Toronto FC 2 New England 2
It ought to have been expected there would have been somewhat of a hangover from Tuesday night. However, there was still hope that TFC would have seen New England as wounded prey and come out ready to go for the kill. Instead, with the game really meaning nothing, Toronto went through the motions and almost finished their campaign losing all their momentum gained over the last two months. In the end they gave the home support a last minute goal to cheer about and hope for next season the team is on the right track.
A late equalizer from Danny Koevermans salvaged some pride but underlined, and thankfully echoed, what Aron Winter has been saying for some time and that is this team is still lacking quality.
It was a game that proved how critical the two Designated Players are to Toronto’s success, because if they were not available on an afternoon like this, one would be hard pressed to find a scenario where the Reds would not have been beat. Without Torsten Frings and Danny Koevermans, and to an extent Milos Kocic, the team would have been perennially stuck in second gear as most of the team appeared as though they were approaching the game very casually.
Aron Winter has stated work begins next week for 2012 and that should be music to the ears of supporters as in past seasons there would be the fear that the organization would milk the Champions League victory for everything it’s worth and remain complacent in taking the team to the next level. New England finished tied for last in the league, and a 2-2 draw at home should indicate that the puzzle is far from complete and there will need to be continued upgrades through the offseason if they are to become contenders.
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
Kocic’s fine run of performances continued on this afternoon as he had a series of good shot-stopping displays, especially in the final third of the game, that kept an underestimated New England from stealing all three points. Continues to have some questionable distribution, but aside from this looked to be one of the few players who weren’t hung over from Tuesday night.
Ashtone Morgan – 5.5
Compared to some of the outings we’ve seen Morgan in over the last two months, this one did not quite stack up against them. Still had some good overlapping runs but looked to have some difficulty marking throughout the game, and the attack of New England caught him a step off on more than one occasion.
Andy Iro – 5.5
Like many of his counterparts, this afternoon was not at the level of improvement we’ve seen him deliver over the last month. It still was a good enough display for Iro to not directly have a hand in any of the goals against. Down the stretch had several great chances to deliver some offence and just did not have the technique to put the ball on goal – and when he did it was straight off the woodwork.
Ty Harden – 6
Harden put out another quiet, blue-collar defensive effort that underlines the massive steps he’s made of the season to become a reliable component of the back line. Might have been able to do a bit better on the second goal, but saved what would have been an open shot on net, and surely a goal, in the first half.
Matt Stinson – 5.5
There were flashes of solid defending from Stinson, but also moments that exposed his inexperience. A great shot blocked in the first half, as well as one in the second was balanced out with a few suspect decisions and what looked to be a missed target on the second goal for New England. You will have to take those moments where he appears just a step off or bit reckless as the game time he has banked in the second half of the year will be invaluable in his progression and ability to compete next year.
Torsten Frings– 6.5
As much as this column has lauded what Frings brings to the defence, a game like this completely puts that on it’s head and all but proves that to get the most out of him, he needs to be in the midfield. It sounds absurd to describe it as a standard performance, but when he makes everything look so easy, and consistently performs at this level, there is no other way to say it. Pinpoint passing, few if any turnovers, and the ability to attack and defend. The only real criticism on this match was some wasted set pieces but that can be forgiven when he literally does everything else needed from him.
Julian De Guzman – 5.5
Hopefully not another afternoon with missed observations on the Canadian International, and while he did not look off his game, he did not seem to be quite as complete as mid-week against Dallas. There appeared to be confidence in the long through ball as he tried to replicate his pass to Plata from Tuesday night, and this is an encouraging sign to bring something to the attack in a short outing that was another encouraging display that he continues to return his game to the levels expected.
Ryan Johnson/Eric Avila – 5/4.5
Johnson only had twenty-odd minutes in this affair and there is not much to go on, but his replacement, Eric Avila did not go out on 2011 with the same promise in which he arrived at the club. While he did get his foot on the tying goal, the ball he was dispossessed on to put New England ahead was one of many, and everything that is known of what he can deliver was overshadowed by an inability to hold up the ball and giving cheap turnovers.
Nick Soolsma – 6
Another player who simply couldn’t match his display from mid-week or those of the last few games. There were several moments of poor ball control and technique that stood out when we know he can do much better. Still showed what he is good for which is a surprising ability 1v1 to find space down at the touch line and put balls in the box, and his goal was a well deserved reward for what has been a tough season criticism-wise from this column and supporters.
Joao Plata – 5.5
Without cashing in on a goal or assist, his performance looks fruitless, but Plata has been consistent in his confidence to relentlessly attack defenders 1v1. Regardless of being dispossessed went at Kevin Alston over and over and almost was able to break through on several occasions. It was another encouraging display of flash from the 19-year old that should he return in 2012 will be an important piece of the team fighting for the top half of the table.
MOTM Danny Koevermans – 7
Another professional outing from Koevermans who has had an uncanny ability to put his stamp on almost every TFC goal since his arrival in mid-July. Whether it be a goal or an assist, his awareness in and around the box has not been seen since, and arguably surpasses, that of Danny Dichio. Setting up Soolsma for the first and bringing the game level in a manner that it was thought only the aforementioned target man did five years ago, cements Koevermans position as one of the most important pieces of this team finding success next season.
|