BC Pangie

The newest addition to MLS, Toronto FC, had gone three hundred and eightyfour minutes without scoring a goal, four plus games. Without scoring the most they could do was draw, but they couldn’t even do that as they lost their first four matches, conceding ten goals in their first four matches. Things would change today as Toronto knocked three past the Chicago Fire to go on for the first win in their short history.

Toronto opened the scoring in the twenty-fourth minute as Edson Buddle actually chased a ball down in the box. He sent his pass backwards into the feet of the on-rushing Danny Dichio. It wasn’t the prettiest of goals, but it was Toronto’s first, the quality didn’t matter. Toronto was playing strong and it looked as if they could hold and perhaps get one more, but it was Chicago who struck next twelve minutes later through Chris Rolfe. A Chicago corner kick was played out and the Toronto defense failed to come out and close down as Rolfe one-touched home an easy goal.

While Danny Dichio picked up TFC’s first goal, he was also awarded the teams first red card. In stoppage time of the first-half, Dichio and a number of other players went up for a ball floated into the Chicago box. Among the other players was Chicago ‘keeper, Matt Pickens. It appeared as if all players involved attempted to play the ball cleanly, however, Pickens went down and as he was scrambling to get up he lashed out at Dichio. Immediately Dichio confronted Pickens. It wasn’t your typical verbal attack you see in sporting games, both players where going head to head getting ready to have at it when Chicago’s Diego Gutierrez stepped in and attempted to pry Dichio away from Pickens. In the end Dichio was on the ground being smothered by Gutierrez and Pickens was being held back by numerous other players. The referee really had no choice but to award red to Dichio for his involvement, however, Pickens went unpunished as Gutierrez recieved the red for Chicago. Thankfully the half-time whistle was blown soon after and both teams given the chance to cool down in the locker room as this game could easily have gotten out of hand with the lack of refereeing from Silviu Petrescu.

Toronto opened the second half strong, dominating either side of the pitch, causing concern for Chicago. In the fifty-first minute Toronto’s hard work payed off as ex-Houston defender, Kevin Goldthwaite put it in for Toronto’s second. This goal was a true team goal as the ball was brought down the right wing by Carl Robinson and went through four Toronto players before finally making it’s way to the left corner of the box were Goldthwaite struck home. Again it was Buddle getting the assist.

Buddle who had been benched previously started today due to an injury to Alecko Eskandarian. Buddle needed to make his presence known, and he did, but Buddle still seemed to lack the desire to chase the ball down, or attempt to recover when he looses possession.

Toronto continued to dominate the pitch, however, Justin Mapp was continuing to cause problems down the right wing. Mapp made many overlapping runs to the corner but his crosses could only find Toronto defenders. Toronto’s continued work rate paid off once more, as Maurice Edu struck from nearly the same place as Goldthwaite’s goal. Andrea Lombardo, who had come on for Buddle and was making his debut, crossed the ball from deep inside the Chicago box. Edu took the first touch with the inside of his right, and struck with his left before the ball had time to bounce.

This was Toronto’s game. They showed what they are made of, and the possibilities their future holds. They need time to work together, and learn each other. These things do not happen overnight, and it is clear that work still needs to be done, but it is the first step in the right direction.

Chicago, who had been playing well allowing only two goals in their first four games, have conceded six in their past two matches. Clearly something is happening in the defensive end that needs to be worked out.

As a side: For many North American readers, we lust after the frenziness of English crowds; we desire the chants, and passion that the MLS just doesn’t seem to have. We have a few choices, go south and catch a Mexican League game, or try to get some tickets to see Toronto play at home. Unlike your typical MLS matches filled with sounds of blaring air horns, BMO Field is filled with the voices of supporters passionate about their team; passionate about football. If you get the chance, check them out, it’s an experience.