|
|
Posted by
Steve Bottjer,
May 16, 2012 |
|
Email Steve Bottjer
Twitter @BottjerRNO |
|
Read this on your iPhone/iPad or Android device
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Toronto FC 1 – Vancouver Whitecaps 1
Heading into this away match, many observers wondered if Toronto would end up delivering another lacklustre and offensively deficient performance similar to the one they unleashed against Montreal in the first leg of the previous round of the Canadian Championship. Those fears were quickly put to rest as it became clear early on that Toronto had come to play and the Reds ultimately delivered another complete and effective performance against a quality opponent.
The goal scored by Vancouver’s Eric Hassli was a thing of genuine beauty and it is the part of this match that will be watched and replayed over and over again. However, Toronto is now the team that will head back to BMO Field with the advantage. Ryan Johnson once again came through in a big game and delivered a crucial away goal that currently has the Reds up slightly on aggregate. This was a night in which all eleven TFC starters plus the three substitutes delivered the type of quality two-way game that suggests this team is putting it all together at last.
As well as Toronto played, it’s hard not to see that Vancouver Whitecaps Head Coach Martin Rennie gave TFC a bit of an assist with the curious lineup that he unveiled. While Vancouver’s back four of Lee, Bonjour, DeMerit and Rochat took to the pitch and played as advertised, the composition of the Whitecaps forward corps and midfield played perfectly to the strengths and weaknesses of TFC.
With Etienne Barbara starting in place of Eric Hassli, the pressure on the Toronto back line was lessened considerably for much of the game. Starting midfielders John Thorrington and Matt Watson also perfectly played to the capabilities and athletic qualities of Julian de Guzman and Terry Dunfield, as the uber athletic Gershon Koffie and offensively gifted Davide Chiumiento started this match on the bench. Thorrington may bring leadership but he was a lot easier for the Reds midfield to mark than Chiumiento and Koffie.
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
As has been the case in pretty much all of Toronto’s 2012 fixtures, Kocic was again one of Toronto’s top performers. He showed very sure hands and made a goal saving stop on Le Toux from in close. No keeper on the planet would have had any chance on the Hassli goal.
Jeremy Hall - 6
Given the difficult assignment of marking Camilo, Hall was very good in this game. He battled and grinded out an effective performance and generally continued to make a case for more minutes now that he is finally healthy and back from injury.
Adrian Cann – 6
Another solid game from Cann, who is starting to look like a savior on the back line. The Canadian International again played the game to his strengths and lead a young back line effectively and in a no nonsense fashion. A model performer and a defender whose experience often makes the job he does look easy.
Doneil Henry - 6
After shutting down Impact striker Bernardo Corradi in TFC’s previous match against Montreal, Henry was solid in all aspects of the game against the Whitecaps. He made a number of crucial and timely clearances and generally paired up with Cann to form a very good central defence pairing. Henry was the man closest to Eric Hassli on the Whitecaps goal and he will have to stick more closely to the big Frenchman in the second leg.
Ashtone Morgan – 6
For much of his professional career Morgan has been recognized mainly for his pace down the left side and his contributions to the TFC attack. That side of his game was in evidence against the Whitecaps, as he got up and down the pitch and delivered a number of dangerous crosses. That said, Morgan’s performance was the second in a row in which he has been truly top notch from a defensive standpoint. His defending was not just solid from a positioning standpoint, it was impressive in terms of the grit and physicality that he brought to the game. Due to Morgan’s tenacious defending and tackling, Sebastien Le Toux looked more like a Quebec student protester than one of the top offensive talents in the MLS for much of the match.
Terry Dunfield – 5.5
The Vancouver native was clearly pumped up to be going up against his former team in the Canadian Championship. While some of his tackles leaned slightly towards questionable, it is hard not to love the fight, energy and tenacity that Dunfield brought to this match. He won his share of the midfield battles and when an opposing player did beat him, he put them on the ground on most occasions.
Julian De Guzman – 6
Another strong performance by the Canadian International. De Guzman was a stalwart in the midfield and once again played to his own strengths. He set up Johnson for TFC’s goal with a very good cross and played a key role in slowing the Whitecaps attack through the entirety of the match. Wearing the Captain’s armband, this one of the few games this year that Toronto did not visibly miss Torsten Frings.
Eric Avila – 5
After a run of games in which he has been one of TFC’s most consistent and impressive players, Avila struggled to deliver much of an impact against the Whitecaps. The effort was there, but he ultimately ended up being the first player subbed off by Aron Winter.
Reggie Lambe – 5.5
Another strong game by Lambe, who was one of the few TFC players who looked dangerous early in the first half. Overall, this was a very workmanlike game by the right winger, who earned his side a number of corner kicks and generally worked the Whitecaps back line in a proficient manner.
Joao Plata – 5
Aside from a couple of flashes and well timed runs, this was another off night for Plata. Whether or not it was due to solid defending by the Whitecaps, the likeable TFC winger did not bring the penetration and magic that he is capable of.
MOTM Ryan Johnson – 7
If Tortsten Frings can be classified as Toronto FC’s brain, then it should be said that Ryan Johnson has become the team’s heart. The Jamaican International once again rose to the occasion in a huge match and delivered a crucial goal. Johnson scored a vital away goal for the Reds and set up Nick Soolsma for what should have been a second late in the second half. As usual, he was a workhorse up top and did an excellent job of grinding down the Whitecaps back line.
|