U-Sector – The Original Toronto FC Supporters Group

TFC at RSL: Pros and Cons

Monday, May 3, 2010

You simply cannot sit your two best players and expect a result.

Preki did just that, of course, when he kept Dwayne De Rosario and Julian de Guzman on the bench to start Saturday’s road loss at Salt Lake.

That Real Salt Lake jumped out to a 2-0 first half lead came as a surprise to no one. It was, after all, TFC’s third game in seven days, on the road, at altitude, against the MLS Cup holders who just about never lose on their home turf.

Regardless, I think all TFC fans would have preferred to see the big guns on the field, especially given that they now have a full week to recover before their next match. It’s arguably still early enough in the season that throwing out the stars on little rest would not have been as detrimental to them as it would be, say, in September.

The decision was made, and it was always going to be a gamble given what Preki has at his disposal. It’s no secret that TFC is built on an ethos of hard work, team spirit and grit, and while those are all fine qualities that any pro sports team should aspire to have in spades, they need to balance that out with a depth of skill as well.

It’s painfully obvious that there are very few “skill” players on this TFC squad, and in packed weeks like this it becomes even more apparent as the coaching staff attempts to protect those players.

When De Ro and JDG – along with O’Brian White – stepped on the field to start the second half, Toronto showed an extra spring in their step, and for periods took it to RSL. The second half TFC was at least equal to their opponents, and was actually unlucky not to have at least salvaged a draw for the visitors.

Lesson learned though, and if I were a betting man, I’d lay down a princely sum that Preki never keeps both of his big Canadian guns on the bench at the same time for the rest of the season, regardless of how busy the schedule is.

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Pros and Cons for the Toronto FC at Real Salt Lake match played May 1, 2010:

PROS

Dwayne De Rosario simply cannot stop scoring
Chad Barrett’s leadership in the absence of the team’s captain
Super Stefan Frei’s continued stellar play

CONS

The first half lineup, one of the ugliest lineups TFC has ever put out
Lack of attacking depth means conceding an entire 45 minutes to RSL
Way too much space on Andy Williams’ goal
Kyle Beckerman’s hair. It still pisses me off after so many years
TFC’s road record, especially against the Western conference. Just brutal, and it needs to change

HIGHLIGHTS