Toronto FC 0 – 3 Philadelphia Union
See TFC's ratings from their last three results
Toronto FC 1 – 1 FC Dallas
Toronto FC 1 – 1 New York Red Bulls
Toronto FC 3 – 0 Montreal Impact
After a positive run of results for Toronto FC, they went into Philadelphia and were soundly outplayed by a side who proved they have taken bigger steps forward since firing their head coach. The Union did their homework on this day and continually exploited the weak links on TFC’s backline and it paid off with a 3-0 final.
Philadelphia found a new way to punish the Reds inexperienced back four, as previously it simply needed a committed approach to delivering crosses to strong, physical targets. However, with much smaller, but pacey attackers, credit to the Union who spread the ball wide to work 1v1 with Jeremy Hall as well as loft balls over to let their speed advantage show itself.
This was another game where it is abundantly clear that reinforcements are needed in centre back first and foremost. Richard Eckersley fought hard for ninety minutes, but is not experienced enough to lead from that position and the conclusion reached after the last month is it is the blind leading the blind, as what little organization there is, is easily disrupted.
The Reds never looked like they had their legs beneath them, and fatigue is no doubt an excuse that will be used. However, Philadelphia has also been on two games a week of late, as well as coast to coast travel. The bottom line is one team did their research, came out with a solid game plan, and executed it. Toronto appeared content to let the game play out before them and react, with less than 30% possession at times. The choice to once again sit, who should have been rested from two ten minute performances this week, Julian De Guzman, was a curious one as he would have been useful given his recent form of improved distribution and ability to break up passing and possession.
Returning home again to face Canadian rivals Vancouver midweek, Paul Mariner will have to get his selection right this time if Toronto are going to get their feet back beneath them and not stumble even further into last place, as the Union now have given themselves a seven point cushion between them and TFC.
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
Now becoming a near templated review of Kocic’s performances, it is hard to fault the keeper on this afternoon as he rarely had any help on any of the chances on goal. Had some well-timed challenges in the first half to negate opportunities, a big save on McInerney and was fearless dealing with balls crossing in. His one misstep might have been the hesitation he showed on Adu’s goal, however, given Hall’s performance it is hard to blame him for the indecision.
Jeremy Hall - 4
Without question the jury is out on his ability as a right back and Philadelphia took full advantage of it. Simply cannot keep up with anything coming at him and easily turned around and left in a wake. Hall was unable to contribute much of anything on the defensive end and could not contain the likes of Freddy Adu, Gabriel Gomez or Michael Farfan.
Richard Eckersley – 5
While this was a game to forget on the defensive side, Eckersley had a few moments where his sheer determination was able to separate him from his teammates. Adu’s two chances on goal near the 12th minute were a fine example and he was able to maintain this to the final whistle. However, it is clear at this stage he is not a centre back and does not possess the experience to marshal the back line, the sooner a veteran CB comes in, the better.
Logan Emory – 3.5
Emory’s had a few rough outings, but without question this one was on another level. To his credit, kept fighting to the end and clearly has good character, but cannot overlook how time and time again was unable to mark or track any runs in his area. Undone more than once, Emory had a hand in two of the goals and even going the other way was poor with the ball on his feet and delivered little on either side of possession.
Ashtone Morgan – 5
It was an outing that demonstrated his strengths, but also weaknesses as Morgan was showing some nice passing from the outset and willingness to maintain possession and move the ball forward. However, defensively struggled and likely should have recognized his pace could have been better used covering for Emory. Lately has had the habit of tracking far out of position to the right side and on this day, was not exposed but needs to also become more committed defensively.
Terry Dunfield - 5.5
A nice string of matches that has featured him in the midfield as the player who keeps the ball moving and is willing to go box to box, helping out at both ends. A few turnovers to note, but remained physical until being subbed out and was one of the few players who did not have a noticeable drop from his recent performances.
Torsten Frings - 5
By the standards he has set for himself and what supporters have seen from him, this was a poor outing for the DP. Lazy passing and ineffective set pieces, Frings was hardly, if ever, influential in dictating the play or asserting himself for Toronto on this afternoon.
Eric Avila/Julian De Guzman - 5
Save for a nice lofted ball to Koevermans near the end of the first half, Avila was completely invisible and rarely had a chance to create anything. With so much possession in favour of Philadelphia, it made sense to bring in De Guzman whose quickness can break up passes and he was more lively than some of his teammates, but he too was unable to deliver anything meaningful to change the outcome in the second half.
Reggie Lambe – 6
Perhaps the only player who was able to do anything interesting offensively, Lambe made chances from the beginning to end. From his work outside the 18 yard box around the 8th minute, to his nicely weighted ball to Johnson in the 82nd minute, he was busy for most of the game and his one weakness of helping out defensively was an area he looked better at than we have seen prior.
Ryan Johnson – 5
With so little possession, Johnson had difficulty being able to make anything happen the few times he did get the ball. His one chance on goal was smartly saved by MacMath and it summed up an afternoon for the attack who couldn’t ever get out of first gear and make anything count.
Danny Koevermans – 5.5
A few positives for Koevermans, who did not score but still made himself available for crosses and would have buried a beautiful strike had Sheanon Williams not cleared it off the line. His touch, however, was not on point today as he turned the ball over several times and was not as effective holding up the ball as he has been in recent matches.
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