Toronto FC was back in training on Tuesday ahead of its road game against the New England Revolution this weekend.
Here are some news and notes from today’s practice at the club’s training facility in Downsview.
TFC not dwelling on bad calls
Saturday’s 1-0 loss away to the Colorado Rapids was the third straight game that saw a major refereeing decision go against Toronto.
Benoit Cheyrou was deservedly cautioned in the 11th minute for a tackle on Colorado’s Eric Miller. Just two minutes later the Frenchman earned a second caution after he went up in the air to challenge for a ball with Bobby Burling. Burling certainly “sold” it as though he was caught by Cheyrou’s elbow, tumbling to the ground in a heap and carrying on as if he was hurt. As a result, the Reds played the majority of the match a man down.
It’s possible that TFC would have a better record and point total if not for those contentious calls going against them. But the Reds aren’t throwing a pity party for themselves, or harping on these referee’s decisions. In fact, captain Michael Bradley feels good about the start to the season and the direction the team is headed in.
“Maybe [the calls have] not led to as many points as we think we deserve, but these things find a way of coming out in the wash at the end of the year. The most important thing right now is just continuing to improve, continuing to work,” Bradley said.
Coach Greg Vanney agreed: “The instances are the instances. That doesn’t change our performance. We can separate an instance from a performance and see the areas where we need to tighten up and things we need to improve on.”
Refs major topic of discussion
Staying with the refs, a major talking point early on this season is how they have issued a lot of red cards on certain types of tackles, especially ones where the tackling player’s studs are showing.
It happened again this past weekend when Matias Laba of the Vancouver Whitecaps was sent off for what appeared to be a legitimate slide tackle on the ball—he ended up being late on the challenge, and his studs caught the opposing player. This has led to a lot of people—coaches, players, journalists and fans—calling foul over what they feel is a fundamental change to how games are called by the refs in MLS.
It’s important to note, though, that the referees have been instructed by the Professional Referee Organization, at the urging of MLS, to clamp down on these types of tackles in order to ensure the safety of players.
While recognizing the refs are only doing what they’ve been told, Toronto midfielder Will Johnson believes that they have been a “little over cautious.”
“What I see as a difference between last year and this year is that they’re calling red cards tighter. If it’s a studs up tackle that’s a little bit late, we’re seeing more red cards. I’m not seeing that tackle endanger the safety of the opponent because nobody is getting hurt,” Johnson said.
“I don’t mean to say that if a guy gets injured that’s a red card. I think they should look at a bunch of different tackles from around the world and reassess what exactly endangers the safety of an opponent.”
Bradley offered: “I have total understanding that the league feels the need to crack down on certain types of plays and certain types of tackles, but in the process the [standard of what’s considered dangerous] has gone a little bit too far.”
It should be pointed out that players and coaches were instructed by the refs in the pre-season that this was coming. So while there’s a lot of general anger from some over what’s going on, it’s important to remember that it’s going to take time for both sides—the players and the referees—to adjust.
“It’s a feeling out process in terms of every year we come in and there’s different emphasis … and the referees are taking those assignments and trying to apply them to the best of their abilities. Meanwhile, the players are trying to just play the game and adapt over time to what are these nuances, what’s going to be called or not called what’s a red card or yellow card,” Vanney stated.
“There’s been a lot of unfortunate situations for a lot of teams, not just us. Speaking to the refs before the game they’re trying to feel all of that out. I think it’s the hiccups of the early season of trying to get that all worked through.”
Johnson echoed his coach’s sentiments.
“What they tell you in a 45 minute meeting in pre-season versus what’s actually called isn’t always the same. … Some of us have been doing this for 10, 15 years and they come in give you a one hour meeting and say ‘listen, this is going to be called differently than it was last year.’ [Players] have instincts, so it’s not as easy as just turning off a switch,” Johnson said.
“Anytime you change anything there’s an adjustment period. I think that’s what you’re seeing.”
Bradley on U.S. women’s team
Bradley, who also serves as captain of the United States national side, was asked for his opinion on members of the U.S. women’s team accusing the U.S. Soccer Federation of wage discrimination in an action filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Bradley’s response:
Alex Morgan, Carli Lloyd, Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sauerbrunn and Hope Solo argued in the EEOC filing they are paid close to four times less than members on the U.S. men’s national team.
Injury report
Cheyrou is currently suspended for Saturday’s contest due to his two yellow cards in the loss to Colorado, but the club is talking to MLS about the suspension with an eye towards possibly getting it overturned:
Vanney confirmed that aside from defender Clement Simonin (still recovering from a long-term injury) that every player will be available for selection on Saturday. That includes Japanese rookie midfielder Tsubasa Endoh, who missed the Colorado match due to lower-body contusion.
Looking ahead
New England (1-1-3) sits fourth in the Eastern Conference, two points and three places up on Toronto (1-2-1). The Revolution are coming off a 1-0 win against the New York Red Bulls.
The last meeting between Toronto and New England took place at BMO Field on Sept. 13, 2015. The Revolution won 3-1.
“They are active, they are busy. They have pace with their forwards,” Vanney said of New England. “They can create problems if they have a lot of time on the ball.”
Saturday’s game is the fifth of an eight-match road stretch to begin the season for Toronto due to ongoing construction at BMO Field. TFC then visits D.C. United, Montreal Impact and Portland Timbers before playing their home opener on May 7 against FC Dallas.
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