Wed 19 Feb 1pm: Mickey Mouse Cup Game 1, TFC vs Columbus

[Yohan]

Live at http://www.torontofc.ca/live


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd6jVZv0s3A

[pdubs]

from preseason thread

so do we expect to see all our new Brazilians in action today? excited to see where Jackson slots in. also want to see Gilberto shoot a lot aha.

[BuSaPuNk]

For those who can't watch at work it's being replayed on GOLTV at 8:30 as per the rogers guide.

[OgtheDim]

And it will be on Youtube for time immemorial.

[Red CB Toronto]

Victory for the Reds today.

[Initial B]

Sorry, I'm betting that there will be a lot of miscues as players get used to playing with each other, and we're still missing Defoe so we're probably looking at Gilberto and Hamilton/Weids up front. I'll be happy with a tie.

[MartinUtd]

Sorry, I'm betting that there will be a lot of miscues as players get used to playing with each other, and we're still missing Defoe so we're probably looking at Gilberto and Hamilton/Weids up front. I'll be happy with a tie.

Good. Looking forward to seeing Hamilton and Wiedeman with decent service.

[pdubs]

Armen Bedakian ‏@ArmenBedakian (https://twitter.com/ArmenBedakian) 2m (https://twitter.com/ArmenBedakian/status/436184676584022016) Toronto FC starting XI: Julio Cesar; Hagglund, Caldwell, Henry, Morrow; Jackson, Osorio, Bradley, Rey; De Rosario, Gilberto. #TFC (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TFC&src=hash) #MLS (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23MLS&src=hash)

[Red I]

Hagglund at RB?

[pdubs]

apparently. we might see richter at cb second half? not sure what is up with orr.

[PopePouri]

Armen Bedakian ‏@ArmenBedakian (https://twitter.com/ArmenBedakian) 2m (https://twitter.com/ArmenBedakian/status/436184676584022016) Toronto FC starting XI: Julio Cesar; Hagglund, Caldwell, Henry, Morrow; Jackson, Osorio, Bradley, Rey; De Rosario, Gilberto. #TFC (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TFC&src=hash) #MLS (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23MLS&src=hash)

Not messing around hey?

[Yohan]

Columbus Crew (Crew%E2%80%8F@ColumbusCrew)‏@ColumbusCrew (Crew%E2%80%8F@ColumbusCrew)
#Crew96 (http://www.bigsoccer.com/search?q=%23Crew96&src=hash) Starting XI vs. TFC (4-2-3-1): Lampson; Williams, Slogic, Wahl, Francis; Trapp, Tchani; Jimenez, Higuaín, Meram; Arrieta.

[notthesun]

Strong lineup. Only wondering why Orr isn't at RB instead of Hagglund out of position (I'm sure he's played some RB before but I'd rather not move him out of CB).

[mcolvy]

Strong lineup. Only wondering why Orr isn't at RB instead of Hagglund out of position (I'm sure he's played some RB before but I'd rather not move him out of CB).

Might be part of the learning curve. Play beside Henry and Caldwell and see first hand what they do out there and what happens to you as a fullback. Im sure when they drafted him they knew where they wanted him (CB). Not a bad call to let him move around and get an understanding of the defense. Less vulnerable out on the right and he can get his feet wet with the ball at his feet.

[Oldtimer]

You want to beat Columbus every time you play them.

[jloome]

Might be part of the learning curve. Play beside Henry and Caldwell and see first hand what they do out there and what happens to you as a fullback. Im sure when they drafted him they knew where they wanted him (CB). Not a bad call to let him move around and get an understanding of the defense. Less vulnerable out on the right and he can get his feet wet with the ball at his feet.

He's extremely fast for his size, so I suspect Nelsen is seeing how he matches up to another teams' wide speed, and also letting Hagglund know just how much faster his thinking has to be.

[Strikers]

Looking forward to watching Gilberto today, should be interesting with Dero up top with him

[19Barrett19]

Great line up today -orr -defoe 3-0 TFC after first half

[evermorian]

Great line up today -orr -defoe 3-0 TFC after first half
If only the stream worked.

[19Barrett19]

U would think mls would figure this out by now. Get the stream working properly

[tfcleeds]

Not sure if it's my work computer, but I'm getting lots of screen freezes. Maybe I'll just watch this at home tonite on Youtube.

[Phil]

seems good so far for the stream. I hear Bradley will be tremendous and is now a 10 million dollar man.

[ag futbol]

Damnit, if you are going to advertise a web stream at least put some effort into quality.

[Leedsoronto]

Same here plus double speak issues

[jloome]

Watch it on the TFC site. MLSsoccer.com has major jquery issues.

No stutter on the TFC site for me. Also, buffer it for 30 seconds by pausing.

Osorio looks smart so far, finding holes.

[notthesun]

Watch it on the TFC site. MLSsoccer.com has major jquery issues.

No stutter on the TFC site for me. Also, buffer it for 30 seconds by pausing.

Osorio looks smart so far, finding holes.

Thanks. The Youtube stream is stopped for me.

[tfcleeds]

It's working well for me now (tfc site)

[Yohan]

1-0 Crew. Higuain is class

[notthesun]

1-0 Columbus, Higuain free kick from the edge of the box curled into the top corner. Hagglund committed the foul.

[Captain]

Where on the TFC site is the game? The only link I found does not open the game.

[Leedsoronto]

It's working well for me now (tfc site)

Thanks that works for me too, just in time for the ***** Dont wana spoil

[Super]

Works great for me:
http://www.torontofc.ca/live

Shame Higuain got one.

[MartinUtd]

Damn what happened? He scored while I was pausing to buffer.

[ag futbol]

And of course we are down a goal already lol. Season = over

[rocktml]

little worried about DERO.......already seeing him having a hissy fit on the field because something didnt workout on the field

[mowe]

2-0.

The season is over. Pack it in boys.

[rocktml]

oh boy..........

[SoccMan2]

Nelson has too go lol

[Yohan]

dear lord. 2-0 Crew. Josh Williams

[Oldtimer]

Fire Nelsen! :lol:

OK, let's see how much character the team has.

[Super]

At least it's a pre-season game. Better to lose now than later. Will be interesting to see how we respond.

[jloome]

Where on the TFC site is the game? The only link I found does not open the game.

Click the link above the youtube video at the top of this thread.

2-0 columbus. Huge blast from Josh Williams.

[PopePouri]

And of course we are down a goal already lol. Season = over

2-0 now.

[ag futbol]

I'm not sure - assuming it was Henry - but clearing that header into the middle of the field when the LB was there for an easy layoff does not fill me with confidence.

[tfcleeds]

2-0. The season is over. Pack it in boys. Lol...seriously, what happened on that second one though?

[SoccMan2]

Henry still sucks lol

[mowe]

2-1! hahah this is a goal fest!

[Oldtimer]

... and TFC takes one back!

[MartinUtd]

Okay we scored but the feed is so fucking choppy it skipped the whole thing.

[Yohan]

Oso! on deflection. 2-1

[SoccMan2]

When a minute I take it back keep Nelson for now lol

[notthesun]

And now it's 2-1. Own goal I think? Really wish they had replays.

[Leedsoronto]

Use the link on first post

[Wince]

2-0 Crew. :(

EDIT: 2-1... goals are coming fast and furious!

[Yohan]

Morrow still on hoofball mode from SJ days

[jloome]

LOL, announcer apologizes for them going down, but I haven't had a stutter on the TFC site feed.

[PopePouri]

lol Bradley.

[jloome]

Not spreading the field enough. Need to switch more rather than looking inside all the time.

[TFCREDNWHITE]

Lets get a chant going that might help them!

[Yohan]

ah Hagglund. you can't cross. you ain't no RB

[mowe]

Why IS Hagglund playing RB? Bloom/Orr would've put in a decent cross.

[Kaz]

Gilberto is kinda stationary a lot.

[Wince]

"Micheal Bradley leading the charge forward"

We'll be hearing that a lot this season.

[adam1001]

Dero is not looking good.

[lazlo_80]

I've seen beer league games with more hustle. I wouldn't take much stock from this game. Get the impression this is being used as more of a run around then a statement on where we are as a team.

[Phil]

I keep hearing tremendous....jeez get another word.

[Yohan]

nice cross from Morrow. too bad DeRo couldn't convert

[jloome]

I've seen beer league games with more hustle. I wouldn't take much stock from this game. Get the impression this is being used as more of a run around then a statement on where we are as a team.

I just think we lack chemistry, look like a team that just came together, which we are. Talent for talent, it's immediately obvious how much better this team is that what we've had in the past. Defensively, our hustle was somewhat lacking, which is probably partly because Columbus' midfield has played together before and is pretty close to full speed.

Need to get the ball out to the left flank more. They're trying to force everything through Bradley or up the right side.

[Canary10]

If that's any indication, looks like we can expect teams to flood the midfield. Nelsen will have to figure out how to deal with that. We looked constantly outnumbered.

[ag futbol]

Felt a little like we were playing a low-rent game with high-end parts. Guess that's just a product of guys getting used to each other. Columbus looked a lot more fluid out there.

Osorio and Bradley looked great going forward but we did concede a lot of the midfield. Might suggest we find a way to be a little bit tighter in the midfield.

Other major observation: we don't have much quality on the backline when it comes to holding the ball or playing short passes. High pressure game and we are coughing it up easily. That has to change.

[mcolvy]

This is coming down to the same thing we on this board have said the whole offseason. Who is going to be creating these goals? We have zero creativity with a stock of forwards DeRo, Gilberto and Defoe.....

[ag futbol]

Need to get the ball out to the left flank more. They're trying to force everything through Bradley or up the right side.
Agreed. Would also like to see move movement from the strikers up top to unsettle their defense. It was a pretty easy first half if you were a columbus CB. Not too many piercing balls in behind or difficult runs to mark.

[adam1001]

We need to get the ball to rey more often. He seemed wide open at times but we were just forcing the ball through the middle. I'd like to see Orr on the field. Hagglund and henry are mediocre at best.

[19Barrett19]

tfc need to change tactics to get past the five man MF of the Crew i say go to a 4-1-2-1-2

[khso11]

What happened to Bloom? Is he injured?

[mowe]

Wieds and Lambe in for Gilberto and Jackson

Boss in for Caldwell

[Leedsoronto]

My stream gone arhhhhh

[adam1001]

i feel like the stream is down for good lol

[19Barrett19]

The stream is not working

[jloome]

Mine too.

[tfcleeds]

Maybe it's just not meant to be for us to watch any preseason games in their entirety this year.

[notthesun]

Why do I even bother watching preseason? MLS has the worst streams in the history of the internet.

[tfcleeds]

Well, back to Olympic hockey, lol.

[Leedsoronto]

It's not very streamy?

Quick switch to hockey :@)

[pdubs]

Toronto FC ‏@torontofc (https://twitter.com/torontofc) 37s (https://twitter.com/torontofc/status/436216562216099840) 49': Andrew Wiedeman one-on-one with the keeper. Lampson pushes it away. #TFClive (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TFClive&src=hash)

weeds u bum

[PopePouri]

Why do I even bother watching preseason? MLS has the worst streams in the history of the internet.

No just TFC. I watched a couple other games and they worked without a hitch.

[tfcleeds]

Well, we ended up winning the last time the stream cut out, so maybe that's a good thing. ;)

[loconet]

Maybe it's just not meant to be for us to watch any preseason games in their entirety this year.

..or any year.


It's the year 2014. We are on the cusp of having self driving cars, we have eye wear that act as powerful computers connected to the internet, we watched a robot land on mars in almost real-time (speed of communication with a remote planet limited).

... but yet MLS/teams cannot sort out a simple video feed from Florida.

The destruction of the league will not be spending or over spending in players. It will be their goddamn potatoes for cameras and zucchinis for modems in pre-seasons.

[Auzzy]

So, I guess I should get back to work...

Ha ha oops, stream back, you may need to refresh & restart the stream.

[jloome]

It's back, no sound/

[19Barrett19]

Mls you should be ashamed of yourselves

[Ron Manager]

Refresh the page....worked for me. No sound though.

[jloome]

3-1 Columbus. Nice slide-rule through ball, one touch finish.

[adam1001]

and another c-bus goal.

[Auzzy]

Wow, ugh, so easy for them.

[notthesun]

I couldn't tell who that was that didn't pick up his man in the middle for that goal but I think it was Agbossoumonde.

[adam1001]

it's preseason and all, but from now on i'm refusing to buy into any of the hype until we start the season. Really hope this is not an indication of what's coming

[Canary10]

I missed all four goals somehow.

They've killed us in possession.

[ag futbol]

Bekker, Hall, and someone else on for Rey, Osorio, and Bradley

[ag futbol]

Why aren't we pressing up top? Watching two forwards let the defenders dink the ball around is incredibly annoying.

[lanarkist]

Yeah I'm pretty sure it was Boss who didn't mark his man on that through ball. Meh - so far the goals conceded were by a soft challenge by Hagglund (if I can tell based on this garbage stream) who won't be close to our starting XI, Poor coverage by Boss who won't start, and a world class strike from 35 yards out. Of course things would unfold like this for us, but I can't say I'm really that worried.

If anything concerns me it's to see the lack of tracking back by Jackson and Rey, leading to a lot of midfield possession for the Crew. Bradley is beyond refreshing to watch.

[jloome]

Why aren't we pressing up top? Watching two forwards let the defenders dink the ball around is incredibly annoying.

We're playing a warmup style game, no pressing, no hard tackles. It's by design. Columbus already has several games of pre-season fitness on us, so it makes sense to play stand-off football. It's a training match.

[pdubs]

Duane Rollins ‏@24thminute (https://twitter.com/24thminute) 1m (https://twitter.com/24thminute/status/436220314049986560) #TFC (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TFC&src=hash) is a week behind pre-season prep from most #MLS (https://twitter.com/search?q=%23MLS&src=hash) teams b/c they have a week 1 bye. Literally read nothing into preseason results.

[Ivy]

Gentleman... Calm the nerves. It's preseason, and TFC is a week behind everybody else.

[JavierMartini]

reggie lambe cant complete a one time pass ......

moreover finally we have someone with vision like bradley. Should call him the bald owl, or just the owl.........(not sure if bald owl's exist.)






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Get that man a toupee !

[tfcleeds]

Yep, not going to read much into this at all. All the things mentioned, plus the team needs to gel (3 Brazilians made their debuts for TFC today), while the Columbus team is much more familiar with one another.

[OgtheDim]

I'm more reading into this that, when we inevitably go down 1-0 in Seattle about 17 minutes in, people are going to go apefeces all over the interwebs.

[ManUtd4ever]

Pre-season results mean absolutely nothing gentlemen.

[Couchy81]

I'm more reading into this that, when we inevitably go down 1-0 in Seattle about 17 minutes in, people are going to go apefeces all over the interwebs.

Every time Cesar lets in a goal people are going to freak out. It's expected with all the hype.

[ag futbol]

Weeds missed an obvious chance for a through ball there. Bekker always looks good in these games dinking passes around and then inevitably doesn't show up for regular season

[Initial B]

Did anyone seriously think we could beat MLS teams in our current state? I see Nelson using the rest of the preseason to try out different formations, players, and tactics leading up to the first game in Seattle. I figure they'll lose 5 of the first 8 games, play .500 ball leading up to the World Cup, then start winning at a playoff pace after the break so they make about 3rd in the East. We'll see about the MLS cup, but I wouldn't bet on them winning, especially if Murphy makes sure TFC has a lot of injuries.

[mowe]

Well we were definitely outplayed. This team needs a lot more time to gel, and they have 3 more scheduled preseason games to do it in. Wonder why Bloom and Orr didn't play.

[PopePouri]

That's it. Season is over. See you next year.

[Phil]

Every time Cesar lets in a goal people are going to freak out. It's expected with all the hype.

I thought he came with a force field....sheesh.

LOL, just kidding. Lots of new guys on the field in a first game for them. Not too worried as they have lots to work out.

[notthesun]

So 3-1 finish then.

Eh. Really doesn't matter what side of that score we were on today.

[Super]

Plenty of time to sort out the issues with this team. Still very early. Now, to be fair, it's also very early for Columbus (even though they start a week earlier) so not sure how I feel about them completely outplaying us.

Again, it's pre-season, so no reason to panic or get upset. But it's still telling of our current form. We have a LOT of work to do.

[Areathrasher]

At .500 for pre-season games. Not bad :lol:

[cochrdoc]

It maybe preseason but we continue to give up a shitload of goals.I would take them back out and run them for an hour.The payroll on that team should be able to compete better then that.Time to stop making excuses

[Canary10]

We looked like a team in preseason but.... it looked like they played a 4-2-3-1 and absolutely dominated the midfield, taking away our strength. Nelsen better figure out how to play against teams that do that.

[OgtheDim]

Hmm....people playing 2 DM's against us. How refreshing to have that issue.

[Yohan]

wonder what went through Julio Cesar's head

[Canary10]

wonder what went through Julio Cesar's head

"I thought I left QPR" maybe?

[razor787]

I found the game on youtube, and it kept saying there were technical difficulties. I did another search, and now it can be viewed, but they only have 38 minutes of the game. Any idea where I can go and watch the full match? I don't have GOL so that option is out.

[Canary10]

On the bright side, I thought Tony Tchani had a pretty good game. Oh wait.

[notthesun]

2 years ago we made the final of this tournament, beat L.A. over two legs, then went 0-9 in MLS. Preseason means precisely squat.

[Soccerpro]

reggie lambe cant complete a one time pass ......

moreover finally we have someone with vision like bradley. Should call him the bald owl, or just the owl.........(not sure if bald owl's exist.)






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Get that man a toupee !

how Reggie lambe is still in MLS boggles my mind. I have never heard a good argument as to why he is still on tfc and please don't tell me he's good value, good depth or a good defender. He is none of those.

[adam1001]

2 years ago we made the final of this tournament, beat L.A. over two legs, then went 0-9 in MLS. Preseason means precisely squat.

This is true. Good to put things into perspective.

[Super]

2 years ago we made the final of this tournament, beat L.A. over two legs, then went 0-9 in MLS. Preseason means precisely squat.

LOL very true indeed.

[tfcleeds]

how Reggie lambe is still in MLS boggles my mind. I have never heard a good argument as to why he is still on tfc and please don't tell me he's good value, good depth or a good defender. He is none of those. I'd much rather have Issey Nakajima-Ferran. I hope he's still offered a contract.

[ag futbol]

how Reggie lambe is still in MLS boggles my mind. I have never heard a good argument as to why he is still on tfc and please don't tell me he's good value, good depth or a good defender. He is none of those.
Reggie Lambe is like the midfield version of Justin Braun minus a fluke season where he was actually productive. Why running him out continues to be a thing, I will never know.

[Yohan]

http://www.youtube.com/user/torontofc?feature=watch

post game interviews up. game in 6 also up at TFC site

[Pookie]

I agree that one game doesn't mean a thing. Including if we won this one.

I will say though that this team cannot afford a slow start. It has a mountain of expectation on it put there by leadership and fans. It has a target league wide thanks to overspending and comments from TL (eg Bradley better than Edu, etc). It is carrying the baggage of 8 seasons. Fair or not, it has to win out of the gate or else this thing could steamroll like the 2013 Jays.

The one thing I take from the game is that Columbus played us like a few have expected in various threads. Force turn overs and don't let the ball get to our forwards. Capitalize on set pieces. Team is only as strong as its weakest player(s).

Nelson, though not reading anything into one game, has to figure out how to counter that.

[Soccerpro]

I agree that one game doesn't mean a thing. Including if we won this one.

I will say though that this team cannot afford a slow start. It has a mountain of expectation on it put there by leadership and fans. It has a target league wide thanks to overspending and comments from TL (eg Bradley better than Edu, etc). It is carrying the baggage of 8 seasons. Fair or not, it has to win out of the gate or else this thing could steamroll like the 2013 Jays.

The one thing I take from the game is that Columbus played us like a few have expected in various threads. Force turn overs and don't let the ball get to our forwards. Capitalize on set pieces. Team is only as strong as its weakest player(s).

Nelson, though not reading anything into one game, has to figure out how to counter that.

i question the strength of our team. I see no depth in the forward position. Compare that to the 4-5 options teams like the galaxy and timbers have up front. I also think our defence is still very suspect. I look forward to being surprised.

[SoccMan2]

Did Bradley Orr play?

[T-boy]

I agree that one game doesn't mean a thing. Including if we won this one.

I will say though that this team cannot afford a slow start. It has a mountain of expectation on it put there by leadership and fans. It has a target league wide thanks to overspending and comments from TL (eg Bradley better than Edu, etc). It is carrying the baggage of 8 seasons. Fair or not, it has to win out of the gate or else this thing could steamroll like the 2013 Jays.


We really have to be realistic and realise that we aren't going to sprint out of the gate at the start of the season. We have so many new pieces, its going to take 5 to 10 games for it all to gel. I don't think we will go a 0-9, but I don't expect to go 9-0 either! I really expect TFC to have a slow burning improving season, and to start pushing to the play off area come mid season onwards.

[Pookie]

We really have to be realistic and realise that we aren't going to sprint out of the gate at the start of the season. We have so many new pieces, its going to take 5 to 10 games for it all to gel. I don't think we will go a 0-9, but I don't expect to go 9-0 either! I really expect TFC to have a slow burning improving season, and to start pushing to the play off area come mid season onwards.

Perhaps. But you think the boo birds in the stands have the patience for a slow start?

That's where the pressure is going to come from.

[ensco]

I couldn't tell from Game in 6. How did Gilberto and Bradley look?

[adam1001]

I couldn't tell from Game in 6. How did Gilberto and Bradley look?

Gilberto looked stationary at times, but had 1 decent look at goal and definitely looks like he's going to be a handful for defenders. Bradley played deeper than I anticipated. Looked good, although less effective than the first half of the DC game (or at least what we saw through the fog)

[MartinUtd]

Can't put too much faith in this especially considering the line up but I agree with what was said earlier - our depth stinks. It'll be even more pronounced without Dike and Laba.

[brad]

wonder what went through Julio Cesar's head

I'm going to get a lot of practice shot stopping before the World Cup?

[brad]

how Reggie lambe is still in MLS boggles my mind. I have never heard a good argument as to why he is still on tfc and please don't tell me he's good value, good depth or a good defender. He is none of those.

Multiple manager have thought he has the potential to turn into a good MLS player.

[OgtheDim]

Responses

DeRo


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5fx03XnoC4&feature=player_embedded


Bradley


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=NKkh9hj2LHk

[OgtheDim]

Cesar


http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=aIJEhevXYYs


RN


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMOavcRYnlA&feature=player_embedded

[brad]

We really have to be realistic and realise that we aren't going to sprint out of the gate at the start of the season. We have so many new pieces, its going to take 5 to 10 games for it all to gel. I don't think we will go a 0-9, but I don't expect to go 9-0 either! I really expect TFC to have a slow burning improving season, and to start pushing to the play off area come mid season onwards.

Pretty much what I expect.


Perhaps. But you think the boo birds in the stands have the patience for a slow start?

That's where the pressure is going to come from.

Nope. Don't expect any patience. Many are expecting an MLS cup quality team on day one. They will be disappointed.

Two losses at BMO on the trot and people will be booing the team and saying "same old TFC"

[Yohan]

Mtl vs Fluminense U23 starting now

[jloome]

I couldn't tell from Game in 6. How did Gilberto and Bradley look?

They looked pretty good. Gilberto didn't see much but you could tell from the way he pulled off the backline quickly that he's going to try and get behind the trap a lot. Bradley was trying to spread the field, get long balls into channels. I'm afraid we're tactically still looking pretty rough; Columbus had prescribed motion that guys were expecting, whereas we had a lot of just running into space and looking for a pass.

We were playing at half-speed for much of the game, and Columbus looked more interested in winning. But player for player, we were right in there.

[sashavukelich]

What is our next game guys!?

[Yohan]

What is our next game guys!?
Sat 8pm vs Orlando City

[Yohan]

They looked pretty good. Gilberto didn't see much but you could tell from the way he pulled off the backline quickly that he's going to try and get behind the trap a lot. Bradley was trying to spread the field, get long balls into channels. I'm afraid we're tactically still looking pretty rough; Columbus had prescribed motion that guys were expecting, whereas we had a lot of just running into space and looking for a pass.

We were playing at half-speed for much of the game, and Columbus looked more interested in winning. But player for player, we were right in there.
Defoe is going to have to play more withdrawn striker, because Gilberto looked to be a poacher.

[jloome]

Defoe is going to have to play more withdrawn striker, because Gilberto looked to be a poacher.

Very much so; Defoe's very good with the close control, though, and his pace is wicked, so giving him a few more yards is fine. Besides, he'll find and make his own space to a certain degree.

What did you think of Osorio and DeRo? Both seemed trying to force it a bit.

[Yohan]

Very much so; Defoe's very good with the close control, though, and his pace is wicked, so giving him a few more yards is fine. Besides, he'll find and make his own space to a certain degree.

What did you think of Osorio and DeRo? Both seemed trying to force it a bit.
I agree. Felt like Oso and DeRo kinda try to play similar role and got in each other's way. DeRo dropping back too deep, isolated Gilberto up front (and Gilberto wasn't making a lot of runs in the channel), so Columbus had no major trouble dealing with TFC attack through middle. On the other hand, attacks through the flanks weren't bad.

Not reading too much into this game... though there's going to be a lot of growing pain integrating Defoe into the system.