On the bright side for Toronto FC, Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Columbus Crew saw the club finally score for the first time since July 7. Unfortunately for the Reds, Miguel Canizalez's breakthrough goal didn't suddenly cure the problems with finishing that led to the 824-minute goal drought in the first place.
After Canizalez scored two minutes into the match to give TFC an early lead and get the scoring monkey off its back, the team had several chances to increase the pressure on the Crew. Midfielder Maurice Edu was unguarded in the penalty area, but scuffed a weak shot that sailed off-target. Jeff Cunningham had a one-on-one break with Columbus goalkeeper Will Hesmer, but the forward's strike was stopped.
Though his team still held a 1-0 lead after 45 minutes, Toronto coach Mo Johnston said he felt uneasy about how the game was playing out.
"I was very cautious," Johnston said. "Because there was a chance they could get a goal back and then the momentum swings, and that's what happened.
"We should've been three up at halftime. You can't afford to miss chances the way we're missing chances."
The lack of finishing from the Reds is even more frustrating for the club considering that their attack has been successful at creating opportunities. TFC has outshot opponents 57-31 over the last four matches, including a 22-15 edge in shots on goal.
Yet once again, Toronto couldn't score that clutch goal while the opposing side was able to capitalize. With the game tied in the 83rd minute, a failed offensive push by the Reds left Crew substitute striker Jacob Thomas with the ball near midfield.
Thomas then ran untouched down the right side until encountering TFC defender Andrew Boyens near the top of the penalty area. Thomas made a nice move to leave Boyens flat-footed and then sent a strong strike into the left side of the Toronto net for the game-winning goal.
Johnston used this play as an example of what he called "naive" defending from his club against Columbus.
"Andrew Boyens steps to the ball, Jacob Thomas is already running at him," Johnston explained. "[Boyens] needs to come across him, it's fairly simple. [Boyens] has to come across him. He comes across him ... or you take the foul, stop the momentum."
Boyens said he was trying to push Thomas to the outside, but realized too late that he was too far away to properly pressure the striker.
"I was a bit worried about him playing the ball inside because there was myself and then [defender Chris Pozniak] coming back, so I looked for space to push him to the outside, but I guess I gave him a bit too much space," Boyens said. "The positioning wasn't quite close enough to him.
"He got a good shot off and snuck it in the far post. I was disappointed with myself, should've been closer to him. I put my hand up on that one."
Toronto's lone goal came from a somewhat improbable source. Canizalez started TFC's first two games, but injuries and ineffectiveness limited the midfielder to just 100 minutes since April 14. Marvell Wynne's hamstring injury and Adam Braz's observance of Yom Kippur necessitated a move to the backline for Pozniak and Jim Brennan, and thus Canizalez was once again in the starting XI.
The midfielder made the most of his second chance. A cross from Brennan led to a scramble in front of the net, and Canizalez was in the right spot to notch his first career MLS goal.
"I'm so happy we finally scored," Canizalez said. "The team deserved it. We had a lot of bad luck in a couple of games and that goal was just amazing.
"It means I'm in good condition and hopefully the next game I can start again. I'm just happy to play and help the team out."
At this point, the Reds could hardly afford to bench their hottest scorer. The loss keeps Toronto 10 points behind the Chicago Fire for the eighth and final MLS playoff spot with five games remaining (the Fire have a game on Sunday). Barring a miracle finish, Saturday's loss represented the end of TFC's playoff hopes.
But that doesn't mean the pressure is off for the Reds. Johnston made it clear he expects a better effort from his players as the team tries to end the season with pride and to determine who will be on the squad in 2008.
"They're playing for their jersey," Johnston said. "Each and every one of them."
Mark Polishuk is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
