Week 2: TFC @ New England preview

By: Sam | April 14th, 2007

Saturday, 14 April, Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachussets.

In a nutshell: Both teams looking for their first win and first goal of the season, one of them looking for their first win and goal ever.

Toronto FC’s records:
Last 5 (includes preseason): 3W-2L-0D 7GF-5GA
This season: 0W-1L-0D 0GF-2GA
Against New England: First meeting

New England’s records:
Last 5 (includes preseason): 4W-1L-0D 15GF-2GA
Against Toronto FC: First meeting

Toronto FC’s probable starters:

1 Sutton
11 Brennan - 4 Reda - 2 Boyens
17 Nagamura
7 Welsh - 8 Mulrooney - 33 Robinson - 23 Canizales
12 Buddle - 10 Eskandarian

New England’s probable starters:

1 Reis
6 Heaps - 16 Riley - 4 John
14 Ralston - 13 Larentowicz - 17 Flood - 27 Thompson
25 Dorman
20 Twellman - 7 Cristman

Analysis:
Well, here we are, one week after The Game. Dissapointment? But of course. The Revs had their share of disspointment on opening day as well, falling 1-0 to Chicago. Like I said, both teams have yet to score a goal this season.

Now, of course this doesn’t mean that they don’t have the necessary tools to put a few past us, either. You can never say enough about Taylor Twellman, who’s a great striker and puts away goals like nobody’s business. They’ve got a solid team, but I think that they’re takeable, especially on the left side. With Twellman, Ralston and Heaps minding the right, we’ll have to count on Welsh and Buddle, provided they start, to spark some offence on the other side of the pitch.

As for injuries, Casey and Reda are most definitely fit. You may remember Casey as the really awkward guy that came on against Chivas, with the odd-looking legs and who looked mighty confused and out of place. Reda, on the other hand, played a decent game whilst nursing an injury. O’Brien is still out, of course, Pozniak is as well. Maurice Edu, who’s started to train, is still unavailable. Substitute striker Andrea Lombardo is listed as questionable. The Revs have their share of players down, such as Hernandez and Franchino. Shalrie Joseph and Pat Noonan are listed as probable.

As for the formation, I reckon Mo will stay with the 3-5-2 he had against Chivas, but I doubt there will be many changes. We may see Braz come in for Boyens, or a youngster such as Guzman or Asante replace Welsh, who had a very so-so performance last week.

I just hope that the guys have gotten their shit together since last game and have touched up on their communication. That said, I hope that it was communication that was faltering in the last match, because if not, that means that we’re the worst team in the world for through balls. Eskandarian and Buddle need to step up: they looked a bit lazy last game.

My prediction: 1-1. Goal from a midfielder for us, maybe Ralston for them. I wouldn’t be surprised to see 2-1 for either side, however.