The Week That Was- July 30th

Here are the updated standings:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3qPRqJFXHoROVdPSmxSQ2ZTN1U/edit

Toronto FC

After giving up a soft goal in the 17^th minute, Joe Bendik bounced back making save after save to get Toronto through the early onslaught of Columbus.  This made it possible for Toronto to mount a comeback in the dying minutes with goals in the 87th minute and 90’+4 minute, by Jonathan Osorio and Andrew Wiedeman respectively, to get the win.  New addition Alvaro Rey put in 20 minutes of work coming on as a sub in the 76^th minute and added something new to the equation.  But the biggest change of the second half was Jonathan Osorio being moved into the centre of midfield instead of being out on the wing. This gave TFC an attacking option through the centre of the field, with them playing more of a diamond midfield with one attacking and one defensive midfielder instead of our normal flat line with two central defensive midfielders. This new formations effectiveness was seen in Osorio’s goal where he was able to push up through the centre and latch on to Jeremy Brockie’s laid off pass. 

I hope to see this same formation used in Toronto’s next game vs New England on Sunday.  Furthermore another change that should be made is, if Robert Earnshaw and Danny Koevermans are still injured, Wiedeman should get the start next game beside Brockie.  His great finish on the game winning goal, in my opinion, is worth a lot more than Justin Braun’s recent “workmen” like performances.  When looking at the standings, after this week’s game TFC got one point closer to being eliminated from the playoffs after the Houston Dynamo earned a point increasing their point total as the 5^th place team in the east.  Toronto will have to go on a pretty big winning streak to even have a chance of being in the playoff picture, hopefully this win starts that run.

Movers of the Week

After this past week’s two teams, Colorado Rapids and New England Revolution, moved up into playoff positions as the two Texas based clubs, FC Dallas and Houston Dynamo, dropped down.  No current playoff bound team moved closer to clinching their playoff spot. While, Chivas USA got 3 points closer to being eliminated in the West, while both Columbus Crew and DC United got 4 points closer to being eliminated in the East.

Predictions

Last Week

Columbus Crew @ Toronto FC	TFC win	Correct TFC win 2-1
LA Galaxy @ Colorado Rapids	Draw	Wrong Colorado Win 2-0
New England Revs @ DC United	NE win	Correct NE win 2-1
Real Salt Lake @ New York Red Bulls	NY win	Correct NY win 4-3
Sporting Kansas City @ Montreal Impact	SKC win	Wrong MTL win 1-0
Philadelphia Union @ Vancouver Whitecaps	VAN win	Wrong Philly win 1-0
Chicago Fire @ Houston Dynamo	HOU win	Wrong Draw 1-1
Portland Timbers @ San Jose Earthquakes	Draw	Wrong SJ win 2-1
Chivas USA @ Seattle Sounders	SEA win	Correct SEA win 2-1

This Week’s Prediction Record	4-5
All Time Record	4-5

This Week

New York Red Bulls @ Sporting Kansas City	SKC Win
Montreal Impact @ DC United	MTL Win
Chicago Fire @ Philadelphia Union	Draw
Real Salt Lake @ Colorado Rapids	RSL Win
Columbus Crew @ Houston Dynamo	HOU Win
Chivas USA @ San Jose Earthquakes	SJ Win
FC Dallas @ Seattle Sounders	SEA Win
Vancouver Whitecaps @ Portland Timbers	POR Win
Toronto FC @ New England Revolution	TFC Win