Toronto FC's Chad Barrett (right) is mobbed by Julian de Guzman (centre) and Dwayne DeRosario after scoring his team's opening goal against Club Deportivo Montagua's during first half CONCACAF Champions League soccer action in Toronto on Tuesday July 27, 2010.Chris Young/The Canadian Press
In beating Honduran side Motagua 1-0 on Tuesday night at BMO field Toronto FC now have a terrific opportunity to qualify for the group stages of the CONCACAF Champions League. While some may feel the 1-0 margin will not be enough to get through the second leg in seven days time, based on Tuesday's performance and approach by a tough TFC side, it should be.
Toronto coach Preki is becoming a master at changing his lineup to suit the game while at the same time maximizing his squad depth. The surprise shuffle of the player deck into a 4-3-3 (4-3-1-2) formation with adding Joseph Nane into the defensive centre midfield position looked like a stroke of genius as the young Cameroonian did a good defensive job of breaking up threatening plays by the slippery Hondurans. On the ball he was simple, a little unorthodox but nevertheless, safe.
The switch of Dwayne DeRosario into a central midfield attacking role was also important in the team change as it took off the shackles from playing in a rigid wide position. The result was a positive game-breaking display by the MLS all-star.
Julian de Guzman, while again a yard or two short of his very best, looked more threatening on the left side of the midfield three. He was more confident going forward although a little disappointing once in the final third.
TFC did a good job of pressuring Motagua at the back and as a result they forced them into giving the ball away in dangerous areas. In fact the goal came as a result of good pressure from O'Brien White, a cutting edge pass by DeRosario in the transition phase, and a comfortable finish from Chad Barrett.
TFC should anticipate similar success next week with the same high pressure approach. It's hard to believe Motagua will completely change their own method of playing within a week. Creating chances against them is a certainty with good collective pressure .
While the technically clever Hondurans were good in many facets of the game they were at the same time poor in two other important areas. When they attacked they recklessly left themselves open at the back, often getting caught in one against one situations as TFC correctly played direct from their counter-attack position. In fact they should have done better with their opportunities - de Guzman being the primary culprit for missing a couple of good chances.
The upside for de Guzman followers? He did very well in getting into the positive positions in the first place and at times he showed touches of class.
The other area where Motagua were poor was in the attacking third. They were certainly not clinical, but more importantly they had trouble getting in behind the TFC backline. One against one was their strength but collectively they lacked discipline with their tactical approach. It will be an opportunity for Toronto FC next week.
Scoring one goal in Tegucigalpa equates to Motagua having to score three themselves to win. It is a richly deserved scenario for Preki and company.
Maradona outsmarted by Argentina Football Association
After all the drivel about a new four year contract for Maradona to stay put as the head coach of Argentina he was then "euphemistically fired" by the AFA.
Not allowing Maradona to keep his staff - or in other words we will pick them - is a clear way of saying, "we have no confidence in you." It was also a Machiavellian method of moving out the people's hero with the least amount of repercussion. They knew Maradona would never accept the conditions. His loyalty to his staff was too important.
No matter the method now. What is done is done. And to just about everyone outside of Argentina it was the correct decision. But there is an element of poignancy in the whole affair for Argentina.
South Africa 2010 was a wasted opportunity which succumbed not to a lack of on field ability but instead, off field preparation and know how from a coach who sadly lacked the experience.
Like Pele, he was so astonishingly talented as a player he never once had to give a second thought of what he did so naturally. It is hardly a transferable trait for management or coaching however. Pele knew it and now unfortunately so does Maradona.