It is what it is for TFC, Altidore
TORONTO — “It is what it is,” usually is Jozy Altidore’s go-to phrase post-game.
His responses are, for the most part, identical.
They’re typically short, unemotional and to the point — assuming he sticks around to answer them.
Moreover, the American let’s his play do the talking.
He’d rather compliment his teammates than chat about personal performance. But this week was different. After being battered and bruised in a no-holds-barred battle with New England, Altidore got something off his chest.
Toronto’s co-leading scorer responded when the Toronto Sun asked him if MLS refs are allowing opposing defenders the freedom to do anything necessary to stop him.
“Absolutely, absolutely,” Atidore said. “There are a lot of things off the ball the referees aren’t seeing. For whatever reason, if I try to just play tough a little bit, I always seem to be the one to get in trouble for it.
“But, like I said before, man: It is what it is. It’s not going to change. It’s on us to adapt to it. It’s always going to be on us to adapt to the situations. Nobody is going to do us any favours.”
The question, though, isn’t whether MLS officials are prepared to do favours.
It’s whether they’ve gone too far in the opposite direction.
The issue came to a head Friday night when Altidore was denied a clear penalty midway through the first half after being brought down by Antonio Mlinar Delamea. As if that decision wasn’t absurd enough, referee Hilario Grajeda inexplicably booked Altidore in the second half after Delamea climbed his back to deny a counterattack.
Replays were indisputable. Grajeda was wrong in both wouldbe game-changing instances.
Delamea would have been carded three times Friday night had he not been marking the league’s strongest forward.
“(Grajeda) said our team was fouling too much, so that’s why he gave me a yellow card,” a baffled Altidore said.
Never mind the fact the call was wrong to begin with. Booking Altidore added insult to injury.
Altidore suffered a game-high five fouls Friday night and — as listed above — should have been awarded at least two more.
Seven fouls in a single game would have been a massive figure, making Altidore the mostfouled player last weekend.
Still, it’s the calls he isn’t getting — the pulling, tugging and holding — that’s becoming increasingly frustrating.
“It is what it is, man,” Altidore continued. “I’m used to it now. There are so many little fouls that happen during games that because of my size, I don’t get the calls. But it is what it is. I can’t do anything about it.” Perhaps others can. The understands TFC’s front office is weighing bringing these concerns to the Professional Referee Organization, which governs MLS officials.
It did the same thing last season when Sebastian Giovinco wasn’t afforded the protection he deserves.
But this isn’t about protection for Altidore.
No, it’s about not allowing the opposition to mug a top striker simply because of a size discrepancy.
“I thought some of the calls (against Altidore) were incorrect,” coach Greg Vanney said. “When he was pulled back (by Delamea) and got a yellow card he had goal-side position and way trying to break the back line and the defender was holding him from the wrong side.
“Jozy is trying to shrug him off and somehow Jozy ends up with a yellow card. But if Jozy will play strong, big, physical like that all the time, I’ll take it. I don’t care how many fouls he takes over the course of a game. That’s an absolute nightmare for a centreback.”
So, MLS defenders have resorted to hacking and holding the league’s top target man.
You can hardly blame them if referees are going to allow it.
The question becomes whether TFC’s concerns will reach PRO headquarters.
Or, if it even matters. Altidore is scoring and assisting regardless.
“At some point during the game (defenders) are going to lose that battle, and he’s going to end up with a chance,” Vanney added.
Simply put: It is what it is.