MLS Match Day 15 - TFC @ Chicago Saturday July 24 8:08pm - We are on a Mission

[OgtheDim]

Hopefully not a game like this


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz81ZO0qfvI






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


Have at It People

[MikeForbes]

Interested to see if we are forced to a 3 at the back with Auro potentially out and basically no fullbacks on the roster.

[OgtheDim]

This is a game we should be winning. Chicago is woeful.

[reggie]

i think we are really beatable,did anybody watch the 1st half last night,3 games in 10 days,one fullback on the roster,and he doesnt use the bench,and at least one big d blunder every game,what could go wrong.

[Richard]

I hope we don't get another Canadian referee(Petrescu emigrated to Canada/lives and works here off season)

Someone was mentioning referee bias a few threads ago, and the last game just proves that. So sick of that shit.

[Canary10]

I hope we don't get another Canadian referee(Petrescu emigrated to Canada/lives and works here off season)

Someone was mentioning referee bias a few threads ago, and the last game just proves that. So sick of that shit.

I shared a cab with Petrescu on the way to a masters soccer tournament in Waterloo that I was playing in and he was reffing about 10 years ago. He seemed surprised I didn't know who he was by name. My brother used to raz him when he reffed London City games at Cove Road Field.

[daner90]

Would really like to see Jozy start along with Poz and Soteldo. The game changed when he came on the other night.
Also would like to see the return of the Schaff on the wing opposite Yeffy. If we have that type of pace on both wings, it will be hard for a lot of MLS defenses to contain us

[Richard]

If were going to insist on starting Bradley every game he needs to be turned into a defender. Maybe bring back the Libero and see how it works out.

[jloome]

If were going to insist on starting Bradley every game he needs to be turned into a defender. Maybe bring back the Libero and see how it works out.

He's really not a good defender, he never has been. In Europe, up until Italy he was primarily attack-minded. Even at Chievo and Roma he played two-ways as a pivot. He's good at blocking lanes but he's not an anchor or libero.

He had 16 goals one season in the Eredivisie playing as a trailing mid, almost won the league scoring title. (Albeit at 18 or 19).

Bradley is like Delgado but older, basically. Great at pivoting and starting a break (he had a great flank ball to Soteldo late the other day) and good at reading and breaking up the space between lines. The problem is just age and speed; how many effective 33-year-old number eights are there?

[jloome]

Predictions, anyone? Chicago seem a lot like us this year; they have some offensive talent but they fall apart defensively. They've blown three or four games they were leading now in the last fifteen minutes.

[ag futbol]

He's really not a good defender, he never has been. In Europe, up until Italy he was primarily attack-minded. Even at Chievo and Roma he played two-ways as a pivot. He's good at blocking lanes but he's not an anchor or libero.

He had 16 goals one season in the Eredivisie playing as a trailing mid, almost won the league scoring title. (Albeit at 18 or 19).

Bradley is like Delgado but older, basically. Great at pivoting and starting a break (he had a great flank ball to Soteldo late the other day) and good at reading and breaking up the space between lines. The problem is just age and speed; how many effective 33-year-old number eights are there?
I think he’s aging pretty damn well all things considered but he’s not the one-man wrecking crew in midfield he was in 2017.

Someone’s got to throw his name up on the subs board in the near future. This sacred cow must be sacrificed.

[Richard]

Predictions, anyone? Chicago seem a lot like us this year; they have some offensive talent but they fall apart defensively. They've blown three or four games they were leading now in the last fifteen minutes.

We are too good offensively to not score more than one goal a game. I predict well get a couple, whether we give a two goals I have no idea. This has tie written all over it.

[jloome]

We are too good offensively to not score more than one goal a game. I predict well get a couple, whether we give a two goals I have no idea. This has tie written all over it.

Oddsmakers agree with you. We're due two and they quite often score or give up two.

I'm going to verge towards optimism and say 3-1 TFC.

[PizzaEatingYeti]

I think that if we do not win tonight, there is zero chance to catch the playoffs this season.
Remember, at the point when Armas was shown the door, it was estimated that we need 2 ppg average in the remaining matches of this season to make the playoffs for sure. If we'll just draw, then in 4 matches in the post-Armas era we'll have 1.5 ppg. Just not good enough!

It looks like the bookies are seeing TFC as a very clear underdog for this one.
Odds right now:

Chicago Fire - Toronto FC

Tomorrow, 25 Jul 2021, 02:00 CET









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[PizzaEatingYeti]

Oddsmakers agree with you. We're due two and they quite often score or give up two.

For sure!
The average odds for the OVER 3 are at -113 right now, which means a high scoring match is expected.

[PizzaEatingYeti]

GAME DAY


:scarf: :scarf:

[MightyDM]

All for one!

[ensco]

I think we win one this in a walk. I have watched the Fire twice, they have a lot of break downs at the back. Yefe will break through.

[Gringo Starr]

We've looked somewhat good against better teams, I think this one will be a clear win for the guys tonight

[PizzaEatingYeti]

I think we win one this in a walk. I have watched the Fire twice, they have a lot of break downs at the back. Yefe will break through.

With our defense, I would feel assured about a win only if we'll be up with at least 2 goals with no more than 20 minutes remaining to be played (counting the expected extra time too).

[OgtheDim]

FWIW, team flew into Chicago today.

[Luanda]

Flying in on the day of the match...that can not be good!

[PizzaEatingYeti]

Flying in on the day of the match...that can not be good!
Yeah, my first reaction too when I read that...
The guys will be too tired after that travel. They should've done this yesterday!

[ensco]

I dunno, I always thought the “flying in the night before” thing was overrated. Guys sleep better in their own beds. Issue is risk of delays.

I suspect the reason for this is minimizing Covid infection risk.

[Richard]

Its an hour and half flight. That's literally nothing.

[MikeForbes]

Forgot the game was tonight. Not sure why I thought it was tomorrow. Oh, well. Gotta get that win tonight.

[Luanda]

Its an hour and half flight. That's literally nothing.

Plus at least 2 more hours of getting through airports - it adds up for footy players!

[Auzzy]

Plus at least 2 more hours of getting through airports - it adds up for footy players!

Aren't they flying all charters these days? Might not be as much airport delay in that case.

[spe18]

Aren't they flying all charters these days? Might not be as much airport delay in that case.

That's what I'm thinking too.

But I think the problem you have is that they probably have to go through US pre border clearance, which might only be available in the public parts of Pearson airport.

[RealG-TFC]

Jozy's Instagram story had a pretty clear Air Canada logo visible. Having flown to Chicago last Saturday I can say that the time spent going through security/pre-clearance matched the actual flight time.

[OgtheDim]

They flew Pearson to Midway this morning - its an AC charter - same plane that did most of the back & forth between Toronto & MLS games last year



FWIW, other teams have been doing this flying in the same day thing during the season - just none this weekend baring Colorado to RSL.

How can we know all this? Because some person keeps track of all this stuff and tweets it out there

We live in a weird world....

https://twitter.com/SportsAviation/status/1418970318849331200

[MikeForbes]

Jozy's Instagram story had a pretty clear Air Canada logo visible. Having flown to Chicago last Saturday I can say that the time spent going through security/pre-clearance matched the actual flight time.

Jozy banned from flying with the team by Perez!

[OgtheDim]

Hmmm....

Priso gets the start

Westberg on the bench

Delgado as FB or its a 3-4-3


DeLeon sighting

[MikeForbes]

The summer of Dom carries on. And on. And on.... And on....

[portu]

Is Bono playing like Yashin in training or does every TFC coach in 2021 smoke a ridiculous substance? Westberg on the bench does enough to make me fume.

[Auzzy]

Hmmm....

Priso gets the start

Westberg on the bench

Delgado as FB or its a 3-4-3


DeLeon sighting

Bizarre taking DeLeon down for one game, as he'll have to quarantine for two weeks again when he comes back. Maybe they're hoping to get the National Interest Exemption in Canada soon? (And I don't understand how a NIE is supposed to work for a local player anyway. The Blue Jays NIE modified quarantine request mentioned both local and visiting unvaccinated players would only be at home or the ball park for the length of quarantine. Seems bizarre if that continues during the season after every away trip.)

[Auzzy]

Is Bono playing like Yashin in training or does every TFC coach in 2021 smoke a ridiculous substance? Westberg on the bench does enough to make me fume.

I think Westberg had a pretty serious finger injury, might not be 100% for a full game yet, so I'm not too concerned about seeing him on the bench yet.

But if it continues (and Bono continues screwing up) then you gotta wonder...

[MikeForbes]

Is Bono playing like Yashin in training or does every TFC coach in 2021 smoke a ridiculous substance? Westberg on the bench does enough to make me fume.

I swear most coaches are just like "oh, he's tall!" and have to learn a very painful lesson before that finally bench him.

[reggie]

have no fear..ZAVA will be back next week,SLV losing 2 nil after 8 min.

[Red CB Toronto]

Bizarre taking DeLeon down for one game, as he'll have to quarantine for two weeks again when he comes back. Maybe they're hoping to get the National Interest Exemption in Canada soon? (And I don't understand how a NIE is supposed to work for a local player anyway. The Blue Jays NIE modified quarantine request mentioned both local and visiting unvaccinated players would only be at home or the ball park for the length of quarantine. Seems bizarre if that continues during the season after every away trip.)

I assume something has changed, MLB teams start coming in next weekend. We never did find out who the second Red who was not vaccinated when the Reds returned home? I am sure I am making an assumption but maybe they are allowed to either be at home or in the team environment ie training facility or at the stadium? TFC has also been training at BMO Field too.

[FootBallAZ]

Is Bono playing like Yashin in training or does every TFC coach in 2021 smoke a ridiculous substance? Westberg on the bench does enough to make me fume.



I logged on to say the same thing.
Bono has cost many points this season

The fact you can see how scared he is to make a pass or waits until the defense has numbers to defend rather then pushing

[OgtheDim]

Perez likes his continuity - we havn't really had a chance to have that since last season.

We got 3 games in 6 days staring next Sunday - Westberg should get a game in there no matter what - if we are losing and Bono keeps starting, then we got a problem

Edit - and we are going to need Zavs too, I reckon. Philly away midweek is a good game for him.

[daner90]

Dwyer is scoring tonight. Book it!

[Auzzy]

I assume something has changed, MLB teams start coming in next weekend. We never did find out who the second Red who was not vaccinated when the Reds returned home? I am sure I am making an assumption but maybe they are allowed to either be at home or in the team environment ie training facility or at the stadium? TFC has also been training at BMO Field too.

The news stories mentioning that the August TFC home games will be at BMO made it clear that MLS is still working on their NIE. So far nothing has changed yet. MLB already got their NIE. Maybe MLS will get things settled by Aug. 1st.

[spe18]

Hmmm....

Priso gets the start

Westberg on the bench

Delgado as FB or its a 3-4-3


DeLeon sighting

I'm even guessing a 3-4-2-1 formation?

[MikeForbes]

Morrow is a late scratch. Singh takes his place.

[OgtheDim]

Morrow out..Singh in.....no way this is a 4 back line

[portu]

Morrow is a late scratch. Singh takes his place.
Calling it a scratch and not an injury makes me think trade.

[rydermike]

Perez has the same number of wins and ties as Armas. The difference is losses 0 vs 8

[reggie]

why do i feel a 3-1 loss tonight

[Red CB Toronto]

anyone have a stream?

[rydermike]

Soteldo!

[rydermike]

why do i feel a 3-1 loss tonight

Want to revise your prediction?

[FootBallAZ]

Wow terrible touch my endoh
Nice pass by priso
He could have played soteldo in directly

[jloome]

Great start.

[FootBallAZ]

anyone have a stream?

https://poscitech.com/chicago-fire-vs-toronto-fc/?sport=soccer

[Auzzy]

Calling it a scratch and not an injury makes me think trade.

Apparently Morrow picked up (or confirmed) an injury during the pre-game warmup.

Nice goal! Great that Endoh and Dwyer hung back in the last second to let Soteldo shoot, they could easily have gotten in his way.

Dwyer has a surprising number of important defensive headers. Maybe he could add offensive headers to his repertoire. ;)

[jloome]

I like this ref already.

[rydermike]

Oh Omar. Bono saved you

[FootBallAZ]

What terrible camera angle

[PizzaEatingYeti]

Our defense ie beyond atrocious.

[mowe]

Horrific defending.

[FootBallAZ]

Lol Bono is buying time before his inevitable gaff

[Bobo]

Holy hell, Omar's forgotten how to be a professional footballer this season.

[portu]

Backline is atrocious @AliCurtis Cc: @BillManning

[OgtheDim]

4-3 but I'm not sure who for

[portu]

Poz looks frustrated, never seen him shoot from that far out. Not getting away with the things he did last season it appears.

[Auzzy]

Holy eff TFC defending, so many times already.

Obviously Gonzalez screwed up badly. But Priso was in a position to help on that one, he just stopped, gave up, and watched.

Our defence is completely unsettled. Gonzalez is the worst, but nobody knows where they should be. We're up by one early, why not have at least one midfielder sit back and shield our CBs?

And/or why don't Mavinga, Gonzalez and Singh at least stay back? They're all over the place.

[daner90]

We may need to throw Markey break at RB. Omar needs some protection

[rydermike]

Beautiful through ball. I thought Endoh was faster

[portu]

Does Endoh have no pace oh my fuck

[notthesun]

Endoh looks 5x faster than he actually is

[jloome]

Totally a foul on the replay. endoh protected the ball.

[Richard]

Look like he doesnt.

[portu]

Total foul. Jesus christ fuck this league.

[Inklink]

He didn't get the ball..

[Richard]

That should be red.

[Inklink]

Also key saves by Bono early today

[noxx98]

Awful. That needs to be a foul

[Richard]

Micky Mouse league. Clear as day red.

[Inklink]

What a shit system

[Auzzy]

Holy eff this is bullshit all over the place.

[OgtheDim]

That's a call which I think gets either called or changed by VAR in our stadium.

[Bobo]

I suppose that wasn't clear and obvious. Didn't look like he got any of the ball, but without an angle to know for certain, it's the right call from the VAR. Had the ref called the foul, it would've stayed a foul.

[portu]

Credit where credit is due. Bono has looked good so far.

[jloome]

Jesus Omar is both crap and jinxed. Tries to clear a header, tees a guy up for a volley.

[jloome]

I suppose that wasn't clear and obvious. Didn't look like he got any of the ball, but without an angle to know for certain, it's the right call from the VAR. Had the ref called the foul, it would've stayed a foul.

there was a clear angle.

there’s space between the defenders toes and the ball, and endoh’s foot after that. Bullshit call.

im on a very large tv so maybe that makes a difference but there’s a clear gap there.

[notthesun]

Priso has a great work rate and is strong in the tackle, we have something with him. Need to keep giving him minutes so he can round out his passing and decision-making.

[noxx98]

Looks like Mavinga and Singh have switched spots, with Mavinga playing on the left now.
EDIT, actually looks like Delgado on the left.
Edit, edit, they switched back after the ball went out of play

[rydermike]

It was a clear foul on Endoh, but what might have saved the defender is the defender had made up the ground and came somewhat from the side instead of fully from behind, which could mean its no longer considered a full breakaway and thus could be considered more of a foul+yellow than an automatic red and the VAR has to be for a clear red not a yellow

[jloome]

I’m not sure what we’re trying to do offensively.

[RealG-TFC]

Bono's been our best player

[Bobo]

there was a clear angle.

there’s space between the defenders toes and the ball, and endoh’s foot after that. Bullshit call.

im on a very large tv so maybe that makes a difference but there’s a clear gap there.

Fair enough, I have one eye on a minimized screen on a laptop.

[rydermike]

We're lucky that Chicago sucks

[PizzaEatingYeti]

A decent tean would have put at least 3 until now in Bono's goal.

[jloome]

Oh god , dwyer, dish the damn ball

[Inklink]

Dwyer you idiot pass that

[rydermike]

Dwyer with his head down, doesn't see the 10x better player Soteldo wide open five feet away

[noxx98]

Jozy on at half please, or lets get the summer of Perruzza going.

[Auzzy]

What another disaster, TFC way too lucky, should be 3-1 for Chicago by now.

Was that Endoh turning over the ball before the previous chance? He's having an awful game.

They're all being way too nonchalant and leaving Chicago too much time & space on crosses and passes into the box. Singh is the worst at it, he often jogs when he needs to sprint, but a bunch of them are doing the same thing.

Is Singh playing LB or CB? I don't think he can make up his mind.

WTF Perez, what are you going to do to change these defensive problems? The players aren't figuring it out.

[jloome]

I don’t think Singh realizes he has to play the man to the corner. He just jogged back into his zone after his man beat him and headed to the byline.

[Richard]

Singh is getting exposed. Not good enough for this level.

[OgtheDim]

Either Singh isn't fit or has no initial pace

[Bobo]

Singh is getting murdered. At this point, I'd have DeLeon to play LWB in a back-five.

[Inklink]

I hope El Salvador goes deep into the gold cup if nephew is there.

[jloome]

Our defending is passive.it’s ridiculous.

[portu]

Singh getting murdered because he's a USL centreback playing MLS leftback. Bono is putting in a man of the match performance.

[jloome]

Mavinga played left back as a youth at Liverpool. we should move him over.

[rocktml]

What is our back line doing? They look lost and two steps behind. Bono been solid. Should be down 4-1

Oh and trade Dwyer for a bag of peanuts

[Auzzy]

WTF WTF WTF Bradley why are you shying away from blocking that shot?

What is wrong with this team?

Endoh better be off at the half.

[portu]

Soteldo is the ex-pro at your Sunday League that makes everyone look like a child

[jloome]

WTF WTF WTF Bradley why are you shying away from blocking that shot?

What is wrong with this team?

Endoh better be off at the half.

nah, priso was on that side. They switched because Bradley is roaming defensively, realizing his teammates aren’t willing to challenge for a fucking ball.

[sn0re]

Singh is just jogging damn

[jloome]

Ref watching the ball, misses the foul

[Inklink]

What is a foul then?

[Auzzy]

Either Singh isn't fit or has no initial pace

I think Singh is in over his head, and somehow thinks he needs to act nonchalant to cover for that. I've seen him sprint a couple of times, he has both good initial pace & top pace. But somehow he thinks he needs to act cool and jog when it's totally inappropriate.

[RealG-TFC]

Dwyer needs to command space instead of running around.

[Richard]

Singh getting eaten alive again.

[jloome]

Our team is playing like they all have fucking COVID. this is not a hungry team that wants to win.

[portu]

3 at the back is necessary at half, get Singh out of left back.

[jloome]

So who is the moron that built this team with so little depth. Was it Manning or Curtis?

[Auzzy]

nah, priso was on that side. They switched because Bradley is roaming defensively, realizing his teammates aren’t willing to challenge for a fucking ball.

I think we may be talking about a different play. Bradley was closest to the ball by far, no other Chicago player was around that he needed to worry about, shot came from just outside the box. Maybe Bradley thought Bono should have a clear view, but it was too close and dangerous for that.

They're all half asleep, I don't know what's going on.

[portu]

So who is the moron that built this team with so little depth. Was it Manning or Curtis?
Tbf our depth at fullback is top tier. Auro, Laryea, Lawrence, Morrow is pretty amazing. You could argue an Ashtone Morgan type would be beneficial, but do you really need five fullbacks?

[rydermike]

We are so lucky to be winning. We've been dreadful at the back.

[jloome]

I think we’re being demoralized by our own defensive play combined with feeling they won’t get a call, but Omar got lucky on that bombscare In the box, then again on the runner.

[jabbronies]

So who is the moron that built this team with so little depth. Was it Manning or Curtis?

The blame would be on Curtis who's 700000 page plan relys on the kids to fill in.

[portu]

Omar "Bombscare" Gonzalez earns 1 (one) MILLION dollars a year.

[RealG-TFC]

I understand Yefe did need a talking to but the way the ref approached him seemed totally unprofessional by towering over him like that

[Richard]

Bono has looked good. Defense crap. Offense is still a work in progress.

I think we need Altidore starting from the get go. Dwyer can be a second half sub.

[OgtheDim]

Hmm...their DM's are doing better then normal.

DeLeon as LB please

[Loyal]

I knew I had seen Gonzalez somewhere before..

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS70oSLRQNOIr-D--Zw1uOsBwfW3mocH-Imcw&usqp=CAU

[jloome]

Tbf our depth at fullback is top tier. Auro, Laryea, Lawrence, Morrow is pretty amazing. You could argue an Ashtone Morgan type would be beneficial, but do you really need five fullbacks?

Even an extra player deep we should have a roster that can adjust tactically to injuries; if we had three strong Center backs, we could’ve started in a 5-3-2. But we don’t even have one, right now. Mavinga is doing his job.

Defensively we’re way too passive. Our work rate in that half was shit.

Singh gets beat, then jogs back, watching the back of the guy who beat him.

And Omar looked totally crocked. Five, six major errors in one half? Just terrible.

[MikeForbes]

Can we just start the car and leave now? Singh is getting eaten alive. Gonzalez is done. Endoh and Dwyer needs to be off. Delgado is not a RB. Also, this is the first time I have ever said this: Alex Bono has been MOTM.

[jloome]

On the up side, Bono coming through big time.

Two more games like this and we might be able to get out of dodge by selling him while someone is fooled into thinking he can be consistent.

[Auzzy]

There is something wrong with this team that goes beyond the individual poor players and screw-ups we mentioned.

Chicago is massively out-working TFC. They almost always have more players available on both offence and defence. Our attackers have mostly been totally isolated when they came forward at all. Many TFC players are jogging and watching.

[noxx98]

Bono showing his quality as a shot stopper. Struggles in other areas of his game, but when you just need someone to stop shots coming towards the net he can do that.

[rydermike]

Westberg has great defensive awareness and can pass the ball. Since he has a hand injury, we should sub him in for Omar or Singh. He'd probably do better LOL

[jloome]

Why the fuck am I listening to Julian Deguzman stammer week after week while KJ is covering the CPL? Fuck corporations suck.

EDIT it’s possible that first half made me somewhat grumpy

[jloome]

There is something wrong with this team that goes beyond the individual poor players and screw-ups we mentioned.

Chicago is massively out-working TFC. They almost always have more players available on both offence and defence. Our attackers have mostly been totally isolated when they came forward at all. TFC players are jogging and watching.

maybe they hate each other. They’re playing like they’re disgruntled. Perhaps there is some locker room poison going on.

[MikeForbes]

Sell Jozy and bring in Manuel Neuer to be a CB.

[jloome]

So how does Perez adjust? He can’t put Singh back in a pt fullback, can he?

think that was a mistake. I mean, I know Singh-Gonzales is terrifying as Center back, but at least Mavinga has played wide, is fast and is mobile.

but really, shouldn’t we be playing a back three at this point.

[OgtheDim]

Why the fuck am I listening to Julian Deguzman stammer week after week while KJ is covering the CPL? Fuck corporations suck.

EDIT it’s possible that first half made me somewhat grumpy


Yeh, you be grumpy.

DeGuzman spent 40 seconds showing & explaining exactly why Singh has been failing - now didn't follow through with "TFC needs to change this" - but still decent stuff.

[Auzzy]

maybe they hate each other. They’re playing like they’re disgruntled. Perhaps there is some locker room poison going on.

That would make sense.

Let's see if Perez has any authority to change the mood and dynamics during the half-time talk. He really needs to start by putting his stamp on it with a half-time sub. Who could come on for Endoh? He's actually one of the guys that has worked hard occasionally, but he's been a turnover machine.

EDIT formation change, Endoh off as expected. Let's see if they've adjusted the defenders and DMs. And I hope Altidore can survive a full half, argh.

[PizzaEatingYeti]

I dunno what to say, other than we are incredibly lucky not to be down at least 1 goal, no matter how shitty may be Chicago.
Honestly, our defense is like a bottom-third standings CPL team's, at best!

PS: Dwyer is the definition of a cinder block on wheels.

[MikeForbes]

Ohhhh, Patrick Mullinho!

[MikeForbes]

Gonna be a 3-5-2, I think.

[RealG-TFC]

I like the subs

[OgtheDim]

Defence not great


Change a forward & Moulinho as a right mid? :confused:

[Auzzy]

Aw hugs, cute :D :D

[noxx98]

Mullins basically playing as a defensive midfielder

[rydermike]

Nice play by Poz and Soteldo, just bad pass by Solteldo to jozy

[jloome]

First time Priso has dropped into Singh’s spot properly.

I think maybe Perez told him to stop worrying about the men Inside when a guy had gone wide.

[notthesun]

That was so smart from Poz and Soteldo, first time I've really seen chemistry between them, Soteldo just messed up the final pass.

[jloome]

They seem to have settled somewhat.

[Bobo]

OFF-sponsored substitutions - LOL, one of the better sponsorships I've seen.

[Auzzy]

This will probably come back to bite me momentarily...

But luckily Chicago sucks.

[rydermike]

Is Deleon even fit to come in... He's been in quarantine because of the anti vaccine

[OgtheDim]

Socially distanced RB it is...

[rydermike]

Singh didn't even shield that ball for Bono. Could've let the fire player get there

[Bobo]

Definitely think Singh is playing with a knock, rather than without inspiration.

[rydermike]

Poz and Solteldo have the chemistry we were worried about.

[jloome]

I dunno what Perez said to them at the half but it worked.

[Richard]

Are you shitting me Jozy.

[Inklink]

How boneheaded is that Jozy

[rydermike]

Dunn time?

[OgtheDim]

The longer this goes on, the more likely it ends 2-0 but man once they score, the floodgates will open.

[Richard]

Killbane saying Singh is in an unnatural position is just dumb on that play.

He is a CB playing dead center in the middle and cant even jump to head the ball away.

[Auzzy]

Two of our youngest players cramping up, are you shitting me? There may have been knocks in addition, but there's a basic cramping and fitness problem.

68th minute, I hope somebody has a key in the ignition already and has released the hand brake...

[jloome]

Killbane saying Singh is in an unnatural position is just dumb on that play.

He is a CB playing dead center in the middle and cant even jump to head the ball away.

he meant his body position. He had a shoulder angled towards goal instead of square.

[jloome]

Man, we should leave Bradley back and put Mavinga wide.

[Richard]

Two of our youngest players cramping up, are you shitting me? There may have been knocks in addition, but there's a basic cramping and fitness problem.

68th minute, I hope somebody has a key in the ignition already and has released the hand brake...

Morrow in warmup, then Priso and Singh in game. Something is very wrong.

[Inklink]

Luke's hair makes him look more clueless lol

[jloome]

Damn, what happened to Bono? It’s like he’s possessed by King Stefan.

[Richard]

Yes Bono, Concacaf this game.

[Auzzy]

Singh almost kept that Chicago onside, maybe he even did but we got the call.

Again leaving Chicago way too much room to pass, cross or shoot.

[OgtheDim]

Kilbane is right, dropping way too deep

[rydermike]

The unvaxxed goal scorer!

[benito]

There we go!!

[Richard]

Start the car!

[jloome]

Great goal and it’s LUKE SINGH with the key pass to start it!

Crazy game this

[Inklink]

DeLeon actually scoredddddddddddddddddd

[tfcfans]

Please start the car......

[Bobo]

DeLeon hit that ball like it had COVID.

[benito]

Geez

[Inklink]

Shuttleworth is bad


DeLeon hit that ball like it had COVID.
lmfao

[OgtheDim]

Singh's pass started that

[smtavare]

Damn, what happened to Bono? It’s like he’s possessed by King Stefan.

He knows Westberg is soon ready to return now and then he wont play anymore so he is playing his heart out

[jloome]

Oh for fucks sake

[rydermike]

Bono is excellent at grabbing goals before the other team

[tfcfans]

Too good to be true - they’ll be lucky to get 1 point out of this debacle - frankly they would barely deserve the Tie if they got it....

So happy to be wrong......

[rydermike]

So we're still in the same position as 2 minutes ago

[FootBallAZ]

Uh oh here we go.

What is wrong with the defense lol

[OgtheDim]

Just knew it was going to happen...

[mowe]

They were always going to score from that left side.

[Richard]

It's going to be 11vs10 soon. Singh looks done.

Nvm. I forgot we get 5 subs.

[MikeForbes]

Who set that goal up? Looked like the best playmaking RM in the league to me.

[OgtheDim]

This ref is shit..like seriously, you can't book a player for going down like that

[rydermike]

Bono on Fire

(pun intended)

[jloome]

Frank Klopas, Chicago’s assistant who is coaching Tonight for the absent Wicky, is a really shitty human being. I know a former MLS player he ripped off for home renos.

[MikeForbes]

Why did we stop using DeLeon at RB? It is actually his best position.

[Auzzy]

Jozy looks tired...

[jloome]

Why did we stop using DeLeon at RB? It is actually his best position.
He doesn’t like playing there. Was notably unhappy about it at DC under Olsen

[MikeForbes]

Delgado has gone RB, CM, LB in the span of like 15 minutes.

[Auzzy]

OMFG you don't have to walk the ball into the net!

[MikeForbes]

Jozy has been woeful.

[jloome]

Even when he’s not doing much Okello looks a baller

[Bobo]

Mullinho the Mezzala has a good ring to it. Shame it's a horror show to watch.

[Richard]

Even when he’s not doing much Okello looks a baller

Is it me or does he look huge. Looks like a good prospect.

[MikeForbes]

Is it me or does he look huge. Looks like a good prospect.

He is huge. I believe he is 6'6. He just needs to find his position. I am not sure he is a midfielder.

[portu]

Is it me or does he look huge. Looks like a good prospect.
Dude is straight up graceful on the ball

[Yuushalinsky]

Is it me or does he look huge. Looks like a good prospect.
Definitely a big presence - glad to see him be a bit of a revelation.

[Auzzy]

Even when he’s not doing much Okello looks a baller


Is it me or does he look huge. Looks like a good prospect.

Except he didn't even jump when defending that corner.

[jloome]

Kilbane makes a good point; knowing they had a totally makeshift back line may have really thrown their confidence before this started. Thus the nightmare first half.

[jloome]

god Omar terrifies, always watching the ball and not his man.

[rydermike]

Start the car

[Eastend]

this team...my heart

[noxx98]

Bono for MOTM. Stood on his head. Entire team needs to do better, but they grinded that out

[jloome]

Game,of Alex Bono’s life. good on him. He owed the team at least one like that.

four games for Perez, eight points, no losses.

he made the right adjustments again.

[MikeForbes]

Alex Bono's best game ever.

[OgtheDim]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NlWCLw75XnE

[Auzzy]

Kilbane makes a good point; knowing they had a totally makeshift back line may have really thrown their confidence before this started. Thus the nightmare first half.

Scary when over $1.9 million on the two starting CBs is considered a "totally makeshift back line."

[tfcfans]

All together now......START THE CAR....

[Richard]

We like to shit on the defense, but that's 3 goals against in 3 games. That's a fact. Lots of luck. But SOMTHING is working.

[notthesun]

Full credit Bono for this one.

[MikeForbes]

We 800% need to find a way to get another CB before the window closes. Eriq Zavaleta is legit our second best CB right now.

[jloome]

Scary when over $1.9 million on the two starting CBs is considered a "totally makeshift back line."

I dunno, two non-fullbacks qualifies, I think …

but even if not, Omar is clearly a pylon now.

[benito]

not the prettiest but all wins count the same

[PawTar711]

We win. great job to Bono. Time to move on to the next one nashville. I think that we have something good going on, its going to be interesting to see if we can win again with this coach.

[tfcocd]

All together now......START THE CAR....

that was grand larceny

[Auzzy]

We like to shit on the defense, but that's 3 goals against in 3 games. That's a fact. Lots of luck. But SOMTHING is working.

Tonight was Bono + luck + ridiculously bad finishing by Chicago, that's all.

Frankly TFC should have had 1 or 2 more goals as well.

[rydermike]

Positives:
1) Bono had his best game ever
2) Poz and Soteldo demonstrated some chemistry
3) 3 points

[MikeForbes]

Great stuff though. Really enjoying watching the team again.

[OgtheDim]

We like to shit on the defense, but that's 3 goals against in 3 games. That's a fact. Lots of luck. But SOMTHING is working.


The xG for that game finished with them at 3.5

Like, xG doesn't always tell the story but that was the most stolen game I think we've ever had.

[rydermike]

Armas: 11 Games / 5 Points / lost 72% of matches
Perez: 4 Games / 8 Points / lost 0% of matches

[Yuushalinsky]

Armas: 11 Games / 5 Points / lost 72% of matches
Perez: 4 Games / 8 Points / lost 0% of matches
if we're a 2 ppg team from here on in, that's a 51 point team. Just saying.

[Auzzy]

OMG the stats...

31 to 8 in shots.
14 to 3 in shots on target.

Happy with the win, but please don't read anything into that going forward. In fact, although TFC has been grinding out results, and the attack is definitely better than before, I would say our defence has been worse on average under Perez than under Armas, other than Armas' last two games.

I don't really think that's Perez's fault, but just trying to figure out what is going wrong and how to settle it down. For example Gonzalez has been a problem for a while, but why is he suddenly even worse? Mavinga is more unsettled as normal as well. We aren't going to have that much luck often.

https://twitter.com/TorontoFC/status/1419122697087463428

[jloome]

What the fuck is going on with this club?!

So Perez said after the match that Morrow wasn't injured "he just couldn't perform." They pulled him during warmup.

What the fuck?

Is there something wrong with our fitness regimen, because that suggests one of two things: one, less likely I'd hope, is that it was disciplinary; the second is it was muscle tightness, and we seem to be having a ridiculous amount of cramping on our team.

Is it the change of training conditions, no diet advice being given?

[Auzzy]

What the fuck is going on with this club?!

So Perez said after the match that Morrow wasn't injured "he just couldn't perform." They pulled him during warmup.

What the fuck?

Is there something wrong with our fitness regimen, because that suggests one of two things: one, less likely I'd hope, is that it was disciplinary; the second is it was muscle tightness, and we seem to be having a ridiculous amount of cramping on our team.

Is it the change of training conditions, no diet advice being given?

Steve Buffery's explanation (not sure if accurate) was "Veteran defender Justin Morrow was a late scratch from the starting XI for TFC, for precautionary reasons after playing 90 minutes in both games earlier in the week." If he was the only one, I would say: good, they're being careful with a 33-year-old player.

But two of our youngest players also had problems yesterday, amongst many others this year. I do think there's a general fitness and durability issue -- going back a couple of years, even under Vanney, and perhaps getting worse this year.

[Kamp Berg]

Last night’s game pushed Bono up to second most saves this year so far.

[Bushmancan]

As a club we have been owed one of these, how many games have we dominated and come out on the short end, sometimes it’s nice just to Win ugly.

Need to re-group and get healthy for next week, Nashville is not going to be an easy game and would be nice to see Jozy for 65 or 70 minutes.

Qatar beat El Salvador, so it means Zavs is back and USA v Jamaica today (hopefully Lawrence back) would rather that than Nashville having Zimmerman. Not saying anything about Canada. (touch wood). LOL

[ag futbol]

Armas: 11 Games / 5 Points / lost 72% of matches
Perez: 4 Games / 8 Points / lost 0% of matches
Yes, overall it’s a huge improvement. We can say “it’s only Chicago” and we were lucky of course but we did lose 2-0 to cinci under Armas (a team that is just as bad).

All that said, we’ve clearly removed one problem only to be shown a few others. Namely roster construction and fitness issues.

[Smokecell]

Luke Singh is awful. Omar is past it. Holy cow that back line

[OgtheDim]

Singh's experiences was actually worse then Hagglund playing FB against Dallas

Hagglund got beat by pace that night & had to be rearranged out

Singh - he got beat by his poor positioning choices. It was almost like he expected somebody to always bail him out. For Pete's sake, Moulinho had more tackles then him last night & almost as many duels (with the same % won)

OK, he's only 20 so last night & this week watching film should be about him learning

&


Watching last night, Singh's trajectory should be that of Pineda, the Homegrown CB Chicago had. OK, he's been not always great but he's steady back there & trying to lead the line at his age.
Its not going to happen but heck, I'd take a straight swap of Pineda for Gonzalez. They just signed him for a new contract but that is the sort of HG talent level Singh needs to get to in the next 3 years.

[ag futbol]

At a certain point, somebody’s just got to call out the club for doing a crap job with its development pathway. Should of had someone capable of filling in along the back line yesterday without completely unsettling the team.

We have 2 defenders who have been in our system for years, both supposedly of reasonable quality. Neither gets a sniff of the field. We have another that looks raw as hell when he gets first team minutes.

We have a physical phenom who has silky skills but also looks positionally ambiguous.

We have some kind of a wide/ forward player with good enough pace and overall skill set for first team football but is tactically defunct and looks like he’s never received coaching.

The once consensus “best prospect in North America for his age group” is nowhere to be seen.

And we have one CM prospect who looks decent but a bit raw at times.

In totality, doesn’t exactly suggest they know what they are doing or are good at it

[Canary10]

What the fuck is going on with this club?!

So Perez said after the match that Morrow wasn't injured "he just couldn't perform." They pulled him during warmup.

What the fuck?

Is there something wrong with our fitness regimen, because that suggests one of two things: one, less likely I'd hope, is that it was disciplinary; the second is it was muscle tightness, and we seem to be having a ridiculous amount of cramping on our team.

Is it the change of training conditions, no diet advice being given?

There is some issue there, yeah.

But also we’ve had games crammed 3 days apart so minimal recovery time plus an extremely hot summer. That would contribute too.

[Rust]

Can't stop thinking about how much time and points we wasted by not firing Armas sooner. We surely could be closer to a playoff position by now.

[Yuushalinsky]

Can't stop thinking about how much time and points we wasted by not firing Armas sooner. We surely could be closer to a playoff position by now.
This is what makes me kinda pissed off - we had a 4 game stretch where we lost by one goal - Orlando twice, Columbus, Nashville. We win two of those, we're in the thick of it, 2 points back. We get that 2 ppg pace on those games, we're basically there.

[ensco]

So I only watched in bits and pieces last night, and just watched the 15 minute extended highlight package. My thoughts (apologies if repeating the thoughts of others).

- people are giving Dwyer a lot of stick but he was totally responsible for the first goal. Created the turnover then cleverly stayed out of Soteldo's way given he was offside (I could see argument that he affected play and that goal shouldn’t have counted btw)
- Pozo's shooting, my god, he looks like Adam Braz in 2007 out there. Does he have the yips? (Easter egg for Ted Lasso fans there)
- as others said, cannot recall a game where we were outplayed so badly and won

[Auzzy]

As a club we have been owed one of these, how many games have we dominated and come out on the short end, sometimes it’s nice just to Win ugly.

Need to re-group and get healthy for next week, Nashville is not going to be an easy game and would be nice to see Jozy for 65 or 70 minutes.

Qatar beat El Salvador, so it means Zavs is back and USA v Jamaica today (hopefully Lawrence back) would rather that than Nashville having Zimmerman. Not saying anything about Canada. (touch wood). LOL

I heard Lawrence was injured in the last Jamaica game and came out, any updates on how badly?

Having some real full-backs back at some point should helpfully help the back line...???

[jloome]

Singh's experiences was actually worse then Hagglund playing FB against Dallas

Hagglund got beat by pace that night & had to be rearranged out

Singh - he got beat by his poor positioning choices. It was almost like he expected somebody to always bail him out. For Pete's sake, Moulinho had more tackles then him last night & almost as many duels (with the same % won)

OK, he's only 20 so last night & this week watching film should be about him learning

&


Watching last night, Singh's trajectory should be that of Pineda, the Homegrown CB Chicago had. OK, he's been not always great but he's steady back there & trying to lead the line at his age.
Its not going to happen but heck, I'd take a straight swap of Pineda for Gonzalez. They just signed him for a new contract but that is the sort of HG talent level Singh needs to get to in the next 3 years.


It was clear in the second half that Perez had talked to him about how to play fullback, literally. In the first half, he let multiple guys just run to the byline and cross, pinching in as if he was defending a central zone in a back three.

In the second half, he immediately began to drift to cover that guy, but was obviously nervous about who was sneaking in behind him, because you could see Priso tell him not to worry, that he'd drop and cover the hole, and a second later that happened.

But his read and positioning were nowhere near MLS level.

Outside of the fact that our youth development is being wasted, I realize that being pasted in the USL Championship repeatedly wasn't good for morale, but it had to be better for development than playing in USL-1.

Keep in mind that our current top scorer McLaughlin, who has eight goals in 13, or something, got a shot at both Houston AND in the USL Championship, scored zero goals across a dozen games, and is TWENTY-FOUR.

In other words, it's a cast-off league like the CPL or the Conference in England, for guys trying to make it back to a higher level or bigger club. It's going to challenge our guys but it's not going to prepare them for MLS.

Our youth are raw, and should be getting junk minutes: if we're up 3-0, you give a Luke Singh a half of football. You don't stick kids in at this skill and experience level and given them ACTUAL RESPONSIBILTY, that's insane.

Play them in cup matches, in exhibitions, in late minutes until they're ready to contribute. If, as Vanney clearly believed with Fraser and othes, they are NOT ready to play regularly after a couple of seasons of safe exposure, there's something seriously wrong with our production pipeline.

PRISO has shown that although he still struggles at times, he CAN read the game at MLS speed and is positionally strong.

Singh is just a great athlete. His pass to Soteldo down the wing to spring the second goal was a thing of beauty and if they handle him properly he has great potential. But super NOT ready for this level.

I wonder about Romeo, too. The club he was at in Denmark are pretty tiny, and he still didn't manage to become the full-time starter, just depth.

We have very skilled youth with very poor read of the game. So far, only Priso and Okello look close to being first teamers, and I'm pretty sure we pulled Okello early twice this year because he didn't really know where he was supposed to be on the pitch (given that they keep moving him positionally, this shouldn't be shocking.)