"Then they come to the right place"
Those words, spoken by Aron Winter, as he described the Toronto Football Club’s desire to become the Total Football Club.
Since Jurgen Klinsmann’s hiring, TFC has spoken (loudly) about their need to define a club philosophy – for now and the future.
And while many in the media mocked Klinsmann’s words that day – scoffing at how you can’t define a club before you build it - it’s become no secret this winter that Toronto had settled on Total Football as its style of choice.
So, while this may be a case of putting the cart before the horse (but the writing is on the wall if they’re hiring two guys from Ajax), today we’re going to take a look at what Total Football is and how it’s played.
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Tomorrow, in another tactics column, we’ll explore who in Toronto’s current player pool is equipped to play such a style and who is going to struggle.
First thing to know – total football is like few other styles. It is designed to be a free form formation where any one player can slide in and out of a position and be replaced by another.
It relies heavily on the concept of every player being able to play multiple positions and puts tremendous emphasis on not just physical fitness but technical ability. As much of it is a counter-attacking style, any team that is lacking on the technical front – or prone to giving away the ball - will be left with big gaps in its shape.
This is traditionally countered by playing a more zone style of defending - where in the team lays in wait - allowing the other team to attack while the formation is recovered. But, if the ball is lost in the attacking end, a Total Football team will also revert to a man-on-man style, each player applying high pressure to regain possession.
Players with a high football IQ and strong vision on the pitch are need to succeed at Total Football, as it requires a great deal of improvisation. Players need to see where the opposition is weakest and adjust on the attack. Simultaneously those that aren’t immediately involved in the forward push will fill the holes created - holes where their own defense would be prone to breaking down. Call it preventive medicine.
The Barcelonas of the world have bastardized the style, traditionally a 4-3-3, in recent years. Their style, sometimes confused with Total Football, relies more on possession and employing 2v1 attacking options.
Given the relatively inexperienced level of play in MLS and the high level of technical skill required to play true Total Football, it’s conceivable to imagine a hybrid of the two played at BMO Field in the years ahead.
Picture a possession oriented, counter-attacking football style with certain players filling out the fill and float roles.
Tomorrow we'll explore who on the Toronto Football Club belongs on the Total Football Club.