Match Day CCL Rnd of 8 Leg 2 - TFC@Cruz Azul - Tue May 4 10:15pm - Something I can't

[OgtheDim]

shake

There it goes again





https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_blCeS9kdw


***********

Have at It People

[Yohan]

I just dont see Cruz Azul not scoring a goal.

So, can TFC score 3 goals to go into extra time or 4 goals to win?

Not at Azteca

[Canary10]

Can't stress enough the impacts of altitude. Mexico City is a tough city to run in, which alone makes this a hard game not even considering the tough competition. I hope we've left already! Need as much time there as possible to acclimatize.

[Joe Kool]

You could hear Armas yelling all night last game for guys to press hard and guys just weren't doing it all the time which was causing him to yell more to the guys but it didn't seem like guys were responding to it that much at least from my point of view from what I recall. It may be fitness issues still since early in the season or maybe some guys just can't keep up with that style of play. Having said all that, you add altitude into it which we have seen have a big impact on a team's ability to run hard for 90 min especially in the 2nd half. I am pretty sure we are done already in this tourney given the last result with the defensive errors and the mountain to climb that we now have but realistically if we don't have a big impact with goals at the start of the game it will just be TFC hanging onto the game and parking the bus to try to keep it competitive enough to not be embarrassing. Not being negative but just being realistic here.

[OgtheDim]

I distinctly remember Vanney last year yelling almost every 2 minutes, "Omar up...OMAR UP!"

Coaches yell - sometimes people listen, sometimes they don't. I put more stock into what I see people do then what coaches yell.

[RedsYNWA]

send the scrubs this tie is over

[MightyDM]

One thing about not having a game tomorrow is that it opened it up for TFC to train at 10 o’clock at night. Tuesday we looked asleep but by next week it should be routine for these guys to be at peak performance at 11 pm. Might help. Plus Jozy and MB have something to prove.

Hoping Q gets the start. I feel more optimistic about this game than the first one.

[ensco]

Leon was at altitude too. Fine.

We need Soteldo in there, and throw Richie forward... the Cruz Azul fullbacks are in for a shock. Whichever of Jozy or Ayo plays needs to be in gear.

Tell me that isn’t a mouthwatering attack... let's have some fun...

I think the group will be loose and is going to make this interesting. I really feel the symmetry with the second leg vs Chivas. This group always believes in themselves.

[ensco]

Somebody else here knows how to deliver something special at the Azteca....


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

[613reppingTFC]

So I'm curious. Peruzza was left out of the lineup (undisclosed) reported by WTR against Cruz. Not sure if anyone heard if he had picked up and injury or not?
A few people on here pointed out his behavior after the Ritchie goal though. You think there was any chance he was left out due to that?
Not saying he would have played a huge role on Tuesday's loss..but thought I would throw it out to you guys and see your thoughts.

[James17930]

So I'm curious. Peruzza was left out of the lineup (undisclosed) reported by WTR against Cruz. Not sure if anyone heard if he had picked up and injury or not?
A few people on here pointed out his behavior after the Ritchie goal though. You think there was any chance he was left out due to that?
Not saying he would have played a huge role on Tuesday's loss..but thought I would throw it out to you guys and see your thoughts.

Either that or Ayo/Altidore coming back takes his place.

[Fort York Redcoat]

send the scrubs this tie is over

Well

rest who needs it but really send the best team we can. What else to play for? Is the NY match on the weekend a bigger deal?

Maybe for Armas but who else?

[SoccMan2]

Either that or Ayo/Altidore coming back takes his place.
Would not be surprised he did not dress because of that crap he pulled after the a Laryea goal. Your a rookie and you pull that shit? It’s bad enough if a season veteran pulled that crap. Remember it’s a team game if you have ever coached you know how team chemistry is a very delicate thing. So would not be surprised if he didn’t dress because of that. Most coaches would put a stop to that right away and especially coming from a rookie .

[ag futbol]

Flip side: while the action wasn’t appropriate, perhaps he’s competitive enough to give a crap about his performances game to game, even as a recent addition. That bodes well for him in his career. I think the sticking factor with a lot of our academy grads is less-so talent, more so recognizing the hard work that it takes make it as a pro.

Coach deals with it, player adjusts, everyone moves on. No further hand-wringing required.

[OgtheDim]

Team flew down this afternoon

https://twitter.com/SportsAviation/status/1388977487623999490


This follows the thinking that if you are not at altitude 10 days before, its actually better to go as late as possible. Team has to be there tomorrow for press.

[MikeForbes]

Can't see Soteldo being available if they went down tonight. What day would his quarantine even be over? Today? Tomorrow?

[noxx98]

Can't see Soteldo being available if they went down tonight. What day would his quarantine even be over? Today? Tomorrow?
He posted an Instagram story yesterday in a car with his agent. No idea if this means he was done his quarantine or if it wasn’t a real-time post.

[OgtheDim]

Confirmed Soteldo not in Mexico


&

this tidbit


https://twitter.com/MLeach680News/status/1389280850152468485

[MikeForbes]

Fine with no Soteldo tomorrow. I expect him off the bench Saturday. Hoping he starts, but managers universally love bringing their new signings in off the bench for the first time.

[MikeForbes]

Confirmed Soteldo not in Mexico


&

this tidbit


https://twitter.com/MLeach680News/status/1389280850152468485

Basically it will be the kids and coach Bradley.

[MikeForbes]

Mavinga is good to go. Pozuelo is not.

https://twitter.com/Beezersun/status/1389283451396771843?s=20

[OgtheDim]

So Poz has basically been out a month now

AND NO JOURNALIST HAS ASKED WHAT IS UP WITH HIM?!?!

Like, I didn't expect him to actually be at this game but don't you think its time somebody asked "So, what happened to the reigning MVP that he's been out for 5 weeks?"

[MikeForbes]

Seems like a looong time to be out with a thigh strain.

[Smokecell]

No Poz and no Soteldo and this one is over baring a sheer miracle. Disappointing to say the least.

[leedsandTFC]

"As a general rule, grade one thigh strains should be rested from sporting activity for about 3 weeks, and grade two thigh strains for about 4 to 6 weeks. In the case of a complete rupture the thigh muscle will have to be repaired surgically and the rehabilitation afterwards will take about 3 months."

so based on noises from the club and timeframe, seems like it was a grade 2 thigh strain (unless they are hiding a surgery he had to undergo).

should be ready to go soon.

[noxx98]

https://twitter.com/plattoli/status/1389355259391270915
Only surprise is likely JMR and maybe Perruzza. Good to see no Dorsey.

[ensco]

No Solteldo ... that stings

[ensco]

So Poz has basically been out a month now

AND NO JOURNALIST HAS ASKED WHAT IS UP WITH HIM?!?!

Like, I didn't expect him to actually be at this game but don't you think its time somebody asked "So, what happened to the reigning MVP that he's been out for 5 weeks?"

I have been suspicious for months that Pozo may want to go home. Hard not to think something beyond fitness is going on here.

[noxx98]

https://twitter.com/24thminute/status/1387404439527600128
Last week Rollins said Poz was still 2-3 weeks away based on what he's heard.


I have been suspicious for months that Pozo may want to go home. Hard not to think something beyond fitness is going on here.
With Poz's wife expecting their third child in June it'll be interesting to see how that impacts things. If TFC can get back to Toronto by late summer, does his family join him there or do they remain in Spain? If they stay in Spain that could be a signal that he's looking to go back.

[MikeForbes]

This is the kind of game JMR should be starting and getting minutes in.

[MikeForbes]

I have been suspicious for months that Pozo may want to go home. Hard not to think something beyond fitness is going on here.

Seen some casual bantering from Watford fans that some of their players have started following Pozuelo on Instagram. They seemed to be believe it was just because of a Spanish connection.

[reggie]

if he wanted to go home so bad,im sure he could of gone back 3 wks ago.im sure he could get treatment in spain,he seems happy here and making good money for a 30 yr old.

[ensco]

^I think some people are just having a terrible time of it on the family front this past year, and I think more of those people are highly paid sports professionals than we realize.

Vanney pretty much said it -given a choice, he didn’t want to put his family through another year of this.

It’s tough being a Canadian sports fan in this. Both TFC and the Raps have gotten killed by the additional burdens our players face.

anyway, it's wild speculation on my part, probably wrong.

[MikeForbes]

I mean, who wouldn't be depressed stuck in a hotel room? Even worse if you are hurt and unable to do the thing you are in that hotel room to do with your family thousands of miles away. I desperately hope he stays, I just could 100% understand if he had thoughts about leaving.

[reggie]

hopefully the govt will wake up and do the right thing...most mls players have had the vaccine and they fly in fly out the same day on game day,they are coming home for 2 wks in june and probs move back to hartford after that.

[reggie]

I mean, who wouldn't be depressed stuck in a hotel room? Even worse if you are hurt and unable to do the thing you are in that hotel room to do with your family thousands of miles away. I desperately hope he stays, I just could 100% understand if he had thoughts about leaving.
im sure its hard on poz,i guess he made the choice to keep his family in spain,a lot of players have there families in fla right now.

[Bushmancan]

hopefully the govt will wake up and do the right thing...most mls players have had the vaccine and they fly in fly out the same day on game day,they are coming home for 2 wks in june and probs move back to hartford after that.


I actually preferred Hartford, i know why we went to Orlando, but until we get back to BMO. I hope we go back.

[MikeForbes]

Yeah, I really hope the guys can get back as soon as possible. Having mostly vaccinated opposing teams in a hotel for a night is not going to do much to the Covid numbers.

[ensco]

Given the recent roster moves, if we somehow can find the way tonight, we would be a very dangerous team in this tournament in the final stages if we could pull it off

[Graeme]

Hypothetically, if the final score is 2-0 for TFC tonight, is it tied 3-3 going to penalties, or do the bad guys get the advantage with 3 away goals?

[OgtheDim]

Away goals count

Only way goes to pens is if it finishes 3-1 for us

[PaceyWinger]

Its too bad we couldn't have had Atlanta for this round. Our club in the summer looks 10x the team we are currently just by adding Pozuelo, Soteldo, and Lawrence.

[ag futbol]

I’d like to see Okello back in the AM role. Either as a sub or starter. That to me was key to our first game success against Leon.

He’s inconsistent so far but if he has a good game, look out.

[portu]

Bradley can't play in the pivot today. Complete defensive liability. Switch him and Delgado.

[MikeForbes]

Bradley can't play in the pivot today. Complete defensive liability. Switch him and Delgado.

I can't see coach Bradley making that switch.

[tfcfans]

Looks like mostly “starters” minus all of the DPs.....

[portu]

Jozy doesn’t even make the 18... not that we’re worse off for it

[MikeForbes]

Jozy made the trip. Gonna go with the safe assumption he is injured.

[OgtheDim]

Jozy made the trip..

I heard that but saw no actual pic of him in the social media stuff the team put out.


They put Poz into the 23 to play with their minds too sooooo.....:noidea:

[mowe]

Jozy made the trip. Gonna go with the safe assumption he is injured.
https://mobile.twitter.com/KristianJack/status/1389757030395744260

[OgtheDim]

So not injured just experiencing what a lot of other people are experiencing who get the second shot - hopefully fine for Saturday but worst case, next week vs. Columbus.

[Bushmancan]

We are saving everyone for the big game vs the Red Bull’s on Saturday.

[Bushmancan]

https://mobile.twitter.com/KristianJack/status/1389757030395744260

Didnt see this, hope he is Ok

[MikeForbes]

We'll have to give Jozy a pass on that one. Also, really not into starting DeLeon. Feel like he is really entering his decline.

[jloome]

We'll have to give Jozy a pass on that one. Also, really not into starting DeLeon. Feel like he is really entering his decline.

He's okay. He's always been a tricky, multi-position sort of player, like Osorio.

I'd still rather Okello was starting there.

[Slick]

Guys, is the game on onesoccer? I'm getting "this game is not available in your region". Wtf

[jloome]

Guys, is the game on onesoccer? I'm getting "this game is not available in your region". Wtf

I'm getting it in Alberta.

[jloome]

lineup sheet said westberg but Bono's on the pitch. wtf.

[Smokecell]

No fans in the stands at Azteca...if there was ever a time to pull this off it’s now. Let’s go boys

[OgtheDim]

Interested in seeing how the guys do against a very good team. People keep talking about the setting, but with no fans, its just not the same.


NOTE: Right now, AUD2 doesn't have commentary.

[ag futbol]

I just don’t understand how you field a mostly first choice lineup and then put DeLeon in that spot

[MikeForbes]

Bono getting lit off those smelling salts.

[Bushmancan]

This isn’t a bad team and we are still missing 5 starters

[jloome]

I just don’t understand how you field a mostly first choice lineup and then put DeLeon in that spot

He's using him as a high wrecker, I think.

[OgtheDim]

I just don’t understand how you field a mostly first choice lineup and then put DeLeon in that spot


yeh, that makes no sense to me - DeLeon is a plugger not a #10 -witness that last sequence where he wasn't incisive enough

[samuraizero]

Anyone got an english stream..? Can only find spanish

[rydermike]

Anyone got an english stream..? Can only find spanish
http://firstrowsport.org/soccer/trs-cruz-azul-toronto-fc-brf1798842?l=2904617564

or

https://prolive.tv/channel/fox-sports-1

[ag futbol]

Ok Gonzalez looks awful.

[samuraizero]

http://firstrowsport.org/soccer/trs-cruz-azul-toronto-fc-brf1798842?l=2904617564

or

https://prolive.tv/channel/fox-sports-1

Thanks my dude

[OgtheDim]

Nice to see how this team does when its not playing in Florida heat.

[MightyDM]

Gareth, love ya buddy but please choose you moments to talk. Doesn’t have to be very bloody second of play.

[Yohan]

TFC still haven't learned how to defend set pieces.

TFC won't go far if they keep getting beaten in the air

[rydermike]

Feel like they are aiming their set pieces at whoever Bradley marks... And it always gets to that person

[OgtheDim]

Gareth, love ya buddy but please choose you moments to talk. Doesn’t have to be very bloody second of play.


Settings

Audio

AUD2

[James17930]

Very full so far.

[PaceyWinger]

i could be wrong but looks to me a lot like the blue cross is looking to give TFC the ball for 20 minutes and gas out. We have to bag a chance if they're counting on us not to be able to.

[Yohan]

Shaff really growing into the role as a left winger

[ensco]

Is Wheeler on drugs? All the pressure is NOT on Cruz Azul. Bookies give us a 3% chance of advancing

[MightyDM]

Feel like they are aiming their set pieces at whoever Bradley marks... And it always gets to that person
Yes. As did Vancouver. Interesting. Never noticed that before

[MightyDM]

Is Wheeler on drugs? All the pressure is NOT on Cruz Azul. Bookies give us a 3% chance of advancing

Actually he is. Seriously. Health type though...

[rydermike]

Too bad that ball wasn't a second earlier

[ag futbol]

That’s such a bullshit card

[Bushmancan]

Nice to see Mavinga back.

[rydermike]

Concacaf gon concacaf

[jloome]

No Mavinga there, and we have a goal against.

[OgtheDim]

Missed Mavinga


Did not miss Gonzalez unable to make a basic pass

[MightyDM]

No signs of a press so far. Interesting.

[jloome]

No Terry, he couldn't take another touch. Good grief.

We're playing well.

[noxx98]

Ayo is clearly our best striker at this point.

[jloome]

Well fuck.

[mowe]

Wow...

[OgtheDim]

Ayo is clearly our best striker at this point.


Guy is about half his speed from last year


*********


That goal should not be happening.

[rydermike]

Wow bono

[RealG-TFC]

Well this must put a rest to starting Bono

[noxx98]

Guy is about half his speed from last year

And still has shown more than Jozy...

[samuraizero]

Why is Westberg not starting? injury or coach stupidity?

[PaceyWinger]

fuck man. so much good work to be ruined by a keeper off his line.

[Bushmancan]

doesn’t change anything, we still need 3. lol

[jloome]

Changes nothing, I guess. Not going to fire up Bono, though.

[portu]

Bono needs to sit the fuck down. I am a fan but sit him. This is stupid.

[samuraizero]

And still has shown more than Jozy...

At this point I think we need to let Jozy go. He plays less games than anyone else, and is paid WAY more to do it.

[Yohan]

que golazo. oh well. nice technique

[ensco]

Yeah that just cannot happen, and I do not understand how Q didn’t start this game

[ag futbol]

Very slick but Cruz Azul but Bono looks like a bit of a rube with that positioning.

[Bushmancan]

Tbh, love Morrow but he is really slowing down. The Lawrence move could be an excellent piece of business.

[ensco]

I predict Bryan Angulo will be in MLS within a year. He has scored two of the sweetest goals you will ever see on us.

[gracos]

I still question why Bill feels NYRB was the way to go, if Ali and Chris werent good enough for NYRB whats me think they are good enough for Toronto, who is responsible for getting our players back to match fitness, who is the one responsible for bringing in acquisitions so late in the transfer season, who is the one to not play the best starting XI game in and game out, if they were fired from NYRB they should of never came to TFC

[Yohan]

TBF, I don't think Bono expected the ball to bounce backwards off of Morrow's head and land perfectly for Angulo to strike it like that

[OgtheDim]

Osorio is doing really well tonight. Shaff having a good one too.

Bradley is covering zones not people - its allowing them to work in front of our CBs.

[jloome]

Ayo looks bigger this year, both in width and height.

[noxx98]

TFC looks gassed already.

[rydermike]

Bradley is just watching the ball. I've been watching him the last few minutes, while Cruz has the ball he's just staring at the ball and there's no blue shirt within 10 feet of him and that player is getting the ball and then his guy disappears and he chases whoever has the ball.

[jloome]

I predict Bryan Angulo will be in MLS within a year. He has scored two of the sweetest goals you will ever see on us.

He's facing a murder investigation in Ecuador. I don't know if it's going anywhere.

[jloome]

Bradley is just watching the ball. I've been watching him the last few minutes, while Cruz has the ball he's just staring at the ball and there's no blue shirt within 10 feet of him and that player is getting the ball and then his guy disappears and he chases whoever has the ball.

They've all looked gassed since min. 34.

Altitude fatigue setting in early, I think.

[rydermike]

Bradley is covering zones not people - its allowing them to work in front of our CBs.
Looks like we noticed the exact same thing

[jloome]

They're beating us to everything.

[ensco]

He's facing a murder investigation in Ecuador. I don't know if it's going anywhere.

I withdraw the comment!

[ag futbol]

I’m not going to take much away from this game but as the season goes on I want to see if we can fix our defending woes.

[rydermike]

They've all looked gassed since min. 34.

Altitude fatigue setting in early, I think.

Being tired is one thing. He doesn't even seem to be aware of where his man is. His guy will disappear and he doesn't even notice. Everyone else is still following and knows their player regardless of fatigue.

[jloome]

Tough team. Can't see us getting two, let alone three. Still, it's possible. We haven't been godawful.

[rydermike]

Is Okello on the bench? Want to see if his height has an impact. Deleon started very well, but not sure if he'll have the endurance for the second half.

[OgtheDim]

Being tired is one thing. He doesn't even seem to be aware of where his man is. His guy will disappear and he doesn't even notice. Everyone else is still following and knows their player regardless of fatigue.


Yeh, its like he's operating on instinct - memory of what used to work when he moved in a certain way when a certain thing happened.

[Bushmancan]

i have to be honest, we are playing a very good team and Mexican champions. There is much we can criticize but i would like to play them again with a full squad. We better prioritize winning the Canadian Championship again.

[Smokecell]

I wouldn’t say that Shaff is having a good one at all. He reminds me of a youth soccer player that has been instructed to cross more and he’s certainly doing that - but he’s not serving it to areas where any teammates are/have any realistic chance of being.

[MikeForbes]

I hope Akinola can shed some of that extra weight he is carrying. He is effective as is, but is lacking that burst right now.

[MikeForbes]

Why does the TFC media carry so much water for Alex Bono? Nothing is ever his fault.

[Derko]

This is frustrating

[OgtheDim]

Bono made 3 saves in that first half - the only 1 I think gives Westberg trouble is the one in the first few minutes which might be going wide.

Bono is a quintessential North American style keeper - athletic but can't play the ball with his feet or control his area. The athleticism is why he will continue to start over Westberg. Vanney saw through it and it bugged a LOT of TFC media that Bono wasn't getting starts. Armas sees it another way.

What a LOT Of the TFC media do not understand is how important communication is in this game now - and Bono CAN NOT do that well.

[PaceyWinger]

I wouldn’t say that Shaff is having a good one at all. He reminds me of a youth soccer player that has been instructed to cross more and he’s certainly doing that - but he’s not serving it to areas where any teammates are/have any realistic chance of being.

He shoots when he should pass, and looks at his feet when he crosses the ball. He's going to be a good peice for this team but he lacks quality and luckily starting next week he will move to the bench.

[PizzaEatingYeti]

They should sub out some starters ASAP in the 2nd half.
There is nonsense not to rest important players for the coming MLS match at this point.

[MikeForbes]

Are the guys even coming out?

[MikeForbes]

They should sub out some starters ASAP in the 2nd half.
There in nonsense not to rest important players for the coming MLS match at this point.


There you go. Mavinga and Oso are off.

[Bushmancan]

uh oh, this could get ugly. Looks like Auro is playing the CB. Let’s give Okello a run.

[DavemTFC]

The more I see the goal the more I'm leaning towards it being a brilliant finish and less bad GK positioning, though there's still a bit of both involved, plus Gonzalez reacting slowly. Bono has made worse mistakes this season

[rydermike]

Auro at LCB over Morrow. Interesting

[MikeForbes]

Auro at LCB over Morrow. Interesting

Interested to see him there.

[rydermike]

Auro at LCB over Morrow. Interesting
Looks like they switched now

[MikeForbes]

Looks like Morrow has tucked inside to CB.

[MikeForbes]

Had to reset my feed and my audio settings went back to the default. How do you guys listen to Wheeler and Dunfield? My god.

[MikeForbes]

Cruz Azul bringing on what looks like George Best.

[OgtheDim]

Oso & Mavinga out pretty much tells us what the expectations are now.

Win in New Jersey

[MikeForbes]

Get Akinola, Delgado and Richie off to rest for Saturday. I would say get Bradley off... However, we know what the chances of that are.

[rydermike]

All I want to see in this game is for Armas to have the balls to sub Bradley

[jloome]

Oso & Mavinga out pretty much tells us what the expectations are now.

Win in New Jersey

yeah, but I don't agree with this. We're just playing defensive counter now, with no wheels. We're just capitulating.

Don't like this bullshit.

[ag futbol]

This is a pretty brutal second half. Don’t we have someone young amd speculative to put on in this situation? Might as well have Nelson out there, it’s a pretty low risk scenario.

Watching Endoh run around isn’t going to cut it.

[PaceyWinger]

All I want to see in this game is for Armas to have the balls to sub Bradley

This is a great shout. Let's see it once and I can sleep easy.

[jloome]

Oh lord, shut up about Mexico 86. It just makes the lack of a crowd sadder.

[Yohan]

Mullinho sighting

[MikeForbes]

Why is Akinola still on? Get him off before he pulls something. He clearly isn't ready for this many minutes.

[ensco]

I am bummed by a variety of things here.not least of which is Armas giving up after 45.

Do we know what the story is with Altidore?

[Auzzy]

Oh lord, shut up about Mexico 86. It just makes the lack of a crowd sadder.

I would really like to thank the folks further above for the tip on how to mute the commentators...

Interesting Morrow at LCB when Singh is available. May be a test for when Kemar Lawrence is here. Morrow at LCB and Lawrence at LB. Morrow did play LCB in San Jose quite often.

However Gonzalez and Morrow together at CB is not a great idea IMO, lack of speed.

[rydermike]

[

I am bummed by a variety of things here.not least of which is Armas giving up after 45.

Do we know what the story is with Altidore?
Apparently bad reaction to his second vaccine dose. Been ill for a couple days

[PizzaEatingYeti]

Ayo, Richie and Marky should be off.

[MikeForbes]

Mullinho Skillz.

[rydermike]

Should've given Omar the through ball for the hell of it

[Yohan]

lol Omar making a run from CB spot

[Auzzy]

When we know our crosses are shite, why doesn't someone go to the far post or beyond? Returning a ball in from the opposite side is a great way to setup a goal.

[jloome]

I don't see what our tactical point or objective was tonight. We needed three goals, but we played half-field pressure in the first half and the defensive counter in the second.

This does not bode well. We've had plenty of managers who made baffling tactical choices. Vanney's were never baffling; conservative, sometimes doomed. But never utterly baffling.

I thought he would use DeLeon as a high wrecker and press. WE needed at least one first half goal. Instead...

Just weird.

[DavemTFC]

Man Okello has been absolutely brutal

[MikeForbes]

Just one win so far in the Armas era.

[Derko]

No cohesion and lack of skill for TFC.
Wheeler is a clown of a commentator on Soccer One

[Auzzy]

Hey Bono threw the ball out, nice!!! :D

[PizzaEatingYeti]

Sooner this one end, the better for everbody.
These 2 teams have nothing to play for in the last 20 minutes.

[ag futbol]

This one was over a while ago. You can tell neither team has much desire to play these last few minutes

[barticusz]

I think we always knew this one was not going to happen. It was a decent start but this second half has been lifeless. Even the subs are just jogging about.

Way too many poor touches and no ideas going forward.

[MikeForbes]

No idea what Okello's position is gonna be in the future. He obviously has a future, just no position yet.

[ag futbol]

Okay, that last pass from Endoh. You’re right in the pocket with several TFC players in front of you and you back pass it to midfield.

It’s time to move on. If you can’t sense those moments at this point in your career, there’s no future for you in MLS.

[Auzzy]

Okay, that last pass from Endoh. You’re right in the pocket with several TFC players in front of you and you back pass it to midfield.

It’s time to move on. If you can sense those moments at this point in your career, there’s not future for you in MLS.

I'm more concerned about Bradley right now. Please get him off the field.

[daner90]

The second half has been shockingly bad. Clearly we don't have our top 11 on the pitch but no one has been good enough. I have been waiting for someone to step up and play with some urgency and no one has stepped up. Going to have to forgot about this one quick and move on

[jloome]

Okay, that last pass from Endoh. You’re right in the pocket with several TFC players in front of you and you back pass it to midfield.

It’s time to move on. If you can’t sense those moments at this point in your career, there’s no future for you in MLS.

Shades of the final days of Dunfield.

[ag futbol]

How many slip passes can Michael Bradley put into touch in his career. Every game there’s at least five.

It’s like a chip shot and he always takes out the sledgehammer and puts it into the advertising boards.

[MikeForbes]

Endoh would be fine if he was a domestic at the end of the bench. No way he is worth an international spot.

[Auzzy]

Mercifully, no extra time.

Good night!

[jloome]

Sad capitulation in the second half.

[Yohan]

good thing I expected nothing from this game.

none of the 3 DPs playing, Azteca and needing 3 goals. yeah, it was a nice training scrimmage and Cruz Azul played like it too. I think they were playing at about 50%, saving themselves for Liguilla action on the weekend.

[mowe]

Even at full strength we would have struggled against this Cruz Azul team. With the players we had available we had no chance.

Hard to take too much from this game. Team was completely deflated after the goal.

[MikeForbes]

I am gonna hear Chris Armas shouting about moving your feet in my dreams tonight. Onto Saturday and hopefully the debut of Soteldo.

[ag futbol]

Endoh would be fine if he was a domestic at the end of the bench. No way he is worth an international spot.
I’m not sure he’s even clearing that bar. Every game it’s a bit of jogging and no end product. He excels at nothing.

[DavemTFC]

What was our formation at the end? Best I can guess is 4-1-4-1 with the Endoh on the right and Priso (!?!?!?) on the left. Or was it a diamond 4-4-2 with Delgado (!!???!?!?!?!?!?!??) partnering Mullinho at striker

I feel like Armas was using this game partly to test players in different positions (Morrow at LCB and Osorio at RW actually made sense considering the signings we have coming in) and to work some injured players into full fitness (Mavinga played 45, Akinola played 70ish, finally at striker). They still fielded a pretty strong team but I'm sure Armas was aware of how little chance we actually had...though that doesn't explain Bradley and Delgado playing 90 again. Priso better start against NYRB

I don't know why I've resisted muting the idiot & Dunfield for so long. Though Armas' constant yelling was kind of annoying me too. Like what is the point of yelling "attack" when our team has the ball in an attacking area

[DavemTFC]

I am gonna hear Chris Armas shouting about moving your feet in my dreams tonight
oh god this too.

[Red CB Toronto]

Endoh would be fine if he was a domestic at the end of the bench. No way he is worth an international spot.

Thats only matters if they have someone to bring in. Heck the Reds have traded away two spots for the rest of the season.

[MightyDM]

I don't see what our tactical point or objective was tonight. We needed three goals, but we played half-field pressure in the first half and the defensive counter in the second.

This does not bode well. We've had plenty of managers who made baffling tactical choices. Vanney's were never baffling; conservative, sometimes doomed. But never utterly baffling.

I thought he would use DeLeon as a high wrecker and press. WE needed at least one first half goal. Instead...

Just weird.

That’s what I felt.

Some players seemed to play well - Oso, DeLeon and to some extent Bradley, Ayo and Shaff, one or two badly -Richie leaps to mind - but most, including the subs like Endoh, fine. But to what collective purpose? We are a club that has the resources and commitment to win every game, and should be set up and tactically instructed to do that. Although they played well pre goal and now and then after, it never felt like we were going for it.

We have very good players that have proved themselves and youth who are knocking on the door. But the good players are used to a deliberate style that controls the game. No evidence yet that a system change is going to work. Early days, but there was no evidence of a high press tonight.

[OgtheDim]

One soccer people before the game

"Well of course you have to go for it with your best players"

After the game

"Going to be tough for the next couple of games having gone with the best players"


:skep:

[JoesphNdo]

How many slip passes can Michael Bradley put into touch in his career. Every game there’s at least five.

It’s like a chip shot and he always takes out the sledgehammer and puts it into the advertising boards.

This has always been the case. I've always thought there were two Michael Bradley modes. When he has discipline and plays as a proper DM and focuses on short passes and just keeping possession he's a very good mid fielder

But for some reason, more often than not his ego kicks in and he thinks he's Andrea Pirlo spraying passes all over the field. He's categorically not capable of doing that, and he becomes a possession black hole. Sadly, he's this player more often than not. Also, why does he take every single indirect set piece? Our success rate with him taking them is shocking. Somebody needs to take him off them

I think if he had the discipline to know who he was as a player he'd have stayed in Europe his whole career but a good manager needs to 1) tell him his role and 2) not he afraid to sub him off. He's not above the team

[ensco]

I don’t blame Armas or anybody really, much as I question some things.

We were missing the pieces that might have made a difference ...

but I am not sure.

That is an extremely good team, better than us. A top, in form Liga MX team is better, and especially deeper, than any MLS team.

I mean, we only saw 30 minutes of Rodriguez... what substitute striker in MLS looks anything like Angulo? Those would both be in the top 20 goals of the year in MLS, and they were the story. Pineda sits and they don’t look any different... they were also just extremely tough at the back over both legs, never lost their shape, never caught out.

When we get these chances, we need some luck (which we had in 2018, and at Leon). Didn’t happen this time, they just stifled us.

In the end, it wasn't a competitive tie. All this did in the end is cause me to relive the Chivas final. Chivas was the chance of a lifetime. How did we beat Tigres and America and lose to those guys? I don't think we will ever see the 17th place team in the CCL final again.

[Rust]

They are better than us and we were missing some of the best players in the squad. Honestly, I can't even get too upset about it. Our focus is get all our players fit and make a good season in MLS.

[ag futbol]

I don’t blame Armas or anybody really, much as I question some things.

This is the boat I’m in. It’s an odd-ball season with a only somewhat healthy squad and some recent additions. So hard to really be critical when it’s all still coming together.

What I get a little worried about, is certain themes that have bubbled up in the last few games. Bad set piece defending and some shaky defending in general, occasionally erratic play from Bradley while leaving him out there unchecked, etc... hope we can solve these issues.

And big picture, can Ali improve the team faster than cracks form in the existing roster? This is the 2nd last season in Pozuelo’s contract. Doubt he plays it out the last year, more likely it’s extension or transfer. Can we give him a team he feels he can win with? He’ll have plenty of suitors at similar money if he wanted to leave.

[JoesphNdo]

I'd be patient on the defence side, especially set plays. It takes time and practice to implement a coaches vision if it differs considerably from what came before. I still think we badly need a CB, but I'd give the coach time to figure out basics like set piece defending

[Joe Kool]

Still showing lots of rust with the heavy touches and mistimed passes and miscommunication. To me we were sharper in the Leon games then got a little worse from there on. Second half was pretty boring stuff. We couldn't keep possession to save our life and probably the first time ever during a TFC game I fell asleep for a bit. Oh well...onward and upward.