I was out of town this long weekend so until now (late Tuesday night) I missed everything soccer related. Luckily, I have PVR. If you like sports and have anything else going on in your life other than being able to watch TV all the time I highly recommend picking up a PVR unit. Whatever you miss you can watch later!
Now; on to the headlines. On paper, TFC 4- SJ 1, is what a reasonable soccer observer could have expected, given the quality of players on each squad. San Jose were ripe for a whipping. Second last in the league, 3 of their best players on international duty and playing on the road at arguably the toughest road venue in the MLS.
I just finished watching the match and the score was 1-1. The score is no surprise at all. TFC does not play as a team, they don’t know how to build play and don’t know how to pass. They are poorly coached and/or don’t listen to their coach. I’ve been harping on this for months. For starters and most obvious: why didn’t Cummins make any strategic substitutions in the final few minutes of the game?
Substitutions aside, the team that can’t pass and play as a team runs around a lot chasing the ball and giving up possession. The team that runs around gets tired. The tired team gives up goals late in the game. TFC is that team. They actually didn’t play badly tonight. But if you just “don’t play badly” at home against a depleted SJ, that’s not saying much.
Unless they get a coach who has a proven record, TFC is not going to make the playoffs next year. With every pro team you have your share of egos. TFC is no exception. Soccer is a team sport and everyone needs to be on board. A coach needs to have a good system in place and to command the respect of his players who are on board with this system. Cummins has neither when it comes to TFC.
Obviously there will be a new coach hired in this offseason. If I read another announcement that Mo has hired another English coach who has never coached a professional match or who has coached less than 3 matches, or who has a losing record as a coach or manager, this time next year I’ll be writing something similar, about why Mo needs to be fired.
In other late news, Montreal over Vancouver 3-2. Lots of action in the second half and Montreal deserves their lead. The second game is this Saturday in Montreal. Away goals aren’t worth anything extra. My question is….. is it worth the day trip from Ottawa to check out the USL1 final in Montreal?
