TFC in the Champions League

So it was another busy week for TFC, which by this stage is not even the slightest bit of a surprise since they all seem to be busy ones, as they played their opening game in the CONCACAF Champions League and made a few more player moves.  I am going to start with the CCF match though as it was clearly the highlight of the week for me.

TFC were taking on Real Esteli FC in the home leg of their qualification round.  Many fans were hoping that TFC would go out and field a full strength side in hopes of making a real run in this competition as the league seems to be a bit of a lost cause at this point with playoffs getting further away.  TFC are already champions of Canada so why not give it a good honest try to get somewhere towards being club champions of CONCACAF.  I know winning the CCF is a bit much to ask for TFC but beating Real Esteli is very much something that they are capable of.

They showed just that in the opening round game as they continued their good run of results in games that are not related to the MLS.  Having done so well in winning the Nutrilite Championship TFC continued that midweek with a win over Real Esteli.  Things would have been a lot better if they had not conceded late on in the match to make the final score 2-1 but by winning the opening leg TFC are in just the position they want to be before going on the road later in August to play the second leg.  The hero of the game for Toronto was Joao Plata who netter a brace to make it 2-0 for TFC. 

In the first half Toronto was creating a number of chances but Soolsma and Johnson were frequently unable to convert them.  It was not until the second half introduction of Plata that things started to go the right way for TFC.  Plata was brought on in the 49th minute and made his impact felt almost immediately as he worked the keeper with a long range effort with basically his first touch.  That effort was just a warm up and a sign of things to come from the small Ecuadorian who came in from the left and managed to sneak a low shot in beside the left post to make it 1-0 for the hosts.  Plata would add a second goal as he again found the left side of the net but this time it was from a very nice free kick.  Plata showed that he has the skill to take a great free kick with his right foot and his second of the match in only 23 minutes of playing time seemed to have Toronto on course for a comfortable and much needed win.

The defensive problems showed up yet again though as TFC once again proved that they are just not capable of keeping a clean sheet no matter who they are playing against.  A defensive end turnover from TFC keeper Kocic all but gifted a goal to Esteli in the 81st minute.  That single away goal gives them a way back in to the match for the second leg as now even a 1-0 home win would be enough to see them advancing.  For Toronto though you have to be happy with the display and the fact that the job is now at least half done.  Another good showing in a weeks time will be enough to hopefully earn their place in group C of the CCF.  The winner of the tie will go on to join Pumas UNAM of Mexico, Tauro FC of Panama and the winner of the FC Dallas-Alianza qualifier (FC Dallas won 1-0 in the away leg). 


So in at least one competition things are going well for TFC.  Hopefully this win will give them a boost in form that will carry over in to MLS play as the team take on Portland this weekend.  

In other TFC news they of course added a couple of new players in the past week.  Both players failed to really impress at their old clubs but TFC will be hoping that giving them a fresh start will let them live up to their potential. The first move saw Toronto ship out struggling defender Dan Gargan to Chicago Fire in exchange for Dasan Robinson.  On the surface this move is basically a straight swap of one defender for the other with both clubs hoping that the player they are getting does better for them then they did for their previous club.  With the way that Gargan has been playing of late I am sure that this move will be an upgrade as long as Robinson proves to be competent.  He only started 2 games for Chicago this season but will hopefully add further depth to Toronto's back line which is hurting for that at the moment.  The second move of the week was another one that I am a fan of as Toronto picked up some more depth for their attacking unit by signing Peri Marosevic.  The 22 year old forward was never able to lock down a spot with FC Dallas and was eventually let go by the club.  He was drafted 5th overall in the 2009 super draft and boasts a lot of potential having represented the US at almost every youth level including being a member of the U-20 squad.  He only played in 4 matches for FC Dallas and failled to get on the score sheet before being waived but if he can find a way to live up to the potential he showed as a member of the Michigan Wolverines then Toronto might still be able to develop him in to a decent forward.  To me the move adds depth, is low risk, and could have a fairly decent reward if he can get on track.

More Beautiful Goals from this Weeks MLS Action

On the same night that Eric Hassli scored what should be the goal of the season in the MLS, Sporting Kansas City and FC Dallas did their best to get their names on the list. Graham Zusi and Brek Shea added to an already outstanding night for goals with a long range cracked and a great individual effort.

FC Dallas forward Brek Shea scored to tie the score at 1-1 in the 32nd minute with a great run through the Sporting Kansas defense. Picking up the ball about 40 yards out, Shea turned and knocked the ball past three tackles before calmly slotting the ball through the Kansas keeper's legs. The home crowd sounded their appreciation for this piece of individual magic by Shea.

Graham Zusi does Brek Shea one better in the 55th minute making the score 3-1 for Sporting Kansas. From 45 yards out, Zusi lines up a free kick that he smashes into the back of the night. Zusi caught the Dallas keeper napping on this play but it was still a fantastic shot that dips just under the bar and smashes into the pole behind the net, just listen to the sound it makes.

Hassli, Shea, and Zusi's efforts were joined on the goals of week nominee card by Thierry Henry showing he still had it and Alan Gordon hitting a cracking volley. You can see all the candidates for MLS goal of the week and vote for your favorite HERE.

If you ever needed a reason to watch MLS soccer this weekend put on an exhibition of why you should tune in for next round for a chance to catch a glimpse of some more magic.