U-Sector – The Original Toronto FC Supporters Group

Back To The Grind

Saturday, May 8, 2010

After a well deserved week off, Toronto FC hosts Eastern Conference foe Chicago Fire today in the first of a gruelling stretch that will play a large part in determining whether 2010 is a success or failure.

Between now and the MLS-mandated World Cup break (which starts following the June 5 match vs. Colorado), TFC will play eight matches. The Reds will see MLS action five times in that span, as well as three more matches in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship.

By the time this stretch of games is over, the NCC champion will have been crowned, and TFC will have completed more than one-third of it’s league campaign. To say that the picture of TFC’s season will be much clearer by then is an understatement.

But first things first, today’s game against Chicago is a crucial encounter against a conference opponent. The Fire have been remarkably consistent over their first six league games this year, amassing a 2-2-2 record that consists of identical 1-1-1 records home and away. Hey, I said consistent, not stellar.

Last year, the Fire were the antithesis of the conventional MLS paradigm of “win at home, eek out results on the road”, as they were markedly better when away from Toyota Park. It’s too early to tell whether they will be traveling giants this year, but I’m sure Preki has considered Chicago’s performances on the road last season in his pre-match preparation.

New coach Carlos de los Cobos is, like his TFC counterpart, still attempting to stamp his own mark on his squad, with new players having joined the side and a different tactical approach than his predecessor Denis Hamlett.

The Fire are a work in progress, although talented attackers like Brian McBride and Marco Pappa can turn a game on its head through individual talent alone. New striker Collins John – who has a pedigree as good or better than anyone else in the league (save the designated players) – has struggled with fitness and finding his place in the side, but even if he doesn’t start he will provide a threat for de los Cobos off the bench.

Big Wilman Conde has not been as dominant in the backline for Chicago as in previous years, but he can still control the game and will look to shut down Dwayne De Rosario. The loss of Gonzalo Segares has weakened Chicago’s defence a bit, but they are still fairly organized and the core is familiar with one another enough to make up for the Costa Rican’s departure.

Given today’s weather conditions, not to mention Preki’s tactics, the match should be a fairly scrappy one, with the wind and cold asserting itself down by the lake.

Perhaps one day we will be able to enjoy decent weather for an MLS match, but unfortunately that day will have to wait.

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Join U-Sector at Maro (135 Liberty St.) for pre-match bevvies, starting at 12:30pm. Our post-match gathering spot is the Done Right Inn at 867 Queen St. W.

Posted by Rudi Schuller