Pre-Match/Match/Post-Match Thread - Toronto FC at Seattle Sounders FC - March 15, 2014 (R)

Seattle is predicted to be one of the top teams this year and we beat them on the road. I may have to consider changing my signature.

 

What a difference a clinical striker can make.

 

Some random thoughts on the game:

* Defoe and Bradley were awesome. Osorio looked good too. Dero didn't get the ball a whole lot, but did well nonetheless

* Julio Cesar didn't seem to be tested all that much other than Seattle's one goal. But I suspect he's the kind of keeper that makes the right moves so that he doesn't get to be tested as much as others.

* Jackson is terrible. He holds on to the ball too long, gives it away too easily, makes terrible passes and picks up stupid fouls. He looked like the Brazilian Reggie Lamb out there.

* Yeah TFC looked a little unpolished out there at times, but consider that Seattle is supposed to be one of the top teams this year (and they just beat KC last week, who are also supposed to be a top contender this year), it was on the road and on turf. That being said, there was a period of time in the first half where they were moving the ball well and finding the open man fairly consistently. With time and practice this team will get better.

* It was a good game defensively for TFC. Aside from the one TFC lapse that resulted in a goal, Seattle really didn't have all that many chances on net

* Finally, kudos to the replacement ref. Sure there were a few missed foul calls here and there, but the ref made sure that the game was about the game and not about him pulling out cards to show the world that HE is in charge. He only pulled out cards when they were truly deserved. Regular MLS refs could learn from this guy.

 

2009 was also the season TFC came closest to playoffs, hope to see them finally get in this season...

 

It was the most fun I have ever had at an away match.....that's enough for me!

 

Video I captured in the post-match press conferences with Jermain Defoe, Michael Bradley and head coach Ryan Nelsen.

 

I agree with all of your comments with the exception of your take on Jackson. It is true that he appeared to hold on to the ball far longer than he needed soveral times during the match, but I think in time he will realize that he simply can't do that and must pass quicker. He does have pace and skill and IMO, caused trouble to the Seattle back line several times during the game. He allows TFC to play wide if needed and gives us another offensive option (something we have been lacking).

All in all, I was very pleased with the new look of the team and the new style of play.

 

New-look Toronto FC makes strong first impression, promises more to come
http://soccer.si.com/2014/03/15/toronto-fc-seattle-sounders-mls-michael-bradley-jermain-defoe/

That was a fun game to watch. Jermain Defoe is deadly in the final third of the field.

 

Brilliant start for Defoe & Toronto FC keep it going strong TFC NATION!!

Great seeing DeRo back in TFC's lineup!!

 

The back line did stab him in the back on seattle's goal.

 

Though at least the fellow from Rome (Bradley) did his best to protect him.

 

No official word from the league yet, but evidently, dempsey isn't travelling to montreal this weekend because they suspect he will be suspended for the game.

 

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/artic...ends-clint-dempsey-two-other-players-incident

 

http://espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1...happy-clint-dempsey-was-suspended-mls?cc=5901

Klinsmen is upset Dempsey got suspended for his actions against Toronto last week. Good...a bit of payback for Klinsmen for saddling us for another 2 years of failure after his consulting firm helped try to shape TFC changes 2 years ago. A bit of Karma
And hey, if Dempsey being suspended makes him unfit for USA at the World Cup and they go out early because of it...we get Bradley back quicker!!!!! lol

 

bump....for some reason i think a review of how happy we were in mid-March 2014 is a bit relevant tonight