|
|
Chicago Gain Third Win Of Season Beating TFC 2-0
Chicago leaves BMO Field with full points to extend their lead in the Eastern Conference to four over Toronto FC in a 2-0 victory.
May 16, 2009 8:19:22 PM
By Rashed Abuodeh
TORONTO, Canada--- The Eastern Conference rivals squared off in one of the most highly anticipated matches of the MLS season. Toronto came into the match winning three and drawing two of their past five, while Chicago drawing all of their past five. For Chicago, a victory was crucial to rekindle a winning attitude accentuated in their 4-4-2 formation with Cuauhtemoc Blanco anchoring the attack.
Toronto looked to continue their recent success in the league by
utilizing an uncommon 4-4-2 since head coach Chris Cummins took over the club to stifle the Fire.
First Half
The first forty-five was indicative of cautious play as both sides
were feeling each other out. Few chances were generated as each team waited for their opportunity to open the field, passing the ball
around looking for cracks in their opponent’s defense.
Toronto FC head coach Chris Cummins said, “The first half was like a practice match for both teams.” Defender Jim Brennan commented on Toronto’s first half performance as “a slower pace. We lacked energy.”
Chicago demonstrated great poise and skill, distributing the ball well
through the middle and the flanks, but unable to sneak through
Toronto’s solid back four. Toronto’s midfield also controlled the
play well when in possession of the ball in an uneventful chess match.
Second Half
Play opened up as Toronto made changes at the half. Rookie defender
Nana Attakora-Gyan was substituted for Kevin Harmse who settled into
central midfield with Welshman Carl Robinson, while Sam Cronin moved
to the right back position. The change seemed to energize Toronto as
they pushed forward. Harmse had a brilliant chance on goal in a
scramble in the box, but Chicago keeper Jon Busch handled it easily.
Coach Cummins said of the second half “we’ve had chances again.”
In the 59th some controversy was abound. Chicago defender Brandon
Prideaux seemed to handle the ball in the box, but a penalty was not
awarded. Play continued and resulted in the first goal of the match
compliments of Chris Rolfe, who seemed to be in an offside position.
He managed to get around keeper Stephane Frei and put the ball into an
empty goal, 1-0 Chicago.
“I thought I could get their before him but he was too quick and got
by me,” commented the keeper.
Toronto continued to press with a Guevara free-kick whisking wide of
the goal from 40 yards out fooling the keeper Busch. A few minutes
later in the 66th, a lovely cross from the right side by Cronin found
the open head of Barrett in the box 10 yards out of goal, but he
placed the ball wide missing a glorious opportunity to equalize.
Toronto legend Danny Dichio substituted in for Velez in the 70th as
the Reds switched to a 4-3-3 with Barrett, De Rosario, and Dichio as
forwards and Vitti moving to the right wing. Shortly after, a Guevara
free-kick 50 yards out rattled the bar and a running in Dichio headed
the rebound over the bar.
Toronto’s frenzy continued into the 76th with a cracker of a shot by
Barrett from the right side of the box, but Busch made a brilliant
save. 78th, Toronto still pressing, Dichio flicked the ball to the
back post where Vitti and Barrett were patiently waiting alone, but
the Argentinean international Vitti headed it wide.
Chicago increased its lead in the 81st as Brian McBride netted home a
rebound from a Mike Banner shot into a gaping net. “It feels good to
come out of Toronto with a full three points. The first half not much
happened, but in the second we took our chances on the counter and got the win,” commented the goal scorer McBride.
The tale of the titans ends with Chicago atop Eastern Conference table. They improved their record to 3-0-6 with 15 points, while Toronto goes to 3-2-4 and remain at 13 points, second in the Eastern Conference. It seemed at the end of the first half that a draw was in the cards, but missed opportunities by Toronto and Chicago’s clinical finishing on their few chances in the second half were the differences in this match.
Rashed Abuodeh is a contributor to Goal.com
TORONTO, Canada--- The Eastern Conference rivals squared off in one of the most highly anticipated matches of the MLS season. Toronto came into the match winning three and drawing two of their past five, while Chicago drawing all of their past five. For Chicago, a victory was crucial to rekindle a winning attitude accentuated in their 4-4-2 formation with Cuauhtemoc Blanco anchoring the attack.
Toronto looked to continue their recent success in the league by
utilizing an uncommon 4-4-2 since head coach Chris Cummins took over the club to stifle the Fire.
First Half
The first forty-five was indicative of cautious play as both sides
were feeling each other out. Few chances were generated as each team waited for their opportunity to open the field, passing the ball
around looking for cracks in their opponent’s defense.
Toronto FC head coach Chris Cummins said, “The first half was like a practice match for both teams.” Defender Jim Brennan commented on Toronto’s first half performance as “a slower pace. We lacked energy.”
Chicago demonstrated great poise and skill, distributing the ball well
through the middle and the flanks, but unable to sneak through
Toronto’s solid back four. Toronto’s midfield also controlled the
play well when in possession of the ball in an uneventful chess match.
Second Half
Play opened up as Toronto made changes at the half. Rookie defender
Nana Attakora-Gyan was substituted for Kevin Harmse who settled into
central midfield with Welshman Carl Robinson, while Sam Cronin moved
to the right back position. The change seemed to energize Toronto as
they pushed forward. Harmse had a brilliant chance on goal in a
scramble in the box, but Chicago keeper Jon Busch handled it easily.
Coach Cummins said of the second half “we’ve had chances again.”
In the 59th some controversy was abound. Chicago defender Brandon
Prideaux seemed to handle the ball in the box, but a penalty was not
awarded. Play continued and resulted in the first goal of the match
compliments of Chris Rolfe, who seemed to be in an offside position.
He managed to get around keeper Stephane Frei and put the ball into an
empty goal, 1-0 Chicago.
“I thought I could get their before him but he was too quick and got
by me,” commented the keeper.
Toronto continued to press with a Guevara free-kick whisking wide of
the goal from 40 yards out fooling the keeper Busch. A few minutes
later in the 66th, a lovely cross from the right side by Cronin found
the open head of Barrett in the box 10 yards out of goal, but he
placed the ball wide missing a glorious opportunity to equalize.
Toronto legend Danny Dichio substituted in for Velez in the 70th as
the Reds switched to a 4-3-3 with Barrett, De Rosario, and Dichio as
forwards and Vitti moving to the right wing. Shortly after, a Guevara
free-kick 50 yards out rattled the bar and a running in Dichio headed
the rebound over the bar.
Toronto’s frenzy continued into the 76th with a cracker of a shot by
Barrett from the right side of the box, but Busch made a brilliant
save. 78th, Toronto still pressing, Dichio flicked the ball to the
back post where Vitti and Barrett were patiently waiting alone, but
the Argentinean international Vitti headed it wide.
Chicago increased its lead in the 81st as Brian McBride netted home a
rebound from a Mike Banner shot into a gaping net. “It feels good to
come out of Toronto with a full three points. The first half not much
happened, but in the second we took our chances on the counter and got the win,” commented the goal scorer McBride.
The tale of the titans ends with Chicago atop Eastern Conference table. They improved their record to 3-0-6 with 15 points, while Toronto goes to 3-2-4 and remain at 13 points, second in the Eastern Conference. It seemed at the end of the first half that a draw was in the cards, but missed opportunities by Toronto and Chicago’s clinical finishing on their few chances in the second half were the differences in this match.
Rashed Abuodeh is a contributor to Goal.com
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.