Much Better, But Still Some Work To Be Done
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
There are wins, there are resounding wins, and then there are wins that should be resounding but aren’t. TFC’s 1-0 victory over Club Deportivo Motagua of Honduras falls squarely in the latter category.
The Reds were all over their opponents in yesterday’s preliminary round CONCACAF Champions League match, a stark contrast to the lackluster play that has plagued the team of late. Yet even though they were decidedly more inspired than in other recent games, Toronto once again lacked in the goal-scoring department, a lone Chad Barrett marker early in the match being the difference between the two teams.
Tuesday’s goal drought was not for a lack of trying. TFC outshot the Honduran side 13-4, with five of those on net (versus one for Motagua). The Reds looked the far fresher of the two teams, which is to be expected given that Toronto is in mid-season while Motagua han’t played a competitive match since early May.
Whatever the reasoning, Preki’s side came out the aggressors, and on numerous occasions could have beaten Motagua keeper DJ Pauly D Donaldo Morales. That only one goal was scored speaks less about Morales’ prowess in net as it does about the poor finishing that plagued those in red shirts on the night.
Jacob Peterson himself could have had at least a couple of goals, instead opting to play the role of Barrett circa 2009. Peterson’s movement off the ball is decent, he’s a hard worker and gets involved in much of the play, yet when it comes time to shoot he’s been found extremely wanting as of yet. It’s very frustrating, but with Barrett hitting the target more frequently this season, someone had to step into that role.
The biggest positive of the night, save for Barrett’s cool, left-footed finish on the superb pass from Dwayne De Rosario, was the play of the midfield, specifically in the centre of the park. Julian de Guzman was a maestro on the BMO Field pitch, chasing down everything and frustrating Motagua players left and right with his superior ability to hold on to the football and allow his teammates to get into position.
Sure, his work in the final third left much to be desired, but de Guzman wasn’t alone in that regard, and he didn’t seem to let it affect his play elsewhere on the field.
De Guzman was energized for his TFC international debut, and his attitude seemed infectious. De Rosario, not to be outdone by his Scarborough brethren, had perhaps his best two-way match as a Toronto player. In addition to his assist on Barrett’s goal, De Ro was responsible for a number of key defensive stops deep in TFC territory. While he hasn’t been scoring himself lately, De Rosario has made sure to keep himself involved in other facets of the game, a good quality for the captain of the side.
Even Joseph Nane seemed up for the match, perhaps inspired by his midfield partners. The little-used fourth-round pick of the 2010 draft had a horrific first half, but redeemed himself in the second with a workman-like performance that mostly involved getting in the way of the skillful Motagua midfield and being a general nuisance. Nane will never be confused for world class, and at half time he had many pining for error-prone Amadou Sanyang to be inserted into the match in his place, but he provided decent cover for de Guzman when the Canadian pushed forward after the half.
The end result is a well-earned, if disappointing, one-goal victory for the Reds. On one hand, their job is far from over as travelling to Central America and getting a result is a daunting task for any side (let alone a team that so far is as intimidating as a wet paper bag when away from home). On the other hand, TFC kept a clean sheet away from a hungry side filled with World Cup players, denying a crucial away goal in a short series that can be decided by just that.
Either way, it should lead to an exciting finish to this preliminary round of the Champions League.
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Pros and Cons for the CONCACAF Champions League Preliminary Round match played between Toronto FC and Club Deportivo Motagua on July 27, 2010:
PROS
- Chad Barrett finishing, with his left foot
- The skill level in the “spine” of the team has risen dramatically, and the players are starting to show it
- Julian de Guzman taking over a huge match
- Dwayne De Rosario, not scoring but doing everything else to help his side win
- The crowd: probably the loudest it’s been since the first year
CONS
- Jacob Peterson’s finishing: Frustrating, frustrating, frustrating
- Joseph Nane’s first half, among the worst of any TFC players this year
- Not enough goals to go with the possession and chances, which may bite TFC in the rear end next week
HIGHLIGHTS
Posted by Rudi Schuller
