Toronto FC ended its eight-game road swing with a disappointing 2-1 loss to the Portland Timbers on Sunday, a result that could have very easily gone the other way for the Reds.
This was another solid road effort from Toronto, and Will Johnson put in a man-of-the-match performance for his side, scoring against his former team and running himself ragged in midfield. But this was a bit of a missed opportunity, as had TFC been a bit more clinical in front of goal they could have easily walked away with at least a share of the points, and moved to the top of the Eastern Conference table.
Diego Valeri scored the winner on a stunning free kick and set up another goal for the Timbers, who handed TFC their third loss of the season. Toronto finishes the eight-match stretch with a respectable 11 points from a 3-3-2 record and just seven goals against—tied for the best defensive record in MLS—and now prepare to host FC Dallas in their home opener on May 7.
Here are my three thoughts.
Gleeson comes up big, but lack of finishing hurt Reds
Portland goalkeeper Jake Gleeson was the difference in this contest, with the New Zealand native coming up with four big saves in the second half.
His most important effort came in injury time when Sebastian Giovinco floated a terrific ball towards the far post. Will Johnson got his head to it, but Gleeson was equal to the task in denying the Canadian international from in close. Gleeson’s best save came in the 77th minute when he turned Michael Bradley’s wicked shot from distance that appeared as though it would sneak just under the crossbar out of danger. It was a fabulous shot by Bradley; it was an even better save by Gleeson.
So, full credit to Gleeson. Still, Toronto had plenty of opportunities to score on the Portland goalkeeper. Defender Drew Moor, forward Jozy Altidore and Johnson in injury time all had chances that they should have buried. In the case of Altidore and Johnson, they angled their headers right at Gleeson, while the Portland netminder managed to get a part of his toe on Moor’s header from in close. Even if one of those attempts went in, we’d be talking about a draw, and not a TFC loss.
Great team goal unlocks Toronto’s defence
Portland’s Fanendo Adi opened the scoring for Portland in the 17th minute with a perfectly-worked “team goal.”
Portland worked the ball out from the flank off a throw in deep inside TFC’s half through Valeri and Chris Klute. Valeri shook off two defensive markers as he fed Darren Mattocks at the top of the penalty area, and then burst into the box to get on the receiving end of Mattocks’ return pass. From there, a wide-open Valeri squared the ball across the six-yard box for Adi to slot home.
It was a carefully crafted goal, coming about as a result of fast ball movement and one or two quick touches from each Portland player in the buildup. Portland caught Toronto flat-footed and more than a few of the Reds ball-watching, and Greg Vanney will be disappointed that Valeri wasn’t closed down as he came off the wing. Toronto has been very good on the back end this season, but this was the first time the Reds’ defence was picked apart and unlocked. Hopefully, it’s not the start of a trend for Toronto.
TFC missed Osorio in midfield
Jonathan Osorio had one of best games for TFC in last week’s 2-0 win over the Montreal Impact. The Canadian international was deployed at the top of Greg Vanney’s diamond midfield formation, and used his pace and quick turning ability to link up effectively with Giovinco and Altidore. Osorio also caused problems by taking on Montreal defenders one-on-one off the dribble, and carved out a few scoring chances for himself.
The Canadian attacker was ruled out of this game after rolling his ankle in training this week. Tsubasa Endoh not only took Osorio’s place in the starting line-up, he also shifted from his usual position out wide to the top of the midfield diamond.
By all accounts, it was a quiet night from the Japanese rookie. He wasn’t nearly involved in the attack as Osorio was last week in Montreal, contenting himself to play safe sideway- and back-passes to teammates, rather than turning with the ball to try to find pockets of spaces and running at defenders.
At one point in the first half, Giovinco became irate with the rookie when he over-looked the Italian—who was in a wide open down the middle in an area that he was eager to exploit—and played a ball out wide for Justin Morrow. Giovinco was the better option, but Endoh didn’t see it and what could have been a promising attacking play petered out as the rookie mis-hit his pass and the ball went out of play.
Sportsnet’s Soccer Central podcast (featuring Thomas Dobby, Brendan Dunlop, John Molinaro and James Sharman) takes an in-depth look at the beautiful game and offers timely and thoughtful analysis on the sport’s biggest issues.