Pre/In/Post - Matchday 15: Toronto at Houston, Sat 22June, 9pm

[jloome]

Montreal really putting Houston to the sword.

Impact look like a championship team. Nobody can handle them.

Houston have only lost once at home in something like thirty-plus games, and they were played off the park last night. It's going to be a brutal fight this weekend if we have any chance.

[Abou Sky]

Houston have only lost once at home in something like thirty-plus games, and they were played off the park last night. It's going to be a brutal fight this weekend if we have any chance.

I don't know, a game like they had in MTL where they really got owned has got to mess with your head a bit. I think that, along with the fact that they probably have it in their heads that: 'I know we should beat TFC but WHAT IF WE DON'T!?!' may have seriously increased our chances to at least pull out a tie, which if it were 0-0 or a tie from trailing would be a huge moral/psychological victory.

I am not calling for a streak or anything crazy, but I think the biggest demon that needs to be slain is in the minds of the players and the win in DC may not have been a fatal blow to that demon, but it was definitely a good way to start to kill it.

[BuSaPuNk]

^ I agree with this. Houston could play down to our position on the table giving us however unlikely a change to get a result. I'm thinking its either Houston getting back on track or we steal one late for a tie or even hold your breath a win?

[Abou Sky]

^ I agree with this. Houston could play down to our position on the table giving us however unlikely a change to get a result. I'm thinking its either Houston getting back on track or we steal one late for a tie or even hold your breath a win?

I think that psychology is winning this game. IMO it won't be 'who wants it more' it will be 'who believes they deserve it more'

[Auzzy]

Just checking the weather report for Houston on Saturday. High for the day will be 35C, feels like 39C, but the game's at 8pm local time (9pm EDT). For Saturday evening, they're predicting 31C, "RealFeel" around the same i.e. not very humid.

So hot but not unbearable. I hope the TFC players will be fitter than they were in DC (and act that way).

[Fort York Redcoat]

I'm planting the seed now. I'm thinking of Joe's tomorrow night. Pipe up if you can make it down.

[v00d00daddy]

I think that psychology is winning this game. IMO it won't be 'who wants it more' it will be 'who believes they deserve it more'

Houston doesn't lose at home. So it's gonna take a lot of believing we deserve it more to be in this game, let alone win it.

[Abou Sky]

Maybe, but my day starts at 8am tomorrow and involves more stuff than anyone should have to do on a Saturday (yay youth soccer... ugh) I may just need to kick up my feet and watch at home.

[TOBOR !]

Dunno if anyone cares, but apologies all around for not coming up with a 'Time of the Last Goal' thread this week.

[Initial B]

That's okay. I think I'll predeict no Goals for either side in the last 10 minutes. Game 0-0 as Houston focuses on defence and TFC can't get anything started.

[Abou Sky]

I am in for nil-nil as well. Which IMO is a victory in the minds of the team because it would be their first clean sheet of the year.

[Ajax TFC]

My prediction is that Huston will be up 2-0 by halftime. Nelsen will then put in Koevermans and the game will end 2-3 for the good guys

[mowe]

Houston are reeling. Winless in their last 5, including losses in their last two home games. I'd be disappointed if TFC didn't at least get a point.

Of course we all know playing TFC is a cure to all your team's woes. But maybe Koef can work some magic. 1-2 TFC.

[PopePouri]

Houston are reeling. Winless in their last 5, including losses in their last two home games. I'd be disappointed if TFC didn't at least get a point.

Of course we all know playing TFC is a cure to all your team's woes. But maybe Koef can work some magic. 1-2 TFC.

Yes but their US players are back and they're at home.

[Abou Sky]

My prediction is that Huston will be up 2-0 by halftime. Nelsen will then put in Koevermans and the game will end 2-3 for the good guys

Lol, that is BOLD

[Abou Sky]

I'm planting the seed now. I'm thinking of Joe's tomorrow night. Pipe up if you can make it down.

Half my day got cancelled because of rain/lightning so I will be there.

[notthesun]

Ah fuck, Salazar is reffing.

[TFCAURORA]

Twitter has TFC'S Subs listed and i find in odd that Frie is not on the bench.

[notthesun]

Twitter has TFC'S Subs listed and i find in odd that Frie is not on the bench.

Official party line is hamstring injury. He wasn't on the bench for the last game either and possibly the one before that as well.

Personally I'm not entirely sold on the fact that he's hurt. I think we're still trying to move him.

edit: Lineups

XI: Bendik, Richter, Henry, Caldwell, O'Dea, Osorio, Hall, Laba, Convey, Silva, Earnshaw

Subs: Roberts, Boss, Morgan, Russell, Lambe, Brockie, Koef

[OgtheDim]

True to form. Nelsen sticks with who won.

[Corpand]

Any english streams?

[OgtheDim]

Any english streams?

Link 2 on firstrow.

[AlanO]

6 minutes in, and the Houston commentator has confused Montreal and Toronto *twice*

[OgtheDim]

Richter so far the weakest link.

[Corpand]

Thanks.

[notthesun]

Caldwell having a good match so far.

[QBall]

Announcer said game is sold out. Sure are a lot of empty seats.

[notthesun]

Man how did nobody poke in that Henry header off the corner... that's the type of play that ends up in the back of our net every time.

[Dkolish3]

Announcer said game is sold out. Sure are a lot of empty seats.

Like with Toronto's "18,000 attendance"

[QBall]

Houston's defense is pretty sloppy.