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Toronto FC’s win over FC Dallas to advance past the group stage had a profound impact tonight. It changed the way I looked upon this season. For me, the majority of TFC’s season has been a miserable disappointment, lurching from one failure to another.
So last night the primary emotion I had was elation. I was elated over a whole host of things. I was elated that TFC managed to “do a Montreal” and advance to the Quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League (we’ll have to retire that phrase after this year thanks to TFC). I was elated that two academy graduates put in solid 90 minute performances. I was elated that our defence bolted the door on the road and earned a shut out. I was even more elated that TFC actually scored three, yes, three goals on the road. And I was elated that I had a positive topic to write about after this match was over.
I have been extremely critical of Toronto FC and Winter this year, but as this season is winding down, they have given me more and more reason to be positive about the upcoming season. I have written a few of these articles about how they keep salvaging pride and proving me wrong. It’s true, they have done that and it’s fantastic.
But what is more fantastic to me is the fact that Ashtone Morgan, Doneil Henry and possibly the other TFC Academy graduates on the roster now are headed towards a huge opportunity (likely against a Central American side – depends on the draw). They will be thrown into a typhoon of pressure if they end up against a Mexican side. Add in the possibility of playing at altitude and/or in humidity and there’s plenty of potential experience for these youngsters to gain and use in their careers, both at the club and international level.
But what about the experience they gained last night? After all, in a must win match on the road Henry and Morgan put in 90 minute performances with no real cracks in their composure. And that speaks volumes about the way they’re being prepared by the coaching staff, how they’re preparing for matches themselves, and of what type of character they’re made of. To me, I look at this match and see positives for Canadian soccer written all over. And every match these kids can put in like this really will help hone those mental characteristics for future high pressure situations.
On a couple other notes...
Joao Plata continued his run of proving that being a late draft pick in the MLS Draft does not make you useless. Plata has beaten the odds and the experts, coming into his own as an explosive force in the latter half of Toronto’s season. He had shown bursts of talent in the early part of the season and has always been hard working but in the latter half of the season he has truly taken on a role of a key attacking player for Toronto FC. It would truly be a shame if TFC couldn’t retain him, either in loan or as a permanent player, because it has been an excellent opportunity for the Ecuadorian and he has played a key role in turning the team around.
And finally, although it’s still many months off, Toronto FC needs to start planning a highly competitive offseason now. This should include matches against Latin American style teams, at high altitude and in humidity. It is absolutely key that the club does everything it can to be prepared to cope with the potential environmental difficulties that will be presented. In addition to having benefits in preparing for the Champions League, it will help get the players into the match fitness they have always lacked at the start of Toronto’s Major League Soccer seasons.
Until next time...
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