Just thought I'd give you a little heads up on Earnshaw. Though he hasn't had the opportunity to play much football over the past 18 months, he is still capable of finding the back of the net. Unlike another one of our former players now plying his trade in the MLS (Kenny Miller) Earnshaw is an out-and-out goalscorer who will score goals when playing on a regular basis.
Not settled into a new league well I see. He seemed to do a lot of work with us (Cardiff) but had no end result - looks to be the same situation a year on. Good luck tomorrow anyway, I'll be keeping a track of the score
Yeah, we may need to update our predicted starting 11. Larson is aslo saying Cesar and Emory are out of tomorrow's lineup.
FAAACK. This is going to be embarrassing. Unless all the new signings are magically match fit tomorrow, we'll be fielding one terrible lineup
REFEREE: Juan Guzman. SAR (bench): Mike Rottersman; JAR (opposite): Baboucarr Jallow; 4th: Armando Villarreal MLS Career: 21 games; FC/gm: 25.8; Y/gm: 3.8; R: 6; pens: 4 DISABLED LIST: none SUSPENDED: none INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: none HEAD-TO-HEAD ALL-TIME (MLS) (3 meetings): Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1 win, 6 goals … Toronto FC 2 wins, 6 goals … Draws 0 AT VANCOUVER (1 meeting): Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1 win, 4 goals … Toronto FC 0 wins, 2 goals … Draws 0 LAST YEAR (MLS): 7/1: TOR 3, VAN 2 (Silva 68; Frings 72; Dunfield 95+ -- Mattocks 50, 91+) * This is the only league meeting between the teams this season. * Toronto FC have won the last two league meetings between the teams, both at BMO Field, including the lone MLS meeting a season ago. * Vancouver has won the only league meeting in British Columbia – a 4-2 win on March 19. 2011. * The teams have also met in the final of the Canadian Championship each of the last two seasons, with TFC claiming the title on both occasions. In each instance, the teams played to a first-leg draw in Vancouver, then Toronto won the second leg at home. * The clubs could also meet in this year’s Canadian Championship final, if each gets past their first-leg tie. * Coaches record: Ryan Nelsen vs. VAN: first game … Martin Rennie vs. TOR: P1 W0 D0 L1
Time to adjust some of the pre game expectations.... I guess it wouldn't be too crazy to suggest that Vancouver will have more goals than TFC has shots on target (likely 0). Also, since things usually get worse for us I'm also prediciting that someone will get sent off (either Dunfield of Ecks).
Ok, so Cesar's out, which isn't took surprising. Silva's out, which is kind of terrifying. Braun's out, which leaves us with no proven MLS strikers. So, on that note, this is looking like our strongest lineup... So TFC decide to sign journeyman Darrel Russell and he might start depending on whether he's fit enough...unless Nelsen wants to go with Jeremy Hall Also, itll probably be either Bekker or Osorio in the attacking mid spot because we have no other real options. Earnshaw isn't fit yet and Taylor Morgan may not be ready to start, so all of a sudden Modern Era is our best option at striker. Yeah. Prediction: 6-0 Vancouver. Woooooo
Well 6-0 is a bit much. I don't think Vancouver is that good. We will lose, but you never know what will happen. My prediciton is for a 2-0 loss. Who's Boss, btw? Califf?
I'd drop Dunfield or Russel (don't know much about him, so I can't say if I'd prefer him over Dunny) for Osorio, but I think that midfield is probably right. The other possible change if Earnshaw (who would replace Weideman) isn't able to play is Lambe instead of Weideman, moving Welshman up top
https://twitter.com/KurtLarSUN/status/307686334699548672 Kurtis Larson@KurtLarSUN My projected #TorontoFC 11: Bendik, Morgan, O'Dea, Califf, Ecks, Lambe, Hall, Dunfield, Bekker, Ephraim, Earnshaw
On why Ephraim and Earnshaw might start https://twitter.com/KurtLarSUN/status/307637079683239936 Kurtis Larson@KurtLarSUN Nelsen on starting Ephraim, maybe Earnshaw: They've been around block a few times. We don't have an abundance of experience in those areas.
Our only hope with that lineup is that Ephraim and Earnshaw are lively (as well as Lambe), and that Bekker can get enough of the ball to feed those guys. That central midfield pairing is absolutely terrible and in all likeliness the attacking players will be spending all their energy trying to chase down the balls that Hall and Dunfield will be hoofing away
Yeah, the reason I picked Russel to start is that I don't see any cm's who can actually defend...so I'm guessing (HOPING) russell can. But he didnt look too bad in the one preseason game I saw him, so we'll see. Lambe hasnt had a great pre-season and I wouldnt be surpised if he's unfit, which is why I had Welshman starting instead of him. But if Lambe is ready to go, put him in, by all means. The CD spot oppposite O'Dea cn go either way bw Califf and Boss. Also wouldnt be surprised if Osorio started at CAM. Or even Welshman in that spot.
I am so freaking excited that soccer is back. I've got my miller light, my grippos, (American barbecue potato chips)mls live package, and my tfc jersey ready to go. I'm excited and have optimism for my adopted Canadian club. Lots of comments about getting blown out with the shakiness of our lineup. Lets hope we see some good possession and good countering for possible goal scoring opportunities. O'dea, Califf, Ginger(ecks), and hopefully Morgan if healthy will help keep pressure off young Bendik. Go TFC!