THE MATCHUP: Biggest. Match. Ever.

 

FC DALLAS (2ND) VS. TORONTO FC (3RD)
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - GROUP C
　
PIZZA HUT PARK - TUESDAY 8PM EDT
TV: GOL TV -----RADIO: FAN 590
　
THE KICKABOUT:
Yes the hyperbole machine is once again churning out platitudes at full strength - but this time it's for realsies! TFC's penultimate match of 2011 is arguably the biggest in five years’ worth of variously less important fixtures. With a simple win, and only a win, The Reds can take an eraser to much of the malaise that 2011 has generated and propel themselves to their half-decade zenith.
　
The match is the truest test of how far Aron Winter's club has developed. Is it still the unpredictable club that failed to score on Dallas in a game-and-a-half during the tornado-stained home fixture? Or, is the "new" TFC the resilient, tougher version we saw against Philadelphia and New York? Only their best will see them past a good and equally spirited Dallas. With no major injuries, and a fairly rested First Team - their only excuse will be lack of heart.
　
MANUFACTURED DERBY NAME: "The Stuffed Crust Conundrum"
　
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
FC DALLAS: Daniel Cruz, Daniel Hernandez, Brek Shea
TORONTO FC: Torsten Frings, Ryan Johnson, Danny Koevermans
　
THE ODDS:
- Aron Winter's 2011 record forgotten in an instant if TFC qualify: 2-1
- Toronto winning... $59.99 "CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTERFINALISTS" T-Shirts for sale at BMO Field by Saturday: 5-1
- Tauro FC managing to qualify at Toronto's expense; MLSE still crowing over a massive "TFC win": 20-1
　
WHO ARE YA?
By now, most supporters have grown used to hearing how this is TFC's "biggest match ever" but The Reds aren't the first Toronto footy squad to play in a massive fixture - their predecessors had their share of huge matches too:
- METROS-CROATIA fought off rebels to seize Zagreb's main bridge
- TORONTO LYNX survived a mauling by an actual lynx
- TORONTO SHOOTING STARS vs. The Decepticons (indoor)
- TORONTO BLIZZARD successfully sued Dairy Queen
- TORONTO CITY/G.I.JOE Selects vs. Cobra 11

THE WAGER: 0-0 Draw (2011: 23-22 with 7 exact scores)
FUTURE HEADLINE: "BIGGEST. FRUSTRATION. EVER."

Cobra 11 - what a midfield!