Circumstances beyond my control have prevented me from writing this week. Apologies.
WWLDWD - that's Toronto's form over the past six games. Four of the games were in cup play, but all six were against MLS competition. So, 11 points out of 18. Almost two points per game.
It's a snapshot, clearly, but it's no less informative than the 0-0-9 was. The Reds aren't a two point per game team - that would put the in the middle of the Supporter's Shield territory. They also aren't really the worst team in the world. There is little doubt some profoundly bad luck went into the thankfully done losing streak. In a parity league like MLS, a team that was legitimately an 0-0-9 side would be losing games by big numbers. For the most part TFC was competitive in the losing streak. If you played the season 50 times it's highly unlikely you'd ever see a record like TFC's again.
That's the good news.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
The bad news is the 51st time just happened. TFC was 0-0-9 and 1-0-9 isn't much better. If they continue the rest of the year on their current pace they would make the playoffs (with 53 points), but that doesn't seem likely, now does it?
Last week the boys on the Some Canadian Guys Talking about Soccer podcast I was asked if I felt that TFC could "turn around" their season now. I answered by saying that it depended on what you considered turning around? If you're black and white about it - playoffs are a success, not playoffs are not -- there isn't much of a debate - TFC is all but screwed. But, if you look at things with an open mind and focus on growth and playoff pace the rest of the way (about 1.4 points) you might be just about able to keep yourself sane.
I don't think many TFC fans will stay sane. Am I wrong?