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Posted by
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March, 31, 2013 |
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Ian Clarke
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Toronto FC 2 – 2 LA Galaxy
The growing pains of a rebuilt side reared it’s ugly head Saturday afternoon in TFC’s “home opener” at BMO Field as they drew 2-2 with the LA Galaxy. With a Champion’s League fixture, injuries and fitness a question, there was a real opportunity for Toronto to not only earn a result, but all three points. In the end, defensive lapses cost TFC a win, but there was still plenty of signs that even with points dropped, this side is moving upwards.
One of the talking points coming into the game was on the defensive side with Ashtone Morgan struggling of late and returning from Qatar on international duty, the opportunity was there for Darel Russell to prove his worth. Switching Richard Eckersley to left back at the very least demonstrated he is perhaps TFC’s most versatile player, but Russell did not prove he is a better option than Morgan, at least defensively.
Breakdowns on both goals were unfortunate as nobody picked up Marcelo Sarvas on the opening goal, whose ‘pass’ went right onto the foot of Magee and Russell’s header back into the 18-yard box looked to have caught Danny Califf and Darren O’Dea off guard as neither closed down Villarreal in time.
Despite those low points, there continue to be real positives each game so far this season. Of course how can you not mention Robert Earnshaw, whose efforts and energy cannot be overstated. Once again his tireless pressure up top caused a turnover and he may have one-upped Marco Di Vaio’s goal on TFC two weeks ago.
The return of Luis Silva brought an immediate impact as the attacking midfielder has been missed to provide a legitimate scoring threat up top aside from Earnshaw. With Julio Cesar let go Friday, Jonathan Osorio definitely must be giving Ryan Nelsen confidence as he confirmed that decision by scoring the go ahead goal.
Even though the defence has looked much improved this year, Ryan Nelsen will need to get the mistakes sorted as it will cost Toronto points if not remedied. FC Dallas come to town next weekend a much stronger side than last year and now featuring one of BMO Field’s most hated opposing strikers in Kenny Cooper.
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
It wasn’t the busiest afternoon for Bendik, but was on point when called upon. An outstretched save on Magee’s header kept the game from spinning out of control early on, and really can’t be faulted on either goal as they were massive breakdowns by the players in front of him. Outside of action on goal, Bendik continues to look more than capable between the posts with good distribution as well.
Your rating:
Richard Eckersley – 6
Another good outing from Eckersley who has proved he can pretty much play everywhere on the backline. Slotted in at leftback, playing on his opposite foot did not hinder his play at all as his passing was solid for the most part and he was still able to make his signature runs, even coming close to putting one on goal. Eckersley looks to have regained his form from the end of 2011 and back to being an integral piece of the back four.
Your rating:
Darren O’Dea – 5.5
A good game for the captain with all that you’d want from your centre back with good headers and no-nonsense clearances out of the area. Calm on the ball and decent distribution have also continued with O’Dea. If there is one area of concern it’s that he appears to be either unaware of the dangers around him, or just slow to react, as on both goals he was covering the post with no one around him and might have been able to close down on both Sarvas and Villareal to bring some pressure and possibly disrupt those chances.
Your rating:
Danny Califf – 5.5
Califf brings what has been expected, which is experience in the league, a physical presence in the area and a similar game to O’Dea with an all business approach to keeping the ball out of the area. Struggled with his passing on this day, and like O’Dea, might have had better positioning on the tying goal to close down an attacker ready and waiting right in the 18-yard box.
Your rating:
Darel Russell – 4
Will go down as a very poor one for Russell, which might be a bit harsh as the opening goal had more to do with an unmarked Sarvas, but one would have expected him to be aware of Magee and known of his potential to score. The tying goal is hard to avoid as one would expect a defender to head a ball anywhere but right back into the middle of the 18-yard box. Russell was supposed to be the answer to a struggling Morgan, but in the end did not offer anything more on the defensive side, but as a converted midfielder will be interesting to see if Nelsen wants to see if he can adapt or if the experiment ends here.
Your rating:
Jeremy Hall – 4.5
After a couple games where Hall has made a strong case for being included in the defensive midfield pairing, this game was a bit of a setback after positive appearances. Hall has his strengths, which is pace, athleticism and a willingness to get dirty but on this afternoon his passing left much to be desired. This is the area he had looked better at, but against LA he had many turnovers and needs to be more consistent in this area to be the complete asset in the midfield.
Your rating:
Terry Dunfield – 6
Even though he was the first casualty for the subs, Dunfield had a very strong thirty minute run from the end of the first half until the first quarter hour in the second half. Aside from sending more vertical passes than usual and limiting his turnovers, Dunfield was grittier than usual getting stuck in and dispossessing LA’s players, but most importantly covered all the area of the midfield always getting into space and showing for the ball the entire time he was on the field.
Your rating:
Reggie Lambe – 5
A more active display from Lambe than of late, but with the inevitability of more quality coming into the side throughout the season needs to finish the few chances he gets each game. His short side shot, and race for the ball in the 18-yard box shortly after, he has to do better on and prove he can make things happen. On the defensive side, a case can be made that with Dunfield pushed so far forward on the opening goal, Lambe should have tracked back to cover Sarvas as he was the closest player on that side of the pitch.
Your rating:
Hogan Ephraim – 5
After three weeks of steadily improving and becoming more influential in the attack, Ephraim was very quiet on this day. It was always going to be tough against one of the better group of defenders and midfields in the league, so it should not be that surprising that opportunities were few and far between. Jury is still out on Ephraim, and will need more touches in coming weeks to prove himself.
Your rating:
John Bostock – 5.5
A great inaugural performance was undone with a bad game in Montreal, but Bostock was much better against the Galaxy on Saturday. While he wasn’t the game changer seen against Kansas City, he grew as the game went on to become an important component of the right side of the attack and being part of some good possession in LA’s half. Still is a bit over dramatic when fouled but looks to be adapting and if he keeps mentally strong should emerge as a fixture on the right side.
Your rating:
MOTM Robert Earnshaw – 6
What else can you say at this point? TFC fans had grown accustomed over the last two years to seeing a towering Koevermans own the 18-yard box and anything near goal put in the back of the net. This year there is a 5’8 pitbull up top who never stops running, bringing the pressure and once again is rewarded by closing down a sloppy pass and not just finishing, but showing real technique, on his left foot, to lift it into the back of goal. Another good display from Earnshaw who has delivered the goods every game and been TFC’s most consistent player so far this year.
Your rating:
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