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Coach Phil Neville says his team creates chances, but doesn’t end them. More worrying were defensive failures in Saturday’s 4-0 loss to Columbus.
“We still made four individual errors for goals conceded,” said the former Manchester United and Everton player. “For me, it’s a more serious crime than a missed opportunity… It kills your game before.” It kills the belief of forwards and team noses when conceding goals. “
He could have spoken of Toronto, which has been hit this season by giveaways at inappropriate times and places. The TFC has allowed 56 goals, the worst in the league, eight short of the franchise record of 64 (set in 2018).
With five games to go, 11th-ranked Miami is nine points below the Eastern Conference playoff line – and seven points above 13th-ranked Toronto.
With Miami in full swing after September’s victory over Toronto, TFC went undefeated in their next five games (4-0-1) in all competitions – a streak that was interrupted in the 2-0 loss of Saturday against Atlanta United, who officially knocked Toronto out of postseason play.
“We have to stay strong,†Perez said. “That’s what good teams do. They know how to bounce back straight away.
The weekend’s loss was a bad-tempered affair that saw Toronto’s Brazilian back Auro and Atlanta’s Ezequiel Barco both sent off in the dying minutes for violent driving. Both teams appealed red cards.
Miami has been lacking in body and goals in recent days.
He only dressed six substitutes in the loss to Columbus. Ventura Alvarado, Ian Fray, Joevin Jones, Ryan Shawcross, Nico Figal, Kieran Gibbs and Victor Ulloa were all unavailable.
“It’s a tough stage, especially with the roster we have available right now,†Neville said. “So what you saw on Saturday is probably what you’re going to see Wednesday night in terms of permutations and available players.”
This is Miami’s first home game – DRV Pink Stadium in Fort Lauderdale – since losing to Nashville on September 22.
“It’s been a month on the road and it’s taking its toll,†said Neville, who said his team will speak on the pitch during the stretch race.
“What we have to do is mathematically still possible,” he added. “My mindset is that we can always do it… We want to make sure we end the season well.”
Neville, like most of the opposition coaches, has praised Toronto despite its position in the standings.
“I’m looking at the Toronto roster and I see a roster with a lot of talented players,†he said. “I watch the Canadian national team and I see a team that is getting better and better. And I also see a lot of these players playing for the Toronto team. So I think their position (in the ranking) in terms of the quality that they have is totally wrong.
“If you think of Toronto next year, they’ll fight for a playoff berth or they’ll be at the top of the table if they make one or two changes. I’m sure. because their roster is too good to be at the bottom of the league.
Yet Miami has already beaten Toronto twice this season – 3-1 on August 21 at Fort Lauderdale and 1-0 on September 14 at BMO Field.
TFC’s loss to Miami in September was action packed.
Toronto was reduced to 10 men for almost an hour after defenseman Kemar Lawrence was sent off. encroachment by Miami players.
This result sentenced Toronto to a sixth straight loss while extending their winless streak to nine (0-7-2). Miami, meanwhile, extended their unbeaten streak to six games with four clean sheets.
The two teams have since gone in different directions.
Toronto was able to field the three designated players against Atlanta, forward Jozy Altidore and Spain playmaker Alejandro Pozuelo returning from a long absence due to injury. Their return should provide relief to Venezuelan winger Yeferson Soteldo.
Toronto will be without injured forward Ifunanyachi Achara, who limped in the Atlanta game. Auro will miss the game by suspension unless he wins the red card appeal.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published on October 19, 2021
Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
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