The prospects for a win by Toronto FC at FC Dallas were slim to be fair. Missing three starters due to international duty, another two key players to injury and playing against MLS’ hottest team on the road where the club simply doesn’t win were all ingredients for another "L."
It was as close to a sure thing in betting. Yet Preki’s side put in a valiant effort Saturday night, just falling short to FC Dallas 1-0 at Pizza Hut Park.
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If it weren’t for a defensive mistake that led to Jeff Cunningham’s 129th career MLS goal, Toronto would have likely salvaged a point, and deservedly so.
"It’s really hard to believe we lost the game tonight because I thought the group worked extremely hard, showed a lot of commitment and, in a lot of moments, [played] some good football," head coach Preki told Toronto FC TV after the match. "I really feel like this group deserved more and had really no luck at all tonight."
It’s cruel irony that Cunningham, a onetime Red now loathed in Toronto, scored the winning goal. But that’s the way things are going down the stretch for a Toronto team that just can't seem to buy a win.
If it’s not one thing, it’s another for a squad that’s in the midst of a downward death spiral, as the Reds are now winless in four straight league matches.
Over the last few games, injuries, suspensions, a lack of offensive production and a busy schedule have all combined to turn what looked to be a playoff-bound team into one that’s in danger of missing the playoffs for the fourth straight season unless a miracle happens soon.
Preki can take some solace in some solid individual performances: the continued development of rookie defender Ty Harden and the reawakening of striker O'Brian White.
Thrust into the starting 11 due to injuries and international duty, Harden has played steady in central defense. Late in the game, he denied FC Dallas an insurance goal with a beautiful diving block of a shot at the edge of the goal crease. Earlier, he nearly opened the scoring on a header that went just over the crossbar.
White, trying to pick up the offensive slack from the injured Chad Barrett and Maicon Santos and the missing Dwayne De Rosario, had a solid game, coming close on a number of chances.
"We know he has some good capabilities," Preki said of White, "but right now he just cannot buy a goal or find the net. Hopefully sooner or later he starts finding the net because we’re at a point right now where we can’t drop too many points."
The positives of some individual performances don’t mask the collective deficiencies of the team. A lack of discipline is a problem. Case in point was the late-game ejection of midfielder Martin Saric. It not only dented any chance of a comeback, but puts the team at a disadvantage for yet another game as Saric will sit Wednesday at Chicago.
"I’m really disappointed because that’s undisciplined and that’s really letting the team down," Preki said of Saric's suspension. "I talked to him about this many times. At this point in [this] time of the year, we need everybody available, especially when we have guys missing with the national team, especially when we have guys injured."
TFC have missed a player in many of their recent games simply due to card accumulation. For a team like the Reds who are thin already, it’s the last thing Preki needs. It’s imperative that he has everyone available, minus any major injuries, to ensure continuity.
The team got some good news when Canada coach Stephen Hart confirmed that De Rosario, Julian de Guzman and Nana Attakora will be excused from the national team to join TFC in Chicago. Attakora didn't play Saturday vs. Peru, so he should be fresh for Chicago.
For Toronto’s sake, they have to make an immediate impact. With Kansas City now in a tie with Toronto and Chicago, threatening to leapfrog TFC with a win Wednesday, the sense of urgency is palpable.
