Van der Wiel is fit and fitting in well, Toronto FC coach says
Fit with “tricks.”
That’s how Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney describes Dutchman Gregory van der Wiel.
Vanney says TFC’s newest addition, a right-back, has impressed during the club’s short time in Mexico City by demonstrating superior fitness and a unique ability to combine along the touch line.
“He has a lot of different ways and tricks to get himself off the touch line,” Vanney said, adding van der Wiel is among the fittest in camp despite missing the first portion of pre-season.
“You have some guys who get pinned on the sideline. He has a lot of different ways to get off it. He’s a very good soccer player.
“He’s come in and worked hard every single day,” Vanney said. “He’s put in a complete effort.”
Just as notable, Vanney suggested, is van der Wiel appears to be enjoying himself following back-to-back unpleasant stints at Turkish side Fenerbahce and Sardinia’s Cagliari.
“He’s fit in almost immediately,” Vanney said.
“He has a lot of fun with the guys. He has a good way with each of the guys. He has blossomed within the group and guys enjoy him.”
Van der Wiel’s arrival instantly makes the Reds even more tactically flexible, Vanney says. The Reds hope he will force opposition to take attention away from Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco.
“We have to continue getting used to using the outsides — both Justin (Morrow) and Greg — and not always paying in the middle. They give us great ability to hurt teams from wide positions.”
Sebastian Giovinco’s free kick-taking continues to be both historic and extraordinary.
Goals in back-to-back games — in both Atlanta and New York — late last season provided Toronto FC with the all-time MLS points record and a post-season victory.
The Atomic Ant has converted more free kicks during this preseason — including an unbelievable strike against Club America last week that went viral and garnered headlines.
The question entering 2018 is whether opposition will start to defend Giovinco’s free kicks more creatively. Club America offered a different look last week when, in addition to forming a three-man wall, Las Aguilas dropped men to both posts in an unsuccessful bid to thwart the Italian.
Giovinco’s right-footed knuckler evaded the wall, a defender’s head and found the upper corner.
Vanney said he expects opposing clubs to mimic Club America throughout this season by deploying uncanny defensive schemes that could better protect against Giovinco’s free kicks.
“I think we’ll continue to see it: Guys who are in the goal or close to the goal and trying to make the goal as small as possible,” Vanney said. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see (what Club America did) again. It’s interesting because I think it gets in the goalkeeper’s way. But, we’ll see various tactics get used over the course of the season.”
Asked how he’d set up a team to defend Giovinco’s free kicks, Vanney said “I’d probably drop a guy and ask the goalkeeper to cover the middle and back post as much as possible — kind of what New York tried (during last year’s playoffs).”
Giovinco has five more free kick goals than any player in MLS history. According to OPTA, the Atomic Ant is converting about 10 per cent of his free kicks. Or, nearly one every five games.