U-Sector – The Original Toronto FC Supporters Group

Let’s Get Ready To Rumble!!

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Are you frustrated yet?

You will be, almost from the moment the opening whistle is blown. Arabe Unido, the obscure Panamanian side that plays host to Toronto FC on Tuesday, seem to be aiming for the title of Most Vilified Team In The History Of Club Soccer(TM).

Of course, this is the CONCACAF Champions League, and the stature of the tournament (and the teams involved) won’t actually allow for such a momentous title to be thrust upon a relatively unknown side in the world of football, at least not when there are far bigger clubs in far more meaningful competitions acting the fool week in and week out.

But that won’t stop the little team from Colon, Panama from trying, dammit.

In two years of Champions League play, Arabe Unido have earned the reputation as the biggest time wasters and lollygaggers this side of YouTube. Hell, you could even find clips on YouTube where opposing coaches are complaining about Arabe Unido’s time-wasting prowess.

To say that TFC’s hosts will more than likely employ all the negative tactics that turn people off soccer, especially if they go up a goal, is an understatement of the highest order. Based on what’s been seen from Arabe Unido in the past two CCL tournaments, they will dive, clutch, grab, complain to the referee, and generally act like massive tools in order to try to throw Toronto off its own game.

What TFC players will need to not allow happen is them getting caught up in the moment and retaliating, as that’s exactly what their hosts will be looking for.

Toronto will be looking for a little bit of redemption on Tuesday, of course, given the embarrassment the Reds suffered at home on the weekend at the hands of the New York Red Bulls. This is another reason that TFC players must be in control of their emotions, as eagerness to erase a terrible result could lead to rash decisions, baited on by douchebag Panamanians awaiting any opportunity to draw fouls, phantom or otherwise.

As long as the Reds play their own game they should be able to earn a result on the road. Yes, Toronto’s away form has been nothing less than a four year-long horror show, but apart from the long flight to Central America, there should be nothing particularly tough about this road venue (whichever venue it actually ends up being).

The game will be won or lost (or drawn) almost entirely inside the TFC players’ own heads. Hopefully, they won’t allow their hosts to take up residence in there on Tuesday night.

Posted by Rudi Schuller