Toronto FC vs. Atlanta United Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium – East Hartford October 18 – 7:30 PM ET Fox Sports Southeast AJC.com preview here. MLSsoccer.com preview here. ATLUTD.com preview here. TFC home page here. Notes Doug Roberson reports that Coach Glass says Barco "might" play Sunday and that at least he did train with the side on Friday. As the MLSsoccer preview shows TFC have a long list of injuries, Altidore and Akinola among the most notable, but also suggests Bradley will return. TFC is currently leading the chase for the Suppor, er, the most points in the league this year. Castillo is the only name listed as out for Atlanta as of right now. No early indications how much Moreno might play. Will offer my pre-match thoughts tomorrow.
So my day out and about with the kids was a more involved than expected, so little time to prep any pregame analysis. Roberson stresses the need to contain Pozuelo and he's certainly not wrong, as the guy is playing worthy of POY contention. He's a different driver for their offense than Giovinco but in some ways he's more dynamic, giving Toronto one of the strongest attacks in the league. Bottom line, for Atlanta to have a chance they need to find a way to slow down the TFC attack, and that will require choking their playmakers. (Figuratively. Just in case any of you, you know...) I suspect Adams or Remedi will be given the assignment of playing midfield bully, perhaps even spending more of the game man-marking Pozuelo. If that has the desired effect defensively the hope is it won't cost Atlanta much in their transition game. Look for a higher than average number of long balls from the back and an emphasis from the team to chase those down. If they can avoid getting into fights over possession in the Atlanta third that would help minimize the threats to the defense. Hopefully another bright spot will be more playing time from Moreno and Damm, and that if Torres features he connects with those two as well as he looked those few minutes Wednesday night. If that is the case it will allow the Stripes to pose more of a threat in attack, keeping Toronto back. The Reds can run down Jahn, not so much Gallagher. Will also be interesting to see if Barco plays tonight, and if so where he features. Honest me isn't expecting much, but TFC isn't fully healthy, it's not a true home match for them (in Connecticut) and if the Stripes can keep the Reds to 1 or 2 goals then they have a chance and will push for a result. Let's hope the Falcons win hasn't spoiled the good fortune for either the Stripes or the Bravos.
I hope The Game doesn't switch over to the Braves at 7:15... I swear, if they lose this series after being up 3-1, they will have totaled my giveadamn.
29' and Atlanta is at least running hard tonight. Lot of talk before about the desire tonight to push hard and try to tire a lot of TFC players who have logged a lot of minutes this season.
39' and Toronto's 1st corner produces a save from Guzan. Atlanta not looking like they have half the points of TFC.
HT: 0-0 Overall a fair result and no real complaints about the Stripes' play. Their work rate is there and they've created chances, albeit the Reds have had the 2 best chances of the game so far. Damm and Gallagher have been threats in attack. If they could get the ball in better positions or, better yet, with more support that might have yielded a score.
2nd half start sees Barco and Moreno sub on for... 2 players the TV guys refuse to say. Edit: for Hyndman and Mulraney.
53' and the game has picked up. End to end stuff and various players try riskier passes and deeper runs, leaving opportunities for counters when those passes fall shy.
65' sees Lennon and Torres on for Damm and Gallagher. Not exactly an upgrade in attack but fresh legs all around up top now. Clearly the plan is to press.
The 89th effing minute. That is 100% on the players. Just gutless. No effort on that goal whatsoever. Bello got wrong-footed and everybody else just stood there and watched it go by. Simultaneously, the Braves give up 2 runs with 2 outs.