For three games in a row now a controversial call has made Toronto FC’s task on a daunting eight-game road trip that much more difficult.
And though those calls led to dropped points in New York City, Kansas City and Denver, the Reds are looking inward for solutions.
"There are things we can and can't control in a game,” said head coach Greg Vanney following practice at the Kia Training Ground on Tuesday. “We need to focus on what we can control."
WATCH:TFC HQ| Michael Bradley | Will Johnson | Greg Vanney
“We continue to make progress,” said captain Michael Bradley.
“Everybody on the inside of the group feels good about the start we’ve had. [Our start] maybe hasn’t lent itself to as many points as we think we deserve but these things find a way of coming out in a wash at the end of the year.”
The team has had its share of minor injuries, but for the most part head coach Greg Vanney has had a full squad at his disposal. That will be the case against the New England Revolution on Saturday as the injury list remains clear.
“We’re starting to create an identity, even without talking about our formation in terms of being hard to play against,” said Will Johnson when asked about the first four games.
Defensive structure and shape were two things hammered into the squad during training camp and the preseason. The Reds have conceded four goals thus far which is most certainly a promising sign.
"I think there's some things we've been able to work on, and some that will continue to grow,” continued Johnson.
The Revolution provide an interesting challenge for the Reds, having dominated the head-to-head matchup in recent years. TFC hasn’t beaten New England in seven tries, with the Reds’ last win coming on August 8, 2013 at Gillette Stadium.
Vanney and his players know what they are going to see from the Revolution. New England is a team with a wealth of attacking talent up front.
“They’re the same team they’ve been for a number of years now,” said Vanney. “They’re active, they’re busy. They’ve got pace with their forwards, whether it’s [Juan] Agudelo, [Charlie] Davies or [Teal] Bunbury. They’ve tried to add some more stability in their midfield with [Gershon] Koffie and [Scott] Caldwell. They’re a good team.”
The Reds will train in Toronto for the next two days before departing for Boston on Friday morning.
