Pre/In/Post - Game 9: Toronto at Colorado, Sat 5 May, 9pm

[Yohan]

We will see what this team is made out of by the response they put out for this game.

TFC has never been really good at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. The altitude is a bitch to deal with, esp considering TFC played on Wed. Tired legs plus altitude and fitness is going to be an issue.

Colorado has the worst injury crisis ever, and essentially playing with their 'B' team right now. Even then, they are getting results, backstopped by Clint Irwin who is putting on a show on goal. Unlucky to get only a draw at Houston for their last game. I wouldn't underestimate Colorado.

A draw would be a fantastic result. But all I want to see is TFC to play with some pride

[Marc"2L"]

This game should tell us a lot about where we'll end up at the end of the summer, we need points if we want to flirt with the playoffs and ultimately drop off in August.

[OgtheDim]

We could do with an early goal created through nice link up play and a fine shot.

[TFC07]

Must win game now! Draws aren't good enough anymore if we want to make it to the playoffs. After last game, I except the players to be playing with a lot of heart and pride.

[Auzzy]

Playoffs? Yhgtbfkm!

[TFC07]

Playoffs? Yhgtbfkm!

Why not? If we can somehow manage to stay close to playoff race and get quality players during the summer time, then it's possible we can squeeze in the last playoff spot in the east.

[Ultra & Proud]

Why not? If we can somehow manage to stay close to playoff race and get quality players during the summer time, then it's possible we can squeeze in the last playoff spot in the east.

Because this is supposed to be a building year and the last thing I personally want to see is us try to load up pricey players in the summer to take a run at it and then be stuck with overpaid shite. For reference look at our first 6 seasons.

[TFC07]

Because this is supposed to be a building year and the last thing I personally want to see is us try to load up pricey players in the summer to take a run at it and then be stuck with overpaid shite. For reference look at our first 6 seasons.

We already signed one DP and there's more players (including a rumour DP) coming during the summer. When comes to signing players, I think KP has done a decent job of getting players for good deals (though I personally don't like transfer fee for Laba, but he only counts $200K in salary cap). We have to trust KP and his abilities to sign players without killing cap space.

[ProfessorDamage]

To this day when i think of TFC playing at Dick's, I picture Julian fucking De Guzman jumping out of the way of a free kick as it hurtles into our net. Bad vibe about Saturday, but TFC may be looking to make a statement after last night, so it might at least be entertaining. Either that, or, you know, Paul Beirne will be tweeting at their FO, congratulating them on a win.

[Detroit_TFC]

We'll have a better line up and Colorado is vulnerable. If the boys' heads are still in Montreal, we'll lose. We'll just have to see what happens.

[Yohan]

Laba apparently is cleared to play. Assuming none of the injured guys are available

-----------Bendik
-Richter-Boss-ODea-Morgan
-Lambe-Hall-Laba-Bostock
-----------Silva
---------Earnshaw

I'd very much love to sit both Richter and Morgan out of this one, but no choice

[Phil]

Because this is supposed to be a building year and the last thing I personally want to see is us try to load up pricey players in the summer to take a run at it and then be stuck with overpaid shite. For reference look at our first 6 seasons.

Oh thank goodness some see the light at the end of the tunnel. Long term is more than 1 year....hard to understand with the parade of coaches and players but we need to think bigger.

[Auzzy]

As per Twitter, the only players not travelling to Colorado (& San Jose) are Dunfield & Ecks. Koevermans is coming along to continue with his "preseason" training. I think the other FBs (Russell & Emory) are close even if not fully fit yet. My guess is one of them (probably Emory) plays on Saturday.

[Yohan]

for those of you keeping score, 5 out of last 7 games that TFC gave up a goal 89mins or later.

[Auzzy]

Taking a closer look at Colorado's record this season: they don't seem as good at home as they have been in the past. Also, their overall record this season isn't much better than TFC -- they are also one of the teams closer to the bottom of the league.

Colorado: 2 wins, 4 losses, 3 ties, 9 points, 9 games played, 1 point per game, -2 goal difference
TFC: 1 win, 3 losses, 4 ties, 7 points, 8 games played, 0.88 points per game, -2 goal difference (with more goals both scored & conceded by TFC)

Colorado's home & away goal difference are the same so far this season -- surprising given the altitude of their stadium. I suppose it may depend on their exact home & away opponents so far, their injury situation for different games, etc. The MLS website is incredibly slow for me at the moment, so I can't look up more details right now.

Given the altitude & everything else, I would be especially concerned about TFC players who put in lots of minutes yesterday (plus last weekend in many cases), and are normally part of Nelsen's "first team." I'm thinking in particular of any FB from last night that can't be replaced tomorrow -- as they suck anyway, and will also be tired, shell-shocked, and insecure. (Emory & Russell are travelling with the team, but no idea if they will be fit yet for Saturday.) Earnshaw also worries me in particular -- he put in lots of miles the past two games. Some of the midfielders also played significant minutes -- but there's a bit more flexibility there, with Laba coming in, and a bit of squad rotation possible.

A big problem: TFC have done better when they applied lots of high pressure from the start, attacked in numbers with the ball, etc. You can't do that for 90 minutes in Colorado.

Sadly, I'm expecting absolutely nothing. I hope they rebound & don't embarrass TFC again. For a coach that preached building from a solid defense, last night & also the late breakdowns in other games are hugely embarrassing.

(Next Wednesday in San Jose doesn't get any easier. Given the Goonies penchant for late goals, TFC better be carrying a 3-goal lead into injury time if they're hoping to come out with a tie...)

[notthesun]

Emory might be able to come back for this one I thought. If so, sit Morgan. #NastyLeftBench

I don't care to discuss our prospects of winning or tying or whatever. After the embarrassment in Montreal all I want to see is some heart, some fire from the guys. That was the first game under Nelsen where we gave up and I hope it's the last.

[Abou Sky]

for those of you keeping score, 5 out of last 7 games that TFC gave up a goal 89mins or later.

So we need to be ahead by two goals ;-)

[Abou Sky]

Emory might be able to come back for this one I thought. If so, sit Morgan. #NastyLeftBench

I don't care to discuss our prospects of winning or tying or whatever. After the embarrassment in Montreal all I want to see is some heart, some fire from the guys. That was the first game under Nelsen where we gave up and I hope it's the last.

That is really all I wanted out of this season. Just play with heart.

I coached a Futsal team that lost EVERY game last year, 8 year old kids didn't give up, my pro team had better not either.

[Oldtimer]

Playoffs? Yhgtbfkm!

+1
People get delusional in Toronto. Then they get angry because their improbable expectations weren't met.

I actually have a good feeling about this game. I expect a draw.

[Joe Kool]

I have no feelings about this game. Still numb from Wednesday. I think TFC will get tired later on so they need to make an impact (no pun intended) in the first half then hold on for the second half. Looking forward to seeing Laba if he plays.

[Dreadlocks]

i don't know what's going on with Laba's eligibility to play on Saturday but I just saw him on King street on my way to work. Has the team not left for Colorado?

[Auzzy]

i don't know what's going on with Laba's eligibility to play on Saturday but I just saw him on King street on my way to work. Has the team not left for Colorado?

I haven't seen any tweets about the team flying out, so maybe they're still in Toronto & leaving this afternoon. Nelsen did clarify that Laba is eligible to play & would be coming on the trip. Still possible of course that somebody lost his passport...

[GBV]

Is this game even on TV?

The spot at the official website that lists the TV channel is blank for this game.

[Joe Kool]

Is this game even on TV?

The spot at the official website that lists the TV channel is blank for this game.

Sportsnet Ontario at 9PM

[Yohan]

Sportsnet Ontario at 9PM

moved to the Score at 9pm

[mastermixer]

moved to the Score at 9pm

Rogers bought this channel up too. So I guess we have to deal with the scrolling score board at the bottom of the game then?

[Kayaker]

Also, this game is MLS stream of the week:

http://www.mlssoccer.com/stream-of-the-week

[jloome]

---------------Bendik-----------
Russell----Boss--O'Dea----Emory
----------Laba-----Hall----------
--Bostock-----Silva--------Lambe
-------------Earnshaw------------

[MG42]

moved to the Score at 9pm

Well that's great, move it to a channel that you need the extra package for. This team is infuriating

[v00d00daddy]

---------------Bendik-----------
Russell----Boss--O'Dea----Emory
----------Laba-----Hall----------
--Bostock-----Silva--------Lambe
-------------Earnshaw------------

WIth those fullbacks I'd be worried that Bostock and Lambe would have a lot of work to do to work balls in to the middle of the park. Relying on Hall and a guy who has never played for us before to be the only links between the back line and silva is worrisome.

We shall see.