Coming off 3 consecutive league losses, TFC looks to rebound this afternoon against a hungry New York Red Bull squad who are coming off a tough 5-4 loss last weekend.
As if having to deal with Thierry Henry wasn’t tough enough, the Reds will be coming up against striker Bradley Wright-Phillips who just cannot stop scoring. Leading the league with 9 goals already, Wright-Phillips has been on a tear as of late, recording 2 hatricks in the last 4 games.
TFC just has not been producing recently and regardless of what the possession statistics might say, their play on the ball and ability to create chances has not been where it needs to be should this team have a hope of making the playoffs.
A lot of the blame for lack of production will fall at the feet of Brazilian striker and DP Gilberto, who after 7 games has yet to record a goal in MLS. Jermain Defoe, who was rested during TFC’s mid-week marathon Canadian Championship match, will most definitely get the start today and will have to find his way onto the scoresheet if the Reds want to get back to their winning ways.
The solid back line that we saw against Seattle that first game of the season has been suspect at best in recent matches. They have now allowed goals after the 75th minute in all of their last 3 losses, not to mention the away goal and go-ahead goals given away to Vancouver in both Canadian Championship legs. Shades of their disastrous past. This will need to be fixed and the experience of Bradley Orr and captain Steven Caldwell will have to prevail.
Did I mention Michael Bradley is away on international duty in preparation for the World Cup?
Tactically, TFC has been a wreck. Chance production and quality finishing, abysmal. Ryan Nelsen’s coaching ability will surely be called into question should TFC not get points today. The frustration surrounding this team is progressively growing with each passing game which should not be the case after such a bright looking off season.
I know I can speak for most, if not all supporters when I say, we expect better. Hopefully today will be the spark this team needs.
Historically, TFC has not played well against the Red Bulls. Today’s meeting will be the 19th between the two, with New York having a commanding 10 wins, 4 losses, and 4 draw record vs. the Reds. The last time Toronto beat the Red Bulls was way back in 2009 by a score of 2-0, on goals from Pablo Vitti and DeRo. Since then, New York has owned TFC.
On the bright side, barring the loss of Bradley to the US National Team, TFC is in relative good health, with no major injury issues or suspensions to make note of. Julio Cesar was apparently not at training yesterday with flu symptoms and it’s uncertain if he will get the start today, but Joe Bendik has proven he is more than capable of playing excellent when he is called upon.
One other notable change for TFC today will be the fact that Issey Nakajima-Farran, probably TFC’s next best performer this season after Bradley and Defoe, was unexpectedly traded to of all teams, the Montreal Impact, on Friday morning. Toronto’s poor record of player treatment continues as Issey, a recent signing and Canadian international, was traded on his 30th birthday and did not find out about the trade until it was already final. In return, Montreal sent Collen Warner to Toronto. It remains to be seen how this deal will pan out, but on the surface, it would appear that Montreal has won this deal. Not a good look, TFC.
Today’s match will be a difficult one for our Reds without the General working the midfield like he so exceptionally does. Losing Issey, who has played well as of late, and not being able to have Warner as a central midfield replacement due to suspension, will likely mean that Kyle Bekker will make his way into the starting XI.
Overall, this match should be considered a must win by Toronto. This string of home matches in the lead up to the World Cup will be vital to their point total and any hope of being in the playoffs this season. If Gilberto has been waiting for the perfect time to score, today would definitely be that day.
Come on you Reds!
(image courtesy of Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)
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