It's kind of early in the CONCACAF Champions League for a do-or-die game, isn't it?
Truth be told, tonight's Toronto v. Dallas match isn't really a "must win" for the Reds, although it certainly feels like it.
Dallas' shock win in Mexico to kick off the group stage put the pressure squarely on TFC, who were expected to battle their MLS cousins for second place behind Pumas UNAM. Instead, the side from Texas threw a monkey wrench into everyone's expectations, and effectively created a three-team race for the top two spots.
Theoretically, that scenario should be better for Toronto, a team that -- on paper -- entered the group stage as the clear third best. But the Reds have yet to play Pumas, and no one knows if the Mexicans will be motivated enough by the opener loss to dress a full squad (they arrogantly ran out a slew of kids against FCD and ultimately paid for it).
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
Aron Winter and company will need to assume that the Mexican side will be at top strength for the rest of the group stage and motivated to earn back the points that they so foolishly dropped at home last week. With that in mind, Toronto's ultimate goal doesn't really change all that much -- they will need to focus on picking up maximum points from the other two teams in Group C while hoping for the best against the Mexican qualifiers.
To that end, they did what they needed to do in Panama, picking up all three points in maddening circumstances.
Now, the focus shifts to a highly-talented FCD team that spoiled the coming out party for TFC's two newest designated players last month.
Dallas will look a bit different than they did during that 1-0 result on July 20. Central defender George John -- who has been a revelation for Schellas Hyndman over the past two seasons -- is in the process of transferring to Blackburn Rovers of the EPL. John's presence was sorely missed, especially by running mate Ugo Ihemulu, who looked out of sorts without his backline partner over the weekend as Dallas lost a rare home match to Seattle in league play.
Also missing from the defensive corps for FCD is Zach Loyd, a dependable-if-unspectactular backliner who surely would have been called upon if not sidelined due to injury.
That leaves new Dallas player Jeremy Hall or rookie Bobby Warshaw to fill in for the departing John, a massive downgrade on what has been a rock solid backline.
Defensive uncertainty aside, Dallas are still a formidable side, one that has earned the right to represent the U.S. in the CCL. Going forward, they still have the same weapons that looked so potent the last time these two teams hooked up. Brek Shea and Marvin Chavez are having standout seasons, with Shea especially stepping in to replace the production of injured teammate Davide Ferreira. Much will hinge on how Toronto can contain the 22-year-old Shea, along with the surging runs from the back and the midfield involving Jackson and Ricardo Villar.
It's not an impossible task -- for all of Dallas' firepower they only escaped their previous visit to the Exhibition grounds with the slimmest of victories, and that was against a disjointed TFC side still reeling from numerous trades and transfers. Now, with Toronto a lot more cohesive and familiar with one another, the possibility of taking all three points from FC Dallas is not as nearly as far-fetched as it was when the groups were first drawn back in May.
--
Notes: Neither Maicon Santos nor Eric Avila can play for their respective clubs for the group stage, as they have been cap-tied to their former teams per the CONCACAF rulebook.
Also, Stefan Frei may get another night off as he heals from a lingering knee injury. The stellar play of Milos Kocic has allowed Winter to take his time bringing Frei back into the lineup, although Toronto's number one is said to be at or near 100% now.
Toronto FC v. FC Dallas
Wednesday August 24, 2011. 8:00pm EDT.
BMO Field. Toronto, ON.
Watch: GolTV Canada, CONCACAF.com (requires registration)
Listen: Fan590.com
Rudi Schuller contributes Toronto FC and Canadian national team content to the 24th Minute. He manages the Euro File here at Canadian Soccer News, and is MLSsoccer.com's beat writer for all things concerning Canada's men's national teams. Follow Rudi on Twitter, @RudiSchuller.