CCL 2018
- Thread starter EganSoccerWords
- Start date
I wonder if TFC rues their decision to put all of their early season eggs in the CCL basket??? Down 2-1 having allowed 2 away goals, they have a huge hill to climb next week down in Mexico. And if they don’t win decisively enough, and lose out on silverware, they’re then relegated to chasing down the strong East conference for the 6th spot, which isn’t impossible, but not a given. Their odds currently look bad (granted, a single week’s results can flip things quickly) on this website:
http://www.playoffstatus.com/mls/easternstandings.html
We, on the other hand, are looking quite good.
http://www.playoffstatus.com/mls/easternstandings.html
We, on the other hand, are looking quite good.
Why would they? They won everything they could in the league last year. Saying they shouldn't have focused on CCL is hindsight over one bad night, it happens.
Because if they miss out on the CCL silverware, there’s no guarantee they’ll make the top 6 for the playoffs (I think they will), and Vancouver is improved (and Toronto seems stagnant or regressed) so the Canadian Cup is not a sure thing.
They may be content with their approach, I was just throwing it out there.
Even with their bad start I think it will be a major upset if Toronto has trouble making the playoffs. The odds page you link to is weighted the opposite of 538. It is basing everything on results to date and treating Toronto like every other team that got 3 points in its first 4 games by playing their best 11. TFC will have a tough time getting a bye unless we or Atlanta stumble unexpectedly, but I fully expect Toronto to host an opening round playoff game.
Actually, Giovinco hasn't been quite himself during their CCL run. Maybe this is his injury time. Plus, everybody else in the East will have injuries, and have less depth. So maybe everyone has an off year -- Seba, Jozy, Vazquez, etc.... But last year they had separate 8-game and 11-game undefeated runs. I figure them to be good for at least one run like that this year where they get 25 points in 10 games or so. If so, it's hard to figure they struggle to make the top 6.
Let's think of Toronto another way.
They've only played 4 games, and they will play with that Jason Hernandez led reserve squad one more time against Houston on Saturday, so let's assume they end up with 3 points through 5 games.
That leaves them with 29 games to make up for the slow start. Last year, they got 2.03 PPG, which works out to just under 59 points over 29 games. That would put them at 62 points for the season or 5 more points than 2nd place (NYCFC) got in 2017.
Another view - the average points for the 6th place team in the East the last 3 years is 47. To get to 47 points, they'd need to average 1.52 PPG, or about what Vancouver got last year.
Yes, they are behind, but they have a lot of room to catch up.
They've only played 4 games, and they will play with that Jason Hernandez led reserve squad one more time against Houston on Saturday, so let's assume they end up with 3 points through 5 games.
That leaves them with 29 games to make up for the slow start. Last year, they got 2.03 PPG, which works out to just under 59 points over 29 games. That would put them at 62 points for the season or 5 more points than 2nd place (NYCFC) got in 2017.
Another view - the average points for the 6th place team in the East the last 3 years is 47. To get to 47 points, they'd need to average 1.52 PPG, or about what Vancouver got last year.
Yes, they are behind, but they have a lot of room to catch up.
Yeah, they aren't in any danger in missing the playoffs. The true question IMO is are they digging themselves too big a hole to catch up to NYCFC and Atlanta for a bye. I feel as both of us have improved more than TFC did in the offseason.
The biggest piece to the above, is what the hell is going on with Vazquez? I've heard rumblings that there's a chance he can come back soon, but back injuries can be lingering.
I will never not laugh at any team losing when their fans worship the likes of Bradley and Altidore.
So...
Lolololololol
So...
Lolololololol
Anyone care the final is on tonight? I still think Toronto has a chance if they can manage an early goal and put the pressure on.
I think Toronto has a real chance - last game was an aberration to how Chivas has played the entire tournament. I also think the Toronto players are gonna play with a chip on their shoulder after the events this week, Bradley has said as much - granted, that could backfire if overzealous, but I don't ever count Toronto out when Giovinco is playing and motivated, he's good for at least one free kick goal tonight and possibly more crazy heroics.
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Yeah, I'll watch it...
It's Toronto 2 - Chivas 0, then Chivas score a late goal. Toronto are pressing to get a winner before it would go to extra time. Jozy flicks a ball to Giovinco who is charging at foul. Chivas fouls Giovinco just outside the 18 yard box. It's 90+2'. Giovinco steps up to take the free kick. The referees sprays the white spray onto the field. The goalkeeper is adjusting his wall of four Chivas defenders. Giovinco looks down at the ball then at back at the goal. The referees blows the whistle...
Well I just got in and turned it on and it looks interesting. Get back up.
I know. TFC scored before I mustered the energy to get off the couch.
I can't stress enough how much I hate the way Mexican teams play dirty. It's not savvy. It's bullshit, and it's why they get curbstomped in world Cups when there aren't shitty Concacaf refs that they own involved .
