Slow progress for Toronto FC
Wednesday, September 24, 2008 | 08:17 AM ET
Improvement was the key word. Not the playoffs, nor the Supporters’ Shield nor the MLS Cup.
When snowstorms were raging and a huge bubble enveloped BMO Field like a giant mushroom back in February, Toronto FC’s newly appointed head coach was asked what he wanted to achieve after leaving his English comfort zone for pastures new in Canada.
Straight-talking Geordie John Carver made no rash promises or predictions, but did expect to see “improvement” within the team he inherited from Mo Johnston. At the same time, Carver readily accepted responsibility for preparing and selecting the team and understood from the outset his future employment in Toronto would hinge on its success or failure.
Playoffs beyond reach
It’s now clear, despite what the mathematicians would have you believe, Toronto FC will be merely a spectator as the post-season drama unfolds, but does that mean the team as a unit, and Carver as its leader, has failed in 2008? Has Carver managed to achieve his own personal goal and improve the team?
The results would suggest not. Seven wins from 25 MLS games is nothing to be proud of; nor is the fact the team has averaged no better than a goal a game in 2008 nor, indeed, that 10 of the 12 road games have proved pointless - literally. Any way you cut it, the stats do not make pleasant reading.
Whatever happened to those halcyon days of spring when the Reds roared up the Eastern Conference, riding a wave of confidence, yielding five wins and just a single, narrow defeat in eight games, plus a Canadian Championship victory in Montreal? How did this team contrive to spiral downwards, winning just two of the next 15 in MLS play, while failing to qualify for the inaugural CONCACAF Champions League to the delight of soccer fans in Quebec?
In a word, consistency. Or to be strictly accurate, a lack thereof has been the undoing of Toronto FC in its second year. It’s no wonder the loyal supporters are feeling angry, frustrated and somewhat betrayed.
There are, in all fairness, mitigating circumstances. The revolving-door player policy has certainly not aided Carver’s attempts to unearth a winning, or at least competitive and settled combination while MLS' short-sighted strategy regarding FIFA dates has, at times, made his job nigh on impossible.
Some progress
But before we, the jury, find the accused guilty on all counts and demand the maximum sentence for those responsible, let’s take a moment to reflect on the progress that has been made, albeit too slowly for those impatient for instant success.
Paul Winsper’s fitness regime has kept more players healthy more often. Muscle injuries have been few and far between compared to 2007 and even the unlucky Todd Dunivant is ahead of schedule as he continues to rehab from a season-ending broken ankle.
Players of better quality have joined the team, bringing desperately needed depth to a roster that was worryingly shallow during the expansion year. Guevara, Ricketts and Barrett, in my opinion, have added creativity and bite to a team which had precious little last season. Sadly, they have generally failed to all click on the same day which has, in some measure, led to the overall inconsistency.
The goal count is not impressive, 25 in as many games is clearly insufficient to make a serious challenge for the playoffs, but at least the headline writers are not falling over themselves to find new phrases to describe the embarrassing goal-drought which blighted year one. Carver has spent much of his first season crying out for a proven goal-scorer - he was given a 16-year-old rookie and another who shows promise but has yet to fulfill his potential. Experienced strikers cost money, the better ones cost more, and so finding one in a league tied to a strict salary cap is a challenge. And the best ones are all taken.
I’m not trying to sugar coat the problems facing Toronto FC. Let’s face it, if the team won the majority of its matches by two or three goals my job in the broadcast booth would be a whole lot easier. That they don’t doesn’t mean the team hasn’t improved. But it does mean we all need to show two of our better qualities.
Namely, faith and patience.
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About the Author
Nigel Reed lends his extensive experience, passion and knowledge of the game of soccer to his role as play-by-play announcer for CBC’s Major League Soccer broadcasts.
Reed has more than 20 years experience covering soccer, most notably a five-year stint from 1999 to 2004 where he was a host and producer for the English Premier League for BBC. He also covered English Premier League giants Liverpool and Everton for BBC Radio and provided analysis for both BBC TV and the BBC website.
More recently, Reed served as play-by-play announcer for CBC’s coverage of the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup. He also hosts The Soccer Show for the Toronto sports radio station the Fan 590.
Recent Posts
- Was honesty the best policy?
- Sunday, April 26, 2009
- Slow progress for Toronto FC
- Wednesday, September 24, 2008
- Reds are playing for pride
- Tuesday, September 16, 2008
- Barrett's one for the future
- Friday, September 12, 2008
- Can Carlos Ruiz cut it in Canada?
- Sunday, August 31, 2008
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Comments
Roberto
I love the game and I love TFC,but I think enough is enough!! It is time to start winning.
1)I agree Dichio should retire and coach in the team.
2) Let's find some one else to help Guevara. We are depending too much on just one man.
I know next year will be better, but let's start building the team now!!
Posted September 27, 2008 08:31 AM
Enzo
Woodbridge
Nigel,
I would be content watching TFC lose every game if they played a higher quality of soccer. San Jose an expansion team for example, is playing wonderful soccer with a solid base of domestic players complimented by excellent foreign signings under Canadian Frank Yallop.
As for Carver I love his passion but his bottom line is winnning and he is on a terrible run at the moment. As history shows foreign coaches have had little success in MLS (save Steve Nicol who lived and coached in the US for several years before being hired by NE). The key criteria is knowledge of the MLS system and North American talent base. It was impossible for Carver to step in and succeed with so little knowledge of the player pool and opposing teams, and of course the manner in which the league operates.
I admire Carver for bringing attention to his poor results this past week, as the "chummy" media covering the team has surely not had the courage to question his tactics and comment on the futility in any serious way that would put carver on the hot seat.
That said with MLS legend Piotr Nowak currently available, and TFC fans losing faith, it may be time MLSE makes a bold statement to its supporters and the rest of the league by signing one of the best soccer minds in North America. There aren't many great MLS managers available (ie. the likes of Kinnear, Nicol,Yallop, Bradley, Arena, Schmid)so when one does become available teams must act. Lets hope the management at MLSE are listening.
Posted September 26, 2008 11:16 PM
ColoColo91
Toronto
Steve, you hit the nail right on the head...
Carver complained all season about getting a striker, but never bothered to fix his first problem, the defence... If it wasn't for the terrible defence, starting with the biggest pylon out there, Velez, as Paul said it, we might be in the Champions league. We might also be a little higher up in the table, as some the tighter games might have gone our way if we had a more credible defence.
I wrote in another blog a few weeks ago about Carver's policy on players fighting for a spot, which is a load of crap, because he obbviously has his favorites, or as you (Steve)put it lack of confidence in others. So already that is and was big lie. Steve, you were also right about his questionable subs or lack of substitutions. Yes Paul (brilliant) Winsper, has done a magnificent job with the players fitness, but Carver isn't making those subs or is waiting wayyyy too long... I think a few weeks ago when they tied 1-1 with New England at home, he waited till the 88 minute to bring in fresh legs. How the hell do you justify bringing in a guy with 2 minutes left in the game and expect him to make a difference when the game had been virtually 1-1 the whole half. Thats just does not make any sense to me.
I dunno why the supporters in the end unbailed that banner, because in Carver "I do not trust". As Steve also put it, "(Carver) has the inability to devise a strategy other than the direct ball.
If Carver is around next season, I hope he proves me wrong, but although I am a loyal season seat supporter, I don't have much faith right now!!!
Posted September 26, 2008 07:51 PM
Tyler Durden
Toronto
We need to keep and build around this core: Sutton,Wynne,Brennan,Ricketts,Guavera,Jo.Smith,Ibby and Barrett. Dichio should retire(injured too much) and be a coach within the TFC organization.
I think we'll also get DeRo next year..
Cheers
Posted September 25, 2008 12:02 AM
Paul
Toronto
i have no problem with showing faith and patience. my problem is that...
1. there is not enough quality on this team. central defense is generally a couple of pylons during most games.
2. a lack of heart. if some of the players showed as much passion as those in the stands, i don't think we would be in the same position as we are in right now.
3. football is a team sport. you need players to pass the ball to each other...accurately. this also includes passing to those wearing the same shirt...
funny enough, i'm not at the point of wanting to sack Mo/Carver. I think we can give them next season to try this again. however, without improvement right out of the gate, all bets are off. Toronto FC fans will make you or break you next season. i think Newcastle United fans show what can happen when you have negative passionate support.
Posted September 24, 2008 12:23 PM
Gary
Ontario
Don't worry, Mr. Reed - you can always start blogging about the Impact's CCL run instead, or about Montréal and Vancouver's race to the USL-1 title!
Posted September 24, 2008 12:10 PM
scooter
spot on Nigel
even although it has been hard as a fan to take this lack of wins and still cheer on the boys---we have done it due to faith and patience
and agreed there have been a lot of positives this year so "come on you reds"
Posted September 24, 2008 11:02 AM
steve
Toronto
I have to agree that there is evidence of improvement between 2007's version or TFC and 2008's version.
But progress is glacial like.
For all of the good that has come from Carver's hiring; the man himself has created turmoil:
Inability to devise a strategy other than the direct ball.
His lack of confidence in certain players.
Wasteful & questionable substitutions.
Lack of production from set pieces.
Poor positioning and discipline in the defensive third, defending re-starts.
What's required is some stability in the roster. Perhaps future players should be a degree or two removed from international duty, either by age or skill - similar to Ricketts.
It's unfortunate that Canadian media reps covering TFC have little to no footbal knowledge or are scared to ask the difficult questions to the people who have the answers.
Carver & Johnson need to be held to account for another season of poor football.
Posted September 24, 2008 10:23 AM