It's Just One Game

Mood: Down but not out


Saturday night's visit to Seattle was not exactly how I had hoped TFC would start their season; OK, it wasn't at all how I hoped they'd start the season. But if you've think this is going to be a doom and gloom, "all is lost" sort of post well then you've obviously never read this blog before - you may want to move along as there won't be much wallowing done here.


Post-match observations in no particular order:

1. Frings is the best thing to have ever happened to TFC; period. Witness what happened without him out there.  The thought that he may be seriously injured is a frightening one as the team is not consistently strong enough at the back without him.
2. Ryan Johnson can do no wrong - even with being subjected to cheap fouls over and over, he kept enough of his cool to score what is possibly the goal of the week. He just does not stop and is proving to be the consistent scorer that the team needs to compliment Danny Koevermans (once he gets rolling again).
3. Ty Harden is not a starting CB - yes, this is not news but bears repeating
4. Kocic looks good in pink; oh and is likely the #1 keeper going forward - tell me I'm wrong. 
5. Playing a flat four is a bad idea - watching that high line get exposed over and over again the past two games should hopefully put it to rest - there is not enough speed back there to make it work. And why no Morgan?
6. Silva had an off night in the midfield - this kid has a huge future - keep him out there Aron.
7. Dunfield had a less than stellar night - more JDG please.
8. Emory has a good future with the club - he held his own out there; especially before Frings left injured - wonder if he plays CB? Either way he deserves to be out there again.
9. While the defensive woes (or growing pains) that cost TFC continue - there was some nice work to be seen when the team was going forward - this is a TFC team that is going to score goals. And more often than not, goals win games.  And yes, I do believe that the best offense is a good defense; but useless without the offense part.
10. It's just one game. Just. One. Game. Against one of the best teams in the league, at their home, looking for redemption after a nightmare performance in Mexico.

OK, so there was a little doom and gloom in that list. I may be passionate and optimistic but it doesn't mean that I'm blind. Did I swear and rant and despair occasionally during the match? Of course I did; I'm passionate about my team and it upsets me when they don't succeed. Do I think the season is over or that they've regressed again? No, pure and simple, no. Errors and poor luck aside this was not a team that gave up; they continued to fight and at least competed to the end.  


Other than the loss (of the game and Frings), what upset me most on Saturday night was the incredibly biased commentary by Ross Fletcher and Kasey Keller - I expect a little bias from a home town crew but this was beyond the pale. From the sporting of Sounders scarves to the continual use of "we" the ongoing Sounders perfect (delicious ball anyone?), TFC "cynical" and bad it was enough to make me want to throw things at my TV.  At least make the attempt at professionalism guys - you insult your fans as much as our own with that sort of blatant homerism. Knock it off.


This Saturday against the San Jose Earthquakes will be a true test of how far our Reds have come - and you had better be there in red, in full voice and prepared to passionately and loudly support our team. Because the 12th man does make a difference; this year let's turn BMO back into the fortress it was, when opposing teams were uncomfortable because they were faced with a sea of red that would not be quiet. I know it's an early start on Saturday folks but get up, have some coffee and be in your seats before kick-off!  So, see you Saturday? 



Links a lot: The Yorkies, Waking The Red, Red Nation Online and Partially Obstructed View - visit these guys for the rest of your recap needs.

First Kick - TFC Style

Mood: Optimistic (shocking I know)

Location: Not Seattle - secret TFC fan bunker

It's First Kick for TFC and I for one am as excited if not more than I was for the CCL matches - this is where our season begins and our beloved Reds really get to show us what they're made of!  Now is the time to put away CCL dreams and concentrate on the real business at hand - wiping that grin off of Drew Carey's face.  And what's with this St. Patrick guy and his blatant bias towards the Sounders? No I'm not green with envy - you couldn't pay me to wear green today - I'll be proudly sporting my TFC gear and will not guarantee I won't hurt the first (or 10th) person to say "why aren't you wearing green today?".

It would seem that most pundits, analysts, talking heads etc. have viewed TFC's win on Wednesday as some kind of fluke and declared that they will of course fall to the boys in the glowing, nay retina burning, green kits tonight.  We will also have to endure endless babble about the "great fans in Seattle" - as though Sounders fans are the only ones who support their team loudly and in numbers. Wonder how many Sounders fans have ever traveled to Toronto to support their team? I'd wager you count them on one hand.

Both teams start their MLS seasons tonight after playing their quarter-final CCL matches and we all know which team emerged as the only MLS club still standing.  It's not unfair to worry that the Sounders will be out to redeem themselves after being destroyed by Santos Laguna on Wednesday; that sort of drubbing does not rest easy with any team. Despite that 6-1 final score, Seattle is a good team that should do very well this year. However you cannot discount the momentum that TFC have been building prior to the start of their MLS season. While certainly not perfect the Reds played well against Becks and the boys; not just in results - we are the (quarter-final) champions! - but in a huge road win against a better team, in closing out the final game; scoring goals, defending to the last minute and Kocic with the monster saves. Granted CenturyLink Field will have a few more fans out to watch than in LA and you can never discount the effect of the 12th man.


On the upside the Sounders will be feeling the effects of travel while TFC have had a fairly easy journey up the coast and do not have to adjust to the time difference. On the downside the Reds have historically not done well on the road (oh those road woes!), at CenturyLink Field (zero wins) or against the Sounders period (posting a 1-4-1 record) - I'm not being all that positive you say? I'm just setting the stage before saying the past is the past.  I strongly believe that TFC have the advantage in that this is not the team that their MLS opposition have been kicking around for the past 5 years - I think they're going to surprise a lot of people; not just tonight but all season long.


What do TFC have to do tonight (Score goals? Yes, you're very funny, now pay attention) to win?   Look for Ryan Johnson to continue to use his field sense and service to score and set up his teammates (Danny - keep your eye on RJ9). Frings will keep being the boss on the field, anchoring the backline and setting up the plays through the midfield. Harden and Aceval will need to be much stronger in the middle and maintain better communication with (Frei? Kocic?) as well as with Ecks and Morgan. And Soolsma will (hopefully) keep baffling well all of us with his slow but effective style of play. The Reds will need to focus on shutting down forward Fredy Montero (I have such a dislike for that brat) and midfielder Maura Rosales; both can easily change the face of a game with their speed, playmaking and goal scoring abilities. TFC should also be looking to exploit a Seattle defense that is anything but rock solid.  


This is a winnable game folks - I'm not just saying that because I think they'll win every game (even though I do) - I truly feel this is an opportunity for TFC to open their season with 3 points.  Make sure that come 10pm you're at the pub, or in front of the TV and that you're ready to cheer our team on - it's First Kick TFC style people - let's do this!


Link It Up Baby: For all your game preview and more technical pre-match needs hit up the usual suspects: The Yorkies, Waking The Red <--this one from James & another one here from Duncan and Red Nation Online. 

First Kick, Or How I Learned To Love The MLS

MLS First Kick is tonight and well what does that mean? As a fan of TFC I should be a fan of the league itself, right?  I admit, until recently I only paid peripheral attention to what was happening in the rest of the league. Of course I was aware of the other teams but unless it was a game against TFC I didn't usually bother to watch a match, let alone learn much about the other teams. But this past year or so it occurred to me that I wasn't doing myself any favours by maintaining my ignorance. And quite frankly I enjoy watching much more now that I have a clue as to who some of the other players are - crazy, right? Knowledge is power, the more you know, know thy enemy, etc., etc...


While there isn't a single other team that I would actively cheer for, there is good football to be watched around the league. The past several years has seen the style and quality of play in the MLS improve noticeably. While still a very physical style of footy, the skill level and professionalism on display has increased dramatically. You no longer see 90 minutes of the punt and chase style of football (yes TFC, I'm looking at you - see? I can be unbiased, a little), more and more you see lovely movement through the middle, speedy overlapping runs and deadly set pieces. The quality is there and well worth even a little of your time. Besides, it is on us as fans to support the league in which our team plays. 


I have even found myself watching MLS matches in which my beloved Reds aren't (gasp!) playing - madness you say - I say get over it and watch a game.  If you're a fan of the beautiful game you watch - don't tell me that you don't get up at 8am on a Saturday to watch EPL (or Bundesliga, or La Liga, or Seria A) games - you know that you do. Why? Because you want to watch our favourite sport being played, no matter who's playing. I for one will be glued to my computer this evening watching the many First Kick matches; is TFC playing? No, but that doesn't matter - I'm excited that MLS is back!  This is why we're fans; embrace it!


And now the big question; will I be watching the Whitecaps/Impact match and what is my hope for the outcome? Of course I'm going to watch - both of our hated Canadian rivals playing one another - how could I not? I waffle between wanting to see a total mess of a match with tons of goals scored and hoping it's a boring, life-sucking, stultifying draw; still can't decide. I want neither of these teams to succeed this season (see, complete bias!) - but I'm Canadian; shouldn't I support Canadian teams - Hell no; this all about Club and has nothing to do with Country.  But I'll watch and so should you.


End-note: To get yourself truly up to speed on the upcoming season before 6pm tonight I highly recommend that you check out the following previews penned (typed?) by some rather knowledgeable fellows: The Yorkies' Eastern and Western Conference Previews, Waking The Red's Eastern and Western Conference Previews and Partially Obstructed View's MLS preview First Kick Weekend preview.