

Posted by

Ian Clarke ,

June 6, 2014 Email

Ian Clarke



Twitter

@ClarkeRNO Read this on your iPhone/iPad or Android device



Toronto FC return back home to BMO Field, sans Voyageurs Cup, to grit their teeth and get through one more match before the World Cup break. Hosting the improving San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday afternoon, the Reds will need to quickly put their 1-0 loss behind them and ensure that they heading into a two week rest with all three points. Injuries continue to be a concern for TFC as a handful of important midfielders are at less than 100%, and as seen against the Impact, the team has problems creating and providing service to the attack, which had it's chances but could not convert. San Jose have struggled away from home and have only won once in five matches outside of Buck Shaw Stadium. For the better part of the month, opportunity has knocked for the Reds against either weaker opposition, or weakened opposition. San Jose represents a bit of both, and three points will be important to bank in order to keep BMO a formidable advantage and stay right in the mix for the playoffs. Keep thinking

After an inspiring come-from-behind win last weekend against Columbus, Toronto had looked to carry that determination over midweek against Montreal in the Voyageurs Cup. In some ways it was a lackluster follow-up, but in others, it was consistent with what was seen over the last few weeks. Ryan Nelsen had an opportunity to get a look at what worked well in the Columbus result, but instead of using that line-up and momentum from the start, went forth with the same conservative strategy seen of late. The result was, much like last weekend, an attacking-focused group saved for when TFC were behind the eight-ball, instead of proactively controlling the match from the opening whistle. The team will have little time to consider how they will approach San Jose, as the tactic of having your most creative forwards in Jermain Defoe, Luke Moore, Gilberto and Dwayne De Rosario saved for the dying ten minutes is not the most sustainable method to secure points. Ryan Nelsen should consider either Gilberto and De Rosario from the start, and this could offer a different look to not only the team, but their opponents, who likely are well aware of what is in store for them from week to week. San Jose have yet to follow up on their impressive last gasp at the 2013 playoffs that gave hints they could be on the cusp of a return to form from 2012. Mark Watson hasn't been able to quite get the same run of results and as a result the Earthquakes are sitting just out of the playoff picture. Most importantly from Toronto's perspective is they will be without Chris Wondolowski, however, there are still some players to monitor who can still change the game. Alan Gordon, Atiba Harris, Cordell Cato, along with interesting new signings in Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi, Yannick Djalo and Andreas Gorlitz. What TFC will need to counter is ensuring their midfield can compete with San Jose's. Former Red, now proven MLS-vet, Sam Cronin comes home and along with Shea Salinas, Harris and Pierazzi, offers good competition in the middle of the park. This was one of the weaknesses seen from Toronto against Montreal that will need to be addressed and a solution for a better performance needed. Until Michael Bradley returns from World Cup duty, it will always be a struggle to find the best combination, and with the likes of Bradley Orr, Jonathan Osorio and Jackson all carrying knocks, the idea of the same corps from Wednesday does not inspire confidence. Team selection, as well as overall approach will be essential to TFC coming away with all three points. Ryan Nelsen saw against Columbus what created the chances for goals and might considering including three attacking options from the start. The 3-2 victory, as much as it was inspiring, came down to determination moreso than design. If this team is to take hold of a position in the table, there will need to be more a more decisive strategy than hoping Jermain Defoe latches onto a through ball or someone gets on the end of a header. If the Reds can come out against San Jose with Wednesday behind them mentally, and carry over the determination from last weekend, from the start, there is a good chance at a win. But it comes down to connecting the three areas of the pitch and ensuring there is a linking player from the midfield to the attack. If that player is Kyle Bekker or Jeremy Hall, Ryan Nelsen is rolling the dice on how well they will perform. If Nelsen can find room for Gilberto or De Rosario to be that player, TFC might look dangerous from the start and offer a means to create in more ways that sending it over the top. In the end

Toronto hit a huge high last weekend in their 3-2 win over Columbus, but could not follow it up midweek against the struggling Montreal Impact. It is the final match before a lengthy World Cup break and the right time to leave it all on the pitch and ensure the team is in a strong position to remain in the mix for the playoffs. While TFC have not been consistently convincing, they do have players who are fully committed to the cause and can be counted on each week to bringing their game, but this won't be enough. To beat San Jose, despite their early season struggles, Toronto will need to be assertive and get out in front and not look back. This will be a tall order as it has not been the M.O. of Ryan Nelsen so far, but hopefully he has learned from the last month and heads into the break on a three point high. Prediction

Toronto FC 2 – 1 San Jose Earthquakes