|
|
May 10 can't come soon enough, as Toronto FC are struggling through their season opening seven game road stretch with match six this weekend in Florida to take on expansion-side Orlando City. It is four losses in a row for the Reds and this past week saw rumours right on cue suggesting Greg Vanney's position on the sidelines could be in jeopardy. Orlando don't have the same issue, despite up and down results, as Adrian Heath has been the anchor for that club for many years and built them into an early success story in the stands and possibly soon on the pitch in MLS.
Often it takes some time for a verdict to be issued on a team. Orlando is one such side where they are still coming together in their first season in MLS. However, they have plenty of very intriguing components and it is fair to say that with experience on the sidelines and on the field, it is just a matter of time. Toronto FC, on the other hand, appear to have shown their hand very early in that they are right now probably one of the easiest teams to build a gameplan around and if Greg Vanney cannot formulate an improved defensive display this weekend, all of attacking prowess won't save the club from dropping more points early on in the season.
Keep thinking
After a decade of consistent league expansion, it has become more difficult to measure where exactly a new club will fit in with the league. Prior to Seattle, it was a given that an inaugural season would be at the bottom of the table, but the Sounders turned that precedent on it's head and never looked back. Other teams such as Vancouver and Philadelphia have tasted the playoffs, but have still not cracked into the top echelon of MLS. Now we have New York and Orlando, and despite big name DPs, it does not look like they are next incarnation of Seattle.
This would come as a blessing for most opposition, and especially Toronto FC, however, the early part of the 2015 is not meeting the expectations of the money spent over the off season. Most teams would be chomping at the bit to face an expansion team, but right now it is TFC who are looking very much like a side with a long way to go in terms of assembling cohesion and discipline over ninety minutes.
The first seven away games on the Reds schedule had several with potential points to be had. Vancouver was a pleasant surprise much like Seattle was in 2015, but four straight losses afterwards, with teams who are not considered to be true contenders in Real Salt Lake, Columbus and Chicago in that run, give pause to consider where this team sits amongst it's competition.
It is not really that surprising the rumours that began this week regarding another loss could result in a coaching change. Tim Bezbatchenko made his bed making the same mistake in hiring Greg Vanney with no interim period to evaluate as we saw in 2012 with Paul Mariner. If we look at the results and performances on the pitch, there is little to indicate this team has made any real progress since the fall of 2014. Vanney is no doubt well schooled and versed in what needs to be done, but execution and results are a whole other matter, neither of which have materialized.
Most critical to how TFC have fared of late is what ever team must be well aware of and that is the Reds are defensively porous. Especially down the left side, and even through the middle, there are concerns. Justin Morrow has been reliable and Ashtone Morgan a very pleasant surprise, but Warren Creavalle, Nick Hagglund, and even at times Damian Perquis and Steve Caldwell, have been liabilities. Most noticeable has been how easy Toronto are beaten in open field and exposed they've become for any pace.
The most high profile battle in this match will be the midfield as Kaka vs. Michael Bradley will likely take the headlines into Sunday. However, it is the supporting cast that will tip the scales. Toronto should have Benoit Cheyrou back, who has been excellent in possession and distribution. How the team lines up top could bring Giovinco a bit deeper, and as noted last game a forward line of Jozy Altidore and Bright Dike would create all kinds of havoc for Orlando's defenders.
Circling back to TFC's defence, this of course will be where the game is either won or lost, as any cheap fouls in and around the area will result in a legitimate goal scoring chance from Kaka. Alongside him offering threats on goal is Brek Shea, who despite not scoring of yet had his share of solid games against TFC when on Dallas. Kevin Molino, who was a top USL Pro midfielder, brings width and Pedro Ribeiro is a big, strong midfielder to offer balance across the line.
It's unfortunate that five games in the discussion is far away from what potential the team has on the field. Four losses in a row will do that considering the money spent in the offseason and Orlando presents a legitimate chance at points, however, this requires some things from TFC we have yet to see in 2015. Giovinco has delivered so far, but leaving the back line without many upgrades will always mean any team is one mistake away from finding the back of the net. It's very simple at this point, sort out the best combination at the back and instill the right tactics and Toronto can likely come away with something. If another week goes by where Greg Vanney can only shrug his shoulders then it will be a long Sunday night for TFC.
In the end
Five games in and as much as it would be ideal to run through the head to head match ups, no matter who we think will be key players for both teams, for TFC this game will be decided at the back. Giovinco will certainly show flashes of brilliance, as will Kaka on the other side, and other supporting players such as Cheyrou, Molino, Alitdore and hopefully Larin, but there are weak links and liabilities abounds that will be instrumental in how this game is played out. What is most important is that is has been laid out for all, and especially Greg Vanney, to see. The adjustments should be obvious and if this can be done, it could be positive. However, Toronto have not come close to living up to expectations and in a packed stadium and pressure mounting, it might be too much to expect all three points.
Prediction
Toronto FC 2 – 2 Orlando City
|