We are down 5 players to International duty on Saturday!!!

[JDG]

This may be common knowledge to many of you already, but it just hit me.

We will be missing the following players in our game vs Colorado this Saturday:

Sutton
Brennan
Edu
Guerava
Marshall

Any ideas on what our lineup will look like?
We looked like we have a lot of depth when we played LA, but Houston made us look like fools. Which performance can we expect from the bench?

[Technorgasm]

Ernest. . we have to do something. . Carver is pissed, and so are we.

would anyone like to form a hit / Kidnapp Squad to get our players back?

they ALL better see majour pitch time. . . or someone is going to get hurt. . . or at least annoyed. . maybe slightly irritated, or possibly disgruntled.. . . or pee'd on , which ever is easiest.

[joelakeshore]

Amado Guevara, does he still play for us? Beginning to really dislike Honduras

[Shaughno]

I think Carver is going to kick some ass going into this one. Make sure the lads know that they HAVE to win this one regardless of who's in the line up.

-------------Edwards
Wynne---James---Velez---Dunivant
----------Harmse/Hemming
Ricketts-----Robinson-----Robert
----------Smith
-------------------Cunningham (unless Dichio is 100%)

[JDG]

I think Carver is going to kick some ass going into this one. Make sure the lads know that they HAVE to win this one regardless of who's in the line up.

-------------Edwards
Wynne---James---Velez---Brennan
----------Harmse/Hemming
Ricketts-----Robinson-----Robert
----------Smith
-------------------Cunningham (unless Dichio is 100%)

Brennan is not available!

[SilverSamurai]

This is a FIFA date weekend. Can't do anything about it.
But then again so is next weekend too...
Blame MLS schedules!

[Shaughno]

:noidea: Doesn't look as bad as I initially thought.

[joelakeshore]

I'd definitely give Hemming a shout over Harmse...can't do much worse, that's for sure

[Shaughno]

Brennan is not available!


Whatchu talkin' bout willis!

[djking2]

You're still showing Brennan in that line-up Shaughno ?

[Wagner]

This may be common knowledge to many of you already, but it just hit me.

We will be missing the following players in our game vs Colorado this Saturday:

Sutton
Brennan
Edu
Guerava
Marshall

Any ideas on what our lineup will look like?
We looked like we have a lot of depth when we played LA, but Houston made us look like fools. Which performance can we expect from the bench?

wow,
that sucks,
those are 5 core players.

here's my first try at one of these:


------Edwards-------
wynne - velez - james - Tebily

Ricketts - Harmse - - Robbo - Robert
---smith ---cunny-----

[SilverSamurai]

Brennan is not available!

Tebily good again?
Velez will stay since he got a red card in his previous game, otherwise he'd be gone too!

[werewolf]

-------------Dichio---Cunny-----------
--Robert---Robinson--Ricketts--Smith--
--Dunivant--James---Velez-----Wynne--
----------------Edwards---------------

I may be off in the midfield, but I am not going to condone Harmse getting playing time. Perhaps if Harmse does start, Smith might play striker, depending on Danny's injury. Tebily maybe at the back too.

[Shaughno]

wow,
that sucks,
those are 5 core players.

here's my first try at one of these:


------Edwards-------
wynne - velez - james - Tebily

Ricketts - Harmse - - Robbo - Robert
---smith ---cunny-----


I can't see Tebily playing wide. If they were to keep that lineup and NOT use Dunivant, I would assume they would push Velez to LB to cover since he's naturally an outside defender anyway.

[Shaughno]

Also... we've been playing 4-5-1 basically all season. Why do people think he's going to 4-4-2? Especially with Smith playing much better in mid than up front.

[joelakeshore]

I'd like to see Tebily playing DM with Robinson, stick with the 4-2-3-1 we play pretty well, with Smith in the Guevara-esque role and whoever is most fit between Danny and Cunny for striker

[werewolf]

let's all remember this is brought to you by the MLS - "too arrogant to recognize international dates"

[Cantstoptherock]

MLS has to realize that once they start attracting top-end talent, that talent will have international commitments and the schedules will need to be flexible enough to change here and there. Expecting a team to perform without 2 core players is a bit much, but 5 is just unreasonable. This has to end.

[werewolf]

Also... we've been playing 4-5-1 basically all season. Why do people think he's going to 4-4-2? Especially with Smith playing much better in mid than up front.


Not impressed in 4-5-1 without Edu and Guevara. We are better with Smith upfront then Harmse on the field.

[Toronto Ruffrider]

Amado Guevara, does he still play for us? Beginning to really dislike Honduras

I disliked Honduras four years ago, and I may dislike them even more in a few months.

[Wagner]

let's all remember this is brought to you by the MLS - "too arrogant to recognize international dates"

i was thinking about this the other day....

i wonder if England was in Euro2008, if they'd start to take more notice of int'l dates....

[werewolf]

I disliked Honduras four years ago, and I may dislike them even more in a few months.


If we have the likes of Adriann Cann and Ugo Imehelu at the back, Suazo and Amado are going to tear us apart. But that is an argument for another section.

[Pachuco]

i was thinking about this the other day....

i wonder if England was in Euro2008, if they'd start to take more notice of int'l dates....

I have no idea what you're getting to.

[Carts]

Honduras is now our enemy...

Honestly, this sucks... 5 guys out with FIFA duty :mad:

Carts...

[akoto]

I think Carver is going to kick some ass going into this one. Make sure the lads know that they HAVE to win this one regardless of who's in the line up.

-------------Edwards
Wynne---James---Velez---Dunivant
----------Harmse/Hemming
Ricketts-----Robinson-----Robert
----------Smith
-------------------Cunningham (unless Dichio is 100%)

I think this will end up being the starting 11. I can't see JC starting both Dichio and Cunningham. Dichio probably can't go the full 90 and I'm sure he doesn't want to give Lombardo playing time if he doesn't have to. I see Cunningham starting with Dichio coming in 60-70 depending on the game. I would like to see Hemming get the start over Harmse as well.

[Shaughno]

My only concern with Hemming is match fitness. He's been away on trial for clubs, not necessarily a great way to maintain a great fitness level. I am assuming Harmse will start unless Hemming has seriously impressed in training.

[werewolf]

Hemming could have been training with us, even before we signed him, sure that may not be the same, but maybe he has been running extra after practice.

[Shaughno]

Like I said, it's my only concern. We really have no idea what his fitness level is at this point. ;)

[werewolf]

I might feel better with Tebily at the back, James is young and Velez has his moments. Olivier appeared to be more consistent and solid in the few times he has played.

[olegunnar]

Doesn't matter who's not in the line up.
We're the mighty TFC playing in the Fortress. Colorado has no chance.

On a less flippant note, since Sutton, Brennan and Marshall all played like they were someone else anyways looks like we're in the same situation we were last week, excpet the discipline/fitness issue with Robert should be settled. Was there ever any explanation why he didn't start?

[giambac]

This may be common knowledge to many of you already, but it just hit me.

We will be missing the following players in our game vs Colorado this Saturday:

Sutton
Brennan
Edu
Guerava
Marshall

Any ideas on what our lineup will look like?
We looked like we have a lot of depth when we played LA, but Houston made us look like fools. Which performance can we expect from the bench?

I think unfortunatly we will probaly get a similar performanc eas the Houston game. we looked good against LA because they were missing their 2 firepowersin Beckam and Donovan.

It will definetly be a tougher match against a tougher opponent on Saturday.

Hate to think of it but our home unbeaten streak is at risk.

[trane]

The only good thing for me about Italy's loss on Monday, is that I have not been able to think about quite shit, TFC looked on Saturday. They were awfull, and the broadcast was even worse.

[jloome]

I can't see Tebily playing wide. If they were to keep that lineup and NOT use Dunivant, I would assume they would push Velez to LB to cover since he's naturally an outside defender anyway.

Actually he played wide several times for Birmingham and was pretty good. He's fast, can pass and can mark well. I'd use him there if he was available:

----------------Edwards
Wynne---Velez---James--Tebily/Dunivant
----------------Robinson
Smith------Ricketts---------Robert
------------Dichio----Cunningham

I look at most teams in this league and that's still a lineup that should be able to win, in my book.

[Shaughno]

I agree we should still pull off a win if they keep to a cohesive unit. I'm not saying Tebily can't play wide, just that I don't see Carver playing him there. I would assume he would be used in DM before LB.

[Shaughno]

------------Edwards
Wynne---Velez---James---Dunivant
--------Tebily---Robinson
Ricketts-----Smith-----Robert
----------Cunningham

I can see that happening.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

------------Edwards
Wynne---Velez---James--Dunivant
--------Robinson---Tebily------
Smith------Ricketts---------Robert
----------Cunningham

What i would like to see, tho i wouldnt doubt we see a 4-4-2 with smith up front with Cunny

[jloome]

I agree we should still pull off a win if they keep to a cohesive unit. I'm not saying Tebily can't play wide, just that I don't see Carver playing him there. I would assume he would be used in DM before LB.


Yeah, maybe. Depends on whether he can see moving ricketts inside. He's probably the team's best passer outside of Guevara and Jimmy B, so I could see it.

I'd certainly like to see Tebily at DM, as everyone I've talked to from Birmingham online seems to think he'd have had a monster career if he'd just stuck with midfield roles.

So maybe they play Dunny out left and Tebily comes in with Robinson. I kind of hope not, though, as I don't think either guy is going to supply much to the forwards. The one thing the LA game showed is that when he's called on in that role, Ricketts does alright. I think they'd have done better in Houston moving him inside than having Harmse on the field, as neither he nor robinson can stroke a long pass to save their lives.

Can't see smith inside Shaugno, as he hasn't shown much propensity for passing.

[Pachuco]

------------Edwards
Wynne---Velez---James---Dunivant
--------Tebily---Robinson
Ricketts-----Smith-----Robert
----------Cunningham

I can see that happening.

I like this lineup. With Dichio coming in in the 60th minute.

[darb]

Doesn't matter who's not in the line up.
We're the mighty TFC playing in the Fortress. Colorado has no chance.

On a less flippant note, since Sutton, Brennan and Marshall all played like they were someone else anyways looks like we're in the same situation we were last week, excpet the discipline/fitness issue with Robert should be settled. Was there ever any explanation why he didn't start?

I didn't hear of any discipline issue there. I thought it was just Carver's "most recently played" policy in effect. Dunivant played the previous game, so he starts the next, even if he didn't do much to impress in the previous game.

[Shaughno]

Yeah, maybe. Depends on whether he can see moving ricketts inside. He's probably the team's best passer outside of Guevara and Jimmy B, so I could see it.

I'd certainly like to see Tebily at DM, as everyone I've talked to from Birmingham online seems to think he'd have had a monster career if he'd just stuck with midfield roles.

So maybe they play Dunny out left and Tebily comes in with Robinson. I kind of hope not, though, as I don't think either guy is going to supply much to the forwards. The one thing the LA game showed is that when he's called on in that role, Ricketts does alright. I think they'd have done better in Houston moving him inside than having Harmse on the field, as neither he nor robinson can stroke a long pass to save their lives.

Can't see smith inside Shaugno, as he hasn't shown much propensity for passing.


Only reason I put Smith inside, is it's more of a dropped striker than CM role IMO. Carver doesn't seem to want to use Ricketts in the middle from what I've seen and I think we'll see Robert coming into the middle a lot with Smith pushing onto the left.

[trane]

------------Edwards
Wynne---Velez---James---Dunivant
--------Tebily---Robinson
Ricketts-----Smith-----Robert
----------Cunningham

I can see that happening.



I like this but with Dichio instea of Cunny upfront. Cunny should come for after 60-70 Minutes. I think that it would give us the best opportunity to win. However, no matter who we put out there if we look as disorganized and lazy as we did on Sunday, it will not matter.

[Northern Soul]

Only reason I put Smith inside, is it's more of a dropped striker than CM role IMO. Carver doesn't seem to want to use Ricketts in the middle from what I've seen and I think we'll see Robert coming into the middle a lot with Smith pushing onto the left.

So let's start Robert in Guevara's spot. He has enough creativity to play there.

[Footie-11]

----------------Edwards
Wynne---Velez----James/Tebily---Dunny
-----------Harmse------Robbo
Rickets-----------------------Robert
-----------------Smith
-----------Cunny/Dichio(depends on health)

I think thats preety accurate in terms of our lineup, with hemming coming on as a sub just because harmse has expierence.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

------------Edwards
Wynne---Velez---James---Dunivant
--------Tebily---Robinson
Ricketts-----Smith-----Robert
----------Cunningham

I can see that happening.


Me too, looks good

[Leprechaun]

what the fuck.. how can players miss so many club games? this is brutal wow. i thought we would have all of our players back by now.

[Pachuco]

Anyone know what the situation looks like for next week? as far as players absent goes that is.

[akoto]

The Guevara international call up is getting way out of hand now. JC was saying how it was hard to get in touch with him down there, it can't be that hard. They have the internet, they have cell phones. Get him back. We aren't paying him to sit at home playing friendlies.

[Oldtimer]

Colorado will be missing midfielder Pablo Mastroeni (USA National Team) and defender Ugo Ihemelu (called up by Canada). It will effect them (Pablo is their "Guevara"), but TFC has a much bigger loss. Time to crank up the support!

[invictusTFC]

Edwards
Wynne - Velez - James - Dunivant

Ricketts - Tebily - - Robbo - Robert

---Smith ---Cunny-----

Tebily has a lot of experience playing as a holding midfielder. I'd be more confident watching him play over Harmse. That being said, you can always give Roseland a run out there playing Guevara's position and bring DD on as the lone forward. However, I'd stick to the above formation to start the game.

[invictusTFC]

Colorado will be missing midfielder Pablo Mastroeni (USA National Team) and defender Ugo Ihemelu (called up by Canada). It will effect them (Pablo is their "Guevara"), but TFC has a much bigger loss. Time to crank up the support!

I thought Cristian Gomez was their Guevara. Isn't Mastroeni their holding mid?

[RPB_RED_NATION_RPB]

mlS is a joke......when will they ever accept international dates..and shut the foooking league down!

[invictusTFC]

what the fuck.. how can players miss so many club games? this is brutal wow. i thought we would have all of our players back by now.
Its the league's fault. They could have scheduled games around the international commitments. They've handcuffed some teams as a result.

[TFC Cityboy]

Jimmy B has invested in a cloning machine...tests are taking place today and Jimmy B hopes to appear in both matches this weekend

[bhoybobby]

Well we knew this going into the season, are we deep enough? I guess we'll find out if the squad players can seize another chance to shine & compete

[TFC07]

Everybody (including Carver) should be pissed at MLS more than these players and their managers.

Why can't MLS follow FIFA dates?

These americans wonder why some of us call MLS a bush league.

[joel]

I'd actually like to see the D without brennan for a match...sometimes it seems like he's the right guy, and sometimes it seems like he's causing the problems.

[TFC111]

TFC makes a plea for International dates to be respected:

http://toronto.fc.mlsnet.com/t280/fans/blogs/kick_about/

[rocker]

Everybody (including Carver) should be pissed at MLS more than these players and their managers.

Why can't MLS follow FIFA dates?

These americans wonder why some of us call MLS a bush league.

Carver doesn't seem to have a problem with letting guys go for FIFA dates. It's these goddamn friendlies that are a problem. Friendlies don't necessarily occur on FIFA dates, so as a team you have a shitload of possible days of absence.

Guevara has missed a couple games not just because of FIFA dates.. but because of friendlies. We coulda had him for 2 league games if he wasn't playing in friendlies.

[GuelphStorm2007]

What I don't get every league in the world will shut down during any FIFA International date. why won't the MLS

[ExiledRed]

What I don't get every league in the world will shut down during any FIFA International date. why won't the MLS

Mate, the MLS is uninterrupted by the fucking World Cup.

I think it's more to do with the summer season than anything else.

[Mrs. Workie]

I think it's more to do with the summer season than anything else.


I think that's exactly it Ian- what other league plays during the summer?


(if there are some, please forgive my football ignorance)

[andyc]

^^^ Oh shit I totally forgot about the World Cup...

In 2 years time we're completely fucked!!!

:eek::eek::eek:

[ExiledRed]

^^^ Oh shit I totally forgot about the World Cup...

In 2 years time we're completely fucked!!!

:eek::eek::eek:

It's not like there are a glut of players in MLS, who will be playing in the World Cup.

But then again...in 2 years time, who knows.

[shaggingscot]

^^^ Oh shit I totally forgot about the World Cup...

In 2 years time we're completely fucked!!!

:eek::eek::eek:

Surely the bright sparks at MLS headquarters have thought that far ahead and will start the season a wee bit earlier that year and then take a break, like some leagues do in Europe during the winter.

:noidea:

[Cambridge_Red]

Fucking snow.

[Oldtimer]

I think Norway plays in summer. They have the same snow problems we do.

By the way, everyone mentions this "Guevara" fellow. I seem to remember a player by that name, waaayyyy back early on in the season. :p

[DigzTFC!]

There are really two reasons why MLS doesn't respect FIFA dates:

1) Many teams don't own their stadiums, which causes them to have lack of control over the use and contractual obligation to have events on certain days of the week.

2) The vast majority of MLS fans are not hardcore soccer supporters that show up on weekdays, influencing teams to schedule games only on weekends. Wednesday and Thursday are called primetime because no other games a played on that day except for usually one. FIFA dates are usually one weekends in CONCACAF. Notice how the friendlies were on a weekday.

What it comes down to is drawing more fans at anytime for games in teams' own stadiums. Until that happens, we live in this mess

[J .]

Edwards
Wynne Tebily Velez Dunivant
Rickets Robbo Harmse Robert
Smith
Lombardo ( I cant bring myself to say Cunningham)

[Azerban]

Lombardo ( I cant bring myself to say Cunningham)

Right, because Lombardo has managed to score so many more goals than Cunningham has.

[TFC_Junky]

what the fuck.. how can players miss so many club games? this is brutal wow. i thought we would have all of our players back by now.
I agree, this is aweful! WTF is MLS thinking by letting the club matches whither because of international friendlies?!

[Shaughno]

Right, because Lombardo has managed to score so many more goals than Cunningham has.


:lol: This is what I don't get. The guy has 99 career goals in this league, 3 this season. He knows how to score in this league.

When was the last time Lombardo scored in the MLS....?

[Red CB Toronto]

Cunny is one goal away from joining a very exclusive group, give this great player the resepct he deserves.

On another note, MLS would get lost if they played within the FIFA season, With the NFL, College Football among other things going on in the fall. I just think MLS could avoid official international dates, that in my mind would not be hard to do, have some policy to not have games on these days.

[Fort York Redcoat]

Cunny did a job but if it had come earlier than the game would have changed. As for this ridiculous schedule conflict the league is shooting itself in the foot. The mid way point of the season is not even here and supporters are further frustrated watching teams go from moderatly talented to second rate (literally). It's unfair to fans and hurts the growth of the game pushing the club vs country question to the breaking point. I'm not alone in being doubly slighted when the best my country has to offer is subtracted from my club team and I can't even watch what they do. I'll have to try this Jumptv or something but it would be a lot better to view it down the pub a la the preseason.;)

[SilverSamurai]

:lol: This is what I don't get. The guy has 99 career goals in this league, 3 this season. He knows how to score in this league.

When was the last time Lombardo scored in the MLS....?

Didn't you hear? Lombardo only scores in friendlies and against EPL squads!;)

[Brooker]

-------------Dichio---Cunny-----------
--Robert---Robinson--Ricketts--Smith--
--Dunivant--James---Velez-----Wynne--
----------------Edwards---------------


that lineup would be great all things considered.

[JDG]

----------------Edwards---------------
Wynne----Velez------Tebily------James
-------Harmse----------Robinson-------
-----Smith-----Ricketts-----Robert-----
----------------Dichio-----------------

[mighty_torontofc_2008]

Amado Guevara, does he still play for us? Beginning to really dislike Honduras

do you dislike the canadian team for their call ups of TFC players? The CSA should have played the u-23 olympic team vs st vincent and let the TFC guys stayed in TO.

[TFC_Toon]

Amado Guevara, does he still play for us? Beginning to really dislike Honduras

Exactly, thinking the same thing, he has been gone for what now...2 weeks!............BS.

[TFC_Toon]

:lol: This is what I don't get. The guy has 99 career goals in this league, 3 this season. He knows how to score in this league.

When was the last time Lombardo scored in the MLS....?

That goal vs Houston was a cracker! Like to see more of this type of finishing from Cunningham. I don't believe he is done with us yet.

[TFC_Toon]

that lineup would be great all things considered.

This looks favourable, especially that Harmse is not in the lineup, totally ineffective vs Houston......yes I know, most of the squad was. Harmse has not installed any confidence in me through the middle, rather see one of the young lads get a chance.

[Bombonera]

Has ANyone figured out that they have cell phones in Honduras (Remember Carver's comment a week or so ago?) ? DO we not think that it is time to give the man a call to tell him to get his CULO DEVUELTA EN TORONTO! CARAJO!

[Oblio2]

:lol: This is what I don't get. The guy has 99 career goals in this league, 3 this season. He knows how to score in this league.

When was the last time Lombardo scored in the MLS....?


Cunningham has lost it and IMHO, complete crap

[Northern Soul]

----------------Edwards---------------
Wynne----Velez------James------Dunivant
-------Tebily----------Robinson-------
-----Ricketts-----Robert-----Smith-----
----------------Dichio-----------------

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Cunningham has lost it and IMHO, complete crap

Yeah fucking terrible the way hes scored a goal almost every game hes started this year.

I dont mind shipping him out for someone new but lets not doubt him all together. His stock is relatively high right now having scored relatively regularly. Only thing working agaisnt him is his attitude.

[Shaughno]

Cunningham has lost it and IMHO, complete crap


Scary how he's complete crap yet started half as many games as Dichio with only one less goal. :noidea:

[Carts]

Scary how he's complete crap yet started half as many games as Dichio with only one less goal. :noidea:

Well said...

And they each have 1 game-winning-goal...

I'm not posting this to slag Dichio at all - but Cunny gets alot of heat from us for a guy with 3-goals (1 being a game-winner, on the road no less)...

Carts....

[MFBODD]

MLS really needs to look at this problem. Personally, I view it as major and they have to do something about it. Obviously this isn't unique to Toronto, but when one side doesn't have 5 of their players it's a huge issue. Having that many players out WILL have an impact on the standing, playoffs and championship. It WILL also have an impact on ticket sales, TV ratings and the fan base.

We didn't have a match for 16 days earlier in the season and I may as well camp out and BMO in July...WTF is with that? (I know 4 of those games are friendlies and non league matches for CONCACAF)

All I gotta say in L.A. is DAMN lucky that England failed to reach Euro.

[vagigiman]

do you dislike the canadian team for their call ups of TFC players? The CSA should have played the u-23 olympic team vs st vincent and let the TFC guys stayed in TO.

That only makes sense, though I guess credibility is an issue the :canada: team.

The situation sucks but no one with budge here I guess. MLS certainly won't and why would FIFA care?

[RealG-TFC]

I think that's exactly it Ian- what other league plays during the summer?


(if there are some, please forgive my football ignorance)

Norway
Sweden
Russia
Finland
Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania
Belarus

[Roogsy]

^Those are some real shitty legs. It just occured to me.

Doesn't Japan have a schedule that starts in January or something? Not exactly European, but not exactly North American either.

[BakaGaijin]

^Those are some real shitty legs. It just occured to me.

Doesn't Japan have a schedule that starts in January or something? Not exactly European, but not exactly North American either.

The J-league starts in March.

[rocker]

down five players to international duty? WHO CARES!!!! HAHAHAHAH!!!