Toronto FC's Late Goals - Torturous Viewing and Time for a Change

    Toronto FC has conceded nineteen goals this season, nine of which have come in the final fifteen minutes of matches.

    Here are all nine of those late goals: not recommended viewing for those with weak constitutions.



One – Kansas City: Claudio Bieler in the 77th minute at the SkyDome

 

Two – Los Angeles: Jose Villarreal in the 92nd minute at BMO Field

 

Three – Philadelphia: Jack McInerney in the 93rd minute at PPL Park

 

Four – Houston: Warren Creavalle in the 94th minute at BMO Field

 

Five – New York: Tim Cahill in the 89th minute at BMO Field

 

Six – Colorado: Edson Buddle in the 86th minute at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park

 

Seven – San Jose: Chris Wondolowski in the 81st minute at Buck Shaw Stadium

 

Eight – New England: Juan Agudelo in the 93rd minute at Gillette Stadium

 

Nine – Philadelphia: Jack McInerney, again, in the 91st minute at BMO Field.

    Notice a running theme?

    No, not the shabby defending and mistakes – though that is without doubt an issue.

    No, not the constant dropping of the back-line under pressure, aimless hoofing of the ball that turns over possession cheaply, or even the conceding of silly fouls.

    No, not even that the one man – McInerney, Wondolowski, Cahill, Agudelo - that should definitely be covered is not.

    The one consistent factor, through all those allowed at home at least, is the North End of BMO Field.

    It is customary in football, when the home team wins the coin toss, to choose to attack the stand with the home fans in the second half, thereby providing that extra emphasis of a baying crowd should the push be required at the end of the match.

    Clearly this strategy has not been working for TFC; perhaps it is time to reverse that model and try defending the preferred end of the field in those crucial minutes.