Monday, August 18, 2008 1:52 PM
Knight: Elbowed out
Ben Knight
What the heck?
Early in the second half at Giants Stadium yesterday, Toronto FC is trailing New York 1-0. In comes rangy goal specialist Danny Dichio, even though he's battling a concussion. Barely four minutes go by, Dichio goes up for a high ball – and gets elbowed clean in the coconut by NY defender Gabriel Cichero.
A blatant head shot, and TFC coach John Carver is left with no choice but to remove Dichio from the match. Cichero gets benched also, on a red card from the ref. So what does Toronto's attack generate in 41 minutes of power play?
Nothing.
I'm not suggesting Dichio should have got preferential treatment from the New York defence because he'd been recently concussed. This is pro sports, and everyone knew the job was dangerous when they took it. But it was certainly a classless foul, and if Cichero knew Dichio's condition, contemptible as well.
I'm more concerned with what didn't happen next.
- Newcomer Johann Smith – just signed from Bolton Wanderers – showed great speed and lots of moves … and didn't score.
- Hopeful prospect Jarrod Smith put his share of stress on the NY defence corps … and didn't score.
- Striker Chad Barrett – over from Chicago in the Brian McBride deal – howled for penalty kicks and shot wide a couple of times … and didn't score.
- Agitating midfielder Rohan Ricketts? Had some chances, muffed some shots … and didn't score.
And!
How many times this year have TFC's opponents had a 30-yard-plus breakaway on a Toronto FC goaltender? I'm setting the over-under number at a dozen, and betting over. Both New York goals (yep, they got a second right at the death, hugely against the run of play) were field-length breakouts.
Without any of the scorers scoring, and with this gaping vulnerability at the back, Toronto FC is sending a clear, loud message to the rest of MLS:
If you get a one-goal lead and elbow Dichio in the head, you win.
And that can't possibly be good for anyone. Over to you, coach Carver.
Onward!