Though I don't think we are that good - Celtic just completed 64 games in domestic competition un-beaten. They are a semi-decent Champions league side. But I've seen enough from this team this season without Gio and Alti to not be scared going into this match. It's going to be a full house on Tuesday should be a great atmosphere...I'd set out to get a goal early & take the steam out. Then park the bus with a counter attacking Rickets ready to clinch the tie.
“Years have gone by and I’ve finally learned to accept myself for who I am: a beggar for good football.
I go about the world, hand outstretched, and in the stadiums I plead: ‘A pretty move, for the love of God.’
And when good football happens, I give thanks for the miracle and I don’t give a damn which team or country performs it.”
-Eduardo Galeano
Everyone needs to get off of SoccMan1's back. He's entitled to his opinion.
It's as much possible for TFC to fall to the Pisstains in the Eastern Final as it is for them to run roughshod over them and towards the MLS Cup. Our side was a brilliant Alex Bono save from being eliminated from MLS Cup competition at home by the New York Red Thugs. Anything can happen when you're talking soccer playoffs.
Tuesday's first leg of the series will be crucial. The Pisstains are playing with MLS house money right now, ever since their weasily douchebro of an owner announced they were moving to Austin, Texas. They are playing for their fans who rightfully believe they were viciously stabbed in the back. They will be motivated and inspired to play for them in the thin hopes that they might be able to stay where they belong. Without Seba or Jozy in the lineup, it'll make things easier for them. If they take advantage of their absence, they can score enough goals to make it difficult for TFC to climb out of. And let's face it, the Reds haven't been playing up to their form for awhile now.
Our side is the more talented of the two, for sure. But talent alone doesn't guarantee victory. Sports have seen plenty of David slaying Goliath games from the past. And MLS is no different. Of the 21 Supporters Shield champs in league history, only six have successfully captured the MLS Cup. The odds aren't in our favor right now.
That doesn't mean they're doomed, nor should anybody here give up on them. But given how recent events have unfolded, it would be of extreme arrogance to suggest they can't possibly lose.
Always hope and want for the best. But be prepared for the worst.
TORONTO FC, 2017 MLS CHAMPIONS!!! (Still the greatest in league history!)
Columbus has a lot of playoff experience, as do we. They ground out a win against Atlanta, took advantage of a red card and a shell shocked NYC and then held on to go through.
We are a better team then them. We will not be intimidated by a packed Columbus stadium. And our defence (with the exception of late in the first half of games) is composed and able to deal with whatever is thrown at it. Yes, a red card could ruin this series/playoffs for us, like it did for NYC (and I have memories of a phantom red to Morrow from last season that cost us a game). But, if we don't see the uncharacteristic loss of discipline we saw at home against NYRB, we should be coming home with a good shout to win the series.
There will be times when things look tight and awkward and tense.
When that happens, I'm going to remember this from last season
All I want from this game is a chance to win at home.
Last edited by OgtheDim; 11-19-2017 at 10:32 PM.
We all talk about the loss of our front attackers, but that's the only part of the team that is affected. From the Wingbacks on back, TFC has the same lineup as the regular season team that allowed the second-fewest goals in the league. I don't image that Columbus will score more than 2 goals over the two legs and TFC will probably score at least 3. I think they go through so long as Columbus doesn't play hacky-shins on our players in the second leg.
Is Mavinga fit for the game tomorrow?
shades of 99 this for me. Roy Keane and Paul Scholes both suspended for the champions league final against the mighty Bayern. Our whole centre mid missing in a one off game, there was no way we could win it they said. 6 min in and we are down 1 nil. The rest is history of course. That was one off game, we have 2 legs, and I'm extremely confident we will prevail.Of course it is made tougher by missing your strike force, but it's a squad game, and like Utd in 99, we have a very strong squad. Can't wait for it.
One more sleep.
8C, drizzle, wind dying down (from strong southerly to weaker NW). Good soccer weather.
https://www.theweathernetwork.com/us.../ohio/columbus
How many supporters heading down?
sky bet have 5/2 on the draw and same price on Toronto win. Draw looks good value.
I'm not worried. Even a 2-1 loss is not the end of the world.
Columbus right now is not the same Columbus that got trashed 5-0 earlier in the season. They have, IMO underrated attack that doesn't quite get the credit they deserve. But their defence can be exploited. And they like to play possession based game which falls perfectly into what TFC wants to do. Not looking forward to facing Higuain as he's a bit of TFC killer, but I think Columbus wants to try to kill the tie at home by ringing up a score which leaves them vulnerable to counter. I think Vanney will have similar game plan in 1st leg vs NYRB. Play a bit more defensive and look to counter if Columbus be too aggressive on attack.
As long as TFC is in good position to win at home on 2nd leg, I'll be happy.
“Years have gone by and I’ve finally learned to accept myself for who I am: a beggar for good football.
I go about the world, hand outstretched, and in the stadiums I plead: ‘A pretty move, for the love of God.’
And when good football happens, I give thanks for the miracle and I don’t give a damn which team or country performs it.”
-Eduardo Galeano
Here's what I think about the result possibilities of this first leg:
TFC win by 1 goal: 10%
Draw: 40%
Columbus win by 1 goal: 40%
Columbus win by 2 goals: 10%
With both Seba any Jozy playing this would be:
TFC win by 1 goal: 40%
Draw: 40%
Columbus win by 1 goal: 20%
Last edited by PizzaEatingYeti; 11-20-2017 at 02:17 PM.
True 1-2 is not bad, I almost worry more about the 2nd leg because the chances of Bradley getting suspended are pretty high.
“Years have gone by and I’ve finally learned to accept myself for who I am: a beggar for good football.
I go about the world, hand outstretched, and in the stadiums I plead: ‘A pretty move, for the love of God.’
And when good football happens, I give thanks for the miracle and I don’t give a damn which team or country performs it.”
-Eduardo Galeano
How many supporters are heading down?
TFC is saying around 1,000.
Toronto tiny, tiny favourites to advance to the final.
Pinnacle Sports:
Toronto -111
Columbus -102
I think it'll be 1-1. As much as I hate a 0-0 draw, maybe we pull a Seattle and just play for that, take it to the second leg at home.
Vanney has already said they are going there to score. A 0-0 draw is as good as a loss.
*******
1st guy is staff, then its Hagglund & Morrow - but anybody know who the 3rd, 4th & 6th player off are?
4th might be Bradley...
Check out this tweet at https://twitter.com/torontofc/status/932755770638204928
Last edited by OgtheDim; 11-20-2017 at 08:37 PM.
——————Ricketts-Hasler————-
Morrow-Vazquez-Delgado-Beitashour
———————Bradley———————
——-Zavaleta-Moor-Hagglund———
I know, I know, I am way way way out there on the Hasler-at-striker prediction.
“What the world needs is more geniuses with humility; there are so few of us left.”
6th might be Alseth, hard to tell as the feed cuts.
Alseth made the trip with the team as did Mavinga. At this point the only thing I am certain with in the starting 11 is Bradley and Bono lol