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Toronto FC kick off the 2013 home campaign with a big result against a quality opponent. The Reds put two past keeper Jimmy Nielsen for their first goals of the new season.
Here’s the good, the bad and the ugly from the Rogers Centre:
The Good
A win, the most spectacular kind, against very difficult foes
Toronto FC Comes Up Big
How do you break a winless streak? Do you down a fellow minnow outfit struggling to survive, like Chivas USA or the New England Revolution? Not if you’re Toronto FC. If you’re Toronto FC, you take on the biggest, baddest boys in the eastern conference and you down them 2-1. Ryan Nelsen gets his first win and Toronto gain a massive boost in confidence, too.
An Ovation for a Debut (or Two!)
The loudest roar of the afternoon, besides those of goals scored, came near the end of the game, when Oakville native Kyle Bekker stepped onto the field. He, alongside fellow Torontonian Jonathan Osorio, was given his debut today in the Rogers Centre. In front of more than 25,000 supporters, Bekker saw first hand the love this city has for local talent.
The Cavalry Arrives
Robert Earnshaw, Hogan Ephraim, Darel Russell, Taylor Morgan, John Bostock, Richard Eckersley and Darren O’Dea – could this outfit be any more British? The quality of the team has certainly risen with the influx of British talent, and Toronto FC showed that they were capable in defending and attacking with traditional English flair. Looks like some of these loan deals have the potential to become full signings, too.
The Bad
Last-minute jitters made for a tense ending
Boo, Bieler!
It was also going so swimmingly for Toronto FC until Ecuadorian Designated Player Claudio Bieler managed to pop a goal in for Sporting Kansas City. The subsequent minutes were full of nervous tension, an expectation for the worst, and, finally, relief, as the final whistle blew and gave Toronto FC the win. Bieler, however, planted a seed of worry into the supporter’s collective thoughts, bringing up old wounds once more.
Watch those corners!
Just how many corners does Graham Zusi need to take before Kansas found a goal? Evidently, not enough on the day, though they came close on one occasion. With numerous attempts from either corner, Zusi attempted to expose Toronto FC’s weakest point in defence, but the Reds managed to keep shape and hold it together.
How typical
With seconds left on the clock, the fourth official was the focus of many supporters’ watchful gazes. Just how much time would be added on at the end of the game? How long does Toronto FC need to hold Sporting Kansas City? Somehow, as always, the referee decided to add on five minutes more of play, to a chorus of boos from the stands.
The Ugly
The number nine comes to mind
When the game came to a close, Graham Zusi and co. headed to the lockers, and this writer thought his MLS Fantasy round 2 pool finished. Zusi, being my captain, shouldered the burden of double points, and I fully expected, at most, a six-point game. Yet, somehow, in a game that Sporting Kansas City lost, Zusi managed to pick up nine points, doubled to 18 – not too shabby, I’ll admit, but how is that even possible?
Speaking of nine, turnout at the Rogers Centre was at a decent level, with much of the lower bowl full. The announced attendance was 25,991 – that’s nine people short of 26,000! All right, fess up; which nine people didn’t invite a friend?
Finally, while Jonathan Osorio and Kyle Bekker had their chance to debut in their hometown, Toronto FC’s new number nine, Emery Welshman, still has to wait for his chance. A tad unfortunate, but in a game Toronto FC had no business winning, finding something ugly is a bit of a stretch!
A good win, a good day!
Quoteworthy
“To grind out a result like that, you needed mental strength and character. The guys showed that in abundance.” – Ryan Nelsen.
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