Matchday 1: Toronto FC at Wankover Shitecraps, 7 Mar 6pm

[OgtheDim]

You'd say expectations could never be higher than they were at the start of last year but...

I feel this club is real-madrid esque in it's operations. It will chop off it's own arm to one-up itself on hype.

NBC goes one way, ESPN goes another. If you look at the MLSsoccer.com TFC preview, a couple of guys on there think Vanney is the most likely first fired coach.

I feel this team is being realistic. Playoffs the goal. Best TFC team on paper. Not many obvious holes (wide play and defensive depth). Lots of work to do and lots of people willing to do that work. BUT, 7 away games (+ a Voyageurs Semi 1st leg away) is tamping down expectations. That's a good thing. IF we come out of those 7 games with anything more then 9 points, its a bonus.

[PopePouri]

robbo made a meal out of that...he has become such a cocky fuck...im sure if he had 20mil to spend on players he would,typical VAN inferiority complex when it comes to TORONTO...

Just banter really.

[reggie]

i dont like this 7 game rd trip.....they should hv played a couple of games at the dome...can u imagine if we 0 and 4 or 0and 5,we will be asking for Vanney s head

[Cas87]

Kurtis Larson ‏@KurtLarSUN 42s42 seconds ago
Notable absences: Bloom, Jackson, Lovitz appear to have missed out on selection. #TFC

I feel as though everyone is reading too much into this.

jackson isn't up to match fitness yet, and maybe Vanney is rewarding the younger guys (who are TFC2 destined) for a good pre-season before they are officially sent to the deuce. And as a by product giving everyone a little extra rest for all the travel that will be happening over the next 2 months

[Graeme]

I feel as though everyone is reading too much into this.

jackson isn't up to match fitness yet, and maybe Vanney is rewarding the younger guys (who are TFC2 destined) for a good pre-season before they are officially sent to the deuce. And as a by product giving everyone a little extra rest for all the travel that will be happening over the next 2 months

Lovitz looked great in pre-season, so I suspect Vanney has a plan for getting through these 7 away games by utilizing some of our depth (!) at various positions by only travelling people every other game. If it works, I'll hail him as a genius. I wonder if Delgado travelled?

[Cas87]

Think you're way off. Sounds like TFC will continue their diamond mid formation.

Creavalle -- Caldwell -- Perquis -- Morrow
---------------------Bradley------------------
----Cheyrou--------------------Osorio-------
--------------------Giovinco------------------
-------Findlay-----------------Altidore-------

In other news.. i've been playing Fifa 15 online seasons lately to get myself all the more hyped up.. love the team we've assembled.. I'm generally beating every other MLS team with ease. Scorched the Shitecaps 3-0 with goals from Altidore, Cheyrou and Giovinco.

Think it will be more like this with who we have taken to Van City:

Creavalle -- Caldwell -- Perquis -- Morrow
------------Cheyrou-----Bradley-------------
------Findlay-----Giovinco-----Osorio-------
------------------Altidore---------------------

[Section_105]

Robbo makes it (only slightly) harder to hate Vancouver. One of the biggest losses this team had as it was obvious he was going to be a great coach. One of the main reasons we were so tough to beat at home those first few years even though the team was still lacking quality all over the place.

Either way I hope we demolish them on their shit field and come away with no one hurt after playing there. The only worse pitch is the O in montreal when the lack of snow on the roof (?!?!?) lets them play there.

[ManUtd4ever]

Think it will be more like this with who we have taken to Van City:

Creavalle -- Caldwell -- Perquis -- Morrow
------------Cheyrou-----Bradley-------------
------Findlay-----Giovinco-----Osorio-------
------------------Altidore---------------------

Agreed, I think that is the exact lineup and formation that we will see tomorrow.

[jloome]

i dont like this 7 game rd trip.....they should hv played a couple of games at the dome...can u imagine if we 0 and 4 or 0and 5,we will be asking for Vanney s head

Consider what you just said...

1. They're on the road, therefore they're in tough.
2. If they lose, we might ask for Vanney's head.

The obvious conclusion is that you can't base that decision off the road trip alone.

And where do you get that Robbo seems arrogant? Least arrogant coach in the league and class all the way.

[barticusz]

Any Edmonton TFCer's out there that get together to watch games?

[jloome]

Any Edmonton TFCer's out there that get together to watch games?

Used to be some guys who went down to the Elephant and Castle on Whyte, but that was years ago now. I'm out in Beaumont, and pretty hermit-like these days.

[Red CB Toronto]

The Reds just arrived at training.

[Red CB Toronto]

[FRANKIE65]

Man that turf looks like shite.

[Fort York Redcoat]

Is this the Argos at BMO thread?

[OgtheDim]

Nice example of how a team in blue can play in a red stadium.

[OgtheDim]

In other news

Kurtis Larson ‏@KurtLarSUN 11m11 minutes ago Expect to see Giovinco stand over any dead ball inside 25 metres. Just scored a pair over a wall and rang other three attempts off the bar.

[ensco]

Based solely on how Defoe and Bradley looked in game 1 last year, I think we might kill them tomorrow. Adrenaline and all that.

I think Findley and Altidore will score.

[MightyDM]

Based solely on how Defoe and Bradley looked in game 1 last year, I think we might kill them tomorrow. Adrenaline and all that.

I think Findley and Altidore will score.

based on the same thing, Bradley will try too hard and leave gaping holes. 3-2 Toronto

[Kaz]

It is a shame that Gio's first experience will be on that turf.

[jloome]

Based solely on how Defoe and Bradley looked in game 1 last year, I think we might kill them tomorrow. Adrenaline and all that.

I think Findley and Altidore will score.

Can anyone else see a bruiser like Kendall Waston giving up multiple penalties to Giovinco? Vancouver is dangerous, but that backline has some issues.

[ManUtd4ever]

Based solely on how Defoe and Bradley looked in game 1 last year, I think we might kill them tomorrow. Adrenaline and all that.

I think Findley and Altidore will score.

I hope you're right, but Vancouver is a strong side, especially at home on their plastic pitch. Our starting lineup still needs time to gel. I'll be happy with a draw.

[Super]

Gio is definitely deadly on free kicks right outside the box. I have a feeling we'll be getting plenty of goals from outside the box this year - a refreshing change from the endless balls that go well over the box.

[Carts]

Those bed sheets hiding the upper deck make me laugh and SMH every time I see them - even when I see them in the video game...

[Carts]

Gio is definitely deadly on free kicks right outside the box. I have a feeling we'll be getting plenty of goals from outside the box this year - a refreshing change from the endless balls that go well over the box.

I assume he's knocking our corners in as well...

Will be a very nice change to have (hopefully) consistent proper deliveries from dead balls...

[Auzzy]

Is this the Argos at BMO thread?

This wins it all for today.

In other news

Kurtis Larson ‏@KurtLarSUN 11m11 minutes ago Expect to see Giovinco stand over any dead ball inside 25 metres. Just scored a pair over a wall and rang other three attempts off the bar.

It's two points for a ball off the bar, isn't it?

[Fort York Redcoat]

Those bed sheets hiding the upper deck make me laugh and SMH every time I see them - even when I see them in the video game...

Such intimate
Very atmosphere

[OgtheDim]

Kurtis Larson ‏@KurtLarSUN 2m2 minutes ago Bradley: "We've improved. It's not going to guarantee us anything tomorrow ... Every game, especially on the road, is very difficult."

John Molinaro ‏@JohnMolinaro 21m21 minutes ago Vancouver, British Columbia
Altidore on turf at BC Place: "It's not the best. It's dry. Hopefully they water it." #TFC

[ensco]

Vancouver got put out of the playoffs by a ridiculous 40 meter GOTY looper from the corner. That leaves big wounds.

We will beat them 3-0.

[KGH]

Think it will be more like this with who we have taken to Van City:

Creavalle -- Caldwell -- Perquis -- Morrow
------------Cheyrou-----Bradley-------------
------Findlay-----Giovinco-----Osorio-------
------------------Altidore---------------------

If you had told me during the 2013 season that this is the lineup we'd begin the 2015 season with I would have laughed so hard I would shat myself.