Toronto FC vs. Columbus Crew -- Official Game Thread

[James17930]

vs.



COLUMBUS CREW vs TORONTO FC
COLUMBUS CREW STADIUM, Columbus, Ohio
March 28, 2009 (WEEK 2) / MLS Game #8
4 p.m. ET (ONN; Gol TV Canada)

The Columbus Crew and Toronto FC resume their Trillium Cup rivalry when the two meet in Columbus on Saturday, in what is expected to be a tremendous atmosphere with the invasion of thousands of TFC supporters from Canada. The Crew began defense of their MLS title last weekend with a late 1-1 draw in Houston, while Toronto FC opened a season with a victory for the first time, defeating the Kansas City Wizards 3-2 on the road.

REFEREE: Michael Kennedy. SAR (bench): Sean Hurd; JAR (opposite): Peter Balciunas; 4th: Hilario Grajeda
MLS Career: 107 games; FC/gm: 31.3; Y/gm: 3.9; R: 19; pens: 41

INJURY REPORT: COLUMBUS CREW -- OUT: MF Pat Noonan (lower back strain); QUESTIONABLE: MF Robbie Rogers (L hamstring strain) ... TORONTO FC - OUT: FW O'Brian White (knee); QUESTIONABLE: DF Nana Attakora-Gyan (hip flexor)
INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: CLB: Frankie Hejduk (USA; vs El Salvador, March 28); Alejandro Moreno (Venezuela; vs Argentina, March 28); Duncan Oughton (New Zealand; vs Thailand, March 28) ... TOR: Amado Guevara (Honduras; vs Trinidad & Tobago, March 28); Carl Robinson (Wales; vs Finland, March 28)
SUSPENDED: none

More Match Info

[James17930]

Okay -- let's get some formation talk going. I would like to see this:

Barrett . . . . . Vitti

........De Ro.........

Smith . . . . . . . .Ricketts

.......Cronin..........

Jimmy . Serioux . Harmse . Wynne

.........Frei............

I don't know why we haven't seen more of Smith in pre-season. We know he did have a bit of an injury, so maybe it was more serious than we knew, but if he's fit, I think him coming down the left will be fantastic.

[StandUpIfYouHateChelsea]

COME ON YOU FUCKING REDS god , so pumped already!

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Okay -- let's get some formation talk going. I would like to see this:

Barrett . . . . . Vitti

........De Ro.........

Smith . . . . . . . .Ricketts

.......Cronin..........

Jimmy . Serioux . Harmse . Wynne

.........Frei............

I don't know why we haven't seen more of Smith in pre-season. We know he did have a bit of an injury, so maybe it was more serious than we knew, but if he's fit, I think him coming down the left will be fantastic.

i suspect that is what we will see (maybe Ibbe in for Smith).
I think that Carver perhaps believes Smith has a ways to go as far as technique is concerned (rightfully so), that being said i wouldnt be surprised to see him on the wing.

[loconet]

It's game day boys!!

Pre-game show is up on TFC TV.

http://torontofc.neulion.com/tfc/con...catid=2&id=471

[Kooper]

It's game day boys!!

Pre-game show is up on TFC TV.

http://torontofc.neulion.com/tfc/con...catid=2&id=471

fast forward to 5minutes to miss the coverage of the Germany pregame coverage.

[mclaren]

I don't think Smith will be starting.

[rocker]

I definitely want to see Vitti and Barrett up front (not Dichio). I watched the Columbus-Houston game and I think Chad Marshall can handle the physicality of Dichio... The Columbus defense isn't mobile, and neither is Dichio... so a good match for them. But with some creativity and movement, I think the Columbus defense will stumble and get caught flatfooted (Houston's goal was a good example of using creativity and quick passing to put the Columbus defense on its heels). I think Vitti and Barrett can provide that... not to mention De Ro feeding them.

[mclaren]

I definitely want to see Vitti and Barrett up front (not Dichio). I watched the Columbus-Houston game and I think Chad Marshall can handle the physicality of Dichio... The Columbus defense isn't mobile, and neither is Dichio... so a good match for them. But with some creativity and movement, I think the Columbus defense will stumble and get caught flatfooted (Houston's goal was a good example of using creativity and quick passing to put the Columbus defense on its heels). I think Vitti and Barrett can provide that... not to mention De Ro feeding them.

agreed - Marshall will be able to defend Dichio better - as you say, I think he would be a lot less comfortable against the pace and guile of Vitti.

[forza_tfc]

Two quick guys up front (Barrett & Vitti) with DeRo sitting in behind could give defenders fits. My biggest worry is Cronin taking over from Robbo. I think he can stop guys and has good pace, but I'm not sure about his passing just yet. A good showing by Cronin today might solidify his place in the starting lineup.

[Nuvinho]

Toronto FC game preview on GolTV at 10:30am today!!

[koryo]

I don't see Smith starting...ever. As for Cronin, Carver intends him to take over from Robbo in the coming years. Today is a yard stick of how far he has to go.

I like Barrett & Vitti up front.

I'll be happy with a draw today - very pleasantly surprised with all three points.

[loconet]

Two quick guys up front (Barrett & Vitti) with DeRo sitting in behind could give defenders fits. My biggest worry is Cronin taking over from Robbo. I think he can stop guys and has good pace, but I'm not sure about his passing just yet. A good showing by Cronin today might solidify his place in the starting lineup.

As much as I appreciate Robbo's solid presence in the lower midfield and the heart he brings to this team, I don't think he's the greatest distributer of balls either. If Cronin deviates from Robbo's usual up the field long balls, which usually results in loss of possession, I think we'll be ok.

[mclaren]

Good triple header on match centre today:

4 p.m. The Reds
7:30 p.m. D.C
10:30 p.m. Seattle

Should all be decent games with good atmospheres.

[GBV]

as far as "free gol tv" goes -- is anyone else currently getting a black screen for the channel?

mildly worried.

[mclaren]

as far as "free gol tv" goes -- is anyone else currently getting a black screen for the channel?

mildly worried.

go for match centre, quality feed and live and archived.

[Nazzer]

Anyone know who is broadcasting the game tonight?

[koryo]

as far as "free gol tv" goes -- is anyone else currently getting a black screen for the channel?

mildly worried.

Funny that, because we have it free (Rogers).

[koryo]

Anyone know who is broadcasting the game tonight?

GOL TV. 7pm (tape-delay)

[Sab0tage]

Match Centre is broadcasting the game live, correct? No tape delays or black outs?

[cementhead]

From the Hotel at 10:30AM!

[Nazzer]

Match Centre is broadcasting the game live, correct? No tape delays or black outs?

Is match centre free?

[DVS]

i think match centre is 20 bucks for the year

[Sab0tage]

Is match centre free?

$20 bucks for the season, $5 for a day.

[redrocket08]

Apparently the TFC TV live stream will also be 800kps but have the home commentary and it's free.

[Sab0tage]

Apparently the TFC TV live stream will also be 800kps but have the home commentary and it's free.

Really? Where did you hear that? For some reason I thought the one on TFC TV would like a webcam stream, sort of like what it was like in Charleston?

[redrocket08]

Thew team website:

If you can't wait until 7:00 p.m. to see the T.V. broadcast, you can follow the match online or on the radio. Toronto FC TV will be streaming the GolTV feed of the match live at 4:00 p.m. on TorontoFC.ca. You will only be able to access the live stream from Canada.

http://toronto.fc.mlsnet.com/news/te....jsp&team=t280

[mclaren]

Apparently the TFC TV live stream will also be 800kps but have the home commentary and it's free.

really? usually TFC TV is crappy quality.

[Sab0tage]

Thew team website:

If you can't wait until 7:00 p.m. to see the T.V. broadcast, you can follow the match online or on the radio. Toronto FC TV will be streaming the GolTV feed of the match live at 4:00 p.m. on TorontoFC.ca. You will only be able to access the live stream from Canada.

http://toronto.fc.mlsnet.com/news/te....jsp&team=t280

Awesome, thanks for posting it. I figured that it wouldn't be the best quality on TFC TV.

[Red CB Toronto]

From the Hotel at 10:30AM!

Those are from nice pics, what hotel you guys at, looks nice.