Some thoughts on Toronto's watershed victory over the Los Angeles Galaxy.
It comes of course, at a critical time. Losing can become a habit. And with the shadow of last year's start looming large, another loss in game three this year could have turned a losing streak into a downward spiral that could have ruined season number two.
I must also confess to a little jealousy right here. Sportsnet televised the first two games of the season, which were losses as you know. Then they win a game. In fact we've had an unlucky run where TFC's only victory ever on our network was last July in Salt Lake City! I have a feeling our luck is about to change. Just like the team perhaps.
A note about the American Galaxy telecast. Did you notice their weather graphic early in the match? 88 degress farenheit at The Home Depot Centre. 31 degrees farenheit in Toronto. (Laugh out loud here please.) They had great fun with that one. The fact that it was close to 50 degrees outside my window didn't prevent them from having a good laugh and in doing so reinforce to the great unwashed south of the border just how cold it really is up here. Even if it’s not true.
Now to the match. It’s clear that sitting Greg Sutton in the season opener was a master stroke by coach Carver. Sutton has been brilliant ever since. Nothing less will do behind what is still a shaky defence.
Marvell Wynne however cemented his position as fastest man in the league. Did you notice his sprint to try and close down Landon Donovan on a breakaway. Wynne covered twice as much ground to get there, and although Donovan got the shot off, Wynne was close enough to distract him.
Four goals for the Reds in the first three matches. How many last year? You know the answer. It all sets up for a great home opener on Saturday. Beware Real Salt Lake however. Here's a team we thought might be one of the worst in the league to open the season. Yet they're coming off a 4-0 thumping of D.C. United which figures to be one of this year's elite teams. And we all saw what they did to Toronto last week.
It was great to finally see a game where the bounces went TFC's way. This should get the side going at the home opener, where Gerry is, for some reason, scared witless over Real Salt Lake coming into OUR HOUSE to take on our boys!
And what more can be said about Danny Dichio? Great goal!
TWO WORDS: Greg Sutton.
Nice to see Cunningham with more pace, he looked tired/slow last year....we need him desperatley up front. Thank god for waiving Samuel!...
Dichio played solid, the new guys are contibuting as well....but, can they keep it up?!
That was by far the best TFC game to date to watch...and once more I say as a TFC Supporter..
Thank you Greg Sutton!!
I wonder why Carver doesn't play Lombardo...
He's young, but has great creativity and can hold up the ball well, and is good under pressue for a "kid"
If Carver won't slot him in at striker, perhaps he can play some minutes in midfield...he has very clever chips/passes and such....and his young legs with 30 mins to go in the game would make him an ideal sub...
any thoughts?