Let’s get the refereeing rant out of the way.
Terrible. Abysmal. Borderline corrupt. Rope. Tree. You know the rest.
Feel better now? Good, because that’s the last we should talk about an obstacle that is likely never to change. For a generation or more Canadian fans have been moaning about the quality of CONCACAF refereeing and how terribly unfair it is. And, it is. The officiating is horrendous and incredibly frustrating. It defies belief that there isn’t just a little bit of let-screw-the-gringo-lites going on. But...
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
GET OVER IT.
No, really. There are lots of things unfair about this game – playing World Cup qualifiers against Mexico in Columbus in February, Qatar 2022, City’s money, lots – you can either dwell on them and dream of another utopian world where success is only determined by merit, or you can get on with the job at hand.
That goes for Toronto FC in the CONCACAF Champions League and it goes, especially, to the Canadian men’s team ahead of World Cup qualifying.
For the most part, TFC did get on with the task at hand yesterday, although one would be forgiven if they wished to forget the game. There is nothing pretty about lower tier Central American football and last night’s romp in Panama was as ugly as can be. Get the three points and get the hell out should be the mantra. Assuming the plane got off the ground today, mission accomplished.
With Dallas pulling the shocker against Pumas, attention can now shift to Wednesday’s game. Calling it important doesn’t do it justice. It’s probably the second most important game the club has ever played. The Reds lost the most important game they have ever played 5-0, so go in with eyes wide open.
However, if they get the win...top of the group after two games?!
Then we’d be havin’ a laugh, indeed.