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Posted by
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September 2, 2013 |
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Ian Clarke
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Toronto FC 1 – 1 New England Revolution
It felt like it should have been so much more, but Toronto FC did what they had to do in order to shut down New England for most of the game and earned themselves a point in a 1-1 draw. The 2nd minute goal from Diego Fagundez could have opened the floodgates, but the Reds woke up and shut down a very potent attack and in that regard, the result should be seen as a positive.
There will certainly be chatter with regards to the called back goal from Steven Caldwell, as reports have emerged even the referee has conceded the foul was a mistake. It is fair to gripe about what looked like a very soft foul and what should have been the winner, but one must also look at the full run of play and approach taken by TFC. The Reds did push forward more, but with only one shot on target that should be what is focused on and realized that this is a team that still needs to put it’s destiny into their own hands – instead of the referee’s.
As noted, one thing that should be looked at as a positive is keeping a very dangerous attack in check for over 88 minutes. Aside from the opener where Keylen Rowe cut through into the 18yard box and found Diego Fagundez far post, TFC’s defenders did a good job of shutting down a solid group of attackers. The often criticized pair of Morgan and Henry continue their progression in becoming more reliable defenders and this was another game where neither were liabilities, but showed signs of becoming assets.
A draw home never feels positive, but given how the season has played out, a point is a point. Moving towards Portland and returning for Chicago on September 11, Nelsen will need to keep pushing the side to remain motivated. There will be opportunities to finish the season strong and that should be the goal in the final six weeks as the truth is many are already looking ahead to 2014.
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
A solid game for Bendik who overcame the early goal to put in another steady performance that saw what has become his consistent ability to shot stop and by this point of the season effectively make many forget Stefan Frei. He has his strengths and weaknesses, but this was a game where his save against Fagundez in the 5th minute essentially were critical in keeping TFC in it and allowing them to secure a result at home.
Your rating:
Richard Eckersley – 5.5
Eckersley is still an essential component of the defence, as he plays with confidence and without fear. Defensively fought tooth and nail and has no hesitation to carry the ball forward. On Friday though, he continued his mixed bag of success pushing forward as several crosses were unsuccessful and his passing was not as consistent as has been in the past. Most of his set piece attempts were weighted too heavy, but when it mattered he was able to send in the ball for the tying goal..
Your rating:
MOTM Steven Caldwell – 6.5
TFC’s captain put in not only a MOTM performance but delivered on everyone one expects from the player wearing the armband. Aside from his usual defensive strengths in bossing the aerial battles, having the intelligence to clear those balls to an open player, and physically and mentally standing up to New England’s best attacking options, it was unfortunate called back goal that summed up his desire. Starting from well outside the 18-yard box, his determination to meet that cross should have put the seal on an outstanding game, were it not for the ref and a very poor call that took away a deserved three points.
Your rating:
Doneil Henry – 6
Henry continues his progression nicely beside Caldwell as he’s become a much more reliable option in the middle than three to four months ago. His displays have been much more steady with fewer cheap fouls, better tackling and dispossession and willingness to try passes more than the closest target. Against some tricky attackers like Agudelo and Barrett, Henry did well, but likely will want back the opener where Rowe was able to accelerate past him and Henry never rediscovered his positioning.
Your rating:
Ashtone Morgan – 6
Criticism is still being laid on Morgan, but he has gone on a solid run of good form where he’s rediscovered the performances that built the hype around him at such a young age. With that being said, he’s still in a position where improvement needs to be made, but over the last month, and on Friday, wasn’t a liability and showed signs of being an asset. His passing has slowly improved, as well as ability to get crosses in, and defensively has not been punished as this was a team who could have set him back, but Morgan did well to no attract negative attention on this night.
Your rating:
Jeremy Hall – 5.5
Much like his performances earlier in the season when Dunfield went down, Hall is slowly gaining confidence and becoming a good piece of the midfield. Partnering with Laba (and with Dunfield) did not get many touches, but is now steadily getting back to where he was in the first third of the year where he was heavily involved in the link up. He’s not drawing much attention, but has been reliably in Laba’s absence and was very much part of a midfield that could have broken but did well against a very good Revolution side.
Your rating:
Jonathan Osorio – 5.5
Has yet to really boss the midfield yet since he’s been slotted more centrally, but New England was a good test for Osorio and he did well against a strong group of opposition. If anything, the most positive moment from this game was his willingness to shoot the ball, instead of taking too many touches, and it was that shot that lead to the tying goal. It might seem like a small detail, but one that is important in his development and might signal he’s learned from a mistake made a few months back against the likes of Chivas where getting touches in for the perfect ball cost a shot and potentially a goal.
Your rating:
Bobby Convey – 5.5
Should have gotten credit for the set piece leading to the winning goal, but without that it felt like a bit of an anonymous performance from Convey. Has certainly given supporters glimpses of how good he can be, so in matches like this were he doesn’t slide into the middle and pick out runs, or is able to curl in perfect ball onto his forwards, it seems like a performance that should have been much more.
Your rating:
Reggie Lambe – 5.5
It wasn’t a repeat of last weekend where Lambe cashed in his “1 in 6” and was absolutely essential to the result, however, it wasn’t one of the other five games where he’s completely disappeared. Perhaps that is a good sign that he might be able to be relied upon more. Against New England, one still wants him to be more busy, but his passing was good and able to find it’s target and wasn’t pushed out of the game as has been seen on so many occasions. If he can bounce back against Portland, will do much to justify is position in the starting eleven.
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Robert Earnshaw – 5
Tough to feel positive about an Earnshaw game without a goal, and that has been a consistent theme for some time now. Did show a bit more versatility with a willingness to drop deeper and even push out wide and that might be where he is needed moving forward. Some crosses in, and more passes in general, might be what is needed for him to be more effective. Linking up with Urriti will be the goal moving forward and the Argentine will likely be the main target Earnshaw should look to adapt his game towards and supply with chances.
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Andrew Weideman - 6
He might not have the best pace, and be mostly ineffective in the air, but credit to him being able to get himself in the positions required to put a foot on the ball. Twice now has been the reason TFC have left BMO Field with a result, first with the winner against Columbus and now the tying goal against New England. Is missing quite a few things to make him a clear cut starter in MLS, but that desire and willingness still goes a long way and credit he’s made the most of his opportunities this season.
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