Toronto FC through to Champions League Group Stage! Bring on Bayern, Chelsea, Barcelona…What? Not that Champions League? Oh drat…
By: Mark | August 4th, 2010
Sorry. They’re actually going to face Real Salt Lake from the MLS, Arabe Unido from Panama, and Cruz Azul from Mexico. But hey, this tournament is supposed to be for the best teams in CONCACAF, so its great news that Toronto FC will be making its debut.
TFC had a tough week leading up to the game, including losing their luggage on the way to Saturday’s game in Kansas City, then proceeding to lose in Kansas City, and then travelling to Honduras with the flight being diverted a few times before they could finally land. So I wasn’t feeling as optimistic about this game as I was in my last post, but the guys managed to fight off a surging Amado Guevera (who scored twice) and his Motagua team for a 2-2 draw, meaning Toronto wins the playoff 3-2 on aggregate. Sweet! Check out all the goals here (DeRo and Barrett scored for TFC): http://torontofc.neulion.com/tfc/console.jsp?catid=2&id=2198
Great job guys – including scoring more than one goal, and on the road! I guess the schedule is going to stay busy, as Toronto will start having home and away series against the 3 other teams in the group. These start August 17! Preki will now really need to decide which games are more important every week – do we focus on getting into the MLS playoffs, or try to advance in the Champions League? Mo Johnston has added some players, especially at forward, to add some depth to the squad, so hopefully we will have enough stamina to compete in both leagues. But if I had to choose, that elusive MLS playoff berth continues to hang over this team and I think its very important to catch it this year, or the season will look like a failure once again and TFC may start to lose fans. Unless they go really far in the Champions League (which I think is a bit of a long shot right now), qualifying for the MLS playoffs is really important.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. What is more important for you: Champions League success, or the long-awaited MLS playoff berth???
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Comments
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I think that fans have waited so long to reach the playoffs that it would definitely take priority. Though I know there are many hardcore fans that would love to see a good run in the CCL.
Preki’s tactics are frustrating as hell. Sit back until we concede then panic and push forward and get caught on the counter. My heart stopped several times during the match last night. Not sure why he would start Henry as he was totally out of his depth. Should’ve started Maicon with Gargan at rightback in the first place. What also worries me is that JDG wasn’t looking great yet again.
Ok enough negativity! DeRo is immense. I don’t have words anymore, he always puts in 100% and is determined to get this team to win. Chad Barrett can shut up all the haters now hopefully! Maicon is looking great (very nice assist) and Frei is our saviour yet again. Thank god we have such a good keeper!
I’m excited about the group stages and hopefully I’ll get my butt out of the house and see a match. And hey, if we can get TWO goals AWAY in bloody HONDURAS, surely anything is possible now eh?
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I don’t know what we would do without Frei. Or DeRo for that matter.
And I think you’re right about Barrett. I don’t want to get too excited about it, but he certainly has improved his finishing, and does seems to have good positional sense as well. In fact a lot of the time you can see Barrett in a good position, but the other guys on the team haven’t seen him. They’re too pre-occupied with just getting the ball forward, rather than thinking about setting up an attack.
That’s where it doesn’t seem Preki’s tactics are working. We can’t just defend all the time!
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Couldn’t agree more about Chad, I think you hit the nail on the head. His finishing isn’t the best, but he also needs to get the ball for more chances and to improve his finishing. Confidence seems a big thing for him too so when he’s frustrated he tends to make the wrong decision. I think Maicon starting with him should be good for his game. (We’re probably still in the minority with our opinion on Chad but oh well!).
Also, how many goals does he have in MLS? It’s pretty good so far. And he’s got 2 in the CCL and I can’t remember how many in the Voyager’s Cup. It’s a pretty good record this season, people should give him some credit.
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nice title
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and playoff berth
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I seem to be one of the few who would prefer to do well in the Champion’s League. For me, that’s a better sign of a great team. It says that you can compete internationally and for the TorontoFC especially, they’re representing the country of Canada even more than they do in the MLS. Plus they’re already playing with the best teams in the MLS. Might as well add some of the superior Mexican teams and others into the mix.
I’m a very new TFC fan (just started watching after the World Cup) and yesterday was the first time I felt like a true fan. Not only was the game the first one I’ve seen that was exhilarating but there’s something about teams who don’t face each other often playing that has always excited me.
I really hope TorontoFC does make the MLS playoffs. But I’d prefer a great Champion’s League performance.
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Thanks Diego, its good to hear your argument for the other side of the coin. Representing Canada on an international stage would be a good thing for the team, you’re right.
I was listening to someone on the radio last night saying that if TFC makes it past the group stage and gets deep into the tournament, they might end up playing games in February next year! They would need to get the squad together and probably play at Rogers Centre – can you imagine BMO Field in February? Its hardly bearable in April…
So, maybe if the team can handle both the MLS games and the Champions League group stage this fall, then the rest of the tournament would be a great bonus that they could focus on. As long as they can stay fit that is.
Also, hope you enjoy watching the TFC games. Every year they get a little bit better, and I think the MLS as a whole is improving too.
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That’s interesting. Though if that WERE to happen, I imagine the Roger’s Centre wouldn’t even get a half-bad attendance. People always like a winning team. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves though
First we’re in a group with the most successful team in CONCACAF Champion’s League history. xDI find it so interesting how little respect this competition gets though. I recently went to the LA Galaxy blog because I had to see their take on it after their embarrassing loss to the Puerto Rico Islanders. Not only was the loss not even mentioned, but the article about the 2nd game was simply suggesting they give up on the tournament with the fans commenting seeming to agree. They even went as far as to contend that friendlies with European teams meant more. An attitude shift is clearly needed in the MLS in general.
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Diego, I read your comment on the LA blog and was worried you might think I was putting down the tournament with my post here, ha ha!
Nope, the more I read about it, the more the tournament does seem important to me.
I would say in Toronto FC’s case, although it would be very good to do well in the CONCACAF tournament, I think for this particular season it is imperative that TFC makes the MLS playoffs. My reasoning for this is that the team have been building momentum each year and gaining support, but I feel there is an underlying tension from the fans over the decisions the management have made and their inability to build a successful team. I think a direct measurement of success would be to get into and do well in the MLS playoffs. If they can’t do that this year, I fear that some of the fans that have stuck by this team since the beginning may start to lose interest. Doing really well in the Champions League would of course appease those fans, but right now I don’t think that is expected of TFC, where qualifying for the MLS playoffs is.
While I would like TFC to perform well in both tournaments, I hope getting a few wins in CONCACAF does not come at the expense of MLS wins. Once they have accomplished their goal of success in MLS, then it will be time to put more emphasis in CONCACAF to conquer it as well!
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The CONCACAF is more important anyday! You won’t always get to play the best teams in North America (except if one is shallow minded thinking the best teams are all in the MLS) so take advantage of the opportuninty, and NEVER underestimate a CONCACAF opponent!
Play the CCL matches as if they were your last match.
I’m a hardcore Puerto Rico Islanders fan, and trust me, beating up on teams who underestimate you is a lot of fun!
On the other hand, I live in Toronto, so I’m looking forrad to see the TFC fight their arses and reach far into the tournament.
Expect me with my orange (Islanders) jersey an my red TFC had and scarf at the CCL games in BMO.
Go TFC Go! (except when they play the Islanders of course.)
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Haha not at all Mark. I was referring in more general terms when I talked about the lack of respect for the Champion’s League on that blog (and the fact that nobody at that blog seemed interested in even MENTIONING the home game v.s. the Islanders also angered me some, lol).
You definitely make a great point about playoff qualification being more of a NECESSITY for TorontoFC. Also, realistically, it should be a lot easier than a good Champion’s League performance. I would just hope they don’t phone it in like LA did. Though seeing how admirably players like Barrett and DeRo played versus Montagua, I doubt this will be an issue.
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Champions League should be the priority by a country mile. I’m sorry, but the playoffs don’t really hold that much prestige. The phrase “mickey mouse” comes to mind.
TFC will have a shot at the playoffs every year. The CCL, however, is not a gimme. Especially with Vancouver and the Impact getting better each year. If the TFC FO prioritizes the playoffs, which DO NOT get TFC to the club world cup, then I don’t think I’ll be a fan anymore.
You gotta go for the greater glory- CCL.
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