|
|
Posted by
,
July 21, 2013 |
|
Email
Ian Clarke
Twitter
@ClarkeRNO |
|
Read this on your iPhone/iPad or Android device
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Toronto FC 0 – 0 New York Red Bulls
Like the notches on a prison cell wall, Toronto FC supporters look at over 365 days now where they have been unable to win a league game at BMO Field. A 0-0 draw with the New York Red Bulls certainly showed some positives and something to build off of, but is also a stark reminder of a team that has no attacking verve. Without goals there is no victory and right now it is a real stretch to envision how and where they are going to come for TFC to earn three points.
After two very poor displays through the week, Toronto put in an organized and focused defensive display that was lead by new captain Steve Caldwell. It was an encouraging return to the performances that earned him a full contract with the club as he steadied the back four and did well with Doneil Henry to eliminate and real threats coming through the middle. The return of Richard Eckersley ensured the right back is no longer the weak link on the side as he’s still returning to form, but his ability to defend improved Toronto’s chances to hold on for a clean sheet.
It cannot be discounted though that TFC’s midfield pairing of Laba and Hall were also intricate in stifling what was a potent New York attack. Jeremy Hall was not the most visible player on the pitch, but was charged with marking Thierry Henry and considering few shots and no goals came on his watch, it should be considered a good game. Laba has consistently gone about his day doing the dirty work of applying constant pressure to win back balls, position himself to intercept passes and even get forward to contribute to the attack, as seen with his tight through ball onto Osorio’s feet that should have delivered more.
With these two in the middle, there is a huge gap in the attack that requires a more offensive-minded presence centrally. Osorio and Convey did well on the afternoon, but when the partnership up top is Brockie and Braun, the attack looks very one-dimensional. Two games in a row though, Toronto have a case for non-calls in the 18-yard box that both should have been penalties. Referee Jorge Gonzalez’s decision that Holgersson’s trip of Brockie “was not intentional” is completely absurd and would set a ridiculous precedent for what warrants a foul in the box.
While Ryan Nelsen has a case, in both this game and the Chivas USA loss, earning those penalties would likely have created a false sense of improvement, or that the offensive performance was positive, when in fact it is not. Especially midweek, Nelsen needs to look at his set up and realize that games should not have to be won by penalties and Toronto, for most of this season, have had a very poor approach in the attack.
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 – 5.5
A good game for Bendick who surprisingly was not required to make any huge saves. Only saw one occasion where he distributed a very poor ball upfield, and his presence in the area was solid as he demonstrated courage on several corners and crosses to come into traffic and punch clear or pull down the ball.
Your rating:
Richard Eckersley – 5.5
Eckersley’s return has greatly bolstered the right side of defence as it has looked much better in the last few games and this one was the best of the last three. While he still appears to need to work out cohesion with Osorio, as there were some missed chances/overlaps and poor balls sent to no one in particular, he was one of the very few TFC players to take a shot on goal. A positive return that should see an improved backline in the weeks to come.
Your rating:
Steven Caldwell – 6.5
A nice return to the standard seen in his short stay with TFC so far. Had a rough outing midweek and came back focused and delivered everything expected from a veteran. A few moments of miscommunication with Laba and some others, but otherwise rightly is wearing the armband. One of the highlights on this game was his ability to deal with crosses and long balls and not simply head away, but find an open teammate and ensure his clearance resulted in TFC having possession.
Your rating:
Doneil Henry – 6
No excessive tackles, no flagrant challenges, and no cards. A mature outing from Henry and one that he can hopefully build off of to become a more steady component of the backline. Agbossemonde has many of the same tools, but Henry carries his game with more confidence and rightly earned the start this weekend. Still has a ways to go before becoming the aerial presence Caldwell is, but matched up well with New Yorks forwards and never looked shaky in a game that is a good result for the defence.
Your rating:
Ashtone Morgan – 5
Has fallen significantly this year and still has a ways to go before earning back his position, and not looking like the weak link on the backline. Still appears lost of what to do on crosses and corners, as seen early on with Henry’s shot on goal where Morgan looked unsure where to be or who to mark. Appears as though his confidence is not where it needs to be, as on this day, even his one strength, coming down the left side and sending crosses in, required several touches of control and lost opportunities to get something in. One positive was a game where he came out unscathed and hopefully can use it as motivation moving into next weekend’s game.
Your rating:
MOTM Matias Laba – 6.5
Another strong outing for Laba who has been steady and consistent, even in the poor games seen this past week. On this afternoon, many of his positives were on display – good passing, as in more often than not finding the right player to maintain possession – great anticipation, with several intercepted passes. Both of these were shown at the 78th minute when he held possession until McCarty was in full stride to thread a pass through his legs, then when the possession was lost upfield, went down and won it back. Perhaps the moment of the game from him was in the dying minutes, Obekop had beaten Eckersely inside the 18 yard box, had space going to goal and players open, Laba got a foot in to cleanly dispossess him and neutralize what could have been the winning goal.
Your rating:
Jeremy Hall – 5.5
By no means a standout performance or glamorous game from Hall, but he had to do the dirty work of marking Thierry Henry, and aside from his chance at the 3rd minute, Hall was able to keep him in check. This game was the battle between these two and it went back and forth, and considering Henry was limited to two shots and kept off the scoresheet, should be seen as a positive game for Hall.
Your rating:
Jonathan Osorio – 5.5
Osorio has been one of the few bright emerging players this season and he kept up his consistent displays against New York. If there is one criticism of late, it is requiring too many touches to control the ball when inside the 18 yard box, as both in the Chivas game and this one, Osorio had fantastic chances in on goal that had he released the ball on the first touch, at the very least would have tested the keeper instead of it amounting to nothing. For a team who are set up very poorly to create chances on goal, a lot rides on the 20-year old shoulders and he did well Saturday to keep advancing without fear, keeping the ball on the ground with good passing vision and being one of the few players to pose any real threat in the final third.
Your rating:
Bobby Convey – 5.5
One of his better games for TFC, but still leaves something to be desired. Perhaps he is still getting his feet under him and rebuilding his form because this was the first game he showed confidence and ability to go at defenders 1v1. He did it on several occasions and often created a lot of problems for the likes of Kimura and Barklage. Had some good chances from set pieces and this was one of his more complete outings and if he can take it to another level, the one he had back in 2009/10, it will be huge in Toronto improving through the summer.
Your rating:
Jeremy Brockie – 5.5
Brockie has done well since arriving at getting into good positions for scoring and being able to win battles off of long balls. Showed good pace when in possession running at goal and was unlucky to be just a step off on his offside goal, as well as another non-call in the 18-yard box that should have been a penalty. The Brockie/Braun partnership will be a tough one to yield results as their game is similar and should Earnshaw return soon, will be better for TFC’s chances.
Your rating:
Justin Braun – 5
With Earnshaw down, Braun had a fair bit of pressure to deliver something. He brought what has been seen through the season in a strong work rate and desire to go for goal, but rarely does it look like something is going to get into the back of goal. A good option off the bench but right now unlikely his partnerships will yield anything for the Reds.
Your rating:
|