INTERVIEWS: Nelson | Caldwell | Bradley | Osorio | Morrow| Bloom | Nakajima-Farran
We can harp on the foul that left fans calling for a penalty, but that’s missing the point.
Then again, 24 hours ago I might of had a different sentiment. Losing isn’t fun.
Once again, the bigger picture is important here. TFC completed the toughest stretch of their burgeoning season in Dallas on Saturday.
It ended in heartbreak, when Blas Perez found the winner for a Dallas side that is the best team in Major League Soccer through six weeks.
“This is football, you get what the final result gives you,” said Ryan Nelsen following the loss, the second in as many weeks. “I feel bad for the guys because it was two set piece goals. The second one was a nothing goal, it was just sloppiness. It was frustrating because it was a good away performance up to that.”
There were positives, though. Issey Nakajima-Farran scored his second goal of the season, giving TFC an early lead in a place they’ve struggled mightily.
Dallas, MLS kings of the set piece, tied it up via their favourite route in the 37th minute thanks to a Matt Hedges header.
From there it was a mostly even affair. Kellyn Acosta committed what seemed like a clear foul on Gilberto in the penalty area, but nothing was called. These things happen, but in the context of the game it was a shocker. Referees are tasked with an incredibly tough job, this is understood, and in the end the hope is the calls will even out.
“In my opinion it was a ridiculous decision not to give that penalty,” Nelsen said. “He just pushed him in the back, pushes him over. It’s a remarkable decision not to give that penalty.”
Instead, TFC is left with silver linings.
Nelsen pointed to the first six games as the toughest test his team will face this year. Taking nine points, considering the absence of key players like Michael Bradley and Jermain Defoe at times is important going forward. This season is about making progress and making the playoffs. That said, championships aren’t won in Week Six in Dallas.
“With these six games, I would have taken [nine points] straight away,” Nelsen said. “With the injury crisis that we’ve had, that we didn’t even think was going to happen, I’d take it.”
Of course with that said, it’s hard to leave this weekend with a feeling of warmth.
The team is off this week, giving them time to nurse players like Alvaro Rey and Doneil Henry back to health. Depth is a concern going forward, with Nelsen admitting his team is gassed.
Their fixture against New England on May 3rd takes on new importance. Four of TFC’s five next league games take place at BMO Field. These are massive fixtures.
Defoe should be back in the lineup, and his absence in the three losses this season is worth mentioning. His clinical ability up front has been missed.
Through six games we’ve learned quite a bit about this group of players, and the next five will tell us even more.
