The two incidents happened 40-odd minutes apart, but in their own way provided insight on how different players learn the game of soccer.
To begin, observe the still frame evidence to the right (For the record, there is perfect video evidence, but the digital rights to show such things far exceed the value of this blog):
I cringed when Sam Cronin was felled by the Bryan Namoff cross in the second half of Saturday's roller-coaster ride in Washington. Everyone who has laced up the boots has had their eyes watered at some point by a free kick, cross, deflection, etc. But I also cringed when Marvell Wynne was whistled for his second handball foul in the 18-yard box in five games. As again, everyone who has played the game has unintentionally handled the ball at some critical moment.
However, in the wake of Wynne I immediately thought back to Cronin, and how at some point in his playing career one of his coaches taught him a valuable lesson.
And it stuck (no pun intended).
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| LEFT: Sam Cronin | RIGHT: Marvell Wynne |
Now, it is not to say that Wynne has ever been a victim of poor coaching, as career resume proves otherwise. Also consider that on the play in question Wynne did not have the luxury of knowing the exact whereabouts of the delivery, but was forced to react to a ball that suddenly appeared in his peripheral vision.
For Wynne the first instance was forgivable; the second was unfortunate; and now supporters must pray the old adage concerning things that come in threes is really just an old wives' tale. It should be added before the handball-gate is closed for good that Wynne made a slaloming 40-yard run to free up Dwayne De Rosario on what many expected would be the winning goal.
Lifting the 'Lite pressure
It seems like the story every time the Reds take the field this season, but once again the pressure is on Toronto FC when Game 2 of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship goes on Wednesday night. For TFC, it is an opportunity to exorcise its Montreal Impact demons of one year ago.
"Again, all the pressure is on us," De Rosario said.
De Ro was not a part of the disappointment witnessed in the inaugural competition, but his form since coming back from a hamstring injury confirms that he is not about to be involved in any sort of repeat. Securing the full six points at home will allow Chris Cummins and his squad room to breathe in the return legs, where a draw in both will surpass the group-winning tally of seven points earned by the Impact last summer.
Winless in its first four games to start the new season, the Impact arrive in Toronto as an example of what the extra games and travel plans can do to a team. The fatigue shows in the goals-scored category as well, with the Impact averaging just one per game.
"Our consistency was not there for 90 minutes," said Impact head coach John Limniatis of the latest setback. "In the first half, we played well for 20 minutes, but did not do well in the remaining 30 minutes and that is when Rochester scored two goals. We played well in the second half but it was very hard for us to recover.
"The stress is always bigger when you are trying to catch up."
But Cummins was quick to vocalize what is often the great equalizer when a wounded team -- who just happen to be the holders -- flies in under the radar:
"This is like a cup final for them."
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