Shambolic TFC have much work to do

Kristian Jack

TSN Soccer Analyst

Follow| Archive

Formations

Canadian boss Frank Yallop made two changes from the Chicago side that beat Philadelphia 1-0 last week with the most notable one coming in goal as injured Sean Johnson was replaced by Jon Busch.

Greg Vanney welcomed Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore back from international duty but still missed his two starting centre-backs, Steven Caldwell and Damien Perquis through injury, so opted for Justin Morrow, back from suspension, to partner Nick Hagglund in central defence.

 
Right to the cause of the problem

For the fourth successive game to start the season, Toronto FC conceded a goal via their right side defensively. The Whitecaps targeted that area on opening day, in behind a high line, and Octavio Rivero got in alone; Columbus scored the second goal of the game via a cross from their left side and last week Real Salt Lake scored headers at the back post via crosses from that flank. Chicago did a good job targeting this area early, creating key overlaps to put pressure on Warren Creavalle in the right-back spot. TFC's formation, whatever numbers you label it, is very adventurous and the midfield three have much ground to cover centrally to connect with the front three. The issue with this means it can be tough for any of those to help their fullbacks against attacks from wide areas. This forces Jozy Altidore (if on the left) or Robbie Findley (on the right) to sometimes drop in and take on this responsibility, something they are capable of but not comfortable in. For a team struggling to get balls to their forwards, having either of them defending on the edge of their own box is far from ideal.

On Chicago's goal, it was Findley who wasn't able to clear the ball and a quick turnover in possession, combined with a DP pass from Shaun Maloney, not picked up quick enough by Michael Bradley, sent in Joevin Jones who found Joe Bendik's bottom corner.

Chicago's second goal also came from the same side although it came from an immediate switch of play, forcing Nick Hagglund into a one-on-one situation with Maloney who cut in and put the ball under Bendik. It seemed unfortunate but it again highlighted growing concerns over Creavalle as Michael Bradley and Justin Morrow took their opponents and left Creavalle defending space rather than doubling up with Hagglund.

Creavalle's terrible day continued when he was rightly sent off for a poor challenge with a quarter of the game still remaining. Once again, through poor judgment and questionable decision-making, the club was down to 10 men facing an uphill climb that became a mountain when Bendik softly allowed the free kick to go by him a minute later.

From controlling the game, ahead 2-1, the club had once again capitulated and significantly contributed to their own downfall.

Far too open

Too often in Toronto FC games this season, possessions have felt like basketball attacks that are going to end in a score. Vanney's side have many excellent attributes going forward but the moment things break down, they are too vulnerable particularly in the aforementioned wide areas and with through balls between the fullback and centre-back partners. Vanney is desperate to stamp his possession-based, attacking philosophy on this side but with injuries at the back, and players who are clearly not playing at a level he needs, it will be interesting to see if he is able to find more of a stronger spine because the club is leaving points on the field they need to secure.

Bradley plays around the press

Michael Bradley wants to play as a deep midfielder and it is clear that Michael will get what he wants in this Toronto FC side. However, we saw more evidence in this game what can happen when he is able to break those shackles off and produce more with his vision on the ball. Chicago lost Michael Stephens after just eight minutes and the subsequent partnership of Chris Ritter and Matt Polster struggled to take the game away from Bradley when he was in possession. In the first half, the Fire pressed many opponents well and had twice as many turnovers (14 to 7) than the visitors but when Bradley had the ball, they left the defensive responsibility to Maloney, something the US international played around with ease.

Bradley was excellent with time on the ball penetrating into the opposition half and having Benoit Cheyrou and Jonathan Osorio, two players notably higher in this game to connect to the front three, as key outlets available to him to pass to but too often possessions he starts break down too easily soon after. Bradley found outlets open higher up the field much easier against Chicago than dropping between the centre-backs and spraying long balls to the flanks so it could be worth seeing how the club would keep the ball better in attack if he wasn't so concerned about getting back to protect.

Bradley had a season-high 111 touches in the match and a season-high 90 attempted passes, completing 82 including 37 to the partnership of Osorio and Cheyrou in front of him (stats powered by Opta)

All of this raises the question, again, about the former Roma man's position. If he played as a number eight alongside Cheyrou, for example, Vanney could use him to bring much-needed quality and aggressiveness in midfield and get the strength with a Collen Warner who would protect the back four better. Depending on your choice of Findley or Osorio, you could still play a midfield diamond four, interchanging, or in a central three in a 4-1-3-2 with Giovinco alongside Altidore up top.

Growing defensive concerns

Vanney is unlikely to take that step but it is clear something needs to happen quickly to stop this team being ridiculously wide open. Some will point to the loss of Perquis and Caldwell but we must remember the first halves in Vancouver and Columbus, with both playing, and how many times the Toronto FC defence were in crisis mode.

Toronto FC have massive ambitions for themselves but they will never be good enough to stop any MLS opponent having some point of the game go their way. Far too often, four games in, the Reds have been badly exposed the moment the opponent has a good couple of minutes in a match. Columbus are a good side and the loss of a key player before half-time contributed to that defeat. Real Salt Lake are a good side that found late heroics last week to deny TFC points when they once again crumbled under pressure. Chicago are not at the same level as those teams but were full value for their victory on Saturday on what was a very disappointing day for the visitors.

Greg Vanney has a lot of work to do.