Vanney’s TFC ‘had a bad night’

Banged-up lineup missing many starters scoreless in two games

EAST HARTFORD, CONN.— Forced to play most of the season away from home with an injury-ravaged lineup, Toronto FC coach Greg Vanney blew a gasket Wednesday.

Not at his banged-up team, which he defended in the wake of a 1-0 loss to New York City FC, but when he was reminded by a reporter that his team, thumped 5-0 in Philadelphia on the weekend, had not scored in two games.

Normally the picture of patience, the 46-year-old Vanney let loose.

“Guys, guys,” said Vanney, whose expression fortunately was hidden behind a mask. “Honestly we’re scoreless in two games, we’re trying to manufacture opportunities. The core of our attacking group is not healthy. We’re working hard as a group.

“We didn’t put out the effort and get the representation of ourselves that we wanted in Philadelphia. That was evident. We lift our hand, we say we weren’t there on that night. That happened. We’re allowed that over the course of 19 games and the crap that we’re going through. We’re allowed to have a bad night. We had a bad night. So end it.

“Tonight the guys worked their a- -es off. They fought, they competed, they battled. It wasn’t perfect. It was never going to be perfect, OK? We had chances, we didn’t finish the chances. Our chances tonight, most of them went to our left back (Justin Morrow playing in a more advanced midfield role) ... That’s where we are right now.

“We’re trying to get guys healthy. We get guys healthy, we’re very confident about what we’re capable of doing. It’s just where we are. I don’t understand why people don’t recognize that’s where we are ... We’re going to fight to get ourselves back healthy and we’re going for the trophy at the end of the day, that’s what we’re going to do” “Any more questions?” There weren’t in the wake of an 82-second tirade. It wasn’t exactly Bobby Knight, but Vanney showed a degree of frustration rarely exhibited since taking over the team in August 2014.

The post-game virtual meeting with reporters ended before anyone could remind him that Toronto (12-4-5) has been outshot 42-10 (18-1 in shots on target) over its last two games — which followed a nine-game unbeaten run (7-0-2).

Jesus Medina’s second-half goal was enough to lift NYCFC (10-8-3) past Toronto. It marked the first loss in five outings (3-1-1) for TFC at Pratt and Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field, their pandemic home away from home.

Vanney was without Brazilian fullback Auro, centre back Chris Mavinga, midfielders Marky Delgado and Jonathan Osorio and forwards Ayo Akinola, Jozy Altidore and Pablo Piatti. That represents two designated payers and arguably seven starters.

Most of the injuries are not that serious. But Vanney does not want to bring back key players too early for fear of aggravating the problem. Altidore and Piatti may not return before the playoffs.

Philadelphia moved three points ahead of TFC after beating Chicago 2-1 Wednesday.