Annex Guardian (?): Toronto Supra beating the expansion blues
by DJT
Toronto Supra beating the expansion blues
By MATT ROSS
Guardian Sports Correspondent
Toronto Supra may be a first year club in
the Canadian Professional Soccer League but they aren't playing like an
expansion team.
With two wins on the road, including an 8-1 whipping of
the Glen Shields Sun Devils last Sunday, the Supra has served notice to the
league that they are not a bunch of ragtag rookies.
Combined with a 4-1
League opener in London two weeks ago, Toronto is very quickly making good on
its promise to be competitive. Starting with a three-goal performance against
London City, Supra striker Samuel Afriyie leads the CPSL with five goals.
Joining Afriyie atop the leader board is teammate Pedro Dias who has
three tallies. The reason for this offensive explosion, according to Dias, is
the team's movement without the ball.
"If we find the open space, our
forwards will move up and then our midfielders will also help control the
middle," he said.
Toronto operates a 4-4-2 system employed by coach Cesar
Garcia, who says the key to its success is a continuous rotation of the players.
If one defender initiates the attack, the other defenders will cover his
vacated position while another midfielder drops back.
Meanwhile, Garcia
adds, any passing or dribbling requires speed and fluidity in order to catch the
opposition off guard.
"The shift is so quick with our overlap, their
defence will be running after our forwards and then be caught facing their own
net." In their opening contests, the Supra have also benefited from the referee.
The Devils had two of their players receive red cards while in London
game, Toronto tallied three goals in the second half following a red card to the
home side.
The Supra continue on the road for the next three games
including a match in Kitchener versus Toronto Croatia June 17.
Home
Opener
Toronto's home opener is June 24 against the York Region Shooters
with a 5:45 p.m. kickoff at Brockton Stadium.
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