Toronto FC Discussion Thread

[LittleOzzy]

As is, the formation that best fits our lineup - as it looks to me:


------------------Bendik------------------
--Bloom--Caldwell--Perquie--Morrow--
-----------Bradley----Cheyrou---------
Jackson-------Giovinco----------Osorio
-----------------Altidore-----------------

Still think we need to replace Bloom at LB. Probably would want another winger and another Forward/AM off the bench (A Luis Silva). Of course, if we don't get Giovinco here before the season begins, we are in trouble.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/torontofc/status/562347595562233856[/tweet]

Not a fan. The middle is too crowded.

I doubt this is showing formation, and just the starting XI.

Plus, a lot can change in a month.

[Brew666]

I'd be kinda surprised if that's the starting xi and formation. I like the two strikers but don't like the lack of wingers and don't see Morrow or Bloom having the pace to fill the void offensively. I guess Bradley and Osorio can play wider but would rather have Bradley in a central role.

Not that it means anythig at this stage but surprised Findley is considered that high on the depth charts. I saw Moore, Findley, and Dike around the same caliber but figured Moore had the edge.

[LittleOzzy]

I'd be kinda surprised if that's the starting xi and formation. I like the two strikers but don't like the lack of wingers and don't see Morrow or Bloom having the pace to fill the void offensively. I guess Bradley and Osorio can play wider but would rather have Bradley in a central role.

Not that it means anythig at this stage but surprised Findley is considered that high on the depth charts. I saw Moore, Findley, and Dike around the same caliber but figured Moore had the edge.

The starting XI was also based on fan votes, so it doesn't necessarily mean Findley is that high up on the depth chart. It just means the majority of fans feel he will start.

We'll see over the next couple of weeks how close this line up is to reality.

The votes have been tallied. We asked TFC supporters to put forward their starting XI for the season opener in Vancouver against the Whitecaps on March 7th.

The poll was fruitful. The backline looks similar to last year’s version, with Damien Perquis slotting in beside Steven Caldwell to form a reliable, veteran pair.

The midfield is a tantalizing one, with Michael Bradley, Benoit Cheyrou and Jonathan Osorio forming a versatile trifecta along with Sebastian Giovinco up top.

Up front there’s Jozy Altidore and Robbie Findley.

Formation wise we’re looking at a few options, but most fans are expecting to see a 4-3-3 with the Reds employing a midfield diamond.

Is it March yet?

http://www.torontofc.ca/news/2015/02/yo ... prediction

[ForeverTFC]

I'd be kinda surprised if that's the starting xi and formation. I like the two strikers but don't like the lack of wingers and don't see Morrow or Bloom having the pace to fill the void offensively. I guess Bradley and Osorio can play wider but would rather have Bradley in a central role.

Not that it means anythig at this stage but surprised Findley is considered that high on the depth charts. I saw Moore, Findley, and Dike around the same caliber but figured Moore had the edge.

Yup. I'd put Dike ahead of both on the depth charts if he has fully recovered from his injury.

[youngtea]

So our weakest spots this season are wings and defense? I guess it's going to be another long season.

[LittleOzzy]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/torontofc/status/562996251038593028[/tweet]

Most of the team is now in Florida.

Only three left to arrive, all our DP's....

[LittleOzzy]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/bgnewf/status/563137331763634176[/tweet]

Stupid DP rule means teams know we have to move him. That's terrible leverage for TFC.

Same thing happened with Laba.

[LittleOzzy]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/torontofc/status/563446516648783872[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/torontofc/status/563447791536861186[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/juvefcdotcom/status/563444615408525312[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/jessciamarra/status/563449758577332224[/tweet]

He has arrived!

[ForeverTFC]

Leiweke was at the airport to greet him. Take that for what it's worth.

[LittleOzzy]

Leiweke was at the airport to greet him. Take that for what it's worth.

How do you feel about Leiweke?

I think he's been good for TFC. At least he shows them some major attention. The next President may just ignore our little soccer team.

[kidr1211]

TFC has this many fans? woah

[ForeverTFC]

Leiweke was at the airport to greet him. Take that for what it's worth.

How do you feel about Leiweke?

I think he's been good for TFC. At least he shows them some major attention. The next President may just ignore our little soccer team.

Best thing to happen to TFC, and one of the best things to happen to the MLS, in my opinion.

His recruitment of Beckham is the reason the league is where it is at today.

[ForeverTFC]

Leiweke was at the airport to greet him. Take that for what it's worth.

How do you feel about Leiweke?

I think he's been good for TFC. At least he shows them some major attention. The next President may just ignore our little soccer team.

To add to that, I think TFC will be good for the foreseeable future. Larry Tanenbaum sees the team as his best chance to win a trophy, and Bell is really committed to Soccer and the MLS. I think they have enough support to keep flexing their muscle. The fact that the board OK'd a USL team to serve as a reserve team speaks volumes. They're putting them in Woodbridge, which tells us who they are after as well.

[LittleOzzy]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/djcuse/status/563499217004822529[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/djcuse/status/563505572054450176[/tweet]

Bradley will be Captain this season. Makes sense in the long run, but I feel awful for stripping Caldwell of the armband.

[LittleOzzy]

FIVE REASONS TFC WILL MAKE PLAYOFFS

EXPANDED PLAYOFF FORMAT

It’s the most obvious reason. Major League Soccer went the way of both the NHL and NBA this off-season, expanding its playoff format to include more than 50% of its member clubs. That means six of 10 teams in both the Eastern and Western Conferences will play at least 35 games this season, assuming a dreaded work stoppage doesn’t occur. As if the pressure on TFC wasn’t already mounting this winter following massive signings and almost a decade of defeat, the Reds won’t be able to show their faces if they come up short again.



BOLSTERED BACK END

Assuming Steven Caldwell stays healthy — and that’s a big assumption — Toronto’s back four is looking quite formidable following the addition of centre back Damien Perquis. The hulking Pole could provide the kind of no-nonsense, experienced defending the Reds haven’t had since, well, ever. Maybe more important is the fact TFC’s top brass also acquired back end support for when one of Caldwell or Perquis inevitably go down injured. Not only is Nick Hagglund one season older, but Eriq Zavaleta is an MLS-ready stand-in. Returning fullbacks Justin Morrow and Mark Bloom will do the job on the wings.



LEGIT PRE-SEASON PREP

Head coach Greg Vanney will have Toronto FC’s entire roster at his disposal for most of the pre-season. Under previous bench bosses — Aron Winter and Ryan Nelsen — TFC’s pre-season prep always seemed to be missing key components. Remember when Robert Earnshaw suddenly turned up in Vancouver for the season opener in 2013? In other words, the Reds have never been ready to hit the ground running when March finally arrives. When Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore return from international duty next week, Vanney will have a month to prep his entire team for a critical seven-game road trip.



TFC GETS ITS NO. 10

Toronto FC hasn’t had a play-making No. 10 since God knows when. Sebastian Giovinco’s Thursday arrival signalled the beginning of creativity in TFC’s offensive end. The Italian will also serve as somewhat of an outlet for Bradley, who struggled to connect vertically with the likes of Gilberto and Jermain Defoe running up top last season. Giovinco will provide TFC’s fullbacks and midfielders with an outlet other than Altidore’s feet. He’ll also be a threat to score any time he’s in and around the penalty area and could be the missing link guys scuh as Bradley and Altidore need in hot and spicy areas inside the final third.



WEAKENED EASTERN CONFERENCE

As if the league’s expanded playoff system wasn’t enough, let’s not forget a pair of quality Eastern Conference sides are moving to the West in 2015. With expansion sides Orlando City and New York City FC set to join the league this season, Sporting KC and the Houston Dynamo are moving in the opposite direction. Let’s just say the Reds won’t miss travelling to raucous Sporting Park or the blazing hot conditions at BBVA Compass Stadium.

http://www.torontosun.com/2015/02/05/to ... os-welcome

[T-d0t]

They have to make the playoffs

[ForeverTFC]

[instagram]http://instagram.com/p/yxBMaeEp3g/[/instagram]

[T-d0t]

damn lol thats cool to see

[ForeverTFC]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/djcuse/status/563499217004822529[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/djcuse/status/563505572054450176[/tweet]

Bradley will be Captain this season. Makes sense in the long run, but I feel awful for stripping Caldwell of the armband.

Did you see the rest of that conversation? A reference to how the organization is treating Bradley like they did Carter when he was with the Raptors.

I wonder if he had a hand in getting rid of Gilberto.

In other news, Defoe scored again today.

[LittleOzzy]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/djcuse/status/563499217004822529[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/djcuse/status/563505572054450176[/tweet]

Bradley will be Captain this season. Makes sense in the long run, but I feel awful for stripping Caldwell of the armband.

Did you see the rest of that conversation? A reference to how the organization is treating Bradley like they did Carter when he was with the Raptors.

I wonder if he had a hand in getting rid of Gilberto.

In other news, Defoe scored again today.

I think Bradley has a better head on his shoulders, and is more mature. I think he'll handle the power given way better than Carter ever did.