South Stand(ing in the rain) Report : Toronto v. D.C.

DC United as the DC Diplomats

DC United as the DC Diplomats

I should be in a better mood.

Who wouldn’t be, after the masterclass of Wednesday night (as far as TFC goes).

But then there’s the rain.  Which isn’t as bad as suburban public transit rerouting around your stop without any notification of it.  Which isn’t as bad as the longest train ever at a rail crossing.  I missed 2 connecting GO busses…  *deep exhale* sorry football and jokes.  Football and jokes.

Toronto FC defender Mark Bloom received the gift of a lifetime and you won’t believe what it is.

I know, so timely.

Onto the match :

OK, it rained.  A lot.  Sideways.  I didn’t take any notes because, well, miserable weather, a dying phone and hand numbness from the rain and cold.

Osorio looked to have a much better game than last outing.  Didn’t see too much time on the ball, but did have a go that went just wide of the post.

Giovinco was having some difficulty keeping his shots down in the second half, but still was his typical dynamo on the pitch.

The ref pretty much let DC beat the hell out of anyone in a red shirt for the opening 45 minutes.  It was pretty obvious he wasn’t going to book anyone after the first incident. I was sure the second time Giovinco hit the turf, that was going to be hit for the kid, but he’s a tough sonovabitch.

The game felt like it was mostly one way traffic for Toronto for large patches of the game.  DC had a few periods of control, but couldn’t seem to make anything really happen.  Konopka was forced to make one or two saves, but Hamid had to make a pile of good saves.

If nothing else proves that the suits in Toronto FC’s communications department proves that they think they’re getting away with shit : the announced attendance was 16000.  Not if you were counting feet was it 16000.  Those that made it were treated to a decent game, but they may have also been the most insane of the lot.  I love my footie but I should’ve stayed home.

If there was more than this, I’ve forgotten.  The post-match shivvers from the weather shot the knowledge out of me.  It’s not like people come to read the insight of my drivel.

Full Time : Toronto 0, D.C. 0

Man of the Match : Bradley who’s stepped up his game as of late.

Goat of the Game : The game was fine.  Everything else gets a middle finger.

Ref Rating : 2 out of 5.  Absentee refs.  They weren’t booking anyone in the first half, booked 5 in the second half.

Kit Spotting : tarps and ponchos everywhere

I Am Not The Gaffer But… : Findley would never be coming on again. Late in the second half, Bradley was breaking into the box, and I swear he looked up, saw Findley open to his right and decided to have a go anyways.

In Case You PVR’d It : NO. Sorry, you’re watching the whole thing.  No shortcuts for you today.

Player Ratings : Konopka 6, Morgan 6.5, Zavaleta 6, Perquis 6.5, Morrow 6, Warner 6, Osorio 6 (Chapman N/A), Delgado 6 (Jackson N/A), Bradley 7, Giovinco 7, Altidore 6.5 (Findley N/A)

Author: Mark Hinkley

Mark is a full-time graphic designer, full-time smart ass and full-time logo, stadium and kit nerd. When he isn't writing ridiculous match reports or redesigning logos for his own amusement, he's salivating over the day that promotion and relegation occurs in MLS. You can follow him @kitnerdmark on the twitterz.

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7 Comments

  1. First, Olsen did make it a point to say that he fielded his strongest line-up for this game. So the Reds did match-up well against the league’s best team and it’s best line-up. The problem for TFC is when that negative space evaporated behind DCU’s defense the Reds couldn’t find that game breaking cross, touch, pass and most importantly the shot.

    I think Vanney will need to focus in training on recognizing the crossing lane and how to exploit it .

    I also seem to detect a reluctance from Altidore to plant and turn on the ball. Perhaps he did not want to risk things or maybe it was one of those games.

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    • Definitely noticed a less than ‘all out’ effort from Altidore – same thing on Wednesday. I think it was a case of not wanting to risk getting hurt before the Gold Cup; which I understand but which is frustrating as this is the team he plays for year round; we should get his best.

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      • How dare you?! Kurt wasted multiple tweets today explaining why you shouldn’t have an opinion on this!

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  2. A masterclass in song linking good sir!

    Yeah I don’t remember so much of the game; more the trying to not be miserable.

    Tidy game from Oso, not Morgan’s best (likely still a bit unwell), thought Justin Morrow had a rough outing and Seba responded a bit better to being shoved around. Good game from Konopka and thought Perquis was very good.

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  3. I didn’t know Currency Charles bought a team and redesigned their badge!! I may have an MLS team to support again

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