TORONTO – Toronto FC entered Saturday's match vs. Orlando City on the back of a pair of losses in which they had fallen by a combined score of 6-1. The Reds knew that something had to change.
So when manager Greg Vanney trotted out not only a rejiggered formation, but also a smattering of personnel changes, few were surprised.
Chris Konopka returned in goal for the first time in six matches, replacing Joe Bendik, while Jackson got the start at right back, allowing Justin Morrow to return to his preferred left side. Most importantly, however, TFC sacrificed a forward and their diamond midfield in favour of a 4-2-3-1 with Sebastian Giovinco leading the line as Jozy Altidore was relegated to the bench.
“The idea was to get pressure higher up the field,” explained Vanney post-match. “The match-ups became a little bit more straight forward: It was our outside guys against their outside backs; the midfielders were three-against-three; that's why they had a hard time getting out of their half.
“I thought it was excellent.”
That may seem a bit technical, but the end result, with the aid of a first-half red card to Orlando City's Rafael Ramos, was plain: a 5-0 win for Toronto, snapping a losing streak and ensuring the first clean sheet in nearly two months – the last having come on June 27 in a 0-0 draw against D.C. United.
Down a man and short on ideas, Orlando were not the greatest test of TFC's realigned defense, but Toronto can still take plenty of positives, including the fact that Altidore found his scoring boots with a brace and Robbie Findley showed a return to form, winning the penalty kick before setting up Altidore's second. The five goals scored were the most in a single game in team history.
Club captain Michael Bradley put the tactical changes in perspective: “I'm normally not somebody who talks first about formations and tactics," he said. "I thought [the formation change] gave us a little more stability, just in terms of allowing us to cover the field a little bit better. From there, it's up to the guys on the field to make decisions, to compete.
“That makes the difference, not anything tactical.”
And compete Bradley did, urging his side on and collecting three assists from his perch in the center of the pitch.
“A huge three points,” proclaimed Bradley. “The last few weeks haven't been what we wanted. We looked forward to getting back out on this field, in this stadium, in front out our fans. We'll enjoy it for the evening, and tomorrow, get back to work.”
