John Herdman: "We Lost an Opportunity Tonight"

These were John Herdman's statements after the match between Toronto FC and Colorado Rapids. It was a very tough loss for Herdman’s side, who are still doing the math on remaining matches and other teams’ results as they absolutely need to qualify for the MLS playoffs.

But things are slowly getting more complicated after recent defeats. Herdman, in his post-match interview, spoke about a missed opportunity for Toronto, which makes their playoff chances in the Eastern Conference even more difficult.

READ MORE: Colorado Rapids 2-0 Toronto FC | Another Defeat for John Herdman's Side

John Herdman's Statement in This Challenging Part of the Season

John Herdman talked about how the team continues to miss key opportunities at crucial points in the match. The lack of effectiveness remains a problem for Toronto FC, particularly in finishing potential chances that could lead to significant plays.

"That was the plan, to get ourselves into that 55, 60-minute mark, right in the game. I think that was important for us. We knew the first half, it was about set pieces, counterattacks, and just to weather the storm. You’re playing in tough conditions here. You’re against a team that has not dropped too many points at home.
We knew it was going to be tough with a rotated roster but the same, I was comfortable with where we were at, and being able to make subs coming into the second half to try and throw a few punches. I think, again, we did.”"

- John Herdman

This has been the biggest challenge for Toronto FC throughout the season. Although it was expected that the team would give its best on the field despite an unusual lineup, the lack of consistency has been evident.

The team managed to hold on for the first 45 minutes, but in the second half, they started to crumble as more spaces opened up, and Toronto FC began leaving gaps in their defense. Now, the focus shifts to the upcoming final on September 25th, where they will face Vancouver FC in what promises to be a thrilling match. It will be very difficult for Toronto FC to fully concentrate on MLS.

"But I thought we had enough opportunities in the second half to get out of the game and enough possession in their half but we just can’t seem to find that killer punch at the moment and that’s a challenge for us, whether it’s the accuracy of our shots top of the box, whether it’s the crosses, getting picked off from post or just not being there in the right moment. It’s been a consistent theme across two games now. We just can’t find our way to win a football match."

- John Herdman

This match is especially important for the team and their fans, as a championship is on the line. This is why Herdman rotated the squad, and he also stated that the result of this game would be crucial for the motivation heading into the final. This is why Italian star Lorenzo Insigne was rested.