“It’s just sad the way we conceded goals.” – Milos Kocic
This is the type of start no one could have seen coming.
Toronto FC lost their sixth straight game to start the season when the visiting Chicago Fire ran roughshod over the TFC defense, en route to a 3-2 road victory.
The goals finally came for Toronto FC Saturday, but they remain searching for their first points of the season. No team has ever made the MLS Playoffs after starting 0-5, a mark Toronto has already surpassed to start the season.
“You still have 28 other games to play, but still it’s not a nice period,” said Aron Winter in his postgame press conference, also adding: “Everything is possible in this league.”
TFC started off in the worst way imaginable, when Torsten Frings (fresh off a hamstring injury) had his pocket picked leading to a Dominic Oduro goal just twenty-five seconds into the game. The mistake continued a disturbing trend for TFC where momentary lapses in judgement have led to costly goals against.
“Each time we are making the same mistakes to not be sharp or focused or whatever, that you give away so easily the game,” said Winter. “It’s too easy.”
While defensive lapses have become common for certain Toronto defenders, the likes of Torsten Frings and Adrian Cann were supposed to eliminate these mistakes upon their return to the starting XI.
“We give away goals too easy of course,” muttered a disgruntled Torsten Frings after the game. “(We had) a lot of mistakes today, my mistakes too, we have to try and make it better but it’s not easy if you lose six games in a row.”
Chicago held the lead until the 36th minute when Reggie Lambe took over, scoring two goals in under five minutes. His first came off a TFC corner. Chicago keeper Sean Johnson punched the ball to safety, or so he thought. The ball landed at the feet of Lambe who touched the ball and fired home a howler into the top corner. It was the first goal TFC had scored at home all season, breaking a 307 minute home goalless drought.
Moments later, Plata sent in Ryan Johnson whose low cross for Stinson got by everyone and Lambe tapped it in at the far post. The goal was the second in four minutes for Lambe, giving TFC their first lead of the season. The lead lasted just thirty seconds.
Moments after Lambe gave TFC their first lead of the season in MLS league play, Chicago leveled through Gonzalo Segares off a set piece. Segares jogged behind the TFC defense, unmarked, heading home Chicago’s second goal of the game.
“If you score a goal you have to sit back. Defend, defend, defend, be a tough defender,” exclaimed Milos Kocic at the conclusion of the game. “If you give other teams a chance to score like that, then the next teams you’re playing against are going to get a lot of confidence knowing that even if they’re down a goal they know they can score a goal because we don’t defend.”
It was another moment where a lack of focus cost the team in a key situation.
“It’s our fault to give up three goals, especially the ones off set pieces right after we score, like a minute after,” said Ryan Johnson. “That’s on the players. We have to be more accountable of our markers. These mistakes are killing us and they’re killing Toronto and our fans. It’s hard to keep letting down our fans every weekend; it’s really starting to get to me.”
Chicago took the lead for good in the 58th minute, when the speedy Patrick Nyarko received a Dominic Oduro pass and blew past both Torsten Frings and Milos Kocic for an easy tap in and the game winning goal.
Toronto was caught too far up on the attack leaving the team vulnerable at the back. This allowed Chicago to find space in the middle and utilize their speed up front to burn TFC.
“We have to learn how to defend, to defend set pieces and transition when we lose the ball in midfield. If we don’t put pressure on them in midfield, it’s easy for them to pass the final ball,” said Kocic.
Winter, understandably, seemed none too pleased with the defensive error that ultimately led to Toronto’s sixth straight loss to start the season.
“What I’m thinking when we make these mistakes (is) how is this possible every time,” said Winter. “When you’re making those mistakes it could be lack of quality, it could be lack of focus it could be lack of sharpness, every time I think how it is possible.”
Winter stuck with his beloved 4-3-3 formation, keeping Frings and Cann as the centre backs. This marked the first time the two players have ever played on a pitch together. Dunfield continues to hold his spot in the starting XI, the only question now is for how long?
Winter also made the decision to keep Julian de Guzman on the bench for a second straight week, leaving his future with the club in doubt. His expensive contract eliminates trade opportunities, meaning a return to Europe may be his only option. There is good reason to believe he never should have left.
Winter addressed de Guzman’s future after the game, saying he still has and will continue to have a place on this team, but also adding:
“I can’t use everybody; you have to make a choice.” Clearly de Guzman didn’t make the cut.
Toronto will travel to Utah next Saturday to take on Real Salt Lake at Rio Tinto Stadium, a place where they have lost their last five games by a combined 14-4. There are many who believe a seventh consecutive loss could spell the end of Winter’s time as head coach of this club. Winter said he believes he is safe and that the board will allow him to continue with his three year plan.
“It still doesn’t say that I’m happy that we’ve played six games and have got zero points, but we’re working hard and I believe still and everybody believes in it,” said Winter.
Winter also added after the game that he feels the team is in need of better players at the back, saying he will try to find reinforcements. This didn’t sit too well with his goalkeeper.
“What does that mean?” shrugged Kocic with an irritated look on his face. “It’s not about players, it’s about organization.”
Clearly there are still plenty of kinks to work out. Until the players get on the same page with one another, as well as Winter, there’s no knowing how long this losing streak could drag on.
“Now it’s very important that we keep positive, work hard in training and try it next week again,” said Frings.
(image courtesy of Abelimgaes)
