Match Day 5 - TFC @ San Jose - Saturday March 25 10:39 pm - The Ectasy of Gold

[OgtheDim]

Ya'll get to decide what is which .....



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfoToOxzSeg&ab_channel=MrEgon04


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

Have at It People

[Yuushalinsky]

gonna need to steal some points here, but I think we can do it against San Jose.

[Fort York Redcoat]

Looking for a Reimer reference...

TFC can show a little pride in their last performance. Hope it continues.

[OgtheDim]

Looking for a Reimer reference...

TFC can show a little pride in their last performance. Hope it continues.

Tempting.....I don't mind flying the Progress Pride flag (https://www.them.us/story/pride-flag-redesign)...but not sure I wanted to reference that particular idiocy.

[Fort York Redcoat]

Tempting.....I don't mind flying the Progress Pride flag (https://www.them.us/story/pride-flag-redesign)...but not sure I wanted to reference that particular idiocy.

Apologies. I just can't seem to avoid that particular SJ news.

I should be focusing on extra coffees come Saturday.

[Ultra & Proud]

This will be a pretty ugly match. They're just always ugly and we're missing too many starters to be anything other than ugly so I am leaning draw but usually the best players make the difference in matches like these and Johnson & Bernadeschi are the best out there. Going to go 2-1 for us but 0-0 wouldn't shock me.

[jloome]

They were pretty dreadful against St. Louis' gegenpress. I still like our chances even with the missing players, but who knows? WE don't get to see the replacements in training, so who knows if they'll be fluid enough for our movement-heavy system.

All I know is Servania is one of the signings of the season. He had six successful dribbles against Miami, which for a guy known as a number eight is pretty handy.

[jloome]

How do we even line up for this? Assuming he wants tactical consistency, probably as a 4-2-3-1 again. Despite them having kaye as a twin six with bradley in all the lineup sheets the other night, he ended up being forward more than Servania.

I have no idea who he'll play at right back. O'Neill actually played there a few times when younger, so if his head pain is dealt with that's a possibility. We've seen JMR there in the past, surely he needs some playing time.

Maybe something like....

----------------Johnson----------------
JMR---Hedges---Rosted---Gutierrez
--------Servania---Bradley--------
Bernie----Vazquez----Petretta
----------Kerr

Bring Thompson in later for Vazquez and swing him over to the right, drop Bernadeschi in the hole.

[Ultra & Proud]

Maybe something like....

----------------Johnson----------------
JMR---Hedges---Rosted---Gutierrez
--------Servania---Bradley--------
Bernie----Vazquez----Petretta
----------Kerr

Bring Thompson in later for Vazquez and swing him over to the right, drop Bernadeschi in the hole.

This line up should be good enough for a point at least.

One thing about SJ I've seen is a high amount of goonery. Lots of chippy, late tackles from behind and guys getting tossed to the turf more than I usually see. Should be interesting.

[Fort York Redcoat]

How do we even line up for this? Assuming he wants tactical consistency, probably as a 4-2-3-1 again. Despite them having kaye as a twin six with bradley in all the lineup sheets the other night, he ended up being forward more than Servania.

I have no idea who he'll play at right back. O'Neill actually played there a few times when younger, so if his head pain is dealt with that's a possibility. We've seen JMR there in the past, surely he needs some playing time.

Maybe something like....

----------------Johnson----------------
JMR---Hedges---Rosted---Gutierrez
--------Servania---Bradley--------
Bernie----Vazquez----Petretta
----------Kerr

Bring Thompson in later for Vazquez and swing him over to the right, drop Bernadeschi in the hole.

You are not alone in wanting to finally see a Vasquez start. Hope Servania success continues. Maybe Vasquez to Bernie link up more and we'll see less frustration from that DP.

[Ultra & Proud]

You are not alone in wanting to finally see a Vasquez start. Hope Servania success continues. Maybe Vasquez to Bernie link up more and we'll see less frustration from that DP.
Until he gets someone else up front who requires some respect from the opposition, he isn't going to be happy. Endless triple teaming until either Insigne comes back or we sign a CF who can score or at least create chances consistently.

[Yuushalinsky]

Until he gets someone else up front who requires some respect from the opposition, he isn't going to be happy. Endless triple teaming until either Insigne comes back or we sign a CF who can score or at least create chances consistently.

something tells me it'll be when insigne comes back, Akinola just doesn't do enough to create the space needed and while I want to give Mbongue a chance, he's going to have to show it during a Canadian Championship game or something.

[Ultra & Proud]

something tells me it'll be when insigne comes back, Akinola just doesn't do enough to create the space needed and while I want to give Mbongue a chance, he's going to have to show it during a Canadian Championship game or something.
I was hoping Diomande would be good enough to at least make dangerous runs and take up some space but he didn't look up to it. At this rate I would rather start VV at CF even if he could only do 45 minutes and then roll the dice in the second half on Ayo or Kerr.

[jloome]

Given that he was originally going to a Ukrainian Premier League team and has since proven himself well above most of the CPL, I'm sort of surprised we haven't tried to snag Osaze De Rosario yet.

Maybe getting fucked around incessantly by the Mo and Earls of the world has soured the family on TFC, or maybe they don't want to admit a kid they weren't high on has potential, but like Diayaeddin Abzi before him, he looks at least good enough to me to get some playing time at the MLS level.

San Jose looked slow and ponderous to cycle the ball against St. Louis. They really didn't handle the press well. But we're not very quick, so a different ball game.

[Yuushalinsky]

Given that he was originally going to a Ukrainian Premier League team and has since proven himself well above most of the CPL, I'm sort of surprised we haven't tried to snag Osaze De Rosario yet.

Maybe getting fucked around incessantly by the Mo and Earls of the world has soured the family on TFC, or maybe they don't want to admit a kid they weren't high on has potential, but like Diayaeddin Abzi before him, he looks at least good enough to me to get some playing time at the MLS level.

San Jose looked slow and ponderous to cycle the ball against St. Louis. They really didn't handle the press well. But we're not very quick, so a different ball game.

Doesn't quite track - the De Rosario Academy is affiliated and his other son (the GK, Adisa) is with TFCII.

[jloome]

Doesn't quite track - the De Rosario Academy is affiliated and his other son (the GK, Adisa) is with TFCII.

Perhaps they don't think he's shown enough, then. I would've thought he had, but I suppose he did tail off last year. Looks like he might get better at a higher level, though.

[Initial B]

I watched DeRo the younger a couple of times at ATO matches, but he didn't seem to be outplaying the opposition by a lot. I think TFC might be better looking at ATO's Ollie Basset for midfield.

[los sonadores]

How do we even line up for this? Assuming he wants tactical consistency, probably as a 4-2-3-1 again. Despite them having kaye as a twin six with bradley in all the lineup sheets the other night, he ended up being forward more than Servania.

I have no idea who he'll play at right back. O'Neill actually played there a few times when younger, so if his head pain is dealt with that's a possibility. We've seen JMR there in the past, surely he needs some playing time.

Maybe something like....

----------------Johnson----------------
JMR---Hedges---Rosted---Gutierrez
--------Servania---Bradley--------
Bernie----Vazquez----Petretta
----------Kerr

Bring Thompson in later for Vazquez and swing him over to the right, drop Bernadeschi in the hole.

Looks like a good bet given the tactical constancy probability part. And gets pretty much what’s left of our best players into the starting eleven. If it’s four at the back I could see Bernie, Ayo and Kerr up top and some pressing going on.

[Fort York Redcoat]

Perhaps they don't think he's shown enough, then. I would've thought he had, but I suppose he did tail off last year. Looks like he might get better at a higher level, though.


I watched DeRo the younger a couple of times at ATO matches, but he didn't seem to be outplaying the opposition by a lot. I think TFC might be better looking at ATO's Ollie Basset for midfield.

Atletico Ottawa. Right.
DeRo was good for York but was inconsistent. I don't think that's a recipe for an MLS chance yet. I think a trip overseas would do him good. Hope he can play here at his best.

[Mr. Inbetween]

How do we even line up for this? Assuming he wants tactical consistency, probably as a 4-2-3-1 again... I have no idea who he'll play at right back. O'Neill actually played there a few times when younger, so if his head pain is dealt with that's a possibility. We've seen JMR there in the past, surely he needs some playing time. Maybe something like....

----------------Johnson-----------
JMR---Hedges---Rosted---Gutierrez
--------Servania---Bradley--------
Bernie----Vazquez----Petretta
------------Kerr------------------

Bring Thompson in later for Vazquez and swing him over to the right, drop Bernadeschi in the hole.


Looks like a good bet given the tactical constancy probability part. And gets pretty much what’s left of our best players into the starting eleven...

Me likes, agrees, coach. Welcome the tactical constancy probability part. These lads, with all that 'Gossip' have a 'Heavy Cross' to bear...

https://youtu.be/5mQVljB7JGw

[Mr. Inbetween]

I know 'he isn't/was never' supposed to be 'The Guy/That Guy'. Still hoping for some infectious magic and a whole lotta captioned mentions of...

https://twitter.com/ImmaGonnaWeen/status/1637247304045305856

[Mr. Inbetween]

How do we even line up for this? Assuming he wants tactical consistency, probably as a 4-2-3-1 again. Despite them having kaye as a twin six with bradley in all the lineup sheets the other night, he ended up being forward more than Servania...

Noticed discrepancies lately between published line-ups; Apple vs TFC vs other? Which line-up announcement is best to be believed? For instance, against IMCF...

https://twitter.com/TorontoFC/status/1637233514796969985

In this relevant highlight, right at the start, Apple seems to get some of the player's positions even wrong...

https://twitter.com/TorontoFC/status/1637469878234800128


Internet/Google MLS Standings/Match Line-Up...
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=mls+standings#sie=m;/g/11sd8_nkpr;2;/m/0jfpf;ln;fp;1;;;

[ag futbol]

They were pretty dreadful against St. Louis' gegenpress. I still like our chances even with the missing players, but who knows? WE don't get to see the replacements in training, so who knows if they'll be fluid enough for our movement-heavy system.

All I know is Servania is one of the signings of the season. He had six successful dribbles against Miami, which for a guy known as a number eight is pretty handy.
Yes. They need to keep Servania as a starter when all the rest of our starters return. Don’t care who gets dropped from the current midfield 3. Somebody has to be on the field providing what he provides or the team gets significantly weaker.

[jloome]

Noticed discrepancies lately between published line-ups; Apple vs TFC vs other? Which line-up announcement is best to be believed? For instance, against IMCF...

In this relevant highlight, right at the start, Apple seems to get some of the player's positions even wrong...



Dude, TV never gets lineups or formations right. Just ignore it all and watch the game.

For edification, we settled defensively into a 4-2-1-3 but offensively we played a 4-1-1-1-3, basically, with the three central players positioning between the lines, one moving up in support of the forwards (usually Kaye, as Bernie's side was spearhearding and Richie was cheating up) and one sitting back all the time, usually Servania.

[OgtheDim]

I would say Apple TV people are getting the same 2 days before access that TSN used to get wherein tactics & formations are discussed.

*********

This weeks TV crew

Chris Wittyngham - ex Inter Miami pbp - he is mostly known for not using a euphemism to describe the area a ball on a player - said area most men would use a euphemism for
My past experience of him is he is....steady & neutral.


Danielle Slaton - ex SJE colour

Always liked Slaton - good tactical mind - explayer but we shall see if she can make the bridge from team pbp to league focused more neutral - she's been doing non SJE games before this one.


(no Brit commentator this week)

[OgtheDim]

Oh, and a reminder this is the stadium with the airport out the one end.... as seen in this picture from an open source video simulator (https://forum.orbxdirect.com/topic/197376-introducing-ksjc-san-jose-international-airport-for-p3dv4/)

http://screenshots.orbxsystems.com/ksjc/63-7db9421f6f0d6d723e5be39704cafdda.jpg

[los sonadores]

Oh, and a reminder this is the stadium with the airport out the one end.... as seen in this picture from an open source video simulator (https://forum.orbxdirect.com/topic/197376-introducing-ksjc-san-jose-international-airport-for-p3dv4/)

http://screenshots.orbxsystems.com/ksjc/63-7db9421f6f0d6d723e5be39704cafdda.jpg

Hmm, charming. Hope that’s the airport they’re arriving at and leaving from. Maybe a hotel on the other end of the stadium and they train on the field… very MLS to fly 7200 km total for one regular season fixture.

[Red CB Toronto]

And In-N-Out Burger is in the mall right beside it.


Oh, and a reminder this is the stadium with the airport out the one end.... as seen in this picture from an open source video simulator (https://forum.orbxdirect.com/topic/197376-introducing-ksjc-san-jose-international-airport-for-p3dv4/)

http://screenshots.orbxsystems.com/ksjc/63-7db9421f6f0d6d723e5be39704cafdda.jpg

[jloome]

I can't fathom why someone would put a stadium, an entertainment experience, next to an airport. I mean, I assumed because it's the bay area it was the only affordable land, but... yeesh. Imagine watching a match during a busy evening of flights. The roar of planes taking off would be constant, you'd think? Or is a stadium naturally loud enough to drown it out?

[Canary10]

I can't fathom why someone would put a stadium, an entertainment experience, next to an airport. I mean, I assumed because it's the bay area it was the only affordable land, but... yeesh. Imagine watching a match during a busy evening of flights. The roar of planes taking off would be constant, you'd think? Or is a stadium naturally loud enough to drown it out?

Makes me appreciate BMO more, that's for sure.

[OgtheDim]

Yeh, well just wait until they put that white elephant architectural monstrosity at Ontario Place called Therme....going to ruin the view looking south forever with a 9 story tall "spa" & rip out 2/3 of the trees.

But...hey...there will be 10K of more parking that will take 5 years to dig out underneath the current site so by the time its 2040 and the spa has gone under...there will be an even more really expensive parking option with the casino.

*********


Anyhoo....

[Mr. Inbetween]

I can't fathom why someone would put a stadium, an entertainment experience, next to an airport. I mean, I assumed because it's the bay area it was the only affordable land, but... yeesh. Imagine watching a match during a busy evening of flights. The roar of planes taking off would be constant, you'd think? Or is a stadium naturally loud enough to drown it out?

I think land availability/affordability and transportation infrastructure would be some relevant factors. I too would think open stadium and jets do not mix; be an enjoyable experience. Maybe not as uncommon as we may think. BMO is beside YTZ/Billy Bishop; no jets though! Also, IIRC, there was once discussion to build a stadium- CFL? at CYZD/Downsview (recently closed) and where TFC's Training Facility is. Do not believe SJC/San Jose is that busy; maybe several hundred flights in/out a day? Probably comparable traffic to YEG/Edmonton. Certainly not as busy as it's next door neighbor SFO/San Francisco which I suspect would be similar to YYZ/Pearson; a daily constant roar.

[ensco]

I can't fathom why someone would put a stadium, an entertainment experience, next to an airport. I mean, I assumed because it's the bay area it was the only affordable land, but... yeesh. Imagine watching a match during a busy evening of flights. The roar of planes taking off would be constant, you'd think? Or is a stadium naturally loud enough to drown it out?

Airport adjacent land is expensive. When you put a stadium near an airport, you are putting it in a good freeway access/parking/transit nexus.

In terms of noise, its fine. That airport isn’t that busy, and planes are much quieter than they used to be. The old Shea Stadium was right under the takeoff glidepath from La Guardia in NY, that was/is a busy airport! and back in the day, those old DC-9s and 727s screamed. In the upper deck at Shea, you couldn’t hear the person next to you for 10 seconds every 90 seconds. Now that was a noisy stadium.

I spent my youth at YYZ watching planes from the old parking garage at the original Terminal 1, now long gone. Modern airports with their security, and the related lack of proximity to the actual airplanes, have killed off what was a very enjoyable pastime.

I freaking LOVE San Jose's stadium.

[jloome]

Airport adjacent land is expensive. When you put a stadium near an airport, you are putting it in a good freeway access/parking/transit nexus.

In terms of noise, its fine. That airport isn’t that busy, and planes are much quieter than they used to be. The old Shea Stadium was right under the takeoff glidepath from La Guardia in NY, that was/is a busy airport! and back in the day, those old DC-9s and 727s screamed. In the upper deck at Shea, you couldn’t hear the person next to you for 10 seconds every 90 seconds. Now that was a noisy stadium.

I spent my youth at YYZ watching planes from the old parking garage at the original Terminal 1, now long gone. Modern airports with their security, and the related lack of proximity to the actual airplanes, have killed off what was a very enjoyable pastime.

I freaking LOVE San Jose's stadium.

Ah, that makes more sense. I have a scene at DC's airport in the first book of my new series, coming out in April, and it's mentioned at one point that the airport authority there has been trying to sell its adjacent industrial land for years but no takers. I saw a suggestion that it was overpriced and thought the person had to be nuts, but I guess if you're a business involved in inter-continental/international travel and shipping, it's pretty much prime.

It's good freeway access, but traditionally you want a stadium downtown, don't you? Or is that just priced out in most US cities?

[los sonadores]

Yeh, well just wait until they put that white elephant architectural monstrosity at Ontario Place called Therme....going to ruin the view looking south forever with a 9 story tall "spa" & rip out 2/3 of the trees.

But...hey...there will be 10K of more parking that will take 5 years to dig out underneath the current site so by the time its 2040 and the spa has gone under...there will be an even more really expensive parking option with the casino.

*********


Anyhoo....

Yes, whether you care about the stadium experience or the city/province, please sign the save Ontario Place petition….

[OgtheDim]

Isn't San Jose basically the Brampton of San Francisco?

[Mr. Inbetween]

Isn't San Jose basically the Brampton of San Francisco?

:jaw:

[ensco]

No, there is too much money and too much going on in San Jose. Brampton would be East Bay, not Oakland, but something near it…

[OgtheDim]

Oh, so Oakville....

[Fort York Redcoat]

Airport adjacent land is expensive. When you put a stadium near an airport, you are putting it in a good freeway access/parking/transit nexus.

In terms of noise, its fine. That airport isn’t that busy, and planes are much quieter than they used to be. The old Shea Stadium was right under the takeoff glidepath from La Guardia in NY, that was/is a busy airport! and back in the day, those old DC-9s and 727s screamed. In the upper deck at Shea, you couldn’t hear the person next to you for 10 seconds every 90 seconds. Now that was a noisy stadium.

I spent my youth at YYZ watching planes from the old parking garage at the original Terminal 1, now long gone. Modern airports with their security, and the related lack of proximity to the actual airplanes, have killed off what was a very enjoyable pastime.

I freaking LOVE San Jose's stadium.

I'm picturing ensco AND all the Earthquakers lying on the hoods of their cars in the stadium parking lot watching the planes...and the matches they put on big screen during covid lockout.

...and everyone looks like Wayne and Garth.

:)

[MDH]

I know 'he isn't/was never' supposed to be 'The Guy/That Guy'. Still hoping for some infectious magic and a whole lotta captioned mentions of...

https://twitter.com/ImmaGonnaWeen/status/1637247304045305856

I was watching another match with ref Nima Saghafi, the captions called him Cigar Fee. Gave me a chuckle.

[Red CB Toronto]

As usual with a west coast trip , TFC flew out this afternoon. Read they could be without up to 9 players this weekend. Curios to see if a TFC II short term signing is a possibility? A few TFC II types have been training with the first team to make up numbers.

[los sonadores]

As usual with a west coast trip , TFC flew out this afternoon. Read they could be without up to 9 players this weekend. Curios to see if a TFC II short term signing is a possibility? A few TFC II types have been training with the first team to make up numbers.

The five NT players, Insigne, Diomande, O’Neil… anyone else come to mind? Do we know if Gutierrez is fit enough to play?

[los sonadores]

From Beezer:

According to PFF, TFC centre back Sigurd Rosted recorded the best challenge grade in MLS match day last week against Miami, with 13 challenges won, seven tackles, six aerial duels won and one dribble defended.

[OgtheDim]

The five NT players, Insigne, Diomande, O’Neil… anyone else come to mind? Do we know if Gutierrez is fit enough to play?

Akinola

&
Tomás Romero who started last night for El Salvador

[barticusz]

From Beezer:

According to PFF, TFC centre back Sigurd Rosted recorded the best challenge grade in MLS match day last week against Miami, with 13 challenges won, seven tackles, six aerial duels won and one dribble defended.

He looked excellent to me. I love the combo between him and Hedges so far. Hedges stays back as Mr. Dependable, giving Rosted the freedom to press up and break up plays. Like everyone he makes a couple gaffes per game but otherwise, he's fit in real well.

[James17930]

So again, let's not get our hopes up here. With such a long distance to travel and so many players missing, this game is already looking a lot like a loss.

A draw would be an EXCELLENT result.

Let's certainly not get our hopes up for anything beyond that.

[ensco]

Oh, so Oakville....

No Oakville is too wealthy, white bread, suburban, small …

SJ is sort of
- Etobicoke/York (it had all the manufacturing in the Bay Area - the silicon in “Silicon Valley” refers to semiconductor chips, the original tech boom out there in the sixties, and that was all centered in SJ - HP, IBM, Xerox were all in SJ - so think industrial parts of western Toronto, Mt Dennis, Weston Road) and has older immigrant neighbourhoods (big established 75-100 year old asian and hispanic populations there), think the Junction or the neighbourhoods along Dufferin
- combined with the nicer parts of Hamilton (because its old, has some really nice older neighbourhoods, and its about an hour from SF), and the density in SJ is similar to Hamilton, less dense than Toronto. Downtown SJ feels very similar to downtown Hamilton, about the same size/scale.
- combined with the tech corridor in Mississauga, but 10x (SJ still has a ton of tech compaines, now all software, in office parks).
-SJ is much closer than SF to the important, super wealthy towns on “the peninsula”, as locals call Silicon Valley now, such Mountain View, Cupertino, and Los Gatos, where Google, Apple, and Netflix are.

San Jose is bigger than most think, nearly the size of SF itself. Its no accident that the Quakes, Sharks and now the 49ers are all based there.

(I have spent a lot of time there over the past 30 years)

[OgtheDim]

So again, let's now get our hopes up here. With such a long distance to travel and so many players missing, this game is already looking a lot like a loss.

A draw would be an EXCELLENT result.

Let's certainly not get our hopes up for anything beyond that.

Yup, typical away game in the West - any result is a bonus. No injuries, no reds.

[ensco]

^I always remember that we got results in 2016/2017 when multiple key guys were out. The Jay Chapmans stepped up.

So this is an interesting yardstick in that respect. Contenders get results in these games.

[Canary10]

^I always remember that we got results in 2016/2017 when multiple key guys were out. The Jay Chapmans stepped up.

So this is an interesting yardstick in that respect. Contenders get results in these games.

Yeah I remember a game against the Galaxy. I think Jozy and Giovinco were both out. Going in, I thought I'd be happy with a draw given it was an away game and our big scorers were out. We ended up killing them. Think Tossaint had a few goals that game, and VV as well. Seemed there was always someone who could score when needed that year.

[jloome]

Yeah I remember a game against the Galaxy. I think Jozy and Giovinco were both out. Going in, I thought I'd be happy with a draw given it was an away game and our big scorers were out. We ended up killing them. Think Tossaint had a few goals that game, and VV as well. Seemed there was always someone who could score when needed that year.

We still have some good pieces compared to San Jose and their best player, Monteiro, is out for international duty as well.

Cade Cowell is being scouted this season by half the teams in Europe, apparently, including some very big clubs, as he's still only 19(? I think) and has been starting for two years.

I wonder if our younger players will be aware of that.

[Kiwi10]

He looked excellent to me. I love the combo between him and Hedges so far. Hedges stays back as Mr. Dependable, giving Rosted the freedom to press up and break up plays. Like everyone he makes a couple gaffes per game but otherwise, he's fit in real well.

I've been impressed with his passing range so far as well. A couple dangerous ones against Miami but he should be good for some great line breaking passes this year.

[Yuushalinsky]

The reinforcements in terms of short-term signings come in Coello and Cimermancic, a Spanish and Canadian pair, both midfielders.

[Oldtimer]

(Good to see people talking about the upcoming match. I was starting to wondering if this thread was more about airport development, jet noise pollution, and Brampton vs. Oakville income levels, lol.)

It will be a good test of the team, not holding my breath for a TFC win or even a tie, but you never know. The unexpected can always happen.

[los sonadores]

Cristian Gutierrez (non-COVID illness) is also unavailable. That’s our 8th. Plus Osorio, Kaye, Ayo, Richie for Canada, Romero with El Salvador, Insigne and Diomande.

[Mr. Inbetween]

FYI... This match also seems to be on TSN4?

https://twitter.com/TorontoFC/status/1639332256421380117

[Kamp Berg]

Cristian Gutierrez (non-COVID illness) is also unavailable. That’s our 8th. Plus Osorio, Kaye, Ayo, Richie for Canada, Romero with El Salvador, Insigne and Diomande.

Isn’t O’Neill out too?

[los sonadores]

Isn’t O’Neill out too?

The National Post article linked in the roster thread doesn’t list him as being out and Bradley said last week that he had already been cleared to return to training… but maybe. The press is not good on this stuff (I’m tempted to say “these days” but was it ever? At any rate, Bradley is not one to show his hand if he can help it.)

[Bushmancan]

So this is the real test, no Oso, Mak, or LI…. Just like the end of last year. The back is better, some may say the two yutes are wiser (Thomson and JMR). Can we produce a result. Game Day… Canada at 9pm, TFC at 10:30.

[OgtheDim]

Frost warnings overnight in San Jose but game time will be 11 degrees

I suspect our guys will be mostly out there in t shirts & the San Jose guys will be wearing long sleeves.

[MikeForbes]

An 11:30pm local kickoff for me when I gotta be up at 7am probably means I will only see the first half and watch the rest on demand in the morning.

[FootBallAZ]

Not sure how I feel watching this game

With the boys in curacao .

Feel like after watching Canada play will be ugly watching toronto fc

No depth - and they knew this was happening

Imagine if they didn't get the win last game Sheesh

[Initial B]

All the fantasy socials are saying to go heavy on San Jose players, but our backline a GK are gelling. I'm taking the differentials.

[jloome]

All the fantasy socials are saying to go heavy on San Jose players, but our backline a GK are gelling. I'm taking the differentials.

We may be in tough. But I have a feeling the reason Bradley introduced that low block against Atlanta is that he knew there were games when we were going to have to sit deep and counter.

San Jose loves to run but they're not great at the interplay required to break down a compact defense. So I expect we'll sit back quite a bit.

If I had to put money down I'd probably go 1-1. I don't think we're ever out of the possibility of a draw with Bernadeschi playing.

[MikeForbes]

ACC/Servania/Bradley in the midfield.

[OgtheDim]

That's a lot of youth starting....

[Mr. Inbetween]

https://twitter.com/Total_TFC/status/1639808514225848326

[Mr. Inbetween]

O'Neill on the bench!

https://twitter.com/MichaelSingh94/status/1639808756186853378

[Amir.]

baldisimo who makes a lot of defensive mistakes starts on the other side...marcinkowski is terrible

[noxx98]

Camarero starting when we're missing two midfielders (and I guess Insigne and Akinola), really speaks to the lack of midfield depth...
Either way, we shall win. 2-1.

[Kamp Berg]

O'Neill on the bench!

https://twitter.com/MichaelSingh94/status/1639808756186853378

Nice to see O’Neill back, hopefully his head issues are resolved. I’m kind of surprised to not see Thompson starting.

[James17930]

That midfield looks ... interesting.

[James17930]

And the pitch looks atrocious.

[Mr. Inbetween]

A TFC 4-3-3 formation/starting line-up on Apple and TorontoFC; VV and Kerr flip.

[Auzzy]

Do free streams still exist?

I can't get my SSH seatmate to setup the AppleTV family sharing with me. TSN Live dropped the per-day subscription option. I really don't fell like paying for a month of service when I should be getting it for free.

I'm a bit pissed...

[James17930]

Do free streams still exist?

I can't get my SSH seatmate to setup the AppleTV family sharing with me. TSN Live dropped the per-day subscription option. I really don't fell like paying for a month of service when I should be getting it for free.

I'm a bit pissed...

Check this site:

https://sportshub.fan/

[Mr. Inbetween]

Does San Jose's new 'Supporters Terrace' = Safe Standing?

[Auzzy]

Check this site:

https://sportshub.fan/

Thanks that's awesome! Can't find one where the sound works but that's a minor detail. Stream seems good so far.

[James17930]

Thanks that's awesome! Can't find one where the sound works but that's a minor detail. Stream seems good so far.

That's weird - I never had sound issues before. Maybe keep checking different streams.

[Red CB Toronto]

Congrats to Alonso Coello Camarero on making his MLS debut, becoming the 251st player to have played at least one game for the Reds in their 17 seasons of action.

[Auzzy]

That's weird - I never had sound issues before. Maybe keep checking different streams.

I see the unmute button momentarily, but it won't let me click it. I've tried a few; I'll try again.

But the video stream is very good.

[James17930]

I see the unmute button momentarily, but it won't let me click it. I've tried a few; I'll try again.

But the video stream is very good.

Usually you have to click unmute 3 or 4 times, and each time it opens a pop-up, before you can get to the sound

So you might have to allow pop-ups with your ad blocker to get it to work.

[Auzzy]

Usually you have to click unmute 3 or 4 times, and each time it opens a pop-up, before you can get to the sound

So you might have to allow pop-ups with your ad blocker to get it to work.

Thanks great tip! The first stream I was watching that didn't work at all; just endless popups w/o ever enabling the controls. However the 2nd stream now finally lets the controls work after clicking about 3 times.

[Yuushalinsky]

Coello looks not bad.

[James17930]

Thanks great tip! The first stream I was watching that didn't work at all; just endless popups w/o ever enabling the controls. However the 2nd stream now finally lets the controls work after clicking about 3 times.

Great!

[MDH]

Victor Vasquez is like a drug. Calms me. Watching him wander around with the ball at his feet completely unworried and unrushed is a thing I didn't know I missed so much.

[TFC1986]

21 mins in...I think TFC will get the win

[Kamp Berg]

Victor Vasquez is like a drug. Calms me. Watching him wander around with the ball at his feet completely unworried and unrushed is a thing I didn't know I missed so much.

No doubt!

[James17930]

JMR has also been much better tonight than any game last year.

[OgtheDim]

These are two mid table teams...we look the more dangerous.

[rydermike]

Coello would be a solid option to have as depth for us, but having to use an international player slot probably prevents that.

[noxx98]

Coello would be a solid option to have as depth for us, but having to use an international player slot probably prevents that.
He's spent a number of years in the US already. Wonder if that qualified him for a green card. Agreed that he's been good.

[Amir.]

the usual 433 with a madrid-barcelona duo on the left side with vazquez at wing and coello at mid

[OgtheDim]

Yeh, this is a game where the second half tactical changes will be the difference.

[Mr. Inbetween]

What I am noticing is some kid in a white kit and bright orange boots doing, doing and just doing; Marky-esque?

[JoesphNdo]

I would argue that's the best half of football we've produced this season

[Kamp Berg]

Been impressed with Coello

[Slick]

Not a bad first half. Ball is moving around quickly. You can tell the team is starting to gel.

[jloome]

Coehlo has been good but he really does lumber. Not a fast player. Very good read of the game though, decent touch.

Servania and JMR both playing well.

I think we're generally playing okay. There are just enough shortcomings on each team that I can see it going either way but we've generally been more dangerous.

Really enthused by how well JMR has done.

[MDH]

Boring match, which is perfectly fine in a long, time change away match. First 25 mins Servania was the best player for either team, then got lost a little. Would love to see more of an attempt to get Vasquez and Bernie on the same side with the ball. They're the only two I see creating a difference making moment. San Jose are playing weak meandering footy, I feel for them.

[jloome]

The commentators are fucking atrocious though. I mean, fucking amateur hour.

[ag futbol]

Been impressed with Coello
Yeah. I think he’s doing a decent job integrating himself without getting in the way of the broader team.

[Yuushalinsky]

these announcers are coping hard as homers for the Quakes - if they think San Jose has been THAT good compared to Toronto they must be dreaming

[Amir.]

Bradley has to act fast once Vazquez and others gas out...cant have players not running back in this kind of game

[MDH]

Really enthused by how well JMR has done.

He hasn't hurt us but I'm not sure I see it. Not trying to bring him down cause he was fine, but I feel he takes bad routes to every ball. And stands still after passing in the final third. I wish he had more Richie in him. Luckily I think he's still about 13 so lots of time to fill out his game.

[ag futbol]

The commentators are fucking atrocious though. I mean, fucking amateur hour.


Watching this one on Mute. It’s not bad

[tfcfans]

Not happy with a potential injury to the back line —- a quiet first half was great, can they do it for a whole game and somehow get an incredible result considering the circumstances of this lineup and this west coast trip?!

[PizzaEatingYeti]

Free streams issue question:

In days when there is just Apple TV bruadcast for TFC games, all free stream sites (I have at least 8 of these on my list) have a very bad picture quality, very blurry.
But for ex today, when I could get TSN on a free stream, the image quality is great, like it was alway before Apple TV appeared in connexion to MLS.
Anyone experiences the same?

Why are Apple TV broadcasts everywhere blurry on these free stream sites, they have some software built in to make bad every "illegal" sharing?

[JoesphNdo]

I cannot express the sheer joy I get from watching Vasquez do his thing in a Tfc jersey again. I know he's not a starter every week anymore but man his football brain is so far ahead of anyone else I've ever seen for us

[Amir.]

Alert to Bob Bradley: NOW is the time to make subs

[OgtheDim]

The commentators are fucking atrocious though. I mean, fucking amateur hour.

Uh, listen to Wheeler... that's amateur hour.
Yeh, not impressed with these two - way too many references to their discussion points.
I did notice this seemed to be homer week as many of the crews are with their former teams.

[JoesphNdo]

I'd take this commentary team of any with Caldwell in it to be honest. They're fine, I don't dislike them at all

[OgtheDim]

San Jose doesn't press that much which is making it easier for our midfield to cope with the inexperience.

[James17930]

Free streams issue question:

In days when there is just Apple TV bruadcast for TFC games, all free stream sites (I have at least 8 of these on my list) have a very bad picture quality, very blurry.
But for ex today, when I could get TSN on a free stream, the image quality is great, like it was alway before Apple TV appeared in connexion to MLS.
Anyone experiences the same?

Why are Apple TV broadcasts everywhere blurry on these free stream sites, they have some software built in to make bad every "illegal" sharing?

Did you try this site:

https://sportshub.fan/

Auzzy said the quality is good.

[Auzzy]

Did you try this site:

https://sportshub.fan/

Auzzy said the quality is good.

Yes it's good, but it's from TSN though (so includes Caldwell, ugh).

I hadn't tried free streams yet this season. So the other poster says when only Apple is showing a game, the free streams are bad.

[noxx98]

Really good work by JMR the past couple mins to win the ball a few times and make some solid progressive passes. Good to see.

[Amir.]

Vazquez is walking

[MDH]

Really good work by JMR the past couple mins to win the ball a few times and make some solid progressive passes. Good to see.

Yeah honestly he's had a banger of a second half so far. 🙋

[Amir.]

It takes a post an inch away from san jose scoring for bradley to finally act and pull vazquez

[MDH]

It takes a post an inch away from san jose scoring for bradley to finally act and pull vazquez

He was offside, wouldn't have counted. Is okay

[noxx98]

The Vazquez substitution probably came about 10 minutes too late, but I understand wanting to keep him on for experience. We know what the team looked like last year when it was filled with inexperience.

[James17930]

We're starting to look tired. Committing stupid fouls.

[PizzaEatingYeti]

Did you try this site:

https://sportshub.fan/

Auzzy said the quality is good.

Yes, I am watching on this one a TSN stream.
The site has up 6 streams, only 1 is TSN, all others are Apple, and all those are very bad quality.

My point is that in days when is there only Apple for TFC, no matter where you look on free stream sites, all streams will be bad, becase all will have just the Apple stream.

[Amir.]

bernardeschi is losing too many balls and commits a foul in the defensive third

[ag futbol]

This woman is boring as shit.

[noxx98]

bernardeschi is losing too many balls and commits a foul in the defensive third
I'm guessing he feels like he needs to do everything without Insigne/Oso/Richie/Akinola etc. Anytime he gets the ball he's being doubled or triple teamed. Probably very frustrated.

[James17930]

Yes, I am watching on this one a TSN stream.
The site has up 6 streams, only 1 is TSN, all others are Apple, and all those are very bad quality.

My point is that in days when is there only Apple for TFC, no matter where you look on free stream sites, all streams will be bad, becase all will have just the Apple stream.

Ah, I see.

[Bushmancan]

Thats a goal on Bono

[Yuushalinsky]

we'll start the car on this one, down with a point. Good 1st half, bad 2nd one.

[James17930]

Can't complain about this performance. Point on the west coast, clean sheet. We looked pretty good with a depleted squad.

[tfcfans]

Start the car!

[noxx98]

Thought we were the better team, but take the point given the circumstances. A clean sheet!

[JoesphNdo]

That's a really good point. Really strong first half, rode our luck pretty big in the second but in the circumstances a point in this match is fantastic

[tfcfans]

I think every TFC fan would have taken a 0-0 draw before this game started, taking into account all of the circumstances — this is what (dare I say it), good teams do —- see games out and get a result when they are not at their best…

[MDH]

This woman is boring as shit.

Her name is Danielle. Danielle is boring as shit. Show some respect 😉

[Oldtimer]

The late save by Johnson saved a point. Apart from that shot the game looked like it was going to be a 0-0 game.

[Yuushalinsky]

The announcers were so biased it made Fox News look balanced. Painful to listen to.

[jloome]

we'll start the car on this one, down with a point. Good 1st half, bad 2nd one.

Every time Tommy Thompson got near the ball and flubbed it or cried a little, I thought "why is a 12-year-old girl on the pitch?"

We did okay. Much better in the first half.

Bernadeschi is a mercurial player. He's so dangerous on the ball but he was very late defensively for much of the game and tried too many one-on-one dribbles.

Still, he didn't have a lot of help offensively so I can see him trying to just win it.

The kids were good. Coello didn't look out of place at all, Franklin was okay, JMR was good although didn't offer much going forward.

Start the car, take the point, wave bye bye to californi-ay.

[ag futbol]

Coello should get a first team deal. That was a solid outing.

Fun game to watch. Lack of a real threat up front is still holding this team back.

[Areathrasher]

Rutty and the new Spanish lad impressed me a lot.

Can't really complain about the result. Clean sheet is great

[PizzaEatingYeti]

Strange...
After too many seasons when the defense was the main problem for TFC, I feel that this season the goal scoring will be our main problem.

[Amir.]

Not a bad point but could have been a win aganst a weak mls side...vazquez should have been a second half sub going against a tired defense (and their cb going up a lot) to have a better chance to do something...doesnt have more than 45 in his legs...if you start him you gotta pull him after 45 or have him walking around in the second

[Mr. Inbetween]

...Bernadeschi is a mercurial player. He's so dangerous on the ball but he was very late defensively for much of the game and tried too many one-on-one dribbles. Still, he didn't have a lot of help offensively so I can see him trying to just win it...

My worry TFC/we may expect the wrong kind of magic from him. He's not really a known dribbler. Gets opponents on his first move/cut, spurt, speed, and of course shot. I realize it is early days/matches but there is real hope, especially defensively. IIUC, in 5 matches TFC have given up 5 goals. Last year in 34 matches they gave up 66 goals. The current rate suggests a -48.5% reduction; a halving! If maintained that is mathematically playoffs progress.

[Yuushalinsky]

My worry TFC/we may expect the wrong kind of magic from him. He's not really a known dribbler. Gets opponents on his first move/cut, spurt, speed, and of course shot. I realize it is early days/matches but there is real hope, especially defensively. IIUC, in 5 matches TFC have given up 5 goals. Last year in 34 matches they gave up 66 goals. The current rate suggests a -48.5% reduction; a halving! If maintained that is mathematically playoffs progress.
If we go from -19 to +14, that's playoffs baby.

[leedsandTFC]

tfc have conceded 2 goals in the past 4 games.

[Mr. Inbetween]

Does anyone have an update, know why, Petretta was subbed?

[Mr. Inbetween]

I know TFC's MOM is SJ, well deserved, but I thought Servania, despite a few gaffs this match, played exceptional; his best, given who were missing. Also, by a mostly 'not noticing default', ACC had a great MLS debut.

[Mr. Inbetween]

Does Kosi Thompson even wear shin guards? Toddler maybe?

[Mr. Inbetween]

https://twitter.com/mclachbot/status/1639850817854357504

[los sonadores]

Missing 5 starters to begin with and ending the match with 4 teenagers on the pitch and a fifth young player making his MLS debut… a point on the distant road and a clean sheet looks great.

Not especially happy with which kids we let go before the season began but I’m glad Kerr stuck around. He showed a lot of promise last season (when we played well enough for anyone to show promise, that is). Also, good for JMR to get a match and play well.

[khso11]

Coello was amazing, passing was crisp, no bs, looks to be a smart player. Give this guy more chances.

[MikeForbes]

Looks like I picked a good game to miss.

[OgtheDim]

So nice to have a defence where you don't expect a brain fart - Rosted & Hedges are so solid

[OgtheDim]

Watching the second half - we were the better team for the first 22 - our finishing wasn't as good as it usually is.

[oranje boven]

I also thought JMR looked pretty good, I really hope for him. Another player that I noticed was Franklin, I thought he looked pretty composed. Such a strange feeling that our back line and keeper is our strength, when have we been able to say that? If I had a wish besides Insigne healthy is a striker that can put a head on a ball and chip in those chippy loose balls into the goal.

[jloome]

I just get a generally optimistic sense after that game. It really looks like they're all starting to understand and buy into the system. JMR was solid, Franklin was solid, Coello was a revelation.

Our defense has two-straight shutouts(!). I mean, Toronto with two shutouts in a row. Has Hell frozen over?

Our defense looks genuinely competent -- good, even -- for the first time in years. Petretta had trouble with Alvarez in the first half and looked like he was going to lose his shit for fouls a few times. I wonder if that's why he was taken off.

Vazquez did fine but his movement limitations were in full view. With him staying high and Bernie rarely tracking back we basically defended with 8-9 outfielders much of the time.

The forward stuff was weird. They had him as a free role, I suspect, but we generally had very little linkup in that end. I think with no speed on the left, no Oso and no Richie on the overlap, for the most part, we did about as well as could be expected.

[ManUtd4ever]

We got lucky a couple of times, but overall, it was a solid defensive effort on the road with a shorthanded lineup. JMR looked fantastic.

[Mr. Inbetween]

I just get a generally optimistic sense after that game. It really looks like they're all starting to understand and buy into the system... Our defense looks genuinely competent -- good, even -- for the first time in years. Petretta had trouble with Alvarez in the first half and looked like he was going to lose his shit for fouls a few times. I wonder if that's why he was taken off...

I thought something was off also. It seems he may have suffered a knock/got injured. According to TFC Post Game Interview with BB @ circa 5:40secs... 'felt something on a sprint'...

https://www.torontofc.ca/video/postgame-sound-bob-bradley-march-25-2023#postgame-sound-bob-bradley-march-25-2023

[Oldtimer]

So nice to have a defence where you don't expect a brain fart - Rosted & Hedges are so solid

Most notably San Jose plays wide, which would have caused problems earlier in the season, but their positioning and play, while not perfect was generally solid. It's been a while since TFC'S defence has been this organized.

[jloome]

Coello was amazing, passing was crisp, no bs, looks to be a smart player. Give this guy more chances.

From TFC's piece today:
Coello Camarero joined TFC II in the build-up to the 2022 season. Born in Madrid, Spain, he came through the youth systems of Atlético Madrid and Rayo Vallecano before coming to North America to play at Florida Atlantic University.

So... that explains that. He's only a few years out of a La Liga youth program.

[los sonadores]

From TFC's piece today:
Coello Camarero joined TFC II in the build-up to the 2022 season. Born in Madrid, Spain, he came through the youth systems of Atlético Madrid and Rayo Vallecano before coming to North America to play at Florida Atlantic University.

So... that explains that. He's only a few years out of a La Liga youth program.

Joined the Atletico youth program at 6. At 17 he was playing for the Rayo Vallecano youth “A” team. “A gem in the Rayo quarry” according to a club article.

Was to play with Portland’s under 23s in 2020 but the season was cancelled due to covid. Seems he was taking lower league gigs while working his way through a college degree.

[jloome]

Joined the Atletico youth program at 6. At 17 he was playing for the Rayo Vallecano youth “A” team. “A gem in the Rayo quarry” according to a club article.

Was to play with Portland’s under 23s in 2020 but the season was cancelled due to covid. Seems he was taking lower league gigs while working his way through a college degree.

Man, they were astute on him. What a crisp midfielder. He sort of has a lumbering pace -- or maybe was a little leggy from lack of game time -- but he finds space beautifully and knows where he's going with the ball before it gets there.

[los sonadores]

Man, they were astute on him. What a crisp midfielder. He sort of has a lumbering pace -- or maybe was a little leggy from lack of game time -- but he finds space beautifully and knows where he's going with the ball before it gets there.

Didn’t see enough of the match to judge his pace but at least he’s of a certain size, 6’ 1”, 6’ 2”.

[James17930]

Yes, Camarero was certainly the biggest surprise of the game – slots right into the midfield, plays the full 90, no muss, no fuss. But it was only one game. Remember how we were all so high in Luke Singh after his first game, and then he got signed to a first team contract ... and now look. I don't even know where he is.

But ... if we allow ourselves a little bit of wistful optimism ... could Camarero and Servania, actually be ... the future? Imagine those two along with Oso. Seems tempting.

[los sonadores]

Yes, Camarero was certainly the biggest surprise of the game – slots right into the midfield, plays the full 90, no muss, no fuss. But it was only one game. Remember how we were all so high in Luke Singh after his first game, and then he got signed to a first team contract ... and now look. I don't even know where he is.

But ... if we allow ourselves a little bit of wistful optimism ... could Camarero and Servania, actually be ... the future? Imagine those two along with Oso. Seems tempting.

Too early to tell with Alonso Coello but he’s got serious pedigree, and seems to have been something of a midfield lynchpin wherever he’s played.

He must be an extremely hard worker to have done college in three years while captaining his college team and at the same time taking up US2 loans.

Hopefully, Bob signs him in a timely fashion (whenever that might be) and gives him a real shot to stay.