What a crazy night it was. The weekend on the whole was kind of surreal. The flight to Newark from the Island Airport in Toronto was delayed not once but twice. At one point in the heavy winds, we were called to quickly board the plane as there was only a short window for take off. Looking back it sounds now eerily like TFC’s playoff chances. A short window for take off, otherwise no chance to get off the ground. Low and behold in Jersey and Giants stadium, a quick goal sinks the Reds playoff hopes, and was all the Red Bulls would need to send TFC home Sunday for the rest of the season.
Back to the airport, some had boarded the plane, I and others were in sight of the Jet when we were told to turn back and go to the lounge to wait for another call. We were told in Toronto Newark airport was shut down for arriving flights. In Newark we were told this was not true, that the plane could have landed easily in swamp land USA. Again, sounds like a mirror for what TFC have gone through on some levels this year. Told one thing, and hear the opposite to be true for someone else you think should give your the honest answer.
Whatever happened between the players on that rain soaked pitch Saturday at the famed soccer and NFL stadium is between those men who wore a TFC jersey or staff strip that evening. What I, and you can do from afar is say we saw a “Manhattan Meltdown”.
Terrible defencive play, lack of quality up front, save for a few good balls into the box and some great saves by Coundoul in net for NY in the opening half.
It is evident to me some of the players don’t seem heartbroken about the loss. Don’t mistake that for all the players and don’t mistake that for disappointed. I am certain all players were disappointed they were handed such a terrible defeat, but they should be heartbroken right now, crushed, devastated. I don’t get that feeling, and that is whats lacking with this side.
In my mind this team needs the obvious when it comes to position players, but more than that GM Mo Johnston needs to find character players, leaders, someone who won’t let defeat rest so lightly on their shoulders, or their minds.
There is a lot of good going forward with TFC. Chris Cummins I think did a good job making sure younger players got into the line up when possible. Chris’s decisions over the course of a year he never asked for nor anticipated can be food for discussion over many a pints and wings at your favorite soccer social club. What you can not question about Chris Cummins is his skill set at seeing talent in young players and bringing them along. Nanna and Gomez in the back, Cronin in the midfield and White up front, Frie and Edwards in goal. Chris did not bring those players in to TFC’s fold but he did the best he could to bring them along, all the while knowing he had only a few players at his disposal to help him in that end.
There seems to be a divide on this team at the moment. Too many whispers amongst teammates, and not enough togetherness to bring out the strengths of each, without sacrificing for the good of the team. Individuals rule the roost right now, and I don’t think intentionally. Even those who don’t intend to be their own mirror rather than the teams on any given night, need better leaders around them to help them lead a team to the playoffs.
The fate TFC suffered on that thunder-storming new jersey night i guess was fitting. This group of players should not have been honored with a playoff privilege just yet. If all is well going forward with TFC, this loss should leave a lasting emotional scar on this club. A scar that will drive them to be better next season and not accept defeat as something that happens, rather something you allowed as a group to be possible.
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hey dan
- Han Solosuppose TFC did win.
would they be in the playoffs right now?