Bigger is Not necessarily better

TFC needs effective ball possession game 

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      TFC needs effective ball possession game  

Weather and field conditions can present difficulties for a team to deliver according to plan. But it does not negate the fact that the two teams play under the same conditions and has the same level of difficulty.

The Reds 1-0 home opener win at BMO Field against DC United under tough conditions showed that Toronto FC lacked team chemistry and the second in a 1-0 loss against Colorado with several starters out, looked like some players were looking for individual glory.

After signing a Bloody big deal with the marquee players contributing, Coach Nelsen had a perfect scenario when his bench players stepped up and added their contribution to the team’s 2-0 victory in Columbus, Ohio.

Inflated egos were an anticipated problem by all the attention that was paid to the TFC players heading into the season. From where I sat in the Colorado match it looked like the bench players may have to be brought back down to earth if they want extra playing time.

The disturbing part of this is that the team still has a lot of work to do since the visitors had the better of the ball possession in the two home games.

The only solution for coach Nelsen is for the players to continue to go down fighting on the road but start controlling the run of play at home. But that may be easier said than done with Michael Bradley out of the midfield due to injury.

Bradley has been a major contributor to TFC winning two of its three matches on the road and with the next game on the road at FC Dallas a win without ball possession is acceptable. But before the home fans the Reds has to improve to instill confidence in the fans.

 Stay Tuned for the upcoming Toronto FC Exclusive magazine call “Finally”.!

Bradley delivers with bench help

Toronto FC defeated Columbus Crew 2-0 at Crew stadium to register it third win in four games.  TFC star midfielder Michael Bradley scored the first goal when he surprised goalkeeper Rodriguez with a scorcher from a tight angle at the first post that gave Toronto FC early lead in the 11th minute. Canadian international midfielder Issey Nakajima-Farran came off the bench to score with a neat deflection for the Reds to leave Columbus with a 2-0 win.

Missing from Toronto FC line up were Forward Jermain Defoe, Defender Doniel Henry, Alvaro Rey, and captain and central defender Steven Caldwell.

Defoe strikes again for TFC second win

Jermain Defoe scored his third goal in two games as Toronto Defeated DC United 1-0 in their Home Opener at BMO Field in Toronto. It was the first game for Brazilian forward Gilberto but unfortunately it seems like it was at the expense of home town boy Dwayne De Rosario. It was a noticeable omission since De Rosario holds the record as the only player in the MLS who have scored against all his previous teams. But player selection is coach Nelsen’s decision to make and he decided to sit De Rosario as his team won its second game in as many outings.

It is the best start the Toronto franchise has experienced although DC United was more comfortable on the ball and enjoyed the better of the ball possession. It is the second game that Toronto has won ugly but it takes a good team to accomplish an ugly win and start a winning streak.

Much have been said about the condition of the field but for me the more disruptive element has been the weather. It seemed like because of the snow Toronto could not practice at BMO Field as the team would have liked and as a result the field may have well be that of DC United for Toronto FC home opener.

But the two teams played on the same field and Toronto players movement off the ball is lacking. There is no flank penetration as TFC players are very hesitant to go flat-out to the end-line

Jermain Defoe scored his third goal in two games as Toronto Defeated DC United 1-0 in their Home Opener at BMO Field in Toronto. It was the first game for Brazilian forward Gilberto but unfortunately it seems like it was at the expense of home town boy Dwayne De Rosario. It was a noticeable omission since De Rosario holds the record as the only player in the MLS who have scored against all his previous teams. But player selection is coach Nelsen’s decision to make and he decided to sit De Rosario as his team won its second game in as many outings

Defoe Dazzles as TFC wins season opener

With fans clamouring for a change fortunes Toronto FC went out and signed English International and Tottenham Hotspurs forward Jermain Defoe. It’s a Bloody Big Deal was the headlines as the club kept up the momentum by signing US International Michael Bradley and Brazilian International goalkeeper Julio Cesar.

As Toronto FC major off season signing Jermain Defoe proved that he still has the scoring touch after scoring two goals in the Reds a 2-1 victory o

ver Seattle Sounders for its first ever season opener win. Defoe debut was a delightful moment for Reds fans who have experienced more than their share of busted deals. Defoe has been voted MLS Player of the Week for his opening day performance

Michael Bradley was also impressive as he did his impersonation of the energizer bunny by putting relentless pressure on the ball to reset most of the Sounders offensive surges. He also came out on the better end of the battle of the US Internationals between himself and Clint Dempsey although Dempsey managed to score the Sounders’ lone goal.

TFC’s Brazilian International goalkeeper Julio Cesar also played a role in Toronto historic win. He made crucial stops when they were needed and as a welcome change from past seasons the Reds did not allow a late goal. As a result, Red fans are on a high going into the home opener against DC United at BMO Field in Toronto on March 22nd.

In 2014, every result will be a big deal in Toronto

Fasten your seat belts and prepare for Toronto FC  Bloody Big deal ride of 2014. The Reds are in a season where they are preparing to land into the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs for the very first time.

So that in itself is a big deal added to the fact that Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) as the parent company of the club has put out big dollars to secure marquee players for coach Ryan Nelsen to achieve the objective.

Tim Leiweke, as President and CEO of MLSE, and TFC General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko can sit back, relax and enjoy the ride in their first class seats since they have delivered on their promise by ensuring quality players are signed. At the end of last season they promised Reds fans that the club will recruit high profile players in the offseason to enable the Reds to make the elusive playoffs.

Three Designated Players (DP); English International and Tottenham Hotspur forward Jermain Defoe, US International and AS Roma midfielder Michael Bradley and Brazilian forward Gilberto Junior were signed, in addition to the acquisition of two experience winners in Dwayne De Rosario (Re-Entry Draft) and Brazilian International goalkeeper Júlio César on loan from Queens Park Rangers (QPR) of the Championship League in England.

Reds fans are still pinching themselves to make sure that it is not a dream, but barring injuries, the playoff is TFC spot to lose.  Having the privilege of covering the club from day one it is refreshing to experience the positive vibes and optimism in just about every area of the organization.

It all started last season with the hiring of new coach Ryan Nelsen and the impressive way he evaluated the games and assessed the players in relation to the level of competition in the League. Why this was not done sooner is anyone’s guess, but whatever the reason, it seems like the Reds may have finally latched onto a formula that should bring the desired results.

 TFC supporters should not miss a moment of what seems to be a historic journey this season. Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment (MLSE) deserves a lot of credit for bringing back Dero in a situation where he can now experience the twilight of his career in his hometown.

The pieces to TFC success have all been delivered at the doorsteps of TFC coach Ryan Nelsen  …Stay Tuned for the upcoming Toronto Exclusive Magazine right here on Caribbean Stars Soccer Review. “We’ve got it Covered”.