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TFC unbeaten four games in a row

LORI EWING

The Canadian Press

Latest comment posted at 8:42 PM EST 03/05/08

Velez notches his first MLS goal for FC ...Read the full article

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  1. Baldy Cotton from Canada writes: A pretty entertaining match to see, despite the rains in the last half hour. I really wish that Carver would start subbing in for Dichio earlier . . . say, the 65th minute instead of the 85th minute. Ole elbows has grit, but I think I've seen potted ferns run faster than DD.
  2. Ryan Hickman from Canada writes: Agree with the Dichio comment though his height and size makes him a good target for chances. I would however like to see Cunningham get into the game a little earlier. His pace and scoring ability is pretty much nullified when he enters the game in the 85th minute.

    I thought the boys played well though seemed to be a little too defensive minded in the second half. I would have liked to see them a little more agressive. New York's a good side and I'll take the tie and move on.
  3. Jason S from Toronto, Canada writes: I agree that Dichio has run his course. His first touches last night were sloppy at best and although he is a big target, what good is that if he turns the ball over? I'd like to see Cunningham in much sooner so that a faster, ground ball game would prevail. The long ball game is fine but it needs someone faster than Danny for it to work.
  4. Daniel Lisi from Toronto, Canada writes: I'm in total agreement with the other three posters about Dichio. He'll always be a fan favourite and still has a role to play with this team, but I think Cunningham should have come in much earlier.

    Leading up to the game, Carver said that New York would be the best team Toronto had played up to now. I think he was right. You could tell that Red Bull (the Red Bulls?) gave us much less space in the midfield than Real Salt Lake or Kansas City.
  5. Ryan Hickman from Canada writes: This was really the first game I noticed Dichio struggle a little. Granted he was marked pretty closely all game by a couple of defenders.

    I admit to not being a very knowledge soccer guy but I don't see the long ball as a high percentage offensive strategy. While I see its benefit on occasion, I think it probably fails more times than not. Can someone speak to this point perhaps in a little greater detail. I'm following the team and am slowly learning more about the game but I just don't quite understand punting the ball up field for Dichio to try and ward off two or three guys to win the ball.

    Thanks
  6. Dave Hunt from Canada writes: Ryan...the long ball is used a lot in English soccer. It can be an amazing offensive weapon if the receiver of the long ball is a master at trapping the ball properly and distributing the ball smartly--IF he is not adquately marked.....or one hopes the opposing team will make a stupid mistake...as in a wet surface for example(resulting in a direct/indirect free kick at scoring distance). In evenly ballanced games...winning goals usually come from "set pieces"(this is what coach Carver said...and I agree with him). So one hopes...a long ball can result in a penalty or free kick or even a goal. If you can see TFC vs. LA highlights on youtube or the TFC website --Dichio's goal come from a brilliant (somewhat long ball) from Guevara. However, Dichio was handed the goal on a "silver platter" by Guevara. Guevara's pass was brilliant! I'm not too crazy of the very long ball myself. It gives the opponentmore time to regroup etc. I like short passes. This is how the Brazialians play. They tend to "hypnotize" the opponents with their brilliant short passing..."like pearls on a string". Then they initiate an explosive attack and "nobody really knows" how the ball really ended at the back of the net. This is absolutely amazing...if you see footage of previous word cup/club games...Brazil is a master at this type of play. I hope it helps a bit. I'm not the best soccer analyst myself but I do love the game.
  7. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: Come on?

    Long ball,short ball...The really good player will do and make decision to do as to that?

    There is nothing wrong with "long" ball as far as it is very selective purpusful....

    You do whatever it takes to make progress on the field,however,"long" ball is the last resort,before "upkicking" the ball and/or just giving up the whole possession.....
  8. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: The best ball played is the "build up" from defense to midfielad and then have the other Team chase the game....

    In the long run...{pardon upon}
  9. A Banana from Canada writes: Ryan you are on the money that long ball is a low percentage strategy. Even the English teams have lost the strategy mostly. MLS is a possession league and you really don't want to be playing long ball all the time.

    Most teams have done away with the thing completely. It's really only effective in today's game if you throw it in occasionally to keep the team off balance.

    That being said I wouldn't say TFC is playing long ball, they were just having troubles building through the midfield.
  10. B I from Toronto, Canada writes: Long ball can work if you have a speedy and/or powerful striker who can chase them down and force defenders to make quick decisions which often lead to mistakes. Michael Owen at Liverpool under Gerard Houllier was a perfect example of this and it worked to the extent of winning important matches (the victory at AS Roma for example in the UEFA Cup). Didier Drogba also played this role well under Jose Mourinho. However, as much as I like DD, he is no Michael Owen circa 2001. Michael Owen isn't even Michael Owen circa 2001, nevermind DD.
  11. Random Person from Heard and Mc Donald Islands writes: Long ball is an actual "surprise" for either a counter attack and/or an open opportunity to do it...

    You don't build a strategy around it,because it is predictable....

    Even the Czechs have to be carefull with Koller,everytime he is the point man they suck....He will score a goal in a loosing game...

    Actually Sparta Prague cut Koller for being too big and clumsy,however,he found his way into Belgium and become the highest goal scorer there and still made an international career...

    Sparta thought he was going to play "village beer league"...

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