Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Toronto FC - Pregame

[Nuvinho]

This could be a tricky game. We have played so many games in the past few weeks, and more coming up. The away DC game this weekend will definately make CC think twice about his starting XI.

Don't know much about Vancouver this year, I know they made a lot of changes to get younger.

Projected XI:

======================Sutton====================== ===

Nana===========Serioux=============Velez=========B rennan

===================Robbo======Cronin============== ====

=========================DeRo===================== ==

Ricketts========================================== =Vitti

=======================Dichio===================== ===

I know people will be calling for Guevara and Barrett to start, but we have some big games coming up, and should get the rest of our squad some action.

[RealG-TFC]

Why Sutton?

[Nuvinho]

Why Sutton?

I am just assuming like how teams put their backup keeper in for Cup games, that we may do the same. But at the same time, I wouldn't be suprised if we play with our A-lineup, as I think this tourney the club really wants to win (ie. more home games )

[SteeltownBhoy]

Vancouver coming off 2 straight wins, but a young rebuilding team. That residency program is outstanding. That being said I believe anything but 3 points would be unacceptable.

[Yohan]

Why Sutton?

because Sutton deserves a game after being patient and a pro about Frei being first choice right now

Giving Sutton few games keeps him happy

I'd like to see

-------------Sutton
--Wynne--Serioux--Velez--Attakora-Gyan
-------Cronin---------Robinson
----Ibrahim---DeRosario---Ricketts
-------------Vitti

Subs: Frei, Harmse, Brennan, Guevara, Smith, Barrett, Dichio

[ensco]

Jeff Parke debuted last night

http://www.canada.com/Sports/Waiting...210/story.html

[SteeltownBhoy]

Sutton needs some work, we will need him some time this year. Lots of games, short period of time, night game, probably cool. This is a good time to rest Frei, and not risk injury. Lets be realistic Sutton will probably be #1 again, maybe next year. We all know Frei will be on to bigger and better things. Mo, just don't sell him to Rangers.

[mighty_torontofc_2008]

because Sutton deserves a game after being patient and a pro about Frei being first choice right now

Giving Sutton few games keeps him happy

I'd like to see

-------------Sutton
--Wynne--Serioux--Velez--Attakora-Gyan
-------Cronin---------Robinson
----Ibrahim---DeRosario---Ricketts
-------------Vitti

Subs: Frei, Harmse, Brennan, Guevara, Smith, Barrett, Dichio

you could say the same for Edwards?? Frei should still be it as this
might be considered an important game.....
Frei
Wynne......Serioux........Velez......Cronin
......Robinson.....Guevara......Ricketts

Barrett.....Vitti.......Ibby

Subs....Edwards....Harmse...Brennan...Dichio....De Ro...

[sully]

After what happened last season, I think a full strenght team will be put out, regardless of upcoming difficult league fixtures. Whereas there was some complacency last season, I think the pressure is on to allow no mistakes and not to have a repeat.

[kodiakTFC]

All I have to say is this, we better win.

[ensco]

From an economic point of view, TFC is more motivated by these CC games than by league games.

Play well in 30 MLS games, and you're guaranteed one home playoff game.

Play well in 4 CC games, and you're guaranteed one CC home game.

You get the same potential reward from far fewer games in CC, so it's worth taking very seriously.

Plus it's embarassing to lose to these teams.

They'll play the best XI Wednesday

[RicoSuave44]

^^^^^ Add to that the fact that TFC doesn't have to share any gate revenue with MLS for the the NCC and CCL matches. I don't think so anyway

[ensco]

^^^^^ Add to that the fact that TFC doesn't have to share any gate revenue with MLS for the the NCC and CCL matches. I don't think so anyway

I forgot about that. Great point!

[T_Mizz]

you could say the same for Edwards?? Frei should still be it as this
might be considered an important game.....
Frei
Wynne......Serioux........Velez......Attakora-Gyan
Cronin........Robinson
Guevara.....Ricketts.......
Barrett.....Vitti.......Ibby

Subs....Edwards....Harmse...Brennan...Dichio....De Ro...

or we can field an 11 man team as per the laws of the game

[twistedchinaman]

Last five games:

Vancouver: DLDWW
TFC: DLWWD

Hot and cold for us and them, it's probably about who's gonna be the one who finds the spark. Vancouver though...Martin Nash will be the one. He's burned us once, let's not let him do it again.

[Super]

So we're both undefeated in 3.

Either way, we should slaughter them at home. Not just because we're MLS and they are USL, but because we will have a stadium full of people wanting revenge.

[RPB_RED_NATION_RPB]

cant wait....t'll weds.....8:00pm start


Pre game at joe's ???

[mighty_torontofc_2008]

or we can field an 11 man team as per the laws of the game

oops....

[mastermixer]

Sutton needs some work, we will need him some time this year. Lots of games, short period of time, night game, probably cool. This is a good time to rest Frei, and not risk injury. Lets be realistic Sutton will probably be #1 again, maybe next year. We all know Frei will be on to bigger and better things. Mo, just don't sell him to Rangers.

sad but true

[Hustle]

Yes, Frei could be gone next year, so lets use him every chance we can now.

[SteeltownBhoy]

How much do you think Mo and MLS could PIMP Frei out for????

Keepers are worth there weight in gold I assume.

Jesus maybe we can get enough for GRASS AND A ROOF. (note biting sarcasm)

[FluSH]

From an economic point of view, TFC is more motivated by these CC games than by league games.

Play well in 30 MLS games, and you're guaranteed one home playoff game.

Play well in 4 CC games, and you're guaranteed one CC home game.

Exactly... and can you imagine a team like Club America, Atlas, or Saprissa coming to BMO Field for one of these tourney games... There wouldn't be enough room in 104/105 for their supporters... I mean they would have to have seating in the Beer Garden.

[SteeltownBhoy]

Because the CCL spot is assigned by the CSA, you can't tell me that they would not get a share of any home game gate. And while you would not think MLS would be entitled to any money, who knows!!!! What if TFC made the World Cub Championship???? If they won any prize money would CONCACAF and Warner get his money grubbing hands on it??
Inquiring minds want to know.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

prob a stupid question but does anyone know if thisll have a live feed or whatever.
Itll be on at 7 am here and im willing to get up and watch it but itd be a bitch if i got up and it wasnt available...

[Jeffro]

because Sutton deserves a game after being patient and a pro about Frei being first choice right now

Giving Sutton few games keeps him happy

I'd like to see

-------------Sutton
--Wynne--Serioux--Velez--Attakora-Gyan
-------Cronin---------Robinson
----Ibrahim---DeRosario---Ricketts
-------------Vitti

Subs: Frei, Harmse, Brennan, Guevara, Smith, Barrett, Dichio

Nice line up. Not sure about Nana on the left though...

[Cashcleaner]

I think Cummins is going to field the 1st stringers and sub out the heavy hitters like Guevara and Dichio over the course of the game in favour for some playing time for the younger guys. There's no doubt in my mind that Cummins is going to push for a very aggressive first-half attack and defend the early lead.

[Redcoe15]

MUST---KILL---VANCOUVER

[Yohan]

Nice line up. Not sure about Nana on the left though...

gotta train someone to provide cover for Jimmy B on left... Nana seems to be versatile defender.

I suppose there's Gala, but we really haven't seen much of him to judge

[Oldtimer]

I would use Sutton for the Voyageurs Cup games, because as a Canadian, he understands how important it is to beat Vancouver and Montreal. It seems like the Americans and other foreigners on our team don't seem to understand the depth of meaning those games have for us. It's not a "friendly" by any means.

For a similar reason I would use Harmse ahead of Velez, even though Velez is playing better this year.

[Steve]

I'm thinking this lineup:

-------------Sutton-------------
-Wynne--Harmse-Serioux-Brennan
------Robinson----Cronin---------
-------------DeRo---------------
---Vitti------Dichio------Barrett--

This gives guys like Sutton and Harmse a chance to play and get back in the lineup. Since I don't see either as a huge downgrade from our starters, I don't see it as playing second stringers. Additionally, they are Canadian, so might have more pride to play for. (edit: haha Oldtimer just beat me to the exact same conclusion!)

Guevara I can see starting on the bench. I don't see him being up for the Canadian Championships as much for some reason (don't ask me why) and he could use a midweek break. By sitting Guevara, we get a chance to see our 4-3-3 with DeRo as the midfield general, which I'd like to see. Since DeRo is Canadian, and Guevara might not be as up for it, we can make this change without hurting Guevara's feelings (which I think would ruin him as a player for us).

Depending on how the first half goes, these are the subs I want to see:

TFC is Losing, playing through the middle is working but we haven't put one away yet: Guevara comes on for Robinson or Cronin. Switch to a 4-1-2-3 (instead of 4-2-1-3)

TFC is losing, we're getting choked out in the middle: Ricketts for Dichio. Ricketts pushes out to the right, Barrett to the left, DeRo plays withdrawn striker behind Vitti.

TFC Winning by 1: Like for like to get fresh legs on if needed. Velez for DeRo in the closing minutes, which pushes Harmse up to top of the mid. Keep Dichio/Vitti/Barrett on if their legs can handle it, as all contribute hugely to the defense.

TFC winning by more than 1: Ricketts on for Dichio, Ibby on for Barrett. Dichio needs to be out to rest him, Barrett same, and since Barrett has scored twice this year, no point in keeping him on to get a confidence goal. Keep Vitti out because he needs to pop his cherry. Move to a 4-4-2 cup formation with Ricketts and Ibby on the wings, DeRo and Vitti up top.

There we go, an entire game guide