Diskussionsbereich » Crew 2-1, with Jermaine Jones scoring the winne

A reality check. It was an all-around difficult night for Toronto FC at the StubHub Center in Carson, California. The Los Angeles Galaxy, the best team in Major League Soccer, put on a clinic a€“ not always dominant but absolute thorough in performance and approach a€“ in a 3-0 win over the Reds. Toronto FC wasna€?t that bad. The Galaxy were that good. The loss was a predictable set-back, one that Toronto FC Head Coach Greg Vanney seemed resigned to. A point would have been massive, and altogether unexpected against a team who has now scored an incredible 31 goals in their last 10 matches. And oh yeah, by the way, the Galaxy own the best defensive record in MLS as well. Vanneya€?s starting XI suggested wishful thinking. The play on the field backed up that assumption. Toronto FC had positive moments: Luke Moore going off the post in the 29th minute, better consistency in team shape, a willingness to put higher pressure on the ball rather than sitting back far too deep, and a spirited second half performance. These are small moral victories. Ita€?s points that are needed. With four games to go, winning is mandatory. 10 points from 12 would ensure playoff qualification. Nine points may be suffice. The best news with Columbus and New York still to play one another, Toronto FC controls their playoff destiny. All is to play for with Houston (Wednesday) and New York (Saturday) ahead this week. Here are my five thoughts coming out of Toronto FCa€?s 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy. Rocking Robbie a€“ Two mistakes. Thata€?s all it takes for Robbie Keane to punish. Toronto FC was well aware of the threat posed by the Irishman in what has been an MVP caliber season for Keane, third in MLS in goals and tied for second in assists. The sloppy defending on the Galaxy striker in a span of three first half minutes was altogether disappointing. TFC started the match well, with Steven Caldwell and Nick Hagglund seemingly up for the challenge, with multiple timely blocks and important interjections. The positive start was compromised by a momentary lapse in the 22nd minute. Some wonderful passing and movement by Marcelo Sarvas carved open Toronto FC down the middle and ended with Keane getting wrong side on Steven Caldwell inside the box. All he needed was an arms-length worth of space from Torontoa€?s captain to take the deftest of touches before slotting home past Joe Bendik. A goal-scorers goal and one Caldwell will rue. Keane struck again three minutes later, finding himself wide open inside the 18 yard box to volley home from an AJ DeLaGarza cross. The non-existent marking was a head-scratcher, with Hagglund and Kyle Bekker merely spectators to Keanea€?s brilliance. The defending after the 25th minute was much better. But against a quality team as such and a natural finisher as Keane, room for error is minimal. And the points were relinquished in a blink of an eye. Defoe Returns a€“ Many believed it wouldna€?t happen. Most predicted the end. The naysayers were wrong. Jermain Defoe returned for Toronto FC, coming on as a 59th minute substitute replacing Daniel Lovitz. It was Defoea€?s first action since August 23rd recovering from a long-standing groin injury. Defoe looked decent in half an hour of action. Hea€?s a constant threat while on the ball. The problem remains he doesna€?t get the ball at his feet nearly enough. The service to Defoe remains erratic and must improve to get the most out of the player. His first touch of the match was a dangerous ball played across the six-yard box that was cleared away from danger. There is no question Toronto is a markedly improved team with Defoe in it. Vanney deciding to give Defoe a run-out while down 2-0 is a positive sign. The manager would have never risked Defoe if he were not entirely confident in the players fitness. Getting some game action was paramount, as Defoe will be relied upon heavily in the final four games. Torontoa€?s next three opponents have shaky backlines, ripe for Defoe to take advantage. Vanney Risk a€“ How much do your trust the new manager? The decision to leave Gilberto at home to rest the Brazilian striker raised many eye-brows. A designated player not featuring in an all-important game with just five matches to go for a team in desperate need of points fits the bill as questionable. Every point is precious, and leaving a player of Gilbertoa€?s quality in Toronto is a calculated risk. Ia€?m in no position to criticize as ita€?s far too premature to know if the decision will pay dividends. A fresh Gilberto is an absolute asset. Cross-country travel takes its toll. And better use the striker in more winnable matches. At least thata€?s the thought process. Give Vanney and the brain-trust credit: ita€?s a gusty decision. If Gilberto stars in the final four games, call it a move of tactical brilliance. If not, criticism will follow. Mark Bloom was likewise rested, nursing a knock (knee). In fairness, Bloom needs the rest, struggling to a degree after returning from an MCL injury suffered in July. Collen Warner and Defoe also started on the bench. There is no question a team with Bekker, Dominic Oduro shifted up front, and Warren Creavalle making a rare start is a weaker side. These decision however cannot be seen as game-altering, especially against the mighty Galaxy. Standard Set a€“ Last weeka€?s win over the Portland Timbers was a feel good moment: beating a team sitting in a playoff spot in a very good Western Conference is no small feat. Being at the level to compete with the Galaxy, the gold standard in MLS is another step yet to be taken altogether. The Galaxy are of the quality Toronto needs to aspire to. It doesna€?t just come through two marquee signings and/or just one off-season of positive changes. Ita€?s a gradual build. The star-power of the likes of Keane, Donovan and Omar Gonzalez is plain to see. Ita€?s squad consistency, players of quality who have been brought through the system who remain with the team for years on end which is key to team success. Los Angelesa€? blueprint under the leadership of Bruce Arena has developed incredible consistency and fluidity within the team. Finding and recognizing talent is paramount to the model. Second year striker and 16 goal scorer Gyasi Zardes is testament to talent recruitment and development. There is a disconnect between the Galaxy approach and the revolving door of players that have set-back Toronto FC season after season. Toronto FCa€?s front office is well aware of this. The Galaxy have the synergy of star power and squad depth Toronto FC will attempt to mirror themselves after. Feast on the East a€“ Toronto FC is done with the Western Conference. Four Eastern Conference games lay ahead (Houston, at New York, Montreal, at New England). That should make Toronto FC supporters very happy a€“ the East is inferior in quality to Western competition. It was mostly a good news weekend elsewhere in the East for TFC. Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Rais Mbohlia€?s mishit clearance in the 92nd minute Thursday gifted the Chicago Firea€?s Robert Earnshaw the ball. The former Toronto FC striker lobbed his effort past the Algerian international for the equalizer, ending in a 1-1 draw, standing as the most important goal he has ever scored to benefit TFC. The Union are a point back of Toronto in seventh with only three games to go. The only negative happening was the New York Red Bulls opening a four-point gap on Toronto with a 1-0 win over the Houston Dynamo. New York was dominant Saturday, with Thierry Henrya€?s 10th goal of the season the difference in the win. Good news for Toronto FC however, Tim Cahill was sent off shortly after coming on as a second half substitute. Cahill will miss next weekenda€?s match against Toronto while away on international duty, and will be suspended the following match against Columbus. A significant loss for the Red Bulls. The best news of the weekend was the New England Revolution beating the Columbus Crew 2-1, with Jermaine Jones scoring the winner in back-to-back weeks. The Columbus loss leaves the Crew fifth place in the conference, just three points up on Toronto with the Reds having a game in hand. The Revs are now in second place on 48 points: another positive with Toronto scheduled to play New England the final day of the season. That final meeting may be irrelevant for the Revs, having already clinched their playoff position, playing into Torontoa€?s favour. A positive context and schedule lay ahead for the Reds. Ita€?s a matter of Toronto FC taking advantage. A playoff berth is at stake. Next up for Toronto FC is an all-important home match against the Houston Dynamo Wednesday at 730pm ET on TSN 1, 3, 4, 5. Balenciaga Canada Cheap . In a matter of days, he went from unwanted to wanted, from fired to hired, from discarded by the Philadelphia Eagles with reputation tarnished to rock star treatment and a new fat contract from the Washington Redskins. Cheap Balenciaga Shoes . As Valanciunas was whistled for a rare technical toward the end of the third quarter - a result of waving his hand at an official after being called for a foul - Lowry pulled the Raptors sophomore aside, corralling him by his jersey and patting him on the back. http://www.cheapbalenciagacanada.com/. 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