Pre-Match / Match / Post-Match Thread - Toronto FC at Real Salt Lake - April 28, 2012 (R)

This loss is heartbreaking. Wow.

 

I'm a Johnson fan but he was really poor tonight, along with Eckersley. Plata didn't do anything to suggest he should be starting. other than that I think TFC showed a lot, Frings and Avila higher up the pitch is effective. at this point i mostly just feel sorry for the team lol

 

You know, of all the league games we've lost this year, this is the toughest. The lads played their best league game of the year against anyone and still found a way to lose.

At this point we can only shake our heads and wonder if it's all some kind of sick joke.

 

Yeah. Disappointing in the end. You knew it was always going to be tough getting a point here, and it looked like we might get it. But no.

Now we have Montreal coming up in the CCL. They just beat the Timbers 2-0. Not sure we have what it taks this year to qualify.

On the plus side in this game....we pretty much won all the dodgy referee calls.

 

Apparently until we own every crap record the league has our spotty performance / luck will not change.

 

what records does TFC hold so far?

i know they've just tied the record for worst start to a season 20 minutes ago.

 

just a guess, but probably the longest winless streak on the road, since i don't think we won a road game until our second year in 2008.

 

Goals allowed in a season, longest time span without a goal, probably longest winless streak is in there somewhere.

 

TFC's next home game is going to be interesting.

 

i don't think it's a coincidence we created more chances with only one target man; Johnson and Koevermans both on the field with a lone true winger is kind of awkward...i'd like to see more of Avila and Soolsma/Lambe with Johnson/Koev.

 

This team is cursed
Still there is little hope in CC against Montreal which will be tough...
And time to change system/coach

 

With Avila and Silva almost being similar players in midfield and Avila having a good game on the wing, I wonder if it would be possible to get them both on the field at the same time. The team could do this in a 4-3-3 or 4-5-1

[LINEUP-4-5-1]Koevermans/Johnson, Avila, Silva, DeGuzman, Frings, Dunfield, Morgan, Aceval, Cann, Eckersley, Kocic[/LINEUP-4-5-1]

Then sub in guys like Soolsma, Lambe or Plata at the appropriate time but not before subbing off Dunfield.

 

unfortunately Winter will never vary from three at the top. i think todays lineup and formation was probably the best he's picked this year, although it would be better with Silva in for Dunfield. I think Henry has to be considered for something at the back, his distribution is still poor but he's only a kid and already excels in the areas which we most need improvement i.e. set-pieces, basic marking, pace.

----------johnson-----------
--------avila---lambe---------
------------silva------------
-----frings--------jdg--------
morgan-cann-henry-eckersley
------------kocic

in that personal fantasy, i switch Frings and JDG so there's a good distributor on either side (Eckersley), Morgan wouldn't quite be able to handle it himself.

 

so its now official - worst start ever - and close to highest (or is it the highest??) priced tickets in the league

it is time to stand up to this

I've been a season ticket holder since day 1 and the problem is evident as I look in the mirror - me and others like me - mea culpa

we cannot pay these prices and expect the team to change - season 6; and all these losses in a row- wow - excuses are all over the place and complacent fans are at fault - not complacent in heart but in the head

- we need to hit them where they care - $- the pocketbook - demand 10% off for every loss since the start of this year for next years seasons tickets and accept nothing less.

I will continue to write this after every loss

we are worth 10% per game - 70% off next years tickets (at this point) and I may consider repurchasing - come on lads we can do it - to help the team and trust me this will help - they care about $

go reds

TFC forever

 

I'm starting to give up on Aceval, he gets worse with every game. Cann, Ecks, and Screech all made the massive errors leading up to each goal but Aceval had about a dozen of those all game and it's a miracle he wasnt punished for any of them

Avila was the man of the match. Henry was really good too. I think it's time he starts with Cann, theyre clearly our two best options there.

Frings had his worst ever game for us. The hell kind of a penalty was that...and he was invisible for the rest of the game. Ecks and RJ were poor too.

I'm spent. Highlight was Rongen as the play-by-play dude. I lol'd when he said "Aceval isn't good at defending 1-on-1 against any type of movement"

 

Before I join this protest movement.....can you connect the dots for me between the money and the losses?

If we complacent fans had been less complacent, say, last season.....how would the team be better today?

I am willing to do my bit but I need help understanding.

 

You can't blame the system or Winter really for this one. The system isn't missing glorious opportunities in the box, the system isn't taking penalties, and the system has nothing to do with conceding on set pieces.

On a side note: anyone have any idea where JDG was on that last goal? Isn't it his job to defend in front of the box and get a read on midfielders looking to blast those layoffs?
IMO JDG and Dunfield need to take some bench. Dunfield tries hard but just isn't anywhere near good enough, and JDG's good enough (read skilled enough) but just doesn't try very hard. Also Aceval needs to find a new position if he's going to be in the starting xi. I'm thinking either as a DM or as a LB. he just isn't good enough as a CB. He pressures well, but gets confused as f*ck by simple 1-2s and gets caught up in the midfield

 

New synonym for "disaster". Aceval @ LB. easily beaten by any wing play (he would make Soolsma look quick) and posing no threat to go forward .....a combination which would give any opponent's right side free reign!

I thought he looked very good in the last 35 minutes of the Fire match......that should be his position.

 

TOareafan you need help understanding?? leafs raptors and tfc - TO is the joke of sports everywhere and yet the fans are some of the most supportive - and these are dream markets for investors - they make $ and as long as MLS feeds the bottom line nothing will change - I sometimes wonder if fans on these boards own shares in MLS - I know that is harsh but honestly, To has one of the most expensive ticket prices for hockey/bball and football with no results - and no success in a decade (or for tfc 6 years and counting) - do you all just think it is luck? - it is a business and that is all MLS will respond too - they are not mean or callous or anything - they are just good at what they do - which is lose and make money - i.e. 'mea culpa' as I look in the mirror

 

Silva has the Flu no?
In any case I think that if you play both Silva and Avila, Silva should be the one playing on the wing. IMO Silva doesn't have the defensive ability (I refer to pressuring, not tracking back) to play in a central midfield role, whereas Avila does have that ability. Also, Avila's biggest strength is his accurate passing, something that isn't utilized when he's on the wing.
And apart from the LA goal, I have yet to see what makes people do high on Silva

 

Left back is actually his original position. And why do you say that he would pose no threat going forward? For one, his crosses would be far more effective than Morgan's, and he can't possibly defend less than Morgan does. Also he played LB after Maund came in in the second LA game and looked pretty good there, hence why I have an interest in seeing him play there again

I wasn't able to watch the fire match (although I have it recorded for when I have the time), what position did he play then?

 

Again, though, explain to me how me withholding my ticket money improves any of the teams. None of them have a spending issue as they all spend lots....they just don't spend very well. Is the theory that they would get smarter if I, or you, we're not there to watch?

 

His crosses are fine.....just don't think he has the pace to go forward so he would pose no threat. I, honestly, don't care what his original position was.....I don't want him playing LB now.

At the 55 minute mark against the Fire Winter brought him out wide, way wide.....and he disappeared up the tunnel. The next 35 he looked ok....not great but ok.

 

You guys are a much better side than your record suggests.
I really hope you guys turn it around and find a way to sneak into that final playoff spot in the east.

You have the pieces to make it happen - especially that Avila kid.

Best of luck the rest of the season