Match Day 9 - TFC @ ATL Wednesday May 8 7pm - I Was on Georgia Time

[OgtheDim]

The OTHER Ray Charles Georgia song



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWedgX4EBE0

*******

Have at It People

[Auzzy]

Seems like we'll need some squad rotation for this game.

[RedsYNWA]

Atlanta sucks... 3 easy Points

[stegosaurus]

Atlanta sucks... 3 easy Points

Jinxed it.

[James17930]

Jinxed it.

Yeah, this will not be an easy game by any stretch. But if we did win ... wow we'd be in a good spot after not playing sensationally thus far.

[PizzaEatingYeti]

Atlanta sucks... 3 easy Points

Dude, you must be drinkig something really good (or just really strong).
Send me some of that stuff, thanks in advance!

:drinking:

:scarf:

[Fort York Redcoat]

Jinxed it.


Dude, you must be drinkig something really good (or just really strong).
Send me some of that stuff, thanks in advance!

:drinking:

:scarf:

It's all relative. Compared to last year they are a mess but even that mess is even with the...challenges we're facing. Trade window closes this week. C'mon you reds.

[OgtheDim]

I'd take a draw but anything more then 3 points for a southern road swing over 4 days is gravy.

[ag futbol]

If Atlanta loses tonight and we beat them next weekend... odds FDB still has a job? I would think low.

[OgtheDim]

They have 8 games between now & June 1 then the Gold Cup break.

SKC away
TFC home
Orlando home
Vancouver away
NYRB away
RSL away
Loons home
Chicago home

He won't be canned until after that, if then.

[djking2]

With a win tonite Atlanta are 1 point below the line with 3 or 4 games in hand on most. Given the injury and slow start for Pity and the other big changes I don't know why they'd be panicking yet. It's admittedly shocking to see the drop in form but all you have to do is look at San Jose to see it can change pretty quick

[notthesun]

Atlanta needs to figure out a way to get Pity Martinez going or they might have a way more costly Aketxe on their hands. League record transfer fee and no goals or assists still on the season...

[ag futbol]

They have 8 games between now & June 1 then the Gold Cup break.

SKC away
TFC home
Orlando home
Vancouver away
NYRB away
RSL away
Loons home
Chicago home

He won't be canned until after that, if then.
I don’t think they’d wait quite that long. The away stretch provides a decent opportunity for a coach to take over outside of the scrutiny of home games. Expectations are low and non-results could be excused. That’s normally when you want someone new to step in.

[stegosaurus]

Atlanta needs to figure out a way to get Pity Martinez going or they might have a way more costly Aketxe on their hands. League record transfer fee and no goals or assists still on the season...

Let’s hope they don’t :)

[Gringo Starr]

fDB vs GV this should be a tactical beauty.

[James17930]

And Atlanta lambaste SKC tonight 0 - 3.

Let's hope they have a let down game on Wednesday.

[Ultra & Proud]

And Atlanta lambaste SKC tonight 0 - 3.

Let's hope they have a let down game on Wednesday.

I take that result with a grain of salt. SKC's roster is even more injury ravaged than ours last year. They couldn't even train during the week.

[Areathrasher]

And that was Barco's last game with Atlanta for a while, off to the U20 WC with Argentina.

[Auzzy]

Kansas City's injuries are significant, but Atlanta dominated that away game by even more than the scoreline suggests. Atlanta had another 3 totally open chances that they should have converted. Atlanta looks like they're starting to figure things out again after a dismal start to the season. Too bad TFC didn't face them earlier this year. Still a doable game, but Vanney & the boys better play it tactically smart.

[ensco]

I expect Pozuelo to struggle Wednesday. He is a technical player and the bounces and ball speed on turf are going to be so different.

Seba was ineffective on plastic during all of 2015 (iirc, he didn’t score at all). It took him a while to learn to play on it.

[Areathrasher]

I expect Pozuelo to struggle Wednesday. He is a technical player and the bounces and ball speed on turf are going to be so different.

Seba was ineffective on plastic during all of 2015 (iirc, he didn’t score at all). It took him a while to learn to play on it.

He played on it in Seattle and did fine.

There is a team in the Belgian league that plays on the fake stuff too. And I bet if you dug into the Europa league games he's played, there would be a few games in Eastern European or Scandinavian outposts where he's played on it.

[OgtheDim]

One of the Europa games we were all watching was on plastic, IIRC.

[michaeltfc91]

I expect a sort of B lineup for Wednesday night so we can go full throttle vs. Philly and DCU at home.

-----------Boyd-----------Hamilton
Chapman----Bradley----Fraser----Laryea
Morgan----Zavaleta----Ciman-----Auro
----------------Bono

[MightyDM]

I don’t think he will rest both Oso and Poz. One of them, likely, yes.

[DinamoTFC]

We have a little more than 24 hours extra rest vs Atlanta on Wednesday. We were in ATL essentially a day before ATL was even there (they played late last night in KC).
If anything we should have an advantage so hopefully we still put out a good line up.

[Joe Kool]

We rested a bunch of guys at the same time using a B team last year when we had CCL congestion. Looked how that worked out for our MLS results. We are not that deep to field a B team. There will be some rotation of a guy or two though I am sure but I can't see wholesale changes for this game. I have heard MLS players say they would take a midweek game over a week of training anytime and they have no issues with it. If these guys are not carrying a knock I don't see many A team guys sitting.

[OgtheDim]

I think we see rotation because the 2 home games that follow are slightly more of a priority. Home Eastern games are pretty much all must wins every time if you want to be in the playoffs.

[backbeat]

I think we see rotation because the 2 home games that follow are slightly more of a priority. Home Eastern games are pretty much all must wins every time if you want to be in the playoffs.

frankly i think TFC has the opportunity to go into Atlanta and win, i think they should take that opportunity and go for at least a result.

[James17930]

I take that result with a grain of salt. SKC's roster is even more injury ravaged than ours last year. They couldn't even train during the week.

Ah, good point. I forgot about that.

[Hamilton_Red]

Please stop the ...lets throw the game narrative because ... load management bullshit. We need to send a message to last year’s MLS Champs that we are better than them. Put the best 11 out and try to win the game. Rest them if the are injured. We have played less games than anyone in MLS other than Atlanta.

[OgtheDim]

5 games over 14 days requires strategic bench usage.

Nobody is talking about throwing games through load management. You lose games if you don't manage loads. See Atlanta in 2017 where Martino didn't & the team tanked in the Fall

We had a stretch like this in May 2017 & powered through it with the bench. A lot of Hernandez, Chapman etc.

Nobody remembers when depth wins you games but you remember keeping on winning.

[OgtheDim]

Rumour Justin Meram to Atlanta today from Columbus.

[anto7]

Rumour Justin Meram to Atlanta today from Columbus.

Done deal. Doubt he would play tomorrow night though

[OgtheDim]

Hey

Its GAME DAY :scarf:

[Section_105]

No more sleeps! Come on beer and wings time.

Jozy at the Raps game last night so def not playing tonight. I saw that he should be good to go for the weekend though.

nil-1 for the good guys, Oso off a Pozo ridiculous through ball.

[daner90]

Should be an interesting match tonight. We have scored 21 goals to Atlanta's 9 to start the season. Looking forward to seeing what the boys in red can do tonight.

[notthesun]

We're going HEAVY rotation. Obviously keeping guys fresh for the home game vs. Philly.

https://twitter.com/torontofc/status/1126248414839283713

Back line is pretty yikes...

[daner90]

Thats an.... interesting starting 11...

[Mikmacdo]

3-1 loss here is my prediction, the back line is horrible and Bono is back in net. Happy to see Chapman start. Jozy isn’t even on the bench? I thought he was close to returning.

[Auzzy]

We're going HEAVY rotation. Obviously keeping guys fresh for the home game vs. Philly.

https://twitter.com/torontofc/status/1126248414839283713

Back line is pretty yikes...

Ugh, still single forward, and only one forward on the bench. Plus I don't like "heavy" rotation. Would rather they had rotated a bit more for Orlando; and a bit less for today.

Perhaps TFC can start this game, the way they played the 2nd half in Orlando? That means heavy pressure all over the field, not letting the opponent build up play. But IMO Atlanta is better in buildup than Orlando; if they can get past that high press, they'll find lots of room, and an easy job against this defense.

[Auzzy]

Anybody at Shoeless tonight?

[stegosaurus]

We're going HEAVY rotation. Obviously keeping guys fresh for the home game vs. Philly.

https://twitter.com/torontofc/status/1126248414839283713

Back line is pretty yikes...

What in the world?

[stevep]

when the first odds came out a week ago Atlanta had 59% chance of winning the game
now odds are Atlanta winning game 70%

I cannot recall odds ever moving that much against tfc.

tells you what people think of tonights tfc lineup

wow!!

[reggie]

throw away game..jus like HOU last season...lack of depth on this team,why bother even playing poz on turf with games at home sat and weds..this may get ugly

[Hamilton_Red]

Serious message being sent . Unable to close deals to strengthen the team - this is. Vanney showing the front office the depth we have. We are almost throwing this one.

[notthesun]

No it's not.

We lost the entire last season to injuries. We're in a good spot in the table. Vanney is just being cautious and playing the long game.

Should've expected it after seeing the Orlando lineup to be honest. Playing the starters against them gives them a week to rest before a home match against the current 1st place team in the East. That game is more important. We got the win in Orlando, we give those players a break tonight, they go again at home against Philly.

[OgtheDim]

Play your kids.

Little to no expectations here now, in a hostile environment against a team that will likely thump them.

All I want to see out of this game is growth & signs of guys getting better, not regressing.

[James17930]

No it's not.

We lost the entire last season to injuries. We're in a good spot in the table. Vanney is just being cautious and playing the long game.

Should've expected it after seeing the Orlando lineup to be honest. Playing the starters against them gives them a week to rest before a home match against the current 1st place team in the East. That game is more important. We got the win in Orlando, we give those players a break tonight, they go again at home against Philly.

Yeah. Though it's a bit disappointing that we're going to have to suffer through this game tonight, this is probably the best long-view choice right now.

But who knows? These players will be hungry to show what they can do. Maybe we can snipe a point.

[Super]

Anyone with a working feed?

[Auzzy]

That's a pretty crappy turnout in Atlanta. Shine is off?

[James17930]

Anyone with a working feed?

Go to footybite.com

There are lots to choose from there.

[jloome]

That's a pretty crappy turnout in Atlanta. Shine is off?

They're highly vulnerable and playing badly right now, only performing against weak sides. De Boer has scuttled their offense.

Edit: to clarify I think this is a good move. We're a tactical system and even with weaker players should still be more consistent than a disorganized side like New England or Colorado.

So give the k ids a chance for an upset, and give Atlanta nothing to play up to .

[Super]

Go to footybite.com

There are lots to choose from there.

Cheers mate!

[Areathrasher]

KJ was supposed to give curtis and vanneys comments on the lack of signings in the pre game. Anybody catch what was said?

[MightyDM]

Chapman has earned a start. Oso needs a rest. Fraser needs minutes. Auro needs to sit as weak defensively - send a message. De Leon has been a starter. Ayo was likely to have a shot soon anyway. Morrow hasn’t been himself. Surprising that these kind of changes happen against the champions but tells you about Atlanta’s season thus far.

[James17930]

Argh ... trying to pass it into the net again.

[mauser09]

KJ was supposed to give curtis and vanneys comments on the lack of signings in the pre game. Anybody catch what was said?

https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2019/05/08/ali-curtis-explains-why-toronto-fc-stood-pat-deadline-day

[MightyDM]

Question: how slow is Fraser? Or is he slow?

[stegosaurus]

KJ was supposed to give curtis and vanneys comments on the lack of signings in the pre game. Anybody catch what was said?

Vanney expressed necessity of bringing guys in.

FO wanted to wait and make sure they get the right guys.

Or something like that. “2 weeks!”

[James17930]

KJ was supposed to give curtis and vanneys comments on the lack of signings in the pre game. Anybody catch what was said?

Basically that the players they wanted, their clubs didn't want to release them now, but it gives them good info about who they can get in the summer.

Implication is that they're not going to make panic signings.

[Auzzy]

Arghhh....

[stevep]

Arghhh....

good old ashtone morgan

[notthesun]

Such a dumb challenge from Morgan. You got the ball, why are you scissoring the guy after? Ugh

[Auzzy]

Oh Morgan, causes the freekick, and then ball watches and leaves the goal scorer all open in front of net.

[stegosaurus]

This broadcast is obnoxious. Why is the mic directly beside some moron with a megaphone in an empty stadium?

[OgtheDim]

Some good stuff

Bono's distribution is pretty cruddy.

And that tackle by Morgan was worth a yellow.

[benito]

Bono's distribution is pretty cruddy.

thats being nice.

De Leon has to hit the net from there

[James17930]

We're getting chances here. No reason why we can't at least get a point from this game.

[stegosaurus]

Can someone explain to our players that the goal isn’t currently in geosynchronous orbit?

[portu]

Layrea has me so close to convinced that we don't need another rightback.

[benito]

Both teams look poor defensively

[stegosaurus]

Is the turf in Atlanta so bad even their own players can’t play on it?

[Auzzy]

I like the quick press that TFC are applying, similar to what they did 2nd half vs. Orlando. It's giving them lots of chances.

[James17930]

I've been impressed by Fraser so far. He's very composed on the ball.

[notthesun]

Sigh... I mean I knew this already... but Morgan is a black hole offensively

[OgtheDim]

Laryea is....not good tonight. Not running back & getting caught out.

[Auzzy]

Sigh... I mean I knew this already... but Morgan is a black hole offensively

Keep it simple man, why did Morgan try a nutmeg a little while ago?

[OgtheDim]

I've been impressed by Fraser so far. He's very composed on the ball.

I like his play off the ball allowing Bradley to go forward more then Delgado does. BUT...every pass he does is off by a few feet.

[James17930]

I like his play off the ball allowing Bradley to go forward more then Delgado does. BUT...every pass he does is off by a few feet.

I'll blame the turf. ;)

[notthesun]

Keep it simple man, why did Morgan try a nutmeg a little while ago?

I know what you mean here but Morgan keeps it too simple, he invites so much pressure when he receives the ball with a man in front of him because he actually can't even dribble comfortably on his right foot. Defenders know this and they heavily cover his left side and it leads to him making back passes every time with their strikers or attacking mids pressuring our back line as the pass is received because they know it's coming and they know Morgan is zero threat to beat his man or even dribble to the middle of the pitch looking for a pass.

[Auzzy]

I like his play off the ball allowing Bradley to go forward more then Delgado does. BUT...every pass he does is off by a few feet.

Really? I think his passing is mostly pretty good. Downside for me: I think he's not very mobile defensively, so a bit dangerous pairing him with Bradley.

[gracos]

i feel TFC hasnt taken enough shots on net in the first half to even draw even with ATL, i hope TFC comes out to play in the 2nd half

[Thomas]

I am watching a feed with no commentary. Much better than the Caldwell show. When you see an areal shot of the Benz, it is close to 70% empty.

[OgtheDim]

All in all not a bad half for the B team - defence getting pinned back mostly because Laryea & Ciman are doing athletic defending as against looking to where players are. The team that played Orlando would be winning this one. Akinola doing what he can with scraps & acting strong.

[Auzzy]

I am watching a feed with no commentary. Much better than the Caldwell show. When you see an areal shot of the Benz, it is close to 70% empty.

Is part of the stadium tarped off, or is it all open?

[Derko]

Are all the TFC players wearing snowshoes, no speed at all, yet Atlanta have acceleration when there is a through ball, I don't know

[stegosaurus]

I am watching a feed with no commentary. Much better than the Caldwell show. When you see an areal shot of the Benz, it is close to 70% empty.

I’d rather listen to Caldwell scream at the top of his lungs for 90’ than whatever monster decided to mic up the megaphone and trumpet to simulate an atmosphere.

[Mikmacdo]

Deleon is terrible. Move him back to right back.

[gracos]

Well Management indicated nothing was wrong with our team by not signing anyone before deadline day, so far i can see a few positions that need drastic improvement

[James17930]

Is part of the stadium tarped off, or is it all open?

The whole upper deck is tarpped off. The whole lower bowl looks full. Definitely around 40k there.

Not sure why people keep saying it looks empty.

[OgtheDim]

Well Management indicated nothing was wrong with our team by not signing anyone before deadline day, so far i can see a few positions that need drastic improvement

Its the freaking B team. You put Osorio & Mavinga & Morrow & Auro in there (notice I'm leaving somebody out) and we are up by 2.

[benito]

I am watching a feed with no commentary. Much better than the Caldwell show. When you see an areal shot of the Benz, it is close to 70% empty.

the stadium holds 70,000+. That would translate to 21,000 which is still above most teams in the league.

[stegosaurus]

The whole upper deck is tarpped off. The whole lower bowl looks full. Definitely around 40k there.

Not sure why people keep saying it looks empty.

Are they cosplaying as empty seats?

[General Woolfe]

Why on earth is Vanney playing such a piss poor line up tonight? Atlanta might be champs but they’ve been very weak of late and tonight was a great chance to pick up three valuable road points. I mean Layrea, Zavaleta, Fraser, Morgan and Akinola all starters?
Why no Morrow, or Osorio? I get you have to rotate sometimes but so many in a winnable game? is he sending Curtis a message for his failure to making a signing either up front or in defence?

As for Cutis’ bullshit line about doing a lot of legwork but teams didn’t want to sell. I don’t buy it. If a team doesn’t want to sell then it’s wrapped up with a phone call and you move onto the next target. It doesn’t take any leg work.

im also concerned he doesn’t see the need to replace Séba as a worry. Jozy was always going to miss large chunks of the season with injury, so is he saying Akinola, Hamilton and Boyd are good enough to go with up front? It’s becoming clear with each game Pozuelo is a replacement for Vazquez but is clearly not in the same class as Giovinco. Three sitters we’ve missed tonight and they don’t think we need support for Altidore. It baffles the mind.

Stiffed by MLSE again. Why do Toronto sports fans put up with this lot. In other cities they’d be hounded out of town for their sheer apathy and incompetence.

[notthesun]

That was really nice between Akinola and Chapman. Good chance.

[Auzzy]

Shit man, TFC started this game off pretty well, but dropped off considerably. And them coming out flat after half time. Will Osorio and Morrow help them wake up?

[Thomas]

To each his own, but I’d rather hear the chanting than Caldwell. “Magnificent, terrific, tremendous”.


I’d rather listen to Caldwell scream at the top of his lungs for 90’ than whatever monster decided to mic up the megaphone and trumpet to simulate an atmosphere.

[James17930]

Are they cosplaying as empty seats?

Just announced - 42k.

Not sure why this has become a sticking point here.

[portu]

Two changes in this side probably changes our entire look right now. Chapman, Morgan, Fraser, Layrea aren't bad players.

[stegosaurus]

Just announced - 42k.

Not sure why this has become a sticking point here.

Did the push the empty seats through the turnstiles?

[Auzzy]

The whole upper deck is tarpped off. The whole lower bowl looks full. Definitely around 40k there.

Not sure why people keep saying it looks empty.

Yeah parts were extremely empty at kickoff when I noticed it, but filled in very nicely.

TFC players definitely have the wrong boots on for this surface.

[jloome]

Did the push the empty seats through the turnstiles?

They just noted it's Atlanta's lowest-ever attendance. We should be proud 8)

[portu]

Ha love the shot of the trainer offering Akinola a juice box on the bench

[stegosaurus]

They just noted it's Atlanta's lowest-ever attendance. We should be proud 8)

The side not on camera appears to be more full than the side on camera though.

[James17930]

Strange to burn all our subs so early ...

[stegosaurus]

Martinez looking like Suarez yesterday.

[Auzzy]

Fix your fucking shoes TFC. That could easily have been a PK.

[OgtheDim]

The longer this remains at only 1

[notthesun]

Insanely good/lucky/ridiculous tackle by Bradley after slipping

[Thomas]

Poz was never intended to be a like for like replacement for Gio. Poz never has been a big goal scorer. Compare the stats between the 2 players for the first 5 games they started for TFC and tell me what you find. I do agree though that we need more firepower upfront when Jozy is not playing.



Why on earth is Vanney playing such a piss poor line up tonight? Atlanta might be champs but they’ve been very weak of late and tonight was a great chance to pick up three valuable road points. I mean Layrea, Zavaleta, Fraser, Morgan and Akinola all starters?
Why no Morrow, or Osorio? I get you have to rotate sometimes but so many in a winnable game? is he sending Curtis a message for his failure to making a signing either up front or in defence?

As for Cutis’ bullshit line about doing a lot of legwork but teams didn’t want to sell. I don’t buy it. If a team doesn’t want to sell then it’s wrapped up with a phone call and you move onto the next target. It doesn’t take any leg work.

im also concerned he doesn’t see the need to replace Séba as a worry. Jozy was always going to miss large chunks of the season with injury, so is he saying Akinola, Hamilton and Boyd are good enough to go with up front? It’s becoming clear with each game Pozuelo is a replacement for Vazquez but is clearly not in the same class as Giovinco. Three sitters we’ve missed tonight and they don’t think we need support for Altidore. It baffles the mind.

Stiffed by MLSE again. Why do Toronto sports fans put up with this lot. In other cities they’d be hounded out of town for their sheer apathy and incompetence.

[jloome]

Insanely good/lucky/ridiculous tackle by Bradley after slipping

If Martinez hadn't done the unconvincing two-legged topple that could've been worse.

[Auzzy]

Ah ha Luke Wileman "Boyd looking for his first goal" as he loses the ball behind the midfield line.

[James17930]

Ciman back to his old self I see ....

[jazzy]

Why on earth is Vanney playing such a piss poor line up tonight? Atlanta might be champs but they’ve been very weak of late and tonight was a great chance to pick up three valuable road points. I mean Layrea, Zavaleta, Fraser, Morgan and Akinola all starters?
Why no Morrow, or Osorio? I get you have to rotate sometimes but so many in a winnable game? is he sending Curtis a message for his failure to making a signing either up front or in defence?

As for Cutis’ bullshit line about doing a lot of legwork but teams didn’t want to sell. I don’t buy it. If a team doesn’t want to sell then it’s wrapped up with a phone call and you move onto the next target. It doesn’t take any leg work.

im also concerned he doesn’t see the need to replace Séba as a worry. Jozy was always going to miss large chunks of the season with injury, so is he saying Akinola, Hamilton and Boyd are good enough to go with up front? It’s becoming clear with each game Pozuelo is a replacement for Vazquez but is clearly not in the same class as Giovinco. Three sitters we’ve missed tonight and they don’t think we need support for Altidore. It baffles the mind.

Stiffed by MLSE again. Why do Toronto sports fans put up with this lot. In other cities they’d be hounded out of town for their sheer apathy and incompetence.

Simply thank you for the sanity .....when I go to every game I’m buying a ticket to watch the best line up out there , it’s PRO. Sports , they’re getting paid well to do what rest against a team they should beat . Love how Vanney decides like last year some games aren’t worth giving ALL the effort . We’re all Canadians we love excuses . If they don’t want to win , I don’t want to go .

[portu]

Good to keep him offside but jesus christ Zavaleta should have been tracking Villalba instead of waiting for a whistle. That's some rookie level bullshit. Very lucky he was actually offside.

[jloome]

About ten thousand Atlanta spouses right now: "Well I don't get it honey, it went in, right? This is the pits!"

EDIT: "Oh well there you go, they allowed it a few minutes later. I get it."

[notthesun]

We've moved Bradley up into proper midfield and Fraser is taking his place in front of the backline

[James17930]

We've lost our energy. Sitting back too much.

[OgtheDim]

Deflected goal but waaaaaaaay too much space in the box .

[gracos]

Its the freaking B team. You put Osorio & Mavinga & Morrow & Auro in there (notice I'm leaving somebody out) and we are up by 2.

Are we confident with that prediction, we shouldnt of let in the 2nd goal, and we had Osorio and Morrow put on, this just isnt good enough and its going to get more difficult with our future games, as other teams are discovering our gameplans

[Auzzy]

Fuck this shit. Chapman waves his arms instead of tracking back.

Waiting for the corporate cheerleading crowd to explain away the shit sandwiches we're getting served here.

[notthesun]

The only thing I'm upset about today is Pozuelo is about to play 90 minutes once again

[General Woolfe]

Pathetic. This side couldn’t defend if their lives depended on it. Three points thrown away.

All three subs used before the hour mark tells you Vanney picked the wrong 11 to start. The heat should also be turned up on Curtis for failing to make any moves before the window closed

[jloome]

I like them chanting hey hey goodbye with 20 mins left. About the only shot we have is those idiots motivating us to do something.

[MightyDM]

I am starting not to believe what TFC management say. Vanney said earlier this season that he would only switch one or two players at a time otherwise it’s too many changes. He was right...

[tfcfans]

Done —- now can someone tell me when Jozy is coming back — frankly with a Jozy-less lineup better to get this Atlanta away “Loss” out of the way early; like playing at Seattle or at LAG/LAFC, those aren’t the games that will decide our fate as much as home losses and losses to bottom table teams like Portland (in the midst of a huge road trip), which pissed me off way more than a loss like today. Next two games are huge, would be nice to have our striker back!!!

[jloome]

Maybe this is a subtle Vanney fuck you to management for not getting him some more quality in the window. "You think we can do more with the kids? Okay, I'll play the kids."

[OgtheDim]

Simply thank you for the sanity .....when I go to every game I’m buying a ticket to watch the best line up out there , .

Playing 5 games in 14 days with all your starters would be the insane thing.

[Mark TFC]

So Vanney just said, "Fuck it" before the match began, I'm assuming?

[jloome]

Playing 5 games in 14 days with all your starters would be the insane thing.

I don't think it was a bad gamble to use the kids. Atlanta didn't play that well tonight and we did have a couple of chances. For who we have on the pitch, we had a shot at a point or three.

[jazzy]

The only thing I'm upset about today is Pozuelo is about to play 90 minutes once again
A very good point , he’s been playing a full season but we can’t play the blue collar , A team , ...I cringe on what we are calling A btw ...wait til we play , good teams ....wonder in my lifetime if we’ll ever have a solid back line and be a threat wide .

[JavierMartini]

I don't get this shit. If we're going to throw away games why play bench players? Run the kids out there fuck it. Fuck kantari 2.0 on the back line and the subbing in pylon up front.

[Mark TFC]

Boyd is useless. Absolutely useless.

[gracos]

How do you not have plans for players to sign, and just bring in a new manager, Vanney deserves better and so does the club, management not signing anyone new for the club is pretty much a slap in the face of the club and its fans and as i have said Altidore is made of glass, Ciman was a charity case, and management needs to revaluate the club and know this isnt good enough

[Mark TFC]

Why is Boyd on over Hamilton?

[portu]

We can survive without a winger. We cannot survive without a striker.

[Auzzy]

So Vanney just said, "Fuck it" before the match began, I'm assuming?

Well FO has mostly been saying it "Fuck it" for months so it fits.

[James17930]

Playing 5 games in 14 days with all your starters would be the insane thing.

Right. And we've done okay with this lineup. Certainly not great, but okay. I think we could have scored in the 1st half and played for the draw.

But the second goal killed us. Not enough pressure on the Atlanta players.

[portu]

Bono hasn't really been at fault for the goals today, but Westberg kept a hell of a clean sheet this weekend. What do some of these guys need to do to earn a start?

[Mark TFC]

Well FO has mostly been saying it "Fuck it" for months so it fits.

I guess so... still scratching my head at 7 changes to start, then the Boyd sub.

[OgtheDim]

This turf doesn't act like the turf we saw in Seattle - a lot of the passes have been off.

The defenders are not used to dealing with Frasier as a DM as Delgado doesn't do that.

Second half we just look gassed. Frasier is a bit of a pylon.

[Mark TFC]

Bono hasn't really been at fault for the goals today, but Westberg kept a hell of a clean sheet this weekend. What do some of these guys need to do to earn a start?

Play for a different club, I think.

[SoccMan2]

I think Boyd might be able to play in the CPL but even that might be to high of a level for him , I think he might help my beer league team that might be his level.

[notthesun]

Bono hasn't really been at fault for the goals today, but Westberg kept a hell of a clean sheet this weekend. What do some of these guys need to do to earn a start?

Vanney rotated the whole team almost, virtual guarantee that Westberg starts this weekend.

[stegosaurus]

Boyd is the Pizza Pizza of strikers.

[Bushmancan]

The General has been off tonight. And the reason why we needed a winger, we are sooooooooo slow.

COYRs

Edit - Even their back line is playing very high, not worried about anyone getting behind them (no respect). The only advantage Boyd has is his size but if he isn't in the box then he is suspect at best.

[portu]

Vanney rotated the whole team almost, virtual guarantee that Westberg starts this weekend.

If he were a field player that would be more than fair. But seriously how much rest does a keeper need?

[stegosaurus]

Haha... Johnny, you aren’t good enough to get a call diving like that.

[benito]

Oso embellished that one a little too much. I think he could have been awarded the pk if he didn’t completely flop.

[MightyDM]

Very harsh on Osorio. Looked like he embellished but the guy clearly pushed him, and just before and just after had his hands all over Oso. I don’t blame the defender, the referee has let him play that way but a foul is a foul.

[James17930]

Oso, yikes. That was an obvious dive.

[General Woolfe]

That’s just embarrassing from Osorio

[MightyDM]

Chapman has played well. Poz looks out in his feet.

[MightyDM]

It sure about Lareya. Bradley strong. Fraser looks like he hasn’t played at this level in a while. Needs minutes, but behind Marky and Chapman for me.

[Voodooman]

How does this AR miss two offsides now.....yikes.

[stegosaurus]

Are they chanting “Sebastian Giovinco?”

[stegosaurus]

How does this AR miss two offsides now.....yikes.

They’ve been told not to raise the flag so they can run the goals through VAR.

[Auzzy]

It sure about Lareya. Bradley strong. Fraser looks like he hasn’t played at this level in a while. Needs minutes, but behind Marky and Chapman for me.

Bradley strong? I don't agree. Looks tired, too many slips and bad passes.

[MightyDM]

Ashton didn’t look great either. Needs more minutes to get back to his best.

[jazzy]

Playing 5 games in 14 days with all your starters would be the insane thing.

But thats MLS , Now when we give up on teams we should beat , watch out for the games coming with better teams . Points count at the end of the season . We’re simply not good enough to give away games . If I’m playing I’d want to be in every game , and win . Funny how Bradley never sits , ....but younger guys are ? Why start Pozeulo, and not Osario , Mavinga .....they’re work horses . Now they come on behind the eight ball . Ok oh well nothing like TFC to reignite a losing side . Pozeulo must have some thoughts ....

[Mark TFC]

We could have scored two. Atlanta could have scored five.

[gracos]

all pts matter, dont feel like we threatened the ATL net well enough to compete, and we may come back at the end of the season questioning why we didnt finish better, you have to attack the net, and dont play pass around

[benito]

Forget about this one and get ready for the weekend.

[Auzzy]

Fack, Osorio came on as a "super sub" but looked as tired and weak as the rest.

[stevep]

Are they chanting “Sebastian Giovinco?”

maybe they know this game meant shit, they want entertainment
i would be pissed if atlanta put out the b squad at bmo
this win means shit for atlanta, proves nothing

#freeseba

[stegosaurus]

Well, look on the bright side: we had 54% possession.

[FootBallAZ]

Just announced - 42k.

Not sure why this has become a sticking point here.

think they said 42k was previous low and today was like close to 30k as it set the new low in attendance

[jloome]

Is it a hundred degrees in Atlanta or something? We looked out of gas after the 60th minute.

[jloome]

Well, look on the bright side: we had 54% possession.

Against an almost entirely counter-attacking team that's not great.

[Auzzy]

Well that was all-around annoying. Atlanta not great; TFC worse. Pozuelo wasted for 90 minutes. I should have done more unpaid overtime instead of watching that game, would have been more gratifying.

[stegosaurus]

Against an almost entirely counter-attacking team that's not great.

Haha, I was joking. The only positive takeaway is how inspirational Terrence Boyd is out there. After watching him play, I’m convinced that even I can get minutes on this team...

[noimpactinmtl]

Against an almost entirely counter-attacking team that's not great.

Frank de Boer is a different manager from Tata. He comes from the Ajax school of possessive football.

[notthesun]

I get why we rested players, I think it was the right game to rest them in too. Atlanta hasn't been good so the subs had a chance. Now you could argue playing all our starters for this one would've secured 3 points but that's a short turnaround to Philly this weekend and we're not going to make wholesale changes for a home game. If we wanted to rest guys and our choices this week are Orlando, Atlanta, and home vs. Philly, this was the game to do it. If we can beat Philly it's mission accomplished IMO.

I really really don't get Pozuelo playing 90 minutes again; management mentioned multiple times the need to watch his minutes considering he played a full season with Genk already. It makes zero sense that he'd play 90 minutes again tonight. He should've been subbed off at 60' if he started at all. Really don't like this at all.

As for the actual game we had could've made it close if we scored in the first half, but we faded hard by the halfway mark of the second. Oh well.

[69Chevy396]

This game will be remembered in October, as the beginning of the downfall. I just cancelled the $25 per month Bell sports package. Going to have a great spring and summer without watching this team.

[backbeat]

This game will be remembered in October, as the beginning of the downfall. I just cancelled the $25 per month Bell sports package. Going to have a great spring and summer without watching this team.


Well enjoy then - hop on, hop off i guess - no need to comment going forward for a bit then....

[reggie]

This game will be remembered in October, as the beginning of the downfall. I just cancelled the $25 per month Bell sports package. Going to have a great spring and summer without watching this team.
lol ,,see you after the next win....:scarf::facepalm:

[Auzzy]

Shit I just remembered I paid $5 plus tax to TSN Direct for that game... :sad:

[reggie]

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qoqCYN4MqkWJfK0d-YT9fojl6T-LG_qXBbr4bYvj_EWnw8oNzgDaaVAGYST3FuFHdh1YwZg=s134

this site lol

[jloome]

Frank de Boer is a different manager from Tata. He comes from the Ajax school of possessive football.

I know but that isn't what they've been playing all season or today. They didn't go on the front foot tonight until they were already leading and we began to chase the game. They'e been trying to possess, yes, but they've been so bad at building from the back that most of their goals have come on the counter.

[jloome]

lol ,,see you after the next win....:scarf::facepalm:

g:D g:D g:D

[stevep]

This game will be remembered in October, as the beginning of the downfall. I just cancelled the $25 per month Bell sports package. Going to have a great spring and summer without watching this team.

This was an example of a scripted game. From the start of the game the expected points for TFC was 0.50. this is really low.
Usually an away game is 1.0 expected points.
This was clearly a game TFC threw away as well as the Portland game was.
I am convinced last years script was for TFC to go into every game or during the game an event would occur that would lower TFC's expected win probability by 25%.

I see no evidence that this is the script for this year. I don't think MLS and MLSE can play with fire two years in a row.

I think the league will let them play this year. Don't give up there will be many great games this year.
If Jozy is back I expect Saturday to be a great game.

[Oldtimer]

Zero surprise at the score. Vanney resting the real team. Not sure why he played Pozo, don't think that was a good idea.

Well the kids can't complain, Vanney gave them the chance. Some of them are not good enough for MLS (yet), maybe ok against a CPL team in the Canadian Championship.

[SirBobSaget]

The positives:
Zavaleta and Ciman held on as much as they possibly could, they constantly had runners flying at them
Bono made some big saves and did well enough collecting in the box
Frasier looked OK

The only negative i'll mention is Bradley ran around way too much for a game that was being looked past.

[MightyDM]

You could see the difference in Quality when Osorio came on, but I remain puzzled why Vanney made so many changes. And why he didn’t rest Poz.
Two or three changes, yes: like Chapman for Poz and Ayo for JHams. But seven?
Also, wonder why he doesn’t go with Hamilton and Ayo up front. They seem to make each other better.

[ag futbol]

I'm really not too wound up about this result. Scheduling is heavy and heat from an Orlando game on the weekend means lots of guys were likely running on empty. Playing different guys was necessary simply to manage workloads. My beef is with the team for not adding anybody in the window that just closed. They are slow, to a fault. You don't need a summer window to acquire most of the players we need.

Outside of that, Terrence Boyd is stealing a paycheque . It boggles the mind that anyone could have scouted this guy and said "this is what we need". It's plainly obvious after about 10 seconds he doesn't have the first touch to play the game at this level. They might as well have kept Ricketts.

[James17930]

think they said 42k was previous low and today was like close to 30k as it set the new low in attendance

No, today was 42k, which is the new low.

[notthesun]

I don't think Vanney was making some kind of statement to management about needing reinforcements by playing this lineup, I think he's just trying to keep the long-term goal in mind. That being said it's painfully obvious we're not a very deep team and the front office really laid an egg this window.

I doubt this is the only game in May Vanney circled for rotation... though others may not be as heavy given we're playing weaker teams towards the end of the month.

[Hamilton_Red]

I don't think Vanney was making some kind of statement to management about needing reinforcements by playing this lineup, I think he's just trying to keep the long-term goal in mind. That being said it's painfully obvious we're not a very deep team and the front office really laid an egg this window.

I doubt this is the only game in May Vanney circled for rotation... though others may not be as heavy given we're playing weaker teams towards the end of the month.

If the long term goal was to not make the play-offs.. then you are right. We threw away 3 points against what should be a rival team for the East Title. We had played the least games in the league..there was no excuse to play this game two win. Remember we will lose players for the Gold Cup...this has been happening for too long and we fans should not be so accepting of it.

[James17930]

Why do so many people on this board seem to think that an away game - any away game, let alone one against a decent team - can ever be considered an automatic win? This isn't hockey or basketball where winning away is more common.

Away wins are hardest in soccer, harder than probably any other sport, MLS even more so. Maybe with a full-strength lineup tonight we could have snagged a draw or maybe maybe a win, but we in no way, shape or form 'gave away' a win. That's just silly.

[Mark TFC]

Why do so many people on this board seem to think that an away game - any away game, let alone one against a decent team - can ever be considered an automatic win? This isn't hockey or basketball where winning away is more common.

Away wins are hardest in soccer, harder than probably any other sport, MLS even more so. Maybe with a full-strength lineup tonight we could have snagged a draw or maybe maybe a win, but we in no way, shape or form 'gave away' a win. That's just silly.

We certainly gave away a win with the lineup that was fielded. Seven changes in the rotation, several in the back line alone, many of which have never played together.

[Derko]

Just a poor showing,TFC had no energy, I don't buy the temperature or turf excuses, because the opposing team was playing in the same conditions,
and Atlanta had energy, 7 changes to your starting 11 is unacceptable, and the teams lack of urgency and refusal to shoot at the goal is on coaching.

Akinola, Lareya, Boyd, Fraser, were invisible and I would rate at 2.5 Zavaleta 3.5, Ciman 4 Bono 4, Bradley 4, Poz 5.5, Chapman 5, Vanney 3,
Subs: Boyd 1.5, Oso 3, Morrow 3

[OgtheDim]

Atlanta is used to that turf - the excuse about the temperature is recovery from the Orlando game.

************

Up until about the 25th minute, we were even. Then they figured out Fraser's lack of mobility & Laryea's unwillingness to track back & that was pretty much the ball game.The sort of game that had we scored one of those sitters in the first 20 minutes would be seen on here in a very different light.

Our B team didn't take our chances - their A team eventually did.

The only issue out of that game for me was 90 minutes for Pozeulo who needs to have his minutes watched.

***********


In this league, coming back from a 2 game road swing in 4 days with 3 points and some squad rotation is a job done.

[Joe Kool]

In my opinion this just comes down to our B team playing bad more than Atlanta playing that good. Damn Atlanta is a beatable team but the timing for us to play our first choice lineup against them wasn't there so not too surprised at the result. I still can't believe Vanney took out 7 starters (missing 8 starters if you include Jozy). That is a lot and more than I expected for sure. Brings me back to the lineups we used when we had the CCL congestion last year except we didn't have USL players playing this time in a few spots. Atlanta had some quick counter attacks. TFC had the chance to counter but did it at a slower jogging pace most times. Weird to see.

[Derko]

Atlanta is used to that turf - the excuse about the temperature is recovery from the Orlando game.

************

Up until about the 25th minute, we were even. Then they figured out Fraser's lack of mobility & Laryea's unwillingness to track back & that was pretty much the ball game.The sort of game that had we scored one of those sitters in the first 20 minutes would be seen on here in a very different light.

Our B team didn't take our chances - their A team eventually did.

The only issue out of that game for me was 90 minutes for Pozeulo who needs to have his minutes watched.

***********


In this league, coming back from a 2 game road swing in 4 days with 3 points and some squad rotation is a job done.

I do agree Og, it is just frustrating when you see our B side trying not to make mistakes and not play football, even sometimes
our A team do not take chances, and do the cautious short back pass bullshit, and that is Vanney's stupid philosophy.
It drives me to drink, and get grey hair :drinking:

[Oldtimer]

I do agree Og, it is just frustrating when you see our B side trying not to make mistakes and not play football, even sometimes
our A team do not take chances, and do the cautious short back pass bullshit, and that is Vanney's stupid philosophy.
It drives me to drink, and get grey hair :drinking:

Actually, Vanney is on record that they shouldn't be doing that. FWIW Pep Guardiola has had the same criticisms of his teams. It's what possession based football often degenerates into when the offense is not working and the defense is suspect.

[ag futbol]

Actually, Vanney is on record that they shouldn't be doing that. FWIW Pep Guardiola has had the same criticisms of his teams. It's what possession based football often degenerates into when the offense is not working and the defense is suspect.
Well okay he says that and yet Mr. Backpass has been a mainstay in our midfield since forever. Our first choice LB is also a major offender.

[Graeme]

Am I the only one that saw this:

Both DeLeon and Laryea seemed to deliberately look off Pozu multiple times throughout the game and then, almost immediately, lose the ball themselves, or selfishly take a shot instead of getting the ball to Pozu?

What the hell!? I am not a fan of either of them. Also, amateur stuff from Akinola--multiple offsides and missed opportunities.

[CBTFC]

We should've just completely parked the bus and played for the 0-0 draw last night. Yeah sure, Atlanta may be down in the standings but they're starting to find their form. Ah well, onwards and upwards and I look forward to seeing our full, healthy starting 11 on Saturday at home vs Philly.

[stevep]

Why do so many people on this board seem to think that an away game - any away game, let alone one against a decent team - can ever be considered an automatic win? This isn't hockey or basketball where winning away is more common.

Away wins are hardest in soccer, harder than probably any other sport, MLS even more so. Maybe with a full-strength lineup tonight we could have snagged a draw or maybe maybe a win, but we in no way, shape or form 'gave away' a win. That's just silly.

Before game started based on the betting odds TFC expected points was 1 point. This is the typical expected points on an away game.

Replacing 7 starters dropped expected points to 0.5.

So we technically threw 0.5 points away tonight. What's half a point?
Nothing

[Oldtimer]

Well okay he says that and yet Mr. Backpass has been a mainstay in our midfield since forever. Our first choice LB is also a major offender.

If you don't pass it forward you don't score. It should be obvious to these players, they are professionals. So why aren't they passing forward?
Well, when Jozy isn't playing (which is half the time) they can't exactly trust someone like Fraser or Hamilton to hold it up.

That comes back to team construction. Bez hasn't exactly set Columbus on fire (they're currently in 5th, exactly where they closed last year), and his replacement Curtis so so cautious we may never sign enough players to have a deep enough squad, unless we manage to produce them all ourselves. We're crying for depth, and while the MLS cap is very restricting, many other teams do "depth" better than TFC.

[ag futbol]

Look, to Delgado or Morrow, it’s not about who is in front of them on the field, it’s a matter of having the confidence to make those passes. They don’t exactly find Jozy with regularity either.

Blaming our second choice strikers seems to be reason du jour around here. It’s more concerning that otherwise first choice guys can’t shoulder more of the weight in the absence of one key player in the starting lineup. That should really be the expectation.

Not a criticism of this game specifically, to be clear.

[69Chevy396]

lol ,,see you after the next win....:scarf::facepalm:

I don’t owe anybody an explanation. I sat through rain, cold, snow, wind, in the upper west bleachers, from 2007 to 2014. Then, moved seats several times, and finally ended up in a great section 205 seat among some of the nicest fans you will ever meet. Attended every game of that 2017 season.

I have seen it all. I recall watching this club go NINE games without scoring. All the shenanigans, mediocrity, abysmal trips home on the Dufferin 29, soaking wet and wondering why bother. I am older than most of you. Enjoying sports entertainment is not an addiction nor does it test ones loyalty to a club or a brand. This is soccer, not a religion.

[Prof]

Just a few observations. I thought the team played well considering who they started, but Morgan is not a professional level player, we only have one true starter at forward all the rest are support players, Bono for the life of him cannot pass the ball at distance with his feet although he did play well I don't think he should start again other than the Canadian Championships. Ciman, Haggland and Laryea played well. Frasier is a quality young Canadian midfielder who somehow needs to see more game time and finally all those complaining about the attendance of 42k on a Wednesday night should see go and see what the attendance was for the other games played last night.:drinking:

[OgtheDim]

Thing is though - that team beats about 1/2 of MLS at home & competes with that half away. Our current B team can't compete with Atlanta's A team.

[stegosaurus]

If you don't pass it forward you don't score. It should be obvious to these players, they are professionals. So why aren't they passing forward?
Well, when Jozy isn't playing (which is half the time) they can't exactly trust someone like Fraser or Hamilton to hold it up.

That comes back to team construction. Bez hasn't exactly set Columbus on fire (they're currently in 5th, exactly where they closed last year), and his replacement Curtis so so cautious we may never sign enough players to have a deep enough squad, unless we manage to produce them all ourselves. We're crying for depth, and while the MLS cap is very restricting, many other teams do "depth" better than TFC.

The FO simply hasn’t equipped the team to succeed, ESPECIALLY when we’re facing an adverse situation, like injuries or tight schedules.

Atlanta was starting Brek Shea out of position (though it doesn’t matter where he starts, he’s bound to be terrible), and were without Barco who has actually been good for them this year.

Our attack looks pretty toothless. Chapman and Pozo looked okay, but Pozo seemed tired and frustrated (again). Akinola was either offside constantly or thought he was offside and lacked the instinct to actually score. If your positioning is so bad you think you’re offside when you’re not, maybe it’s time to figure out why? Osorio’s dive and subsequent card were egregious. That’s not the mentality you want in front of goal... at least sell it and not end up looking like a goofball.

Boyd is a problem. He serves no purpose. Can’t pass. Can’t score. Can’t hold the ball up. Can’t even win the ball in the air. I’m not even sure he draws defenders because they can probably tell he doesn’t know what to do with the ball at his feet.

The worst part is that we had chances today, but no one could finish. Bradley was close, at least.

Bradley has way too much to do in a game like this and ends up making mistakes. Fraser was slow and useless, and, like most of the guys we bring up, doesn’t look ready or MLS level.

Our defense was pretty weak and constantly got caught on the counter... thank god VAR and offside were our best players today. Ciman better at doing everything that isn’t defending, Nephew is Nephew, no one looked great at LB or RB today.

Bono... actually wasn’t that bad. He made some good saves today. His distribution is still awful, but the save on the counter and free kick made it seem like he still has something to give.

This was hardly our B team putting in minutes only to have their confidence destroyed, like throwing Dunn to the wolves. These are guys who are going to be putting in a minutes this season. I don’t feel like having Hamilton up there alone would have done much.

“Don’t worry, goal scoring isn’t our problem.”

[OgtheDim]

FWIW, Brett Shea always plays LB

He always looks like he is playing out of position.

[stegosaurus]

FWIW, Brett Shea always plays LB

He always looks like he is playing out of position.

I always thought he converted because he sucks no matter where he plays and LBs are harder to find.

My bad!

[paul-collins]

The only thing I'm upset about today is Pozuelo is about to play 90 minutes once again


Maybe this is a subtle Vanney fuck you to management for not getting him some more quality in the window. "You think we can do more with the kids? Okay, I'll play the kids."

These two kind of summed it up for me. Even bringing Oso on felt like it was just to give him some training time. Boyd, dunno why he saw the pitch and Morrow was because Morgan was having a bad night.

[Lil'John]

I don't understand why we play a B team in this game. Having games midweek and then at the weekend is quite common in Europe and players are not rested. Atalanta didn't look great and we could have beat them. Orlando and Atlanta are in the same time zone as Toronto, so no jetlag. I would perhaps understand it better for the Real game.
Having said that, even when we had some more starters on, the game was there for the taking - and we didn't look like we really wanted to take it.

[Fort York Redcoat]

Ridiculous match. Felt like the days we first had Bradley and Oso batting the ball backwards for most of the match because they didn't have the ideas or gusto for the last pass.

I would've preferred even the fruitless crosses in we were used to. There was so few runs in behind and it's when we looked best. I liked Akinolas holding up but we needed more runs to him for the shots (attempts even).

This felt so wasted. So much possession for possessions sake.

It won't get easier for Sat.