TFC II will look to regroup during their bye week following a disappointing 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds this past Saturday.
The coaching staff will have some time off to dissect the positives from the match and look at ways to improve for their next challenge against the Rochester Rhinos, as well as for the rest of the season.
On areas for improvement, head coach Jason Bent stressed awareness when the Reds don't have the ball.
“A lot of it is obviously defensively but looking at our awareness and positional sense when we have the ball," said Bent.
“If we end up losing possession of the ball how can we get back into proper shape in order to slow down their transitions, which was obviously an issue against Pittsburgh.”
Forward Mo Babouli echoed Bent’s comments on the importance of working on defensive tactics.
“In training we want to try to be as creative as possible in the final third but most importantly it’s the defensive side,” said Babouli.
“The way we’re playing right now we can’t depend on scoring instead of defending. Keep the clean sheet and the goals will come.”
Staying Out of the Ref’s Pocketbook
For the second consecutive game, TFC II finished the match with 10 men after defender Tarik Robertson received a straight red card that ultimately changed the course of the match.
“We were definitely in control of the game before that red card but that happens, that’s football,” said defender Wesley Charpie.
“We didn’t do enough after the red card and it’s tough, it’s a learning process and it’s something that next time if we go down a man I’m sure everybody, the whole squad is going to be ready to perform and get a result out of the game.”
The club has shown how quickly going down a man can change the momentum into the opposition’s favour. Discipline will be paramount moving forward.
Keeping a Positive Mentality
Even with the lopsided score line, Bent was keen to focus on the positives from the match.
“The players know within themselves in the first half of that game that they were in the game and that they were pretty much comfortable, and then obviously the sending off [of Robertson] changed the completion of the match.”
“Knowing that they were in a competitive game and doing quite well up until the halfway point should hold them in some good confidence.”
TCF II will have their work cut out for them as they prepare to face the Rochester Rhinos on May 9th at Sahlen’s Stadium.
The Rhinos have started the season undefeated, with a 4-0-2 record, and have the best defensive record, the lowest goals-against average, and are tied for the most clean sheets in the USL.
