The 2012 MLS schedule has not been kind to Toronto FC as they face another tough opponent on the heels of a midweek match. Toronto are back at Livestrong Park to take on the Eastern Conference leaders, Sporting Kansas City, the team that kicked off Paul Mariner's reign as TFC's seventh head coach.
Since that meeting the two sides have met one other time, at BMO Field, and KC walked away with a 1-0 win to give them wins in both encounters thus far. Kansas City are on another run of good form similar to the start of the season, undefeated in five games, which is a 180 degree contrast to TFC who are winless in their last five in league matches.
There is not doubt about it, TFC are heavy underdogs in this game, and based on recent form and results are unlikely to come away with anything. However, an injury and suspension can help their cause and improved defending might narrow the gap against a team who've struggled to score. Toronto has had some lucky bounces this year, and with their back against the wall could pull something off, but it will require the right approach from Paul Mariner and a match without mistakes from all eleven players on the pitch.
Keep Thinking
TFC return to the scene of the beginning of Paul Mariner's reign as head coach. It was a rocky start that saw Kansas City dominate the opening third of the match and the Reds were fortunate to go into the dressing room at half time only down 2-0. In the final forty-five minutes Toronto found their feet and were able to hold that score and actually look much better at the final whistle.
That match kicked off an impressive turn in form for TFC that saw Danny Koevermans go red hot and help the team go on a solid run of results. However, once Koevermans went down to a season ending injury, things have gotten much tougher for the Reds.
Winless in their last six games in all competitions, and most recently experiencing a last minute collapse against Santos Laguna, Toronto will need to highlight some of their positives but try to eliminate and improve on a handful of negatives. Midweek games have been the one bright spot for TFC this season, as well as non-MLS competition and they will have to find a way (as always) to transfer the mentality they bring to those matches into league play. While a point is always good, bunkering down has never been a good strategy for Toronto and an approach as seen against Houston in mid-June might be the best way to set the tone early and hopefully hold on for at the very least a point.
Kansas City represent almost literally the polar-opposite of TFC. Still playing 4-3-3, top of the Eastern Conference with a game in hand and on a streak of five games without a loss, they are primed for a run at the MLS Cup. As is seen with all the top sides in MLS, balance back to front is key and although scoring has not been their strongest suit this year, they have made up for it was sound goalkeeping, a strong defensive core and dynamic midfielders.
Toronto should be well aware now who will cause them real problems, most notably Graham Zusi and Roger Espinoza. Both players were instrumental in the home and away wins over TFC with Zusi pulling all the strings in the first game at Livestrong Park and Espinoza tirelessly wreaking havoc all through the midfield and attacking third in the match at BMO Field.
If there is any repreive for the The Reds it is the loss of two influencial players for Kansas City. Teal Bunbury, although not having a great season but who was a handful two week ago, has gone down with a season ending MCL injury. At the other end of the pitch, Eric Hassli might be glad to see fellow Frenchman Aurelien Collin will miss the game due to yellow card accumulation.
The loss of Collin has to be seen as a small window of opportunity as TFC have rarely been able to score more than one goal against a top side. This will be part of the strategy for Mariner, whether he will take this chance and try to implement something that commits a top two of Hassli and Ryan Johnson who could physically punish the defenders and use Luis Silva as the set-up man. With some support from either Dunfield or Frings, constant pressure instead of laying back and hoping a ball over the top might create something would be a better approach.
If Toronto has one positive they can take into this match it is the arrival and performances of Darren O'Dea, who has quietly solidified the defence and the lone question mark now is at right back until Doneil Henry returns to form, or a suitable partner is found in the middle that could push Richard Eckersley back to his natural position. O'Dea's first match was against Kansas City and this will be a good test to see how far he's come in such a short time.
This match, as noted, will all come down to how the side is prepared and approach Paul Mariner chooses to take. Rarely has the team showed any genuinely exciting football over the last two months, save for an impressive Koevermans streak, but in this match it might not be necessary. Kansas City at home, while a decent record, are not on the same level as the likes of San Jose, DC United or Houston. A lack of goals has been a problem for them and as long as the Reds don't come out cold, have a chance to come away with a result.
In the End
Kansas City are an opponent that TFC supporters know better than they'd like to. More often than not, Toronto has had the short end of this rivalry right from the opening home game back in 2007. This year Kansas City has gotten the better of TFC twice and there is little indication that the squad Paul Mariner has put together can compete or match up player for player. However, the loss of Aurelien Collin is a real opportunity for the Reds to try and exploit an area that might not be able to handle the physicality that Eric Hassli and Ryan Johnson can bring. Kansas City are a top side, and a tough opponent at home, but not quite among the elite yet. If Mariner can get this right, Toronto can leave Livestrong with their heads up.
Prediction
Toronto FC 1 – 1 Kansas City
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