Toronto FC need four home wins to jump-start MLS season
By Rohit Menon
Toronto FC have only picked up five points in their last five games. It makes for pretty measly reading, considering the quality of the squad and especially that of star Sebastian Giovinco.
The recent 2-1 away loss to 9-man San Jose Earthquakes could be a turning point in the season for the Reds, who were expecting huge things ahead of the 2016 season. They were tipped by many to easily qualify for the playoffs and were also expected to possibly make a tilt at the MLS Cup, but injuries and loss of form have made this campaign a stop-start one thus far.
Home form: Unbeaten in the last five home games
The BMO Field will host Toronto’s next four MLS fixtures and this home welcome couldn’t have come at a better time. The stadium has been like a fortress of sorts this season despite it overseeing only seven games in 2016 due to renovations that ended in May, with only one loss taking place and 12 points claimed (3-1-3).
Beginning with a 1-0 win against current Western Conference table toppers FC Dallas on May 8, Greg Vanney’s side stumbled to a 10-man Vancouver Whitecaps 4-3 before going five games unbeaten, with 1-0 wins against LA Galaxy and Chicago Fire being sandwiched by draws to New York City FC, Columbus Crew SC and Seattle Sounders.
8 goals were scored at home and 6 conceded, while Sebastian Giovinco has 2 goals and 3 assists and Drew Moor has 2 goals.
Based on the above statistics, Toronto should be relatively bullish about their chances with four wins in as many fixtures, but has their recent form in the MLS really held up?
Recent form: One win in last five MLS games (home or away)
Although two of Toronto FC’s last five MLS matches were at home and saw them pick up three points (one win and one tie), their away form certainly hasn’t helped their cause at all this year. Lapse in concentration is partly to blame as the team just doesn’t seem to close games out when they are winning or things are going their way.
Scoring has also been a huge issue, especially when injuries keep important players out of the team. Copa America returnee Michael Bradley and Canadian Championship hero Will Johnson are both nursing injuries that will keep them out of the team for some time. Add the unavailability of Altidore and a misfiring Giovinco and you can slowly see why the team has struggled in the last couple of months.
In TFC’s last five games, they have one win, two losses, and two draws for a total of five points.
Six goals were scored and seven conceded. Left-back Justin Morrow scored three goals in four games while Jordan Hamilton got three and an assist in five. Plenty of initiative.
Upcoming fixtures
With the upcoming return of Jozy Altidore, who was in the squad for the San Jose loss, Toronto FC do deserve a bit of good fortune entering their next few games. He should be able to provide a platform for Giovinco to continue working his magic, despite the diminutive Italian’s patchy form in front of goal.
Jordan Hamilton is also clearly knocking on the coach’s doors for a consistent starting spot courtesy of his upturn in form of late, and fans will be hoping for him to continue delivering the goods in terms of goals and assists so his club can improve on their 5th position in the Eastern Conference Table (19 games, 24 points).
Matches against teams in and around the Eastern Conference playoff places, namely DC United, Columbus Crew and New England Revolution, and a tough clash hosting Real Salt Lake are the challenges to be navigated next up. If Toronto FC manage to come out of this period with maximum points, don’t be surprised to see them seal their playoff spot soon and eventually gain back their favourites-tag ahead of the MLS Cup.