We kept our play-off hopes alive yesterday thanks to two goals from Chad Barrett and a beautiful run by Marvel Wynne:
"Barrett scored his third and fourth goals for Toronto, the second coming off a beautiful play by Wynne...The U.S. national team defender collected a pass from Danny Dichio on the defensive half of the field and sprinted 60 yards, zooming past several Red Bulls before sliding a perfect pass to Barrett, who tapped the ball into an open net in the 65th minute to give Toronto FC a lead it never relinquished."
> Info Source
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Dropping the stretcher, dropping the ball
Our beloved Toronto FC lost another match on Saturday, 3-1 to Chivas USA. As you all know, the team was missing nine players for this match and were forced to play their chief scout Tim Regan - due to so many of their defenders being away on international duty. And defensive matters weren't helped any when their only experienced defender, Marco Velez, was sent off with a red card just before half.
Chivas had their own challenges in this match, also missing nine regulars - though only four to international duty. And then they lost keeper Zach Thornton mid-way through the second half when the lumbering Danny Dichio deliberately fell on him.
As you all know, Zach Thornton, is the fattest goalkeeper in modern, professional football.
As he was being stretchered off the pitch in a long procession to the Chivas dressing room, I kept saying to my buddy, "Look at how they're struggling. Look at how that girl is struggling. They're going to drop him." And sure enough they did. Four adults - two males, two females - could not carry this whale of a keeper back to his dressing room.
Everybody in the stands had a good laugh. It was very WWF. No not World Wildlife Fund. I meant World Wrestling Federation - which of course is now WWE - World Wrestling Entertainment.
Some soccer "journalists" called the game "entertaining" - but that is not the correct word. The MLS and TFC really took the beauty out of the beautiful game in Toronto on Saturday and gave us absurdity.
I really feel badly for TFC Coach John Carver - who had to bear all of the pressure brought about by the league's and the team's poor policies and planning. You have to wonder what he was thinking at the exact moment when the fat keeper was dropped at his feet.
Though after the game he did offer this very honest admission:
"This is my toughest moment in football...I've had some good times, I've had some bad times, I've had some proud moments, but this was the toughest week I've ever, ever put in in 25 years of professional football."
Welcome to Canada John. Welcome to North American football. And just think - things are actually better now than they used to be. Canadian soccer people have never had it so good as they have it now with TFC. You think things were tough this week? Try growing up on this continent and trying to be the best player or coach you can be - you wouldn't last long or get very far in your pursuit of the beautiful game.
*
Chivas had their own challenges in this match, also missing nine regulars - though only four to international duty. And then they lost keeper Zach Thornton mid-way through the second half when the lumbering Danny Dichio deliberately fell on him.
As you all know, Zach Thornton, is the fattest goalkeeper in modern, professional football.
As he was being stretchered off the pitch in a long procession to the Chivas dressing room, I kept saying to my buddy, "Look at how they're struggling. Look at how that girl is struggling. They're going to drop him." And sure enough they did. Four adults - two males, two females - could not carry this whale of a keeper back to his dressing room.
Everybody in the stands had a good laugh. It was very WWF. No not World Wildlife Fund. I meant World Wrestling Federation - which of course is now WWE - World Wrestling Entertainment.
Some soccer "journalists" called the game "entertaining" - but that is not the correct word. The MLS and TFC really took the beauty out of the beautiful game in Toronto on Saturday and gave us absurdity.
I really feel badly for TFC Coach John Carver - who had to bear all of the pressure brought about by the league's and the team's poor policies and planning. You have to wonder what he was thinking at the exact moment when the fat keeper was dropped at his feet.
Though after the game he did offer this very honest admission:
"This is my toughest moment in football...I've had some good times, I've had some bad times, I've had some proud moments, but this was the toughest week I've ever, ever put in in 25 years of professional football."
Welcome to Canada John. Welcome to North American football. And just think - things are actually better now than they used to be. Canadian soccer people have never had it so good as they have it now with TFC. You think things were tough this week? Try growing up on this continent and trying to be the best player or coach you can be - you wouldn't last long or get very far in your pursuit of the beautiful game.
*
Sunday, August 24, 2008
That's more like it
The boys got a 1-1 draw from their match with the division leading Revs last night.
It was nice to actually be in this game looking like we could take points. That's what we want - a team hungry for points, wins and ultimately trophies. We don't have to win all the time but management and the players on the pitch need to show us that they at least are trying to win. I thought Barrett took his goal like a true striker and Ibrahim looked dangerous. Guevara was once again the best player on the pitch - with him around it's easy to forget about the loss of Maurice Edu - who will never in his lifetime have the technique of the Honduran.
Having said all that - it's a game that could have gone either way: if Rickett's puts it in we've got an important and exciting three points; if James doesn't make that block - we get no points and have less hope of making the play-offs.
Here's what Coach Carver had to say of James' game saving intervention:
"...Julius James pulls off fantastic block. He did that every day in training and when he did it tonight I was pleased because that was as good as a goal what he did."
So that block brings us one point closer to a play-off spot. I really want to see the team in the play-offs this season. I think it would be particularly great to play a home play-off match at BMO field - us fans decked out in TFC toques and scarves, braving the cold wind coming in from the Lake - watching the boys try to bring glory to the city...
Info Source
It was nice to actually be in this game looking like we could take points. That's what we want - a team hungry for points, wins and ultimately trophies. We don't have to win all the time but management and the players on the pitch need to show us that they at least are trying to win. I thought Barrett took his goal like a true striker and Ibrahim looked dangerous. Guevara was once again the best player on the pitch - with him around it's easy to forget about the loss of Maurice Edu - who will never in his lifetime have the technique of the Honduran.
Having said all that - it's a game that could have gone either way: if Rickett's puts it in we've got an important and exciting three points; if James doesn't make that block - we get no points and have less hope of making the play-offs.
Here's what Coach Carver had to say of James' game saving intervention:
"...Julius James pulls off fantastic block. He did that every day in training and when he did it tonight I was pleased because that was as good as a goal what he did."
So that block brings us one point closer to a play-off spot. I really want to see the team in the play-offs this season. I think it would be particularly great to play a home play-off match at BMO field - us fans decked out in TFC toques and scarves, braving the cold wind coming in from the Lake - watching the boys try to bring glory to the city...
Info Source
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Vancouver 2 - Beautiful FC 2
A better game from Toronto but a disappointing mistake from the kid Edu in the end. The way TFC has been playing lately the Champions League spot is a toss up for me - Montreal could advance at the expense of their MLS opponents.
Come on boys - let's start playing some better football.
The standard is higher this year: an MLS play-off spot and a Champions League berth.
Let's do it.
Come on boys - let's start playing some better football.
The standard is higher this year: an MLS play-off spot and a Champions League berth.
Let's do it.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Whitecaps 1 TFC 0
Not a beautiful performance today from John Carver's boys in losing 1-0 to the Vancouver Whitecaps in Champions League qualifying.
I expected more quality from TFC in a match against a lower-league opponent. We were very poor on the ball and showed little ability to breakdown Vancouver. Dumping ball after ball into the box might get you a goal a game but it won't stand you in very good stead in the Champions League - if you get there. I didn't like the frantic pace nor the macho rough-housing in the opening segment. We played the Whitecaps game. We got sucked in. Carver has to take the blame here. While it was an exciting finish, it was a loss and it was an "unprofessional" performance.
But I still love my team.
Let's play some beautiful football - and win boys!
I expected more quality from TFC in a match against a lower-league opponent. We were very poor on the ball and showed little ability to breakdown Vancouver. Dumping ball after ball into the box might get you a goal a game but it won't stand you in very good stead in the Champions League - if you get there. I didn't like the frantic pace nor the macho rough-housing in the opening segment. We played the Whitecaps game. We got sucked in. Carver has to take the blame here. While it was an exciting finish, it was a loss and it was an "unprofessional" performance.
But I still love my team.
Let's play some beautiful football - and win boys!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
The beauty of three points
It was far from a beautfiul performance but what are you going to do when all of the quality in your squad is unavailable to you?
Just get the three points and go home.
That's what TFC did in beating the LA Galaxy 2-0 yesterday at BMO Field.
TFC's manager John Carver was delighted:
“This game shows we have a bit of bench strength and depth. That’s why this performance has given me more pleasure than any other game this season."
Info Source
Friday, May 9, 2008
The Streamer Issue (Otherwise known as Streamergate)
My comments to Morgan Campbell on his posting "Pardon the streamers":
"I like streamers. If players are not going to be showered by money in the MLS at the very least they should be allowed to experience the joy of being showered by colourful, swirling paper of another kind. There is a beautiful symbiosis in this. People are just taking pot-shots at the best run team in the MLS. I say more streamers next game. And more goals like the Velez header on that beautiful ball from Robert. And more wins. And someday soon, a trophy. And then...more streamers."
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Beautiful ball by Robert
I couldn't believe how open Marco Velez was for TFC's lone goal against New York on Thursday when I saw it live from my seat in section 122.
At the time I attributed it to poor defending.
But post-match everyone was talking about the beautiful ball played in by lefty Laurent Robert.
Said Coach John Carver who was in close proximity to Robert in the technical area:
"It was a great header, a great ball in by Laurent..."
Said Velez:
"I made eye contact with Laurent and he took a quick free kick and he found me inside the box."
As you can see from the video, it was a great, quick ball. And to think I for most of the match kept telling my buddy beside me that I didn't think Robert was doing much out on the wing.
Info Source 1 / Info Source 2 /
Friday, May 2, 2008
Streamer in the wind
Last night TFC drew with NY Red Bull 1-1 in what was a meeting of two evenly matched opponents.
It felt more like fall than spring out there in Section 122 and for a while my buddy and I thought it was going to snow.
Before the game he was bemoaning the fact that he hadn't brought a hat - thinking it was going to rain. But by the end of the match I was complaining about the fact that I hadn't brought gloves to combat the cold wind coming off of the lake - gloves my buddy had remembered to bring.
It felt more like fall than spring out there in Section 122 and for a while my buddy and I thought it was going to snow.
Before the game he was bemoaning the fact that he hadn't brought a hat - thinking it was going to rain. But by the end of the match I was complaining about the fact that I hadn't brought gloves to combat the cold wind coming off of the lake - gloves my buddy had remembered to bring.
My beautiful TFC scarf did help to keep me warm - so that's what those things are for !
But it wasn't really THAT cold. It was cold enough to remind you of how beautiful it is to watch football while exposed to all of the elements that nature has to offer. The only thing missing was a natural grass pitch - the smell of which always arouses the senses.
But the plastic pitch is what allows us to have football year round here so I won't complain. The setting last night was beautiful enough.
But it wasn't really THAT cold. It was cold enough to remind you of how beautiful it is to watch football while exposed to all of the elements that nature has to offer. The only thing missing was a natural grass pitch - the smell of which always arouses the senses.
But the plastic pitch is what allows us to have football year round here so I won't complain. The setting last night was beautiful enough.
And I've just recalled a particularly beautiful moment in the middle of the second half where a long, red streamer got caught up in the swirling wind at mid-field and did a long dance there for us.
It seemed a happy streamer, dancing there, embodying the relentless joy of TFC fans...
Monday, April 28, 2008
Beautiful response to TTC strike
From the Toronto Star:"Where streetcars should have been, a merry band dressed in red rolled west along King Street on a double-decker...As it stopped at one pub after another, the bus filled with soccer fans en route to BMO Field to watch Toronto take on Kansas City...Some tipsy, almost all dressed in Toronto FC colours, they shouted their appreciation for a team that did what the TTC could not...'This is our bus,' they chanted, then smacked their hands in staccato fashion on the side of the bus. 'This is our bus!' "
Source >
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Beautiful Guevara
What a signing Amado Guevara has proven to be. Two goals yestereday vs Kansas City and a beauty of a free-kick goal curled in off the post:
*
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Beautiful Transit
One of the beautiful things about being a TFC fan is taking the TTC. I love being able to live downtown and take a quick subway and a streetcar to watch my team.
But there is a transit strike today...so like a great player...I will have to adjust to changing conditions.
The beer will taste sweeter when I get there I guess.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Nigel Reed finds TFC to be attractive
Perhaps there will be more reason to think Toronto FC beautiful than MLSE marketing and the glorious fan experience that occurs at BMO Field every home game.
Says the CBC commentator of TFC's home-opening performance:
Says the CBC commentator of TFC's home-opening performance:
"What we’re beginning to witness, I believe, is the true evolution of a team, an efficient, strong unit, which can be competitive in Major League Soccer. Finally, after an expansion year in which mediocrity was generally the norm, I’m beginning to see a group of players for whom the phrase “attractive soccer” is not an alien concept...Toronto F.C. is starting to look like a “real” football team!"
Source >
Source >
Sunday, April 20, 2008
The beauty of being a season ticket holder
TFC 1 Real Salt Lake 0
I have been blogging about the beauty of soccer, football, for many years but never felt inspired by the beauty of Canadian soccer.
I was cynical about the idea of Toronto FC when it started up and chose not to buy season tickets. Last season I attended some games and was sold.
This season I am a season ticket holder. And yesterday was my first game as a season ticket holder.
And what a beautiful experience that was to be engulfed in that sea of roaring red...and to see TFC collect 3 points.
I was cynical about the idea of Toronto FC when it started up and chose not to buy season tickets. Last season I attended some games and was sold.
This season I am a season ticket holder. And yesterday was my first game as a season ticket holder.
And what a beautiful experience that was to be engulfed in that sea of roaring red...and to see TFC collect 3 points.
I am rather difficult to please when it comes to football quality. I didn't think much of TFC's onfield product last season. But this season there is definitely more individual quality on the pitch and it is also clear that the new coach has the team functioning more like a team that is built to win games.
A play-off spot this year?
Perhaps. But they'll need to keep their roster healthy to do it.
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