Posted by

Ian Clarke ,

September 19, 2011 Email Ian Clarke

Toronto FC have made themselves a nice Jekyll and Hyde sandwich and now we will see if they can stay in form as they host Tauro FC for their fourth group stage match in the Champions League. Fresh off back to back wins in MLS play, but back to back losses against CONCACAF competition, Tauro at home represents a golden opportunity for TFC to get back in the hunt for a knockout round spot and continue their momentum earned Saturday afternoon in their 2-1 victory over Colorado. Tauro have found a way to stifle both Pumas in Panama, and Dallas in Texas, earning a draw against the two favourites to win the group. TFC should be prepared for what could be in store in terms of the type of strategies overmatched Central American sides like to employ, and as long as the referee shows an even hand, there is no reason why the Reds cannot come away with the win.

Keep thinking

TFC will be two days removed from a redeeming display against Colorado on the back of a sad outing against Pumas last Wednesday where they were soundly beaten 4-0. On Saturday they showed several positive traits in their comeback win, the most notable being a desire to prove to themselves and their support that what was seen in Mexico was not the real Toronto FC. They still have a ways to go to convince through and through they are competitors, but between the results in Columbus and Colorado, are showing the right signs of progress. In the first meeting between these two sides, Toronto put forth a performance truthfully not much more energetic than was seen in Mexico. Fortunately they were up against lesser quality, and a team who were just getting in to form and fitness at the start of their season. The all important three points were taken and now in the return fixture Toronto have the home advantage. Tauro already have a documented history for earning good results against the big dogs in CONCACAF. As was noted in the countdown for their first encounter, 2008 saw them defeat Chivas USA to get into the group stage, and in their final fixture defeat eventual semi-finalists Santos Laguna. They have already made noise in Group C by drawing Pumas at home, and following that up in a 1-1 draw with FC Dallas away. However, what was most notable in those two fixtures is that both opponents Tauro faced did not field their strongest side. After Pumas dropped points through fielding mostly their youth players, Toronto FC took the full brunt of them needing to catch up in the group, but now is their turn to pay it forward to Tauro who have earned points against less than ideal starting elevens. TFC might be on short rest, but they have a real opportunity to do to Tauro what Pumas did to them. The mentality and approach will be critical to how difficult this game becomes for TFC, as Dallas is a perfect example of how frustrating the Panamanians can be if you are not clinical in your finishing. The Hoops had half a dozen golden opportunities they could not put away and in the end lost out on two points. If this happens to the Reds, their Champions League campaign will come to an end. Toronto saw what can happen in their first encounter when they took their foot off the pedal and fortunately for them, Tauro were lacking in many departments to make them pay. Dallas were not so fortunate, as they found a way to get into the 18-yard box and earn a penalty. Luis Moreno, who coincidentally scored a penalty against the Reds, has been clinical from the spot and the defenders who’ve shown a propensity to deliver fouls need to be wary of the willingness of Tauro to go down in the box. The right approach is for TFC to take a page from last week’s debacle as the example of how to avoid playing to your opponent’s level and simply executing your game and overwhelming them. If there is one good thing Toronto have going into this match it is momentum from a strong second half of football on Saturday that saw their target man Danny Koevermans continue to find ways to get the ball in the back of the net. Ryan Johnson, although silenced in Mexico City, has been dangerous against Central American opposition, and if there was anything learned from the first match between these two sides is not to take shots anywhere on the pitch for granted, as was demonstrated in Julian De Guzman’s winner. The one intangible of course that the Reds need to keep an eye on, but their emotions away from, is the antics that inevitably rear their ugly head when clubs outside of North America are up against a more physical opponent. Toronto FC supporters will breath a sigh of relief that the referee for this match looks to be American Terry Vaughn, and if he handles the game anything like fellow countryman Ricardo Salazar did in the match against Real Esteli, TFC should avoid the frustrations often involved in these fixtures and be able to play their game that should be enough for them to keep their hopes alive in Group C. In the end

It has been a roller coaster week for TFC who were on top of the world seven days ago after beating Columbus away from home for the first time ever. A few days later it all came crashing down, only to be rebuilt Saturday afternoon. Facing Tauro in the Champions League, Toronto have the perfect opportunity to prove not only to themselves, but their supporters, that can deliver when it matters most. A win is critical for them to stay alive in the group, and it would be a real shame for TFC put in a comprehensive ninety minutes on the weekend, to throw it away against, truthfully, against a lesser opponent Tuesday night. While the Panamanians will no doubt prove to be stubborn, a favourable refereeing assignment, as well as home-field advantage will be enough to keep the Reds in the Group C race for

another week. Prediction:

Toronto FC 2 – Tauro FC 0

