Toronto FC 3 FC Dallas 0
There might be only one other match that could top the display seen on Tuesday night. TFC came into Pizza Hut Park ready and focused to see this game through and leave it all on the pitch. In the end, all the risks taken and strategy executed by Aron Winter on Saturday to rest key players paid off as he hit the jackpot earning a point in Philadelphia and having a side who were fully rested and prepared to win against Dallas.
The end to this season has been nothing short of remarkable in how the team has been able to accomplish milestones that seasons prior would have been out of the question. Defeat one of the top teams in the Western Conference and Champions League Finalist Real Salt Lake? No problem. Win in Columbus for the first time ever? Done. Humiliated in Mexico City only to handle the MLS Cup Champions three days later – check. Now Toronto can add: Find a rresult on the road against a Dallas side who’ve beaten us three times this season to advance to the Champions League Knockout Stage? Mission accomplished.
It would be impossible to celebrate this victory without heaping praise on to one of the last picks overall in the MLS Superdraft – Joao Plata. The dimension he brought to this game was critical to keeping Dallas on their back heels as from the opening whistle he was out to make an impact and be a threat down the left side. His missed opportunities could have, and did to some former attackers, prove to be too much of a mental hurdle to overcome but he was able to get on with the game and keep pressing. It paid off with two goals and a helper to cement one of the best individual efforts seen in a thorough team performance.
If you had said a month ago that not only Toronto would win, but get a clean sheet without Torsten Frings playing sweeper – as well with Ty Harden and Andy Iro holding it down in central defence, surely the reaction would have been laughter and plenty of it. Once again Winter makes the move that changes the game and with Frings patrolling the middle of the park influencing both ends, Harden and Iro continue to be the unsung stalwarts who have proven to be essential to a Toronto result.
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
Didn’t have to stand out like he did this past weekend, but was solid and prepared between the posts the full ninety. At no point did he look like nerves would get to him as Kocic continues his fine run leading the team from the back.
Ashtone Morgan – 6
Once again brought what has become expected from Morgan which is good pace and athleticism which covers a lot of ground and makes up for whatever shortcomings at both ends of the pitch. While he didn’t link up as much as he’d probably like overlapping down the left, still was able to be a consistent threat in the attack and his presence kept Dallas honest when trying to deal with Plata.
Andy Iro – 6
While he did not draw much attention to himself on this night, that certainly does not mean he had a rough outing as Iro and Harden held it down in central defence without the aid of Frings. Was strong in the air and keeps building on a series of positive displays that has instilled confidence and is being shown each week.
Ty Harden – 6.5
A Harden v Chavez match-up could have spelled doom from the outset. The quickness and overall pace of Chavez should have been able to break through but huge credit to Harden who has improved leaps and bounds through the season with a lengthy run in the starting eleven. His battles with the quick-footed Honduran could have changed the game, instead he got the better of him time and time again to limit chances and relieve any real threat on Kocic.
Doneil Henry – 6
A very good game for Henry to bounce back from after a rough outing Saturday against Philadelphia. If he could not handle Justin Mapp and Sebastien LeToux, there likely was little hope he could match up against Brek Shea. However, Henry showed loads of fight against the US International and stepped up his offensive play and was quite reliable pushing forward making smart passes and maintaining possession in the opponent’s half.
Torsten Frings– 6.5
Not the most glamorous outing for Frings but as usual quietly puts in a performance that serves as the anchor for the rest of his teammates and the result. Relieved of his sweeper duties, Frings was everywhere, going from end to end fighting off attackers in his own end and influencing play in and around the FC Dallas 18-yard box.
Julian De Guzman – 6
His last outing in red was a disappointing effort against Puerto Rico with a litany of turnovers and uninspiring play. Tonight he turned it around and while he did not get in on any of the game changing moments, was a key component in the midfield, worked both ends of the field and showed leadership when fighting for possession and dealing with some questionable calls from the referee.
Nick Soolsma – 6
While he disappeared somewhat down the stretch, Soolsma continues to befuddle not only supporters but defenders across the league. His deceptive pace and footwork keep creating chances over and over as he is able to find ways to carry the ball deep into the corners or work his way in on goal. Aside from these plays, specifically, was strong distributing the ball through the midfield and was very good as balancing out the attack.
MOTM Joao Plata – 8
What else can be said about this performance from the 19-year old? Sure he holds on to the ball too long, but when this is the kind of good that comes with the ‘bad’, well, I’m sure people will take it any day of the week. From the opening whistle put his stamp on the game and made the statement that he was the player to watch, as he showed signs of trying to mix up his approach to attacking the net. His pass back to Koevermans was smooth as was both goals that required him to put two near misses out of his mind and take care of business. An absolutely clutch performance that is heightened by the fact of his age and possibility that there is still room for him to improve.
Ryan Johnson – 6
An up and down night for Johnson who comes in and out of the game but like Saturday, showed up at the right moment and beautifully set up the insurance goal. When he is on, TFC look so much better in the final third as an option besides Koevermans or Plata is essential to make everyone a threat.
Danny Koevermans – 6.5
Once again does what he is paid to do and that is score. Put in the right kind of performance and showed the determination that has been seen over the last month, which usually results in goals and a positive result for TFC.
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