Toronto FC 2 – 1 Sporting Kansas City
After a disastrous 2012 that took three games for TFC to score a goal at home, and ten to win a match, they are already ahead of last year with a 2-1 win against Sporting Kansas City. Early pressure and converting chances was the difference as the second half turned the tables with everything in Toronto’s end, but by the final whistle they bent, but did not break, to secure a critical three points.
It is critical because a season which has almost no expectations has been given an injection of optimism and glimpses of who might be players that could make this year exciting. The first half proved that Robert Earnshaw could be a solution up top until Danny Koevermans returns, or reinforcements arrives, as his pace closed down a lazy back pass to Aurélien Colin and was clinical in his finishing on both his goals. John Bostock was bright in his first game for TFC as his confidence on the ball and willingness to go 1v1 is something that will be needed to keep defenders honest from isolating Earnshaw.
The second half also showed positive signs, but also brings about concerns. The defence, supplemented by good performances by Jeremy Hall and Terry Dunfield, certainly proved their worth in being able to handle long stretches of pressure, but TFC could be playing with fire allowing their opposition to have so much possession with little offered in return.
At the final whistle one of the most encouraging signs was and embrace by O’Dea and Califf that was joined in celebration with Bednik, Morgan and Eckersley. Cohesiveness, as has been noted countlessly in past seasons and already a handful this year, will be a disadvantage for TFC but that small display could be a sign that one area of the pitch is in unison and pulling in the same direction.
Toronto will need to build on that for next weekend as they once again will be up against a more stable roster in Montreal, in their home opener. An impressive two game winning streak by the Impact will be a tall order, but 4,000 or more potential traveling TFC supporters could spur on Robert Earnshaw to continue his form and keep the rest pushing to maintain their spots in the line-up.
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
Toronto FC has had one consistent positive over seven seasons and that is two keepers more than capable of filling the starting role. With Stefan Frei waiting to return from injury, Bendik has been more than capable in keeping TFC in games with huge stops. His two outstretched saves in the second half, one tipping it up to the crossbar, second clearing a shot wide was part of a forty-five minutes where the back five bent but didn’t break in the face of constant pressure.
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Richard Eckersley – 6
A big game from Eckerlsey who proves without question he is most effective at right back as he limited build-ups on his side of the pitch with well timed clearances and tenacious tackling. Keeping the two threats of Zusi and Feilhaber in check was one of the biggest tasks of the afternoon and Eckersley was up to the challenge as little was created from his position on the field.
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Darren O’Dea – 6.5
Two weekends both O’Dea and Califf have put together perhaps the best centreback displays since 2010 with Cann and Attakora. O’Dea has a streak of recklessness in him that was needed to keep a more technical and creative team in KC in check. O’Dea was fearless in the middle clearing out everything, showed his ability for dangerous passes and put in one of his best performances in red.
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Danny Califf – 7
While O’Dea was wearing the captain’s armband, Califf was the one getting in the middle of everything clearing out balls with no-nonsense, getting physical at both ends of the field, and standing up to the likes of Aurélien Colin who was being a pain all afternoon. Any concerns about fitness should be dispelled as Califf had no problems going end to end and getting involved in tackles after running the full length of the field.
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Ashtone Morgan – 5.5
There were pros and cons on display from Morgan. He showed positives linking up the left side with Lambe on occasion, overlapped nicely and even had some good defensive moments stalling KC’s wing play. However, his passing was not on point this day and in the stadium looked like he was asleep at the switch on Bieler’s goal, who somehow managed to easily get past who should be TFC’s quickest defender.
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Jeremy Hall – 5.5
A much improved display from Hall who after this game will at least give some pause for thought that he can be capable at filling in as a defensive midfielder. Was disciplined in his position and was much better in passing and limiting turnovers that marred his performance from the Vancouver match. If he can continue his form will prove his worth in staying in the side.
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Terry Dunfield – 5.5
While he did not stand out in possession, and had about half the pass attempts he usually has in the midfield, Dunfield’s role was to lock it down in front of the back four and he was successful at that. It was quiet in many regards but that can be seen as a positive as he did not give away any fouls near the 18 yard box and this discipline was needed against set pieces specialists such as Graham Zusi.
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Reggie Lambe – 5.5
It was a good game for Lambe who was a bit more present than last weekend. However, is not being influential enough and needs to make his chances count, as the bouncing loose ball he struck over goal might have been awkward, but he simply is not getting involved enough to let those chance slip away from him.
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Hogan Ephraim – 5.5
A much better follow-up performance where he was busier up top and his pressure on Besler caused the sloppy pass Earnshaw pounced on. His first half was encouraging as he was a nice compliment to the Welsh striker’s energy, but disappeared in the second half and will need to find ways to be more active the full ninety minutes.
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John Bostock – 6
One of the better inaugural performances seen over the last seven seasons. Bostok’s biggest strength was his confidence on the ball that is desperately needed if Earnshaw is not to be isolated up top. Several moments of very smooth touch and control on the ball, that was demonstrated by working down the wing, dribbling in front of three KC players and finding the space to flick the ball on to Eckersley coming in for support.
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MOTM Robert Earnshaw – 7
What he couldn’t pull off last weekend in Vancouver, Earnshaw finished with authority in the home opener. A criticism of his play has been needing several chances to finish, but he only needed one touch to open the scoring and became one of a small handful of TFC players to convert a penalty kick. His energy in the first half was the difference in the scoreline as his pressure was a big part of disrupting Kansas City’s momentum allowing Toronto to have a two goal lead going into the final forty-five.
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