Wednesday marked the start of a new era for Toronto FC as they got set to do battle with FC Dallas. With less than half the season remaining, Toronto was granted a new beginning, “The first day of the rest of our lives” claimed one team official. After the recent roster overhaul that took place over the past couple of weeks, Winter’s squad featured five new players in the starting XI. Defenders Andy Iro and Eddy Viator, midfielder Torsten Frings and forwards Ryan Johnson and Danny Koevermans all made their TFC debuts against FC Dallas.
The build up for the game was great. As fans poured into the stadium there was a certain buzz amongst the fans. Starting line-ups were announced and the loudest ovations went to Frings and Koevermans. There was a sense of hope amongst the fans; perhaps it was false hope.
Toronto’s new look still produced the same results. Sloppy defense and a lack of creativity in the midfield continued to plague Toronto. They failed to score for the third straight game, falling 1-0 to FC Dallas and dropping to 3-10-9 on the season with 12 games left. The team now has only one win in 13 matches as their playoff hopes continue to fade. Winter is prompting the fans to be patient and let his system work its way in. What he does not quite understand however, is that the Toronto FC faithful have been patient. They have been waiting for four years now.
To be fair, Winter’s system will take a bit more time. Time for the new players to get acquainted, time for the injured to get healthy, and time for Winter to find the right starting XI; good things take time. At this point it’s just a matter of how long.
“I think one, two games and then the guys should start feeling each other out on the pitch,” said Winter in his post-game press conference. “I saw a lot of good things tonight, I am satisfied.”
After somewhat of a lackluster first 60 minutes, Toronto’s attack came to life in the final 30. Toronto looked to have equalized in the second half through Joao Plata but as replays confirmed, he was offside by half a foot. Santos had his share of chances, including a free header from five yards out which he put high and wide of the open corner. Then again in injury time with Toronto pressing, a low cross fell right to Koevermans who seemed to be caught by surprise as he could not quite direct the ball into the open net as the ball got stuck in his feet before it was cleared. Toronto was given a free kick in added time five yards outside the box but Frings put the shot over the bar. The lack of finishing came back to haunt the club.
“Yes of course we deserved better, but that’s football,” said Winter.
It was obviously a frustrating game for Toronto, but the players are patient as they know that nothing comes easy in football. “It’s going to take time, but hopefully it doesn’t take too long. I want to start winning games as soon as possible, that’s our goal,” said newly acquired Ryan Johnson after the game.
Forward Danny Koevermans shared Johnson’s frustration. “We fought until the end but it didn’t come,” said the Dutchman. “It could have gone both ways. It’s a shame, but we played for the first time together as a team. Hopefully in the next game we will get the points.”
Frings was the lone bright spot for Toronto FC as his play earned him man of the match honours. His coach and teammates extended their praise to the midfielder after the game. “Torsten advanced very well. You can notice that on the pitch he is always asking for the ball. He sees the game very well,” said Coach Winter.
“That’s why we brought him in, his experience and his leadership,” said keeper Stefan Frei. “He’s got tremendous skill and we have to give him the ball whenever he’s open, even if it’s just a yard or so. He proved today that he’s a world class player and I think he’s going to be extremely good for us.”
Toronto fell behind in the 48th minute as Brek Shea’s wonder goal gave FC Dallas the game’s first and only breakthrough. The goal was Shek’s ninth of the season, tying him with Thierry Henry and Landon Donovan for the MLS lead.
One can only hope that the last 30 minutes was a sign of things to come for Toronto as they take to the road for three straight MLS games against Sporting KC, Portland and DC United before returning home to take on Real Salt Lake on August 13.
(image courtesy of torontofc.ca)
