Match Day 7 - Philly @ TFC Friday May 4 8pm - All my instincts, they return

[OgtheDim]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evN6DIGPIJM


I see the light and the heat
In your eyes
Oh, I want to be that complete
I want to touch the light
The heat I see in your eyes


*********

Have at It People

[ensco]

This is a big, big game for us. Statement game.

Aketxe gets some proper work in this week with the first team configuration, and shows his stuff.

4-1 TFC.

[michaeltfc91]

We really need an update on the injury list:
OUT - Moor, Hagglund
Not sure - Mavinga, Morrow, Zavaleta, Hernandez, Altidore
Am I missing anyone?

That's a lot of defenders

[ScarboroughRed]

Wonder how far along is Zavaleta and Hernandez is. Getting at least one of them match fit would be huge. Along with Morrow. Would be really confident with 2 out of the 3.

[C.Ronaldo]

Wonder how far along is Zavaleta and Hernandez is. Getting at least one of them match fit would be huge. Along with Morrow. Would be really confident with 2 out of the 3.


Hernandez was injured?

[ScarboroughRed]

Match fitness really. I think if he was 100% ready he would have started against Chicago

[OgtheDim]

Molinaro with the injury updates

https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/toronto-fc-tfc-mls-major-league-soccer-drew-moor-jozy-altidore-injuries-concacaf-champions-league/

[Auzzy]

We really need an update on the injury list:
OUT - Moor, Hagglund
Not sure - Mavinga, Morrow, Zavaleta, Hernandez, Altidore
Am I missing anyone?

That's a lot of defenders

Moor out 2-3 months with a quad tear, crap! Hagglund still away for a "couple more weeks" at least.

Altidore will also be away for a few weeks with a "mild hamstring strain."

Mavinga & Morrow supposedly available again "soon." Zavaleta about a week or two away from return.

My prediction: starting lineup vs. Philly pretty similar to the one vs. Chicago, with GvdW & Bradley in central defense. If tests show either Mavinga or Morrow ready to go this week, they'll come on for the last 15-20 minutes to ease them in.

Vazquez may start again & be subbed after about 60 minutes.

Late season ending with MLS Cup; short off-season; early re-start with very important games right from the beginning; trips & training all over the continent; various field conditions from the frozen tundra in Colorado to the muddy swamp at BMO Field -- we're paying the injury price big-time. BMO Field will be continued crap for one more month until June; hopefully the new grass goes down well & doesn't cause more problems. And I hope we don't get any more big-time injuries before then.

(Injury & other info from John Molinaro's article https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/toronto-fc-tfc-mls-major-league-soccer-drew-moor-jozy-altidore-injuries-concacaf-champions-league/ )

[Hugh Jazz]

I'm fine with the same line-up that went against Chicago. 6 days without traveling or playing in games will be huge for a lot of those players. When we played Philly last August I thought it was one of our most comprehensive victories ever (only 3-0 scoreline), they were chasing shadows most of the game. Let's hope for more of that.

[ScarboroughRed]

I'm fine with the same line-up that went against Chicago. 6 days without traveling or playing in games will be huge for a lot of those players. When we played Philly last August I thought it was one of our most comprehensive victories ever (only 3-0 scoreline), they were chasing shadows most of the game. Let's hope for more of that.

Agreed, for about 60 minutes with that crazy line up we ran Chicago off the field, for the most part. Philly isn't that much better than Chicago too.

With everyone fully rested and Vazquez having a few more days to get match fit, hoping for a good bounce back game.

[Detroit_TFC]

I'd expect a favorable outcome from this game as the players continue their recovery.

[Fort York Redcoat]

Philly made a statement win at home vs DC. This will be a real contest with all those injuries above.

[Graeme]

Just guessing here (I think there will be at least one surprise healthy player starting):

----------------------Bono----------------------
--Auro---VDW-----------Bradley---Morgan---
---Hasler--Delgado---Vasquez---Osorio-----
---------Giovinco-------Altidore---------------

Bench: Irwin, Morrow, Mavinga, Tefler, Chapman, Hamilton, Ricketts

Mavinga in for Hasler or Vasquez at 70 minutes with Bradley moving into midfield...

[Voodooman]

Well Jozy is out as well. So if CCL was telling I expect to see Hamilton up there with Giovinco than.

[paul-collins]

Well Jozy is out as well. So if CCL was telling I expect to see Hamilton up there with Giovinco than.
On Saturday they had Atkexe in the midfield and Seba as a lone striker instead of Hamilton in. I'd be ok with that again but if Hasler is in, would he be able to move up top? He plays striker for his country...

I'd be happy for Hamilton to get the minutes, also.

[OgtheDim]

The updated injury report, as per Molinaro

https://twitter.com/JohnMolinaro/status/992082658908815360

[michaeltfc91]

The updated injury report, as per Molinaro

https://twitter.com/JohnMolinaro/status/992082658908815360



-------------Bono
Auro------VDW-----Hernandez-----Morgan
Aketxe----Bradley-----Delgado-----Osorio
-------Giovinco-----Vasquez

Subs - Irwin, Hasler, Telfer, Chapman, Fraser, Ricketts, Hamilton

Still pretty weak right now, but we HAVE to win, no excuse

[woolly]

Easier to list who's available instead of who's injured.

[magmadragon]

The updated injury report, as per Molinaro

https://twitter.com/JohnMolinaro/status/992082658908815360

Does this mean Hagglund is back?

[Cas87]

Does this mean Hagglund is back?

No Hagglund is a long term injury (4-5 months I believe when he was first diagnosed).
The list Molinaro gave in the tweet is mainly the short-term injuries.

[Graeme]

In that case....

Just guessing here (I think there will be at least one surprise healthy player starting):

----------------------Bono----------------------
--Auro---VDW-----------Bradley---Morgan---
---Hasler--Delgado--Aketxe-Vasquez---Osorio-----
---------Giovinco----------------------

Bench: Irwin, Hernandez, Taintor?, Tefler, Chapman, Hamilton, Ricketts

Hernandez in for Hasler or Vasquez at 70 minutes with Bradley moving into midfield...

[Gringo Starr]

It's crazy, as of today we are dead last in the standings trailing the sounders on GD. Hope the league enjoyed their head start cause the Reds are coming, the climb starts tomorrow. I'm thinking 3-1

[portu]

Well Jozy is out as well. So if CCL was telling I expect to see Hamilton up there with Giovinco than.
The only year in this decade Jozy hasn't been injured is 2012, and in some years he's been injured multiple times and not one of them whilst at TFC has been a contact injury. No matter what he or the club does, whether that's seeing different doctors, changing his diet and exercise plan, limiting his minutes, etc, the one guarantee every year is that Jozy is going to be out for a significant period. The club and Jozy have failed to remedy the issue.

As much as I love the guy, I'm fed up with the injuries. At one point or another, the club needs to realize it can do better than Jozy for that DP slot.

One more thing: How come the media isn't holding the club accountable on this? Is it just considered acceptable that the same player is always suffering from lower body non-contact injuries, even after a significant preventative effort?

[OgtheDim]

Just a note on that - I think the only player not injured since the beginning of last season is Bradley. Jozy has been out about the median amount of them all.

He's supposedly back in a couple of weeks.

[Oldtimer]

Judging by tickets available, I expect this game to have below average attendance. I'm not sure why. Is it that casual fans are just looking at TFC's current place in the standings?

[Voodooman]

Judging by tickets available, I expect this game to have below average attendance. I'm not sure why. Is it that casual fans are just looking at TFC's current place in the standings?

I think casual fans distracted by the playoffs in the other sports and just don't know.

[C.Ronaldo]

Just a note on that - I think the only player not injured since the beginning of last season is Bradley. Jozy has been out about the median amount of them all.

He's supposedly back in a couple of weeks.

yah, MB is worthless, over paid,....blah blah blah

[C.Ronaldo]

No Hagglund is a long term injury (4-5 months I believe when he was first diagnosed).
The list Molinaro gave in the tweet is mainly the short-term injuries.

Haglund need to take some multi vitamins and see someone that can list the curse

[Don Julio]

I think casual fans distracted by the playoffs in the other sports and just don't know.

I was literally having breakfast this morning and my wife and I were discussing what we should do tonight. After a minute she checks her calendar.. "Oh shit, there's a game tonight!" It's just not normal to have Friday night matches..

[ensco]

Judging by tickets available, I expect this game to have below average attendance. I'm not sure why. Is it that casual fans are just looking at TFC's current place in the standings?

I don’t think it’s the Leafs/Raps, or the standings.

This is our seventh home game, and the weather has been lousy for the first six. It doesn’t look that great for tonight. I gave up my SSH in part because of this - I mostly don’t want to go to games early or late in the year (playoff games excepted of course).

Too many games, and too many games in bad weather. Back in 2007 our first home game was April 28. (It was pretty crappy weather that day.)

Also just plain old fatigue. TFC has been a massive priority for most of last six months.

Also ask anyone not a regular on this board to name a Philly player. (Someone I know thinks CJ Sapong is the name of a sex club in Bangkok.)

(The pitch being bad affects my interest a bit too. Makes everything random. )

Looking forward to a genuinely nice night at BMO, soon I hope.

[Joe Kool]

I was literally having breakfast this morning and my wife and I were discussing what we should do tonight. After a minute she checks her calendar.. "Oh shit, there's a game tonight!" It's just not normal to have Friday night matches..

Still trying to figure out my game plan of when to leave to drive into Toronto during Friday rush hour traffic. Definitely not used to Fridays yet but we had them before. I may just go early and get a roti at Island Foods on King for dinner.

[Areathrasher]

Think for a lot there is going to be a Playoffs/MLS Cup/CCL hangover.

After playoffs then 3 big games against Mexican teams the thoughts of Philly are probably a bit

https://media.giphy.com/media/PYEGoZXABBMuk/giphy.gif

[OgtheDim]

Yeah, I got really really tired coming home last Saturday - TFC fatigue.

Then I remembered I really enjoyed the first 60 mintues against Chicago - we looked like world beaters. That counter attack with the goal called back was brilliant stuff.

I look forward to the potential of some of that again tonight, except with it lasting the 90.

[Voodooman]

I don’t think it’s the Leafs/Raps, or the standings.

This is our seventh home game, and the weather has been lousy for the first six. It doesn’t look that great for tonight. I gave up my SSH in part because of this - I mostly don’t want to go to games early or late in the year (playoff games excepted of course).

Too many games, and too many games in bad weather. Back in 2007 our first home game was April 28. (It was pretty crappy weather that day.)

Also just plain old fatigue. TFC has been a massive priority for most of last six months.

Also ask anyone not a regular on this board to name a Philly player. (Someone I know thinks CJ Sapong is the name of a sex club in Bangkok.)

(The pitch being bad affects my interest a bit too. Makes everything random. )

Looking forward to a genuinely nice night at BMO, soon I hope.

Honestly was doing this with people at the Footy Talks last night. We struggled to name anyone past 3-4 players even.

Lets hope the weather improves today!

It's not a beautiful matchup, but we got a lot of home games coming up so maybe Wednesday vs Seattle will stir the pot!

[oranje boven]

Looks like the wind will be tonight's weather factor...

[Canary10]

What is Zavaletta's injury?

[backbeat]

I don’t think it’s the Leafs/Raps, or the standings.

This is our seventh home game, and the weather has been lousy for the first six. It doesn’t look that great for tonight. I gave up my SSH in part because of this - I mostly don’t want to go to games early or late in the year (playoff games excepted of course).

Too many games, and too many games in bad weather. Back in 2007 our first home game was April 28. (It was pretty crappy weather that day.)

Also just plain old fatigue. TFC has been a massive priority for most of last six months.

Also ask anyone not a regular on this board to name a Philly player. (Someone I know thinks CJ Sapong is the name of a sex club in Bangkok.)

(The pitch being bad affects my interest a bit too. Makes everything random. )

Looking forward to a genuinely nice night at BMO, soon I hope.

it's not the number of games that's an issue for me - i love going to the games, it's almost a meditative thing, but can we PLEASE have some half decent weather?!?

I'm really on the fence about going this evening as the forecast looks horrid....and naturally Saturday is sunny and 20....geez.....

[JT Red127]

it's not the number of games that's an issue for me - i love going to the games, it's almost a meditative thing, but can we PLEASE have some half decent weather?!?

I'm really on the fence about going this evening as the forecast looks horrid....and naturally Saturday is sunny and 20....geez.....

Horrid? its just wind.

[C.Ronaldo]

Horrid? its just wind.

its not that this is the reason im not attending but this is more than just wind
Wind Warning - Strong winds that may cause damage are expected or occurring. Wind gusts of 90 to 100

[OgtheDim]

Its the sustained winds of 50 kph that will be most interesting. Out of the west usually means it goes north to south on the field.

[Canary10]

its not that this is the reason im not attending but this is more than just wind
Wind Warning - Strong winds that may cause damage are expected or occurring. Wind gusts of 90 to 100

It's never windy at BMO.

[Couchy81]

Looking forward to a genuinely nice night at BMO, soon I hope.

Wednesday looks nice right now, 18 and some sun. Looking forward to it. :)

[Eastend]

5 of 7 home games in all competition on weeknights.
5 of next 5 home games on weeknights.

Games in the spring are extremely unpredictable weather wise so at least give us a fighting chance and have more Saturday afternoon games.

For me, this is awful.

[C.Ronaldo]

5 of 7 home games in all competition on weeknights.
5 of next 5 home games on weeknights.

Games in the spring are extremely unpredictable weather wise so at least give us a fighting chance and have more Saturday afternoon games.

For me, this is awful.

agreed

summer , weeknight or weekend nights

spring / fall midday weekends

[Sonny Cheeba]

Its the sustained winds of 50 kph that will be most interesting. Out of the west usually means it goes north to south on the field.

here are the current vectors

https://www.windy.com/?temp,43.627,-79.382,12


and then 8pm... falls in line with your prediction
https://www.windy.com/?temp,43.627,-79.382,12

[oranje boven]

What game this season will we have a trifecta?
1. Our starting 11 are healthy
2. The pitch is in great shape
3. The weather is a non factor

[shwade]

Will they cancel?

[Couchy81]

Flights aren't landing at Pearson apparently. My bro in law had my tickets for the game and his flight from the peg turned back an hour into the trip

[oranje boven]

Pitch is better, not perfect but it looks like a short trim job which makes it better for a passing team like ours.
If you have the choice do you take wind at your back in the 1st half?

[FootBallAZ]

Will they cancel?

https://mobile.twitter.com/torontofc/status/992545795088965632?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp %5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

[Hamilton_Red]

Any streams? I'm stuck in the UK for the game.

[Boddington]

Any streams? I'm stuck in the UK for the game.

http://www.navyan1.gq/p/navyan-9.html

[Hamilton_Red]

Rat's my work virus scanner is blocking that site.... will have to follow on Twitter.

[Boddington]

Rat's my work virus scanner is blocking that site.... will have to follow on Twitter.

Try this....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVR3BD0vZjw

[Hamilton_Red]

Beauty thanks!

[Detroit_TFC]

Get innnnnn vv

[ensco]

What a 1-2.

Beginning to love Hasler.

[ag futbol]

That is the most garbage yellow I have ever seen.

[notthesun]

Been some talk about us needing a TAM CB, which I thought would've been nice... turns out we signed one in Van der Wiel.

[Detroit_TFC]

Giovinco is ready to burst into flame any second now, he's so frustrated.

[notthesun]

Aketxe is doing a ton of good defensive work today.

[wopchop]

What a 1-2.

Beginning to love Hasler.
Always loved him. The guy is a workhorse. He is really starting to shine this year.

[Boddington]

Beauty thanks!
Might have thanked me too soon.

[ag futbol]

That was a really frustrating half for being up 1-0. Badly need a presence in the box to get on the end of some of these balls. Otherwise great work by the team.

[Oldtimer]

It would be great to have more consistent officiating.

[Davenport]

Hasler and Aketxe are starting to show their quality. Delgado not so much.

The second half against the wind will be interesting.....

[ag futbol]

Who was that next to Altidore in the box?

[notthesun]

Who was that next to Altidore in the box?

Akinola.

[Detroit_TFC]

Why didn't he shoot?

[ag futbol]

Why didn't he shoot?
Arrg if we had a left foot on that side we’d be peppering them with shots now

[Detroit_TFC]

Giovincoooooooooooooooooooooo

[ag futbol]

My god the lineman missed that by like 3 yards

[wopchop]

My god the lineman missed that by like 3 yards
Totally embarrassing. PRO is a joke.

[Davenport]

We've done well against the wind...and Delgado has been much better this half. He's a better player without that ball...getting his foot in and disrupting the opposition.

[Detroit_TFC]

Great to see Vazquez getting back to 100%, big contributor tonight.

[wopchop]

Aketxe is doing a ton of good defensive work today.
He looks a lot better in that deeper position.

[Detroit_TFC]

OOOH Jay Chapman - we see you

[ag futbol]

What a shot by Chapman. Hope he gets some confidence off that

[tfcfans]

YAY Chapman!

[Yohan]

That was some pass by Hamilton to set up Chapman.

Philly... very nice slumpbuster. Onwards to beating up Seattle on Wed

[jloome]

That was some pass by Hamilton to set up Chapman.

Philly... very nice slumpbuster. Onwards to beating up Seattle on Wed

Well timed. Very encouraged by both Aketxe and Vazquez tonight. Hamilton and Chapman getting time as well. Excellent night.

[OgtheDim]

Regular service has now resumed

[Canary10]

Philadelphia are REALLY bad. I miss playing Mexican teams already.

[Canary10]

That was some pass by Hamilton to set up Chapman.

Philly... very nice slumpbuster. Onwards to beating up Seattle on Wed

Also a hell of a shot by Chapman. Hit it hard and buried it in the corner.

[C.Ronaldo]

Great game. Osorio back to his old self infront of the net

Daily practice on quick left foot shots for the foreseeable future

[notthesun]

Giovinco was a terror. Also Aketxe's best performance so far. Good performance.

[Red CB Toronto]

Had a great time down at BMO. Loved all three goals, what a strike by Jay for the third. Cheers to that !!

[ensco]

Statement delivered.

Nobody is allowed to get on Delgado. They just aren’t. We have Marky's back.

Og, I have something to say about the next game, when you get that thread going.

[James17930]

Regular service has now resumed

I certainly hope so.

I'm still not over the CCL loss, and the crap officiating screw job of the VAR in the Fire game.

I need to see this win be the start of a long streak where we crawl back up near the top of the standings. It's actually physically painful to see us in dead last.

[Gringo Starr]

That felt like a practice, Philly is a steaming pile.
one win and we jumped 4 teams in the standings including the blue and shite, everything feels right again, onwards and upwards, can't wait to relive some sweet memories Wednesday

[OgtheDim]

VDW roaming forward is a sight to behold - teams don't know what to do with this guy coming at them out of the back. This league doesn't see that very often from its CB's who tend to be big guys without much pace or dribbling technique. Vanney's tactics have been copied by a lot of teams who now play the 3-5-2 and try to play quick passes everywhere. Lets see if other teams take notice & look to bring in CB's who can take space & overload.

[ensco]

We did that playing a 3-5-2 without the three.

Nobody in this league can come close to matching our depth.

[Hamilton_Red]

Van der Wiel and Bradley have been in immense in the CB rolls. Their versatility has been incredible. They are both better than the first team starters in those rolls.

Giovinco is hungry again that's a huge factor. With Aketxe bedding in and the inuries coming back - we are poised to go on a real roll.

I'd give Bradley an extension for 5 years based on what I have seen...he can play till he is 40 in the CB roll.

[backbeat]

Great game. Osorio back to his old self infront of the net

Daily practice on quick left foot shots for the foreseeable future


absolutely agree - BUT - he was a workhorse and technically strong throughout the rest of the pitch....he's come a long way and desires his spot on the starting 11

[Fort York Redcoat]

I certainly hope so.

I'm still not over the CCL loss, and the crap officiating screw job of the VAR in the Fire game.

I need to see this win be the start of a long streak where we crawl back up near the top of the standings. It's actually physically painful to see us in dead last.

Check again and hurt no more. We jump 2 spots and with a game in hand we play Seattle next. Cue The Jeffersons theme song.:)

[SoccMan2]

Van der Wiel and Bradley have been in immense in the CB rolls. Their versatility has been incredible. They are both better than the first team starters in those rolls.

Giovinco is hungry again that's a huge factor. With Aketxe bedding in and the inuries coming back - we are poised to go on a real roll.

I'd give Bradley an extension for 5 years based on what I have seen...he can play till he is 40 in the CB roll.
Micheal Bradley reminds me of the Italian and former Italian national team and 2010 World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro who captained Italy to the 2010 World Cup playing back there at the back. Cannavaro like Bradley was a total team player and was the heart and soul of that Italian team just like Bradley is for TFC .

[OgtheDim]

https://twitter.com/TylerAKing/status/992577704879972352

[CBTFC]

This was exactly the type of confidence boosting game we needed, 3 different scorers, everyone involved in the play.

I'm absolutely loving VDW in this role, and safe to say he's come to Toronto to play and be a part of our special group.

[Auzzy]

I've been amazed at van der Wiel's speed on numerous occasions in the last few games, especially recovering on defense against well-known speedsters from MLS or Mexican teams. It made sense that he was not 100% fit at the beginning of the season, coming from the off-season and after playing only sporadically for his previous teams. Now we're getting a much better impression of his qualities. BTW I'm a big fan of Beitashour, but I can't imagine him sliding into CB as impressively as GvdW has. Considering we even saved money under the cap, that was obviously a great bit of business -- plus we got Auro as well.

Hopefully everyone else stays healthy, and we get a few injured players back soon. Somebody mentioned it in another thread: with Moor, Zavaleta, Mavinga, and especially Hagglund & Altidore all away, we are really missing some height + heft in the box on dead ball situations & crosses at both ends of the field. It was good that Bono tipped that strong Philly header off the bar in the 10th minute.

[Carter]

Where are all the Aketxe haters in this thread... :yum:

[ensco]

From a Philly Union guy on twitter:

If you make a list of the Union's last 10 road wins in MLS, Chivas is on it.
Really.

[Auzzy]

From a Philly Union guy on twitter:

If you make a list of the Union's last 10 road wins in MLS, Chivas is on it.
Really.

Wow. But for TFC fans after our recent CCL run, we have to clarify: that win was vs. Chivas USA. :D

[C.Ronaldo]

I agree, he's still very strong out there. Just needs a lesson in one touch shots

[TFC Tifoso]

that was a great comprehensive win for our Reds.....

Philly is garbage but sometimes those are the toughest to win, and we've seen this group play down to a level at times.
But all cylinders were firing on Friday, and a great save from Bono too...
These guys will be focused for another run this year....imo, there's no need to worry about the early season stumble in MLS....we will be back up to speed in no time, injuries or not....

[paul-collins]

Philadelphia are REALLY bad. I miss playing Mexican teams already.
lol this

[Canary10]

lol this

Honestly, there were points in that game where I just wanted to organize them.

Basic organization can go a long way, especially when you don't have the quality of players. They are badly coached.

[ag futbol]

Meh, I enjoy a proper beat down every couple of games. It is better to give than to receive and we took our share in the first half dozen or so years of watching this club.