

Posted by

Ian Clarke ,

July 24, 2015 Email

Ian Clarke



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It's another massive Trillium Cup fixture as Toronto FC travel to the Buckeye State to take on rivals Columbus Crew on Saturday night. It will be a match to see how far these two teams have come since their early season tilt that saw the Crew take the lead in the three-game competition through a 2-0 victory. Columbus might not have the names like Toronto FC, but they do have the talent and output as several of their players are having outstanding campaigns that has kept them near the top of the Eastern Conference. Toronto FC bounced back from a rough road trip that saw them leaking goals to almost secure a clean sheet at home against the Philadelphia Union last weekend. Once again it was the skills of their Italian DP that made the difference as there is little debate that the results of TFC rise and fall with the performance of Giovinco. However, it is important to note that other players are stepping up and as long as Greg Vanney is maintaining motivation, intensity and discipline through the squad this week, it should be a winnable game for the Reds. Keep thinking

Toronto FC were able to reverse a rough two week road stretch last weekend with a fairly comprehensive victory over the Philadelphia Union. The temperature was high, which overall slowed down the match through ninety minutes, but did not stop some moments of brilliance and positive play from the Reds. After leaking eight goals over the previous two road games, a 4-0 loss and 4-4 draw, respectively, it was a better defensive display despite being a bit too casual on the goal that made it 2-1 in the end. While the Trillium Cup is a manufactured competition with no actual prestige, what isn't fake is that Toronto and Columbus are two teams, and groups of supporters, who don't like each other and relish winning each fixture. The second encounter of three in 2015, Columbus lead the series with a 2-0 win back in March. It was a bit of doom and gloom early on in 2015 as Toronto looked good in their season opener against Vancouver, but new additions and the rest of the roster were still coming together and Greg Vanney was determining who are his ideal starters and formation. This will serve as an ideal match to see how far Toronto has come since that first encounter. While there will be no Michael Bradley, Giovinco has emerged as a player on an other level to even the best in the league, while his supporting cast through the midfield and attack have done well in their assigned roles. Marky Delgado is one who has been a pleasant surprise and much needed competition for players like Jackson and Robbie FIndlay, who have not lived up to their experience or price tag. Eric Zavaleta still has a ways to go before imposing himself as a proper centre-back, but he has kept his head above water of late to limit being a liability from inexperience. Up against Columbus, in Ohio, Toronto will once again have their hands full with a solid team who are perennially in the playoff picture for the Eastern Conference. While so much has been made with Giovinco this season, especially in Toronto, what is happening in Columbus is they have none of the glitter, but all of the league's leading scorer. With two more goals than Giovinco at 14 on the season, Kei Kamara has matured as a striker at the right moment to become a vital addition to a Columbus team who needed another dimension. That key dimension is of course one of the best attacking and creative midfielders in the league in Federico Higuain. His play against TFC has been very strong over the years and a Higuain and Cheyrou match up will be interesting to see whose experience wins the day. The Crew have other names to be mindful of and through a solid spine which will be a challenge for Toronto to manage. With Michael Parkhurst at the back, working up to a midfield of Toni Tchani and Ethan Findlay, these two players are putting in a good season, especially Findlay who has emerged as a top MLS midfielder. Most eyes will be on Higuain and Kamara in the attack, but Justin Meram imposed himself on Toronto's defence earlier in the season and he will undoubtedly be looking to disrupt the likes of Damian Perquis and Zavaleta. While Columbus do have the 2-0 goal advantage in this rivalry, there are some events from the first game to weigh in for the return encounter. The straight red to Justin Morrow certainly factored into the end result, but also an unconvincing display of motivation from Toronto factored as well. While Morrow will be available once again, the news of Ashtone Morgan potentially picking up a slight knock from the midweek friendly could upset what has been a balanced fullback pairing. This will be something to watch as the likes of Warren Creavalle and even Jackson are liabilities and could be where Columbus breaks through. The Reds aren't the same team from four months ago. Of course everyone now knows what known quantity Giovinco is, but some other players have upped their game as well. Jozy Altidore put in a strong display last weekend, as well as Delgado and Morrow. The other parts of the side were not passengers, but getting players like Jonathan Osorio and Benoit Cheyrou in proper form ahead of this match will go a long way in ensuring a positive result. It will be a cliché of a midfield battle, but if Toronto can mitigate and liabilities on the pitch and have Giovinco once again motivated and looking hungry, it will be a good night for TFC. In the end

The competition of the Trillium Cup does not really mean much to the players or supporters, but a Toronto FC versus Columbus Crew fixture always will on it's own. Columbus has gone about their success differently than the Reds and have made some smart signings without breaking the bank. As much as TFC has the firepower, they will need to be defensively committed in this match or the likes of Kamara, Higuain and Findlay will make them pay. If this is a more balanced display, as in more Philadelphia Union than New York City FC, then there is a good chance the Reds will come away with something positive. Prediction

Toronto FC 2 – 2 Columbus Crew