Pre-match Thread: Toronto FC @ D.C. United

[BuSaPuNk]

Okay boys here we go battle for first place.

Last 4 games we've been 2-1-1 and DC has been the same. Both coming in with good form and we also coming off a win wednesday against Vancouver.

This is going to be a close game and i expect to get a draw at the least. We've had some bad form in DC but think after a soild win against Vancouver we could get it done.

Like to see this as our formation:

-----------Frei---------------
--Wynne----Attakora--Brennan---
---Cronin--------Robinson------
-----Guevarra---------DeRo----
--Barrett------Dichio--------
----------Vitti-----------

[Oldtimer]

I'm pretty sure the team will play 4-3-3, at least to start.

We might see Serioux in for Attakora if he's well enough.

I expect Dichio to play because he's good at breaking down DC's defense.

If any game is important to win, or minimum tie, this one is. It will have a big impact on our playoff hopes.

[BuSaPuNk]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Ibby at some point this game as well. He tore up DC last year and could do the same again, as a sub of course. Dichio plays well against DC as well and I expect him to get on the board this game. I think it's either a 2-1 TFC or 2-2 draw. Dichio and Vitti get the goals.

[sulfur]

DC comes into this one, giving up 2 points late in the game against KC.

[CanadaLFC]

I tend to agree with the 4-3-3. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Im pretty sure that Dichio will start and that Serioux and Cronin will make their way back into the line-up. Also expecting DeRo to start.

This game is definietly winnable and that is what I will settle for. I think we have enough quality if we can FINISH our chances.

[BuSaPuNk]

Now that I think about it the 4-3-3 does work and probably shouldn't change it, also figuring in the Serioux is ready to go as well.

-----------------Frei---------------
--Wynne--Serioux--Attakora--Brennan--
---Cronin---Robinson---Guevarra---
--Barrett-----Dichio---DeRo------

[Yohan]

And keeping posession in the midfield.

DC probably will play 3-5-2. Cronin and Robbo will be doing a lot of running around

[trane]

^ 4-3-3 played as it has been, would not be suprised that De Ro starts for Guevarra as he has played alot of minutes. Cummins may start something of a rotation to avoid fatigue and injuries to the players, they are playing alot of games in this strech and everyone will need some rest.


I would start Attakora ahead of Velez, although Marco has not done anything to deserve a benching I just think Attakora is a better defender, and our CB of the future. He will be our starter sooner or later.

[Don Julio]

Wow, as long as we're throwing out random things we'd ltry in FIFA '09.. My road formation:

---------Attakora---Serioux---Velez----------
-Wynne------------------------------Brennan-
-------------------Robbo-----------------------
-----Guevara--------------------Dero--------
-----------Barrett------------------------------
---------------------------Vitti------------------

If we get a lead take out a striker and put add Cronin in the midfield



This probably wouldn't work, but neither will the 4-3-3 if we keep playing it. We need to be able to show more than one formation or else we'll be too predictable.

[Nuvinho]

Look who the ref is....


REFEREE: Baldomero Toledo. SAR (bench): Greg Barkey; JAR (opposite): Jason Cullum; 4th: Andrew Chapin
MLS Career: 70 games; FC/gm: 26.9; Y/gm: 4.0; R: 27; pens: 27

[DOMIN8R]

That should be interesting. Anybody got an extra shirt?

[TFC RealDeal RPB]

Like to see this as our formation:

-----------Frei---------------
--Wynne----Attakora--Brennan---
---Cronin--------Robinson------
-----Guevarra---------DeRo----
--Barrett------Dichio--------
----------Vitti-----------

I think u got this one wrong i can't see them going in to DC with formation,stay with or 4-3-3 or go with 4-5-1 with Dichio up front.

[Redpunkfiddle]

As happened last year, we go on the road to DC early in the season at a point where we can set the tone for being legit or not.

Our (second) game against DC last year, coming after the 3 game winning streak, showed us up to be a complete bag of hammers on the road.

Sure, it is early in the season and there is plenty of time for all kinds of ups and downs, but getting a result on Saturday will go a long way to showing we can be consistent over a stretch.

[DOMIN8R]

-----------------Frei---------------
--Wynne--Velez--Attakora--Brennan--
------------Cronin---Robinson--------
--------------Guevarra--------------
-----Barrett------------DeRo--------
----------------Dichio--------------


Agent Zero will still be out with an injury.

Vitti/Ibbe will sub Barett if he cramps or DD if he tires

[Cambridge_Red]

We're gonna win

[ensco]

We need to see excellence from Robinson and Brennan. These guys have been subpar lately - they must get back on track.

[Lennon]

This is what I would do ...

-----------------Frei---------------
--Wynne--Velez--Attakora--Brennan--
------------Cronin---Robinson--------
--------------Guevarra--------------
-----Vitti------------------DeRo--------
----------------Dichio--------------

Because converting 1/10 one-on-one/open net situations is not good enough ...

[mighty_torontofc_2008]

a point from DC would be terrific as it has not be kind to us over the 2 previous seasons...3pts would be a bonus.

[Daveisonfire]

-------------------------Frei---------------------------
Wynne------Velez/Serioux----Attakora-----Brennan
--------------Cronin-----------Robinson-------------
----------------------Guevara------------------------
Barrett------------------------------------De Rosario
------------------------Vitti---------------------------

Or Vitti on the wing instead of Barrett and Dichio as the target forward.

[Yohan]

Lets Get Fracking Pumped Up!!!

Game Day!!!!

[dupont]

This one is tough to call. There is no good reason why we cant get at least a draw. I think historical precedent doesn't really mean as much as people think. It just comes down to the single game performance. We can get our first points in DC.

[TFC07]

We haven't won a game in that shit baseball field. So I will be happy with a draw.

[ForTheReds]

As if we have not with Barrett as a striker i hope cummins puts out this lineup Yes Barrett Included!!! ..... In where he should play!

4-3-1-2
----------Vitti----DeRo--------
------------Barrett----------
Cronin-----Robinson-----Guevara
Brennan-Velez--Serioux-Attakora
-------------Frei---------------

That is a rather sexy lineup eh?

Strategy Bring it on Early, Very Heavy tempo Get early goals. Take the fans out of it , slow it down play possession, but still attack.
2nd half switch it to fast- flanking game use dichio for headers.
Use Wynne & Brennan up the wings for crosses. Get the ball in the box!
Put Dc on there heels with a relentless Aerial attack.

** why is Barrett Out there? because HE CAN PLAY , he just cant finish... so let him play!
He wont score, but he will assist , good on through balls and on beating defenders, fits into
2nd half strategy, and can bring the tempo to start!
Subs:
Smith
Ibee
Dichio> At 60ish for DeRo Yes he is prone to injury!
wynne> 2nd half** look at strategy for attakora
edwards

[koryo]

I'd be ecstatic with a draw. It seems that every time we've gone to DC we get absolutely battered.

[ForTheReds]

As if we have not with Barrett as a striker i hope cummins puts out this lineup Yes Barrett Included!!! ..... In where he should play!

4-3-1-2
----------Vitti----DeRo--------
------------Barrett----------
Cronin-----Robinson-----Guevara
Brennan-Velez--Serioux-Attakora
-------------Frei---------------

That is a rather sexy lineup eh?

Strategy Bring it on Early, Very Heavy tempo Get early goals. Take the fans out of it , slow it down play possession, but still attack.
2nd half switch it to fast- flanking game use dichio for headers.
Use Wynne & Brennan up the wings for crosses. Get the ball in the box!
Put Dc on there heels with a relentless Aerial attack.

** why is Barrett Out there? because HE CAN PLAY , he just cant finish... so let him play!
He wont score, but he will assist , good on through balls and on beating defenders, fits into
2nd half strategy, and can bring the tempo to start!
Subs:
Smith
Ibee
Dichio> At 60ish for DeRo Yes he is prone to injury!
wynne> 2nd half** look at strategy for attakora
edwards

[ForTheReds]

-----------------Frei---------------
--Wynne--Velez--Attakora--Brennan--
------------Cronin---Robinson--------
--------------Guevarra--------------
-----Barrett------------DeRo--------
----------------Dichio--------------


Agent Zero will still be out with an injury.

Vitti/Ibbe will sub Barett if he cramps or DD if he tires

why barrett?

[TFC_Toon]

4-3-1-2
----------Vitti----DeRo--------
------------Barrett----------
Cronin-----Robinson-----Guevara
Brennan-Velez--Serioux-Attakora
-------------Frei---------------



** why is Barrett Out there? because HE CAN PLAY , he just cant finish... so let him play!

I believe his passing to be suspect at times as well, not sure pushing Guevara out wide would help our cause, I would prefer to see Dichio in that hold up and distribution position as opposed to Barrett, in this formation anyway.

[Jeffro]

As if we have not with Barrett as a striker i hope cummins puts out this lineup Yes Barrett Included!!! ..... In where he should play!

4-3-1-2
----------Vitti----DeRo--------
------------Barrett----------
Cronin-----Robinson-----Guevara
Brennan-Velez--Serioux-Attakora
-------------Frei---------------

That is a rather sexy lineup eh?

Strategy Bring it on Early, Very Heavy tempo Get early goals. Take the fans out of it , slow it down play possession, but still attack.
2nd half switch it to fast- flanking game use dichio for headers.
Use Wynne & Brennan up the wings for crosses. Get the ball in the box!
Put Dc on there heels with a relentless Aerial attack.

** why is Barrett Out there? because HE CAN PLAY , he just cant finish... so let him play!
He wont score, but he will assist , good on through balls and on beating defenders, fits into
2nd half strategy, and can bring the tempo to start!
Subs:
Smith
Ibee
Dichio> At 60ish for DeRo Yes he is prone to injury!
wynne> 2nd half** look at strategy for attakora
edwards

dude, you don't need to post the EXACT same thing in every thread

[TFC12]

As if we have not with Barrett as a striker i hope cummins puts out this lineup Yes Barrett Included!!! ..... In where he should play!

4-3-1-2
----------Vitti----DeRo--------
------------Barrett----------
Cronin-----Robinson-----Guevara
Brennan-Velez--Serioux-Attakora
-------------Frei---------------

That is a rather sexy lineup eh?

Strategy Bring it on Early, Very Heavy tempo Get early goals. Take the fans out of it , slow it down play possession, but still attack.
2nd half switch it to fast- flanking game use dichio for headers.
Use Wynne & Brennan up the wings for crosses. Get the ball in the box!
Put Dc on there heels with a relentless Aerial attack.

** why is Barrett Out there? because HE CAN PLAY , he just cant finish... so let him play!
He wont score, but he will assist , good on through balls and on beating defenders, fits into
2nd half strategy, and can bring the tempo to start!
Subs:
Smith
Ibee
Dichio> At 60ish for DeRo Yes he is prone to injury!
wynne> 2nd half** look at strategy for attakora
edwards

oh man!....your pass 3-4 posts have hurt my brain! lol

you put DeRo, Barrett, and Guevara out of position, and take out Wynne!!!

first of all, Guevara would never be useful as a winger, because he doesn't run/ chase back when he loses a ball. If anything, if you want to put Barrett out of position, at lease put him on the wing, where he's played well before and came back often to help the D. Then you take Wynne, who always plays really well, and I don't think has ever been a sub for us, and put in a unexperienced player whose natural position in CB. although he can probably play RB as well, but I couldn't see him take out Wynne unless CC is planning on resting him.

I think CC will just put out the best line-up like he's always says, no real surprises except 1-2 to fill in some injuries some players might have.

[ben_vw]

Why on earth would Barrett play in our "#10" role when we have DeRo and Guevara?