TORONTO – Failure is inevitable in sports. Nobody is immune. It happens to the best of teams and athletes at one time or another, including champions.
In Toronto FC’s case, it just so happened that it occurred much sooner than most people expected.
Fresh off a historic 2017 campaign, the Reds dropped a 2-0 decision to the Columbus Crew on Saturday afternoon in their Major League Soccer season opener, a result that confounded fans and pundits alike.
While a dark cloud hangs over the Crew – owner Anthony Precourt remains committed to moving to the team to Austin, Texas next year – TFC have never been in better shape. The core of last season’s treble-winning side remains in place, valuable newcomers have been added (Dutch international Gregory van der Wiel, Spanish playmaker Ager Aketxe, and Brazilian defender Auro), and they are already through to the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Champions League.
That’s why the opening day loss to the Crew was so surprising, especially as it took place at BMO Field, where TFC only lost twice all of last season. So, what gives? How did the best team in MLS last year lose to Columbus?
The poor condition of the pitch at BMO Field didn’t help Toronto’s cause, making it more difficult for the Reds in their possession and passing game. But, ultimately, TFC was simply outplayed by the Crew on the afternoon.
As much as you can point out to what Toronto didn’t do, which was mainly not finish off its chances (it hit the woodwork three times), you have to look at what Columbus did do. The visitors thwarted the home side for most of the first half, using a high defensive line and a smart pressing game to keep TFC inside its half for long periods. The Crew also expertly used their speed to great effect, with forward Gyasi Zardes and midfielder Cristian Martinez slipping in behind Toronto’s back line with regularity.
Eriq Zavaleta, who started in the middle of TFC’s defence alongside Chris Mavinga, praised the Crew for the effectiveness of their pressing game.
“They kept us pinned in our half more than we are used to and more than we wanted to,” Zavaleta said.
“We are a team that likes to dictate the game; [there were] enough stretches of the game where we did not do that the way we wanted to. We weren’t good enough in both boxes, whether that be us finishing chances or preventing them from scoring goals. I think that is what the game comes down to.”
Conceding a pair of bad goals on either side of the halftime break didn’t help matters for TFC, either.
“They punished us for our mistakes and we needed to punish them for theirs. We didn’t and when that happens you don’t come away with a win,” Toronto coach Greg Vanney conceded.
Captain Michael Bradley has rarely minced words in assessing his team’s performance during his tenure in Toronto. Once again, the American international laid the truth bare when speaking to a crowd of reporters in front of his locker room stall.
“We couldn’t do it [come from behind] today. There’s no place else to look other than at ourselves. We understand we have to be better, we have to continue to get better, get sharper, and grow into the season in a big way, [because] this is what a lot of days are going to be like,” Bradley offered.
The most damning indictment of Toronto’s effort on the day came from Sebastian Giovinco, though.
Prior to kickoff, a special pre-game ceremony was held where 10 flags were raised in the north end of the stadium, representing each trophy won by TFC since entering MLS in 2007: six Canadian club championships, two Eastern Conference titles, one MLS Cup and one Supporters’ Shield. Also, all three trophies TFC won last season were presented as team dignitaries and MLS commissioner Don Garber looked on.
Giovinco clearly wasn’t impressed by the extracurricular festivities.
“At the beginning, it was not in a good way; we continued to show the trophy, we continued to think [about] what happened last year. I think, for me, this is no good,” Giovinco stated.
He later added: “I think we have to change the mentality. We don’t have to think about last year – we have to think about this year, and this year is more difficult.”
The Italian offered a blunt assessment that went to the heart of the matter: as difficult as it is to win a championship, it’s even more difficult to repeat.
Luckily for TFC, they’re only one game into the season. There’s no need to panic or worry. But past glories have to be forgotten about, and a renewed focus on the here and now is required.
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