Toronto Football Club (Major League Soccer Season)

                               Columbus ruins TFC's Party

BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Before the game started it was a surreal moment. Danny Dichio, Damien Perquis, and Dwayne De Rosario was present with the Amway Canadian Championship trophy, Supporters Shield trophy, and MLS Cup trophy. This was something Columbus Crew SC players probably dreaded to see, especially when they were knocked out by TFC in the Eastern Conference Finals. However, they should have presented the Trillium Cup with another noticeable TFC player, that might have gotten the Columbus Crew SC players really riled up.

This game was a game of missed opportunities for Toronto FC. Columbus missed an opportunity very early in the game. However, they did not miss much of their opportunities and that was the story of the game. They were so many missed chances. In the first half Giovinco with his incredible offensive skill was able to get a shot to score, but his finish was not good enough. A connection pass from Morrow to Giovinco was intercepted in the last minute. Then in the second half Giovinco and Aketze hits the post. Altidore was inches away from scoring a goal. It was that type of day for Toronto FC.

Auro JR made a mistake of arguing for a free kick as he gave up possession and gave Columbus Crew SC a scoring chance at around the 83^rd minute. I do not think we will see mistakes like that from TFC this year and is probably a one off thing.

Columbus though took their chances and scored at the end of the first half, which must have hurt TFC’s psyche as they gave up a second goal in the first few minutes of the second half.

The reality is TFC only lost one MLS season game at Toronto last year, they lost one game already this year. That was how good TFC was last year.

TFC has got the all important match against Tigres UANL on Wednesday March 7^th at BMO Field and in March 13^th at Estadio Universitario in Mexico. Tigres UANL is seen as the favourite to win CONCACAF Champions League this year with a salary much larger than even their Mexican rivals. In this game TFC will have to have their A game. A positive result would be a 2-0 victory as playing in Mexico has proven to be extremely tough for any MLS team to get a result although the New York Red Bulls somehow beat Tijuana in Mexico yesterday.

In terms of MLS games TFC will face BMO Derby rivals Montreal Impact at Stade Saputo on March 17^th and then a MLS home game at BMO Field against Real Salt Lake on March 30^th.

                                                                                     Toronto FC (Founded in 2006)

         TFC lose to the Impact in Montreal's home opener

Stade Saputo in Montreal, Quebec, Canada

TFC dominated in the first five minutes, but could not generate enough chances as they lost 1-0 to the Montreal Impact. There was the chance in the 28th minute but the final pass from Gregory Van der Wiel to Jozy Altidore was not good enough. Vargas scored the first goal for the Montreal Impact which took a deflection of a TFC defender and back into the net to make it 1-0 Montreal. That is the way the score would end but Montreal did have two glorious chances just after that Vargas goal where Nick Hagglund blocked Ignacio Piatti's two shots and keep it 1-0. The other glorious chance the Impact had was in the 57th minute when Tydar missed the net wide that almost made it 2-0 Impact.

If you are a Canadian men's soccer fan it is important to remember the name Petrasso. The defender for the Impact had an excellent game today blocking Nicolas Hasslers shot in the 62nd minute and denying a goal from Jozy Altidore which squeaked past Evan Bush the goalkeeper, but was kicked to safety by Petrasso.

Another big chance was in the 63rd minute when Jozy Altidore hit a glorious chance wide.

There were many yellow cards handed out today including to two great players in MLS with both Michael Bradley and Vargas receiving yellow cards for their clubs respectively.

                                                                          Montreal Impact - First MLS season in 2012

      TFC wins their first home game against Real Salt Lake

BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TFC dominated the first half with a chance from close range by Jozy Altidore and a penalty kick stopped by Rimando. However TFC proved to be too much for Real Salt Lake in the first half with a converted penalty shot by Jozy Altidore and a brilliant pass and shoot by Ashtone Morgan to Jozy Altidore, just before the first half was up.

Real Salt Lake started pressing in the second half. Two former TFC draft picks, Luis Silva passed to Joao Plata but Plata's shot was stoped by Clint Irwin.

Real Salt Lake would score however after some sloppy passing by TFC followed by a failed clearance Drew Moore, which allowed Baird to score to make it 2-1 TFC.

However, TFC seals the deal with the help with two substitutes. Aketxe hits the post with a terrific shot followed by a strong powerful finish by Tosaint Ricketts that hits the goalkeeper and ends up in the back of the net. This allowed TFC to score and finish the game 3-1 at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

An interesting note is that Mavinga, Vasquez, and Bono did not play against Real Salt Lake. For Mavinga I heard it was injury issues but for the other two it is probably to prepare for the big CONCACAF Champions League semifinals against Club America from Mexico City.

Toronto FC needed this MLS win after losing their first two MLS games against two fellow rivals the Columbus Crew SC and the Montreal Impact.

TFC’s main focus now though will be the CONCACAF Champions League where they will face Club America at BMO Field for leg 1 on April 3^rd the big in Mexico City as Estadio Azteca on April 10^th for the second leg.

TFC’s next MLS action will be against their round of 16 CONCACAF Champions League opponents in Commerce Park, Colorado at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park against the Colorado Rapids on April 14 and then another home game at BMO Field against the Houston Dynamos.

                                       
                                                Toronto Football Club - Founded in 2006   

          TFC loses with depleted roster against the Rapids

Dick's Sporting Goods Park at Commerce City, Colorado

There is not too much to say in this game. A lot of TFC's starting 11 was preparing for the Tuesday game against Guadalajara and the only three players played at Estadio Azteca and Commerce City were Ricketts, Moor, and Hamilton.

Hamilton only played a few minutes in Mexico City and Ricketts came early in the game only because Jozy Altidore got injured early in the game.

The Colorado Rapids came into this game flying with an extremely quick goal by Jack Price, a shot Clint Irwin could not stop.

TFC were lucky to escape with just a 2-0 loss. This was a combination of Clint Irwin's miraculous saves and Badji's missed chances.

Dominique Badji though drew a penalty for his team which allowed Gashi to make it 2-0 for the Colorado Rapids.

One player that impressed me was Jordan Hamilton he can make crosses and can threaten to score goals. As a Canadian, he is probably the best affter the big 4 for Canadians (Jay Chapman, Ashtone Morgan, Jonathan Osorio, and Tosaint Ricketts).

Ricketts almost scored from a pass of Aketxe but he could not finish it as Tim Howard made a big save.

People may not like TFC dropping points in the MLS Season, but TFC fans have to understand that they are after something bigger than their league. Winning the CONCACAF Champions League would mean everything not just for TFC but also for MLS. It is a prestigious trophy that would make TFC only the third MLS club to ever win and potentially be the only MLS team to ever play in the FIFA Club World Cup (Winners of each confederation and the UAE league team winner plays in UAE in December in a prestigious 7 team tournament).

TFC will play this Tuesday against Chivas Guadalajara on Tuesday at BMO Field for leg 1. Leg 2 is on Wednesday March 25th as they play in Guadalajara at Estadio Akron. This Saturday TFC returns to MLS action against the Houston Dynamos at BBVA Compass Stadium. Expect a similar or worse line up against the Houston Dynamos as TFC's focus will be on the CONCACAF Champions League final against Chivas Guadalajara.

                                                                                Colorado Rapids - Founded in 1996

 TFC loses with too many mental mistakes and missed chances

BBVA Compass Stadium at Houston, Texas, United States of America

Dunn makes a mistake and Monatas of the Houston Dynamos makes no mistake of it kicking the ball between Clint Irwin’s leg for the first goal of the game at the 2^nd minute mark to make it 1-0 Houston Dynamos.

The Dynamos kept on pressuring TFC and Leonardo broke through in the 9^th minute which took a deflection of Hernandez. 2-0 Houston early on.

Jordan Hamilton almost scored for TFC two minutes later from a Jay Chapman pass into the box but missed the net completely. Ricketts almost scored in the 12^th minute with a decent kick which was saved by the diving Willis.

Tainter played some good defense preventing a goal from being scored by intercepting the pass.

It looked like TFC scored when Jordan Hamilton timed the kick perfectly from a terrific cross by Telfair, but the call was offside after looking at VAR. It is still 2-0 Houston Dynamos over the Toronto Football Club. Tainter got a yellow card. This gave Quioto a free kick but he skied it too high and was off target.

Nick Hagglund gave a good cross but Tosaint Ricketts hits the ball wide.

Another scoring opportunity for TFC where Telfair passed to Aketxe to Jordan Hamilton for the shot, but it was blocked by Dynamos Beasley.

Houston’s Thomas Martinez interception almost led to a goal by Quioto but Tainter was able to clear the ball.

TFC after Houston’s domination in the first 15 minutes started to take control the game.

Elis almost scored but Irwin makes the terrific save.

The second half ends with Houston winning 2-0 over TFC.

Quioto’s pass, Dunn’s mistake and Alexander’s goal made it 3-0 Houston just 30 seconds into the game.

Now Mitch Tainter scored his first ever MLS goal against Houston becoming the 100^th TFC player in all competitions to score a goal for TFC.

TFC keeps attacking but Houston’s Machado clears Hassler’s pass to Ricketts, which would have been a sure goal if the pass connected.

TFC had a lot of chances in the game, but at the end it was not good enough.

Quioto’s pass, Dunn’s mistake and Alexander’s goal made it 3-0 Houston.

Now Mitch Tainter scored his first ever MLS goal against Houston becoming the 100^th TFC player in all competitions to score a goal for TFC.

Houston’s fourth goal was where the two Hondurans connected as Quioto passes it to Elis for the goal.

TFC and the Dynamos traded chances after that. Then… Houston scored their 5^th goal in the game.

Tainter who Steven Caldwell said was the player of the match for TFC, played well against Houston but he made a risky and fatal move when he dived to get the ball this resulted in Quioto scoring meaning 5 different players scored for the Houston Dynamos.

The story was TFC looked dangerous in the attack and if they were regular TFC players they would be average in MLS in my opinion. The problem was the defense was not good enough at an MLS level. They were exposed a lot by Quioto and Eli on the outside wing of TFC’s defensive half.

Also, TFC made a lot of mistakes, which led to Houstons 3 of their 5 goals. Something the regular TFC Starting 11 that you will see against Tigres UANL (for leg 2 of the CONCACAF Champions League) on Wednesday just do not make.

TFC also have MLS games against the Chicago Fire Soccer Club at Toyota Park on Saturday 28^th of May. TFC will then have home games against the Phialdelphia Union on May 5^th and then a MLS Cup final rematch of last year when they face rivals Seattle Sounders FC at BMO Field on May 9^th.

                                                                               Houston Dynamos - Founded in 2005

                 TFC gives up two points away at BMO Field

BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TFC for the first 28 or 30 minutes really dominated the game.

TFC almost scored at the beginning of the game when Auro’s pass to Hassler. TFC though breaks through… Giovinco’s pass to Osorio for the shot that goes in the back of the net, 0-1 TFC.

Alex Bono was sharp today, making a save from a Marky Delgado turnover.

TFC thought they scored a second goal with the pass from Victor Vazquez to Hassler who then passed to Sebastian Giovinco for the shot that went into the back of the net. However, the refs reviewed the play afterwards with VAR and the goal was disallowed. It is still 0-1 TFC.

TFC though would eventually get their second goal. Michael Bradley’s fanned kick was given as a pass to Victor Vazquez who did a terrific shot to score on a bad angle, 0-2 TFC.

However, when the Fire got that close chance in the 30^th minute started by Mo Adams as Elliott Collier was stopped by Alex Bono at point blank range, it was almost all Chicago Fire.

Alex Bono made a lot of good saves as he made a couple more against Katia.

Then the controversial penalty kick was awarded. Originally, the call was no penalty, but then the VAR was looked at again and it was given a penalty committed by Ashtone Morgan. Batia Schweinsteiger of Chicago took the penalty shot for the Fire but was stopped by Alex Bono. Bono was terrific against the Fire.

Sebastian Giovinco had a terrific chance to score but did not handle the ball properly and the first half ended 0-2 TFC lead. However, the Fire were relentless in the second half. The Nicolin pass to Corein was intercepted by Bono, a pass which if successful Chicago gets their first goal.

Unfortunately, Chicago would find the back of the net when Schweinsteiger heads in the ball to make it 1-2 TFC, although to me it looked offside.

TFC had trouble finding chances in the second half as TFC were unable to break the Fire’s defense.

TFC’s biggest chance was a Giovinco volley pass to Tosaint Ricketts, but the pass was too far for Ricketts to reach.

TFC almost gave up a goal in the 90^th minute but Liam Frazier was able to prevent the goal and Michael Bradley was able to clear the ball to safety.

Unfortunately for TFC the worst possible thing happened. Alan Gordon, a former TFC player got the soccer ball in the middle of the penalty box with traffic of TFC and Fire players and he made TFC pay. It became 2-2 and that was the final score, a gut-wrenching end for TFC.

TFC will have 5 of their next 6 games at BMO Field. This includes home games against the Philadelphia Union on May 5^th and a May 9^th rivalry match-up with the Seattle Sounders FC. 

      Toronto FC - Founded in 2006

TFC Dominates Union and earns crucial second win in the MLS Season

BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

There is not really much to say in this game, TFC dominated 80 or 90 percent of the game today.

TFC dominates most of the game against the Phialdelphia Union. They were clearly the best team on the field today.

TFC at the beginning was piling up the chances with Giovinco’s shot going wide or Aketxe’s shot being stopped by Johan Blake of the Union. However, TFC would break through with a good pass from Hassler to Victor Vazquez who scored an incredible good goal to make it 1-0 TFC early on in the game.

In the second half more of the same from TFC.

Osorio had a few good chances but could not pull the trigger in either of his chances.

Giovinco’s brilliance was on full display today as he passes his defender and puts the ball in the back of the net in the 65^th minute.

TFC were not done there as Jordan Hamilton’s pass to Jay Chapman put him one-on-one with Johan Blake and Chapman makes no mistake, 3-0 TFC in the 89^th minute and that is how the game ends for TFC at BMO Field.

The Union only had two real chances to score in this game. In the first half Bedroia header was stopped by Bono and it hit the crossbar and out of the net. In the second half Bedroia’s shot was stopped by another excellent save by Alex Bono.

                                                                                       Toronto FC - Founded in 2006