|
|
Posted by
,
June 23, 2013 |
|
Email
Ian Clarke
Twitter
@ClarkeRNO |
|
Read this on your iPhone/iPad or Android device
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Toronto FC 0 – 0 Houston Dynamo
Slowly, and with some signature cautious optimism, Toronto FC look to be finding their feet after a positive 0-0 draw with the Houston Dynamo. Going into the heart of Texas in the middle of summer is always a recipe for fatigue and potential late collapse, but this time the Reds held on and legitimately earned themselves a deserved point on the road.
After three and a half months of being hung out to dry, Joe Bendik can walk off the pitch with a genuine smile on his face as TFC earned their first clean sheet of the season. It wasn’t his busiest night between the sticks, but Bendik’s positioning was sound on the few shots that found their way on target and he was courageous in the air grabbing crosses and punching out most everything that wasn’t picked up from his defenders.
This is a game though that cannot be discussed without praising the display from Steve Caldwell. He has always looked the part but this game was something else as he simply bossed the backline and it seemed like every long ball from Talley Hall, Caldwell was there to send back the other way.
But what made this result stand wasn’t all on the defence but TFC being able, right until the final whistle, to put Houston on their back heel. The midfield did their part against a good Dynamo corps and the attack kept them honest all the way through as late subs Jeremy Brockie and Danny Koevermans really look like assets that will give either Robert Earnshaw, but more likely Luis Silva, a run for that starting position.
This is perhaps the first result in quite some time that TFC and Ryan Nelsen can truly feel good about. Regardless of Houston’s form of late, a poor run that has been against some good teams, BBVA Compass Stadium is a very difficult place to play, especially in the summer. Toronto never looked like they were wilting under the pressure and when Houston did show glimpses of taking the game over, the defence did their part and the offence would come back to life and create at the other end.
With Real Salt Lake coming to BMO Field next weekend, TFC have a real opportunity to build off the last three results and deliver a win against a team who’ve struggled north of the border.
The key to the ratings, as seems to be the logic on a scale of 1-10, is not to view it as a “grade”, as in a 6 would be a 60 or a C. The formula is that each player begins the game with a 5 and is the equilibrium from which their performance either improves or degrades moving in increments of .5.
Here is the breakdown of the starting XI:
Joe Bendik – 6.5
A strong outing for Bendik who was up against much stiffer opposition than last week, and one with the ability to deliver more dangerous balls into the area. It wasn’t necessarily the shots on target, the few saves he did make, Bendik got into position and wasn’t troubled, but the deliveries wide and on corners, especially from Ashe and Davis, that Bendik did especially well on to ensure anything within a 6-10 yard area was either pulled down or cleared.
Your rating:
Ryan Richter – 4.5
As much as you have to acknowledge his heart and determination, against some of the better wide players in the league, it’s clear that Ricther right now is just keeping his head above water. 1v1 he is there for the taking and coming back the other way is not consistent in his passing or delivery into the 18 yard box.
Your rating:
MOTM Steven Caldwell – 7.5
It was a real breakout game for Caldwell who had been beginning to show his experience last week, but Saturday night took it to another level with a stellar performance anchoring the backline. Time after time Caldwell almost appeared out of nowhere to completely own Houston in the air as nearly every ball, either from Talley Hall or in TFC’s end, was cleared by the Scotsman. An uncompromising determination, with experience to back it up, is what has been needed to lead Toronto through this tough transition of late.
Your rating:
Doneil Henry – 5.5
A decent return from suspension for Henry who still has his moments of rash decisions, at both ends of the pitch as seen going for the ball against Hall, and trying to close down and dispossess Houston’s attackers. Have to give credit as his confidence is growing and physically can stand toe to toe as his match up with Bruin was a good test. Still has a ways to go in terms of match experience in order to hone his decision-making, but with Caldwell beside him, should start making real strides in improvement.
Your rating:
Darren O’Dea – 5.5
As much as left back is definitely not his idea position, O’Dea has begun to look comfortable out wide and been as asset in the attacking third linking up well with Convey. Can still see some of his natural tendencies defending as he sometimes sits back in the area instead of pursuing the player on the wing, but on a night where nothing found the back of the net it was another good showing from the centre-back turned fullback.
Your rating:
Matias Laba – 6
As he’s begun to settle in, Laba’s game has slowly taken steps in getting comfortable in MLS. It wasn’t quite the performance from last week, but Houston have a much better midfield and are a tougher team overall. What Laba brought, instead of the impressive passing display from last week, was a good pressure game that forced a handful of errant passes and it was a good to see him avoid any yellow cards to stave off suspension for another week.
Your rating:
Jeremy Hall – 5.5
Another steady game from Hall who wasn’t necessarily influential with the ball on his feet, perhaps save for a few good passes in the first half, but limited his turnovers and had a game alongside Laba that was geared towards getting back possession. Would have liked to see him advance further a bit more but in a game that ended without anyone being punished defensively, it should be seen as a positive game from the defensive mids.
Your rating:
Jonathan Osorio – 5.5
Osorio continues his positive run of form with another solid showing, and one that continues to surprise considering his lack of experience. Confidence and willingness to seize his opportunity in the starting eleven is paying off as he simply plays with no fear and ability to take on whatever player is on front of him. His work down the wing, constantly moving into space, once again was a critical component of keeping Houston honest and providing an option out wide to create in their half of the pitch.
Your rating:
Bobby Convey – 5.5
A better game from Convey compared to last week as he was given more opportunity to deliver on set pieces and offer something on the left side of the attack. Had a great chance around the 20th minute to either put one onto target that nearly was flicked on by Earnshaw. His three games have been positive in offering more options on free kicks as well as someone competent to link up with O’Dea on the flank.
Your rating:
Luis Silva – 5.5
Another game where Silva hasn’t quite been able to produce that final ball to either put one in the net or set up one of his teammates. It wasn’t a bad game by any stretch as he was constantly buzzing in the attack, it could be he needs to be paired up with someone with a bit more physicality to play off his technique. Still, was able to nearly work a great chance for Earnshaw at the start of the second half and might need to be looked at as a sub instead of starter now that Koevermans and Brockie have been getting into form.
Your rating:
Robert Earnshaw – 6
Even though he did not score, it was a good game from Earnshaw who looked dangerous on several plays and in truth deserved a bit better from what he created. His give and go with Silva around the 48th minute put in the required work for something and especially the similar play with Brockie at the 63rd minute was very close to being something special. Not finding the back of the net is certainly disappointing, but Earnshaw was busy all game and put in the work to keep Houston on their heels.
Your rating:
|