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Toronto FC 2 – 2 Portland Timbers
Even though TFC were missing a number of key players due to a variety of reasons on Wednesday evening, it’s still hard not to see the draw against the Portland Timbers as just another disappointing results in a season that has been disappointing overall. While the glass half full view is that the Reds gained another point under Head Coach Paul Mariner after being unable to gain practically any under previous Head Coach Aron Winter, the glass is half empty chorus is likely singing about the Reds inability to win a game at home against the worst road team in the MLS. Portland had only gained two points away from Jeld-Wen Field prior to this fixture and arrived at BMO Field having earned only point in their last six games.
The usual suspects (Milos Kocic, Ashtone Morgan, Luis Silva, Richard Eckersley) brought some positivity to the proceedings from a TFC standpoint and new Designated Player Eric Hassli was a standpoint, delivering a performance that was worth the price of admission.
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:
Milos Kocic – 6.5
Another match in which Kocic deserved better than the end result his team earned. While he did not have to do a whole lot in the first half, he was challenged more often in the second half and responded with his standard caliber of play. The TFC keeper looked like he had made a game winning save 1v1 on Kris Boyd late in the second half, but his defense let him down ten minutes later when he powerless to prevent a Timbers equalizer.
Ty Harden – 4
In what felt like his first match since the John Carver era at TFC, Harden struggled at right back in a game in which he was forced back into action after a long layoff due to Reds regulars being unavailable due to injury, International duty and suspension. Harden gave it the old college try but his contribution looked shambolic at times in this match.
Richard Eckersley – 5.5
Another match in which Eckersley was Toronto’s best defender. He made a number of important clearances and brought energy and intensity to a sometimes tepid match. I still prefer the Manchester United product as a right fullback, but does look like has settled in to a certain degree in central defense.
Adrian Cann – 5
The veteran Canadian International showed flashes of the form that have made him one of Toronto’s best defenders over the last several years. At the same time, Cann is clearly far from match fit and far from his top form, as the back line looked disjointed as a whole.
Ashtone Morgan – 5.5
Toronto’s dynamic young left back got off to a slow start in this one. However, he was one of TFC’s best players when the game picked up in the second half and set up Toronto’s second goal with a rare right footed cross into the Timbers box.
Aaron Maund – 5
In his first start playing as a central defensive midfielder, Maund did not look out of his element. He looked quick and strong in winning his fair share of the midfield battles.
Torsten Frings – 5.5
Not surprisingly, Frings looked tired in this one. Either that or he looked bored. TFC supporters can only hope that it was the former. His passing and decision-making was still impeccable, but you have to wonder if he was still smarting from pretty much none of the patrons of Union Station wanting to play pass with him.
Reggie Lambe – 5
A decent half of play from Lambe, who had to leave the match due to injury. Given the Reds lack of depth, TFC supporters can only hope that he won’t be out of action for any considerable length of time.
Luis Silva – 6
Much has been written about the fact that Terry Dunfield has been a resurgent player since Paul Mariner took over as Head Coach in place of Aron Winter. Luis Silva is another player who has blossomed under the Englishman and he has become of the main bright spots on the TFC roster in recent weeks.
Eric Avila – 5
Not a particularly impressive display from Silva, who Paul Mariner who had highlighted prior to the match as one of the players who was gaining an opportunity to start due to the absence of other starting players.
Eric Hassli – 7.5 MOTM
On a day in which Toronto FC was quite poor while playing against an equally poor opponent, Eric Hassli was the bright spot and stood out as a player who inspired and brought some excitement to BMO Field. As Toronto’s main offensive threat, he scored a goal and assisted on another, while delivering excellent hold up play and wowing the crowd in attendance with several instances of top class footwork and buildup play.
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