The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly – Toronto FC 2 – 1 D.C. United
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What can be really said about a night of such extremes? BMO was primed to explode, and in many ways, it did.
THE GOOD
Three (3) points… Lorenzo Insigne’s best game in a TFC shirt… The kids. They played with the bit in their teeth… The whole team, playing like their lives depended on the result, when it maybe/absolutely did… A proper Saturday night at BMO, weather-wise… Doing a slow march, with pit stops for “hydration”, to the game, instead of the TTC induced fugue-state shuffle to nothing and nowhere (looking at you, not 509 streetcar)… Losing my voice the day after because happy screams… Those were some excellent, team driven, Bob Bradley goals we scored, with zest added by a DP doing DP things… The team played for the gaffer last night, methinks all is not lost… We beat the odds!
This look on my esteemed Co-Host’s mug:
This:
THE BAD
It’s ok, we can say it, D.C. were garbage on the night. We will not face many teams that averse to pressing… Kinda wanted to witness that Bono revenge game… I just know I’m going to piss off some faction of TFCLand no matter what I say at this point, the fanbase is that divided, hopefully winning a few on the trot brings us all back to reality (SPORTSSSSSSS!)… I don’t know if I like Berna anymore. There. I said the thing. He went after MB4 (if we believe ‘the article’) and I’m sorry, but that’s a non-negotiable for me. THAT BEING SAID. I am a FIRM believer that conflict is a) unavoidable in high pressure situations and b) can lead to stronger relationships. Here’s hoping this insane week results in the team we thought we had. Cannot fault Berna’s passion, even if I think it was misplaced.
THE UGLY
It’s hard to classify much of what follows as “ugly”, but it’s worse than “bad” and there are only three options… It’s entertaining AF, and I love love love MemeClub FC, but the war of words and the telenovella behind the scenes is getting a bit stale…
Annnnnd, I almost want to take that last one back but I already did all the choosing a tweet I liked and embedding it and look at my total word-count and tralalalalalalala… Honestly, carry on. We were the ones that signed two hot-blooded Italians, we should embrace the backstage chaos because of course… No comment:
Let’s end this one on a high note, team, and Wednesday cannot come soon enough!
Telenovella is the perfect adjective for the last week.
A good was those in 114 saying their bit re Manager and then getting on with supporting the team.
Coby Franklin’s switch for goal #2 seemingly has been overlooked. It was wise beyond his years. 5 Canadians started, 8 played is awesome.
Bad: can TFC change a pretty stale game day experience? It has not changed for 5 years.
Good on Berna for standing up and calling out this inadequate coaching thus far this year , I mean you would think that would be the captains duty but sorry he hasn’t been leading for some time, I clearly remember Mike mailing in games two seasons ago wanting Armas and Javier Perez out, bottom 10 percentile on 2021 WHO SCORED MLS player ratings for the so called captain and team leader. And also you think you have seen a slow paced footballer in Mike Bradley, watch what we get when he returns from this leg surgery, slowwww. Out with Mike ! Captains need to take the side of their team mates not the coach, Bravo again Berna
Not sure if this wiukd be good, bad or ugly…(maybe all three)
DCU making a triple change with seconds remaining in the first half…whoa, some message to DCU players in that!
I have never seen it before, may never see it again. It makes no sense.
Rooney said afterwards it was to send a message. He obviously knew it was pointless tactically.
He said he wishes he could have subbed off all 11 (or at least the 5 he had), but he had to save 2 subs for injuries.
YIKES.
Well, check it off on the bingo card at least.
Bad – Insigne possibly injured. Servania going down with an injury. Midfield is MAK, JMR, Thompson and ? Laryea in a pinch? Antogolonou?
Given the short turn around and big minutes played by all but Thompson, I’m worried we don’t see the same fight on Wednesday.
Good: Crowd booing BB in unison, Insigne deciding to make an effort
Bad: DC’s low effort performance saving Bob’s job for the time being
Ugly: Servania adding to the injury woes, Insigne limping around late in the game again, Fede in street clothes
You pretty much covered it outside of Sean Johnson Id add him to good. Outside of perhaps the first game hes been good (what a difference from the two chaps that masqueraded in goal last year)
Fire Bradley
The good for me includes the team playing the way I expected from the start of the season. Upcoming Academy players with some veteran leadership working together for a win with a modest opponent when playing at home.
This should have happened more last season, absolutely would have happened if Bob was more in tune with what his team needed. I’m not in the “Fede bad” camp, in spite of the vape drama. It’s clear the Italians have not been happy, the body language is loud and clear. Fede asked for change, he got it.
This win is on Fede by forcing dialogue and airing of frustration. We have NO IDEA how the players have tried to influence Bob to shift things to their comfort zones so far. We hear they don’t always talk openly as a team while obviously concerned with Michael’s role. The post game sharing of feelings was not something any of us can put in context because we are not in his shoes. Fede wasn’t likely expecting the change was him benched. But he did help light a fire under the kids and Lorenzo.
No dispute that DC was weak but it’s a game they would have lost any other time the past 1+ seasons. And it was great to see Bob shake hands with Fede at the end of the match, that means we should not have to go through another week like last one. I’m sure Fede now understands Bob is not being let go so it’s on to plan B to get the team under the Italians control.
MB4’s legacy as a player and captain of our championship squad is set in stone, but he most certainly does NOT have a bulletproof vest when it comes to criticism.
Having said that, it was never going to be a good look having his dad as the coach in a room with players like our two Euro Cup winners.
I like the comparison with having your mom as the teacher.
That was the loudest, longest, and angriest “Booooo!” That I’ve ever heard at BMO.
And a well deserved boo at that! Bob Bradley knows who the bosses are around here and its not himself.