Now that I've had the entirety of the 7 local train (thanks MTA!) to process, there isn't a whole lot to say. TLDR version is simply that we were flat, rusty, and out of sync first half and two bad mistakes cost us the game in the 2nd half.
It's easy to blame the 2.5 weeks off for us being out of form, but let's face it, the intensity wasn't there from the start. We were beaten to every ball and TFC won every duel. Our midfield was non-existent and our backline was getting shredded as a result. Mata especially, was getting targetted and for good reason. He was our weak link the entire game. First half alone, he gave away ball after ball when they should have been simple passes a PROFESSIONAL should be able to nail 9 times out of 10 at minimum. There was one time where he took a throw in and gave it RIGHT to a TFC player. I mean come on! I was shocked to see him still on the field after half time but I guess Dome thought since we hadn't conceded yet, then he can't just pluck him. Bad move there. I would have taken Sweat with how bad Mata was performing or bright on Sands so we could play with a 3 back system and move an additional man into our non-existent midfield.
Parks was a shell of the player he's been. That injury basically turned him into a noob. It seemed like every single pass he had was off. Every touch receiving the ball was off. He was also guilty of giving the ball away constantly the 1st half.
As much as I love Chanot, his idiotic headers have cost us the game twice this season. 1st vs LAFC, and now tonight. I think possibly Sean could have come off his line faster and challenged while the ball was in the air, but Chanot was just idiotic with that header. And to not do anything after it left his head too? I mean, he should have realized it was a mistake and immediately turned to address it. But Pozuelo collects and goes in on Sean all alone. I couldn't believe it.
2nd half we clearly had the upper hand. The momentum was clearly in our favor. Mata should have been taken out as soon as momentum slowed down because Dome should know he was a liability when he's tired.
Against a tired TFC side, we were outhustled in the first half. Dome probably should have made more subs with Heber and changed our formation.
I am truly gutted. Yes we lost, but we lost in such a shitty way. I already know the MLS fucktards are gonna be salivating over the panenka and how "TFC's experience" won them the game. To make it worse, while we have a lot of our spine players back next year, we might lose Taty, we might lose Parks. Honestly, the only way I'm gonna feel better is if we win CCL.
and yes - i don't want to go back to citi field anymore. getting home took forever. it definitely wasn't as loud as yankee stadium either. as much as it gives us flexibility in scheduling, it just SUCKS not having a true HOME. we need our own home and we needed it last year.