Toronto FC 3-1 Real Salt Lake: The good, the bad & the ugly

The Good

The result. In preparation for Club America, a win was a must... possession with purpose. The first half was a far cry from that impotent display against Montreal... Jonathan Osorio’s blue boots... Nick Rimando’s “dad-like” physique. I fill out a goalie uniform just like him. Gives me hope... Seba’s through-ball that led to the first goal. Maybe we should dub passes like that “Giovazquezes” or “Vebas”... Ashtone Morgan playing with increased confidence and collecting an assist, two tackles, five recoveries and a 93% pass success rate. Just need him to run back with a little more pace... someone told Altidore that it’s actually August. Nice work Jozy. Now do it again (and again) against Mexico City... I know that it’s not germane to Toronto FC, but did you see Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s first MLS goal?... nice to see the Canadian contingent confidently contribute (one “c” for each player)... TFC’s high press. Needs to be sustained for the full 90 minutes on Tuesday... Michael Bradley pushing further up-field. Bold prediction: the Captain will score in short order... Marky Delgado’s teal boots.

Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

The Bad

These bouts with defensive narcolepsy have to stop. There was no reason for RSL to have had a sniff on goal. Bold prediction: similar mistakes against Club America will be mercilessly punished... Osorio’s dramatic flop late in the first half. Either that was a sad attempt to draw a foul, or Brooks Lennon’s arm is made of steel... Kristian Jack’s “potty-dance” during the halftime show. Poor guy looked like he was freezing... Seba’s groundhog day moment on the penalty kick. Flashbacks of 2017 in Sandy, Utah... the fact that Luke Wileman almost said “Sandy, Utah.” He didn’t. But he came close — twice... Marcelo Silva’s hip check on Giovinco. For a moment, it looked like another four-week contusion was on the horizon... Friday night games. I still don’t like them. We’re not in Texas, and this isn’t that type of “football”... Auro’s mohawk... Hasler’s 15-yard field goal in the first half... Aketxe’s creativity is stifled on the right side. He needs to play on the left or centrally... the camera angles (or lack thereof) on the two penalty calls. Nice to see that TSN is in their mid-season form.

Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

The Ugly

Sorry. I have to say it. The pitch is heinous... the lifeless electronic advertising board during the first half. Couldn’t someone, anyone, have noticed sooner and plugged it in... the 6ix isn’t the only thing on a wave: the centre-line had more ripples than a Ruffles potato chip. Did Salvador Dali paint it?... the ice fishing cabins above the Supporters’ Section. I thought that they were nice as temporary additions. But, if they are permanent, then they need a dramatic face lift... the electronic ad boards not wrapping around the corners of the field. Those big gaps look bush-league... was that BMO Field, or MAPFRE Stadium?