This Saturday's meeting between constant bottom-dwellers will have a feeling fairly unfamiliar to both clubs...they absolutely believe they are the better team. RSL is coming off of a club record 4-0 beating of DC United while TFC was able to sneak by Los Angeles for an ever important road win. Both teams finished at the very bottom of the league last season and have made some off-season changes hoping to become competitive (and most importantly playoff worthy) in the league.
Why Toronto will win...
RSL didn't play pretty despite their big win, but how much did a terrible pitch (terrible for soccer...I love RES), a tired DCU, and a few lucky bounces help out the RED & BLUE? For as impressive as their win was it didn't eliminate all the question marks.
Also Toronto was able to secure an elusive away victory in a league in which the home team has dominated in 'o8. LA Galaxy might have had many more chances than the Reds, but a good team's goal is to keep the ball out of the goal...doesn't hurt in the end if it just gets close. Also, all three of TFC's goals were good looking attempts other than maybe Jeff Cunningham's whose goal was more a result of poor defense. The other two were beauties.
Toronto is surfing on the wave of early season optimism right into BMO field which is sure to provide a crazy atmosphere which (like last season) will be the envy of teams around the league. This is also Amado Guevara's first chance to win over the Canadian folk.
Why RSL will win...
Toronto beat LA, but so what? TFC scored three times against a pathetic LAG defense and were lucky to only give up two goals. If Landon Donovan had any aim at all LA would have beat Toronto 6 or 7 to three.
And while some are trying to downplay RSL's thumping of Eastern power DC it was a very impressive win despite some of the influencing factors. Remember RSL scored 2 of the 4 goals in the first 20 minutes, long before professional athletes should be winded despite a busy few weeks. The team also found a team that worked well together with Espy/Kenny up top together for the first time and Sturgis replacing Talley. Dema and Beckerman were golden...look for that to continue.
Like TFC the (Saltines?, Highlanders?, Salt Lakers?, Desert Rats?, Blue Collars?, insert your favorite RSL nickname nominee here) guys that play in SLC are flying high. And really...what is more impressive? RSL (4) - DCU (0) or TFC (3) - LAG (2)? Clearly the thumping RSL gave DCU was much more impressive...this is the same team that beat down Toronto 4-1 a few weeks ago. RSL is finally living up to the hype and Toronto will be another stop on the way to success.
So what's really going to happen?
I've gone two ways with this...option one was my first thought, but after using MLSnet.com to re-watch each team's highlights from last match I've come to a different conclusion. One is gut reaction and two is current thought process.
- While RSL probably has the better team (top to bottom) Toronto is going to be rocking which will likely lead to a stalemate. Home field advantage will be enough to keep RSL away from the back of the net while RSL's defense will continue to come together, led by Nat Borchers, and the final score is Zero to Nil.
- Looking TFC's results in their three matches I find it very unlikely that they will be holding anybody scoreless very often this season and with the RSL offense riding high this next week shouldn't be any different. RSL should be able to exploit the TFC back line. Now with a combination of Cunningham, Dichio, and Guevara TFC doesn't have a bad offensive lineup and should be able to get some opportunities on that right side taking advantage of Joy's mistakes. A tie could still happen, but with each team scoring. At worst RSL will leave Canadaland with one point...if our outside defenders play well we leave with three. I can't see us losing this game despite the crowd. (I understand this will upset any TFCer reading this and should I be wrong come and leave me a message after the match and I'll do a little write up about how wrong I am and why TFC was the better team...I'm not too worried though)
Columbus (1) DC United (2) - Columbus is on a high, but DC United has a lot to prove this game and should be rested enough to do so...watch them to pick themselves up from behind the woodshed and get back on the pitch (with the help of a great home crowd).
Revs (1) NYRB (2) - Which Revs team will show up? Doesn't matter this season as the home teams seem to rule the roost. If Juan Pablo Angel is out another week I think it'll be a draw.
San Jose (1) Rapids (3) - San Jose actually looked good vs CHI, but Rapids are playing great this season.
Dynamo (1) Galaxy (nil) - Houston can use a trip to LA for a "pick me up game".
Wizards (2) Fire (2) - I'm still not convinced that Chicago is all that good, but should have excited home crowd.
Dallas (1) Chivas (2) - FCD is playing well, but Chivas is too good at home.
5 People (dis)Agree:
Thanks for break from all the drama out there in RSL Blog land.
Very refreshing to read some RSL news...Not a bunch of high school kids fighting over; he said she said nonsense.
I definitely think RSL will win this. Although Toronto scored 3, it was against LA. And all 3 goals were a direct result of LAs terrible defense, not because of TFCs great attack. It should be a fun game.
Very sound preview, well done. I always enjoy your blog Scads. I've got a different scoreline, but the same result: 2-2
A different scoreline than your 0-0, of course. I should finish a thought before I hit publish!
Well I did not read your preview until the day after the game. I am a season seat holder for TFC . Oh and I blog about it too....
Toronto's defenders played their best yet (which was not that tall an order), the midfield continues to show incredible promise ( shocked as they have added a new face for the last three games) and our keeper, Sutton has been steady and strong. RSL seemed to be on the verge of getting back into the game in the second half.
Toronto is coming around and might surprise a few teams...next test for us is KC..
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