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Analysis: Toronto FC Missed Chances in Loss at BMO Field

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MLS: New England Revolution at Toronto FC at BMO Field

ANALYSIS – The Toronto FC missed chances resulted in a loss at BMO Field as TFC losses for the first time at home. It was also not a great performance as they turned over the ball a lot and never capitalized on their chances. The Revolution also turned over the ball a lot but were more clinical on offence and had more shots on goal than TFC.

Toronto FC Missed Chances Results in First Loss at BMO Field This Year

Full Game Summary

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Federico Bernardeschi Defended Well

It seemed like when Federico Bernardeschi had the ball, more often than not, there were Revolution defenders there to defend him. They paid more attention to him than the other players on the team. Some examples of this include:

  • There was an example of Toronto FC passing the ball to each other, and then it went to Bernardeschi near the box who could not do much with the ball.
  • Bernardeschi was not able to create or get many scoring opportunities throughout the game.

It is clear from this that the Revolution most feared Bernardeschi when trying to defend their lines. Their defence was not great at all, but it was good enough for the win and the shutout.

Toronto FC Did Not Take Advantage of Their Scoring Opportunities

The New England Revolution turned over the ball a lot, especially early on. However, TFC was unable to get shots on goal. The only times they got shots on goal were Richie Laryea and Lorenzo Insigne’s shots n the second half, but even then, either the angle was too short or the shot went straight to the Revolution goalkeeper. Some of the big changes include:

  • Lorenzo Insigne almost scored as he got the Revolution caught off-guard and off his line, but his shot was off-target.
  • Insigne’s free-kick from a very dangerous position late in the game was off-target.

Insigne and especially Richie Laryea, played a big role in Toronto FC getting free-kicks near the box. However, they were not able to capitalize, which was something the Revolution was able to do. This is what coach Bob Bradley said after the game and the inability to convert the turnovers into goals in the post-game press conference:

“So we generated a lot of shots tonight, but how were many really good chances in certain moments, our ability to run harder in the box, open up possibilities we get in spots where we have chances to process but we don’t, when we choose a cutback or cross, we don’t play well enough to make more out of those. At times, we won some balls in the first half in good positions, but couldn’t play quickly enough and well enough to really take that advantage from the turnover and turn it into something.”

In this game specifically, New England did feel more dangerous as a team when Toronto turned over the ball then vice versa. It is something Toronto FC needs to improve on for their two big Canadian Classique games coming up in the next six days.

The New England Revolution Took Advantage of the Toronto FC Defensive Mistakes

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The New England Revolution, unlike Toronto FC took advantage of defensive mistakes from the opposing team. In fact, they had the better scoring opportunities. The ones that TFC paid for were:

  • Sigurd Rosted turned over the ball and Bobby Wood capitalized on the opportunity.
  • DeJuan Jones doubled the Revolution’s lead as Carles Gil’s shot was stopped by TFC goalkeeper Sean Johnson, but Jones put the rebound into the back of the net.

READ MORE: Bruce Arena Faces Familiar Foe Bob Bradley as the Revs Visit Toronto

Other examples include TFC giving up the ball in the 38-minute, which resulted in a great scoring chance for Emmanuel Boateng, who was unable to get a cross from Brandon Bye. Mark-Anthony Kaye also turned over the ball in the 31-minute.

Game Overview

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Toronto FC before this game had two wins and three losses. Now, they lost their first home game this year against the New England Revolution. TFC looked like they were going to lose against Charlotte FC, but was able to get the draw. In this game, TFC was unable to get the job done.

Insigne had many chances to score, but coming off from injury, it might have been a task too much to handle. Also, Kaye has been very inconsistent. There have been some games where he has played very well, but also games like this Saturday, where he did not. Credit should also be given to the Revolution. There is a reason why they are the best team in the MLS Eastern Conference and were more clinical on the road. It was not a great game by New England, but they did get the job done and showed that they are more ruthless in front of attack against Toronto.

READ MORE: Three Keys: CJ Sapong Had a Memorable Toronto FC Debut

Both Toronto FC and the New England Revolution have a busy week coming up. First, with the Revolution, they host the USL’s Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on May 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET. They travel to face Inter Miami CF at DRV PNK Stadium on May 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET. This is while TFC have two very big games coming up with two against Canadian Classique rivals, CF Montreal. The first game will be a Canadian Championship quarterfinals game on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Toronto will then travel to Montreal on Saturday at Stade Saputo (Saputo Stadium) at 7:30 p.m. ET.

 

Photo Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports on May 6, 2023, of a Federico Bernardeschi and Latif Blessing Headshot.

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