I was ready to leave Toronto FC alone. The team performed well in its final home game of the season and just needed to show up and earn a draw in the season finale to send everyone involved into the offseason on a mid-to-high note.
But the lopsided 90 minutes in San Jose forced me back to the keyboard and got me thinking about all the lip service paid to the team in the days leading up to the Earthquakes game.
It is wrong to assume that this team just missed out on a playoff position.
In the end TFC fell five points short of the final wildcard spot and were seven points shy of Kansas City, the closest Eastern Conference team to them that made the post-season.
The shortest route to making up five-points is two more wins. Making up the seven is out of the question.
Toronto FC was just not a double-digit team in 2008.
It was also wrong to promise the playoffs last October (I swear, I am close to letting this one go). But regardless, the real crime here is to sugar-coat what happened down the stretch. I think John Carver knows that, but he trying to be fair.
The coach's post-game comments from San Jose were a mix of what should not be said and hint of what needs to be done.
What should not be said: "It was a huge disappointment, missing out on the playoffs after the great performance against Chicago."
Hint of what needs to be done: "I'm looking for good players to take this club to the next level. We're only in our second season, and we've made progress over two years," Carver said. "From last year, we've picked up 10 points. If we make the same progress next year that will almost certainly get us in the playoffs."
Yes, Toronto FC improved in year two, but really, to not improve on the inaugural six-win campaign would have been an unmitigated disaster. The No. 1 priority this off-season is enter training camp next February with an idea of what the team will look like, and add a few names from there.
Think about the revolving door that was TFC training this summer. Rumours, speculation, denied speculation, trades, waivers, etc. None of the aforementioned is conducive to a settled squad. Each Saturday at BMO was like a twisted game show, never knowing who was in the starting 11 or wondering if the young gentleman with an accent sitting next to you was a player recruit.
Carver and Mo Johnston know what the mandate is for year three, and I am going to leave them alone until it starts.
FINAL SEASON STAT NOTES: TFC surrendered six penalty kicks this season while earning three ... The team was 0-10-3 when allowing the first goal and 9-3-2 when scoring first. Furthermore, the team was 0-6 when trailing at the half … Chad Barrett finished in the Top 10 in goals with nine. Landon Donovan was first with 20.
