Brief Synopsis
A horrendous own goal by Hunter Freeman gifted Houston a first half lead that was canceled out in the second half by Marvell Wynne. We seemed to be step for step with Houston for the first little bit and created several shots and opportunities in the early going. A simple miscommunication between Greg Sutton and Hunter Freeman meant we conceded an own goal about as laughable as James Riley's was earlier this year for San Jose. We looked out of sorts for the little bit, and it wasn't until the second half that Marvell Wynne gave us something to cheer about. His first career goal gave us a 1-1 draw with the defending champions.
Starting Eleven and Player Ratings
RM: Marvell Wynne - 8 - He was deservedly the Man of the Match. If ever there was a way to score a first career goal, he did it in some style.
CDM: Carl Robinson - 7 - He didn't stand out but he definitely wasn't poor. A pretty standardly solid match for him.
CM: Rohan Ricketts - 6 - He didn't look very good in the 3-5-2 but was pretty evident on the wing in the 4-4-2.
CM: Amado Guevara - 6 - He tested Onstad with a couple of nice shots today but had a lot of passes cut out by defenders.
LM: Jim Brennan - 6 - He didn't impress me today. He had a couple crosses that sailed overtop of everyone. That said, he wasn't bad.
FW: Danny Dichio - 4 - He didn't play well at all today. He could just be rusty after coming back from his concussion, but we know he can do better.
FW: Chad Barrett - 5 - He didn't have one of his better matches either. Numerous scoring chances went high or wide for Chad.
SUB: Johann Smith - 6 - He came on for Ricketts in the second half. His pace is his best asset as he can seemingly just run through players. He is going to be a star in MLS.
SUB: Ibee Ibrahim - NR
SUB: Jarrod Smith - NR
Final Thoughts
Starting Eleven and Player Ratings
We started off the match in a 3-5-2 but switched partway through to a standard 4-4-2. After we scored, we switched back to the 3-5-2 again. Here is how we started and how I think each player performed.
GK: Greg Sutton - 6 - I would say he's partly to blame for the own goal, but he had a solid match otherwise.
RB: Hunter Freeman - 4 - That own goal was terrible, and besides that, he didn't really do that much. He can do better.
CB: Tyrone Marshall - 5 - He followed up last week's debacle with a performance that wasn't too improved.
LB: Kevin Harmse - 6 - Harmsey did okay. He was playing out of position in either formation and never really looked horrible. I'd be interested to see him play CB again.GK: Greg Sutton - 6 - I would say he's partly to blame for the own goal, but he had a solid match otherwise.
RB: Hunter Freeman - 4 - That own goal was terrible, and besides that, he didn't really do that much. He can do better.
CB: Tyrone Marshall - 5 - He followed up last week's debacle with a performance that wasn't too improved.
RM: Marvell Wynne - 8 - He was deservedly the Man of the Match. If ever there was a way to score a first career goal, he did it in some style.
CDM: Carl Robinson - 7 - He didn't stand out but he definitely wasn't poor. A pretty standardly solid match for him.
CM: Rohan Ricketts - 6 - He didn't look very good in the 3-5-2 but was pretty evident on the wing in the 4-4-2.
CM: Amado Guevara - 6 - He tested Onstad with a couple of nice shots today but had a lot of passes cut out by defenders.
LM: Jim Brennan - 6 - He didn't impress me today. He had a couple crosses that sailed overtop of everyone. That said, he wasn't bad.
FW: Danny Dichio - 4 - He didn't play well at all today. He could just be rusty after coming back from his concussion, but we know he can do better.
FW: Chad Barrett - 5 - He didn't have one of his better matches either. Numerous scoring chances went high or wide for Chad.
SUB: Johann Smith - 6 - He came on for Ricketts in the second half. His pace is his best asset as he can seemingly just run through players. He is going to be a star in MLS.
SUB: Ibee Ibrahim - NR
SUB: Jarrod Smith - NR
Final Thoughts
It wasn't the result we were looking for, though it easily could have been. We came out very flat at the beginning of the match but sorted things out and ended up stride for stride with the Dynamo.
The own goal really killed our spirits though, both on and off the field. I think that from the time the goal was conceded to the time Wynne scored, the stadium was the quietest it's been all season. It seemed like our free-fall out of the playoffs had hit rock bottom. Seats were empty, the supporters section was quiet, and Houston was dominating us. Thankfully, it didn't last.
Before we conceded and after we scored, though, the atmosphere was great. The folks down in the 111/112/113 had some great chants. The one mocking Pat Onstad was pure class - well done. The "Forza TO" is starting to come along as well. The harmony has been off all season long but it's finally sounding how it should. There were two banners that our front office probably took note of. One said "Mo must Go" and the other said "Fire the Liar." It will be interesting to see if there is any response to this.
Congratulations to the happy couple, as well. For those of you who missed it, someone proposed to their girlfriend (now fiancée) right in front of section 110. A "she said yes" chant broke out soon after and gave us something to laugh about after that horrific goal we saw.
Today's attendance was announced at around 20,067 I believe. If you looked around the stadium though, there definitely wasn't that many spectators there. Perhaps MLSE will see that we aren't the Leafs - if we don't win, people won't come.
Marvell Wynne emerged as the Man of the Match in the second half. I can remember he shut down De Rosario in our own 18 yard box and later blew past him and scored. What a goal it was, too. It went straight down the middle and looped over Onstad, and was shot with his weaker left foot. It was nice to have something to cheer about today. Congratulations on your first career goal, Marvell. It's been a long time coming.
Speaking of De Rosario, I had an interesting conversation with one of his uncles before kick off. I talked with him about the potential of DeRo coming here and whether he wants to come or not. I'm not going to write what his responses were, but I'll tell you, there is something going on.
I think overall we can be pleased with a draw against the champions, but given our current situation, it's not as pleasing. If we were a lock for the playoffs, drawing with Houston would be seen as an accomplishment, but since we needed a win, we have virtually accomplished nothing.
The own goal really killed our spirits though, both on and off the field. I think that from the time the goal was conceded to the time Wynne scored, the stadium was the quietest it's been all season. It seemed like our free-fall out of the playoffs had hit rock bottom. Seats were empty, the supporters section was quiet, and Houston was dominating us. Thankfully, it didn't last.
Before we conceded and after we scored, though, the atmosphere was great. The folks down in the 111/112/113 had some great chants. The one mocking Pat Onstad was pure class - well done. The "Forza TO" is starting to come along as well. The harmony has been off all season long but it's finally sounding how it should. There were two banners that our front office probably took note of. One said "Mo must Go" and the other said "Fire the Liar." It will be interesting to see if there is any response to this.
Congratulations to the happy couple, as well. For those of you who missed it, someone proposed to their girlfriend (now fiancée) right in front of section 110. A "she said yes" chant broke out soon after and gave us something to laugh about after that horrific goal we saw.
Today's attendance was announced at around 20,067 I believe. If you looked around the stadium though, there definitely wasn't that many spectators there. Perhaps MLSE will see that we aren't the Leafs - if we don't win, people won't come.
Marvell Wynne emerged as the Man of the Match in the second half. I can remember he shut down De Rosario in our own 18 yard box and later blew past him and scored. What a goal it was, too. It went straight down the middle and looped over Onstad, and was shot with his weaker left foot. It was nice to have something to cheer about today. Congratulations on your first career goal, Marvell. It's been a long time coming.
Speaking of De Rosario, I had an interesting conversation with one of his uncles before kick off. I talked with him about the potential of DeRo coming here and whether he wants to come or not. I'm not going to write what his responses were, but I'll tell you, there is something going on.
I think overall we can be pleased with a draw against the champions, but given our current situation, it's not as pleasing. If we were a lock for the playoffs, drawing with Houston would be seen as an accomplishment, but since we needed a win, we have virtually accomplished nothing.
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1 comments:
Perhaps MLSE will see that we aren't the Leafs - if we don't win, people won't come.
Guess MLSE are so used to having full attendances for teams that never win ;-)
(Sorry mate, couldn't resist! Go Sens :P)
I remember hearing a while back that de Rosario specifically targeted TFC as a team he wanted to play for someday - this was before he renewed his contract with Houston. So I always imagined it being a "Play for the team I love first, but give something back to my home team before retirement" - but age 30 is not too old so who knows, could have him around for a few years :D
Or he could come play for the Phoenix ;-) We can't get Alen Marcina back so why not aim for a better Canuck? Haha
Go TFC,
Robb
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