The same shortcomings continue to doom Toronto FC, who have yet to earn a clean sheet while playing outside the comfort of BMO Field, and even the similar artificial surface of Rice-Eccles Stadium couldn't change that.
When looking for an explanation, TFC head coach John Carver said that his team continually suffers from the same mistakes, and he told his players following the 2-1 loss to Real Salt Lake that he's starting to feel like a recording, saying the same thing after each match.
So, rather than dictate only his thoughts, Carver opened the floor to his players for a two-way discussion on what needed to be done to set Toronto FC on a successful course. Their private conversation lasted for several minutes following the match, more than twice the normal time that teams hold post-match talks.
"I don't really want to talk about what goes on in the dressing room, but it's like everything else," said Carver. "If you keep making the same mistakes, I start sounding like a recording. We're all making the same mistakes, and I'm seeing the same things. So, I'm asking for some feedback from the guys and what they're thinking. And, again, that remains private. You have to respect that. But, it was an open discussion and it was quite positive and the good thing is everybody respected each other's opinions."
The most consistent problem for Toronto has been its defending, an issue that seems to amplify itself on the road. With the exception of a 3-2 result at Los Angeles in April, TFC has yet to earn another point on the road all year.
"It seems to be the story of our life at the moment, especially on the road," said Carver. "I don't know how we could defend like Trojans at home, maybe it's because you've got 20,000 screaming fans down your throat and if you make a mistake they'll let you know about it. But, there's something not right when we are away from home. You claw your way back into the game, you think you've got something from the game and then, again ... you shoot yourself in the foot -- and you come away with nothing."
Carver said that he has no doubt that his players give maximum effort on the field, but he's starting to realize that there may not be enough ability in some positions. In those situations, Carver feels he's going to need to make some changes.
"I feel for the guys who have given, again, maximum effort," he said. "The one thing I've got to start considering now is -- and I've never, ever doubted the effort and energy that they've given the team. But, sometimes you've got to start wondering their ability is good enough. I've said to certain individuals -- without going into it because I like to keep it private -- that the way we defended at times wasn't good enough. And, I need to do something about it."
Goalkeeper Greg Sutton saw a lot of the ball against RSL, doing his best to make sure that the 20 shots -- nine on frame -- fired his way didn't end up in the net. He was able to keep out all but two. The first goal for Salt Lake came off the head of Jamison Olave, and the second came after Sutton parried a Kyle Beckerman shot and the loose rebound was swept up by a sliding Robbie Findley.
Losing concentration was the reason for the breakdowns in defense, from Sutton's view. Other than a few key moments, where RSL scored, he felt the defense played well. Like Carver, Sutton feels the pattern of failing is too familiar.
"It's the same old story -- we can't put 90 minutes together," said Sutton. "We let ourselves down. We did well to get ourselves back into the game in the second half. I thought we did what we said we wanted to do at halftime, and when we came out it was pretty effective. Then we had that mental error again. It's one thing to happen once or twice, but now it's becoming a habit -- a real bad habit."
The Reds are still looking for a consistent option at striker. Their lone goal against RSL came off a beautiful free kick from Amado Guevara. It's good to get goals from the midfield, but they're still vying for solid front men.
They thought they had found their man in Chad Barrett, who traveled with TFC to Salt Lake, but have yet to receive word that the deal is finalized. Carver doesn't understand what is holding up the trade from completion.
"In fairness, it's been the story of the season," said Carver. "That's why we've been desperate at trying to get some strikers in, and when we feel like we've gotten so close to one -- where it was announced on Thursday by the commissioner that we would have a deal done by tomorrow, which was Friday. It's now Monday and the deal still hasn't been done. I'm a bit perplexed.
"I'm just surprised that something can't be done that's quite simple, that can take so long. It seems that everybody else seems to be able to trade over the last few days, but we can't. What is that?"
Scott McAllister is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
