Toronto PostMatch Discussion

[Kenny McCormick]

Can anyone check on Sheltons cleats to see if they're not too heavy. Geez his touch was really off today, he was way better last week. I loved the play of Matarrita. Frustrated Toronto most of the day, dude is the real deal.

I think PV should of switched out of the 3-4-2-1 coming out of the half. Toronto spend too much time on our end.

 

[NYCFC_Dan]

Did anyone catch the TIFO?

 

[WestSideGuy]

I was really surprised that we went to three backs after last week, but it seemed to work pretty well. Villa was really working hard tonight. Pirlo was all over intercepting passes, tackling, and even heading the ball; who says he can't play D. Saunders should have stopped the second goal. Let's not forget - we are a work in progress with at least half the starters not having played meaningful time with the club last year. 4 points after two games is not a bad start.

 

[bxsully]

Thought we played well tonight, actually looked good on defense, just switched off on the set piece before half and giovinco being giovinco on 2nd, felt like we could've done more but he looked like he knew exactly what he was doing

 

[Keith Putnam]

Constantly overcomplicating by dribbling into traffic and not playing the simple ball/pass.

I vividly recall one specific instance when Khiry dragged like five defenders with him over to the touchline and everyone in my row was screaming at him to switch the play given the huge amounts of space he created. Frustrating that he couldn't pull it off, but Toronto did have him walled in pretty well.

Last week Chicago got sucked in to Villa to open space for everyone else, so if our left and right forwards can keep that up we might end up creating a lot of chances.

Disappointing to drop the points, but at least we're still nearly on par with Toronto, and as others have said this looks like a different team than last year.

Happy with Mattarita, happy with what I saw from Mendoza.

 

[CCMore]

Sadly I am glad I have Gio on my fantasy roster. I think we need to teach every player how to head home a ball (looking at you Mikey). But I love the kid I hope he turns out well even though I see him being a one and done. Don't know why. Anyways I thought the play was nice and we still faired alright against their added pressure in the second half. I'm wondering where Poku was tonight cause we could have used him in the box.
My lineup predictions for next week
TT 99--Villa--Mendoza
Lamps--Pirlo-- Mix
Mata-Mena-Brillant-white
-----Saunders---

 

[SayWhat44]

Did anyone see Poku during warm-ups? I got to my seat a bit late but didn't see him at all.

Healthy scratch didn't even make the bench

 

[SFphoto]

Just got back from the game. Thought Matarrita was phenomenal today. Pirlo with some giveaways at first. But once he settled in, he was brilliant. Easily had the most successful tackles tonight. Which is way out of character for him.

Didn't see much improvement in Brilliant tonight. He was directly involved in both goals against. Lopez HAS to put that cross from Villa in. Ref was atrocious tonight. Toronto was getting away with murder out there and he refused to go to the picket.

Frustrating tie to be honest. That late free kick goal really destroyed our momentum and mental game. On to Friday!

 

[Midas Mulligan]

Did anyone see Poku during warm-ups? I got to my seat a bit late but didn't see him at all.

One day, everyone is going to learn to not discount Wynalda. He is a blowhard, but he speaks many truths. It's not his fault if you don't like it.

 

[LIblue]

I thought we looked a lot more organized than last week's game. Was great to see Pirlo play so well. Saunders still sucks, horrible distribution and for every one good thing he does there's about 10 bad things.

 

[Vito]

After being up 2-0 it's a little disappointing coming away with only 1 point, but then again it's a good Toronto team. This was easily the best game Pirlo has played for us. He made more tackles tonight than he had all of last season. Playing Bravo next to him also seemed to free Pirlo up more so he could get the ball in space. If Mikey could head the ball we would've taken the game 3-2. My seats are right there and the goal was wide open for him.

 

[Midas Mulligan]

Also, mgarbowski will now present to all of you a summary of all of the times I called for a 3 man backline.

Hernandez was bad. Mata was good. Mix was outstanding, but that's just normal for him. He was better than Bradley, honestly.

Pirlo and Bravo were solid together. Still think the TFC keeper should have been called for at least a PK. We should have had 3-4 at the half.

Loved Mendoza. Would have brought him on for Shelton rather than Taylor. I'm guessing Mendoza takes Shelton's minutes.

The game could have used Poku, but I think he's gone. Damnit. Would rather give up fat Frank.

Eta: Saunders was awful. So, so bad. But that's par for the course.

 

[Max Power]

Huh? He wasn't amazing tonight or anything but he was pretty damn solid and also drew the PK. Yeah he isn't gonna score a goal and get an assist every game, but he did just fine for us.

Yes and if I'm not mistaken he also won the free kick that resulted in the second goal. TMac is always in the right place at the right time in the final third. I'm not sure how you can say that a guy who was our third leading scorer last year and has also had a direct hand in three of our six goals this year is a fluke.

 

[Hobo]

Pirlo superb.
Villa sublime
Mattarita super
Saunders sub-optimal

 

[Classicist]

Hernandez looked fine from where I was sitting, although he was one of about 5 NYCFC players who completely blew that set piece on the first TFC goal. I was really nervous with him starting as our sole CB but thought he handled the job reasonably well. I don't think we have a better alternative.

Saunders could have maybe saved Giovinco's goal, but I don't think he was the reason we dropped two points tonight.

Shelton needs to finish when he gets opportunities. As of right now, I don't see how he deserves a starting spot over Mullins or Poku. He's a better athlete than either of them, sure, but he squanders too many chances.

Mix was great. Mendoza is really exciting.

4 points from our opening two matches is nothing to sneeze at.

 

[BossNYC]

Tad disappointed with the result, I had a feeling it was going to end 2-2, just that it would be nycfc coming back from two goals down.

But TFC are a good team and giovinco shows what a good player can do if you give him a yard of space.

EDIT: Saying that, i already believe NYCFC are much better under Viera than they were under Kreis and will get better as the season progresses.

Well, we have the same record after 2 weeks with 2 DPs as opposed to one.

The team is more talented but that's partly down to TAM and the fact that Vieria isn't tied to the expansion draft.

Still too early to say. Vieria really cares, he was almost in tears after his first win last week so I hope he can figure out a way to incorporate old man Lamar whenever he returns.

I do find it a bit ironic that one of the biggest grievances had by the anti-Kreis crew was not enough playing time for Poke and Poku now appears done here.

I guess it's a case of being careful what you wish for.

 

[Pigeon]

Sorry I can't agree with your opinion on Hernandez this week. I thought he was solid

I have to agree, he wasn't stellar but he didn't have that bad of a game.

 

[Max Power]

Also, mgarbowski will now present to all of you a summary of all of the times I called for a 3 man backline.

Hernandez was bad. Mata was good. Mix was outstanding, but that's just normal for him. He was better than Bradley, honestly.

Pirlo and Bravo were solid together. Still think the TFC keeper should have been called for at least a PK. We should have had 3-4 at the half.

Loved Mendoza. Would have brought him on for Shelton rather than Taylor. I'm guessing Mendoza takes Shelton's minutes.

The game could have used Poku, but I think he's gone. Damnit. Would rather give up fat Frank.

Eta: Saunders was awful. So, so bad. But that's par for the course.

Really like what Mendoza bought to the table tonight. I'll be surprised if he's not starting over Shelton very soon, and I hope that pushes Shelton to take his game to the next level. Competition at every position can only make this team better.

 

[LionNYC]

Aside from the game, my favorite moment was de Blasio getting booed again by the fans. I asked him where's Dante. You know, Dante, his son who is always wearing an NYCFC jersey in social media posts. Well, Dante is in California and the taxpayers are probably paying for his trip.

deBlasio Out, NYCFC Stadium In.

 

[Max Power]

Mix was great again tonight. He look so comfortable in the middle of the park, and he does so much work that goes unnoticed in the stat sheets. We are going to miss him even more than last season when he goes on International duty.