While the Union have been getting goals from a variety of players, Cristian Maidana has emerged as the key man pulling the strings in midfield. The Argentine’s nine assists have him tied for second in the league, and one ahead of Sebastian Giovinco. Stopping Maidana must be central to TFC’s game plan.
For Toronto fans, most of this has probably gone unnoticed. Even the Reds wobble in results – only one win from their last five – hasn’t created the outright panic (in good years) or resignation (in poor) such runs tended to produce in the past. The excuses have all been easily at hand: away games, Gold Cup call-ups, even the old “bad reffing” that seems to affect TFC exclusively in fan imagination.
It helps that, other than a shellacking in LA, TFC haven’t looked bad in most of those games. There’s the sense that this team, good as it has been on occasion, still promises more. Sooner or later, however, Toronto needs to score some victories, or unrealized promise will start to become unmet ambitions. With all but Michael Bradley returned from the Gold Cup, and Jozy Altidore, Jonathan Osorio, and Ashtone Morgan ready to return to action, head coach Greg Vanney is close to his full roster.
Reinforcements are certain to be on the way as well. Former captain Steven Caldwell’s retirement was announced early in the week. Until his salary is reallocated to a replacement, however, the Reds will be thin in the centre of defence.
In some sense the timing was poor, as Nick Hagglund was rendered unavailable due to having his appendix removed only a few days later. Should centre backs Damien Perquis or Eriq Zavaleta require replacement, Vanney will have to get creative. Creativity didn’t work out last week, when the Reds conceded four goals, and defence still seems to be the team’s Achilles heel.
With Morgan available, Justin Morrow can play right back again, unless Mark Bloom is finally handed an opportunity. Fans have been calling for the formerly steady American’s return to the line-up for weeks, but Vanney seems hesitant. After the further adventures of Warren Creavalle last week, anything that requires Morrow to play another position than right back must surely lead to Bloom’s inclusion.
So, this match against Philadelphia, at the halfway point of the season, has the potential to be another banana skin. Frustrating home losses, against teams fans expect to beat, has been the Reds style in 2015. The wind that was let out of TFC’s sails in losses to Houston and New York City verged on feeling physical. In both those matches, the Reds returned home after good runs of away form, and expectations were high. Now, they need a win. The script is different; hopefully the result is too.