|
|
Dallas Salvage Late Tie With TFC For First Points
Dallas managed to get their first points of the season in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Toronto.
Apr 11, 2009 9:36:17 PM
By Talha Zaheer
FC Dallas recorded their first point of the season, avoiding the ignominy of being the first team in MLS history to lose four games on the trot, by scoring a late equalizer in Toronto. The home side still unable to shake off last seasons habit of conceding late goals.
Adrian Serioux was up against his former club and was given the monumental task of marking the recent scourge of Toronto FC: Kenny Cooper. Sebastien Frei was reinstated as Goalkeeper and Fuad Ibrahim was drafted in to make his first start of the season on the left wing. Pablo Vitti was demoted to the bench as Chad Barrett partnered Dwayne De Rosario in attack. On the other hand, FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman kept faith with the same starting line up that lost to New England Revolution last week.
First Half
TFC started the game at a gallop and almost scored in the first minute as De Rosario somehow managed to bundle a Fuad Ibrahim cross past Dallas keeper Ray Burse only to see the ball cleared off the line by George John who did well with Barrett lurking behind him.
Barrett was guilty of missing a few decent chances, shooting straight at the keeper as the ball broke to him in the six-yard box off a corner. Head Coach John Carver however, refused to scapegoat Barrett. Carver was pleased with his work rate and pointed out Barrett had at least managed to create chances, unlike in the previous game.
Andre Rocha, David Ferreira and Kenny Cooper all tried their luck from long range as the Toronto defense held their fort well. Frei was forced to parry one such stinging shot from Rocha around the post for his first of many saves in what was a masterful performance.
Toronto’s early season persistence with long throws finally paid off in the 17th minute. De Rosario heading in straight off Serioux’s throw. The long flat attacking throws, reminiscent of Stoke City’s Rory Delap, have become a feature of this Toronto side and the same Serioux- De Rosario axis almost contrived to create another goal in the second half. This time the flicked header was off target.
Guevara was exerting great influence on proceedings and in the 21st minute he connected well with Carl Robinson to present Fuad Ibrahim with a fantastic opportunity that he spurned by opting to go with his right foot when the ball was asking to be belted with his left. Guevara was a menace for Dallas, picking the ball up and running at the heart of the Dallas defense. However, he inadvertently thwarted a sharp Toronto counter attack by controlling a ball that had he let go would have freed two Toronto players inside the area for a fantastic opportunity.
At the other end, Dallas was winning the aerial battle comprehensively. With the terrestrial route cut off quite effectively, Dallas peppered the Toronto goal with crosses that invariably found Dallas heads. Frei was called into action frequently and on one occasion rode his luck as Dax McCarty got on the end of a Van Der Bergh cross that cannoned off the underside of the bar, onto the line and bounced out to safety. This was a major let off for TFC as they struggled to cope with the aerial threat Dallas posed.
Moments earlier, Dallas had their own rub of the green when Wynne’s strong run afforded Guevara the opportunity to shoot. His subsequent shot deflected off a defender and onto the bar with Burse beaten. The rebound fell straight to Barrett who somehow managed to miss the target completely with a header when it was easier to score.
Second Half
Dallas started the second half brightly as a couple of shots whizzed past Frei’s post. Kenny Cooper forced Frei into a smart save in the 53rd minute. Cooper then turned provider as he set Van Der Bergh up. A determined Frei saved his fierce strike, once again.
A break led by Serioux and De Rosario provided Barrett with yet another shooting chance, but he fired over the bar. At the other end, substitute Jeff Cunningham tried to get to the end of a poor defensive header but only managed to barge into Frei, receiving a yellow for his trouble. Just as it seemed Toronto would hold on for its home first win of the season, Dallas equalized with two minutes remaining.
The ball managed to evade everyone in the box off a deep corner late in the match with Eric Avila reacting quickest to strike the ball into the crowded penalty box. Dallas captain Richetti brilliantly flicked the ball between his legs to direct the ball into the net, securing Dallas their first point of the campaign and denying Frei what would have been a deserved clean sheet ahead of the reverse fixture next week.
TFC improved on their previous performance and will look to continue their splendid away form in Dallas. Whereas, FC Dallas will hope this point can kick start their season after a stuttering start and consign TFC to their first away defeat of the season next week.
Talha Zaheer covers Toronto FC for Goal.com.
Go to Goal.com's MLS section for all the latest on the U.S. game.
FC Dallas recorded their first point of the season, avoiding the ignominy of being the first team in MLS history to lose four games on the trot, by scoring a late equalizer in Toronto. The home side still unable to shake off last seasons habit of conceding late goals.
Adrian Serioux was up against his former club and was given the monumental task of marking the recent scourge of Toronto FC: Kenny Cooper. Sebastien Frei was reinstated as Goalkeeper and Fuad Ibrahim was drafted in to make his first start of the season on the left wing. Pablo Vitti was demoted to the bench as Chad Barrett partnered Dwayne De Rosario in attack. On the other hand, FC Dallas coach Schellas Hyndman kept faith with the same starting line up that lost to New England Revolution last week.
First Half
TFC started the game at a gallop and almost scored in the first minute as De Rosario somehow managed to bundle a Fuad Ibrahim cross past Dallas keeper Ray Burse only to see the ball cleared off the line by George John who did well with Barrett lurking behind him.
Barrett was guilty of missing a few decent chances, shooting straight at the keeper as the ball broke to him in the six-yard box off a corner. Head Coach John Carver however, refused to scapegoat Barrett. Carver was pleased with his work rate and pointed out Barrett had at least managed to create chances, unlike in the previous game.
Andre Rocha, David Ferreira and Kenny Cooper all tried their luck from long range as the Toronto defense held their fort well. Frei was forced to parry one such stinging shot from Rocha around the post for his first of many saves in what was a masterful performance.
Toronto’s early season persistence with long throws finally paid off in the 17th minute. De Rosario heading in straight off Serioux’s throw. The long flat attacking throws, reminiscent of Stoke City’s Rory Delap, have become a feature of this Toronto side and the same Serioux- De Rosario axis almost contrived to create another goal in the second half. This time the flicked header was off target.
Guevara was exerting great influence on proceedings and in the 21st minute he connected well with Carl Robinson to present Fuad Ibrahim with a fantastic opportunity that he spurned by opting to go with his right foot when the ball was asking to be belted with his left. Guevara was a menace for Dallas, picking the ball up and running at the heart of the Dallas defense. However, he inadvertently thwarted a sharp Toronto counter attack by controlling a ball that had he let go would have freed two Toronto players inside the area for a fantastic opportunity.
At the other end, Dallas was winning the aerial battle comprehensively. With the terrestrial route cut off quite effectively, Dallas peppered the Toronto goal with crosses that invariably found Dallas heads. Frei was called into action frequently and on one occasion rode his luck as Dax McCarty got on the end of a Van Der Bergh cross that cannoned off the underside of the bar, onto the line and bounced out to safety. This was a major let off for TFC as they struggled to cope with the aerial threat Dallas posed.
Moments earlier, Dallas had their own rub of the green when Wynne’s strong run afforded Guevara the opportunity to shoot. His subsequent shot deflected off a defender and onto the bar with Burse beaten. The rebound fell straight to Barrett who somehow managed to miss the target completely with a header when it was easier to score.
Second Half
Dallas started the second half brightly as a couple of shots whizzed past Frei’s post. Kenny Cooper forced Frei into a smart save in the 53rd minute. Cooper then turned provider as he set Van Der Bergh up. A determined Frei saved his fierce strike, once again.
A break led by Serioux and De Rosario provided Barrett with yet another shooting chance, but he fired over the bar. At the other end, substitute Jeff Cunningham tried to get to the end of a poor defensive header but only managed to barge into Frei, receiving a yellow for his trouble. Just as it seemed Toronto would hold on for its home first win of the season, Dallas equalized with two minutes remaining.
The ball managed to evade everyone in the box off a deep corner late in the match with Eric Avila reacting quickest to strike the ball into the crowded penalty box. Dallas captain Richetti brilliantly flicked the ball between his legs to direct the ball into the net, securing Dallas their first point of the campaign and denying Frei what would have been a deserved clean sheet ahead of the reverse fixture next week.
TFC improved on their previous performance and will look to continue their splendid away form in Dallas. Whereas, FC Dallas will hope this point can kick start their season after a stuttering start and consign TFC to their first away defeat of the season next week.
Talha Zaheer covers Toronto FC for Goal.com.
Go to Goal.com's MLS section for all the latest on the U.S. game.
Inside Goal.Com
-
EURO 2012: Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi and Van Persie named in Goal.com's dream team XI
Goal.com put together its dream team for this summer's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.