Richie Laryea gets last laugh as Vancouver Whitecaps come back to beat Toronto FC in CanMNT star’s return to BMO
Richie Laryea got the last laugh.
In an all-Canadian clash at BMO Field on Saturday night, Toronto FC conceded two second half goals in the span of 10 minutes en route to a 2-1 defeat to the Vancouver Whitecaps.
After a scoreless first half, the Reds opened the scoring in the 50th minute through Canadian attacker Deandre Kerr. The Ajax, Ontario native was composed as he dribbled toward Vancouver keeper Yohei Takaoka and slotted the ball into the net with his weaker left foot.
But, the Whitecaps would go on to score two unanswered goals which ultimately resulted in their fourth road victory of the season.
The ball from Ryan Raposo’s in-swinging corner in the 56th minute was met by TFC defender Sigurd Rosted and ‘Caps defender Mathías Laborda but snuck past both of them. Tristan Blackmon wasn’t expecting his header to bounce in, but it did, cancelling out Kerr’s opener.
The Whitecaps scored their second goal (another header) in the 66th minute courtesy of Brian White. Scottish attacker Ryan Gauld freely drifted into space before launching a pinpoint cross that found the head the American who did the rest.
Very poor defending by TFC as they outnumbered White in this play, but no one even challenged the header.
“I think Vancouver are a really well organized team, they don’t give you a ton,” said interim Toronto FC head coach Terry Dunfield. “I thought we just edged it in the first half, it was close. Just looking at our organization, it’s not quite right. Reviewing the second goal, we maybe could have gone tighter to [Ryan] Gauld, we decided to drop off, protect what’s behind us. There’s one player in the box versus our six and it’s in the back of the net. Up until that point of the goals, I thought it was a nice performance against a good side.”
Dunfield’s assessment of the first half was spot on. Both sides had chances to take a lead into the halftime break.
TFC captain Michael Bradley played centre-back again, and was honoured alongside his family with a pre-match ceremony for having made his 300th appearance for the club. Bradley made a crucial block in the 11th minute in his own six-yard box on a shot taken by Gauld.
Italian winger Lorenzo Insigne tested Takaoka in the 25th minute when his shot was tipped over the bar by the Japanese ‘keeper.
Salvadoran goalkeeper Tomás Romero waited in the wings for a long stretch this season and he has shown some impressive moments when called upon. On Saturday night he made six total saves, and made three important ones within 10 minutes.
First, he got down low in the 30th minute to parry away a shot from White. Two minutes later, he showed his reflexes yet again, this time denying Raposo. He also had to stretch to save and hold onto a shot from former teammate Richie Laryea.
Thanks to Romero’s efforts, he was able to keep the visitors scoreless, and gave Kerr a moment in the spotlight early on in the second half.
Dunfield and Romero spoke highly of his efforts to reporters after Saturday night’s match.
“I thought in the first half, he pushed that back three back, opened space for others. It was a little bit selfless at times. In the second half, it was an amazing bit of quality from Lorenzo [Insigne], that’s what he can do on the half turn. You just see the athleticism, composure and technique of Deandre Kerr come out 1v1. As soon as he’s through you know it’s a goal,” Dunfield said.
“I actually have no idea how it [the goal] started out but then I just saw him running in,” Romero summarised. “DK’s good enough to take that chance and he did, so I’m happy for him. He’s a very talented player, I think he has a bright future ahead of him and if he just keeps training hard, he’ll do well.”
Kerr detailed his point of view on his goal post-game.
“I think Raoul [Petretta] cleared it, and as the ball was in the air I just saw there was a lot of space in front of me. Just a quality pass from Lorenzo [Insigne] to find me and then I just tried to keep my composure in front of goal and just put it in the corner so I was able to do that.”
On the heels of the club’s 14th defeat this season, a tough week lies ahead. This Wednesday it’s a trip to Florida to take on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, before facing New York City FC at Yankee Stadium next weekend.
“It’s going to be a big game for everybody, all the eyes are on that type of game. As a player it’s a high pressure game and when everyone’s watching you, you want to do your best and preform as a team and as an individual. I think if we can go into that game with that mentality, we’ll make it as hard as possible for Miami. Following that, we’ll see how the result goes on Wednesday then we’ll focus for Saturday,” said Romero.
“It’s just kind of our luck right now – we’re going to play a rested Messi. I’m sure the guys will be looking forward to going down to Inter Miami and we’ll train there for a day or two and head to New York,” Dunfield closed.
TFC will battle Inter Miami in Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.
Richie playing in…Vancouver??? The only explanation is the imbecility of the TFC managers.
He’s a Designated Player for them. We had no chance to keep him unless we dumped one of ours.
And as much as I like Richie, I hope we are more ambitious than Laryea for a 3rd DP (for whenever we manage to get Oso off his stupid DP contract).
Richie proved more reliable and decisive than any current Toronto FC DP, their performance is riculous compared to their salaries.
Does anyone know what happened in the SS at the end of the game that led to a dude being cuffed and escorted out by the cops?
He was supporting Michael Bradley.
The substitutions at the end were baffling. Vancouver adjusted after the half and Dunfield just let the players be pinned in their own end until we went down a goal.
When Vanney was coaching I generally understood his line up and substitution choices, often agreeing. Since he left I have not scene any logic in subs, line ups also being a puzzle.
With Terry the impression I get is he does not sub based on what he sees but more on what was discussed with him pre-game.
With the general lack of deep reporting, in a pretty tight club setting, I look at all the subtle clues to judge moods.
The way Insigne stormed off the field reflects on nothing but his fragile character. The way Fede ran into crowds of White Cap players before giving up the ball says he is without belief in whatever they do. The way Oso chirped Rosted angrily reveals they are not discussing application of tactics, just that they don’t agree on what was practiced. The way Richie swapped jerseys with Sapong said a bit more about team cohesion of veterans more than acceptance of other newer guys.
That last paragraph also covers much of what Herdman would see and notice. Saying all of that just reveals I don’t know what goes on inside the club, who is in charge and who are the biggest trouble makers. So what Herdman does next I am not going to judge until results are there.
I’ll wait to see what Herdman can do by the first 2 months of next season, but being a TFC fan has taught me to expect bad things.
We’ve gone from Vanney to Armas to Bob to Terry. Each one was a shocking step down when I already thought we were at rock bottom.
Coach, generally I enjoy your posts but negative comments directed towards Dunfield, Oso and the Italians without mentioning who the obvious problem was last night which is Michael Bradley taking a spot on this roster is troubling ! He was outpaced badly late in the first half leading to a great Vancouver chance which should of resulted in a goal, on the first goal he stands motionless on the corner when he should be challenging for the header, and on the second goal Vancouver has only one player in a dangerous position which is Bradleys man yet Mike is planted to the ground and again does nothing , maybe just maybe Insigne stormed off the field because hes sick of Bradleys pathetic play.
Jack, I am basically past commenting on Michael. He contributed so much when he arrived and is now like an anchor on a ship trying to leave the harbour. Yes, he was a spectator on both goals. I think he may be more committed than Mabika but not with more upside so no reason for him to play.
I am also past giving Insigne much praise. He has buckets of talent and the half turn pass to Kerr was poetic. But his storming off the field had nothing to do with Michael because that is classic Insigne and was on display while Michael was on his coaching license holiday.
Nobody on this team is getting any sympathy from me as they are all either part of the problem or to soft to speak up and fix it (like Fede tried). Revs had no problem stopping all practice to say “WTF” to owners when coaching was absurd.
There is no logical explanation for why Fede ran into opponents with the ball, why Insigne stopped playing so often when he turned it over or took free kicks that missed by 15’. They are both better than that and the display last night tells me they don’t care about Herdman arriving. That is a big problem because nobody is paying them equally to TFC in a sale or trade so they are here to stay.
If I see Herdman push for a DP buy out and a DP fire sale, TFC eating salary, it will tell me they are the problem and nobody has been able to help them adjust. That’s why I’m saying I’ll wait to see results before I judge Herdman next season.
Another point, I think Herdman may even be tempted to push for a DP buy out so that MLSE get the message and let Manning go. Herdman may actually have that much in the ball and if the DP’s won’t respond to him I see him burning Manning to get them out.
I don’t see Herdman having enough power to buy out a DP because Manning simply won’t take that up to the board. Instead, I see them trying to sell Fede off which would be a smaller hit to the TFC budget. Insigne is here to stay, unless he agrees to a mutual termination of contract (if he’s family is unhappy here, there is always that chance).
Right now with the current DP’s and their contracts, no coach is set up for success. Fede turning over the ball without passing was driving me crazy last night.
I think Insigne is frustrated, but he still wants to win here because he know’s he’s not going to win anywhere else unless he takes a huge pay cut.
Herdman has his work cut out for him and people will expect within months. With the number of over paid players we have on the roster, it will be next to impossible to shed them over one off season. I think a realistic buy out this off season is Petretta (because nobody will take him for what he’s getting paid and its not to big a budget hit).
For me going into next season, it will be all about how to we rebuild our entire backline and add to our midfield (I like Coello and Osorio there, but we need to figure out how to keep Ibarra and add a DP there). Perhaps Herdman can bring on Bradley into a management role by having him develop u-17 and readying him to one day step into a coaching role.
I don’t expect TFC to be a play off contender until 2025. And if fans are not patient, we will just push Herdman out next year and start all over. This is starting to look like the TFC pre 2014
Spot on… the sad part is that this was the same thinking coming into this season – rebuild the backline and get rid of bad contracts.. pretty sad that we are in the same spot now. The way this roster was constructed made no sense and some gambles in key positions didnt pan out at all (i.e Hedges at CB). My expectation is that Herdman will bring some energy, structure and accountability to the team. He is not a master tactician but this team needs to sort out other major issues before they can go into fancy tactics.
It’s abundantly clear Insigne does not want to be here. The way he stomped off the field says he does not want to work to fix anything.
They don’t have to buy him out fully, just cover the difference if the Saudi league pays him 80% of what is now contracted. They did this with Jozy and he was less of a locker room distraction. Herdman will see his current attitude as cancer in the locker room.
I’m not convinced Insigne will turn his back on Herdman and it could work out in an amazing way. We just haven’t seen that with support to any part of the club yet.
I also believe they do not have to unload most contracts, Dio, Sapong, Bradley, yes. Herdman will see the upside of each guy, work with him in a system, then move him if there is no chemistry and commitment.
Either way, next season will be a year of assessing, and trying to move those pieces which don’t fit out whom we want to give a chance. Basically we need another 4 transfer windows if we are moving more then 5 or 6 starters.
Personally I think Insigne will change his attitude because he knows that if he wants to continue with his paycheck and live in North America, he will have to perform and be a team player. If living in Canada is difficult for his family, imagine what Saudi would be like.
If the Italians cannot perform for three different coaches, then its strike three and time to get rid of them. If we’re going to subsidize their contract, then send them to Siberia for all I care. No player is worth more then the shirt!
Dude, let’s get serious here!
TFC did not lose this match because of M Bradley.
He is just one of the several big problems why TFC lost this one.
With this said, one of the big exams Herdman will face in my eyes is about playing/not playing/how much playing Bradley in the 2024 season.
If Bradley will see in any match more than 30 minutes on the pitch (and always coming in as a sub of course) Herdman is an idiot, and should be gone ASAP.
This is valid unless there will be no other bodies left in the defense line, like having situations when 3-4 central defenders are all out with injuries, lol (lower body injuries? 🙂 ).
Jack: Care to share what TFC’s record is this season with Bradley on the roster versus not on the roster?
Then compare the record to when Insigne is on the roster to when he is not.
Also look at the GF and GA for the team in those two comparisons.
Sartini masterclass.
Forget about tactics, Dunfield cannot even select the starting the lineup right. Michael Bradley in defence when he should be retired. Dunfield is a u17 coach and is actively hindering the development of the young guys because he keeps playing dead players that should be gone.
Gio isn’t ready but Sapong is…..make it make sense because it doesn’t. Michael Bradley is apparently ready too….ready for what? Ready to concede easy goals?
Insigne has to be sold or bought out btw. He offers nothing and clearly doesn’t want to be here. If Herdman cannot immediately get him to at least look like he’s trying then he’s gotta go.
I guess Dunfield will go down as the coach with the worst record (points per match) in the history of TFC, counting all permanent and interim coaches ever.
Yeah, he’s a genuine nice guy, and yes, he was feed as a a lamb to wolfs by that shameless Manning for putting him as an interim after firing BB.
But Terry lost all my respect (and I’m really sorry because of this!) not because he can’t coach at this level, but mainly because his hilarious declarations, and the subs he makes, and generally because of playing dead wood players who in the next season will have zero or close to zero role in TFC, instead of young players. The examples are too many…
I mean he does too many nonsense things.
Terry’s got to play the big name’s to keep fan’s coming to the games. The season has been long over and playing the young guys and getting killed 4-0 or 5-0 will not help in their development nor will it help their confidence.
Terry has to stay positive even when reality is far from it, that’s his job to keep instilling belief, because if he doesn’t do that, fans will stay away and players will rot even more.
I’d love to hear the bold face lie of an explanation as to how not playing first team soccer helps with a player’s development.
The team’s been getting killed all season, Franklin & Kerr are doing just fine. Tell me how’d they get better by sitting on the bench and watching Sapong & JMR play over them?
There is no way Insigne is being bought out MLSE would never sign off on paying out his contract to leave (especially when he has so many years left). As for selling him, not sure anyone out there outside of Saudi Arabia would buy him. But would he agree to go there?
As for Gio, its been reported that even he himself did not feel he was ready. Remember he has not really played for almost 2 years and last year when he tried, he ended up getting injured. Gio has a role as a depth piece on this team next season, so its best to allow him to continue to train and slowly bring him along.
I mean why bring him on to risk a injury on a team which is not going anywhere this season.
I only watched the highlights, but I will give a pat on the back to Kerr for scoring that goal. In the past I’ve seen others go one v one with the goaltender and lose their composure. (Bernardeschi comes to mind a few games ago.) Kerr kept his pace up, and fired an excellent shot.