TORONTO – Toronto FC head to Toyota Stadium to take on FC Dallas in game five of a seven-game road trip on Saturday (8:30 pm ET, TSN5 in Canada, MLS LIVE in US). Having lost their last three matches, TFC boss Greg Vanney is looking to reverse the team’s fortunes in the Texas heat, with one big key in mind.
“For us, we have to defend better, first and foremost, just collectively and also eliminate some of the individual mistakes,” Vanney told reporters at training Tuesday. “The biggest thing for us is not to shoot ourselves in the foot by making mistakes and giving away goals that are relatively soft goals. If we do that, I think we can pick up points because we play some pretty good soccer.”
For Vanney, another bye week early in the season provided him an opportunity to work with his group of players in order to try and fix some of the defensive errors that have cost the team dearly. Whether it's goals conceded late or right after scoring one of their own, Vanney identified a few of the factors that must improve to get three points against FCD.
“Well, first is, when we’re in possession, we have to make sure we’re disciplined about our positioning behind the ball,” Vanney said. “The guys who are not immediately involved in the possession need to be more alert and in better positions to deal with transitions when they take place. So, the first thing is not losing the ball in bad places.”
Vanney says he's pleased with the way his team has dealt with counterattacks – pointing out that his side rarely gets hurt in transition and are adept at recovering possession. But he says TFC must minimize individual mistakes, especially off crosses where clearances aren’t being made.
“The second thing is making sure that our organization and discipline and shape behind our attacks is in good standing,” he explained. “There’s a fine line between being a little more composed and calm and making plays but also being more urgent and getting support to guys and preventing crosses. Sometimes I think our mistakes are made out of anxiousness instead of being composed and understanding that you have things under control.
“You don’t need to make a really great play; just make a really simple play.”
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Vanney will be hoping these simple plays will come more easily with a touch more experience in the back line as Damien Perquis and Eriq Zavaleta return from injury. Mark Bloom remains questionable, however, and Steven Caldwell is once again out with injury, as is Clement Simonin.
But the team will have Michael Bradley available, even after the US midfielder put in a full shift in the US national team's 2-0 win over Mexico midweek.
“I spoke to him after the game and he was feeling good,” said Vanney. “He’s excited to rejoin the team and we told him we would give him a couple of days to recover.”
