After coming off a surprising win away at Seattle, Toronto FC look to carry that momentum into their home opener in front of a sold out BMO Field against one of the few teams that was worse than them last season: DC United.
The Enemy
DC United is coming off their worst season in franchise history, and most likely the worst ever season by any team in MLS history. However, their off-season was marked by quite a few solid acquisitions including players likes Fabian Espindola, Bobby Boswell, Sean Franklin, and Designated Player Eddie “Money” Johnson, to name a few.
On paper, they look like a team that can contend in the East, but having watched their season opener, in which they lost 3-0 to Columbus at home, DC looks like a team that needs time to gel and build chemistry. And I think that is Ben Olsen’s biggest fear, leading to a slow start, as I’m sure it was Ryan Nelsen’s as well before Seattle.
DC’s attack is strong, and they have depth in the midfield. If Espindola and Johnson can start clicking and are able to get the service they need, Toronto’s defenders are going to be very busy. The midfield, which will feature young talented players like former TFC attacking midfielder Luis Silva and DC draft pick Nick DeLeon will be hoping to help their squad break out early.
Keys to Success
The Reds are no longer a push over in any regard, or in any area of the pitch. DC Coach Ben Olsen, when interviewed for a piece on MLSSoccer.com stated that “the hype is real…” when referring to TFC. Add to that “hype” a loud, optimistic, and full BMO Field, and you have a recipe for success.
Though the Reds may still be lacking quality depth off the bench, they will most still be fielding a superior starting XI, even with Gilberto probably making an appearance off the bench. The performance put in by Michael Bradley against a team as strong as Seattle bodes extremely well for TFC’s chances against DCU. If he’s able to boss the center of the pitch as well as he did previously, I see no reason why TFC can’t take all 3 points, and that will be the key to this match.
Jermain Defoe, coming off his 2 goal debut performance will definitely look to add to his scoring total in front of an electric home crowd. Now that he has a sense for the goal in MLS…watch out! He will be guarded much closer than he was in Seattle, this time by MLS stalwart and former Houston Dynamo defender Bobby Boswell who is no slouch in the centre of defence and pressures attackers quickly and forcefully.
Former DC United DP, and Toronto hometown boy, Dwayne De Rosario will no doubt feel that he has something to prove to his old club after being released by them following their disastrous 2013 campaign. As a player who is as strong of a competitor as he is, I’m sure a goal and 3 points are what he will fight tooth and nail for come kick off time this afternoon. DeRo also has a history of scoring goals against his former employers; He’s done it most notably against Houston and Toronto in the past.
Predicted Starting XI
Goalkeeper: Julio Cesar
Defenders: Bradley Orr – Doneil Henry – Steven Caldwell (C) – Justin Morrow
Midfielders: Jackson – Michael Bradley – Jonathan Osorio – Alvaro Rey
Forwards: Dwayne De Rosario – Jermain Defoe
History
These teams have played a total of 19 times in MLS play. DC leads the way with a record of 10 wins, 3 draws, 6 losses vs. TFC. The last meeting between them was at BMO Field and saw the Reds trounce DC 4-1, with goals from Darel Russell, Bright Dike, and 2 from Alvaro Rey. Today’s match will be much closer of a competition their last, but a 2-1 victory for TFC is a fair prediction.
If the season opener wasn’t enough to get you out of your seat, the home opener should do the trick. This new look TFC squad has plenty of pressure on them to succeed, and what better way to prove the critics wrong than a victory at home and starting the 2014 campaign off with a franchise best 2 and 0 record. I’ll be there…you should too! Tune in to TSN at 4:30pm Eastern to catch it live in Canada or on MLS Live in the US.
(image courtesy of Ted S. Warren/The Associated Press)
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