Better times should be ahead for Toronto FC and Charlotte FC after last weekend.
They’ll meet Saturday night in Charlotte hoping to create positives after miserable experiences in their most recent matches.
Toronto (3-3-1, 10 points) absorbed a 4-0 thrashing on the road to the Vancouver Whitecaps.
But there has been success this season as well for Toronto.
“We’ll get back,” Toronto coach John Herdman said.
Charlotte (2-3-2, 8 points) didn’t have a bad margin of defeat last weekend, but a 1-0 loss at New England came in rainy and cold conditions.
“We’re creating good chances,” Charlotte midfielder Ashley Westwood said. “There’s always improvement. We’re creating 1-on-1. We’re working to make it better. We’ll focus this week on putting it right.”
A trend has developed in some of the goals allowed by Toronto. Opponents have taken advantage of set pieces that have resulted in 1-on-1 situations in front of the net.
“It has got to get our attention,” Herdman said. “That responsibility (is) to make sure those lines are always set and organized.”
There also have been troublesome goals allowed in transition by Toronto. In total, seven goals have been scored against the team in the last two matches combined.
“We (had one of) the best defensive records in the league coming into the last two games and then conceding seven goals in two matches, it starts there,” Herdman said. “Looking to strengthen coming into a tough match against Charlotte.”
It’s time for a reboot of sorts.
“Go into the Charlotte game with a different intensity, a different mindset,” Herdman said. “For us has got to be, when you’re on the road, you have to be hard to beat. It’s the starting point.”
Toronto captain Jonathan Osorio said the team has motivation that should be beneficial in recovering from a bad defeat. There are voids in concentration that should be addressed prior to the Charlotte match.
“We don’t lack effort,” Osorio said. “There’s lots to improve. Look to move forward.”
Charlotte coach Dean Smith and players are offering support for forward Patrick Agyemang, who has had some missed chances. He failed to convert a top-notch chance in the New England match.
“He’s not the only one who can score goals,” Westwood said. “Patrick is the striker. That’s part of his job. It’s not just him that can score goals.”
–Field Level Media
