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Toronto FC continue their schedule away from BMO Field's renovations as they go back to the west coast to take on perennial contenders Real Salt Lake. The two clubs have yet to hit their full stride on the 2015 season, but both have the potential for big results. However, the story of this fixture will be the quality of depth as international fixtures are leaving both teams without some of their key players.
The Reds are coming off a somewhat humbling 2-0 loss to the Columbus Crew, especially considering the 3-1 scoreline against Vancouver the week previous. Salt Lake, on the other hand, have yet to record a victory and are coming off a see saw 3-3 draw with the Philadelphia Union. These are two teams who still have question marks around their overall potential for 2015, and with both TFC and Salt Lake missing key players, it could become a much closer affair, one that if Toronto have the right preparation could leave with a good result.
Keep thinking
While Toronto FC have had two weeks to rest up and recuperate from their loss in Columbus, things are not looking that way heading into the weekend. The 2-0 loss revealed that early concerns on the durability of the defence, as well as depth, were justified. Steven Caldwell went down at the half, preceded by Justin Morrow receiving a red card, and with no vocal leadership on the backline, two deep crosses found their targets unmarked for goals. Reports of Mark Bloom, Eriq Zavaleta and even Damian Perquis being doubtful makes this encounter perhaps one to forget before it even kicks off.
However, it is not often one can say there is some fortune in an international weekend. Even though Toronto will be without Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore, Salt Lake will also be missing their top target Alvaro Saborrio, young midfielder Luis Gil, defender Elias Vasquez and most importantly veteran keeper Nick Rimando. While TFC's defence is an even bigger question mark, some of the players who would make this game difficult are now out of the starting eleven.
Of course losing Bradley and Altidore is a blow, however, if you go by what was seen in 2014, Toronto FC at times performed better without the American midfielder and last weekend showed Altidore might not be a presence week in week out. What this leaves us with is still some good options. Benoit Cheyrou is more than capable at being the holding mid, but allows Collen Warner to come in, or for some tactical tweaks in the midfield. Luke Moore, despite earning 1/60 of Altidore's salary is a capable target forward who can offer size up top.
This is all without mentioning Sebastian Giovinco was not called up to Italy and available. Real Salt Lake could offer the right type of opposition, and environment at a well cared for Rio Tinto, for him to showcase his skills. Even though Salt Lake play a more technical, expansive type of soccer, Kyle Beckerman will be available and this will be the match up to watch between the Italian and veteran MLSer. As well, Jameson Olave, even though he's getting up there in years, will bring physicality in both 18 yard boxes.
Even without Saborrio, Toronto will need to be concerned with Javier Morales essentially providing much of what Higuain did for Columbus, while there are two other strikers, Olmes Garcia and Sebastian Jaime looking to open their scoring accounts. TFC's midfield could go a long way in nullifying the obvious threats on both set pieces and crosses into the area through width in defending. Real Salt Lake are capable at spreading the ball around and go wide and through the middle. The Reds should take their chances through the middle as it is clear defending crosses is still a concern carried over from last year.
Finally, when weighing out this fixture is the intangibles of whether Toronto can improve cohesiveness in the last two weeks is considering that even without some of their best players, Real Salt Lake benefit from seven seasons of a clear approach and vision for their club. Jeff Cassar seamlessly took over for Jason Kreis and kept the same style of play. It is old news by now for TFC supporters, but stability does count and when a even match comes down to the small details, it can tip the scales and be the difference between stealing a point and losing all three.
In the end
Coming off a 2-0 loss to Columbus, and Real Salt Lake a 3-3 draw with Philadelphia, both clubs are highly motivated to earn three points and not fall behind on the season right out of the gate. Missing players will be the storyline for both sides, but Salt Lake should have the depth and approach to not suffer too much from absences. Toronto FC of course will be without almost $15million in salaries, but the question is truthfully how much impact will the loss of Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore effect the team's performance.
It has been seen that some teams dig deeper and work harder without their go-to player on the field, and this was seen last year when Bradley was away at the World Cup. It is too early to tell if Altidore is an essential component and with that said, the Reds could very well be prepared to put in a more balanced team effort than seen in their first two games. Real Salt Lake are not quite the dominant team they were under Jason Kreis, and missing their proven finishers increases the odds the Reds can leave with something positive.
Prediction
Toronto FC 2 – 2 Real Salt Lake
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