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Toronto FC 3 – 2 Vancouver Whitecaps
Toronto FC supporters are likely still basking in the glow of their team’s dramatic win over the Whitecaps last evening. A match that started out looking like it was going to be a fairly dull affair turned into a thriller full of excellent performances from players on both teams.
Interestingly, even with the three points in the bag, this was not the most complete performance that Toronto has delivered since Paul Mariner has taken over as Head Coach. Toronto was not particularly strong defensively, Danny Koevermans was relatively quiet and Julian de Guzman was ineffective playing in the center of the pitch. However, that said, Mariner had talked about the importance of bouncing back with pride from a previous game in which TFC was universally poor across the entire lineup. In that sense, it was genuinely inspiring to see the manner in which Terry Dunfield showed up against his former team and Canadians Ashtone Morgan and Doneil Henry brought their A games. Luis Silva was another standout performer, as the rookie has bounced back well from the off the field event that has marred his first season in the MLS to a certain extent.
Most impressive was the manor that Torsten Frings showed up and highlighted just how much of a consummate professional he is. With all that he has achieved in his career and with Toronto generally in disarray on and off the field for large portions of this season, lesser players would have started phoning it in and playing out the string while collecting a pay cheque. The fact that he was arguably the best player on the pitch against a Whitecaps team chock full of quality players says it all about his character and professionalism.
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 - 5.5
Kocic delivered another performance in which he tooks his knocks like a man, shrugged them and went about his business like a professional. This was actually one of those rare games in which Toronto won and Kocic did not stand on his head throughout the game. Was it a mistake for him to go for the ball on that Mattocks scored his second goal on? No. Nine times out of ten he will punch that ball away with authority. On this day, Mattocks simply delivered something special and beat the TFC keeper.
Doneil Henry – 6
Henry was forced into action early when starter Jeremy Hall had to leave the game due to injury and the TFC Academy Graduate delivered a pretty stellar game, especially considering that he had not had much match time recently and was coming back from an injury of his own. He made a number of key stops when Vancouver was dominating the match and was once again highlighted the fact that he deserves he is player for both the present and future for TFC.
Richard Eckersley – 4.5
It’s hard not to like Richard Eckersley as player. He plays the game in a no nonsense fashion and brings a lot of positive qualities to Toronto FC. That said, this was another game in which it was again clear that his best and most comfortable position as a right back. The manner in which he has taken on the mantle of the head central defender and leader on the back line for TFC has been admirable, but Toronto will be better off when he is back playing regularly on the right side.
Logan Emory – 4
Another tough day at the office for Emory, who had his moments but struggled overall. Whitecaps speedster Darren Mattocks was clearly on his mind from the opening whistle and the central defender struggled to contain a player who has terrorized many MLS defenders in recent weeks.
Ashtone Morgan – 6.5
While the terms of his recent contract extension have not yet been disclosed, it would have been a canny move on the part of Morgan’s agent to have arranged to have had his client paid by the cross. The young fullback has been awesome in recent weeks and it seems like he is good for a number of dynamite cross in every game. He has become one of his important offensive players and his run and cross to set up the first goal of the match was pure quality and a delivery that really set TFC on their way in a game that had been fairly muted until that point.
Terry Dunfield - 7.5 MOTM
Dunfield’s goal against his former team in the dying seconds of the match is already the feel good moment of the 2012 MLS season for Toronto FC supporters. While it is easy to get cynical about professional sports and the motivations and salaries of the players who play the game at the professional level all around the world, you would have to be blind not to see Dunfield’s extreme joy upon scoring the winner as anything other than a pure expression of the game at its finest. If Torsten Frings is TFC’s brain, Danny Koevermans the team’s foot and Ryan Johnson the team’s lungs, Terry Dunfield is now becoming the team’s heart and soul.
Torsten Frings – 7.5
What else can you say about Torsten Frings? Barry Robson was impressive for Vancouver, but Frings was on a whole other level. With passing, organizing, set piece and overall leadership, the German is the player who makes it all work for Toronto. His goal in this game was world class and it should not be forgotten that he delivered a perfect corner kick on the very dramatic goal in the final seconds of the match.
Luis Silva – 6.5
In his first start in some time, the rookie midfielder was one of TFC’s top performers. He back heel flick on past Cannon for TFC’s first goal was a beautiful play that illustrated his deft touch in front of the net. In an overall solid two way game, Silva also delivered two excellent passes that broke down the Whitecaps defence and sent Ryan Johnson in alone on Joe Cannon.
Julian de Guzman – 4
With Reggie Lambe unavailable, De Guzman was back in the starting lineup against Vancouver. Overall, he looked tired and not particularly interested and he fully deserved to taken off in the 60th minute. Playing a little bit further forward than he usually does, De Guzman got into good position on a couple of scoring chances, but flubbed his shots.
Ryan Johnson – 5.5
A tough performance to rate. On the one hand, Johnson looked back to his normal self after looking extremely tired in Toronto’s previous match against Philadelphia. He was TFC’s most dangerous threat in the first half and really kept the Whitecaps defense back on their heels with his pace, physicality and general work ethic. That said, he probably should have put away at least one of the chances that he had one on one against Cannon. How many times has Johnson hit the post this year? It has been almost Chad Barrettesque for him in the league at times this year.
Danny Koevermans – 5
For a match in which Toronto broke out and scored three goals, Koevermans actually had a relatively quiet game. That said, it is actually a big positive that Toronto was able to pull out such a big win on a day in which the Dutchman did not score.
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