Fresh off the most thrilling display since their first competitive matches of 2012, Toronto FC return home to take on Paul Mariner's former club, the New England Revolution. Midweek, the Reds put forth a display that has not been seen since early March, and arguably only once or twice since, to secure their first road point of the season.
The Revolution come to Toronto well-rested and likely well-prepared for what lies ahead. A cushy schedule that has had them solely playing a game a week for all of June and most of July, New England will have had the luxury of having the time to implement a plan to earn a result at BMO Field.
Wednesday night was one of the few times this year Toronto have been able to silence parts of the criticism that has been leveled at various areas of the pitch. A Danny Koevermans brace signaled the real potential he could be heating up and become the lynchpin in TFC being competitive, at least offensively. The Reds proved they still have desire to compete and win, despite their poor record, and now they need to show it was not a one-off. One step at a time as well as finding consistency is essential at this point, and against a New England team who are still nowhere near the side from 3+ years ago, Toronto have a real chance to follow-up their performance in Houston with a result at home.
Keep Thinking
In their darkest moments this season, it was hard to look through the schedule for TFC and see the light at the end of the tunnel. When the record was broken for most consecutive losses to start a season, even beyond that there were few games to circle that would be the ones to snap the streak. Thankfully Philadelphia came to town, but after that there still was not much to look forward to.
Specifically the first two matches after the International break. Kansas City unfolded as many would have expected, however, away to Houston was a shocker to say the least. A legitimate contender in the East, Houston had a brand new stadium filled with great support and in their first four games had secured three wins. Toronto, hands down the worst team in the league, went in and pushed what should have been a dominant side to the limits, leading 3-1 for the a long stretch before once again being exposed at the back, and having to settle for one point in a 3-3 draw.
New England arrives at BMO looking better than 2011, but still a ways from their glory years from 2004-2007 where they went to three consecutive MLS Cup Finals. Much like the Chicago Fire from that era, the big names have all left save for a few and it has become a slow rebuild trying to fit the right parts to get them back to the top.
If there is one area the Revolution have begun to get it right, it is in the midfield. Still anchored by stalwart midfielder Shalrie Joseph, they have build a strong corps that has been boosted by the arrival of Benny Feilhaber last summer. Add in the likes of Lee Nguyen, rookie Kelyn Rowe, sophmore Stephen McCarthy and Fernando Cardenas, not only do New England have a strong midfield, but one with young legs and depth.
Last season, New England tried their luck with Danish striker Radivoje Lekic, who was underwhelming to say the least. This year former PSG youth product and Bayern Munich second team striker Saer Sene has come on board to provide the offense. Sene has proven to be an impressive signing, as he battled injuries and languished in the reserves in Germany, he has arrived in MLS and leads the Revolution with seven goals.
New England at Toronto is a unique fixture that has some important history, even if it's only five years of it. On two occasions, Toronto have hosted the Revolution and clawed back to earn an thrilling draw, both ending 2-2, first in their inaugural campaign of 2007, and the near carbon copy last season in 2012. In between those matches, Toronto has has taken their lumps visiting New England and tried to level it out back at BMO Field.
As eluded to off the top, there is little doubt New England have had the time and looked at not only Toronto's games this season, but specifically the last two matches to take advantage of what is their most obvious weakness. Defending aside, Toronto are proving to be ABYSMAL at dealing with crosses, corner kicks and set pieces. A group of defenders with little experience are proving easy pickings for seasoned teams with dead ball specialists.
While this continues to drag Toronto down, the Houston game has provided a glimmer of hope that possibly for every discouraging goal conceded, TFC can stand toe to toe and return the favour. Rarely have Toronto dominated the midfield over the last two years, but there was a stretch against the Dynamo where Frings, De Guzman, Dunfield and Avila were all at their best and dictating the game.
If Toronto are going to build from the positives against Houston, as is often the case, it will come down to the finishing of Danny Koevermans. Koevermans' two goal performance was inspiring in such a disastrous season and will need to continue if they are to be in this game. However, it was not just the finishing but his overall approach which has looked more like the determined player from the end of last season than the first nine games of 2012.
Whether their approach is sustainable over ninety minutes, the Wednesday night game provided insight into what can work for Toronto. The four man midfield was solid with Terry Dunfield and Eric Avila pushing forward and delivering balls into the area via the likes of Ryan Johnson or Kovevermans holding up the ball. This bodes well in a battle against another formidable group in the middle of the park. Of course it will come down to defending for the Reds and if a pairing of Eckersley/Henry/Williams can over-deliver, then Toronto are halfway there to another home result.
In the End
There have not been too many performances in the league Toronto can take anything from to indicate better days are ahead. Outside of their visit to Sandy, Utah against RSL, road form has been terrible, coupled by an atrocious home record. Three goals in the first half against Houston midweek was a surprise to say the least as it was the first time supporters had seen that kind of verve from the team since their home and away with the LA Galaxy. New England are an improving side, but not one without holes and not back at the level of years past. Only one win on the road, they are as vulnerable as the Reds. Toronto will need to remedy the obvious problems defending quick, but with the midfield and attack looking better than seen in recent weeks, should have enough to deliver a result for the home crowd.
Prediction
Toronto FC 1 - New England 1
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