For the second time in 4 matches, TFC has shocked both their opponent and their supporters. The first surprise was against a strong Seattle side. The second was this past Saturday against an unbeaten Columbus side on the season, and a team that has had Toronto’s number since they joined MLS.
A shorthanded Toronto FC rolled into Crew Stadium as heavy underdogs on Saturday evening. Not many, myself included, gave the Reds a chance to walk away with anything but their heads in their hands. Analysts were preparing for a disaster. Others were already looking towards TFC’s next tilt vs. Colorado at home.
Steven Caldwell’s veteran calming presence and experience was not there due to suspension. He was replaced by Bradley Orr at central defence. Doneil Henry was out due to a knee injury and was replaced by TFC draft pick and Ohio native, Nick Hagglund. This was the young defenders TFC debut, first ever MLS match, and first start. Jonathan Osorio, also out with an injury, was replaced by perennial benchwarmer and somehow Canadian international Kyle Bekker. This does not look good.
But something interesting happened.
The Reds looked excellent from the get-go, taking it to their opponents early on. After some strong build up play, and an opportunity denied by Crew keeper Steve Clark off a DeRo close range shot, you could see that Michael Bradley would do something special. In his role as General, he envisioned the play that saw him open the scoring from a nearly impossible angle early in the 11th minute after a through ball down the wing by Mark Bloom.
It seemed almost as if Columbus came into this meeting with their Trillium Cup rivals thinking it would be a cake walk. Although Columbus carried majority of the possession, it was TFC who dictated the pace.
As I mentioned in my match preview, the key to this game would be to stop Federico Higuain and Bernardo Anor specifically, and that was executed to perfection. Barring a couple of close calls, the Crew’s attack seemed disinterested and were not able to make those cutting runs in the final third of the pitch in order to get in close to Julio Cesar.
But I credit Columbus’ inability to produce upfront to TFC’s backline’s ability to keep their shape and play a strong, and disciplined match from kick off to the final whistle. Nick Hagglund was a breathe of fresh air and signalled his ability to step into a big game scenario and close it out.
Michael Bradley, having played earlier in the week for his country, was subbed out for Jeremy Hall in the 73rd minute, leaving Kyle Bekker to patrol the centre of midfield along with a very in consistent Hall. If at this point, only a goal up, one started getting nervous, you would be completely within your right to do so. Two very inconsistent players were now tasked to hold the midfield together.
Saturday was Kyle Bekker’s coming out party in terms of showing that he is capable of playing a role for this team. He was composed. His passing was direct and on target more often than not, and he came back to defend. If this turn around in his game isn’t a credit to the presence of Michael Bradley, I don’t know what is.
Toronto continued to attack on the counter, and late in the match were rewarded with a 2nd goal neatly deflected in from close range by Issey Nakajima-Farran off a Justin Morrow low cross in the 85th minute, all but sealing the win.
The match ended 2-nil, vaulting TFC to a tie for first in the Eastern Conference with a record of 3-1-0. These are the matches that the Reds need to win should they have playoff aspirations. To put this in perspective, Toronto has never reached 9 points this early in a season in their history.
But the most telling part of this win was the fact that the Reds were not only able to win without 3 regulars in their line-up, but that their depth players, their Achilles heel most would say, were able to step in and secure 3 points and add to the scoring.
As the season continues, the players who showed their value and ability will be called upon as injuries are inevitable. After seeing what these guys are capable of, it has a calming effect on supporters fears that say after the starting XI, the guys aren’t good enough. Well, I think Saturday against Columbus was a statement.
TFC are the real deal.
Notes: Dwayne De Rosario left the match in the 69th minute with an apparent leg injury. No word yet on his status.
(image courtesy of AP Photo/Columbus Dispatch, Sam Greene)
