toronto FC have struggled almost on every front this season and will need to deliver a performance yet to be see in MLS play this year. A performance that is motivated from the opening whistle, eliminates individual mistakes and is clinical in its execution. There is no question TFC are now kicking themselves for not putting away previous opposition because DC United pose a very real threat of coming in to BMO Field and leaving with all three points. Any result is key for Toronto, and the question of whether the team can get all the parts moving together for the first time won’t be answered until the final whistle on Saturday afternoon.
Keep Thinking
Another week goes by and another countdown pulling together scraps to build a case for TFC to come away with a result, especially at home. Winless in the league, but most glaring, winless at home in four appearances Toronto have shown glimpses of what they can offer, but yet to put it all together over ninety minutes.
A heartbreaking loss in Salt Lake City last weekend could have been a just result had they held on for the draw, but the problems that have characterized this 0-7 start continue to present themselves each game. Midweek the Reds earned a point on the road, and kept a clean sheet against Montreal in the Amway Canadian Championship, but that draw came through a defensive approach that completely abandoned the “attractive, attacking brand of football” that was promised a year ago.
What became abundantly clear through that result is that right now Toronto FC are a club that can’t execute a gameplan that includes both attacking and defending – it’s one or the other. Either they go for goals at the expense of being scored on, or lock it down with nine men behind the ball with little sign of knowing how to switch out of that mode.
TFC will have to come up with an approach to do both over two days because DC United are a team who have proven they show up to play, show up to score goals, and show up to compete for the full ninety minutes. In all of their results this season, their performances have been characterized by an ability to start strong from the opening whistle and last into the dying minutes and go out swinging – win or lose.
What has also become a discouraging trend, which was bound to happen when a club goes through over one hundred players in five seasons, is former Reds returning to BMO Field and not only performing well, but coming away with a result. From Carl Robinson with the Red Bulls, to a triumvirate this season that has seen Sam Cronin, Nick LaBrocca and Dan Gargan’s clubs all leave the pitch with all three points. Saturday afternoon has not one, but two former Reds, and both are at the top of their game.
Nothing more needs to be said about Dwayne De Rosario, who silenced all his naysayers when he left Toronto a year ago by going on to score the most goals in his career and win the league MVP. Maicon Santos left Toronto for Dallas then bounced over to DC and when all signs pointed to journeyman status, has broken out with six goals in ten appearances so far this season. Add in the ever dangerous Chris Pontius, Designated Player Hamdi Salihi, and rookie Nick DeLeon, and DC’s attack has depth and balance that will be difficult to deal with.
The loss of perpetually injured Dejan Jakovic and veteran acquisition Emiliano Dudar in defence for DCU presents an opportunity should Aron Winter and Toronto know how to seize it. It has been outlined right now it really is heads or tails for TFC in terms of what kind of mentality to approach the game with, and given the result San Jose were able to get last weekend against DC at Buck Shaw Stadium, a 5-3 win for the Earthquakes, an attempt to stretch out a weakened back line might be Toronto’s only hope.
With the potential return of both Danny Koevermans and Nick Soolsma, as well as a rested Joao Plata, Toronto could have the offensive punch needed to compete with DC’s attack. The only catch is Koevermans will be coming off of injury and has looked a step off the clinical game he brought in 2011.
Line-up, tactics and match-ups aside, the last intangible for this match lies with the eleven TFC players on the pitch – and specifically the mentality, motivation and whether they have the pride to, at any cost, not go into the MLS record books as the team who started their season 0-8. There are several veterans who should have the leadership experience to take this team by the scruff of it’s neck and do what it takes to win. For the likes of Torsten Frings, Julian De Guzman, Danny Koevermans and Adrian Cann this will be their last chance this year to prove there is something to play for.
In the End
It never should have come to this. Opportunities against the likes of Columbus, Chivas and even a stubborn expansion side Montreal, TFC could have at the very least earn a point to avoid a situation that is nearing catastrophic proportions, if truthfully they are not already in it. Instead the Reds will have to deal with ousted Dwayne De Rosario returning home with something to prove on a club that is very much one of the better attacking sides in MLS. Toronto now are in a position where it will have to all come together and they will have to show something yet to be seen in their seven losses thus far. Talent and players aside, the performances of both teams need to be looked at and what they are capable of – and on this afternoon the team who has been proving themselves each week will likely be the one walking away with the win.
Prediction
DC United 3 – Toronto FC 2
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