The Toronto FC bandwagon has become a freight train.
A historic win in Honduras followed by a streak-extending performance at BMO Field has painted the town Reds. While it is difficult to not over-celebrate thanks to the lengthy search for some form of winner in Toronto, it is also prudent to remain cautious surrounding the current success.
For all the momentum gained in the last seven days, it can evaporate over the next 14.
The Reds were expected to beat Motagua and were supposed to do the same on Saturday against the league-worst Chivas club. Mission accomplished. What it is not expected or pre-supposed is to take full points from a pair of back-to-back dates with New York and a Champions League debut against Cruz Azul (and if you want to take it a further week, Real Salt Lake).
These are elite teams. The Reds may be enjoying a unprecedented run of success, but if in 21 days the freight train is barreling on, then it is time for the historic season debate to begin. As of now, any argument begins and ends with one win in eight tries on the road.
Talented trivia
Goalkeeper Stefan Frei is one of only two remaining Mo Johnston first-round draft picks on the club. (Who’s the other, you ask? Answer at the bottom.) Gone are Maurice Edu, Andrew Boyens, Julius James, Pat Phelan and Sam Cronin.
The Swiss-born Frei is an interesting case; he is without a doubt good enough to enjoy success and longevity in MLS, but is he refined enough to play at a big club in Europe? Good, young goalkeepers are among the rarest at big European clubs, where experience trumps everything.
I have written before that Frei may not be long for this league, but as I get older I begin to think more clearly.
Chad Barrett bandwagon
Nothing in Barrett’s make-up to date points to the fact that he is anything but a score-in-bunches type of player (considering he has previously proven to not score in bunches). The last three goals scored by the 25-year-old were of the finest quality, with the latest being a classic poacher’s tally — which is, in my opinion, an important-yet-unteachable skill. Scooping Barrett for a player who would have never committed to TFC in the first place (Brian McBride) may turn out to be one of MoJo’s shrewdest acquisitions.
Former player results
The game in New York marks the first time former Reds’ MVP Carl Robinson has faced his former employer since being unceremoniously traded in the off-season. The last time a former Reds player who faced the unceremonious departure he scored two goals.
Robinson is a pro; so not much will be said as to what led to his move out of what many believed to be a job for life in Toronto.
Answer to above question: O’Brian White (4th overall, 2009) is the other Mo Johnston first-round draft pick still on the club.