- Corey Brady
- @corey__brady
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- 7 min read
It was hovering around 40 degrees Celsiuson the pitch before the match in Houston. Perhaps we don’t understand the importance of night games as much as they do in the Texas heat. Still, Toronto FC defied the conditions to walk away with a well-earned 1-0 victory.
It’s not often we sing the praises of the defence, but the clean sheet was hard-fought and well-deserved in this match. Here are some numbers to consider after Toronto’s big win.
4
The number of wins recorded against the Dynamo since Toronto FC entered the league in 2007. Toronto and Houston have played 17 times during the regular season and saw a lot of each other between 2011 and 2014, when the Dynamo switched to the Eastern Conference for the 2011 season after Vancouver and Portland were added to the league. During these three years, TFC and the Dynamo played 10 times with Toronto only winning twice. In 2015, Houston moved back to the Western Conference after NYCFC and Orlando City joined the league. Prior to last night’s match, TFC had only won once in Houston, way back on Sept. 18, 2010, thanks to a Dwayne De Rosario brace against his former team.
3
The number of away wins this season for TFC. In comparison, Toronto won a total of four away matches from 2021 to 2023 — an era of futility in this club’s history. The 2021 season was a bit of a mess for Toronto as the league resumed regular-season play after COVID-19 but TFC were forced to play their matches in the United States due to travel restrictions. Toronto started their season off in Florida, using Orlando as their home field until July. Of course, TFC didn’t win a single game away from BMO Field in 2023 on their way to the Wooden Spoon. In fact, Toronto only won four MLS games of any kind last year. Hopefully, we won’t see another season like that one anytime soon.
10
The number of MLS regular-season matches Prince Owusu had gone without a goal before last night’s match-winning header. Owusu has seven goals so far this season in about 1,500 MLS minutes of play, which works out to 0.4 goals per 90. While Owusu is second behind Federico Bernardeschi in goals (Berna has eight), Prince is first in goals per 90 on the team. What does this mean? Well, for starters, TFC aren’t scoring enough goals, as Owusu’s goal-per-90 pace puts him 60th in the league. That’s not what you want from your first-choice striker, whose job is to score goals. He’s not scoring enough to justify a starting spot. Owusu is out of contract at the end of the season. It’s time for an upgrade.
5
The number of goals scored by the Dynamo’s Latif Blessing since leaving Toronto FC. Blessing did not find a home in Toronto despite being able to play in the midfield and on the wing, being stuck behind Lorenzo Insigne. Do we sense a theme here? He only made five appearances and only one start with TFC before being traded for $75,000 in GAM to Houston. Interestingly enough, there is a potential of an additional $200,000 in GAM in 2025 based on “performance-based incentives.” As this is MLS, we’ll never know the specific details of these incentives. However, if it’s related to minutes played, appearances, and/or goals, it could mean that this trade could be a Blessing in disguise…
28%
The amount of ball possession from Toronto FC against Houston. It was clear that Herdman wanted to employ a low block or “park the bus” philosophy. The lack of possession illustrates this desire to give the ball to the opposition and limit the space available, forcing them to play through the middle and making it difficult to create scoring chances. This tactic worked well, as Houston took 18 total shots but only four were on target and 10 were from outside of the 18-yard box. Herdman would have been satisfied with a 0-0 draw to pick up valuable points on the road. Owusu’s set-piece header gave Toronto the away win and a more comfortable position in 8th, as Atlanta United lost 2-0 away to a Marco Reus-inspired LA Galaxy.
73
The number of clearances by Kevin Long, third-most in MLS. While it’s encouraging to think that Long has been an effective defender, it might be troubling to think of how much he’s been called upon on the back line this season to bail out the team. While Long has not been perfect, he’s been TFC’s most reliable defender so far. In a situation where Toronto has been defensively inept, perhaps there should be less onus on individuals like Long to prevent goals and use more of a collective effort to keep the ball out of the net. If only TFC could give every player Bernardeschi’s work rate. Berna shouldn’t have to track back this much, but it is a necessity to ensure too many goals aren’t conceded.
Toronto now head back to BMO for a four-game homestand, albeit one interrupted by an international break in early September. It starts with the Canadian Championship semi-final second leg against Forge FC before TFC welcome DC United and Alex Bono on August 31. Here’s a bonus statistic: Bono and Sean Johnston are tied in saves per 90 minutes with 2.4 saves/90. We don’t know what it means, but it’s interesting.
19 comments
The Real SK TFC Fan says:
26 August 2024 at 00:16
Meanwhile, the Golden Boot leader already has 17 goals this season. Sigh.
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Jack Burns99 says:
26 August 2024 at 01:53
28% possession! Corey no coach starts a game deciding he wants to “park the bus” our Osorio led midfield simply does not have the quality to keep the ball. It has been the problem here since Bob Bradley arrived and put his son , MAK and Jonathon in midfield . If a team has the personnel like Spain, Man City, Barca and Real they will dictate the play, when your midfield is filled with players that have know business being in pro soccer then the “parking of the bus” is what you see.
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Coach perspective says:
26 August 2024 at 02:20
Jack, be fair. Last night, when they were terrible in the 1st half, it had something to do with Oso NOT being in the mid to help control. He, Jr and Prince were alone up front doing nothing. That is part of why Oso is valued, he helps with control.
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Secondstar says:
26 August 2024 at 04:50
Can’t help but wonder if the longer layoff and rest due to Leagues Cup was especially beneficial for Long. Older player, lots of minutes and hasn’t played a lot these past couple of years. He was starting to look worn down but was impressive last night.
Jack Burns99 says:
26 August 2024 at 12:43
Coach: So help me out here , if you and everyone on this board are saying that Oso is this wonderful midfielder that controls the center of the pitch , why would Herdman position him in an attacking role “up front doing nothing” ???? Doesn’t Herdman want to control the midfield with Captain Fantastic? Why does he want to concede possession for 72% of the match? Is this a winning strategy going forward?
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Jack Burns99 says:
26 August 2024 at 12:58
Or does Herdman not rate Osorio to do the defensive work? Why does Herdman start Osorio in a front three with the lousy numbers he’s producing this year?
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Jack Burns99 says:
26 August 2024 at 13:32
This team has been bleeding goals all season so what does Herdman do ? He takes the so called best midfielder in Oso moves him up front and asks the most skillful player and only offensive threat on the field Bernadeschi to track back and help defend! There is no question in my mind that Herdman is trying to hide Oso because it’s one hell of an embarrassment if he has to bench” Captain stiff”
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Coach perspective says:
26 August 2024 at 15:14
Jack, those are great questions about how Herdman is using the players on his roster. I have no idea what’s happening in training and how players interact. But the struggle is who they have signed, who is healthy, how they prepare.
I can see how, on the whiteboard, with his full roster, Richie and Fede as wingbacks could create dynamic options in attack. But putting them there with mismatched pieces up front puzzles me. There are other formations that could be better used when looking from outside.
The logical answer is from his midfield choices the most dangerous threat is Oso, that’s not great, but it’s how he sees it. So Herdman loads Flores, Matty, Kosi into middle and hopes it works. I think Oso up front in the last game reduced his influence on the team as he was unconnected.
I’m watching to see if the “leadership group” speaks up here, if Fede and SJ are firm about Rosted. If Oso and Fede are clear about how the last set up could not control the ball. The giveaways from Fede were frustration, not lack of skill. That has to be articulated with a solution put in front of them.
So, I agree, Herdman is a bit of a puzzle. But his half time talk, the subs, the set piece prep, it all showed positive signs.
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Coach perspective says:
26 August 2024 at 15:24
By the way Jack, I think Fede up front, Richie at wingback on one side, with Spicer back and Lorenzo up front on the other, would open up attacking play by a big margin.
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Jack Burns99 says:
26 August 2024 at 17:36
Coach : You are correct, you do want to play with Fede and Lorenzo up front, but we have a big problem here that I keep screaming “THIS TEAM HAS NO MIDFIELD” we have watched for a year and a half as Insigne and Fede when played” up front doing nothing” and then being trashed by the fans who don’t understand that Oso and Longstaff , MAK and Mikey couldn’t and will never create anything from midfield and this is why Coach Herdman moved Osorio from midfield and tries to hide him up top.
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Mrppv says:
26 August 2024 at 18:16
Mr.brady we have 4 away wins NE, Orlando, montreal and this,and no blessing nor shaffleburg didn’t get traded away because of insigne (tired of that ridiculous narrative). Shaffleburg was used incorrectedly by Bob as full back he is used almost as a second striker by nashville, as for blessing he’s been a journey man mls player who has some pace but until now couldn’t score or shoot well enough and is awful without the ball and loses it too often as well. He has done well for himself at Houston and maybe he can be a useful MLS player because he has bounced around the league a bit and if this move didn’t work out he probably wouldn’t be in the league too much longer.
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Jack Burns99 says:
26 August 2024 at 22:34
Mrppv: Haven’t you learned yet that everything that has gone wrong the last few years with TFC according to the WTR boys is Insigne’s fault.
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Bleeding Red says:
27 August 2024 at 10:40
Dude, nobody says that the last 2 years are Insignificant’s fault. But everybody who has some knowledge of this sport is saying that the management of TFC is at fault because hiring Insignificant. From the second that the ink dried on the signatures of that contract, TFC was practically doomed for the full length of that contract, until the end of the 2026 season. Nobody will ever take this player off TFC’s roster at this idiotic salary he is paid. Not even the Saudis are this stupid, who are playing crazy high wages, because they know they can find at any time 20-30 players who will have a better productivity for similar or less wages.
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Jack Burns99 says:
27 August 2024 at 14:32
Bleeding Red: Dude, Miami FC is paying Messi millions more then Insigne and he has only started 11 games this year and guess what Miami is running away with the league, but everybody that has some knowledge of the sport knows that Miami has a roster of players that actually look better then our semi-pro looking scrubs. Miami signed two top DP’s in Busquets and Messi and then signed another two former Barcelona players ! They signed Saurez we signed Prince, they signed Alba we signed Rosted!
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Jack Burns99 says:
27 August 2024 at 14:49
For all you experts that think one guy is the difference on a soccer pitch ask yourself why Miami are run away leaders in the MLS table while Messi has only started in 11 of Miami’s 25 games, I suggest you all take a good hard look at the sh*te supporting cast of players at TFC to find your answer as to why this team blows.
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Jack Burns99 says:
27 August 2024 at 15:20
By the numbers: Miami has registered just as many points as TFC (30) with Messi out of the line up, so think hard next time you smart guys want to blame Insigne for this teams futility.
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Coach perspective says:
27 August 2024 at 16:21
Jack, it’s good you mention Messi and Miami when defending Lorenzo. It is the perfect contrast, a player earning his premium salary and one that isn’t. A player that others are dying to play with at any cost (all of Miami) and a player that others avoid.
That’s the reality, TFC does not talk to top international stars and say “come play with Insigne”, they’d be laughed at. Only Criscito took that bait and he ditched immediately.
I think the Fede vs Lorenzo conflict stories were stupid. But, no way that kind of story comes out of the Miami camp, they are 100% bought into the Messi leadership journey.
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JackBurns99 says:
27 August 2024 at 17:40
Coach : Your hatred for Insigne will never end its who you are, can you please tell me of any decent player that was offered a fair wage that refused because Insigne was here? Let’s hear the names Coach I’m so curious
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Mrppv says:
27 August 2024 at 17:51
Messi leadership journey lol sounds like a Bible camp with some footy on the side. Yep that’s what everyone bought into.
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Leave a comment
The Real SK TFC Fan says:
26 August 2024 at 00:16
Meanwhile, the Golden Boot leader already has 17 goals this season. Sigh.
2
Reply
Jack Burns99 says:
26 August 2024 at 01:53
28% possession! Corey no coach starts a game deciding he wants to “park the bus” our Osorio led midfield simply does not have the quality to keep the ball. It has been the problem here since Bob Bradley arrived and put his son , MAK and Jonathon in midfield . If a team has the personnel like Spain, Man City, Barca and Real they will dictate the play, when your midfield is filled with players that have know business being in pro soccer then the “parking of the bus” is what you see.
1
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Coach perspective says:
26 August 2024 at 02:20
Jack, be fair. Last night, when they were terrible in the 1st half, it had something to do with Oso NOT being in the mid to help control. He, Jr and Prince were alone up front doing nothing. That is part of why Oso is valued, he helps with control.
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1
Reply
Secondstar says:
26 August 2024 at 04:50
Can’t help but wonder if the longer layoff and rest due to Leagues Cup was especially beneficial for Long. Older player, lots of minutes and hasn’t played a lot these past couple of years. He was starting to look worn down but was impressive last night.
Jack Burns99 says:
26 August 2024 at 12:43
Coach: So help me out here , if you and everyone on this board are saying that Oso is this wonderful midfielder that controls the center of the pitch , why would Herdman position him in an attacking role “up front doing nothing” ???? Doesn’t Herdman want to control the midfield with Captain Fantastic? Why does he want to concede possession for 72% of the match? Is this a winning strategy going forward?
1
3
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Jack Burns99 says:
26 August 2024 at 12:58
Or does Herdman not rate Osorio to do the defensive work? Why does Herdman start Osorio in a front three with the lousy numbers he’s producing this year?
1
3
Reply
Jack Burns99 says:
26 August 2024 at 13:32
This team has been bleeding goals all season so what does Herdman do ? He takes the so called best midfielder in Oso moves him up front and asks the most skillful player and only offensive threat on the field Bernadeschi to track back and help defend! There is no question in my mind that Herdman is trying to hide Oso because it’s one hell of an embarrassment if he has to bench” Captain stiff”
1
3
Reply
Coach perspective says:
26 August 2024 at 15:14
Jack, those are great questions about how Herdman is using the players on his roster. I have no idea what’s happening in training and how players interact. But the struggle is who they have signed, who is healthy, how they prepare.
I can see how, on the whiteboard, with his full roster, Richie and Fede as wingbacks could create dynamic options in attack. But putting them there with mismatched pieces up front puzzles me. There are other formations that could be better used when looking from outside.
The logical answer is from his midfield choices the most dangerous threat is Oso, that’s not great, but it’s how he sees it. So Herdman loads Flores, Matty, Kosi into middle and hopes it works. I think Oso up front in the last game reduced his influence on the team as he was unconnected.
I’m watching to see if the “leadership group” speaks up here, if Fede and SJ are firm about Rosted. If Oso and Fede are clear about how the last set up could not control the ball. The giveaways from Fede were frustration, not lack of skill. That has to be articulated with a solution put in front of them.
So, I agree, Herdman is a bit of a puzzle. But his half time talk, the subs, the set piece prep, it all showed positive signs.
Reply
Coach perspective says:
26 August 2024 at 15:24
By the way Jack, I think Fede up front, Richie at wingback on one side, with Spicer back and Lorenzo up front on the other, would open up attacking play by a big margin.
3
Reply
Jack Burns99 says:
26 August 2024 at 17:36
Coach : You are correct, you do want to play with Fede and Lorenzo up front, but we have a big problem here that I keep screaming “THIS TEAM HAS NO MIDFIELD” we have watched for a year and a half as Insigne and Fede when played” up front doing nothing” and then being trashed by the fans who don’t understand that Oso and Longstaff , MAK and Mikey couldn’t and will never create anything from midfield and this is why Coach Herdman moved Osorio from midfield and tries to hide him up top.
2
1
Reply
Mrppv says:
26 August 2024 at 18:16
Mr.brady we have 4 away wins NE, Orlando, montreal and this,and no blessing nor shaffleburg didn’t get traded away because of insigne (tired of that ridiculous narrative). Shaffleburg was used incorrectedly by Bob as full back he is used almost as a second striker by nashville, as for blessing he’s been a journey man mls player who has some pace but until now couldn’t score or shoot well enough and is awful without the ball and loses it too often as well. He has done well for himself at Houston and maybe he can be a useful MLS player because he has bounced around the league a bit and if this move didn’t work out he probably wouldn’t be in the league too much longer.
4
Reply
Jack Burns99 says:
26 August 2024 at 22:34
Mrppv: Haven’t you learned yet that everything that has gone wrong the last few years with TFC according to the WTR boys is Insigne’s fault.
3
Reply
Bleeding Red says:
27 August 2024 at 10:40
Dude, nobody says that the last 2 years are Insignificant’s fault. But everybody who has some knowledge of this sport is saying that the management of TFC is at fault because hiring Insignificant. From the second that the ink dried on the signatures of that contract, TFC was practically doomed for the full length of that contract, until the end of the 2026 season. Nobody will ever take this player off TFC’s roster at this idiotic salary he is paid. Not even the Saudis are this stupid, who are playing crazy high wages, because they know they can find at any time 20-30 players who will have a better productivity for similar or less wages.
2
3
Reply
Jack Burns99 says:
27 August 2024 at 14:32
Bleeding Red: Dude, Miami FC is paying Messi millions more then Insigne and he has only started 11 games this year and guess what Miami is running away with the league, but everybody that has some knowledge of the sport knows that Miami has a roster of players that actually look better then our semi-pro looking scrubs. Miami signed two top DP’s in Busquets and Messi and then signed another two former Barcelona players ! They signed Saurez we signed Prince, they signed Alba we signed Rosted!
4
Reply
Jack Burns99 says:
27 August 2024 at 14:49
For all you experts that think one guy is the difference on a soccer pitch ask yourself why Miami are run away leaders in the MLS table while Messi has only started in 11 of Miami’s 25 games, I suggest you all take a good hard look at the sh*te supporting cast of players at TFC to find your answer as to why this team blows.
2
Reply
Jack Burns99 says:
27 August 2024 at 15:20
By the numbers: Miami has registered just as many points as TFC (30) with Messi out of the line up, so think hard next time you smart guys want to blame Insigne for this teams futility.
3
Reply
Coach perspective says:
27 August 2024 at 16:21
Jack, it’s good you mention Messi and Miami when defending Lorenzo. It is the perfect contrast, a player earning his premium salary and one that isn’t. A player that others are dying to play with at any cost (all of Miami) and a player that others avoid.
That’s the reality, TFC does not talk to top international stars and say “come play with Insigne”, they’d be laughed at. Only Criscito took that bait and he ditched immediately.
I think the Fede vs Lorenzo conflict stories were stupid. But, no way that kind of story comes out of the Miami camp, they are 100% bought into the Messi leadership journey.
1
4
Reply
JackBurns99 says:
27 August 2024 at 17:40
Coach : Your hatred for Insigne will never end its who you are, can you please tell me of any decent player that was offered a fair wage that refused because Insigne was here? Let’s hear the names Coach I’m so curious
4
1
Reply
Mrppv says:
27 August 2024 at 17:51
Messi leadership journey lol sounds like a Bible camp with some footy on the side. Yep that’s what everyone bought into.
3
Reply
