Toronto FC was back in training on Tuesday ahead of its game this weekend versus the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Here are some news and notes from today’s practice at the club’s training facility in Downsview.
Lack of goals not a concern for Vanney
Toronto FC’s defensive transformation has been one of the biggest and best stories surrounding the Reds this season.
A year ago, TFC conceded a league-high 58 goals. Through the first nine matches of the current campaign, the Reds’ have been breached just seven times—the best defensive record in MLS. Toronto has benefitted from four key off-season additions (goalkeeper Clint Irwin, defenders Drew Moor and Steven Beitashour, and midfielder Will Johnson), as well as coach Greg Vanney’s tactical and philosophical approach that stresses defensive organization. TFC has deservedly been feted for righting its defensive ship.
It’s not as though the offence has sputtered, because it hasn’t. Ten goals scored through nine matches is a respectable haul. But you’d hardly be excused for thinking TFC could make things a bit easier on themselves by netting a few more goals. Two of their four wins have been by 1-0, and they have only bagged more than one goal in a game three times.
Last Saturday’s win against FC Dallas was a classic example of Toronto dominating its opponent but not killing off the game when it had to—a lack of finishing in front of goal allowed Dallas to stay within a chance of tying the match right up until the end.
Is Vanney at all concerned about his team’s offensive production?
“No, I’m not. I would be more concerned if we weren’t creating chances. We are creating chances and we’re getting into good spots, and we just haven’t put it away. That will come,” TFC’s coach told reporters after Tuesday’s practice.
“I know what our attacking group is capable of; it’s just a matter of getting a little bit of the timing right, and being just a little more precise in the key moments.”
He also feels winning games 1-0 is a sign of strength.
“I said to our group at the beginning of this year in pre-season that we need to be comfortable winning 1-0 because championship teams can win 1-0. We’ve done that several times this year, and we need to be capable of doing that, which means we can’t rely on having four goals to win a game,” Vanney stated.
Defender Justin Morrow agreed with his coach, but he also said the side has to do a better job of putting opponents away.
“We just have to have a killer instinct and a maturity about us to know that if we leave it late like that then other teams will always feel like they have a chance,” Morrow offered.
Standing up for Altidore
Forward Jozy Altidore put in a performance on Saturday that was worthy of the man-of-the-match award. He didn’t score, but he did an excellent job of holding up the ball in and around the penalty area, posting up in the paint like a basketball player, to draw teammates into the play and set them up with opportunities. He also carved out a scoring chance for himself, only for Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez to come up with a big save.
Altidore has contributed to TFC’s early season success through his hard work off the ball, if not through his goals—he has yet to score through nine games. Vanney, though, heralded the American forward’s efforts on Saturday.
“If Jozy works like that every single game we’re going to win a lot of games, and he’s going to score a lot of goals. He got himself into good spots and he helped us defensively, and he helped us in holding up balls and guys running off of him,” Vanney said.
Morrow appreciated Altidore’s work rate in holding up the ball, as it also had positive defensive consequences.
“It takes a lot of pressure off of us. Jozy has been doing an incredible job since he’s come back to full health; his performances are getting better and better. I see him working so hard up there—I can’t wait until his first goal comes,” Morrow said.
Planning ahead for international absences
Pretty soon, Toronto could be missing all three of its designated players.
According to Vanney, captain Michael Bradley and Altidore will play the next three games, ending with a May 21 home date against the Columbus Crew, before joining the U.S. national team in preparation for the Copa America that runs from June 3-26.
Although not 100 percent certain, Vanney believes that if forward Sebastian Giovinco gets called up by Italy for Euro 2016 his last game for Toronto would be on May 28 away to the New York Red Bulls. Euro runs from June 10-July 10.
After the New York game, Toronto doesn’t play in MLS again until June 18, which somewhat limits the “damage” of these three notable international absences.
If Italy gets knocked out in the group stage, Giovinco, assuming he’s named to the Azzurri squad, would only miss one game. If the U.S. bows out in the quarterfinals of the Copa America, both Bradley and Alditore would potentially miss one MLS game—and perhaps none at all.
Vanney said he isn’t specifically planning too far ahead, especially with a tough upcoming stretch of three games in eight days, but he is giving some thought as to how he’ll potentially get on without his three designated players.
“I’m definitely thinking ahead in terms of our organization and players, and who’s filling what roles and various things like that as we get closer to that time,” Vanney said.
Injury update
Vanney confirmed that midfielder Marky Delgado is questionable for Saturday’s match against the Whitecaps with a “very mild hamstring strain.” Delgado picked up the injury in last weekend’s win over Dallas, and was subbed out in the 57th minute. Vanney is hopeful that Delgado will be available next week.
French midfielder Benoit Cheyrou remains sidelined with a quad injury.
Looking ahead to Saturday
Vancouver (4-5-2) sits seventh in the Western Conference, and is coming off a 2-1 win over the Portland Timbers at home on Saturday.
TFC are 3-2-1 all-time against Vancouver in MLS. The previous league meeting between the two clubs took place at BC Place last March when the Reds defeated the Whitecaps 3-1.
Saturday is the second match of a four-game home stretch for the Reds, who will also host New York City FC (May 18) and the Columbus Crew (May 21). Saturday is also the only league meeting between Toronto and Vancouver this season.
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