"Hybridization" is the word of the century when it comes to our beautiful game. Defenders used to be defenders, forwards used to be forwards, and midfielders were the only ones asked to play multiple roles. You can see this as recently as the 1980s, when most teams played with only two hybrids - the wingbacks in the 3-5-2.
Now everybody attacks (save for central defenders, who are, for many teams, the only specialists on the field) and everybody defends. Such was the case for both teams in the Chicago Fire's 3-2 win over visiting Toronto FC on Saturday afternoon.
This 17-pass sequence leading to Sebastian Giovinco's first MLS goal is perhaps the apotheosis of hybridization of positional responsibility in MLS this season (though it will also justifiably be remembered for Jon Busch's blunder):
Both TFC central defenders split wide when midfielder Michael Bradley drops deep. Jozy Altidore checks back into central midfield, and actually spends more time connecting with Bradley than anyone else on the team. First Warren Creavalle overlaps on one side, pulling the entire Fire defense one way; then Ashtone Morgan overlaps on the other, exploiting how narrow the hosts had become up the other flank.
Ten of the 11 players on the field for Toronto FC touched the ball. Both fullbacks did so with attacking intent.
Getting both Creavalle and Morgan into the final third in the same attacking sequence is wildly aggressive, but also lends itself to the type of attractive, attacking soccer that people want to see. In a season marked by too many teams - even good teams - playing for a point, let's tip the hat to both TFC and Chicago for playing for the entire three.
And let's dial back the panic in T Dot, shall we?
Not only were the Reds short-handed, but Creavalle was having a tire fire of a game even before the red card. And it's worth remembering that teams - even good teams - who have to start the season with a long road trip generally stink.
I still think Toronto's a playoff team. And after the last 270 minutes Chicago have put together, I'm coming around on them as well. Their DPs need to finish better (they've heard that before in Bridgeview, eh?), but the pieces really do seem to fit.
