Finally after 824 barren minutes (nearly 14 hours!!) Toronto FC finally scored a goal. But hold off applying to City Hall for that parade permit, because Miguel Canizales goal after 2 minutes at a sun-drenched BMO Field against Columbus Crew yesterday was a false dawn.
Try as they might, TFC’s toothless forward line could not convert any more of the promising chances that presented themselves, as they have done throughout the season. And the biggest cheers of the day were for a hapless squirrel who found his way onto the pitch and showed more pace on the wing than a couple of Toronto’s players. The sorry fact of the matter is that in the absence of the likes of Ronnie O’Brien or Danny Dichio, TFC does not have the caliber of player capable of opening up an MLS defence of any quality.
Time and again the TFC midfield won possession only to be left vainly waiting for a forward to make a penetrating run. Samuel may have some fancy schmancy footwork, but he dearly needs to acquaint himself with the inside of a gym. And Lombardo is clearly way out of his depth and looks like going under at any time. The 19 year old looks lost, and any potential he may have is in peril if these confidence sapping performances continue in front of an increasingly frustrated and unforgiving home crowd.
Clearly the team is suffering from those ol’ expansion team blues. It is a rarity in professional sports to bring an entire squad together. It is difficult enough to get a handful of new signings to gel, let alone 22 players who have never previously met. But after 28 games together it is clear that many of those players are just not quite up to snuff and won’t be coming back next year. But credit them and coach Mo Johnston, for a season that hasn’t seen them on the receiving end of an out and out thrashing by anyone.
Bumper crowds all season probably mean that TFC will have the budget to sign some marquee players next year. The forward line in particular will have to be beefed up. With a more mature squad, we can then judge MoJo’s abilities as a coach. Though given the pressures of an injury ravaged inaugural season he can already claim some kudos, as well as a few lessons learned the hard way.
But lest we forget there are still six games left this season, including next weeks tough game on the road against DC United and a home game against the powerful New York Red Bulls. And in case you need reminding, Toronto have gone 88 minutes without scoring a goal. And counting….
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