Sorry for the delay. I only write when we're winning...
So, yeah. About that.
Three nil. Sigh.
I think it goes without saying that most people understand that MLS is a place where you can go from world beaters to bums pretty much overnight. And, then just as quickly go back to being world beaters.
Logically, most TFC fans understand this. Emotionally, maybe not. After a two week run that made the Reds the talk if the league, it was a bit difficult going back to being, well, Toronto FC.
Add to that the sight of Jermain Defoe limping off the field in the second half and logic becomes the last thing anyone is interested in.
Losing sucks. Screw logic.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
But, you can't. Perspective and patience will need to be as much a part of the TFC experience in 2014 as exhilaration and excitement. Good MLS teams lose 10 games in this league. Good teams struggle to win on the road. Losing to RSL does not mean that TFC isn't a good team.
There might have been evidence that they are yet to be a complete team yet though. That was expected going into the year and, although jarring to watch on Saturday, we all probably needed to be reminded of that.
The biggest concern remains the depth. The best XI are as talented as any team in MLS, but the drop from there appears to remain large. Hall for Osorio was exhibit 1a for that. Defoe's limp the anxiety provoking underline.
Finding depth is a long-term project. The problem for now is dealing with it while that happens. Perhaps the best way to do that is to remember that good teams lose 10 games in this league and that good teams struggle to win on the road.
It is vital that TFC's best players are healthy for the run in to the season. This is a playoff league and TFC is a playoff caliber side. No one really remembers the Supporters' Shield winners.
All of this is a long-winded way of saying that Toronto would be insane to play Defoe next weekend if they aren't 100 percent sure of his health.
No one wants to lose to Columbus, but it will be OK if they do. That's especially the case if you are able to get some depth players minutes in the effort. You're going to need them eventually. It's better to know what you've got now, rather than finding out when it's too late to fix it later.
After all, a MLS season is a Bloody Long Grind.