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Rest can come later, as Toronto FC wrap up what has been a tough month of July and look forward to a more balanced August. However, it is not all good news as the Reds now embark on a four game road stretch against tough teams, starting with DC United on Wednesday night. These two sides offer an intriguing match up as they represent two of the three worst sides from 2013, and have both gone about a massive retooling, in very different ways, to find themselves near the top of the Eastern Conference.
As it stands now, it seems DC United have gotten the better of Toronto in the rebuild department. They sit in second place with plenty of space, and have already played at BMO twice, having won the last encounter 2-1. TFC are coming off a very tough loss to Sporting Kansas City, and one where they could have made a real statement of their intentions. Finishing let them down and now they find themselves trying to fend off the mid-table teams fighting for a playoff spot. There are several difficult matches coming up, but getting road points out of the gate will go a long way in reestablishing confidence. With one week breaks all through August, this is the game to leave it all on the pitch and begin the month with a win.
Keep thinking
The last time Toronto FC had a bright start to their season was 2010. Going into the World Cup break, they were near the top of the table and looking like a solid surprise contender under Preki. However, coming back after the hiatus, it all fell apart, the Reds plummeted in the table, and the gaffer was out of a job by September. There is an eerie coincidence occurring now, even with the massive influx in quality of the club, where despite such a positive and encouraging turnaround, the Reds find themselves in a poor run of form that has only seen them win once since coming back from the World Cup break - against the worst road team in the league, the Houston Dynamo.
Depending on the colour of your glasses, this may or may not be an issue. The season is a grind through the summer months, and finding results in September and October carries far more weight than the first half of the season. Just ask FC Dallas in 2011, or Montreal in 2013. However, there is no denying that the current run of form is beginning to raise concerns. Add in a four game road spell ahead, and a club teetering between the potential of being a top team, could very well spiral into being just average. Given the investment and work put into the roster, that should not be viewed as acceptable.
While Toronto put up a very good display against the top team in the Eastern Conference, one of the best defensive sides in MLS and a very solid road performer in Sporting Kansas City, there are worrying signs that much like 2010, a lack of finishing is what rears it's ugly head to cost the team points. Fortunately for this DC United fixture, Jermain Defoe will be back and one cannot help but look at the litany of chances from last Saturday and think Defoe would have finished at least one, if not two of them.
TFC will need to be more clinical as they face another intriguing opponent and one that serves as a barometer as to how successful the rebuild has been. DC United, the other hopelessly awful team from 2013, went through a complete overhaul in the offseason, save for the tens of millions spent. Instead, they built a side around established MLS players and ones with known reputations. Currently on a three-game winning streak, highlighted by a most recent 3-1 victory over the surprising Chivas USA, key to their resurgence in the Conference has been striker Fabian Espindola, who is returning from a knee injury and his fitness will hopefully keep him off the pitch for at least one more game.
Of late though, they have not needed him as three important players to their attack have stepped up to deliver. TFC raised questions as to his ability, however, Luis Silva has been in fine form of late and scored five goals on the season. Eddie Johnson is far from the strike rate expected, but he will always be dangerous and offers a physical target up top. While TFC cannot forget how Nick DeLeon completely tooled Nick Hagglund in their last encounter at BMO and pace along the wings will be something watch as DC will have options both out wide and in the middle of the park.
A mark of TFC's recent run of form has been a lack of focus an discipline through ninety minutes. Mistakes and individual errors have lead to goals, as well as disorganization on set pieces. The last match between these two sides saw Perry Kitchen split all defenders and head in the winner practically unmarked. In the 2-2 draw with Houston, Bradley Orr had a woeful first half that saw him and Joe Bendik cross wires that lead to the misplayed backpass for the opening goal. Finally, against Kansas City, both goals had TFC watching the play unfold before them as no one in particular stepped up around the 18 yard box to close down the man driving for goal.
Toronto has looked good moving forward and with Defoe's return, finishing should improve. It is now a matter of who will support him. Much has been made of Gilberto's numbers, but he is unquestionably one of the top technical players on the team and one who can deliver the ball with pinpoint accuracy. His presence should be considered to offer another dimension of support. As seen on Saturday, Dominic Oduro has the potential to wreak havoc all game with his pace and he will likely be important to deliver width and allow for options in the attack.
The real question in this match will be in defence and beginning with Joe Bendik. The keeper looked strong when taking over for Julio Cesar but of late has not made the clutch saves and slipped back into his run of poor distribution that was common in 2013. The group in front of him should be able to get the job done, but with Doneil Henry on five yellow cards, it is the most makeshift backline in over a year. Bradley Orr and Nick Hagglund are not experienced as a pairing, and Warren Creavelle could be started at right back. Only Justin Morrow offers sound defending in his natural position of left back. In this match up, it will won or lost from the back moving to the front, and Reds will need a sound defensive display if they are to start their road spell off on the right foot.
In the end
Back to back games against the top teams in the East represent a huge opportunity to gain ground and create space with the teams below in the table. However, TFC dropped three home points against Sporting Kansas City and now embark on a four game road spell. While DC United haven't been overly formidable at home, they are in better form than the Reds. It will certainly be a close affair as Toronto's attack should offer resistance and keep them in the mix, however, of late defensive mistakes and spotty goalkeeping has been on display and against a team looking as in sync as DC United it seems unlikely this will be the fixture to bring them back down to earth.
Prediction
Toronto FC 2 – 2 DC United
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