After a particularly unimpressive display from both sides, ‘a point is better than nothing’ is the best summation for Toronto FC’s 0-0 result against Chicago Fire Wednesday night at Toyota Park.
Irrespective of the angles anyone tries to put on this display, it was a poor advertisement for two teams vying for Major League Soccer’s post season.
Based on this performance, what would be the point in either team making the playoffs? The quality in the final third was as poor as it could have been for both teams and Chicago clearly has serious issues at the back and with their defensive balance in the transition phase.
If you are a Toronto FC fan the one positive you can take from the game is that head coach Preki is head and shoulders above the Fire’s Carlos De Los Cobos who is clearly out of touch with how to line-up his side to compete in MLS.
Preki’s TFC team, whatever their flaws, do compete game in game out and do maximize what they have at their disposal in terms of talent. The same cannot be said of Chicago who for all their on paper ability should be doing far better.
The question for TFC to answer in their proverbial war room is ‘Why do we lack enough talent in key areas?’
Because with TFC, it is definitely a talent issue pure and simple.
Stefan Frei was TFC’s best performer on the night, doing exceptionally well in two one-on-one situations by holding his ground and cutting the angles perfectly. At the back, Toronto was caught ball watching far too often, leaving defenders completely flat at the wrong times. It allowed the Chicago midfield to cut them open which ultimately resulted in the two Chicago scoring chances. Realistically they should have been more costly.
Maxim Usanov appeared to be back to his old self with the odd clumsy play here and there, topped off nicely with some reckless undisciplined challenges. The FC Dallas game seemed so far away Wednesday night for the edgy Russian.
Toronto FC’s midfield trio were a mixed bag which added up to not a lot. It was one of Nick Labrocca’s poorer outings. The energetic midfielder gave the ball away far too often and typified TFC’s lack of quality in the final third. There was no cutting edge in terms of a connected final pass, a quality dangerous cross or a competent strike on net.
Dan Gargan, in an unfamiliar role lining up as one of the lateral three in Preki’s 4-3-1-2 formation, was his usual abrasive self but again no silk. Julian de Guzman had another disappointing display which has people scrambling for answers.
Then there was the forward line with Dwayne DeRosario as the attacking midfield player, huffing and puffing his way through but without a capable surrounding cast his influence is now too often limited.
Bottom line: TFC should have had the second penalty call. It was another careless decision by an official but realistically both teams would be hard pressed to assert they deserved all three points. It was not a good display.
It leaves TFC with some simple math. Knowing they have four games against the worst teams in the league (DC United twice, Houston away and Chivas away) they must surely recognize they have to win them all. But to do that they will have to find a way to score.
