Arsenalist

The funny thing about football is that the team that deserves to win often doesn’t, they just get a share of the spoils and a moral victory knowing that they outclassed the opposition. More importantly they only get 1 point instead of the 3. If you look past the Becksmania, the vibrant crowd, the national attention, the freaking Barenaked Ladies ruining not one but two national anthems you’ll see this was one of the best games for TFC all season. Playing without Dichio, Cunningham or their top three goalies, TFC dominated and threatened all game but never got the break needed on the scoresheet.

Main talking point in this game had to be Andrea Lombardo. Playing as the lone striker against Abel Xavier young Lombardo pressured the LA defense by playing as a holding-striker, unfortunately Edu or anyone else couldn’t provide enough support for him to create great chances. He attacked the 6-yard box early and often and had a goal disallowed (it was offsides) and always looked our singular offensive threat. If he continues to play like this they’ll be a spot on this team for him for years to come.

Collin Samuels, the official TFC pitbull, made up for his miserable game against Chicago with an equally opposite effort. At times it looked like he was a back and a forward at the same time and was pushing would-be attackers off the ball with seeming ease. With no Ronnie O’Brien in there it was left to Paul Robinson to create the chances and although his freekicks were somewhat disappointing he shut Donovan the Diver down.

Jim Brennan played with two broken ribs. Enough said. I never thought I’d say this but Braz and Reda were both excellent. Reda’s free header should’ve at least tested the goalie early on but you can’t really hold that against him. Braz lacks great skill or pace but he played his angles well and any LA attack on the left was quickly extinguished. Recently signed Kenny Stamatopoulos didn’t have to do much but what he did do he did with confidence. I still prefer Sam Reynolds overall.

TFC played well, just didn’t get lucky.