Mar 29, 2015
TFC loss a blessing in disguise?
As TSN soccer analyst Kristian Jack writes, Toronto FC may not have expected to get too much from their game against Real Salt Lake before kick-off but they left it thinking they should have had a point. However, a seemingly poor decision by the referee could help TFC in the long run.
Formations
Both teams were missing multiple star players due to the international break and Toronto FC also had three of their usual back four out through injury or suspension, so both coaches were forced to dig deep into their squads at a very early stage in the season.
The Game
Toronto FC may not have expected to get too much from this game before kick-off but they leave it thinking they should have had a point.
There are some who will blame the referee for that reason. After all, looking at one single moment in the game, albeit a rather important one, is convenient for any mind, but that's not how this performance should be remembered. Real Salt Lake ran out winners thanks to two headed goals, one in each half, that exposed Toronto FC's lack of experience at the back.
Toronto's midfield three struggled to dictate any kind of rhythm in the game and chances were very slim for the away side in the first half. Sebastien Giovinco's set-pieces were magnificent throughout and Toronto FC's path to a goal always looked like it could come from the Italian at a dead ball situation, as I tweeted at half-time.
Nick Hagglund had two glorious chances in the second half from exactly that situation. On the first one he should have scored and on the second he did score but it was disallowed. Both were incredible decisions. The first came with 20 minutes left and Giovinco's free kick was absolutely stunning, hit with pace, and with a curl that no defender could read, finding the centre-back completely unmarked at the back post. Hagglund chose to use his feet to try and score and ended up making very little contact but a diving low header would surely have given TFC an equalizer. Soon after, he did use his head off of a Giovinco corner and when the ball hit the back of the net it looked like it was 1-1. We know now that Hagglund was adjudged to have fouled Chris Schuler on the play but no replay showed any sign of foul play. What they did show was that was the only thing the referee could have blown for as his whistle only entered his mouth once the ball closed in on goal. Hagglund made two movements, one to the left into Sebastian Jaime, and then one to the right to get in front of Schuler who fell to the ground on contact. Referees have been asked by PRO to make a real conscious effort to clamp down on clutching in the box, particularly from a defensive point of view, but this looked a decision that Hilario Grajeda would want back.
The response, particularly on social media, was all too predictable. It is true to say that Toronto FC have been on the wrong end of two or three major decisions in games over the last nine months, but far too many people continue to run with that storyline and feel sorry for the club. It needs to be made clear that no referee is out to get Toronto FC. Mistakes happen and will continue to happen. How teams respond and rally around this is much more important than the actual incidents themselves.
At 1-0, Toronto FC had to respond and did. Bright Dike and Jackson were excellent substitutions by Vanney, although Dike should have been introduced much sooner for the very poor Luke Moore. Moore couldn't keep the ball when it was passed to him and bring other players into play but that's exactly what Dike did on the goal as Jackson made the run from deep to get away from Kyle Beckerman and grab a late equalizer. The visitors had clawed their way back into this game but 70 seconds later they crumbled like a house of cards. That was why they ultimately lost.
Cameras still focused on the goalscorer, Jackson, when a simple ball was played into Devon Sandoval who bullied his way to the ball ahead of Collen Warner and Nick Hagglund. Hagglund then retreated, took a look at Jordan Allen and then never went with him as the cross found Allen's head to win the game for the home team. Vanney had withdrawn both full backs for more attack minded players and that impacted them on the goal with Daniel Lovitz allowing the cross to come in and Jackson watching Allen run into the box unmarked. It was the second goal Toronto had conceded through miscommunication. In the first half, Real Salt Lake took the lead through another header at the back post as Luke Mulholland glided into the box unmarked to nod home.
Benoit Cheyrou could have gone with the run but the goal was more on the defence who had initially cleared the first cross, had a 3 vs 2 scenario in the box, but didn't have any communication from the centre-backs to push Morgan wide and then mark 2 vs 2 against Sandoval and Jaime in the penalty area.
It was a bizarre match that had many talking points despite it drifting for minutes at a time into nothing. We shouldn't forget that, the two goals at the end aside, this was a dreadful game of football created around a dreadful decision to play this match on this weekend. Major League Soccer wants to market its stars and should be applauded for this strategy and the idea of playing double-headers across US national television on Sunday nights. What it cannot be applauded for is the scheduling of this game. Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore, poster boys for the league, were available for Toronto FC last weekend before they departed for Jurgen Klinsmann's camp, yet no game was scheduled for the Reds. This week's opponent? They didn't play last week either.
In a Gold Cup year the league should be doing what they can to make sure many of their stars are at least on the field when they are available to them.
Moving forward
While getting no points from the game Toronto FC certainly have many things to take from the night. Giovinco was a threat from open play but they need to find more way to get him the ball in space. Too often attacks were slow and without purpose and the Italian's only chance from open play showed what the club needs to do more of as Robbie Findley sent a quick ball in, via a Hagglund pass with no pressure, to allow the former Juventus man with a one-on-one chance. All-in-all 19 passes received was simply not enough for a man of his quality. Those who thought Steven Caldwell could be moved this season may be looking to change that decision as it is clear their remains a significant gap in talent between him and Hagglund. It was not a night to be harsh on the defenders, after all many other teams in MLS would struggle when asking their third and fifth-best centre-backs to start the team's third game of the season together. However, any good team in this league needs a steady, reliable third centre-back and the development of Hagglund is important for this team moving forward.
There are those who may still believe the club are victims of too many poor decisions but that cannot be allowed to drift into the dressing room. The actions at the end of the match, with players squaring up to opponents, are becoming too familiar with this club who need to be a side who concentrates solely on creating a winning mentality. Winners do not make excuses, they find ways to overcome challenges. Toronto FC learned a painful lesson (one that will benefit them, now that it's the main focus) in the final minute at Real Salt Lake but in a strange way that might just have been a blessing in disguise because the last thing this team needs in 2015 is to drown in self-pity and blame a referee for another defeat.
What's Next
Toronto's seven-game road trip to start the season continues with game number four next Saturday in Chicago.