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.

New-comers to the MLS, Toronto FC, opened their first ever game with a two nil loss to play-off hopefuls Chivas USA. Overall Toronto showed good effort and good promise, but it was clear they were new. Chivas USA have ‘keeper Brad Guzman to thank as he came up with a few spectacular saves in the first half-an-hour.

The game opened with both teams looking a bit frantic, while still creating some vital chances. Toronto did well to control in their defensive end, while Chivas did well to shut down most of Toronto’s attacks. The first real chance came to Toronto in the thirteenth minute when an Andy Welsh free kick met the head of Edson Buddle. Buddle headed the ball down, but Guzman came up with his first of many spectacular saves. Three minutes later, it looked like Toronto would take the lead when former Galaxy midfielder, Paulo Nagamura ripped a shot from outside that Guzman could only perry away. Buddle came up with the rebound but was unable to sneak it by. Just shy of the half-hour mark a ball over the top of the defense found Alecko Eskandarian alone with just the keeper to beat, but volleyed his shot into Guzman who shunned it away for a corner kick that amounted to nothing.

Despite Toronto’s valiant attacks upfront, their defense seemed to be a bit lacking, and in the thirty-fifth minute Cuban defector Maykel Galindo beat the offside trap and was easily behind all the Toronto defense. Sutton came out but Galindo showed his intelligence putting the ball into space for Ante Razov to fire home his ninety-ninth career goal into a virtually empty net.

At this point the tide looked to turn, and while Toronto continued to push upfront, their efforts didn’t amount to much. The second half saw the Toronto attack basically stop as Buddle and Eskandarian seldom connected. It was as if Buddle had thrown in the towel. He was caught flatfooted often in offsides positions and it seemed that when he did get the ball, his touches weren’t enough to keep control. So it may have been expected in the sixty-fifth minute Connor Casey was subbed in he would come in for Buddle. Instead he was subbed for Ex-Sunderland midfielder Andy Welsh. Welsh wasn’t having a great game, but he was by far out-performing Buddle.

The addition of Casey proved to be futile as the Toronto attack couldn’t seem to foil the Chivas defense. Chivas’ attack kept getting caught a offside by only a fraction and Galindo appeared to have scored but it was called back for offsides, a questionable call by the referee. Chivas’ continued to push forward and work the Toronto defense and they were rewarded in the dieing minutes of the game when Sacha Kljestan netted his first ever. It was a powerful shot from outside the box that found the side netting, and saw Sutton stare in what might be considered disbelief.

Overall Chivas looked to be a slightly better side. They hope to continue onto the play-offs yet again this year, and it could be in their future with a beefing of their back line. Toronto’s back four will need some work on the offsides trap. Numerous times it looked to be broken if not for a few favorable calls from the referee. Their midfield will develop once Andy Welsh settles down from his transfer overseas, and if Ronnie O’Brien ever recovers from injury. For all the star forward players they have, Toronto couldn’t seem to connect upfront, and it is this disconnect that will be their demise in their initial season.

Sutton: He wasn’t really tested all that much, and I’m not sure about the second goal. The first I didn’t think there was really much he could do, but the second seemed to catch him flat footed. His 6′6′’ presence should probably have been able to reach that one if you ask me, or at least it should have made an attempt. His foot skills make me nervous for some reason. Every time the ball went back I was cringing inside.

Buddle: I didn’t like Buddle when he played for the MetroBulls, and I still don’t like him. He’s lazy. His touch isn’t good enough to allow him to be lazy. He should have finished earlier in the match, but didn’t, and for some reason Mo let him stay on and pretty much be useless.

Eskandarian: Just like Buddle, he should have put Toronto up one - nil, but failed to aim his shot at anything but the goalie. However, Alecko didn’t really seem to get as out of it as Buddle. That doesn’t mean that he played well either. He failed to link up with Buddle, and while that may be Buddles fault, Alecko didn’t seem to be working too much with the midfielders.

Andy Welsh: I’m not sold on Welsh like Mo, but I’m willing to give him sometime to get acclimated to the MLS style of play. He worked a bit harder than the forwards but there were also times he just decided to give up and drag-ass. If anything Welsh needs to work on his attitude as he came off as a really negative player.

Ronnie O’Brien: He’s injured yes, and as I mentioned earlier somewhere, he’s injury prone. I really doubt he’ll play much more than half the season.

Casey Connor: He came in late for Welsh. He looked okay trying to play with his back to goal, but no one could really support him and work with him.

Chivas USA 2 - 0 Toronto FC