Saturday, October 10, 2009

New game, same old collapse -TFC in a loop of crummy endings TFC 1 San Jose 1

Again? They did it again? Snatching a tie from the jaws of victory seems to be the perpetual TFC result of choice. It makes me want to swear and spit. I did not sign up for this style of suffering. Give me glory or the promise of it on the horizon. This folding like a cheap suit has to go.
Saturday was game day and we went to the park expecting that the momentum would begin. Toronto hosts San Jose, a team that has been eliminated from post season play and is playing their third game in a week. The stage was set. This was to be the start of the glorious TFC push to the playoffs. Three games = nine points and let’s see if any one can stop them. I guess we found out today that any team can stop them. Just show up and hang around. A little determination and Toronto finds a way to flounder.

The damn thing is – the tie does not eliminate them from the playoffs. If they wake up and win the final two – they have a shot. At the time of writing Columbus is doing Toronto a favour and is winning against New England. Right now it appears that Seattle, Chivas USA and Colorado have the inside track on playoff spots (that is the spots to the best four teams other than the top two teams in each division. New England has the last spot, but they are only 2 points ahead of Toronto, Dallas and DC United, the three teams tied in the out of luck spot.


Part of being a fan is the joy of having faith in your team. You think and feel that they will prevail. This momentum you look for is when those qualities that you have glimpsed from time to time somehow will become dominant traits and the competition will falter.
I am afraid that Toronto revealed their true nature today and sadly it is less than heroic. Tonight I feel that missing the playoffs might be for the best. Spare the fans some misery and put this year to bed.


A few observations – most made before that late goal.

Could we clone Attakora? He scored the goal and defended well all day.
OBW showed determination and energy Where was Ali Gerba?

Do you feel a little like a strange movie fan who keeps attending the same movie in hopes of a different ending? I do.



JDG does not seem to be a full part of the team yet. There were times when his play was reminding me of Carl Robinson at his least effective, you know when he gets pass happy and the defenders are always anticipating. I think that midfielders have to drive the ball forward. Make something out of nothing. Create space for yourself and others. Keep the defenders honest. JDG needed to control the second half and instead he was less and less a force.
His first half was filled with flashes of movement and touches of real quality and you can see progress has been made. It was not enough.
Why did Chris Cummins allow the team to fall asleep in the second half ? They pursued a second goal with drive until Dero had that good chance stopped by the defender.That was it?
What will Chris Cummins being doing for a living in 2010?

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