We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn More or change your cookie preferences. By continuing to use this site, you agree to the use of cookies.
close
We use cookies (why?) You can change your cookie preferences. By continuing to use this site, you agree to the use of cookies.
close
Sportsnet Video
  • NHL
    • NHL Home
    • Scoreboard
    • Standings
    • Stats
    • Players
    • Teams
    • Trades & Signings
    • Video
    • Odds
    • AHL
  • MLB
    • MLB Home
    • Scoreboard
    • Standings
    • Stats
    • Players
    • Teams
    • Video
    • Odds
  • NBA
    • NBA Home
    • Scoreboard
    • Standings
    • Stats
    • Players
    • Teams
    • Video
    • Odds
  • NFL
    • NFL Home
    • Scoreboard
    • Standings
    • Stats
    • Teams
    • Video
    • Odds
  • Soccer
    • Soccer Home
    • Fixtures
    • Tables
    • CDN Premier League
    • Odds
  • More
    • Auto Racing
    • CFL
    • Curling
    • Cycling
    • Golf
    • Jr. Hockey
    • Olympics
    • Tennis
    • U SPORTS
    • UFC
  • TV Listings
  • Video
    • Watch Live
    • Subscribe to SN NOW
    • SN Presents
    • Tim & Sid
    • NHL
    • MLB
    • NBA
    • NFL
  • Radio
    • SN 590
    • SN 650
    • SN 960
    • Podcasts
  • Fantasy
  • Vote
  • •••
    • TV Listings
    • Videos
    • Radio
    • Fantasy
    • SN NOW
    • SN Newsletters
    • SN Hometown Hockey
    • SN Big Reads
    • SN Shop
    • SN Apps
    • SN World
  • Watch Live
  • TV Listings
  • Videos
  • Radio
    • SN 590
    • SN 650
    • SN 960
    • Podcasts
  • Fantasy
  • SN NOW
  • SN Newsletters
  • SN Hometown Hockey
  • SN Big Reads
  • SN Shop
  • SN Apps
  • SN World
    • SN World
    • Sports
    • Subscribe
    • FAQ
    • Watch
Sign In
  • Sign In
    • Account
    • Sign Out

  • Soccer  
  • Fixtures
  • Tables
    • Bundesliga

    • Champions League

    • Premier League

    • MLS

    • La Liga

    • Serie A

    • Ligue 1

  • CDN Premier League
  • Odds
NHL LIVE ™
Hometown Hockey

Toronto FC trending in wrong direction with loss to San Jose

Soccer-TFC-altidore-reacts-after-Laryea-shot-goes-wide

Toronto FC's Jozy Altidore (17) reacts after teammate Richie Laryea's shot went wide against the San Jose Earthquakes. (Chris Young/CP)

John Molinaro | @JohnMolinaro May 26, 2019, 9:58 PM
John Molinaro @JohnMolinaro May 26, 2019, 9:58 PM

• San Jose Earthquakes 2 (Wondolowski 37’, 81’), Toronto FC 1 (Laryea 28’)
• Toronto now winless in 5 after losing 2nd straight match
• Michael Bradley’s consecutive MLS game streak ends at 41

TORONTO – Things continue to go from bad to worse for Toronto FC.

Playing without three key starters, including captain Michael Bradley, TFC suffered a 2-1 loss to the San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday night before an announced crowd of 23,524 fans at BMO Field.

Toronto dropped to 5-6-2 on the MLS season, and is now winless in five straight games (four losses and one draw), with its last victory coming on May 4. It’s a shocking run of form when you consider the Reds started the season with three consecutive wins and were unbeaten through their first four games.

What’s been the recurring theme for Toronto during this five-game winless run? Coach Greg Vanney explained it’s a “lack of execution,” both in not finishing off goal chances and committing defensive mistakes that allow the opposition to score.

“Goals change games. If you can put [the ball] into the back of the net, it changes the emotion and the mentality of the group, and the feeling of the group. When opportunities go missing it gets frustrating. It feels like it puts more weight in your defending effort, because you can’t make mistakes on the defending side. Execution is a big part of it,” Vanney told reporters after the game.

It was a sentiment echoed by veteran defender Drew Moor.

“I said after [last week’s loss in Salt Lake], we have to quit conceding goals. That’s up to all of us, not just the defenders and the goalkeeper; it’s us as a unit [having] more pride in not allowing goals. We have to take our chances at the other end, as well. We’re not scoring enough right now, either,” Moor offered.

Vanney bemoaned how his team defended on both of San Jose’s goals, scored by goal-poacher and MLS all-time leading scorer Chris Wondolowski. He called out his players for not cutting out the cross into Wondolowski and for allowing the Earthquakes forward too much space inside the penalty area.

“I think it’s B.S. He can score 150 [career] goals in our league, 120 of them are the same way, and we don’t have the presence in the situation to find him and know where he is. That has to be better,” Vanney fumed.

It’s far too early in the season to push the panic button. But TFC is trending in the wrong direction at the moment, and the summer transfer period can’t come soon enough with the team badly needing upgrades in some positions.

“There are pieces of the puzzle that are still missing that will help us [in attack] on the execution side. There’s pieces in the back that are still missing that might help us to be a little more stable in terms of goal prevention,” Vanney admitted.

TFC was without influential playmaker Alejandro Pozuelo through suspension. Also missing were Bradley (sore hamstring) and Canadian midfielder Jonathan Osorio (hip and groin). Moor wore the captain’s armband on the night, while forward Jozy Altidore made his first start in seven games after missing significant time due to adductor and heel injuries.

The absence of Bradley, the club’s iron man, marked the first MLS game he missed since last April when he was rested in back-to-back contests due to TFC’s CONCACAF Champions League commitments. Before Sunday, Bradley played in 41 consecutive MLS games, and had sat out only six MLS matches since the start of the 2017 season.

Bradley has missed MLS action before because of suspension and international duty. But the last time an injury sidelined him from league play was when he missed seven games after injuring his knee with the U.S. national team at the 2016 Copa America.

Vanney said Bradley is questionable for TFC’s next match, which is on the road against the Vancouver Whitecaps on May 31.

With Bradley and Osorio unavailable, Canadians Liam Fraser and Richie Laryea earned rare starts for the Reds. Vanney used a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Fraser deployed just in front of the defence and Altidore serving as the main attacker up front.

Toronto started brightly as Auro Jr. forced a save from San Jose goalkeeper Daniel Vega with a left-footed shot from just outside the box. Later, Laryea almost scored after dancing his way through the Earthquakes defence before firing an angled shot wide of the far post.

Laryea quickly made amends, notching his first career MLS goal off a wonderfully worked play. Altidore held off his defensive marker to head Auro’s throw-in towards Marky Delgado, who then cut the ball back to the top of the six-yard box for Laryea to thump into the roof of the net with a one-timer. It was TFC’s first goal from open play in five games, and ended the team’s foul drought at 219 consecutive minutes.

“I’m happy to score, but I would take not scoring and us winning,” Laryea said.

Toronto’s lead was short-lived. Reds defender Ashtone Morgan didn’t close down San Jose’s Cristian Espinoza quickly enough as he delivered a cross into the box, allowing Wondolowski to beat Moor to the ball and fire it past goalkeeper Quentin Westberg.

Tensions nearly boiled over during the first 25 minutes of the second half. Rash tackles became the norm and the play on the field became very scrappy, while referee Nima Saghafi handed out three yellow cards.

Delgado nearly restored TFC’s lead, but he squandered a great scoring chance when he headed an exquisite cross into the box from Altidore over the crossbar while having Vega at his mercy.

San Jose went out in front on a play that was almost an exact replica of their first goal, with Espinoza feeding Wondolowski who hit a shot that Westberg should have stopped. It was Wondolowski’s MLS-leading 150th career goal, and he has now scored 11 times in 15 games against Toronto.

“He got some good service and found a couple of soft spots on us. [On the first goal] I have to be closer to him. I thought I had him, I was right there, and I don’t know how it went by me, or under me or around me. That’s why he’s scored [so many] goals. He finds a way to put the ball in the back of the net. It has to be better from myself, and we have to deny him the service, as well,” Moor offered.

NOTES: Former TFC forward Sebastian Giovinco was in attendance for Sunday’s game, sitting in a private box with team president Bill Manning… San Jose leads the all-time series against Toronto, with six wins and five draws in 16 games… Saturday marked the only meeting of the season between these two sides…

More from Sportsnet
Rodrigo-Gattas
Forge wins 2nd '905 Derby' of CPL season over York9
John Molinaro
Christine-Sinclair
Canada plays Spain to draw in final warm-up before Women's World Cup
Canadian Press

%2Fsoccer%2Ftoronto-fc-trending-wrong-direction-loss-san-jose%2F
When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.

LATEST MLS NEWS

MLS-commisioner-Garber-speaks-at-press-conference
MLS says Burkle backs out owning Sacramento expansion team
4 days ago
MLS-commisioner-Garber-speaks-at-press-conference
Penguins owner Ron Burkle backs out of MLS Sacramento expansion plans
4 days ago
Toronto FC's Jonathan Osorio wants to take it to the next level this season
4 days ago
Thierry Henry steps down as CF Montreal coach for family reasons
6 days ago
Laurent Ciman retires, returns to Montreal as assistant coach
1 week ago
Defenders Justin Morrow, Eriq Zavaleta sign new deals with Toronto FC
1 week ago
ryan-shawcross
Defender Ryan Shawcross signs with Beckham's Inter Miami
1 week ago
ryan-shawcross
Toronto FC's Bill Manning says club will open 2021 season in Florida
1 week ago

My Lineup

You can change your selections at any time.

SAVE
Save Your Selections
NEXT
Manage Teams

Select Your Favourite Teams

Select as many teams as you like from the leagues below. You can change your selection at any time.

Selections might be changed at any time.

  • Near You
  • Team list is loading...
SAVE
Save Your Selections
NEXT
Select Sports

Select Leagues & Sports

Select additional sports and leagues you’re interested in from the list below.

  BACK
Favourite Teams
DONE
Save Selections

My
Lineup

Customize your Sportsnet lineup for the latest news from your favourite leagues and teams.

Customize

Customize your lineup with your favourite leagues and teams.

/ /

There isn’t enough recent news in your lineup. We’ll give you the latest news when it becomes available, or feel free to add some more selections to your settings.

feedback

MOST DISCUSSED

Canucks answer success with inconsistency yet again as Jets rebound

210 COMMENTS


Ducharme's fingerprints all over Canadiens' skid-snapping win vs. Senators

263 COMMENTS


How the Maple Leafs have been able to slow McDavid in past two games

96 COMMENTS


Canadiens fire director of goaltending Waite, appoint Burke to role

170 COMMENTS


Oilers' Chiasson suspended one game for cross-checking Maple Leafs' Vesey

177 COMMENTS


LATEST MLS NEWS

MLS-commisioner-Garber-speaks-at-press-conference
MLS says Burkle backs out owning Sacramento expansion team
4 days ago
MLS-commisioner-Garber-speaks-at-press-conference
Penguins owner Ron Burkle backs out of MLS Sacramento expansion plans
4 days ago
Toronto FC's Jonathan Osorio wants to take it to the next level this season
4 days ago
Thierry Henry steps down as CF Montreal coach for family reasons
6 days ago
Laurent Ciman retires, returns to Montreal as assistant coach
1 week ago
Defenders Justin Morrow, Eriq Zavaleta sign new deals with Toronto FC
1 week ago
ryan-shawcross
Defender Ryan Shawcross signs with Beckham's Inter Miami
1 week ago
ryan-shawcross
Toronto FC's Bill Manning says club will open 2021 season in Florida
1 week ago
  • NHL
  • MLB
  • NBA
  • NFL
  • CFL
  • SOCCER
  • CURLING
  • TENNIS
  • TELEVISION
  • RADIO
  • TIM & SID
  • BIG READS
  • INSIDERS
  • SN NOW
  • RSS
  • FACEBOOK
  • TWITTER
  • YOUTUBE
  • INSTAGRAM
  • MEDIA CENTRE
  • COMPANY INFO
  • ADVERTISE
  • POLITICAL ADS REGISTRY
  • FAQ
  • FEEDBACK
  • COMMENTING
Rogers Digital Media Community

© 2000-2021 Rogers Media. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Ad Choices Terms of Service

Reset Password Email Sent

We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. Your existing password has not been changed.

Close

Create New Password

We'll send you a link to create a new password.

{* #forgotPasswordForm *}
Email
{* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *}
{* forgotPassword_sendButton *}
{* /forgotPasswordForm *}

Almost Done!

{* #legalAcceptancePostLoginForm_radio *}
Name
{* name *}
Display Name
{* traditionalRegistration_displayName *}
Email
{* email *}

By checking this box, I agree to the terms of service and privacy policy of Rogers Media.

Loading...
{* legalAcceptanceAcceptButton *}
{* /legalAcceptancePostLoginForm_radio *}
{* mergeAccounts *}

My profile

{* profilePhotoCustom *}

{* public_profileBlurb *}

{* public_displayName *}
{* public_name *} {* public_gender *} {* public_birthdate *} {* public_emailAddress *} {* public_address *} {* public_phoneNumber *}
Close

Your account has been created!

Don't miss out - sign up for our newsletters! (approx 1 - 2 per week)

Updating your profile data...

An error has occurred while trying to update your details. Please contact us.

Submit Skip for now

Sign In

Welcome back, {* welcomeName *}!

{* loginWidget *}
Or
Use another account

Sign In

Welcome back, !

{* #userInformationForm *} {* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *} {* traditionalSignIn_password *}
Forgot your password?
{* traditionalSignIn_signInButton *}
{* /userInformationForm *}
Or
Use another account

Almost Done!

Please confirm the information below before signing up.

{* #socialRegistrationForm_radio_2 *} {* socialRegistration_firstName *} {* socialRegistration_lastName *} {* socialRegistration_emailAddress *} {* socialRegistration_displayName *} By checking this box, I agree to the terms of service and privacy policy of Rogers Media.
{* /socialRegistrationForm_radio_2 *}

Sign in to complete account merge

{* #tradAuthenticateMergeForm *} {* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *} {* mergePassword *}
{* backButton *} {* traditionalSignIn_signInButton *}
{* /tradAuthenticateMergeForm *}
Sign in to Sportsnet
Subscribe to league newsletters
Play fantasy sports
Comment and participate in our online community
Sign In
Sign Up
{* #registrationForm_radio_2 *}
First Name
{* traditionalRegistration_firstName *}
Last Name
{* traditionalRegistration_lastName *}
Display Name
{* traditionalRegistration_displayName *}
Email
{* traditionalRegistration_emailAddress *}
Create Password
{* traditionalRegistration_password *}

Don't miss out - sign up for our newsletters! (approx 1 - 2 per week)

By checking this box, I agree to the terms of service and privacy policy of Rogers Media.

{* createAccountButton *}
{* /registrationForm_radio_2 *}

Or sign up with:

{* loginWidget *}

Your Verification Email Has Been Sent

Check your email for a link to reset your password.
Sign in

Reset Password Email Sent

We've sent an email with instructions to create a new password. Your existing password has not been changed.
Close

Create a new password

We didn't recognize that password reset code. Enter your email address to get a new one.

{* #resetPasswordForm *} {* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *}
{* forgotPassword_sendButton *}
{* /resetPasswordForm *}

Password Changed

Your password has been changed successfully.

Close

Change password

{* newPasswordForm *}
New Password
{* newpassword *}
Re-type New Password
{* newpasswordConfirm *}
{* submitButton *}
{* /newPasswordForm *}

You did it!

Thank you for verifying your email address.
OK

Resend Email Verification

Sorry we could not verify that email address. Enter your email below and we'll send you another email.

{* #resendVerificationForm *} {* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *}
{* submitButton *}
{* /resendVerificationForm *}
Sign in to Sportsnet
Subscribe to league newsletters
Play fantasy sports
Comment and participate in our online community
Sign In
Sign Up
{* #userInformationForm *}
Email
?You may have created an account with another Rogers Media account that can be used to sign in here.
{* traditionalSignIn_emailAddress *}
Password
{* traditionalSignIn_password *}
{* traditionalSignIn_signInButton *} {* traditionalSignIn_createButton *}
Forgot your password?
{* /userInformationForm *}

Or sign in with:

{* loginWidget *}

So sorry to see you go!

Close
Close

Unsubscribe failed

Close
Close