By Mike Crampton
Thanks to the joyous perplexities of the MLS schedule Toronto FC, the Eastern Conference’s last place team, return to Kansas City this weekend to face Sporting, the Eastern Conference’s first place team, for the third time this season and second time in a matter of weeks. Kansas City has the fortunate opportunity to sustain their lead atop the Eastern Conference by completing the trifecta and taking 9 points, six at home, off of a team some of their direct rivals will only face twice. Such is MLS and it’s Toronto FC’s responsibility to attempt throw a spanner in the works of Sporting’s ambition.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
Picking up road points in MLS is nearly always an uphill struggle, especially for TFC; picking up road points at the home of a good team with lots still to play for even more so. That said, just a week ago in Houston, a late header from Terry Dunfield salvaged a point for the Reds and stunted the Dynamo’s push towards the top of the East. Under Paul Mariner Toronto have been getting decent results on the road: two wins from nine might not sound like much but, combined with their draws, games away from BMO shouldn’t necessarily be viewed without hope. Realistically, any result for TFC would have to be seen as an upset but, in facing an opponent for the the third time this year, there’s hope that familiarity and professional pride might inspire to Reds to greater effort.
One important player who won’t be available to Sporting head coach Peter Vermes is forward Teal Bunbury. The young American suffered a season ending ACL tear in a match against the New York Red Bulls a week ago. Bunbury’s athletic and aggressive style has been a big part of Kansas City’s success in adapting the 4-3-3 formation to MLS. His absence could eventually lead to a consistent starting position for former Red Jacob Peterson.
Peterson, a Preki pick up shipped out in 2011 under Aron Winter’s regime, was a source of much frustration in Toronto. While he did score a memorable goal or two his play was largely considered inconsistent and he was shuffled between winger and midfielder without ever settling. It highlights the difference between the 4-3-3 that Aron Winter attempted to install in Toronto and Vermes’ 4-3-3 that Peterson has blossomed in a more direct, less technically demanding, system in Kansas City.
At the moment though it’s probably unlikely that Peterson will start as he’s currently listed as “doubtful” due to recovery from a shoulder sprain on MLS’ injury report. Most likely Vermes will be forced to adapt and continue playing Graham Zusi, a player more natural in a central attacking role, as one of his wide forwards as he did in Toronto in mid-August. In addition, expect C.J. Sapong, last year’s MLS Rookie of the Year, to be added to the forward line as well along with regular starter Kei Kamara. Fortunately for Toronto, Vermes faces another selection headache as French defender Aurelien Collin, with whom Eric Hassli had a running battle in Toronto, is suspended for the match due to yellow card accumulation.
Now that Toronto truly is playing out the string in the league, with even the faintest and most irrational hope of a playoff appearance long gone, the question here is whether Paul Mariner really begins to treat the rest of the season as an extended pre-season for 2013. Most pointedly, does he have the guts, and support within the organization, to drop club captain Torsten Frings if he feels it’s in the best long term interests of the team? TFC’s German midfield general was left out of the squad that drew in Houston ostensibly to rest ahead of Toronto’s game against Santos Laguna in midweek. His performance in the Champions League match was far from his best however and, after Mariner’s public criticism of Frings’ contribution to Santos’ winning goal, there is now an open discussion in the Toronto media as to whether Frings is likely to return next year.
Designated player contracts are a significant expense and Frings has been one of the marketing faces of the club this season; in prior instances like this there has been the suspicion that marketing and the public perception of the club have taken a front seat to football considerations. What the correct decision regarding Frings’ future at the club is and whether Paul Mariner has the power to make that call might both be open questions.