Match Day 34 - The End of the Beginning - Chicago @ Toronto - Sunday Oct 23 4pm

[OgtheDim]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdRH5wzCQQw



Have at It People

[mistercorporate]

RASTA BUMBACLOTT MON!!!

There, I got that out of my system...

P.S. I'm not Jamaican, don't ask me what that means :D

[OgtheDim]

For those with a more dire point of view:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uevKxa6sjFA

[Jack]

This game has suddenly become YUGE.

[Oldtimer]

For those with a more dire point of view:



That's a seriously depressing video. Let's hope our home game is one of nothing but positivity.

[DinamoTFC]

This game has suddenly become YUGE.

Who would have guessed this a month ago. So dissapointing. And a win here only matters if nycfc tie or draw Columbus so we can squeak into 2nd and get the bye.

[OgtheDim]

Relying upon CBus to do something to get into 2nd is WAAAAY better then relying upon your team winning at Giants Stadium to get the last playoff spot.

We got issues in the midfield - hopefully it gets sorted out in the off season. And that defence needs to settle a bit - too much after goal weirdness again this season and I don't think that's all the midfield's fault.

Better us then the Impact right now.

[MartinUtd]

So if we win and NY-ManCity draws, we take 2nd. What is the criteria if we end up even on points?

[anto7]

So if we win and NY-ManCity draws, we take 2nd. What is the criteria if we end up even on points?

We would both have the same number of wins (first tie breaker) so then it goes to goal difference which means we would get 2nd

[OgtheDim]

We would both have the same number of wins (first tie breaker) so then it goes to goal difference which means we would get 2nd

Its not possible for us to end up tied on points and have the same number of wins. If we tie and they lose, we end up in 3rd.

We need a win.

[anto7]

Its not possible for us to end up tied on points and have the same number of wins. If we tie and they lose, we end up in 3rd.

We need a win.

Yep, you are correct, I was just coming to correct my mistake

[notthesun]

Let's win a home game, yeah?

[GhostKiller]

If healthy I would like to see this line up: (Even though I know it's never going to happen)

-----Ricketts------------Jozy----
----------------seba--------------
--Oso----------------------Cooper
-------Johnson----Bradley-------
------Morrow---Moor----Biet------
---------------Irwin--------------

Bring in Hamilton, Cheyrou, Babouli, Endoh, Zavs or Haggs as needed.
If Bradley is going to push up then Johnson stays at home, and vice versa. Have our defenders do less overlapping runs and push play through the middle. There is enough veteran knowledge on that back line to defend as a unit and not get pulled apart and there is enough talent in every one of those forwards to case lots of issues for the opposing defenders and create space.

[denime]

-----Ricketts------------Jozy----
----------------Seba--------------
--Cooper----------------------Endoh
-------Johnson----Cheyrou-------
------Morrow---Moor----Biet------
---------------Irwin--------------

Hamilton, Bradley, Babouli, Oso, Zavs, Haggs

Bradley on the bench,he is useless as it gets,can't make a pass his life was depending on it,we played better with Johnson----Cheyrou when Bradley was out,would like to see Chapman and Bloom back in line up asap.

[OgtheDim]

Bradley on the bench,he is useless as it gets,can't make a pass his life was depending on it....

The Opta stats from Saturday's game strongly disagree with you.

And Whoscored had his pass completion rate at 83%

This is as bad as when people came out of the Brazil world cup thinking Jermaine Jones was better then Bradley because of the first half of the first game of that tournament.

https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1043946/Live/USA-Major-League-Soccer-2016-Montreal-Impact-Toronto-FC


http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-10-16-montreal-impact-vs-toronto-fc/boxscore


(http://matchcenter.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2016-10-16-montreal-impact-vs-toronto-fc/boxscore)

[JoesphNdo]

83% is not good for that position. Look at the amount of times he gets the ball in his own half and makes a lot of quick simple passes back to defenders or to somebody beside him. There's nothing wrong with that, in fact i wish that's all he did with the ball because the problems arise when he thinks he's better than he is, but it skews the pass completion %. What I would love to see with Bradley is turnovers per game which I'd bet is way way too high for a defensive mid fielders and our points per game with him vs without

[jloome]

83% is not good for that position. Look at the amount of times he gets the ball in his own half and makes a lot of quick simple passes back to defenders or to somebody beside him. There's nothing wrong with that, in fact i wish that's all he did with the ball because the problems arise when he thinks he's better than he is, but it skews the pass completion %. What I would love to see with Bradley is turnovers per game which I'd bet is way way too high for a defensive mid fielders and our points per game with him vs without

He's right, 83% is pretty mediocre. It wouldn't be in the top-20 pass completion rates for the league. But it's not "way too high" a miss rate, it's actually average.

He has insane numbers of touches, too, probably near the top of the league. His problem is that he's trying to crack open the backline too often; he had eight long missed passes in that game, which is ridiculous. All of them were balls over the top, so it was either failed strategy to catch them with a high line or just really bad decision making.

[OgtheDim]

Uh 20th in the league is mediocre?

OK.

Bradley was 8th in passing completion % for that game - his % was right about his average for the year actually. He's 3rd in the team behind Moor and Osorio for pass completion %.

My point was saying he couldn't pass at all was hyperbole. He's a long ball specialist with more passes per game then any player in the league.


Suggesting Chapman is better just makes no sense.

[JoesphNdo]

You can't look at pass completion % across the board as being a universal stat. DM by nature will have higher % than players who mainly get the ball in the opponent's half or near their goal. You need to look at turnovers and how they compare to top players in his position.

To be clear, I'm not saying Bradley is bad, or that Chapman is better! I'm saying he's a bog standard mediocre MLS level mid fielder the way he plays. My problem with him is 1, we could get far better for that money and DP slot (or get the same output without sacrificing either) and 2 he's capable of being the best in the league if he played to his strengths, but he will not stay disciplined. Now that could be Vanney and Bradley is merely following orders, but I can only see the output on the field

[molenshtain]

You can't look at pass completion % across the board as being a universal stat. DM by nature will have higher % than players who mainly get the ball in the opponent's half or near their goal. You need to look at turnovers and how they compare to top players in his position.

To be clear, I'm not saying Bradley is bad, or that Chapman is better! I'm saying he's a bog standard mediocre MLS level mid fielder the way he plays. My problem with him is 1, we could get far better for that money and DP slot (or get the same output without sacrificing either) and 2 he's capable of being the best in the league if he played to his strengths, but he will not stay disciplined. Now that could be Vanney and Bradley is merely following orders, but I can only see the output on the field

but he's also the only midfielder playing the necessary, risky penetrating passes to our forwards. He's a DM but yesterday he was also our primary playmaker. He'll have a higher number of turnovers because none of the guys in front of him are trying any penetrating passes and rely on him to do it.

[JoesphNdo]

but he's also the only midfielder playing the necessary, risky penetrating passes to our forwards. He's a DM but yesterday he was also our primary playmaker. He'll have a higher number of turnovers because none of the guys in front of him are trying any penetrating passes and rely on him to do it.

He isn't good enough, effective enough or consistent enough to do this though. And like I said, that could be on Vanney, but it costs us more than he gains us. How many times does he give the ball away unnecessarily in a game and kill our attack, costing us potential goals or down the line costing us goals coneeded? How many goals have come directly from this? How many goals, like last week, conceded directly from this? Is the positive worth the negative? That's hard to statistically measure but intuitively to me it seems we lose more than we gain and by a significant margin and the successful passes do not compensate this.

[Blindside16]

I just want a solid 90 minutes from the boys in this game. We need to hit the playoffs with confidence and a tight solid game will go a long way in helping that. I think 2-0 for the good guys in this one.

[C.Ronaldo]

Was switching Bono out a mistake?

[OgtheDim]

Can't fault Irwin for any of the goals except possibly that DCU chip. I also think he solidifies the communication in the back. He also doesn't overthink his passes out.

What Irwin can't do is kick a fast hard far one to Jozy to chest into a runner.

[ag futbol]

but he's also the only midfielder playing the necessary, risky penetrating passes to our forwards. He's a DM but yesterday he was also our primary playmaker. He'll have a higher number of turnovers because none of the guys in front of him are trying any penetrating passes and rely on him to do it.
Cooper.

[molenshtain]

Cooper.

to
to a lesser extent, sure. But all four midfielders have to be willing and able to do it to take the focus off Bradley. Teams still entirely key in on him when we have possession because Osorio/Endoh/Delgado aren't in form and refuse to push the ball into our forwards in dangerous areas. We can't play two of those guys at the same time. Cooper helps, but not enough to mask the problems created by the other guys.

[MightyDM]

but he's also the only midfielder playing the necessary, risky penetrating passes to our forwards. He's a DM but yesterday he was also our primary playmaker. He'll have a higher number of turnovers because none of the guys in front of him are trying any penetrating passes and rely on him to do it.

osorio does this too, every game. He is involved in the link up play nearly every goal. Just because he isn't putting them in doesn't mean he isn't creating them, he is.

the replays of Bradley from last year, posted elsewhere, show how effective he was when allowed to go forward . And many of them show contributions by Osorio.

if we are going to complain about performances, Givinco and Altidore both had a poor first touch, for them. I'll put it down to rust but it's clear when watching the game again.

[molenshtain]

osorio does this too, every game. He is involved in the link up play nearly every goal. Just because he isn't putting them in doesn't mean he isn't creating them, he is.

the replays of Bradley from last year, posted elsewhere, show how effective he was when allowed to go forward . And many of them show contributions by Osorio.



Yeah, Osorio was really good last year when he was played deeper. I think that's what his best position in and playing him anywhere else is a bad idea. He's really good there because he doesn't give the ball up and he works pretty hard on both sides of the ball, and Neither his positioning nor his off the ball movement are laid out to bare.

He does not, however, play the types of passes I'm talking about. I genuinely don't see what your seeing at all. His passes are always, always, always the most obvious play he could make and are always very high percentage passes to guys who are in front of defenders. That's not the kind of play we need from a 10#. I honestly think his scoring issues are his third or fourth biggest problem, so I'm not too hung up about that. It's his horrible off ball movement and his lack of vision that are the biggest things holding his game back.

I've said all of this before so I'm kind of tired of reiterating it. Being good at 'link up play' is not the same thing as having the required qualities to play 10#. Osorio's good when he plays with multiple players in front of him who he can give the ball to to be creative. Outisde of that role he becomes a big liability. He's had his run now at the 10# and has shown that he definitely is not the answer. Let's move on from this.

[ag futbol]

to
to a lesser extent, sure. But all four midfielders have to be willing and able to do it to take the focus off Bradley. Teams still entirely key in on him when we have possession because Osorio/Endoh/Delgado aren't in form and refuse to push the ball into our forwards in dangerous areas. We can't play two of those guys at the same time. Cooper helps, but not enough to mask the problems created by the other guys.
I wouldn't say lesser - i'd say primarily. I appreciate that Bradley has some ability to hit longer accurate passes but in no way is the guy an attacking mid. A lot of his passing is pretty robotic. He often looks unwilling to attack space. Cooper actually sees between the lines and consistenly is a threat to beat his defender on the ball.

But I agree, other guys need to do more.

[Canary10]

Yeah, Osorio was really good last year when he was played deeper. I think that's what his best position in and playing him anywhere else is a bad idea. He's really good there because he doesn't give the ball up and he works pretty hard on both sides of the ball, and Neither his positioning nor his off the ball movement are laid out to bare.

He does not, however, play the types of passes I'm talking about. I genuinely don't see what your seeing at all. His passes are always, always, always the most obvious play he could make and are always very high percentage passes to guys who are in front of defenders. That's not the kind of play we need from a 10#. I honestly think his scoring issues are his third or fourth biggest problem, so I'm not too hung up about that. It's his horrible off ball movement and his lack of vision that are the biggest things holding his game back.

I've said all of this before so I'm kind of tired of reiterating it. Being good at 'link up play' is not the same thing as having the required qualities to play 10#. Osorio's good when he plays with multiple players in front of him who he can give the ball to to be creative. Outisde of that role he becomes a big liability. He's had his run now at the 10# and has shown that he definitely is not the answer. Let's move on from this.

Osorio has sent people in on goal multiple times. I've seen him play quite a few clever slide-rule balls in. Finishing hasn't always been there unfortunately. He's not going to be the Diaz kind of AM who can beat people and set up, but I think he's underrated for his ability to make the last clever pass.

[Richard]

I have no confidence in this team, this team is headed for another first round choke.

[lintberg]

Way to support the team Buddy!

Remember....this is a supporters board!
We have had our best year ever, there is no reason they can't go all the way this year!
Even if they do not get past the first round.... I for one am totally looking forward to being at BMO filed for TFC's first ever play off match...Woohoo!!:scarf::drum:


I have no confidence in this team, this team is headed for another first round choke.

[Hamilton_Red]

83% is not good for that position. Look at the amount of times he gets the ball in his own half and makes a lot of quick simple passes back to defenders or to somebody beside him. There's nothing wrong with that, in fact i wish that's all he did with the ball because the problems arise when he thinks he's better than he is, but it skews the pass completion %. What I would love to see with Bradley is turnovers per game which I'd bet is way way too high for a defensive mid fielders and our points per game with him vs without

He had the lowest % of completed passes of the 4 midfielders. His total # of passes wasn't much different than the other 3 either. As for him being a long ball specialist - wow.. that is an amazing claim. His long free kicks and corners are particularly bad and he may have a record for the number of long passes ending in a goal kick that I have ever seen. He would be a much better player if he kept his passes to <15 yards.

[molenshtain]

He had the lowest % of completed passes of the 4 midfielders. His total # of passes wasn't much different than the other 3 either. As for him being a long ball specialist - wow.. that is an amazing claim. His long free kicks and corners are particularly bad and he may have a record for the number of long passes ending in a goal kick that I have ever seen. He would be a much better player if he kept his passes to <15 yards.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5iDsv8gPzc



That's an insane pass. He's the only player in the league that can make that. His set pieces aren't up to much, but he can put a ball on a dime in open play.

And again, Pass completion percentage doesn't matter if all you do is pass sideways and backwards. He was the only one (bar a couple times from Cooper) who was forcing the play and trying difficult passes into dangerous areas, hence the lower pass completion percentage. It was not because the others were better passers on the day.

[JoesphNdo]

Put me on a field and have me try ten long passes a game and I'll eventually land a few too, though. You can't look at the odd highlight as evidence of a great passer. You wouldn't worship a quarter back who goes for the end zone every single play for the few passes that look amazing when they come off because they only tell part of the story

[molenshtain]

It was one example of a talent he demonstrates often.

And no. Watch that pass again. That's not just a long pass, that's a through ball from just outside his own box that split two defenders onto an onrushing attacker, hit with the inside of his big toe. That's not a pass the average person off the street can hit in ten tries. That's world class.

Bradley has faults. There's no reason to make others up. His passing range is not a problem.

[Jack]

It was one example of a talent he demonstrates often.

And no. Watch that pass again. That's not just a long pass, that's a through ball from just outside his own box that split two defenders onto an onrushing attacker, hit with the inside of his big toe. That's not a pass the average person off the street can hit in ten tries. That's world class.

Bradley has faults. There's no reason to make others up. His passing range is not a problem.
Yep. He makes many good passes per game and many dangerous ones. I would like to see him on the left side of the diamond. When he was in Italy, he was often on the left of a three-man mid or a diamond with a DM beside him (De Rossi in Roma!), so he helped with defence, but he wasn't the anchor. That allowed his box-to-box ability to shine and also allowed him to use his dangerous passing a bit further up the field.

[Hamilton_Red]

I just want to see the team come out of the gates fast on Sunday and lay down a game that sets the tone for the playoffs.

[JayMolly]

^
We will drink to that!

[Canary10]

Honestly, if we don't get three points from this game we're in trouble for the playoffs. Chicago is long out with nothing to play for. We better win.

[OgtheDim]

They better win.

I'm running out of underwear to call lucky. :smilewinkgrin:

[OgtheDim]

FWIW

https://twitter.com/MLS/status/789531743846076416

[Redcoe15]

They better win.

I'm running out of underwear to call lucky.
Ewwww!!! :ack2: Way more unnecessary info than needed!

[OgtheDim]

Wait a second...you drink Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum and think I'm the ewww one? :)

****

Ur right. Inserted a smilie to show I wasn't serious.

[Redcoe15]

Wait a second...you drink Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum and think I'm the ewww one? :)

****

Ur right. Inserted a smilie to show I wasn't serious.
Nu, nu, nu, nu, nu, nu, nu. I like Captain Morgan's BLACK Spiced Rum (with some A&W Diet Root Beer mixed in). Get it RIGHT!!!!! :wink5: g:D

[MightyDM]

Osorio has sent people in on goal multiple times. I've seen him play quite a few clever slide-rule balls in. Finishing hasn't always been there unfortunately. He's not going to be the Diaz kind of AM who can beat people and set up, but I think he's underrated for his ability to make the last clever pass.


Thats how I see his play. Lots of examples, too. Could we find someone better, like Diaz? Yes. Does Oso make lots of effective plays? Absolutely.

for me, the issue is actually formation. We need to adapt and that means a 3-5-2. Best use of this roster, protects the back and allows Bradley a bit more freedom to make those awesome forward runs.

[Brooker]

I'd like to skip tomorrow. Stoked.

[SirBobSaget]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5iDsv8gPzc



That's an insane pass. He's the only player in the league that can make that. His set pieces aren't up to much, but he can put a ball on a dime in open play.

And again, Pass completion percentage doesn't matter if all you do is pass sideways and backwards. He was the only one (bar a couple times from Cooper) who was forcing the play and trying difficult passes into dangerous areas, hence the lower pass completion percentage. It was not because the others were better passers on the day.

He connected once over a year ago and thats proof he has great`passing range? He`s put similar attempts out of bounds multiple times.

[molenshtain]

He connected once over a year ago and thats proof he has great`passing range? He`s put similar attempts out of bounds multiple times.


so have guys like Gerrard and Lampard, for their entire careers. They're really hard passes to make on a regular basis. Bradley is pretty good at them. Like I said, That's one example of the types of world class passes he can make. It's one example, but he does it a lot. He misses occasionally, but so does everyone.

[OgtheDim]

Every time we go on a not winning spurt, somebody becomes the target of ire. Win tomorrow and this particular talk will stop. As I said in the other threads, Osorio was playing too high for the first half. That was adjusted in the second and Bradley was not being overrun.

[jiforio]

Bradley is a world class player. One of the best players we've and the league has ever had. Stats don't mean everything. Just watch him play. He's our captain and he's the one that will be leading us into the play-offs. Let's get behind him and the boys and take the championship this year. I'm super excited for our first home match EVER! Go REDS! All for One!

[OgtheDim]

https://twitter.com/FireConf/status/789642362154876928

[Hamilton_Red]

Bradley is a world class player. One of the best players we've and the league has ever had. Stats don't mean everything. Just watch him play. He's our captain and he's the one that will be leading us into the play-offs. Let's get behind him and the boys and take the championship this year. I'm super excited for our first home match EVER! Go REDS! All for One!

I'd love for him to get a goal and a couple of assists tomorrow & a clean sheet. It would be great to see him play at his peak.

[Brooker]

If NYC loses and we draw, what happens? GD? Head to head?

[Ivy]

If NYC loses and we draw, what happens? GD? Head to head?
They'll stay in second and us third.
First tie breaker is overall wins.

[Brooker]

They'll stay in second and us third.
First tie breaker is overall wins.

Gotcha.

[BelfastBoy]

I might make it out to this game, otherwise I'll be helping the TV numbers. Mon the wee Reds!!

[BelfastBoy]

Bradley is a world class player. One of the best players we've and the league has ever had. Stats don't mean everything. Just watch him play. He's our captain and he's the one that will be leading us into the play-offs. Let's get behind him and the boys and take the championship this year. I'm super excited for our first home match EVER! Go REDS! All for One!
Yeah put Bradley back in Serie A or any established league you'll see what a player he is.

[SirBobSaget]

Bradley is a world class player. One of the best players we've and the league has ever had. Stats don't mean everything. Just watch him play. He's our captain and he's the one that will be leading us into the play-offs. Let's get behind him and the boys and take the championship this year. I'm super excited for our first home match EVER! Go REDS! All for One!

Whats the definition of World Class? Top 5 .. or even Top 10 at their position? Bradley isn't anywhere near world class.

Here are the facts
TFC record this season 13W - 9L - 11D -> 1.51 Pts/G
With Bradley Starting 8W - 6L - 9D -> 1.43 Pts/G
With Giovinco Starting 12W - 8L - 7D -> 1.59 Pts/G

The team is actually performing worse with Bradley in the lineup and are performing much better when Giovinco is in the lineup. For 6 million / year you can get a player that will actually improve your teams Pts/G (like Giovinco) and also not miss 1/3 of the season off on international duty. Show me another World Class MLS player that drags down their teams Pts/G.

[Hamilton_Red]

Whats the definition of World Class? Top 5 .. or even Top 10 at their position? Bradley isn't anywhere near world class.

Here are the facts
TFC record this season 13W - 9L - 11D -> 1.51 Pts/G
With Bradley Starting 8W - 6L - 9D -> 1.43 Pts/G
With Giovinco Starting 12W - 8L - 7D -> 1.59 Pts/G

The team is actually performing worse with Bradley in the lineup and are performing much better when Giovinco is in the lineup. For 6 million / year you can get a player that will actually improve your teams Pts/G (like Giovinco) and also not miss 1/3 of the season off on international duty. Show me another World Class MLS player that drags down their teams Pts/G.

Exactly 8 wins out of 23 games.... your are not even top 5 in MLS with that record...never mind world class. TFC plays better when he was away. He was a top player...he could be a top player...he hasn't been this season. If he can find his form TFC has a chance of winning the MLS Cup.

[Oldtimer]

If you want to have anything remotely accurate with stats, you have to distinguish between home and away games. Bradley has played a disproportionate share of away games vs home games.

[OgtheDim]

And the day breaks clear and cooler then we've seen for most matches this season.

Perfect fall weather. Will be 15 degrees and partly cloudy at kick off with a strong west wind.

Getting there Notes

Gardiner Closed
Yonge Line Closed Finch to Lawrence
GO laying on an extra Lakeshore West train after the game (hey, baby steps to getting local authories to realise we are there)


Free Toque Day for the first 10 000 fans in


:scarf:

[BritSOL]

What channel is showing the game? mlssoocer.com states TSN4, but the rogers tv guide lists TSN4 as the Vancouver game.

[Hamilton_Red]

If you want to have anything remotely accurate with stats, you have to distinguish between home and away games. Bradley has played a disproportionate share of away games vs home games.

13 Away 10 at Home


6 Wins 3 Draws 4 losses away. His away form has been better than his home form. Maybe he just likes playing in the states more.

[ronzilla]

What channel is showing the game? mlssoocer.com states TSN4, but the rogers tv guide lists TSN4 as the Vancouver game.


My rogers guide shows toronto on TSN4.

[paul-collins]

My rogers guide shows toronto on TSN4.
TSN1 has Vancouver live
TSN2 replays TFC at 8pm
TSN4 has TFC live

All from the TSN website

[CBTFC]

Tis a brisk and breezy day for some chilly soccer by the lake.

Good luck to all in making their way to the game, given the Gardiner closure and all the chaos that comes with that.

[MightyDM]

Thats how I see his play. Lots of examples, too. Could we find someone better, like Diaz? Yes. Does Oso make lots of effective plays? Absolutely.

for me, the issue is actually formation. We need to adapt and that means a 3-5-2. Best use of this roster, protects the back and allows Bradley a bit more freedom to make those awesome forward runs.

Someone reads these boards! We are playing a 3-5-2

[molenshtain]

is anyone else on TSN and seemingly getting the Timbers/Whitecaps pre game show? are they still playing the TFC game?

Nvm, all good. They seem to be trying to hit all their bases for decision day.

[mistercorporate]

Huh? Why is the MLS Live feed for Toronto vs Chicago showing the Vancouver Whitecaps??

[Leedsoronto]

Huh? Why is the MLS Live feed for Toronto vs Chicago showing the Vancouver Whitecaps??

Stick to TSN4

[Redcoe15]

TSN has a pre game MLS show? Amazing.

[molenshtain]

weird day to go the 3-5-2, gotta say. Not sure what Vanney's thinking here.

[Yohan]

I see someone decided to copy Mtl style bedsheet 'tifo'. lulz

[QBall]

Chicago has been improving over the last quarter of the season so this should be a good display of what we might see from them next year. Still, TFC needs to destroy them as they are the last place team.

[jloome]

Chicago has been improving over the last quarter of the season so this should be a good display of what we might see from them next year. Still, TFC needs to destroy them as they are the last place team.

We need to keep Cooper.

[QBall]

We need to keep Cooper.

Bez might need some creative accounting to accomofate that contract.

[shwade]

Yeah Bradley, just step out of the way.

[QBall]

Well that's just disappointing.

[Nerepis]

Well that happened

[jloome]

How the fuck does he not save that?

[Oldtimer]

TFC will regret those missed chances earlier.

[Yohan]

I smell playoff-itis. complacency after when TFC got into playoffs and players play less intense to 'save energy' for playoff games

[QBall]

Chicago might not know what to do with themselves. A lead on the road? They might switch to a 9-1-0 formation.

[Yohan]

3-5-2 doesn't do much for TFC. overlapping fullbacks in a 4-4-2 is more dangerous than a 3-5-2

[Oldtimer]

So Montreal is playing a weak team today. If they lose, and TFC does not win, TFC has a good chance of playing Montreal for a one game elimination. Last time TFC played Montreal at home we lost.

[mistercorporate]

I miss Alex Bono, Irwin is not back to form yet, send him back to TFC2.

[molenshtain]

Looks like a packed stadium on tv. Bodes well for the playoffs.

[QBall]

Every time I see Gio get knocked down my heart leaps into my throat.

[Hamilton_Red]

Absolutely brutal call.

[QBall]

There we go

[Yohan]

nice dive by Giovinco

[Nerepis]

I'll take it

[QBall]

Both New York teams are leading their games.

[jloome]

nice dive by Giovinco

Trip! He smacked him right in the toe.

[Hamilton_Red]

This Chicago team we are playing has the worst record in all of MLS.

[Richard]

I don't even give a shit about what happens this game.

Show up for the playoffs or get shit canned.

[ronzilla]

Trip! He smacked him right in the toe.

Yeah there was definetly contact. Ref got it right.

[Nerepis]

With all the bad calls against us, I've learned to take these questionable calls for us with grace.

[jloome]

This Chicago team we are playing has the worst record in all of MLS.

They've been improving steadily though; still, should be 4-0 by now.

Zavaleta has been shit for the last half dozen games now. Hagglund looks the better of the two prospects by some distance. Not sure, as prone as he was to error, that Perquis was as easy to replace as Vanney thought.

[azorean10]

I don't even give a shit about what happens this game.

Show up for the playoffs or get shit canned.


There are thousands that showed up that care, that first half was pathetic vs a last place team. WTF !

[ronzilla]

What does the playoff picture look like as of now

[jloome]

What does the playoff picture look like as of now

We would play the first round at home to Philly, with the two NY teams getting a bye. If we win and NYFC loses, we get a first-round bye for second place.

[azorean10]

We would play the first round at home to Philly, with the two NY teams getting a bye. If we win and NYFC loses, we get a first-round bye for second place.

nyfc not out of the woods yet, I smell a Columbus goal....if TFC can only get their shit together, really expected a better performance in that 1st half.

[Richard]

There are thousands that showed up that care, that first half was pathetic vs a last place team. WTF !

Yeah I know people show up.

This teams been trending downwards for the past month, at this point who gives a fly fuck about what happens in the regular season since they threw away challenging for the supporters shield.

This team needs to show up for the playoffs or a clean sweep for Vanney and Bez.

[azorean10]

Yeah I know people show up.

This teams been trending downwards for the past month, at this point who gives a fly fuck about what happens in the regular season since they threw away challenging for the supporters shield.

This team needs to show up for the playoffs or a clean sweep for Vanney and Bez.

don't understand the reasoning. there is still a shot at bye, who gives a shit about the shield, the bye is still in play and they come out flat. inexcusable.

[Richard]

I don't know if a bye is beneficial at this point.

At the end of the day you beat the teams in front of you.

[mistercorporate]

Cooper > Osorio.

[Hamilton_Red]

Cooper is the best player on the field today.

[azorean10]

I don't know if a bye is beneficial at this point.

At the end of the day you beat the teams in front of you.
Just...huh???

[QBall]

Nice!!!

[mistercorporate]

When Jiovinco is on the field, Jozy turns into lazy Luke Moore...come on man, take some energy drinks or something...get moving..

[mistercorporate]

Justin Morrow, inventing a new position...attacking defender.

[azorean10]

Just...huh???

Columbus 1-1...bye would be huge

[sn0re]

Columbus scored!

[mistercorporate]

Columbus 1-1...bye would be huge

yeehaawwww...lucky horseshoe, rabbits foot and fingers crossed!!

[Initial B]

Columbus just scored! TFC now in second!

[Hamilton_Red]

Beauty Columbus! ... any word on Will Johnson? We are missing him.

[Richard]

Justin Morrow, inventing a new position...attacking defender.

Considering the piss poor finishing from some of our other midfielders like Osorio I would give him a winger spot and let him loose more.

[ag futbol]

Altidore off at 61. Can't argue with that, but it's interesting optically.

[Initial B]

Finally Oso!

[sn0re]

Considering the piss poor finishing from some of our other midfielders like Osorio I would give him a winger spot and let him loose more.

Inb4 he scores

[molenshtain]

Greta play from Johnny. Really happy for him.

[mistercorporate]

Great move, Ricketts...Jozy is gassed and Ricketts brings energy!

[tfcfans]

Nice Finish!

[Richard]

Inb4 he scores

Lol of course.

[azorean10]

yeehaawwww...lucky horseshoe, rabbits foot and fingers crossed!!

YES !...come on MLS cup

[jloome]

Considering the piss poor finishing from some of our other midfielders like Osorio I would give him a winger spot and let him loose more.

Well timed.

[Hamilton_Red]

Eff yeah! Oso that is more like it.

[jloome]

Inb4 he scores

Heheheh.

[Couchy81]

Well that's the best goal I've ever seen Osorio score. One for the highlight reels

[mistercorporate]

Cooper's on fire!!! Box to box and playmaker in one!

P.S. Attaboy Oso!!

[ag futbol]

Good for oso. Let's see if this carries over - he's a confidence player and this drought has really plagued him for some time.

[azorean10]

Cooper's on fire!!! Box to box and playmaker in one!

P.S. Attaboy Oso!!

Cooper and Ricketts great signings must admit...more than I expected

[Hamilton_Red]

Good to see Will Jo and Cheroux on the field. Should have rested Bradley though.

[mistercorporate]

Justin Oduro...running like speedy gonzalez..

[azorean10]

Cooper and Ricketts great signings must admit...more than I expected

This Chicago team sucks right now, remember watching them a few years ago in that small stadium when they were good, was my fave team before Toronto came into mls. fan base so passionate, and to see this shit show now...what a shame. Hope they turn it around. Not today though...lol

[jloome]

Shit. NYC scored.

[azorean10]

Shit. NYC scored.

geez, Columbus tanked, 3-1 now....is ok, Toronto at least came out out 2nd half and did what they were supposed to. MLS cup here we come.

[SenorDingDong]

On the plus side. The impact are getting dusted.

[molenshtain]

FUckin hell columbus. their backline is truly fucking Aron Winter level terrible

[SenorDingDong]

It's all good. Best thing we needed today was for TFC to come out and get some momentum coming into the playoffs. Coming back to win is awesome.

[mistercorporate]

On the plus side, more games means more time to build up hype on our playoff run...we're doing it the Blue Jays way lol, though this time we'd better win that Cup!!!

[mistercorporate]

We should rename ourselves New Toronto City FC, those glory days of the invincible defense of a few months ago are long gone!

[molenshtain]

This Chicago team sucks right now, remember watching them a few years ago in that small stadium when they were good, was my fave team before Toronto came into mls. fan base so passionate, and to see this shit show now...what a shame. Hope they turn it around. Not today though...lol

Through
through a friend I'd met one of the original members of Section 8. He left about two years because he was so disillusioned with the club. He's working as Peter Wilt's second hand in Indy now so I think it worked out well for him. But still, there was a lot of great, intelligent, passionate people working in and around Chicago years ago. It's sad it's all gone to waste.

[Hamilton_Red]

I'm not sure that this performance counts as a momentum builder. Giving up 2 goals to a team that have nothing to play for...

On the plus side this will be our first come from behind win this year.

[Nerepis]

Bring on Philly!

[charlieocc]

Does anybody have any insight as to what time the game might be midweek?

[Oldtimer]

Go figure the Crew ruin the bye for Toronto.

[zeelaw]

Go figure the Crew ruin the bye for Toronto.
The last month ruined the bye for us lol

[RealG-TFC]

Between Montreal, DC, New England, and Philly I would definitely prefer the Union.

[molenshtain]

And If we beat the Union we play Man city. It's the best route to the conference finals we could have asked for.


I also find it highly unlikely that Dallas Or Colorado wins the west. So provided we get through the east we're in pole position for home field advantage to host the Cup final.

[molenshtain]

Does anybody have any insight as to what time the game might be midweek?

I think all games will be at 7:30.

[jimiv]

The last month ruined the bye for us lol

I would argue "Pro Referees" ruined the buy for us throughout the season.

[Oldtimer]

Does anybody have any insight as to what time the game might be midweek?

Wednesday.

[Eastend]

/\ @7:30

[Initial B]

You know, it's perfectly possible that the Eastern Conference Final series could be between TFC and L'Impact. Am I just being paranoid that MLS FO might interfere if it looks like both New Yorks are losing going into the second leg?

[OgtheDim]

That was both fun and annoying.

How the ref missed the pull down of Osorio on their first goal I do not know. I've argued for years that soccer needs a two referee system and that's a perfect example of something that would have been called.

[Onyx]

I would argue "Pro Referees" ruined the buy for us throughout the season.

Can't understand why MLS doesn't bring in these guys from the CONCACAF games. Way better job than PRO. They can't be making much in locally + day jobs.
Its just the extra cost of flying these guys in.

At least their would be competition for the 10 ref spots every week

[CBTFC]

The main thing that sticks out for me this match is Osorio finally putting one on target. Glad for him to get that monkey off his back.

Otherwise, we won the game and that's all we could do. Our playoff fate is out of our hands, and it is what it is.

Bring on the Union!

[Thomas]

Without a doubt. He's a keeper alright.


We need to keep Cooper.

[ag futbol]

I thought the score line was flattering to Chicago. We easily could have put 5 past them.

Credit to Morrow. He had a dog of a start to the season but is playing at an all star level on both ends of the field.

[ManUtd4ever]

Victory at last, and not a moment too soon. We could have finished the game a bit stronger, but we sorely needed a boost of confidence going into the playoffs.

Even with our slump over the last few weeks, we played well enough throughout the season to earn the right to play our first ever playoff game at BMO Field, and that is a worthy accomplishment. Now it's time to take advantage.

[C.Ronaldo]

When Jiovinco is on the field, Jozy turns into lazy Luke Moore...come on man, take some energy drinks or something...get moving..

agreed

except luke moore looked amazing playing with giovinco

[molenshtain]

agreed

except luke moore looked amazing playing with giovinco

today maybe. They looked great when they played together throughout august.

[Canary10]

Absolutely fantastic goal from Oso. So glad to see him do that.

And Giovinco. What does it take to knock the guy down. And knock him down AND get the ball off his feet. On that cross for Morrow's goal, he should have been on his ass. I don't know how he stayed up, and kept control and was making moves while he was off balance. Incredible.

[ronzilla]

The Bradley ball to Giovinco that led to the Morrow goal was fuckin awesome. Are we watching the same sport here? Oso goal was also great, and happy that he scored.

Giovinco is pulling the strings again and this will be key to a deep playoff run.

Philly is going to be tough and its not an automatic win, considering how TFC have been winless in the last 5 games, although with Seba back, they should pull off the W.

[spe18]

Can't understand why MLS doesn't bring in these guys from the CONCACAF games. Way better job than PRO. They can't be making much in locally + day jobs.
Its just the extra cost of flying these guys in.

At least their would be competition for the 10 ref spots every week

I think the problem with bringing in a ref from outside of their country is the ref may lose seniority in the country in which they were in. Plus they may also have to start all over again on the international level (ie. if they had FIFA accreditation, they would lose it if they move to another country). I think this is what happened with Pretrescu.

Also, from what I understand, it's not MLS that assigns the match officials, it is PRO, which I think is run in conjunction with the USF and CSA.

[DinamoTFC]

Forgot to ask and just curious cause I couldn't read from behind but what did Inebriatti's horizontal banner read that they were holding up.

[paul-collins]

"We Need You Too!!"