TFC v LA Milkyways ………

By: nicholas | April 13th, 2008

As TFC prepares to play the ~~Comets~~, ~~Universe~~, ~~Milky ways~~, oh yea Galaxy on Sunday, there has been a number of important teams’ news that has made the average fan either really angry or really happy. Based on what Kool-Aid you drink you will either really happy/sad to hear that the Trinidad and Tobago International Colin Samuel has been waived from Toronto FC for personal reasons. In his place Rohan Ricketts was signed. My personal opinion is that they have waived the wrong striker. The striker that they should have gotten rid was Jeff Cunningham. (I was secretly really happy to hear that they were shopping him last week) If only for his play in a Toronto Uniform in Columbus. I know what some of you thinking, he has such good speed and is very dangerous and he has scored 97 goals after all, so he must have some class, but then I will come back that with the argument that I rather have a so called bad player who gives a 100% every night and plays for the team rather than good player that believes everything should be given to him.

On a positive side of things, Rohan Ricketts sigining has now become official. The former Arsenal, Spurs and Wolverhampton winger does come to Toronto with some baggage, but I am sure that ever Toronto FC fan is willing to forgive and forget his past, if he is willing to be significantly better than the other Blackpool winger that Toronto use to have.

Rohan Ricketts has been known to have good pace as well as make good dynamics runs down the wings, he seems to have a good upside and he is already making good with the fans with his Facebook account. The impact of Rohan on the pitch will need to be significant and sooner rather than later because Toronto has always been exploited on wings this season from Fred and Emilio impact against DC and Gaven and Rogers against the Crew. * ( I am not sure if anyone remembers this but TFC could have already had a decent winger in Robbie Rogers last year, because last year when Toronto was building there team they had to choose between Connor Casey from Mainz and Robbie Rogers from Heeverveen and lets just say that if Mo Johnson could go back, I am pretty sure who he would have chosen).

The biggest signing of the week was Amado “El Lobo” Guevara transfer from Montoliva of Honduras. He will no doubt take over the playmaking role for the mighty reds . the Ex-Metro stars/ Red bull player has been known to take over games with his skill and also become invisible, but lets hope that the fans of TFC can spur him on to showcase his wide array of skills that endeared him to his legion of fans in Honduras. ( for the fans of the game over in the La Galaxy offside page there is a bet to see how long it will take before Amado has a nervous breakdown)

Game Review!

Goalkeeper

At the position, it must be noted that Greg Sutton is so much better than Steve Cronin that it not even a contest in terms of skills (TFC WIN)

Defense

I anyone were to Compare the defenses of both TFC and LAG, it would be like asking what kind car crash would you like to see. On one side of the field, we have Tyrone Marshall, who is coming back to LA for the first time since his trade last year, so he is due for a good game, but Velez has been shown to be easily brought out of position and his man-marking skills has been at best suspect. In comparison LA’s Central Defence pairing of Greg Vanney and Abel Xavier has been shown to not be the most fleet footed of defenders. But this must be taken into consideration Sean Franklyn did play a great game against San Jose last week, so I would be really keen to see what Ruud Huillett does. The wingbacks of Both teams are very serviceable with Brennan and Wynne of Toronto and Randolf and Chris Klein. Both set of players are good going forward and both set of players do make there share of mental error, especially Wynne and Randolf. So for this match up, it will have to be considered a tie. (LA/ TFC TIE) ….

Midfield
This is where most of the game will be fought. In terms of la they have Landy cakes and Butterball controlling almost anything that they do. Ely Allen and Brandon McDonald played fairly well with the two mentioned before and will provide a stern test for Toronto FC. But with all the additions that TFC has made within the last two weeks, it is making it really hard to discount them. Guevera, Edu, Robert, Robinson and Rickets does look really good on paper. But looking good on paper does not win you soccer matches. Taking everything in account the midfield of Toronto should be too much for LA, but they have yet to show anything on the pitch as yet so I will hold off thoughts of TFC ruling the Galaxy until they show there class. ((LAG win)

Forwards

For Both teams, the forward play has not been the greatest. In LA Corner, they have Alan Gordon and potentially Edson Buddle. Alan Gordon is considered the most snake bitten player in the MLS, the amount of chances he has missed in the past, should be enough for the LA fans to be pulling out there hair. ( But I guess it is better to be missing chances rather than not creating any). In Toronto Corner they have the one and only Jeff Cunningham, who has not shown any indication that he is going to create any goals whatsoever. (Just to be consistent I would rather Lombardo to be the starter but that doesn’t seem to be happening). So in my disgust of Jeff Cunningham I am going to give this to LA ( LAG win)

Expected Lineups!

Toronto FC

Sutton, Wynee, Velez, Marshall, Brennan, Ricketts, Edu, Robinson, Robert, Guevera, Cunnigham.

LA Galaxy

Cronin, Klein, Xavier, Vanney, Randolf, Beckham, Pieres, McDonald, Allen, Donavon, Gordon.

Expected Score.

LA 1- TFC 1