TORONTO

Toronto FC supporters blamed Greg Vanney.

Then they took aim — rather endlessly — at embattled fullback Warren Creavalle.

After that, it was Reds’ goalkeeper Joe Bendik’s fault.

There was concern, and lots of it, following TFC’s 3-2 loss in Chicago over the weekend — especially when you consider the Reds led briefly in the second half before a stunning defensive meltdown.

But before you tar and feather the club’s front office, hear me out: The Reds lost Saturday afternoon due to defensive lapses that simply can’t happen at this level. The blame can’t be placed on a single player, either.

Toronto conceded three times due to a series of mistakes — all of which were avoidable.

The first, a blocked first-half clearance attempt by Robbie Findley, arrived after Findley failed to track Joevin Jones following the turnover. Jones completed a quick one-two with Shaun Maloney before finding side-netting two touches later.

Michael Bradley was a bit late sliding down to make a challenge, but there’s no excuse for four TFC players — all of which were around the play — to get beat by a simple one-two that close to the box.

Chicago’s second-half equalizer was worse. Nick Hagglund did a decent job to stand Maloney up while his teammates ball-watched.

Looking back, Creavalle, Jonathan Osorio or both could have doubled Maloney instead of allowing the Scottish international to cut in on Hagglund before scoring through traffic.

As for the home side’s game-winner, the foul — which saw Creavalle sent off — was sloppy and silly considering TFC’s embattled fullback knew he was already on a caution. The ensuing free kick from close to 30 metres was a goal Bendik would undoubtedly want back.

Sure, goals often result from a series of mistakes. But not glaring errors like the ones witnessed Saturday.

Before even mentioning the way Vanney drew things up, individuals need to be held accountable for a lack of urgency on the defensive end.

DISSECTING THE SYSTEM

The Reds are giving away far too much space in their defensive third.

The club’s 4-3-1-2 system is leaving TFC’s outside backs far too exposed considering the three players in front of the back four are often playing centrally.

Bradley, Osorio and Benoit Cheyrou are being asked to cover a lot of ground when the ball turns over while the club’s outside backs are expected to join the attack whenever possible.

Furthermore, with Sebastian Giovinco playing at the top of a midfield diamond behind two forwards, the Reds are sometimes forced to defend with just six or seven in transition despite playing without their two top centre backs, both of who are injured.

Things just don’t seem tight enough, a big reason why Bendik has faced the second most shots of any goalkeeper in the league.

While Vanney has insisted the Reds need to play looser when in possession, the club needs to be more consistent in setting up two distinct blocks in the defensive end.

That could mean switching to more of a 4-4-1-1, with a pair of outside midfielders — Osorio and Jackson — routinely tracking back in front of the fullbacks.

The Reds are conceding, on average, multiple goals per game. As a result, something has to change.

POLARIZING SUPPORT

Some love him. Some hate him.

I’ve maintained my stance since the beginning: Bendik is one of the only reasons Toronto FC has remained in games the past few seasons.

Still, many fans took aim at the 25-year-old ’keeper post-game over the weekend.

But as a former TFC captain told the Toronto Sun Monday, much of that anger is misplaced.

“I loved him straight away when he came,” Darren O’Dea said of Bendik, who he played with in 2013. “He was young, but had a presence about him. A bit arrogant in a good way.

“You could just see him improving every day. So much potential.”

As for the naysayers?

“Don’t understand the hate,” O’Dea said. “He’s a massive part of Toronto’s season. I rang him after (Julio) Cesar signed and I didn’t like the signing even tho Cesar is a great ’keeper. I thought it would stall Joe’s progress. He said he was going to learn from him and had a great attitude. All round good guy and great keeper for me.”

O’Dea added Bendik is “invaluable” to Toronto FC.

Many, but not all, agree.

COLORADO CRAPIDS

The Colorado Rapids are entering uncharted territory.

The Rocky Mountain club has lost all four of its games this season, equaling Toronto FC (2007) for worst start to a campaign.

Even worse, the club hasn’t scored a goal in 600 minutes dating back to last season – a streak that’s sad enough for fourth longest in MLS history.

Toronto FC, of course, holds that record after going 822 minutes midway through the 2007 season without scoring a goal.

Oh, you thought we were finished?

The Rapids are also level with Real Salt Lake (2004-05) for longest winless run in MLS history.

Colorado hasn’t won any of its previous 18 games.