4/6/07
| A Cold Open |
by Brad Feldman |
Revolution play-by-play man Brad Feldman doesn't expect the cold weather to chill the on-field rivalry between the Revolution and Fire during this Saturday's 2007 Season opener.
| Revolution Classic Bar Scarf |
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 Take off, hoser. That was my first reaction to hearing that Toronto was getting an MLS expansion team. You need skates to play in Ontario. Who are these guys, anyway?
Actually, my real reaction to the news was much more positive than that. As one of the most diverse cities in North America, Toronto has always been a good soccer town, supporting international matches and the old NASL very well. That theory - banked on my Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment well before Yours Truly weighed in with his genius opinion - was borne out recently when TFC announced they’d sold 14 thousand season tickets. Now you’re laughin’, eh?
And with the league’s player personnel rules, it’s a Toronto team fairly heavy on Canadians - several unknown ones, at least in MLS circles - especially at the back. That’s a big reason why quite a few pundits around the league have picked TFC to replicate the kind of seasons that Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA had.
But even after their 2-0 loss away to Chivas USA last week in its opener, I’m less inclined to say that the Mo Johnston-coached side is destined for a cellar-dweller type debut campaign.
Since Johnston began building his club, with the steadying hand of mentor and assistant coach Bob Gansler, it’s been clear than Mo’s used his experience as a coach and an ex-MLS player to bring in the kind of guys who can compete from the jump.
And even though they lost last week, TFC had a pretty good shout to take an early lead out in L.A., which would have changed the complexion of the game entirely. Chivas USA keeper Brad Guzan stoned Alecko Eskandarian a couple of times in the first half and the Goats were the better team the rest of the way after scoring in minute 35.
Predictions that the TFC back four might look a bit naïve seemed justified and founding player and Canada international Jim Brennan did not shine in his first outing. Miguel Canizalez did, however, show the ability to get forward down the right flank. In goal, Greg Sutton is not thought by those in the know to be an A-list keeper, but he’ll get the job done most nights.
"Look for the Revs to force the issue in the early going in attempt to pounce on TFC’s perceived defensive instability."
Their defensive frailties will be minimized week-by-week, as Johnston gets the player mix right and the players themselves adjust to the league.
And, this is a team that, if they can finish, may be very dangerous in the attack. Eskandarian is joined up top by longtime Revs nemesis Edson Buddle and Andrea Lombardo, who has experience playing in Italy.
The midfield boasts some impressive names, including former Norwich, Portsmouth and Wolves man Carl Robinson. Richard Mulrooney, blindsided by being shipped out by FC Dallas, will settle in to be the model of consistency and professionalism that he always is. Ex-Sunderland midfielder Andy Welsh looks like he can be a useful player in this league. And the Revs will be just as happy that Ronnie O’Brien is out injured for Saturday’s game.
On the Revs side of the ball, you’d have to say New England was unlucky to not have gotten at least a point out of their game against Chicago last week. After giving up the early goal, the Revolution dominated in possession and shots and did just about everything but score a goal.
Anyone who says the rookies - Wells Thompson, Adam Cristman and Gary Flood - didn’t do well can -- wait, you gotta be careful what gets printed on the internet these days.
Admittedly, it took them all a little while to settle down and Flood may have been somewhat victimized by Justin Mapp on the goal. But Jeez Louise, the guy’s a Supplemental Draft pick out of Hofstra. I thought he did great - he looked calm on the ball, he reads the game a step ahead and he’s tough. Cristman took a while to get his touch and stop hitting the deck every time a defender touched him, but he’s a horse and seems to have a clue. I concur with Steve Nicol’s assessment that Wells Thompson showed flashes and just needs seasoning to start maximizing his dynamic abilities.
All that said, the Revs have to be hoping that, after getting upgraded to Probable status on the injury list, that Shalrie Joseph and Khano Smith are fit to go against TFC. The Revs are a different team with their talisman, Big Bully, dominating in the middle of the park. And, on the left flank, who in the league wants to see big Kenny Smith running at them?
Pat Noonan looked good, if not 100 percent fit, coming on as a late sub last week. With a coldish weather forecast, I’d be surprised in Nicol risked rushing him into a starting role, but I think he’ll get more time than he did in Chicago. You can just tell that Taylor Twellman is a happier camper when he’s with his buddy Noons out there on the field to play set-up man. Taylor isn’t going to miss chances like he did last week for long. The fact that he was getting service in good spots was a bright spot in the loss.
Two of the guys who played well for New England were Steve Ralston and Andy Dorman. In the first half, it was new club captain Ralston creating opportunities, cutting infield from the right wing and getting good service into the box. In the second half, Dorman used his usual tireless workrate and well-timed runs to get himself free for a team-leading seven shots. He was also robbed by a great Matt Pickens save. Like Twellman, you sense that Dorman is just about ready to break through and score more than one goal.
Look for the Revs to force the issue in the early going in attempt to pounce on TFC’s perceived defensive instability.
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