Toronto FC continue to drop points in MLS for Champions League

In another shocking display domestically, Toronto FC got dumped by the Houston Dynamo 5-1 away from home.

Toronto FC supporters might not have expected a scoreline like this. Two goals in the first half from Houston set the tone for a blistering second half, as they finished the Reds off.

For those interested, Greg Vanney elected yet again to start a reserve and/or bench lineup. Here’s what the first team sheet looked like.

Back to work

Here’s this afternoon’s @BMO Starting XI vs. @HoustonDynamo at @BBVACompassStdm#TFCLive | #HOUvTOR pic.twitter.com/1phrXKu0qX
— Toronto FC (@TorontoFC) April 21, 2018

Definitely not the scariest of starting lineups for Toronto FC. This contest made it very clear they are putting it all on the line this upcoming Wednesday against Chivas in the Champions League Final.

The lineup also indicated the predictability of the score very early on. It was the third straight fixture where the Reds would concede a goal in the opening couple of minutes. This time, very sloppy play from the back-line involving Julian Dunn and Jason Hernandez allowed the ball to be fed over to Houston forward Mauro Manotas, who sent it home for the opening goal.

TFC II is not ready for the MLS.
— Mike Forbes (@MikeForbes101) April 21, 2018

The Dynamo worked the ball right back into the Toronto half and not even four minutes later, they scored their second goal. A cross from a corner went back out to Jose Leonardo, who took the shot and managed to earn a deflection past Clint Irwin to double the advantage.

It was very awkward not seeing the Reds being able to work their way into the box. The only way to score was to cross the ball in, and Ryan Telfer did just that to meet heads with Jordan Hamilton to make it 2-1. However, the goal was eventually reversed as Hamilton might have been offside. There was no explanation from the official within the contest.

Houston simply dominated the first half. The momentum carried right into the second half as a mad scramble in front of Irwin caused the ball to pop out for a split second, for Eric Alexander to send into the TFC net.

Some hope came as a corner from Toronto came in and was buried home by young defender Mitchell Taintor. Houston though would score their next to in very similar fashion, as both Alberth Elis and Romell Quioto would walk into the box and plant the ball into the corner behind Irwin.

#WengerIn
— Mike Forbes (@MikeForbes101) April 21, 2018

Key Stats

Toronto FC

17 shots
7 shots on target
45 percent possession
Key Player: Jordan Hamilton with two offside goals. At least he was in position

Houston Dynamo

20 shots
11 shots on target
11 fouls
Key Player: Joe Willis made sure there was no comeback from Toronto

TFC Subs: Ben Spencer, Ayo Akinola, Caleb Patterson-Sewell, Aidan Daniels, Mariano Mino

Around the MLS

LAFC 5-3 Montreal Impact
Chicago Fire 2-1 New York Red Bulls
Orlando City 3-2 San José Earthquakes
Columbus Crew 2-2 New England Revolution
Atlanta United 2-0 LA Galaxy

An updated table can be found here.

Stats to Keep an Eye on (WhoScored)

No player finished above one shot on target. Tosaint Ricketts earned the Man of the Match offensively according to the database, but he finished with a 33 percent shooting accuracy.
Jay Chapman was quietly brilliant in this fixture. The midfielder made six key passes tackles in each category. Too bad not enough teammates were able to follow the example.
Another shout out for Ager Aketxe in this one. The Spaniard seems to make the lineup no matter what the situation is. The 24-year-old’s crossing accuracy was a pinpoint 91.3 percent in the fixture. Aketxe would have had an assist to Hamilton, but it was taken away.
There’s no reason to be playing the long ball as a keeper, especially if Houston is dominating possession numbers. Irwin obviously didn’t have the best of days with a below 50 percent save percentage, but a 68 percent pass accuracy is inexcusable. Play the ball to a defender and work possession up the pitch, which is exactly what did not happen here. It all starts from the back.

What’s Next for the Reds?

Vanney is really putting his eggs in the basket. Another week of MLS, another week of resting key players for the Champions League.

TFC’s depth was severely out-played in this fixture. It’s even more embarrassing that five players featured in the defence and that number of goals were still conceded.