April 19, 2008 MLS Toronto FC vs Real Salt Lake (from MLSnet.com)
04/19/2008 4:49PM
Fans see changed and improved TFC
One goal victory vs. Real Salt Lake gives team and fans confidence
By Mark Polishuk / MLSnet.com Staff
TORONTO -- After just one match at BMO Field, it is already clear that the Toronto fans are going to see a very different Toronto FC than the one that left the field last October.
Saturday's 1-0 victory against Real Salt Lake displayed TFC's improvement on both sides of the ball. The attack created a number of chances, culminating in Laurent Robert's direct free kick in the 31st minute that put Toronto ahead for good. The defense, which had been under pressure after allowing eight goals in TFC's first three games, held Real to one shot in the first half and stood strong when RSL opened the second half with a fast-paced 20 minutes.
And according to Robert, the best is yet to come.
"We can play much better," said the French midfielder. "I think next week we'll play better, then [we'll just] win and win.
"To win the game is the most important thing, it doesn't matter who scores. It is important to play, win and enjoy, and today I did all of those things and I am very happy here."
In their first two games of the season, both losses, the Reds looked like the same side who finished bottom of the MLS table with a mere 25 points in 2007. But after defeating the Galaxy 3-2 in Los Angeles last Sunday and now the win against RSL, Toronto FC stands at .500 for the first time.
Things are so positive in Toronto that, probably for the first time in team history, the coaching staff had to worry about over-confidence.
"After what we did last week, I was a bit worried about them coming in here today and being complacent," said TFC coach John Carver. "We've set a standard and we've got to continue that. As I said at halftime, the only way you're going to lose the game is by being complacent. That's the key word today. I've been in these situations many many times ... and it's very difficult to try to motivate a side after you've dominated a game, completely dominated a first half like we did."
Indeed, in spite of their many chances in the first half, Toronto still held only the one-goal lead after 45 minutes, and Real came out on the attack after the break. Toronto was outshot 7-4 in the second half, but none of RSL's shots resulted in serious scoring opportunities.
"I said to the guys at halftime, 'if I'm [RSL coach Jason Kreis], I'm in there giving them a right rollicking,'" Carver said. "So expect them to come out quick and fast and put you under pressure, and they did that. And to be fair to our lads, they were in there in the trenches and they had to deal with it. ... But if you think about it, [goalkeeper] Greg Sutton didn't have many saves to make, and that's a pleasing thing."
Indeed, Sutton made only three saves in the game after being forced to make 11 stops in two other starts this season. It was Sutton's first clean sheet since a 1-0 win against Houston on May 16, 2007, which also happened to be the last time that TFC notched back-to-back victories.
Saturday's match marked the first time that TFC's three biggest offseason acquisitions (Robert, England's Rohan Ricketts and 2004 MLS MVP Amado Guevara) were all in the lineup together, and their presence allowed the Reds to stretch the field in the first half. The trio has already made a big impression on midfielder Maurice Edu.
"They bring a lot to the table," Edu said. "They're all players who are comfortable on the ball. They like to attack and go forward and create opportunities for us. I think you've already seen the change that it's made. Amado is always busy, finding little gaps to get the ball in there. Robert, he can kick a crazy ball and he has a great left foot. Ricketts, he's a speedy guy and can get behind players. They're all really good players and it creates more options for us attacking-wise."
In Robert's case, the midfielder is simply happy to be able to be back on the field. Robert hasn't played regularly since he split time with Portsmouth and Benfica in 2005-06. He said his last free kick goal came more than 2-1/2 years ago with Benfica.
"I need to play," Robert said. "After Benfica I go to Levante and never played. You know, all the players need confidence. I know here I have confidence with my manager John, and the fitness coach [Paul Winsper] is very important for us. It's a new Laurent Robert."
He'll fit right in with the new Toronto FC.
Mark Polishuk is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
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