Learning from Maicon Santos

     Yesterday’s game against Chicago showed Toronto FC fans something they’d already seen; poor away form and an inability to put the ball into the back of the net. Another 3 points lost means Toronto FC’s playoffs chances just went from bad to worse. Sure, Toronto FC had numerous opportunities. And, some may argue that, had some questionable calls gone our way, Toronto could have won the game. Certainly Chicago didn’t look that much better. Freddie Ljungburg’s catastrophic miss is testament to that. As the points available dwindle and the pressure mounts, one thing becomes very obvious; Toronto FC don’t have balls. They simply don’t have the balls to go out and win games.
 
     A better team would have beaten Toronto yesterday, laid the game to rest and punished TFC for some piss-poor defending, rough tackling, and general inability to go forward. Toronto did control possession for large spells of time, and even strung a few passes together. However, it was the lack of balls that did it in for Toronto FC. TFC just looks scared when they attack. It’s the sad reality of the team. Defensively, the boys throw themselves all over the field, defend in large numbers, and tackle effectively. This is Preki’s real contribution to the team. No doubt last year’s defense would have crumbled under some of Chicago’s pressure. That’s beyond the point. There is no recklessness being exhibited here. There is no charging at the defence of the opposing tackles, being courageous and direct. As a team, Toronto FC shows no gusto, no attacking spirit. What you do is find yourself some balls and attack. What’s the worst that’s going to happen? You lose the ball? Big deal, you’ll get it back.
 
     De Rosario is the only player on the team who does this. Maybe it’s just because he has the skill to. But De Rosario charges at the defence, and tries to get past him. Now imagine if Nick LaBrocca, O’Brian White, and Jacob Peterson did this too. It’s almost Brazilian without the samba; pass it around, try things out, when it doesn’t work, pass back, try again, and just try to find that one killer pass. It’s a strategy that works...if you’re Brazil! If you’re not the Samba kings, what do you do? You use your wings, attack the fullbacks, and score some goals! I’m glad I mentioned Brazil anyways, because, I had almost lost all hope for the offense of this team until one Maicon Santos came on.
  
     Maicon Santos is what the other players on this team need to become, or at least try to become. Peterson gets the ball in a good, offensive position. He takes a few steps back, gives up, passes to Gargan. On the other hand, Maicon gets the ball in a good, offensive position. He takes a look, runs towards the defender and takes him head on, in the most unbrazilian way possible. It’s ironic, but if it works, it works. The other players, specifically, those in the midfield, need to watch Maicon and learn. When you have the balls to run at your man, the defense is put under more pressure than when they learn you’re just going to pass it back when it gets a little tight.
    
     Yesterday showed just how much Toronto FC has missed Maicon Santos, as well as Chad Barrett. A speedy recover to him will help Toronto’s offense immensely. Until then, Toronto need to step it up and learn that attacking football can’t just happen with backpasses and wasted chances. It needs to be created. It’s those “juevos” which will make Toronto FC an offensive threat. A couple of wingers wouldn’t hurt though, Mo.