Toronto FC experienced the highs and lows of soccer on the road in the short span of five days.
Last Saturday, TFC beat Columbus Crew 4–2, recording a number of firsts. It marked their first road win of their Major League Soccer season, their first ever victory over the Crew, and their first Trillium Cup (an annual home-and-away competition between Toronto and Columbus).
But the reality check hit Toronto FC hard on Wednesday, when they were hammered in Mexico by Pumas UNAM in CONCACAF Champions League group play 4–0.
In front of a sparse crowd, Toronto FC had early chances to take the lead, as Danny Koevermans and Ryan Johnson were both stopped by Pumas goalkeeper Victor Patino.
Playing in the altitude of Mexico City, the match was essentially over with Pumas up 3–0 just after the half-hour mark. Toronto FC’s weak defence was badly exposed as Pumas forward Martin Bravo recorded a first-half hat trick.
The lopsided loss hurt TFC in their Champions League group as they fell from second to third and found themselves with the worst goal differential by far in the group. However, some minor consolation can be taken as they play two of their remaining three games at home.
Trillium Cup
For 6-foot-5-inch central defender Andy Iro, making his return to Columbus turned out to be a very special evening. He was warmly greeted by the Columbus fans.
“It was all love,” Iro said. “The fans are great to me here.”
Iro has always been on the winning end in the Trillium Cup competition. He described the win as “definitely bittersweet” as Toronto FC beat his former team and won the Trillium Cup.
It was also a bittersweet night for TFC goalkeeper Stefan Frei. Frei had been out of action since Aug. 6 due to injury. In the second half, he collided violently with the Crew’s Emilio Renteria, injuring his hip and thigh. He had to come out of the game and was replaced with capable deputy Milos Kocic.
Toronto FC had jumped out to a 2–0 lead in the first half with good attacking play against a lackluster Crew side.
But Frei’s injury seemed to give the Crew the lifeline they needed. Tommy Heinemann scored just a minute after Frei’s injury.
But TFC didn’t fade as they have done on many other occasions this season. They responded to restore their two-goal lead when Julian de Guzman fired a long, low drive home.
Columbus tacked on another goal but substitute Koevermans caught Columbus keeper Will Hesmer out of his goal and placed the ball in the open net.
Frei, on crutches, was seen cheering the goal, which showed just how much this victory meant to TFC.
“To score four goals away is a great compliment [to the team],” head coach Aron Winter said after the Columbus game. “The first away victory is good. We were sharp with the opportunities we got.”
“We have to see this [Trillium Cup] like a derby.”
“The guys had positive energy, the perfect attitude. You see a lot more footballing being played with confidence. The first half was a great example of the potential we have on this team,” de Guzman said.
Yes, Toronto FC has potential and has improved after a squad revamp earlier this summer. But the squad lacks depth and the defence is still a liability as evidenced by the heavy loss to Pumas.
Follow Rahul on Twitter @RV_ETSports
