Toronto FC will play its second match in four nights as part of three games in seven when Los Angeles Galaxy visits BMO Field on Wednesday (8 p.m. kickoff live on GOL TV Canada).
Heading into this grinding part of the schedule, the Reds are quietly on a three-game unbeaten streak and tied for third in the Eastern Conference with five points from four games. But Toronto needs only to look at the team that beat them in the opening week, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, to see how quickly things can go awry for an overworked squad.
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<p style="font-size: 10px; margin: 0pt auto;">VIDEO: TFC goal scorer Alan Gordon on Toronto FC TV following the Reds' 1-1 draw to San Jose.</p> |
Playing three games in eight nights, Vancouver managed to win just two out of a possible nine points in that stretch, ending with a 3-1 hammering at Houston Sunday night. Toronto’s three in seven started with a hard fought 1-1 draw away to San Jose. They must now face a BMO Field double with Los Angeles on Wednesday and D.C. United three days later.
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Getting maximum points out of what remains of this busy week won’t be easy. Defending league champion Los Angeles is in form and being led by David Beckham as the instrumental goal provider he was envisioned to be upon signing for the Carson club. The former England captain could make his regular season BMO Field debut on Wednesday. His legendary set-piece ability on free kicks and corners will be of concern to the Reds since Beckham has already set up three goals during this young season.
D.C. United won a big offseason prize when they landed recovering U.S. international Charlie Davies on loan from French outfit Sochaux. Every game allows Davies a little more distance from a career threatening automobile accident. He is succeeding with aplomb. The American forward already has four goals in 2011 and scored a stunner against Toronto during preseason in Charleston.
Toronto may be in tough this week but Aron Winter's team is getting stronger 90 minutes at a time. The draw away to San Jose was more than encouraging for a squad that has finally spent an entire week together after many off and early season transactions. There is a transformation taking place just as Winter had promised supporters they would see under his era. It will face its toughest tests to date this week.
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