Toronto FC Vs D.C. United: 3 things we learned – Pipa rescues D.C.
2. Game management vital
For all of Toronto FC’s superb play in the first hour or so, they threw it away in the final stages. The performance was extremely encouraging, yes, but sport is about results and Toronto once again failed to handle a lead.
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On this occasion, blame was easy to apportion. From Greg Vanney swapping both his centre-backs, even if there were extenuating circumstances as he hinted at his post-match press conference, to the subsequent lax and lazy play in possession that invited pressure from a ten-man opponent, Toronto failed to properly manage the game.
The first goal was dreadful to concede. An easy turnover in midfield thanks to yet another conservative, backwards pass that allowed D.C. to step up and press left the two centre-backs, Laurent Ciman and Eriq Zavaleta, with a gaping hole between them. A simple through pass allowed Federico Higuain to saunter through the heart of the Toronto defence and provide a delightful chip.
Then Toronto failed to see out the final few minutes. Nick DeLeon taking shots from the edge of the penalty area, Bradley slowing down the play, the centre-backs passing back to the goalkeeper and then hoofing the ball clear, instead of keeping possession to run down the clock. It was a horror-show in how to see out a lead. And in the end, Toronto were punished.