Regular Season Phase 2 Game 6 - TFC @ Cinci Sunday Oct 11 7:30pm - As God as My...

[OgtheDim]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH0gcYgqOgM



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Have at It People

[MikeForbes]

I'll be out of town for Thanksgiving so I will try to stream this on my phone at the in-laws.

[GerMc]

I love that episode of WKRP. I remember the first time I watched it, and I was literally rolling around on the ground laughing at the parking lot scene! Well chosen, Og :D

Hopefully it will not be representative of any coaching decisions by TFC this year!

[OgtheDim]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGFtV6-ALoQ for the full scene

[rydermike]

3 points. Keep our Supporters Shield lead. Considering the amount of points we've given up this year that we should've had, I'm surprised we're in first. F'n good team.

[NK Toronto]

3 points. Keep our Supporters Shield lead. Considering the amount of points we've given up this year that we should've had, I'm surprised we're in first. F'n good team.

We threw away points against Vancouver, Montreal and DC, however we won games against NYCFC and New England that we maybe didn't deserve, so in the end it evens out.

[Richard]

Wake me up when the real season starts.

[OgtheDim]

Wake me up when the real season starts.

(Insert Obama "what?" gif here)

[NK Toronto]

Winning the Supporter's Shield this year would be a great accomplishment. I would gladly take it. It is a better measure of a team's quality than the MLS Cup as it is based on an entire season of play, not just a few weeks.

[James17930]

Winning the Supporter's Shield this year would be a great accomplishment. I would gladly take it. It is a better measure of a team's quality than the MLS Cup as it is based on an entire season of play, not just a few weeks.

Plus getting home-field advantage would be massive, especially this year where traveling anywhere is risky, whether it's at BMO or in Hartford.

[PizzaEatingYeti]

Wake me up when the real season starts.

If you consider this not a real season, you are welcome to sleep until March 2021.

[NK Toronto]

It will be interesting to see what squad rotation Vanney deploys for this game given that they played on Wednesday. I wonder if Poz or Piatti get a rest and if Fraser starts? We sometimes have a tendency to play down to the level of the opposition when playing a week club.

[MikeForbes]

I think Pozuelo's leg would have to come flying off before he see's any real rest. Him, Laryea, Morrow, Bradley, Osorio, Delgado and Mavinga are basically pencilled in months in advance unless they are carrying injuries. I could see Auro starting on the left. Gallacher is a step behind the rest of the squad right now. I noticed a few of the guys really giving it to him Wednesday night.

[OgtheDim]

I think Mavinga on the bench & we might see Zavs.

Would not surprise me if Osorio is switched for Frasier. Heck, I could see Akinola off for the guy with the best hair in the team.

[NK Toronto]

I think Mavinga on the bench & we might see Zavs.

Would not surprise me if Osorio is switched for Frasier. Heck, I could see Akinola off for the guy with the best hair in the team.

Ciman is playing as a striker?

[PizzaEatingYeti]

:drum: GAME DAY! :drum:

In any of the past years I would've said that this match has "trap game" written all over it.
So I can't say any different now.

We historically have the tendency to play down to the opposition, plus we are on a very nice run, and Cinci is just miserable - so yes, stars are wonderfully aligned for a big time trap game.

I hope I'm very wrong, and Vanney has been relentlessly jack hammering the brains of the boys about this since the last match has ended.
... Because if we don't win (no matter how many regular starters we'll miss) it will be 100% due of psychological reasons.

:scarf: :scarf: :scarf:

[NK Toronto]

We also don't seem to play at our best on artificial turf fields, which Cincy has.

[OgtheDim]

Play your yutes - or at least dress them

https://twitter.com/joshuakloke/status/1315415551645278212

[OgtheDim]

TFC PR reports Bono dislocates his pinkie finger - out for a couple of weeks

[PizzaEatingYeti]

TFC PR reports Bono dislocates his pinkie finger - out for a couple of weeks

Shit! :facepalm:

[Mikmacdo]

Oh no Zavs starting.

[MightyDM]

I like that lineup. Zavs deserves a chance for loyalty and not complaining, and needs to get his career back in track. Fraser starting is good and with Marky and Oso should have a chance to show his skills. Good to see Nelson. Like it.

[OgtheDim]

If you can't rotate against Cinci, then you can never rotate. Will be interesting to see how it works against a Cinci that definitely prefers to bunker.

[James17930]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EkFPrOBXkAI78n7?format=jpg&name=medium

[James17930]

This seems a good mix of youth and experience. Hopefully we can control the game so guys like Endoh and JMR can see some time too.

[PizzaEatingYeti]

Our problem is that we have no starting forward in this one.
Because IMO Mullins can't generate anything dangerous on the goal. Maybe I'm wrong, but I've never rated him. Yes, he works his but off, but that's it.

[Red CB Toronto]

Let the Reds punch their post season ticket tonight, keeping everyone healthy on that carpet.

[Luanda]

In need of a link, thanks

[rydermike]

Our problem is that we have no starting forward in this one.
Because IMO Mullins can't generate anything dangerous on the goal. Maybe I'm wrong, but I've never rated him. Yes, he works his but off, but that's it.
I agree with the view that Mullins works hard and is always running,but not really being able to generate much. With that said, every couple games of extended playing time, I feel he takes a random really nice shot out of nothing so here's hoping he gets one of those tonight.

[PizzaEatingYeti]

In need of a link, thanks

https://nhl.freestreams-live1.com/tsn-2/

[MikeForbes]

Thou shall not doubt Patrick Mullins.

[ag futbol]

Fully support this lineup regardless of how it plays out. We have to rotate these guys to prevent burnout.

Plus we have to know what someone like Mullins offers come playoff time. Tough to assess with just sub appearances while the team is focused on defending

[MikeForbes]

We do that same pass after every kick off and it has never worked.

[Luanda]

Thanks friend.

[MikeForbes]

This pitch is just disgusting to look at.

[ag futbol]

Is this grass or turf? Hard to tell

[MikeForbes]

It looks awful whatever it is.

[rydermike]

We do that same pass after every kick off and it has never worked.

Such a stupid play. Play football not kick and chase off the opening kick.

[SirBobSaget]

Is this grass or turf? Hard to tell

Turf. Ugly turf. Seems more playable than the Revs or Big O turf at least.

[MikeForbes]

Nelson is gonna be an absolute baller. He just needs to relax a bit.

[NK Toronto]

No fake crowd noise tonight. You can hear Vanney yelling.

[MikeForbes]

See that move by Mullins? 3D chess, baby.

[SKB]

I remember why Mullins and Zavelatta do not play regularly....they can’t play.

[MikeForbes]

This is ugly.

[MikeForbes]

Osorio really wanted to hug that guy.

[NK Toronto]

Dumb foul by Osorio

[MikeForbes]

Where all the Mullins haters now? ;)

[rydermike]

Mullins!!

[benito]

Thou shall not doubt Patrick Mullins.

Nice finish from the Laryea pass!

[SKB]

Must admit nice finish by Mullins, the play was made by what a pass to set it up!

[Red CB Toronto]

Great to see Patrick step up when called upon.

[James17930]

Nelson is gonna be an absolute baller. He just needs to relax a bit.

Yeah, he's definitely got some moves. Just needs to grow as a player.

[ag futbol]

This single pivot setup never works. They really need to stop it.

Fraser isn’t fast enough to shuttle across to both sides of the field. Neither Gonzalez or Zavs are a threat to step into space the way Mavinga is. Zavs is also a below average passer. They need to provide more quick short options and move back to the double Pivot.

Right now everything is being stuck with the fullbacks or with a single option in the middle that gets absolutely swarmed.

[OgtheDim]

This is ugly.


Yeah, going from one bad turf pitch where the ball skips to another where the ball dies is not going well with the passing.

[MikeForbes]

Good thing Cinci is absolutely brutal.

[Thomas]

Just watching Q. His ball distribution is something else. It is a advantage compared to Bono.

[Bushmancan]

Is it me or has Caldwell had a bit of a change the last couple of games. Still loves defenders but he is talking positively about TFC.

[OgtheDim]

Auro is where forward moving fast paced & passing soccer goes to die...

[MikeForbes]

Is it me or has Caldwell had a bit of a change the last couple of games. Still loves defenders but he is talking positively about TFC.

His boy Fraser is playing. That legit seems to make him happier.

[NK Toronto]

So so first half. I hope we don't just defend in the second half.

[ag futbol]

Auro is where forward moving fast paced & passing soccer goes to die...
What is Auro supposed to do though? He’s like the option of last resort once Eriq and Omar have burned all the other possibilities and passed us into a corner.

[bhandsome90]

Auro is where forward moving fast paced & passing soccer goes to die...

Pretty sure he's suppose to stay back to give Nelson some cover. It's why it looks like a back 3 at times right now. Besides, he just got back from injury.

[SoccMan2]

Is it me or has Caldwell had a bit of a change the last couple of games. Still loves defenders but he is talking positively about TFC.
Yup was about to make the same comment lol, get this guy off and let him go at the end of the season. Put Gallagher on the left and put Laryea on the right . We have seen enough of Auro I don’t know just loses to many balls and dribbles into traffic too much and sometimes his positional play is questionable.

[NK Toronto]

watching the Chicago Fire highlights and you can clearly see B E A R S painted on the field in the goal crease.....yeesh☹

[rydermike]

So so first half. I hope we don't just defend in the second half.
Well Piatti for Delgado seems to suggest we won't

[ag futbol]

Okay I admit it, he is slowing the play down. Hard to argue based on that last sequence

[OgtheDim]

What is Auro supposed to do though? He’s like the option of last resort once Eriq and Omar have burned all the other possibilities and passed us into a corner.


He always...ALWAYS...waits for things to develop.

[NK Toronto]

So far all Cincy.

[NK Toronto]

What kind of pass was that from Piatti?

[OgtheDim]

Nelson defensively naive

[MikeForbes]

Nelson needs a loan for next season. He needs to play and he isn't ready for this level.

[OgtheDim]

Hmm...must be 9 o'clock - can hear a tower chime

[NK Toronto]

I was thinking the same and looked at my watch. It was 8:56 pm

[OgtheDim]

Vanney getting a warning

[MikeForbes]

I barely recognized Hagglund.

[benito]

Richie grabbing his hamstring isn’t a good thing. Hopefully it’s nothing serious.

[notthesun]

Good, I was getting nervous with Laryea staying on, can't be risking him.

[ag futbol]

Nelson needs a loan for next season. He needs to play and he isn't ready for this level.
Might be called for. But keep in mind he’s 18. A prospect of his (alleged) quality should improve pretty quickly if he’s doing the right things.

I worry, given the way he carries himself, he was always told he is “the best” and now he’s on a team where he isn’t the best player and needs to track back, defend hard, make supporting runs even knowing he’s not always getting the ball... and he’s not used to doing those things. That’s really where he needs to be focused IMO.

The attacking skills are there just needs to be translated into end product. Otherwise he just ends up being Mo Babouli.

[OgtheDim]

This has the feel of a last minute 1-1 draw about it.

[rydermike]

Nelson needs a loan for next season. He needs to play and he isn't ready for this level.

I'm surprised he wasn't loaned for that short one month Cpl season. Could've gotten 7 games in, at a lower level, and still returned this season. Just like Julian Dunn.

[GerMc]

We are defending well, which is a good thing. I think that Zavs has actually had a pretty good game.

I would prefer another goal for us, though, rather than good defending for the last 10 mins!

[NK Toronto]

This reminds me of the 1-0 win against Vancouver. First half goal and then just run out the game with no real attack.

[rydermike]

We need a second goal so we can sub in Jahkeele

[Bushmancan]

The only problem with starting Mullins, we don’t have him now running like a mad man.

[benito]

This is going to be a long 5 mins or so

[NK Toronto]

Oh no. I have a feeling of doom.

[Bushmancan]

This is going to be a long 5 mins or so

indeed

[OgtheDim]

The only team lacking energy more then us tonight is Cinci.

[SirBobSaget]

Is it me or has Caldwell had a bit of a change the last couple of games. Still loves defenders but he is talking positively about TFC.

I've noticed! Started with the Akinola no-foul claim vs the Revs. Old Caldwell would have gone on for the next 15 mins about how the goal should not stand.

[benito]

There it is.

[NK Toronto]

unbelievable

[GerMc]

Wow. More points cost us by Gonzalez.

[tfcfans]

Another wasted two points - three times this year.

[OgtheDim]

Oh look

[Bushmancan]

Well we just got Caldwell back....that was so Soft. Can’t blame OG. That was a shit call

[rydermike]

Oh course this happens

[benito]

Oh wow

[tfcfans]

Yay!!!!!!!

[MightyDM]

What a load of fucking crap. Complete drive

[GerMc]

Start the car!

[tfcfans]

Start......the........

[MightyDM]

I hate VAR. Thank you VAR

[OgtheDim]

Start the car!!!

[rydermike]

Oh my Ciman

[portu]

Tobias who?

[notthesun]

That was a garbage penalty decision so good. Gonzalez didn't push off his guy at all, the dude was already going down and Gonzalez got the ball to boot. Just desserts.

[MikeForbes]

An ugly win in an ugly stadium.

[OgtheDim]

Oh look..again

[NK Toronto]

start the car...maybe that can be our slogan for 2020. Sooner or later our luck is going to run out

[SirBobSaget]

Well we just got Caldwell back....that was so Soft. Can’t blame OG. That was a shit call

Not 1 minute ago I actually posted that Caldwell was being sensible!! damn that was annoying

[MikeForbes]

Zavaleta was really good tonight.

[tfcfans]

Thank Goodness.....pulled one out on the road with good lineup turnover.....good teams win a game like this, not always pretty but getting the three points on nights like tonight is huge.....

[GerMc]

Wow for such a boring game, that was a heart-stopping ending!

[MightyDM]

Zavaleta was really good tonight.

It would be really helpful for the club if he had a resurgence. I hope he does.

[ag futbol]

3 points while giving some of the team needed rest. I’ll take it. Oh look, standings say we’ve clinched a playoff spot, haha.

Next game, get some off Pozuelo, Osorio, and Laryea a break. Points secondary, be healthy for the playoffs.

[benito]

Very surprised that var overruled the pk. It was a complete dive but there was early contact. In the end, var got it right.

The last few minutes were really ugly. They did everything they could to give the game away. Stop trying to add a center back in the last few minutes as it invites the opponents to attack more and gives away ball possession. And it’s also important not to score an own goal on a back pass! Lol

[Bushmancan]

Not 1 minute ago I actually posted that Caldwell was being sensible!! damn that was annoying

He actually made a really good point at the end though. Moving the 3rd defender in removes the midfielder and invites pressure. I doesn’t work with this team like it did with Moore in the middle. Have to stop doing that.

[NK Toronto]

We always, always, always play bad on turf. Given the opposition this was a poor effort.

[SoccMan2]

Zavaleta was really good tonight.
People forget that Zavaletta played a lot of key minutes in the 2017 playoff championship season and played well. Now Ciman please keep him away from the field as possible , put the young Canadian kid Dunn in there instead of the mistake prone Ciman!

[OgtheDim]

...

Next game, get some off Pozuelo, Osorio, and Laryea a break. Points secondary, be healthy for the playoffs.


This season, the Supporter's shield will be VERY important - not having to travel and deal with Covid all the way through the playoffs would be more important for us then for US based teams.

[benito]

Zavs did play well tonight. Barely heard his name at all which is a good thing.

[PaceyWinger]

That call against OG is everything that is wrong in football at the moment... you have to be able to exist to defend. Omar played that perfectly and shame on Caldwell for acting like he had some other option. The Cincy player goes down on his own and Omar got the ball and BOTH refs agreed eventually.

But props to Caldwell for calling out the lame back 3 that Vanney can not get out of his system. How many times do you need to see it fail? Sure take out Pozuelo.. but bring in a midfield runner with energy to take up space. Cincy had made mistake after mistake all game long when under pressure and going to the back 3 gives them nothing but time and space in the midfield. You're begging for something weird to happen.

And boy did something weird happen. What was Ciman (who by the way was already on a yellow card) doing tonight. He was inches away from scoring an own goal from the midfield, played a corner out with no reason, not to mention he was defending Hagglund on the final corner that he almost put in... Every time he got near the ball disaster struck. No more as a late game sub please.

[ag futbol]

This season, the Supporter's shield will be VERY important - not having to travel and deal with Covid all the way through the playoffs would be more important for us then for US based teams.
Understood but with MLS 2 games a week these guys need a breather. Home field will be of little use if we burn out our best players.

[Auzzy]

Very surprised that var overruled the pk. It was a complete dive but there was early contact. In the end, var got it right.

The last few minutes were really ugly. They did everything they could to give the game away. Stop trying to add a center back in the last few minutes as it invites the opponents to attack more and gives away ball possession. And it’s also important not to score an own goal on a back pass! Lol

Exactly, Gonzalez had his arm out even though it was a very soft penalty. VAR often won't overturn a play like that. We were lucky as hell, and unnecessarily so, considering the relative quality of the teams.

Seriously WTF is it with Vanney still tossing on more CBs at the end of the game when we're up by one? When has that EVER worked well? Often TFC plays so well; we often see good tactics and personnel decisions. But on some things, Vanney is still mind-numbingly thickheaded.

[MikeForbes]

I would actually prefer Zavaleta being the 3rd centerback. Ciman scares me.

[PizzaEatingYeti]

Incredible how many games we won this year, when we played ugly, and created very few real scoring chances.
This never happened in any other season I remember.

[boozilla]

Jayden Nelson's 1st start was expectedly a bit timid going forward, but he played it smart and safe.
Looking forward to seeing the new kids develop.

[Auzzy]

Might be called for. But keep in mind he’s 18. A prospect of his (alleged) quality should improve pretty quickly if he’s doing the right things.

I worry, given the way he carries himself, he was always told he is “the best” and now he’s on a team where he isn’t the best player and needs to track back, defend hard, make supporting runs even knowing he’s not always getting the ball... and he’s not used to doing those things. That’s really where he needs to be focused IMO.

The attacking skills are there just needs to be translated into end product. Otherwise he just ends up being Mo Babouli.

I was thinking exactly the same thing about Nelson. We've seen the same thing in the past with a number of other young players who were developed in Canada. Even Becker when he was here, and I can name a couple of others. Decent players, but after being medium-sized fish in a very small pond for too long, they seem to carry themselves in a way that is not appropriate, given their relative skill, strength and experience in MLS. Don't jog around when TFC is obviously supposed to be high-pressing. Sprint when you're a young guy trying to prove yourself. (I've seen the same from Akinola at times.) And don't repeatedly dribble into a thicket of opposing players, when a couple of your senior teammates are there and waiting for a pass.

As others warned before the game, again TFC played down to the level of the opposition. They were more lucky than they should have been at the end. Cincinnati is no pushover at home this year: before this, their 4 home games this season were all 0-0 draws, incl. against good teams like Columbus.

A couple of other TFC players were also playing too loosey-goosey tonight. Like letting the ball run on when you receive a pass, directly turning with it: doesn't work when Cincinnati is pressing and marking tight.

We've seen much better from TFC. Hopefully they'll show that again when needed. We've won a bunch of games by one-goal margins. For the rest of the season, and especially in the playoffs, those can easily go the other way. I believe that TFC can dominate most of these games, but they don't always show it.

[NK Toronto]

Understood but with MLS 2 games a week these guys need a breather. Home field will be of little use if we burn out our best players.

But at least we would win the shield which is in itself an accomplishment. We are not a good turf team and I would hate to have to play in Seattle again on that sh**** field.

[James17930]

Three 1-0 wins in a row. Good results, but nervy. We need to be more clinical.

[Red CB Toronto]

I barely recognized Hagglund.

Great to see him back on the pitch after recovering from Covid-19.

[ag futbol]

I was thinking exactly the same thing about Nelson. We've seen the same thing in the past with a number of other young players who were developed in Canada. Even Becker when he was here, and I can name a couple of others. Decent players, but after being medium-sized fish in a very small pond for too long, they seem to carry themselves in a way that is not appropriate, given their relative skill, strength and experience in MLS. Don't jog around when TFC is obviously supposed to be high-pressing. Sprint when you're a young guy trying to prove yourself. (I've seen the same from Akinola at times.) And don't repeatedly dribble into a thicket of opposing players, when a couple of your senior teammates are there and waiting for a pass.

As others warned before the game, again TFC played down to the level of the opposition. They were more lucky than they should have been at the end. Cincinnati is no pushover at home this year: before this, their 4 home games this season were all 0-0 draws, incl. against good teams like Columbus.

A couple of other TFC players were also playing too loosey-goosey tonight. Like letting the ball run on when you receive a pass, directly turning with it: doesn't work when Cincinnati is pressing and marking tight.

We've seen much better from TFC. Hopefully they'll show that again when needed. We've won a bunch of games by one-goal margins. For the rest of the season, and especially in the playoffs, those can easily go the other way. I believe that TFC can dominate most of these games, but they don't always show it.
They just really need to turn the dial up on his expected intensity in games. Without the ball it has to be hard work. With the ball it needs to be decisive. Make up your mind right away. Drive to the end line, cross. Cut in, shoot. No opportunity? Move it back to your teammate quickly. Prove you can contribute in those ways, win the respect of your teammates. Worry about being the next Ronaldinho another day.

I can see why he’s a highly regarded prospect but man, he’s got to realize there is a huuuge graveyard of talented Canadian prospects who never put the work in to be Pro. He should talk to Richie Laryea about the value of an opportunity and how rarely they come along.

[ag futbol]

But at least we would win the shield which is in itself an accomplishment. We are not a good turf team and I would hate to have to play in Seattle again on that sh**** field.
Oh for sure. And hey, I don’t want to suggest we suddenly send everyone to take a nap and say forget the shield entirely.

I just think at this juncture, after all the games played in a row, you need to work in a rest day for Osorio, Pozuelo, etc...

[Red CB Toronto]

I'm surprised he wasn't loaned for that short one month Cpl season. Could've gotten 7 games in, at a lower level, and still returned this season. Just like Julian Dunn.

I have a pretty good feeling the CPL wanted to limit the CPL loads. Jayden, Jordan Peruzza among a few others TFC2 types could have helped a team during the Island Games, getting a good run of minutes. Surprised how late in the season Jordan was loaned out to a USL side. I know Luke Singh and Ralph Priso have been in Hartford training with the first team.

[Red CB Toronto]

Oh my Ciman

What was he thinking kicking the ball back with such force that way. That was scary.

[Mikmacdo]

Yup was about to make the same comment lol, get this guy off and let him go at the end of the season. Put Gallagher on the left and put Laryea on the right . We have seen enough of Auro I don’t know just loses to many balls and dribbles into traffic too much and sometimes his positional play is questionable.

https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1438437/Live/USA-Major-League-Soccer-2020-FC-Cincinnati-Toronto-FC auro highest rated player

[bhandsome90]

But at least we would win the shield which is in itself an accomplishment. We are not a good turf team and I would hate to have to play in Seattle again on that sh**** field.

Wish MLS was like some of the bigger leagues and not allowing Cup Finals and such on turf pitches.

[NK Toronto]

This has been a strange season, and I don't mean the pandemic. Our best games have been against the best teams, and our worst games have been against the bottom feeders like DC, Vancouver, and Cincinnati. This team seems to have trouble getting motivated against teams with losing records.

[Ultra & Proud]

This has been a strange season, and I don't mean the pandemic. Our best games have been against the best teams, and our worst games have been against the bottom feeders like DC, Vancouver, and Cincinnati. This team seems to have trouble getting motivated against teams with losing records.
This is our way.

[Joe Kool]

I liked Nelson’s energy last night and he is still hesitant a bit which is ok because he is young and learning but he was doing stuff that any local competitive player would get benched for like all the diving in. That has to not be part of his game at this level. Strong players will put him to shame and he won’t be able to conserve his energy properly if he keeps that up. Hope the staff are on him about that.

[OgtheDim]

Oh for sure. And hey, I don’t want to suggest we suddenly send everyone to take a nap and say forget the shield entirely.

I just think at this juncture, after all the games played in a row, you need to work in a rest day for Osorio, Pozuelo, etc...


Miami game




**********


Zavs & Mullins named to Team of the Week

[NK Toronto]

Would be nice if we clinched the Supporter's Shield by then which would allow for resting of guys against Miami and NY.

[MightyDM]

Miami game




**********


Zavs & Mullins named to Team of the Week

Good for both of them

[PizzaEatingYeti]

Zavs & Mullins named to Team of the Week

Yes, here's the link:
https://www.torontofc.ca/post/2020/10/12/eriq-zavaleta-patrick-mullins-make-mls-team-week

Zavs in the starting lineup, Mullins on the bench.
(I needed to check for my self to believe this, lol.)

This has to be something qualifying as a major WOW!
I mean Zavs and Mullins?

Anyone saying before the match that these two will be on the "Team of the Week", would have been told to get off that hard shit they're smoking.

[CBTFC]

Ya gotta be good to be lucky, and lucky to be good. Another dirty grimy 1-0 win, and I know it ain't pretty but 3 points is 3 points.

Can't wait to get healthy Bradley and Altidore back into this mix, though I see why some may not want that. Its a tough call for sure.

[Initial B]

I never thought I'd see Zavs and Mullins on Team of the Week ever again. It looks like for the next little while, we're going to see Vanney cycle through Mavinga-Ciman and Gonzales-Zavaleta pairings to give them breaks in the 2 games per week phase of the schedule. I'm betting that most MLS teams are starting to get fatigue with their main players due to the frequency of the matches where they don't have the depth. We could be seeing a lot more low-energy games as we approach Decision Day.