A Whole Other Class: TFC-NYRB

So this part week Toronto FC were taking on the New York Redbull in what was always going to be a tough test for TFC but what they did on the day was prove that they are still a long ways from reaching the levels of the top teams in the MLS.  This game almost made the match against the Union seem like a close match since at least TFC were able to find the net on that occasion.

I have to be honest and say that despite the Red Bulls poor form coming in to the match, 3 draws and a loss in their 4 game road trip, I still felt that they were primed to crush TFC who would be unable to up their game from the level it had to be to defeat the Whitecaps twice last week.  That was mostly because of the fact that TFC are on an even worse run of form with Vancouver being the only team that they seem capable of beating.  Toronto have only that one win in the MLS since May 7th and in that time they have been shut out 5 times.  We all know by now that TFC have an anemic offence but it is even worse when they don't even have Gordon or Santos in the starting lineup like they did midweek.

When the lineups were announced and there was no Gordon or Santos it felt like the best that TFC were going to be able to get was a 0-0 draw since they just don't seem to have anyone else who can step up and score.  I don't even think that Gordon and Santos are great strikers or great goal scorers but the fact is that they are clearly the best options that the club has.  Compare Toronto having Soolsma, Plata, and Martina as their attacking options with the fact that New York had Henry, Rodgers, and Agudelo leading their line.  I guess there is no surprise that Toronto FC struggled to create any sort of attacking chances and New York had them in abundance.  The 5-0 final score was by no means flattering to the Red Bulls but I don't even want to get into the match itself more then that.

What I feel is the most worthy element of this game is the fact that this game once again illustrates how for behind Toronto FC are in terms of skill and experience.  I know that they are a side that is slowly being destroyed by injuries and that their two new signings are yet to be eligible to play for the team but I can't help but notice the gap in skill between the two sides.  The Red Bulls two designated players are Thierry Henry and Rafael Marquez who both have loads of experience on the world's biggest stages and despite being a bit advanced in age they still have the kind of quality that allows them to be stars in the MLS.  The Red Bulls third spot is still empty since they traded De Ro but chances are that when they do fill that spot it is going to be with a player who is better then any of the three designated players in Toronto's roster.  Toronto, having recently signed a pair of DP's, now have De Guzman, Frings, and Koevermans on its roster.  I do like all three of those players and think that when they were at their very best they were all world class but now none of them seem good enough to be dominant players in the MLS which is what you should expect from such players.  You can only have three of these players so you really are going to have to make them count which New York is clearly doing a better job of then Toronto is.  It may not be fair to expect TFC to go out and sign their own Beckham or Henry since Toronto is not the most appealing city and the team just does not have the same kind of budget but what I want to see is this gap starting to close down.  That would be the point of this rebuild that the club is going through after all.  Maybe we can will even one day see the club make a move for a world class player who is still in their prime and can be a real difference maker for the team.

So what is the point of all of this?  The point is that I do understand that TFC are going to lose games like this from time to time.  They are a side that is messed up by all kinds of injuries right now and even when they are completely fit they still would not be as good as the top teams in the league.  But what I need to start seeing is that TFC are making the kinds of moves that are going to help them close down this skill gap.  Frings and Koevermans are a start but with them taking up two of the DP spots the club is limited in that kinds of moves it can make to get better unless they go out and make some big trades.  Since I do understand that these kinds of defeats are bound to happen for this team I will just keep on hoping to see signs of progress from the team since the playoffs are not going to happen unless they start beating anyone not named the Whitecaps!

Here We Go Again

Earlier this week, Toronto FC found themselves on the wrong end of another blow out as New York Red Bull stampeded the Reds to a dominate 5-0 win. Goals from Thierry Henry, Luke Rodgers, Joel Lindpere, and Juan Agudelo (2) matched TFC's worse defeat in their five season MLS history. It has been a rough season for Stephen Frei and the Toronto back line that due to numerous injuries this season was patched together with Richard Eckersley playing in the middle. On top of the injury problems the Reds have had this season, it has also been a season of growth and rebuilding as Aron Winter looks to build his team.

In the match against New York, the Toronto back line was far from Winter's first choice of defenders. Richard Eckersley was moved from his regular right back position ,where he has played really well for TFC this season, to central defender. The fiery red head, who normally bombs forward in attack, was called upon to sit back, a very different role than he is used to. Eckersley was joined by Dan Gargan, Ty Harden, and Danleigh Borman, who was replaced by Ashtone Morgan at half time, in the back line. Nana Attakora and Adrian Cann have been out on long term injury and leave Toronto short at center defense. Hopefully when the Toronto FC back line is back to full health the Reds will see an improvement and watch that league high goals against start to slowly go down as the wins go up.

Aron Winter's goal when he came to Toronto FC during the off season was to bring Dutch style football to the MLS. Winter wants his TFC side to abandon the long balls to play a shorter passing possession game as used by the top European sides. The team that Winter inherited from his predecessor was not suited to play his technically high 4-3-3 formation. He did not have the players available to him to play the necessary positions so many players have been placed in roles that they have never played before. Some players have fit into Winter's system well and have been nice surprise in a dark season including youngster Joao Plata. Toronto FC's current groups of players have also shown that they are not technically skilled enough to play the Dutch style of football that the management staff is trying to introduce at BMO Field.

It is only half way through Winter's first season in charge of Toronto FC meaning he has not had much time in charge with the transfer window open so that he can build a team that fits his style of play. With the summer window now open, Winter has already made two big moves by bringing in two new designated players from top European sides in Torsten Frings and Danny Koevermans. Winter finally had the space and cash to build the team he wants and the addition of Fring and Koevermans adds a lot of experience at the top level and high technical skills to a Reds side that is experience growing pains this season.

After four seasons, Reds fans were upset because the sides was not producing anything on the field. Toronto FC had what their fans believed to be a strong team but had failed to make the playoffs in all four seasons. Now it seems that Toronto has taken a step back and are having a season similar to their first year in the league. But this is not the time to get upset with the team but rather it is the time to be patient. TFC needs to finally find stability at the manager position so they need to stick with Aron Winter who has a long term plan for the team. The fans and clubs have to be patient with Winter because this plan will not generate instant success but it will a couple seasons down the road.

Its time for patience, not change.