Post-match: Trophy Wednesday #1! A Battle for A Cup - Crew @ Toronto FC - Match 28 - 9/18/24 7:30 PM

Nancy has to be thrilled. Farsi, Nagbe, Moreira, and Ramirez all got the night off. Cucho and Rossi only played 45 minutes. Arfsten only half an hour. What a useful 3 points to get, but what an even better way to get it! That's a huge help for Saturday's game vs Orlando.

 

Me too!

 

We got a lot of help out west too. Galaxy losing and LAFC with a tie.

 

Another trophy!!!!

 

Is this where I insert the TiNy VaMpIrE meme?

 

We won 3 straight games without cucho in May when he had the back issue

 

Cucho is certainly a difference maker but last night was more exaggerated with all the other starters rotated as well.

 

Wow a good win considering all the factors. A mid week game, on the road, after a rivalry matchup and with a highly rotated squad.

 

I think what it shows is something we already know: Cucho is the only player on the roster who can affect a match all by himself. Every now and then, Rossi shows instances of creating goal scoring opportunities by himself, but not nearly to the extent Cucho does.

Obviously, we've scored goals - and lots of them - when Cucho's not been in the line-up. But as has been stated, that was a major rotation of players last night, including guys we've not seen start before. It's not a shock that we didn't click offensively without Cucho (and Nagbe, and Ramirez, and Moreira, and Farsi) in the line-up.

To the extent that I'm concerned (and I'm not, really), it's for a player like Chambost, who doesn't seem to be adding much. His tenure with the club can be measured in weeks so, of course, he needs more time to settle in. But sticking him up top in place of Ramirez hasn't produced much so far.

Beyond that, I'm mildly concerned that this team isn't going to be able to focus on a consistent starting line-up until mid-October. We play:

9/21
9/25
9/28
10/2
10/5

And then have full weeks off for the last two regular season games on 10/12 and 10/19. But, of course, there's an international window for matches from Oct. 6-14, as well.

Fortunately, 5 of those 7 matches are at home, with the only away matches being same time zone games at DC and NYRB. Still, expect lots and lots of different looks for the rest of the season. Not an ideal set-up as you try and ramp up for the playoffs.

 

I would think that we play:

Close to or at full strength for Orlando and Campeones vs America.

We do another major rotation at DC.

Back to full strength vs Miami and Philly.

We have a normal week for the last 2. But NE in in the INT window and some guys will be called (Schulte, Hagen, Moreira, Farsi, Cucho, JRR). And depending what is left to play for, we will see how NYRB goes at the end. Guys who play a lot on INT duty (Moreira) should get a break.

As for Chambost, he should be playing centrally. But I think Nancy likes guys who are new to play wide first, if possible. Mistakes there are less costly.

 

Miami at NYC.

Almost no hope for the SS. Miami have to stumble twice, and one has to be a loss, outside of their game vs us. And we'd have to win out.

 

Not fortunate for my wallet. Sheesh it's been an expensive summer of soccer.

 

So did the Legendary Trillium Cup make an appearance?

 

I liked that Nancy picked a starting line up that basically gave full disrespect to Toronto and the cup to which it stands.

 

That's why I omitted it

 

So you're saying there's a chance...it's back on!!

 

One of these days they'll find it and roll out out for the fans to take selfies with.

 

The other mystery: How the hell did it go missing? Wouldn't it have been in the trophy case in the office?

 

Exactly.

Cucho is so special.

 

When Columbus wins this weekend and Miami tears three ACL's in New york with their loss, then I'll start to consider an outside chance again at the Shield.
But right now our focus should be winning this weekend, and getting ahead of Cincinnati for 2nd.

 

And staying in front of the LA's or RSL for MLS Cup hosting rights.

 

While I certainly think Nancy is a good coach and knows way more about soccer than I, I really am starting to wonder just how much Cucho carries this team.

I've been saying for some time now that Cucho seems like he plays just outside of they system that Nancy seems to want the team to play and I think that (Cucho) is what separates and elevates the team. He's like Iniesta to Spain circa 2010's tikki-taka. He's the solid chocolate surprise at the bottom of the ice cream drumstick.

 

He was the only change at half time last night. It's not like he was one of three changes and he took off our next biggest threat. The difference was stark.

 

I'm willing to give Chambost into next year before I start declaring him a bust, but he's just not getting it done and i'm not seeing much of any glimpses yet, either.

Bernadesci was very dangerous down the right side the entire game. Dej Jones needed to do more there and I didn't see much on the offensive side from him either.

Still liking what little I've seen from AZ

In all honestly, I feel like the production from the new guys is pretty much inverse of what I was hoping/expecting.


Next year could be completely different though

 

No sh!t -- one of the highest paid and most talented players in MLS was very dangerous?? The boys locked him down better than can expected. Just grace of God that his sweet, sweet corners didn't find a mark at the end of the game.