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Toronto FC (pg. 15)
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| dEsidEL |
| quote: | Originally posted by dEsidEL
to try my luck at the box office
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boy did i luck out with this game ;)
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| Vivid Boy |
| quote: | Originally posted by EvilTree
Is it me or did Houston play like they were portuguese team or something? they went down a bit too easy, although the pitch was slippery |
i could only imagine that turf when its wet |
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| EvilTree |
| quote: | Originally posted by Vivid Boy
i could only imagine that turf when its wet |
I guess. Combine it with a really topsy turvy game in terms of fouls, a lot of slipping. Still think they went down a tad too easy, compared to Toronto.
Further notes
-Dichio was missed up the front. His ability to win balls in the air and be a general pest to opposing defence will be a key factor to Toronto's game. Buddle don't have the height or the strength. Lombardo is not as strong as Dichio yet.
-I'm really liking the Welsh/Obrien combo in the flanks. Decent pace and dribbling plus Obrien's crossing works. The fullbacks know when to push up and attack for most part.
-Maurice Edu is going to be huge.
-Carl Robinson had a quiet game last night just being effective as holding midfielder
-Did anyone else get a kick out of little flicks and cheeky touches? Saw a Marseille roulette, backheels, dummy.
-There was one Toronto attacking sequence that was just one touch passing that almost led to a shot on goal that was very similar to Arsenal. Was very pleased to see that level of skill.
-The team is starting to really get to know each other and it shows on overall team play.
-I'm really liking the European flavour Mo Johnston brought to Toronto. Best hiring for a coach, as with his name in Britain was able to recruit Welsh, Robinson and Dichio who are key to Toronto right now. (I guess Beckham helped a bit) You can tell so far from Toronto's game that a lot of MLS teams play a similar type of pacy, open field football game, and I think Johnston's approach threw them off a bit, esp. with Dichio. Lots of attempts of fluid attacking football a la Arsenal and Lyon that Toronto players just aren't that talented to pull off yet, plus hardnose striker a la English football.
If Toronto does have a successful season, I'll bet that more European players will take a look at coming over to MLS. Good for the league.
-Speaking of 'big name' players from Europe, there are some already in, and will be in. Like Blanco, Mexican striker with time in at La Liga in Spain for Chicago, former Man City playmaker Reyna and former Aston Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel for New York. While Blanco and Angel still have enough juice to run opposing defence to ground and have skills to put the ball in the back of the net, they are not the type of strikers that MLS defenders haven't seen before like Dichio. If Dichio turns out to be a success for Toronto, I'm willing to bet more strikers like him, or Kevin Davies type will be more sought after. |
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| English Rachel |
| quote: | Originally posted by EvilTree
I guess. Combine it with a really topsy turvy game in terms of fouls, a lot of slipping. Still think they went down a tad too easy, compared to Toronto.
Further notes
-Dichio was missed up the front. His ability to win balls in the air and be a general pest to opposing defence will be a key factor to Toronto's game. Buddle don't have the height or the strength. Lombardo is not as strong as Dichio yet.
-I'm really liking the Welsh/Obrien combo in the flanks. Decent pace and dribbling plus Obrien's crossing works. The fullbacks know when to push up and attack for most part.
-Maurice Edu is going to be huge.
-Carl Robinson had a quiet game last night just being effective as holding midfielder
-Did anyone else get a kick out of little flicks and cheeky touches? Saw a Marseille roulette, backheels, dummy.
-There was one Toronto attacking sequence that was just one touch passing that almost led to a shot on goal that was very similar to Arsenal. Was very pleased to see that level of skill.
-The team is starting to really get to know each other and it shows on overall team play.
-I'm really liking the European flavour Mo Johnston brought to Toronto. Best hiring for a coach, as with his name in Britain was able to recruit Welsh, Robinson and Dichio who are key to Toronto right now. (I guess Beckham helped a bit) You can tell so far from Toronto's game that a lot of MLS teams play a similar type of pacy, open field football game, and I think Johnston's approach threw them off a bit, esp. with Dichio. Lots of attempts of fluid attacking football a la Arsenal and Lyon that Toronto players just aren't that talented to pull off yet, plus hardnose striker a la English football.
If Toronto does have a successful season, I'll bet that more European players will take a look at coming over to MLS. Good for the league.
-Speaking of 'big name' players from Europe, there are some already in, and will be in. Like Blanco, Mexican striker with time in at La Liga in Spain for Chicago, former Man City playmaker Reyna and former Aston Villa striker Juan Pablo Angel for New York. While Blanco and Angel still have enough juice to run opposing defence to ground and have skills to put the ball in the back of the net, they are not the type of strikers that MLS defenders haven't seen before like Dichio. If Dichio turns out to be a success for Toronto, I'm willing to bet more strikers like him, or Kevin Davies type will be more sought after. |
What he said.
Yes, indeed, the level of skill impresses me more each game. There were some sloppy moments but they were by far made up by the 'cheeky' touches and tactical play that I witnessed.
Vile, British weather but again, a wonderful play by the 12th man, I love being a part of it. The players came over to thank us at the end of the match, you should have all listened to me when I said get a season ticket, this team is going to be huge!!!!!
Leafs who? |
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| LightsOut |
so i finally checked out TFC last night....and all i can say is WOW
i was completely impressed, both with the level of play as well as the atmosphere.
Having previously only been to matches in Europe (Germany, England) I went really havin no clue what to expect. In all honesty, i assumed the worse. Was i EVER wrong!!
Even walking up to the ground, people were in full song, completely decked out in TFC kits, scarfs, clapping along. It reminded me very much of the long walk up Sir Matt Busby Way to get to Old Trafford....which says a lot. Inside the ground finally, and the atmosphere only seemed to get better. We were lucky with our tickets as well, little did we know we managed to get seats right beside the official supporters section, tucked away in the east corner of the south stand. This completely made my night. From the moment we got in, we didnt sit for a single minuite, just as it should be. Everyone was up and singing, jeering the referee, taunting the other team, and cheering on TFC.....we really were like a 12th man.
The play on the pitch was actually not bad as well. I mean Houston clearly dominated much of the match, but you would expect that form the defending champions. Mo Johnson had a strategy and set out to it. Toronto spent much of the game defending, which was always going to happen. They were patient, didnt over-commit,and hit on the counter whenever was possible. And when they finally were awarded with a set piece in Houston's end, they capitolized. Very well executed game plan, and a massive victory. Yes, it was sloppy at times, but they were playing on a completely water logged pitch and worked very well with what they had.
Honestly, if you havnt been to a game yet, do yourself a favor and get some tickets, you wont regret it. I jsut wish i went ahead and got season tx when i had the oppertunity. ohhh well, ive already bought some more for saturday!!! "TFC, TFC, ALL TOGETHER!!"
PS: O'Brien is going to be MASSIVE this year, his attacking runs out of the midfield were incredible and you could see Houston was having a VERY hardtime containing him...and how about that free kick that lead to the goal....beautifully placed. |
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| EvilTree |
| quote: | Originally posted by LightsOut
PS: O'Brien is going to be MASSIVE this year, his attacking runs out of the midfield were incredible and you could see Houston was having a VERY hardtime containing him...and how about that free kick that lead to the goal....beautifully placed. |
It was good. But it was a hiccup by Houston defence. Evaded 2 of their players before Welsh got to it.
Anyone know a good pub to watch the game on Sat? |
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| English Rachel |
| quote: | Originally posted by EvilTree
It was good. But it was a hiccup by Houston defence. Evaded 2 of their players before Welsh got to it.
Anyone know a good pub to watch the game on Sat? |
And what if I *may* have a spare ticket? |
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| extacy_bomb |
| quote: | Originally posted by English Rachel
Leafs who? |
Quote of the year! |
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| EvilTree |
| quote: | Originally posted by English Rachel
And what if I *may* have a spare ticket? |
:crazy:
me luv u rong time? :toothless
add me on msn [email protected] |
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| vendetta999 |
if anyone wants to check out FC this saturday, ive got a pair of tickets in section 226 for 120 bucks.
just pm me |
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| EvilTree |
Thank you Rach for totally making my weekend. Your hospitality will always be appreciated by me.
My first time at a football game and it was total carnage inside the stadium. It's like, there's 3 different chants going at once and fans at the supporter's club I think were jumping the entire time. Crazy.
Kinda like watching a game at English stadium as there were trash talking all around and giving the opposition the stick. "Step on his ing neck!" LOL rachel. :D
I didn't get rowdy... there were 2 kids like right behind me lol. So cute. 2 brothers on their own I think to see Toronto FC.
The game itself was a very dodgey affair as this was Toronto FC's 4th game in 2 weeks. Fitness level aren't quite up there yet, and they still got 2 more matches this week.
I thought Toronto defended well, breaking up any attacks that DC united tried to create with some good individual efforts, but offensively didn't click at all with some poor final balls. That Eskandarian goal was more of a luck than anything else. (I'll take it though!) Andy Welsh was having particularly trouble getting his crosses in precisely all game.
2nd half DC regrouped and took the game to Toronto and the fatigue wore down Toronto. I dunno why Dichio got substituted although he was getting banged up quite a bit, he was winning a lot of balls in the air and I think he was missed up the front in late stages of the game.
Buddle has no air presence at all. Lombardo did well coming in as a substitute.
Carl Robinson was solid in midfield again, esp. with some key defensive plays.
Although Marvell Wynne gave up that dodgey penalty, he played well, plus he does at least one attacking play up the field that leads to good chance per game.
The ref sucked. I thought Toronto had a legit penalty (or deadball outside the penalty box) when a DC defender clearly used his arm to push Eskandariann in the 1st half. Plus that dodgey penalty to DC which is debatable, but if Eskandarian didn't get a penalty, the DC one shouldn't have counted either. Overall not very pleased with the ref.
I will definitely check out more games whenever I have the chance. The fans actually have decent chants now! |
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| dEsidEL |
| quote: | Originally posted by EvilTree
I will definitely check out more games whenever I have the chance. The fans actually have decent chants now! |
lol.. most of those were the same chants you thought were lame not too long ago .. Usector and RPB both hav the same songbooks posted on their site
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