

Posted by

Ian Clarke ,

August 15, 2014 Email

Ian Clarke



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Toronto FC close out their four game road spell with a rematch of the tilt heading into this stretch, as they visit the top side in the Eastern Conference in Sporting Kansas City. It is another critical game for TFC, and their third potential 'statement' match over the last month, as they look to avenge the 2-1 loss at home back on July 26. Kansas City surprisingly have not won since the last time these two teams met, with a draw at home to Philadelphia and loss to Vancouver last weekend. The Reds are still without some key players, and much like the return from the World Cup break, have managed to remain competitive without some regular starters, but more importantly this time around, have been able to secure wins on the road. There should be a cautious air of confidence around the team as they have established themselves as the third placed club in the conference. Saturday night will determine how much desire and ambition they have to either settle for where they are, or step into Sporting Park and leave three points closer to the top of the table. Keep thinking

Toronto FC close out their road spell likely in much better shape than originally anticipated. A dominant performance at home against Kansas City back at the end of July yielding no points was followed it up with a lacklustre 3-0 loss to DC United. Even though it was against the top two teams in the division, it had all the makings for a dip in form and results. However, credit to this team, they went out and put forth the kind of comprehensive victory needed against a struggling team in Montreal and followed it up with perhaps their most thrilling performance in Columbus, aside from their 4-2 win back in October 2011. The question has been asked several times this summer, where exactly does this team fit in the scheme of MLS? Taking nine points from Columbus certainly demonstrates how far this team has come since 2007, and winning back to back games on the road speaks volumes. Added to TFC's recent results is that it was done without Jermain Defoe and confirms they are still a solid team, even when missing one or two key players. Much has been made of Gilberto's signing with Toronto, his salary and transfer fee. However, if we look at his short history, he is a streaky player who scored a slew of goals through August to early October last year and his two goals in two games might indicate that lethal form is beginning to emerge. The initial thoughts of playing away to Kansas City, based on their history at Sporting Park, would be a very difficult place to earn points. However, through eleven homes games this season, they have only won four times, but also have only lost once. While they can point to missing seven key starters in the first encounter this year, a 2-2 draw, TFC were in transition fielding their ideal starting eleven. The game at BMO was dominated by the Reds, but a late goal from none other than Jacob Peterson snatched a good display and all three points. This fixture truly is the grudge match, and even though there is a significant distance between TFC and the top of the table, the quality and capabilities is much closer than the results have been. Kansas City are a known commodity, built from the back with a solid back line anchored by Aurelien Colin and Matt Besler, then lead in the midfield by Graham Zusi and Benny Feilhaber. The final piece that has seen them become the complete side from back to front is the emergence of Dom Dwyer. He has made Claudio Bieler all but forgotten, as well as Sonny Saad and CJ Sapong bit parts coming off the bench. However, of late Dwyer's goal scoring rate has slowed and has not found the back of the net in his last five MLS games. This is good news for the Reds as it might prove to be a small leveling out in player for player comparisons. It also changes the dynamic of this battle as it becomes more weighed towards who will win between TFC's attack and Kansas City's defending? Rumours of Defoe possibly returning would certainly buoy Toronto's chances, but again, Gilberto looks to be finding his groove and his form might be too good to pass up, at least from a starting eleven perspective. TFC though, cannot be slack in defending. Even if Dwyer is not finishing at a similar rate as the first half of the season, they have other ways to score. Namely set pieces, which is not always Toronto's strongest area. Discipline at the back will mean everything in keep the result in hand, and eyes will likely be on Doneil Henry, if he recovers from an illness in time, who has progressed immensely over the last year, but still has glimpses of over aggression that was seen in the first meeting between these two teams. What will be interesting to watch though is how Kansas City copes with Dominic Oduro. In the 2-1 result at BMO Field, Oduro blew past Seth Sinovic with ease time and time again, as well as every other Kansas City defender. How they deal with the pace of the Ghanaian attacker could be the key in which way the pendulum swings for the result in the game. With that being said, Ryan Nelsen should be well aware of this and plan his strategy accordingly. Like a fighter who has delivered a heavy body shot, their opponent will attempt to cover up to halt further harm. The Sinovic v Oduro battle could be an opportunity to lay traps for openings elsewhere on the pitch as Kansas City likely will not want to leave that as a 1v1 match up. Whether it be getting Defoe (if available) and Gilberto in the attack together, allowing Michael Bradley to advance even further, or simply expecting Oduro to be fouled and set pieces being part of the plan - the opportunity is there for Toronto to make something happen and come away with a result. In the end

TFC head back into Sporting Park for the second time this season, this time with more confidence and cohesion from when they first met back in May. It will be Kansas City's ideal starting eleven this time, however, the Reds can draw on their home performance and realize that they were the better team on that day and if they make the right adjustments, could turn the table. Watching for the return of either Jermain Defoe or Doneil Henry would certainly make a difference, however, this is a team who have performed well, if not better, when key players are missing. Toronto has the pieces to give Kansas City fits, and if they come in both disciplined and determined, should be able to make their statement that Toronto belongs at the top of the table. Prediction

Toronto FC 2 – 1 Sporting Kansas City