Rested, rejuvenated and refreshed, Toronto FC will also need to come out well-prepared as they host the surging Houston Dynamo Saturday afternoon. A mainstay at the top of MLS, the Dynamo have been a tough opponent over the years with both sides earning their share of points at the other's expense.
The Reds are in the midst of one of their better runs through six seasons, and are currently on the brink of an unprecedented four-game winning streak. However, despite the run, Houston have matched them as the Dynamo are one of the hottest teams in the league with one more win since mid-June. This game, at home, serves as the true litmus test of where this reborn Toronto side stands.
The rest is critical, because players have been sent out, key ones injured and few quality reinforcements will be available for Saturday. Houston showed in their first meeting of the season they are well prepared to go fifteen rounds and produce the goods to the final whistle. TFC's character has been on display for the last month and they will need to bring that and more if their streak is to keep going.
Keep Thinking
It was just over a month ago that these two teams met for the first time this season. Toronto FC were coming off a 2-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City that was a flattering score considering what little fight they had through the early going. An improved effort through the second half bore no fruit but raised questions and showed some potential.
The Dynamo had just unveiled their new stadium and had a string of good results to kick off their opening fixtures. After the performance in Kansas City, and the history of TFC in Houston, it had loss written all over it. However, TFC put forth a performance that had high highs, and low lows as they jumped out to a 3-1 lead but conceded two late to finish with a 3-3 draw.
As disappointing as dropping two points was, the two-goal outburst from Danny Koevermans would kickstart the abysmal beginning to 2012 and begin TFC's most positive run of results since May 2010. Since first meeting on June 20, Toronto have only lost once, and in that period won games both at home and on the road. It is without question a dramatic turn of fortunes for a team who had all but put themselves out of post season contention one third of the way through the season.
As impressive as TFC have been, Houston might have a slight edge in results over the last five weeks, but their form is near identical. Also coming into this match with just one loss since the first encounter, a 4-2 defeat in Montreal, Houston have one win prior to that match and beat some of the top sides in the league in DC United and Sporting Kansas City.
While Toronto's silence on the transfer market has become deafening, Houston quietly signed their second DP in Honduran international Oscar Garcia who became available at the end of June. The midfielder could be a nice addition to a team whose spine is well sorted out with Tally Hall between the sticks, Andre Hainault and Bobby Boswell holding down the defence, Brad Davis running the midfield and spot kicks, and Will Bruin breaking out with ten goals so far. Front to back Houston are well stocked with quality in every area of the pitch.
This match will answer many questions of where Toronto sits and whether they can continue their surprise ascent. It is well known the impact Danny Koevermans had on TFC's string of results and losing him for the season no doubt put a huge question mark on where they were going to find goals. Low and behold, Toronto are able to swing a deal and bring the out of favour Eric Hassli to the big smoke and give Paul Mariner much needed reinforcements up top. However, Hassli is in the midst of recovering from and ankle sprain and his appearance, or at least significant minutes, in this match is unlikely.
For the game at hand, there should be no surprises from what Houston brings to the table and Toronto simply need to be prepared for it. Brad Davis is arguably the best set piece taker in MLS and with the likes of Andre Hainault, Geoff Cameron and Will Bruin as targets, there is no question any corner or space given wide will be taken advantage of. Even against an impotent side such as Colorado, the Rapids were able to easily expose Toronto's biggest weakness in a green group of defenders.
How Paul Mariner makes up for a clear deficiency in backline experience will likely come through the central midfield pairing of Torsten Frings and Terry Dunfield who have both had big performances over the last month being able to roam box to box. Against Colorado, Luis Silva stepped up and was pulling the strings offensively and he will need to continue this if Toronto are to be competitive. The like of Ryan Johnson, Reggie Lambe and Eric Avila can deliver if given the required service. Luis Silva can maintain his current form, the Reds have a chance of being able to, at least offensively, compete with a formidable Houston side.
In the End
Timing is everything and there are still many questions to be had on whether Toronto FC can sustain their current run of positive results. Houston's arrival comes at just the right point to answer that question, as one of the league's perennial achievers has matched TFC's streak and arguably beaten teams of higher quality. Even with four wins, four draws and two losses over the last ten matches, there is still some convincing to do that this make-up has what it takes to remain competitive beyond the short term. Houston are stable, well-built and well-coached and are the perfect opponent to determine whether the Reds are truly moving up or simply going through one of the many streaks that has had not translated into long-term results.
Prediction
Toronto FC 1 – 1 Houston Dynamo
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