There are certain matches over the course of a campaign that can make or break a season -- turning points if you will. Matches we recall that either kick-started a playoff drive or began a downward spiral from which there is no recovery.
If Toronto FC fail to make the playoffs, we'll very likely look back at Saturday night's meltdown in Columbus as one of those matches. In a long list of tough losses over the scant history of the club, this one stands at the top.
TFC were confident going in. Friday evening's training session at the Crew's practice facility was crisp and sharp. Striker Ali Gerba was ready to pick up the scoring where he left off with Canada. First place was waiting and the Reds were ready to grab it as the game seemed to be unfolding just as planned. The Trillium Cup was within their grasp. They were on the verge of demolishing the Crew's famous home unbeaten streak of 18 games. TFC were about to beat one of the top teams in the league on their own turf. The newcomer Gerba had scored and Dwayne DeRosario had notched his team leading 7th goal of the season. It all pointed to a celebratory bus ride home. Yes, the Reds drove back immediately following the game in order to spend the off day Sunday with their families. It couldn't have been much fun.
And now TFC face the prospect of a tricky home-and-away set against a tough Puerto Rico side in the Champions League, sandwiched in between by what could be a nasty venture into Gillette Stadium to take on New England who sit only three points behind them with three games in hand. The Revolution have been flying under the radar lately with fewer points than most because they've been behind in games played. But a 1-0 win over the Dynamo in Houston Saturday night is more evidence that they're a quality team. After that, it's a meaningless and unwanted cash-grab friendly against Real Madrid at a time when the Reds could find themselves falling out of the playoff race.
There's still plenty of time of course, and it's so tight in this league that the possibilities are nearly endless but those three points lost to Columbus really hurt. Remember the date and the game if the playoffs go begging once again.
But we'll end with a bit of good news.Two of their last three games of the season way down the road in October are against San Jose and New York. Those teams are brutal. Six points there might just be what the doctor ordered.
