U-Sector – The Original Toronto FC Supporters Group

When A Draw Is Really A Win

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Whomever first uttered the old cliché “you win some, and you lose some” clearly wasn’t a soccer fan.

Toronto FC proved that last night when they advanced to the group stage of the CONCACAF Champions League by way of the biggest draw in team history. Up 1-0 on aggregate heading into the match, TFC knew that a draw with C.D. Motagua of Tegucigalpa would be enough to allow the Reds to move on. Even a loss would do the trick, provided that Toronto managed to score a goal along the way and keep within one of their Honduran hosts.

As the game kicked off, it looked as though TFC would be chasing the latter option. Perhaps it was a little shell-shock of simply being in the famed Central American atmosphere, but within minutes of the opening whistle, the Reds found themselves down a goal courtesy of friend-turned-foe Amado Guevara, who clearly had a point to prove to his old club after a lackluster first leg in which the the Motagua captain was substituted at halftime for what his coach called “poor form.”

Guevara took advantage of a gaping hole in the makeshift TFC backline, featuring 17-year-old Academy product Doneil Henry in his “real” debut for the big club (the already-decided Voyageurs Cup finale and Bolton friendly don’t really count).

Henry started the game at right back, a position that TV announcer Jason DeVos said the kid had never played before. Considering the magnitude of the game, and the non-familiarity Henry has with not only his teammates on the backline, but also the position he was playing, it was no surprise that the youngster’s presence would be disruptive enough that a wily veteran like Guevara could exploit it for an early goal.

After the initial shock of going down a goal so early, Henry and his TFC colleagues settled down quite a bit, and traded possession with Motagua for much of the first half. When Preki decided that an out-of-position Academy kid was not the answer to marking stud left winger Emilio Izaguirre, the TFC coach shifted Dan Gargan into that role, allowing Brazilian Maicon Santos to take Henry’s spot on the fiekl.

The difference was immediately apparent, as Maicon’s hold-up play and vision up top completely changed the complexion of the game. With the former Chivas USA man causing havoc for the Motagua central defenders, the slick-passing trio of Dwayne De Rosario, Julian de Guzman and Chad Barrett were afforded more time and space on the ball.

The change paid off in the second half, as numerous TFC attacks culminated in a sublime through-ball from Maicon to the awaiting De Rosario, with the Reds captain doing what he does best, scoring goals in clutch situations.

Toronto’s joy was short-lived though, as once again Guevara beat Stefan Frei, putting Motagua ahead on aggregate but still one goal away from taking the series. That set up a ridiculously nerve-wracking final twenty minutes in which wave after wave of Motagua attacks were narrowly averted, either through hilariously bad finishing or the amazing talents of Swiss keeper Frei.

With Motagua pushing for the clinching goal, Toronto was afforded plenty of counterattacks, and once more a Maicon pass found an onrushing TFC teammate, this time Barrett, who held off his defender and right-footed the ball into the back of the Motagua goal at the 80th minute.

That would be the final action of the game for Barrett, who was immediately substituted for Mista following the goal. If Barrett never scores another goal for TFC, it wouldn’t matter, as the American forward has proven himself just as clutch in these cup competitions as his captain.

After the second Toronto tally, it was apparent that Motagua had run out of ideas. The 2-2 draw would hold up as the final result, with TFC winning on aggregate 3-2, two goals clear of their opponents thanks to the away goals rule.

Considering some of the amazingly inept away performances Toronto has put on this season, a draw in the inhospitable environs in the heart of Central America is as good as a win.

Now it’s on to the next round, and a group featuring Mexican powerhouse Cruz Azul (who won their preliminary series 9-2 with mostly a reserve side), MLS Cup champ Real Salt Lake and their incredible home record, and last year’s CCL quarterfinalist Arabe Unido from Panama. Oh, and there’s the little issue of the MLS playoff race, in which Toronto is currently just holding onto the final spot and would surely be hindered by six additional games stretching an already thin roster.

But let’s worry about that later. We won. Ok, we drew, but it sure as hell feels like a win.

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Pros and Cons from the CONCACAF Champions League preliminary round match played between Toronto FC and Club Deportivo Motagua on August 3, 2010:

PROS

• TFC keeping its composure in the face of incredible adversity, especially after going down a goal in the opening moments.
• Maicon Santos’ presence, which adds that extra something to the Toronto attack.
• Dwayne De Rosario’s yeoman effort, dude was all over the field and highly motivated. A true captain.
• Stefan Frei putting in yet another stellar performance in goal.
• Chad Barrett once again scoring in the big games for TFC.

CONS

• Doneil Henry being thrown into the fire by Preki.A 17-year-old kid playing out of position in an extremely hostile environment is not likely going to end well, regardless of how good he is.
• The fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants defending by Toronto in the second half.
• Laughable CONCACAF officiating.

HIGHLIGHTS

Posted by Rudi Schuller