Toronto FC vs San Jose Quakes Saturday June 7th @ 4:00PM BMO Field

[GhostKiller]

San Jose Quakes (4-4-4) Sitting 7th in the West Visiting Toronto FC (5-4-1) sitting 6th in the East

Broadcast on TSN @ 4:00PM

MLS Regular Season: 2-4-4
Away: 2-2-1 (8 GF, 7 GA)
Home: 0-2-3 (4 GF, 8 GA)
Playoffs: 0-0-0; US Open Cup: 0-0-0
All-Time Scoring: San Jose – 15, Toronto FC – 12

I would like to see

---------------------------Bendik------------------------------
Hagglund------Henry------------Caldwel------Morrow
--------------------------Warner------------------------------
--------Oduro-----------------------------Jackson--------
----------------------------Dero---------------------------------
--------------Gilbreto-------------Defo----------------------

Bench: Roberts, Oso, Moore, Morgan, Lovitz, Bloom, Bekker

[Graeme]

------------Bendik-----------------
Bloom----Caldwell---Henry----Morrow
--Oduro---Warner--Osorio--Jackson
-----Gilberto-----Defoe----------

[Ultra & Proud]

------------Bendik-----------------
Bloom----Caldwell---Henry----Morrow
--Oduro---Warner--Osorio--Jackson
-----Gilberto-----Defoe----------
This is what I am expecting to see with the possible exception of Bekker over Osorio if there are any injury concerns over a hot 90 minute match.

[Canary10]

Uh oh. The MLS pick em crew is almost unanimous in picking us. One has a draw. I never like that.

San Jose is not a bad team. They come in in pretty decent form. Like us their points per game would have them a little higher up than the table shows. I think this will be a tough one.

[MartinUtd]

Morrow will play a good game against his old team. Not sure if Oduro is thrown right into the starting XI (is he even eligible yet?). We'll probably see Moore playing the wing if Gilberto gets the start again.

[ManUtd4ever]

------------Bendik-----------------
Bloom----Caldwell---Henry----Morrow
--Oduro---Warner--Osorio--Jackson
-----Gilberto-----Defoe----------

Solid lineup. After the World Cup, sub in Bradley for Osorio and Orr for Bloom and that's a formidable team, on paper anyway.

[molenshtain]

Bloom is a top 5 right back. We should be grateful he continues to bless us with his presence.

[GhostKiller]

Bloom is a top 5 right back. We should be grateful he continues to bless us wit his presence.
I rate Bloom too but lets be real...He is the one graced by our presence. Before this he was scrapping it out with the Silverbacks. Not saying he hasn't earned his spot though.

[Yohan]

SJ has never lost in Toronto, but expects to start Ty Harden at CB and no Wondo.

[jloome]

Bloom is a top 5 right back. We should be grateful he continues to bless us with his presence.

He's rapidly improving but he still has positional lapses sometimes and leaves too much space behind him when the ball is in the opposite field. He also has to put on some weight and muscle, as he's pushed off the ball too easily.

I like our chances today. I'm going to say 2-1 TFC.

[OgtheDim]

Weather Today

http://i.imgur.com/3cn5Kkd.png

[Milanista]

i love the 4 3 3 formation and i think it suits gilberto better...we have the players, especially when bradley is back, to put pressure on teams up the field. Lets attack rather then be too cautious

[Greatest Ripoff]

For anyone in the UK, this is live on BT Sport 1 at 9pm.

[notthesun]

It's these type of games that we almost definitely should win that always make me the most nervous.

edit:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bph7826CYAAd15V.jpg

[Ultra & Proud]

Hall. Fuck. You know the drill. If Hall plays we don't win.

No Hall I say 2-1 for us. If Hall plays then I say a nervy 1-1 ugly match.

[Couchy81]

It's these type of games that we almost definitely should win that always make me the most nervous.

edit:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bph7826CYAAd15V.jpg



I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.

That midfield....

[Kaz]

Thankfull that is usually crap and is just a guess by dumb people... I think they pick the players for the most click bait.

[shwade]

For anyone in the UK, this is live on BT Sport 1 at 9pm.

Great...as soon as I leave for amsterdam.

[OgtheDim]

I could live with a Warner / Bekker midfield, but, the Quakes midfield has been solid of late.

Jackson on the left and Osorio on the right, with Oduro to come in on the right after 60 minutes to have a go at SJ's slow defence.

[Marc"2L"]

Going to be a little sick if that's our midfield. Also, nascarguy just got on my GO bus!

[Yohan]

MLS Live is free this weekend, though TFC game should be blacked out

[Milanista]

I think I just threw up a little in my mouth.

That midfield....

THAT thing is always wrong, always laugh when i see it on instagram

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Can Oduro play today?

[ag futbol]

Put Osorio back in the middle in his preferred Box-to-box role. And as much as I'm not completely writing off Bekker, he needs to be dropped until he consistently puts in more effort defensively.

Not all that impressed with Lovitz either. The sooner we drop him the better.

[Pookie]

Put Osorio back in the middle in his preferred Box-to-box role. And as much as I'm not completely writing off Bekker, he needs to be dropped until he consistently puts in more effort defensively.

Not all that impressed with Lovitz either. The sooner we drop him the better.

Lovitiz? Really? Geez we don't really like to give young players any time at all do we?

[jloome]

Lovitiz? Really? Geez we don't really like to give young players any time at all do we?

Mark it down here that Lovitz will be a starting MLS winger for years, barring injury.

Sam Cronin is benched for San Jose; that's who we should be picking up right now if possible.

I'm revising my earlier 2-1 for TFC. I think 1-1 or 2-2 are more likely. San Jose's midfield is playing really well right now.

[jloome]

Here's what I'd like to see. I'm sure I'll be SOL.
-------------Bendik--------------
Jackson--Henry--Caldwell--Morrow
-----------Orr---------------------
--Oduro------------Lovitz
----------Osorio-----------------
---Gilberto---------Defoe

[ag futbol]

Lovitiz? Really? Geez we don't really like to give young players any time at all do we?
To clarify: I mean to the bench, not from the team. He can't go a full 90, fades quickly.

I doubt he's going to be starting anything unless it's for Chivas, but I respect that people see it differently.

[notthesun]

Oduro is in the squad today as per Larson.

[Kaz]

Bendik,
Hagglund, Caldwell, Henry, Bloom,
Jackson, Warner, Osorio,
Moore, Gilberto, Defoe

From twitter... this is interesting.

is Gilberto in the #10 or the centre forward position.

Are we going with a diamond style formation?

___________Bendik____________
Hagglund, Caldwell, Henry, Bloom
___________Warner____________
_Jackson______________ Osorio_
___________Gilberto___________
_____Moore ________Defoe_____

[pdubs]

Toronto FC ‏@torontofc (https://twitter.com/torontofc) 7m (https://twitter.com/torontofc/status/475351584537182209)
The @ExpediaCA (https://twitter.com/ExpediaCA) Starting XI: Bendik, Hagglund, Caldwell, Henry, Bloom, Jackson, Warner, Osorio, Moore, Gilberto, Defoe. #TFClive (https://twitter.com/hashtag/TFClive?src=hash)

[pdubs]

Toronto FC ‏@torontofc (https://twitter.com/torontofc) 5m (https://twitter.com/torontofc/status/475352052252413952)
#TFClive (https://twitter.com/hashtag/TFClive?src=hash) Bench: Konopka, Morrow, Hall, Bekker, Lovitz, De Rosario, Oduro.

[pdubs]

i hope we see the 4-3-3.

[Richard]

I hope so.

[Dv23]

Forgot to post this earlier today, but I had a vision this morning. Gilberto will score his first for Toronto FC today, in a 2-1 game.

[ag futbol]

Looks good to me, if Warner can hold it all together. That'll be pretty key.

[Marc"2L"]

Jack has a solid new hat today, very nice.

[notthesun]

Interested to see how we line up with these players.

[Detroit_TFC]

Seems like a decent lineup, with a few options off the bench. Let's see if the players are in it to win or just thinking about summer vacation.

[pdubs]

gilberto injured, bekker in. bahhhhh

[notthesun]

Uhhhhhh... Gilberto out of the lineup at the last minute, Bekker in. That can't be good.

[Kaz]

Gilberto is already off. fuck

[jloome]

Interested to see how we line up with these players.

Playing a diamond behind Moore?

[Dv23]

So much for my vision of Gilberto netting one.

[Detroit_TFC]

Annnd turns out the Gilberto is a scratch. Great.

[notthesun]

This sucks, I was hoping we might look like a 4-3-3 going forward but Gilberto can't go.

[pdubs]

at least henry wants to push the attack

[Kaz]

why bekker

[pdubs]

osorio looking better today then past form

[notthesun]

Come the fuck on guys, run in for the rebound. If Moore started running in right away that's a tap-in.

At least we've realized nobody can hit a dead ball, nice to see them mix it up by rolling it for Defoe.

[ag futbol]

Gilberto is already off. fuck
I missed it, what happened? he pull up lame?

edit: nevermind, see he was a late scratch.

[Kaz]

I missed it, what happened? he pull up lame?
basically

[Soccerpro]

Anyone have a stream?

[notthesun]

Hey, not bad Hagglund.

[Yohan]

Hagglund with nice volley and a ninja kick attempt. I love this kid

[Detroit_TFC]

Hagglund with a couple chances. I like what he brings to the side.

[notthesun]

Warner very active defensively so far. Doing fairly well.

[ag futbol]

Yep. Guess SJ never got the memo about how tight the refs are calling it in the box this year.

And honestly, nothing to complain about. He just cleared him out to prevent him from jumping.

[notthesun]

Can't see a damn thing on this crappy stream, no idea if that was a penalty or not but I'll take it.

Shoutout to Gordon helping out his former club. g:D

[Soccerpro]

Stream?

[Kaz]

I'm so worried.. this isn't Nelsen telling caldwell.. bunker down.. we need 2 goals

And this game is all Hagglund

[pdubs]

Warner very active defensively so far. Doing fairly well.

imagine him with bradley going forward. could be a very dangerous combination for us

[PopePouri]

I'm so worried.. this isn't Nelsen telling caldwell.. bunker down.. we need 2 goals

And this game is all Hagglund

What happens when winger doesn't track back. They're getting torched on that right hand side.

[pdubs]

i love that we are playing the ground game, trying to build up.

[notthesun]

San Jose keeper has butterfingers

[notthesun]

That is the latest whistle ever.

edit: Warner is everywhere defensively, really making up for Bradley's absence on the defensive side of things.

[adam1001]

That was actually a pretty decent half. Osorio needs to gain some confidence out there.

[Couchy81]

Pretty good half. Nice pressure.

[Kaz]

I am so sad that Gilberto was injuried.

Though there is a new TFC drinking game in the works. do a shot every time Bekker passes the ball back to the same person that gave him the ball.

[ag futbol]

Good half. Still working out some things but I think we're good for another goal or two in the second half.

[RealG-TFC]

I am so sad that Gilberto was injuried.

Though there is a new TFC drinking game in the works. do a shot every time Bekker passes the ball back to the same person that gave him the ball.

Haha that's a surefire way to liver damage.

[OgtheDim]

Issy nice guy.

Warner a starting DM.

So, far in Bez we trust.

[lobo]

Anyone have a stream?

MLS Live has a free preview this weekend. Quick sign up.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2014/06/05/mls-live-free-trial-weekend

[Detroit_TFC]

Got to get one more, at least. San Jose plays dirty and will be looking to create a penalty for themselves.

[Kaz]

Got to get one more, at least. San Jose plays dirty and will be looking to create a penalty for themselves.

And with Henry on a Yellow... there is a risk.

[ag futbol]

God SJ play the worst football in the league. Nothing but clutching and grabbing.

[RealG-TFC]

Geez Bekker come on!

[notthesun]

That sequence of play, lol. SJ's entire strategy is pound the ball into the box at every opportunity no matter what. How did they win the Shield two years ago again?

[ag futbol]

Comeon Bednik, that wasn't even within 20 yards of anyone.

[notthesun]

Goodson did get a yellow on that handball right?

[Ajax TFC]

How isn't that a red? Wasn't he the last man back?

[Kaz]

What is it with this Ref. Has there been 3 minutes of play in the second half?

[Shakes McQueen]

That Goodson handball should have been a red card. As long as the ref got to use his whistle, he was happy though, I guess. Dude loves that whistle.

[ag futbol]

This will look a lot better with Bradley, but we still need a few more roster adjustments IMO.

[Batman]

Man I hate it when we're just up 1-0
I guess I still don't trust these guys.

[notthesun]

Fuck, get the ball back boys. I don't want to drop points against this garbage soccer.

[ag futbol]

Typical nonsense SJ play.

[Kaz]

OMGs what the heck. Just no love today.

[notthesun]

That's unfortunate. Lovitz spends 10 seconds on the field and probably has a mild concussion. Typical SJ thug play.

[Couchy81]

damn that sucks for lovitz. hope he is alright.

[cdnorman]

Lovitz's substitution game time has to be a record for the fastest time ever spent on a field not stopped by the final whistle. Hope he's OK. He didn't look so hot.

[pdubs]

fuck we need to wake up.

[cdnorman]

fuck we need to wake up.
No kidding. What are these guys doing?? They are giving SJ way too much leeway.

[notthesun]

Good stuff from Bloom.

[ag futbol]

Lenhart is a shithead.

[ag futbol]

Inconsistent performance, but got the job done. Give them credit for grinding it out despite a sluggish 2nd half.

[notthesun]

Ugly, ugly, ugly second half, but who cares. San Jose plays highschool quality football, they deserve to lose every game they ever play when they play like that.

We're looking damn good standings-wise.

[Batman]

Lenhart is a shithead.
Ya. No kidding.

[Couchy81]

MMmmm, tasty tasty points. I never knew they tasted this good.

[defensor]

thanks for the 3 points ref

hagglund is definitely one of my favorite players on the team though

[Oldtimer]

In a playoff spot with several games in hand.

[Couchy81]

4 pts out of first place with 2 games in hand on the Revs

[Brooker]

Did anybody watch the BT Sport stream? Lol what a gongshow. Awful ending but well done to FC Toronto.

[Yohan]

I'll take grinding out an ugly 1-0 win after 3rd game in 7 days

[jloome]

Did anybody watch the BT Sport stream? Lol what a gongshow. Awful ending but well done to FC Toronto.

I thought we played really well. Oduro really adds a dimension when the other team is tired. Warner was solid; Hagglund was legendary. Osorio holds the ball very well. A good all around showing, missing maybe one goal and a little more offensive flair.

[Kaz]

That puts TFC at 4th in the league for PPG right now with 1.72, 2nd in the East.

After 11 games we also have the 4th best total points at 19 and 2nd in the East. (1 Point off of New England at 11 games who had 20)

After 11 games total points

RSL 23
Seattle 22
New England 20
TFC 19


As it happens the Points Per Game stat is still showing the top 4 being the same but with Seattle in first and RSL in second.

[Couchy81]

I thought we played really well. Oduro really adds a dimension when the other team is tired. Warner was solid; Hagglund was legendary. Osorio holds the ball very well. A good all around showing, missing maybe one goal and a little more offensive flair.

Agreed and thought Bloom was also great today

[Brooker]

I thought we played really well. Oduro really adds a dimension when the other team is tired. Warner was solid; Hagglund was legendary. Osorio holds the ball very well. A good all around showing, missing maybe one goal and a little more offensive flair.

Aside from the last 20 minutes, I agree. I was talking more about the commentary on the BT feed. :D

[Kaz]

So now for the sad part.. we are going into the break well. BUT.

When we come back.. from June 27th until August 3rd we have 10 games (9 league 1 friendly)

Sure we have games in hand.. but when these boys have to play on average ever 4 days for nearly 6 weeks that can't be good.
Particularly when we play DC twice, KC again and New York. The only saving grace is maybe Houston will still be imploding they haven't scored a goal in 4 games.


Oh additional piece of happy/sad trivia. TFC has already won as many or more games then we did in our previous 3 seasons.

also we hit 19 points faster then we did in any season so far. Though in 2008 game 11 took us to 17 points and game 12 to 20 points. It's also only the third time we've hit 19 points before July.

[maninb]

For the life of me I can't understand why RN plays people OUT OF POSITION all the time....Morrow has been solid at LB and Bloom at RB, and Hagglund partnering Caldwell....Why change that when they are all healthy??? Henry is a time-bomb...he almost blew the game again TWICE in the final 5 minutes....

[OgtheDim]

Beat a cruddy team at home grinding it out. Deserved the win. Great fun watching Linehart and Gordon vs Caldwell and Henry. A lot of respect between those 4 all game, between plays. Warner and Bekker actually challenged those two for headers.

Something to build on.

[PopePouri]

So now for the sad part.. we are going into the break well. BUT.

When we come back.. from June 27th until August 3rd we have 10 games (9 league 1 friendly)

Sure we have games in hand.. but when these boys have to play on average ever 4 days for nearly 6 weeks that can't be good.
Particularly when we play DC twice, KC again and New York. The only saving grace is maybe Houston will still be imploding they haven't scored a goal in 4 games.

Sure but to put how well we are doing, we can lose the next 5 games in a row and we will be still ahead the team in 5th place.

We would also have Bradley back.

[mcolvy]

Warner was good. For a stocky guy, he stays pretty lively all game long. Jackson also had a great game, where offensively he only isolated himself a couple of times.
I personally like Moore with Defoe. He wants that ball and lets Defoe feed in wherever he pleases. Gilberto is a good player, but I would take a dominant, playmaking winger over him about now...

[Shakes McQueen]

I thought we played really well. Oduro really adds a dimension when the other team is tired. Warner was solid; Hagglund was legendary. Osorio holds the ball very well. A good all around showing, missing maybe one goal and a little more offensive flair.

I think Hagglund might be the first name I've ever gotten on the back of a TFC shirt. Fuckin' love that kid, and he has a great head on his shoulders. Favourite thing he did today, was when San Jose hoofed a ball forward that was in an awkward place for our defense, Hagglund stretched to make an equally awkward header back to Bendik. Most other TFC defenders in our history, would have done something really stupid with it.

The kid must be over the moon right now - immediately playing his way into the starting XI of the team that drafted him, and getting to play minutes with the likes of Jermain Defoe and Michael Bradley.

Oh, and Lenhart is a cunt. Pardon my language. Ramming his shoulder into Bendik for no reason was a punk move.

[adam1001]

Good first half effort. I have been Nelsen's harshest critic, but we are raking up the points at the moment so there is not much else to say with regards to that. Looking forward to having Bradley back after the world cup.

[Kaz]

Sure but to put how well we are doing, we can lose the next 5 games in a row and we will be still ahead the team in 5th place.

We would also have Bradley back.

Though likely, New York, Chicago and Montreal all Mathematically could pass us.
Chicago needs to either tie both Seattle and SKC or beat one of them and they would have 19-20 points ( TFC would like still be ahead on GD in a tie)

and New York would have to beat New England this weekend.

Montreal would be unlikely but 3 wins and a tie isn't totally impossible (DC, Vancouver, Chivas, Houston)

That is just a nitpick though... we have done well... I'm just worried about the heavy July schedule.

[Shakes McQueen]

Kind of awesome that we are 4th in the East, despite playing 2 fewer games than New England and DC, and a whopping 4 fewer games than SKC (the three teams ahead of us).

[AlanO]

10 out of 12 points since Bradley and Cesar left for World Cup camps.

I'm not a huge fan of Nelsen's tactics, but he's definitely instilled a mental toughness in this team.

[mitchf]

That right there was what a winning MLS club should look like. Substitute Bekker for Bradley and wow.

Jackson might actually be the key here, I never realized just how direct and creative he is. Best game of the year IMO, not necessarily the best performance, but being able to do that without Bradley.. HUGE step forward.

[mitchf]

Again for the second time, Hagglund is going to be an International. He has Henry's physical tools to go along with a brain. He's fun to watch.

[mowe]

Huge 3 points. We are sitting at a very solid 1.73 PPG with a third of the season played.

[Blixa]

Good game. Quite frankly we should have killed them off in the first half but I guarantee you last year we would have tied or lost this kind of match. Hopefully Bradley we'll be back soon and we'll get this show on the road. July will be a massive month for us.

[ManUtd4ever]

Our first half was some of the best football we've played this season. I thought the team sat back too much late in the second half again, but it was a solid all around effort all over the pitch.

Hagglund is going to be an all star in this league.

[molenshtain]

Hagglund was great today. Warner is 10x the player Hall is and they occupy essentially the same position in the roster. Though at this point I guess Hall is basically the Weideman of our midfield.It seems last weeks header has finally, finally (hopefully) lifted Doneil's head out of his ass as his two best games of the year, and probably of his career have been this week. Bloom, Bendik, Moore, Caldwell, Jackson, Bekker all played at the top of their game. Osorio looked his best since Seattle, though not quite the heights he seemed to reach last year. I think he'll still get there. and of course, Defoe was Defoe.

Great time today. Also encouraging to see us really try to play our way up the pitch. Considering we have been without our best player these last four games I am very impressed with Nelsen. keep up the good work boys.

Also, being in right in line with Goodson's handball, that was about the most blatant red any ref could have given ever. anywhere. ever, ever. It's like bad reffing is part of the MLS product/brand. It would feel like a completely different league if I went even one game watching a ref call plays properly and consistently . There must have been about a total of 5 minutes of actually football played today. Just stop and start all day. Unbelievable.

[OgtheDim]

Defoe said after the game that it was hot out there.

Oh Jermaine, you havn't experienced anything yet.....

[Yohan]

Defoe said after the game that it was hot out there.

Oh Jermaine, you havn't experienced anything yet.....

He also wore a long sleeve jersey, the silly boy

[reggie]

bloom,haggs,jackson were great.i like warners game,what happened to gilberto,he was in the starting lineup?

[OgtheDim]

...what happened to gilberto,he was in the starting lineup?

Nelsen said he was Injured on Wednesday - trained yesterday but wasn't able to go.

Lovitz was knocked out so had to come off.

[Jpexxx]

bloom,haggs,jackson were great.i like warners game,what happened to gilberto,he was in the starting lineup?

When I saw he wasnt actually starting I tweeted at TFC asking what happened.

they responded that he got hurt in warm ups

[Kaz]

Gilberto was warming up.. but they ruled him up.. he seems to have come up lame. They are going to take him to Ontario Place and show him the Yeller Shed ride.

[Pookie]

Hagglund great game. That volley would have been something.

Feel bad for Lovitz and the suspected concussion moments into his time on the pitch. Hopefully it was just precautionary.

[tfcocd]

So now for the sad part.. we are going into the break well. BUT.

When we come back.. from June 27th until August 3rd we have 10 games (9 league 1 friendly)

Sure we have games in hand.. but when these boys have to play on average ever 4 days for nearly 6 weeks that can't be good.
Particularly when we play DC twice, KC again and New York. The only saving grace is maybe Houston will still be imploding they haven't scored a goal in 4 games


Oh additional piece of happy/sad trivia. TFC has already won as many or more games then we did in our previous 3 seasons.

also we hit 19 points faster then we did in any season so far. Though in 2008 game 11 took us to 17 points and game 12 to 20 points. It's also only the third time we've hit 19 points before July.

So they still need a win next game to seal the best start in club history although admittedly it is a low bar. Looking back at 2008, after the win to get 20 points they only had one more win in the next 14 games (June 14 - sep 27) and didn't get a second until October! Ugh!

Well it will be a long 20 days waiting for the next match but at least there will be lots of games to watch starting on the 12th!

[Kaz]

So they still need a win next game to seal the best start in club history although admittedly it is a low bar. Looking back at 2008, after the win to get 20 points they only had one more win in the next 14 games (June 14 - sep 27) and didn't get a second until October! Ugh!

Well it will be a long 20 days waiting for the next match but at least there will be lots of games to watch starting on the 12th!

I think we can safely say that we are at our best start so far. It's the most points since the move to 34 games in a season. It's the fastest we've hit 19 points, in the fewest games. The boys have equalled or bettered our total season wins since the move to 34 games. While our next 10 games are all taking place with an average of 4 days between them.. we have Houston, Montreal, Chicago making up 4 of the 9 league games in that stretch. Given that of our first 11 games only 2 of them were against teams not currently placed in a play-off position. We've had a tough start.. and right now we are sitting with the 4th best points per game and the 4th most points after 11 games in the league. We are doing fairly well, particularly given Defoe being out for a few games, and our other DP striker has had a false start to the year.

If Gilberto can get going, we can keep Bekker as a sub, and the US gets eliminated in the group stage we have a real chance at the Supporter Shield (I know crazy talk). If we can pull off 3 wins from our next three games ( NY, Chicago, DC) it is unlikely but doable, that is 28 points in 14 games and 1 point off Seattle with 20 games to go. Chances are though our July schedule is going to be killer, and if Seattle maintain 2 PPG they will be hard to beat/catch they are having a ridiculous season.

[Dub Narcotic]

Actually enjoyed watching the first half, kind of rare for a Toronto game. The trades do seem to have made Toronto better; Bezbachenko is looking pretty good right now (Hagglund and Lovitz picks as well).

[reggie]

Hagglund great game. That volley would have been something.

Feel bad for Lovitz and the suspected concussion moments into his time on the pitch. Hopefully it was just precautionary.

lovitz was joking on twitter how good he was today,i think he is ok.

[jazzy]

Haggling was dominant on D and attack.....and can he run for a big man. Our best draft pick EVER. As I've said before him and Henry are our future !.....would like to know what happened to Gilberto ? He was practicing with the first squad even doing the samba :), laughing it up, with Bekker as a backup on the bench, then at game start Gilberto nowhere too be seen and Bekker gets the start.

[Mark TFC]

I didn't watch the match because I was working but I just saw the highlights and it looks like we completely dominated the entire thing! Looks like Hagglund, Defoe, Moore, and Oduro had great performances... and that's from the six minutes of footage alone. I'm sure everyone played well and feels very proud after tonight's match. Good job, boys. Additional shout out goes to Bendik for the clean sheet!

[Shakes McQueen]

Now we just have to pray every night that Bradley (and to a lesser extent, Cesar), don't get injured during the World Cup.

[notthesun]

Interesting fact Larson tweeted out earlier, Hagglund is still undefeated in MLS play.

[Shakes McQueen]

I didn't watch the match because I was working but I just saw the highlights and it looks like we completely dominated the entire thing! Looks like Hagglund, Defoe, Moore, and Oduro had great performances... and that's from the six minutes of footage alone. I'm sure everyone played well and feels very proud after tonight's match. Good job, boys. Additional shout out goes to Bendik for the clean sheet!

Zero shots on goal for SJ in the first half, but the second half was sloppier on both sides. A couple of inches here and there (and a bullshit handball from Goodson that inexplicably only got a yellow), and it could have been 2-0 or 3-0. Hagglund, Defoe, and (maybe) Oduro all came >< this close to nice goals.

[nonc]

Good problem for Nelsen at the back right now, 5 guys worthy of starting but there has to be an odd guy out. Hagglund is playing too good not to start you would think. It's hard to separate Bloom and Morrow for me both have excelled...Morrow probably a bit more reliable and capable on the ball in advanced positions.

We finished the game with Moore out wide :facepalm: RIP wide play. Happy to give up a winger to get Warner CM depth so I never have to see Hall again. But Issey and Rey? I just don't know.

[SKB]

We are now 1/3 into the season so now we can have a look at what we have as a team. I am a firm believer in evaluating teams over intervals of ten games. So how are we doing.

First Tim B gets 9/10. It would be 10/10 except for Gilberto.
Draft: Hagglund and Lovitz great additions.
DP: Dafoe and Bradley worth every penny, Gilberto disappointing to date
Trades and Additions: Morrow, Orr and Warner excellent additions, Jackson has been great defensively and too early to evaluate Oduro

Coach gets a 7/10. Very good man management and he has the players giving there all right to the end of each game. No quit in these players. Has improved our defence a lot and last minute collapses are a thing of the past. Also very helpful in attracting good players. Fourth best pts per game in the league and we are in a playoff position. Tactics and the attack still need to improve.

Defense gets an 7.5/10. Solid back line and we have some depth now. Henry continues to be the variable. We are not creating enough width or attack with our full backs.

Midfield 5/10 and this may be generous. Bradley had been spectacular and Warner maybe that holding midfielder we have been looking for to pair with Bradley. All others are under performing. Our wing play. has Benn poor and if you take out Bradley we are generating zero goals out of the midfield. The midfield passing needs to get better and they are killing our possession game.

Strikers: 5/10 Dafoe has been fantastic. After that we have nothing. Although I like some of the play from Gilberto he has no finish. We are very vulnerable in this area. If Dafoe gets injured or teams shut him down our whole offence is gone. We need another striker who is going to get us 10-11 goals. Seattle have Dempey and Martin and they are the best team in the league.

Overall we have made great progress and do believe we are a playoff team. However, we still have a lot to improve before we can be considered to be one of the top 4 teams in the league and a serious contender in the playoffs.

[habstfc]

Deserved the points today. SJ looked lost offensively with only a couple of half chances near games end. Hagglund was awesome today and could have seen Odura goal if not for the hand ball to prevent semi breakaway. I do think SJ had a defender back on replay which is why red wasn't shown.

When P.A. announcer was doing line-ups he said Warner, Jackson, Osorio and Moore in midfield with Defoe and Gilberto up front.

[Danubio]

That right there was what a winning MLS club should look like. Substitute Bekker for Bradley and wow.

Jackson might actually be the key here, I never realized just how direct and creative he is. Best game of the year IMO, not necessarily the best performance, but being able to do that without Bradley.. HUGE step forward.

can't stand jackson, maybe his speed keeps the opposition left back from going forward but i've not seen him stretch the defence much if it all, looking to get behind. he doesn't take anyone on successfully. technical ability is almost non existent. almost everything he does frustrates me. i just think he's shit. 0 assists. 1 goal that was a speculative effort at best that wasn't troubling anyone but took a massive deflection (granted the team doesn't score much anyway)

maybe I'm wrong? maybe he could prove me wrong?

[OgtheDim]

...
We finished the game with Moore out wide :facepalm: RIP wide play. Happy to give up a winger to get Warner CM depth so I never have to see Hall again. But Issey and Rey? I just don't know.

The original starting lineup had Moore out wide right. Their left back and winger were both horrible - made Jackson and Hagglund look like offensive beasts.

[Redcoe15]

TFC deserved the win yesterday. They were in better form than those thugs from San Jose, and that's how they played like - thugs. I would have loved it if Bendick had flattened Big Chicken Leinhart.

And listening to it with the Dolby sound, the supporters were in top form yesterday. Awesome cheering by you guys. :scarf:

[Canary10]

Zero shots on goal for SJ in the first half, but the second half was sloppier on both sides. A couple of inches here and there (and a bullshit handball from Goodson that inexplicably only got a yellow), and it could have been 2-0 or 3-0. Hagglund, Defoe, and (maybe) Oduro all came >< this close to nice goals.

Yeah that absolutely was a red card.

[BuSaPuNk]

Boys played great yesterday. Defoe made runs and was dangerous and him and Moore seem to have something going going on together. They seem to know where there going to be already.

Hagglund is amazing. The kid literally has the whole world in his hands. He's been far and away the best draft pick this club has ever made .

Good to get the 3 points and climb the standings with multiple games in hand. Things are looking very good. No major injuries to key parts and hopefully Bradley doesn't stay long in Brazil and we will have a great shot at getting higher in the standings.

[notthesun]

can't stand jackson, maybe his speed keeps the opposition left back from going forward but i've not seen him stretch the defence much if it all, looking to get behind. he doesn't take anyone on successfully. technical ability is almost non existent. almost everything he does frustrates me. i just think he's shit. 0 assists. 1 goal that was a speculative effort at best that wasn't troubling anyone but took a massive deflection (granted the team doesn't score much anyway)

maybe I'm wrong? maybe he could prove me wrong?

Pay attention to his defensive contributions. His work rate is very high and he helps us recover a lot of balls. According to WhoScored.com he's tied 2nd on the team for most successful tackles per game.

He isn't great offensively, it's true. That's why he was available in the first place. It makes sense that Dallas would see him as expendable seeing as they're an offensive-first team, while Nelsen favors responsible defending, so we jumped on him.

[jloome]

Pay attention to his defensive contributions. His work rate is very high and he helps us recover a lot of balls. According to WhoScored.com he's tied 2nd on the team for most successful tackles per game.

He isn't great offensively, it's true. That's why he was available in the first place. It makes sense that Dallas would see him as expendable seeing as they're an offensive-first team, while Nelsen favors responsible defending, so we jumped on him.

Although he made several good deep forays yesterday. He covers ground quickly with the ball and can beat a man or two, especially in the open field. He's a wrecker, and he's fast, and he can hold the ball. Decent traits.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Thought first half was osme of the best football we've played this season. Second half was crap. Wondering why Oduro played up front rather than on the wing when he came on. Hope thats not the norm.

[ag futbol]

Although he made several good deep forays yesterday. He covers ground quickly with the ball and can beat a man or two, especially in the open field. He's a wrecker, and he's fast, and he can hold the ball. Decent traits.
I don't know, I think he's all one way. He joins the attack but contributes nothing. Head down straight into three defenders in the corner or 35 yard efforts that are nowhere near the target. Misses obvious passing options passing options all the time and when he does actually pass it rarely gets there or gives the player much to work with. He works hard and holds up the ball, but otherwise is where good attacking chances go to die.

There's room for players like this on the squad but he had way too much of the ball yesterday for my liking.

[Still Kicking]

can't stand jackson, maybe his speed keeps the opposition left back from going forward but i've not seen him stretch the defence much if it all, looking to get behind. he doesn't take anyone on successfully. technical ability is almost non existent. almost everything he does frustrates me. i just think he's shit. 0 assists. 1 goal that was a speculative effort at best that wasn't troubling anyone but took a massive deflection (granted the team doesn't score much anyway)

maybe I'm wrong? maybe he could prove me wrong?
I would not echo your "hate" - that is a very strong word. I am concerned about Jackson. He is coming back from concussion issues and I thought San Jose were happy to dump him to the ground every chance they got (seemed to be late challenges after he had passed the ball). I think that Jackson is an experiment. Talented, affordable and still young at 26. He does seem a little disconnected from his strikers and that is a bad sign for the TFC attack at this point of the season. He covers a lot of ground and has good defensive positioning. I think his playing time could be in trouble if TFC gets an international winger over the summer and/or picks up DaMarcus Beasley (should he return to MLS and go through the draft process).

[tfcocd]

I don't know, I think he's all one way. He joins the attack but contributes nothing. Head down straight into three defenders in the corner or 35 yard efforts that are nowhere near the target. Misses obvious passing options passing options all the time and when he does actually pass it rarely gets there or gives the player much to work with. He works hard and holds up the ball, but otherwise is where good attacking chances go to die.

There's room for players like this on the squad but he had way too much of the ball yesterday for my liking.

With the limitations noted so far he is best suited as a depth player that slots in destroyer role and as a sub to help kill games off. I suppose he may be slightly overpaid as a 12-18 player but there is a cost to get players with 100 games of experience. For me these new players set the bar to break into the team. It's all encouraging from that point of view if there is increased competition for places in the squad.

[Yohan]

Thought first half was osme of the best football we've played this season. Second half was crap. Wondering why Oduro played up front rather than on the wing when he came on. Hope thats not the norm.
Oduro and his pace prevented SJ from pinching up too high and pressure when they were going for the broke late game. And if they pushed up too high, Oduro could have broken in behind SJ defence, which almost did happen (Goodson handball)

[pawlukj]

that was some of the nicest football ive ever seen Toronto FC play... they played with a lot of confidence on the backline and midfield actually moved the ball up. when defendes got close the ball was played wide and that kept possession with us throughout most of the day. If we can play this style football and enhance our midfield angiving the ball to Defoe.. we will be a very dangerous team! what a great year so far!d

[nlsanand]

Also, being in right in line with Goodson's handball, that was about the most blatant red any ref could have given ever. anywhere. ever, ever. It's like bad reffing is part of the MLS product/brand. It would feel like a completely different league if I went even one game watching a ref call plays properly and consistently . There must have been about a total of 5 minutes of actually football played today. Just stop and start all day. Unbelievable.

Sorry but Goodson's handball was just a yellow, as there was another defender covering. It's not elevated to a red, just because it was more blatant.

[Jack]

Watching the replay, I'm quite impressed with our play in the first half. Warner and Hagglund are doing quite well. Lenhart is quite the douche.

[MightyDM]

Sorry but Goodson's handball was just a yellow, as there was another defender covering. It's not elevated to a red, just because it was more blatant.

Denying a player a goalscoring opportunity by a deliberate handball is a straight red. You would be correct if it was a different foul than a deliberate handball - if he had pulled Oduro down, for example.

[nlsanand]

Denying a player a goalscoring opportunity by a deliberate handball is a straight red. You would be correct if it was a different foul than a deliberate handball - if he had pulled Oduro down, for example.

It's not a goal scoring opportunity, as there was a covering defender.

[GuelphStorm2007]

Goodson handball was a definite red Because I did not see a defender behind to be honest with you. But what the heck, That's how the ball rolls I guess. As far the game goes it was maybe the best total team effort I have seen so far this year. They were dominate in the first half could have had maybe a second goal . In the second they kind of sat back a bit. but still created some chances. but hell it has been a very long time the TFC were 6 4 1 in June or above 500 at this time, and we all know they can and will get better as the season goes.

[habstfc]

Goodson handball was a definite red Because I did not see a defender behind to be honest with you. But what the heck, That's how the ball rolls I guess. As far the game goes it was maybe the best total team effort I have seen so far this year. They were dominate in the first half could have had maybe a second goal . In the second they kind of sat back a bit. but still created some chances. but hell it has been a very long time the TFC were 6 4 1 in June or above 500 at this time, and we all know they can and will get better as the season goes. They actually showed replay on video board just after Hagglund just missed the ensuing free kick. There was another defender about a yard or two back from where the handball took place.

Anyone else notice Cronin out there? me neither. Joking aside, I didn't even realize he was playing until SJ subbed him out with about 20 minutes to go.

[OgtheDim]

I thought Denial of a Goal Scoring Opportunity was not dependent upon last man back?

[Parkdale]

the gameplay has been covered. For the stands.... I think that was one of the best days of chanting / drumming / vocal support we've had in a long time.

We were good against Columbus, and better today. Props to the capos for making sure to keep 111 involved, and the mid-level capo near the drums who helped keep everyone on pace.

Hell, we even took chants from the back of 112 or the middle of 113 and worked them forward to the capos, who spread them around the section. Amazing work guys!

[Canary10]

the gameplay has been covered. For the stands.... I think that was one of the best days of chanting / drumming / vocal support we've had in a long time.

We were good against Columbus, and better today. Props to the capos for making sure to keep 111 involved, and the mid-level capo near the drums who helped keep everyone on pace.

Hell, we even took chants from the back of 112 or the middle of 113 and worked them forward to the capos, who spread them around the section. Amazing work guys!

Personally, I was disappointed in the horn and string sections on Saturday. If you can't play together like a finely honed orchestra, what's the point? Whatever is going on with those guys...it's bad. I can use some nice soft words to describe it if that would make everyone feel rosy about themselves but that would be phony. The fact is it's not good at all.

People can insult me for calling it like it is. That's fine. The truth is still being said.

[Parkdale]

well played.

I'll make sure to scold our cellist. He's okay, but he's no Yo-yo Ma. If he can't be as good as the best, then what's the point? Also the oboes were too fast and didn't even seem to be looking at the clarinets. Get it together guys!

[Canary10]

well played.

I'll make sure to scold our cellist. He's okay, but he's no Yo-yo Ma. If he can't be as good as the best, then what's the point? Also the oboes were too fast and didn't even seem to be looking at the clarinets. Get it together guys!

Ha ha! Yeah fuck that cellist!!

[Parkdale]

http://slippedisc.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/cummings-200x180.jpg


(google image for "sad cellist")

[JonO]

I thought Denial of a Goal Scoring Opportunity was not dependent upon last man back?
It depends on a lot of things. From the FIFA interpretation of Law 12:

Referees should consider the following circumstances when deciding whether
to send off a player for denying a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity:
• the distance between the offence and the goal
• the likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball
• the direction of the play
• the location and number of defenders
• the offence which denies an opponent an obvious goalscoring opportunity may be an offence that incurs a direct free kick or an indirect free kick

Without the benefit of instant replay, my initial thought was definite red card. All these conditions seemed to be met. Although there was another defender back, I don't recall him being in a position to make a play on the ball. Would love to see a reply to see though because I was sitting up in the boonies for this game...

[ManUtd4ever]

Personally, I was disappointed in the horn and string sections on Saturday. If you can't play together like a finely honed orchestra, what's the point? Whatever is going on with those guys...it's bad. I can use some nice soft words to describe it if that would make everyone feel rosy about themselves but that would be phony. The fact is it's not good at all.

People can insult me for calling it like it is. That's fine. The truth is still being said.

LOL.

[GuelphStorm2007]

I thought Denial of a Goal Scoring Opportunity was not dependent upon last man back?
hat is what I thought also

[Huyton]

Personally, I was disappointed in the horn and string sections on Saturday. If you can't play together like a finely honed orchestra, what's the point? Whatever is going on with those guys...it's bad. I can use some nice soft words to describe it if that would make everyone feel rosy about themselves but that would be phony. The fact is it's not good at all.

People can insult me for calling it like it is. That's fine. The truth is still being said.

The problem with the string section was that the basses were loaded.

[Supporting]

the gameplay has been covered. For the stands.... I think that was one of the best days of chanting / drumming / vocal support we've had in a long time.

We were good against Columbus, and better today. Props to the capos for making sure to keep 111 involved, and the mid-level capo near the drums who helped keep everyone on pace.

Hell, we even took chants from the back of 112 or the middle of 113 and worked them forward to the capos, who spread them around the section. Amazing work guys!

I agree, but also think a mid capo in 133 would be great too! I would be willing to do it later in the season, but still do not have all the chants memorised (first year in ss)

[Parkdale]

a mid-capo in 113 would be entirely U-Sector's call. It wouldn't be our place to put someone there.

[jazzy]

It's not a goal scoring opportunity, as there was a covering defender.

nope he was gone if that ball got past

[MightyDM]

It's not a goal scoring opportunity, as there was a covering defender.. I don't think it's possible to see it that way on a deliberate handball. We'll have to agree to disagree because the covering defender was not in a position to cover the ball that was played - a dribble, perhaps, but not the over the top ball. The only question is is it an obvious opportunity when it is that far out.

[Pint]

the gameplay has been covered. For the stands.... I think that was one of the best days of chanting / drumming / vocal support we've had in a long time.

We were good against Columbus, and better today. Props to the capos for making sure to keep 111 involved, and the mid-level capo near the drums who helped keep everyone on pace.

Hell, we even took chants from the back of 112 or the middle of 113 and worked them forward to the capos, who spread them around the section. Amazing work guys!

Great job guys... looked very impressive from 127 to see 111, 112, 113 and what looked like 114 as well all on the same page.

[MightyDM]

Yes.

It depends on a lot of things. From the FIFA interpretation of Law 12:

Referees should consider the following circumstances when deciding whether
to send off a player for denying a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity:
• the distance between the offence and the goal
• the likelihood of keeping or gaining control of the ball
• the direction of the play
• the location and number of defenders
• the offence which denies an opponent an obvious goalscoring opportunity may be an offence that incurs a direct free kick or an indirect free kick

Without the benefit of instant replay, my initial thought was definite red card. All these conditions seemed to be met. Although there was another defender back, I don't recall him being in a position to make a play on the ball. Would love to see a reply to see though because I was sitting up in the boonies for this game...

[MightyDM]

nope he was gone if that ball got past

Yes, exactly.

[nlsanand]

. I don't think it's possible to see it that way on a deliberate handball. We'll have to agree to disagree because the covering defender was not in a position to cover the ball that was played - a dribble, perhaps, but not the over the top ball. The only question is is it an obvious opportunity when it is that far out.

I think the presence of the covering defender (even if slightly out of position) plus the distance can be accumulated to explain the ref's call.