P osted by

Kamal Hylton ,

July 16, 2014 Email

Kamal Hylton



On Twitter

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



Following their come from behind 4-2 win against Houston last weekend, Toronto FC were looking to further close the distance between themselves and second place Sporting Kansas City in the Eastern Conference race. The match-up for TFC was Canadian rival Vancouver Whitecaps, who were looking to shake off a 3-1 defeat to Chivas USA, a game that saw them give up three second half goals including one to the in form Erick “Cubo” Torres”. Sitting in the fifth and final playoff place, the West continues to look like the log jam it always is and a win on the road would see them make a big move up the table. Head Coach Carl Robinson and his squad know points are at a premium with their next two games against Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas, two teams in the thick of the race and neck and neck with them in the standings. The Reds welcomed Michael Bradley back into the line-up in place of Dominic Oduro as Head Coach Ryan Nelsen looked to solidify the midfield against a speedy Whitecaps attack, and opted to go with Bradley Orr in defence. The Englishmen is proving a versatile asset with the ability to play in defence and midfield, filling in for Steven Caldwell in this game after the TFC skipper suffered a torn quad and could be out for several weeks.



The Opening 45

There was a clear tactical approach from the outset of the match, with Nelsen and Robinson setting up their respective sides to dictate the game in different ways. The Whitecaps looked to exploit the wings and the clear speed advantage of its front three players in Russell Teibert, Eric Hurtado and Darren Mattocks. The latter getting the first chance of the match in the 2nd minute, failing to convert on a corner click that stemmed from a cheap give-away by Collen Warner. Midfielder Pedro Morales would have a few set piece opportunities, but nothing too threatening for goalkeeper Joe Bendik. Toronto FC chose to use high pressure and activity, forcing the visitors into poor passes and controlling the flow of the game through the returning Bradley. The US international made an impression in the midfield through winning the ball, shifting play and springing the like of Jackson, Jonathan Osorio and Jermain Defoe. David Ousted was the busier of the the two keepers, being called into action on free kicks in and around the area. Collen Warner was the man on set piece duty early on, just missing the outstretched boot of a lunging Jermain Defoe in the 15th minute and finding the head of Doneil Henry moment later giving Ousted something to think about. As the half began to come to a close, TFC began to put some pressure on through a fluid run from the Brazilian Jackson on the left wing in the 38th minute. The winger beating a couple of defenders before being taken down in the box, however referee Allen Chapman would wave play on. Toronto would be denied again two minutes later, a recycled set piece set piece found Defoe who latched onto a mishandled save from Ousted and poked it into the net only for the assistant referee to raise his flag for offside. Neither team was able to find the back of the net and the half ended scoreless. Should have had that game but those young bloods at @WhitecapsFC are quick. @torontofc needs to step it up #TFClive #sloppy #playing — Devon Petroff (@DevonPetroff) July 17, 2014

An uneventful mid week game tonight in #MLS. Both teams seemed to be just going though the motions. #TFCLive We deserve better! #TFC #VWC — Timothy Jansen (@timmerj_75) July 17, 2014

The Second Half

The second half started fast, with Michael Bradley testing Vancouver's keeper Ousted from a free kick just outside the 18-yard box and forcing the big Dane into a diving stop. That would wake up the Whitecaps, as a turnover from TFC at the 50th minute was picked up by Morales, played along the left wing to Teibert and the Canadian international’s low cross found Darren Mattocks for an easy finish past Bendik. Just when it looked like Vancouver would take the initiative in the match, the Reds work down the left wing would pay off. In the 63rd minute, Jackson, continuing where he left off in the opening fourth-five, used his elusiveness and foot speed to force another takedown in the box. This time Chapman would award the penalty, Defoe stepping up and beating Ousted to his right and leveling the game 1-1 in the 64th minute. Jackson would be forced off with an injury and replaced by Gilberto, but Toronto FC would continue to push on and get closer to finding a second goal with Gilberto missing an open header from a left sided cross. The final chances of the game fell to TFC. A Bradley free kick finding Nick Hagglund in the box who just headed it over the bar, and a wide ball from Jermain Defoe onto Gilberto going just wide of Ousted’s goal, ending the game in a 1-1 draw.



Man of the Match





Jackson

It would be easy for anyone to pick Michael Bradley for his performance tonight, controlling the midfield for much of the game and finding teammates in space. However, Jackson put in a real shift for the Reds. Proving himself to be a constant pest down the left wing, giving fullback fullback Steven Beitashour a torrid time and forcing Whitecaps defenders into numerous fouls. One of those fouls earning Toronto FC the penalty and game-tying goal. He unfortunately would be forced off in the 77th minute due to injury, but his work rate, willingness to track back and eager approach to taking on multiple defenders with the ball at his feet can’t be understated.



Honourable mention

Vancouver did not have many clear cut chances, but Darren Mattocks looked lively up top, had good movement both out wide and centrally, and bagged the opening goal in between several TFC defenders. Credit also need to be given to the defence, especially those charged with tracking Jermain Defoe - Matias Laba was tidy in the midfield, while young Sam Adekugbe looks like a player to watch through the season. Who was your TFC Man of the Match? Who is your Whitecaps Man of the Match?

TFC Line-up

12 Bendik

2 Morrow

16 Orr

15 Henry

28 Bloom

4 Bradley

26 Warner

21 Osorio

11 Jackson

27 Moore

18 Defoe Substitutions: (55) Hagglund for Bloom; (59) Oduro for Osorio; (77) Gilberto for Jackson Vancouver Whitecaps Line-up

1 Ousted

3 Adekugbe

16 Leveron

24 Mitchell

33 Beitashour

15 Laba

20 Reo Coker

31 Teibert

77 Morales

11 Mattocks

19 Hurtado Substitutions: (71) Koffie for Reo-Coker; (82) Manneh for Teibert; (90+3) Fernandez for Hurtado