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Toronto FC
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Henry 4'
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Vancouver Whitecaps
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Hurtado 43', Morales 86'
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TFC defeat Whitecaps on penalties to advance in Canadian Championship
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Untitled Document
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VANCOUVER, B.C. - Toronto FC brought their expensive piggy bank to BC Place on Wednesday night looking to advance to the 2014 Amway Canadian Championship Finals against the Montreal Impact. Toronto prevailed 2-1 in the first leg at BMO Field last week, thanks to goals from Defoe and Bradley. As promised Carl Robinson started a youthful lineup in the return leg and his side gave Toronto FC everything but the kitchen sink. However it wasn't enough as Toronto FC would convert all 5-penalties to earn a trip to the Voyageurs Cup.
Carl Robinson talked about the fight his team showed as they kept pressing to score in that third goal. Vancouver created more scoring opportunities than Toronto, however they ran out of energy and couldn't finish the job.
"We kept fighting, kept creating chances, obviously we took it to extra time. Probably the only disappointing thing is when we got the 2-1 lead goal we got two more chances there in normal time to win the game, and I think that’s the only disappointment because I think they were gone, they were dead on their feet, and then extra time; we got dead on our feet. We got tired and it probably got played out then ‘til penalties."
Doneil Henry scored in the 4' minute, and Vancouver responded with a goal from Erik Hurtado in the 43' and a penalty spot marker from Pedro Morales in the 86'. The Morales goal tied the total aggregate score at 3-3 which meant two 15' minute periods of extra time. Extra time didn't solve anything, so it was off to the dreaded penalties.
Kekuta Manneh must have been watching Benfica's poor penalty attempts earlier in the day because he was the only shooter not to score. Joe Bendik came up with the only save as Toronto FC advanced to the Voyageurs Cup 5-3 on penalties.
Bendik talked about his strategy when he faced Kekuta Manneh.
"I saw in both games that he had a little tendency – he liked that side. Every time he cut in, he would try to go for that near post. I told myself at the beginning of the game, or last night, that if we went to penalties, then he would go that way, I ran it through my head. I knew I just had to make one save and the guys would finish them off."
Toronto FC gaffer Ryan Nelsen was quite chuffed by Bendik's performance as he was singing his praises following the match. Nelsen knows what his keeper can do and he is not surprised by the ability of Joe Bendik. He has a bright future ahead of himself, and that could include a future call-up to represent the United States.
"We just expect that of Joe now. That’s why he’s one of the best goalkeepers in the league. He’s got such a bright future, and I wouldn't be surprised after this World Cup if he gets a call-up.”
The Opening 45
Toronto got off to a tremendous start thanks to some terrible defending, and poor communication by the Whitecaps. Michael Bradley sent in a free kick that Nick Hagglund was able to get a head on after out jumping goalkeeper Marco Carducci. The ball was headed towards an unguarded Caps net before left-back Christian Dean appeared to clear the ball off the line. A quick thinking Doneil Henry pounced on the clearing attempt and scored to put Toronto up 1-o just 4 minutes in.
With Kianz Froese and Marco Bustos not available for this match, Pedro Morales, and Kekuta Manneh earned a start in Carl Robinson's 4-2-3-1 formation. Morales almost earned an assist after and working a lovely give and go with Manneh in the 12'. The Gambian midfielder was able to get past the Toronto defense only to send his shot wide of the target.
Moments later Mezquida, Morales, and Manneh teamed up for another brilliant scoring opportunity in the 17'. Mezquida worked the ball into an on rushing Pedro Morales, and he provided a little back-heel for Manneh. The 19-year-old sophomore looked surprised to receive the ball in such a glorious position. When he finally had a go, his shot was well over the target.
Toronto had a pair of terrific chances to go up 2-0 in the 30' and 31' minutes. Carlyle Mitchell was given a yellow card in the 29' and Michael Bradley took the free kick from just outside the Whitecaps box. The ball cleared the wall, and Carducci dove to his right to make a spectacular out stretched save. On the ensuing corner Bradley sent in a cross that Pedro Morales had to head off the line as the ball should have gone in thanks to a Nick Hagglund header.
Vancouver calmed down and created plenty of scoring chances after Doneil Henry's opening goal. Toronto FC looked like they were all set to park the bus, and prevent the Caps from scoring for the next 70' minutes. That dreadful strategy proved costly in the 43' as the Whitecaps equalized.
Pedro Morales delivered a beautiful chip pass up to a streaking Erik Hurtado. The Fredericksburg, Virginia native raced past a pair of Toronto FC defenders and slotted the ball past Joe Bendik. Vancouver's speed caught Toronto off guard, and with Toronto sitting back, it was only a matter of time before the scored was knotted at 1-1.
The Whitecaps mood after the match was upbeat and positive as they were a proud bunch that were happy with what they did, and how they played, and competed for 120 minutes against Toronto FC. Hurtado echoed those sentiments.
“I couldn't be more proud of the guys, you know. We actually won the game, but PKs [are] a 50/50 coin toss. As I said, I couldn't be more proud. At home, [we] worked our butts off. It’s just unfortunate.”
The Second Half
Vancouver continued to pour on the offensive pressure as they were searching for that all elusive goal to tie the aggregate goal total at 3-3. Toronto sat back as the Whitecaps sent wave after wave into the visitors box. Doneil Henry earned himself a yellow card in the 58' that resulted in a dangerous free kick for Vancouver.
Russell Teibert placed the ball on the edge of the Toronto FC box, and sent a pass towards Uruguayan Nicolas Mezqudia. The midfielder had his shot blocked and it went out for a Vancouver corner as Toronto dodged another bullet.
Mezquida continued to have a great match for the Whitecaps, and just before he was substituted off for Omar Salgado he sent Kekuta Manneh in on a breakaway in the 69'. Mezquida played the ball down the left flank, and a racing Manneh came out of nowhere and headed in on goal. Kekuta's touch was too heavy and he ran right into Bendik without getting a shot off.
Omar Salgado came close to scoring the aggregate tying goal when he came on in the 71'. Erik Hurtado played the ball in across the Toronto FC box, and nobody, not even a diving Salgado could tap the ball home. Vancouver kept coming as they looked for that all important tying goal, and Toronto sat back without going forward enough.
The Caps finally broke through and scored to tie the aggregate total goal score in the 86'. Erik Hurtado was manhandled by Doneil Henry, and referee David Gantar had no choice but to point to the spot. Pedro Morales stepped up and converted low, and to the left of Bendik. After the match Henry didn't agree with the penalty call.
"You can ask the referee. Very questionable to me. In that situation and position, I don’t see why it’s a penalty. At the end of the day, he makes the calls and we won the game - a little karma."
Both teams headed into extra time without any substitutions left, and a trip to the Amway Canadian Championship Finals on the line.
Extra Time
With Ryan Nelsen not having any subs left, that meant that Jermain Defoe could do nothing but watch from the substitutes bench. On the other side, Carl Robinson only had two natural defenders on the pitch. Christian Dean was substituted out for Sebastian Fernandez in the 82', and Nigel Re0-Coker was stuck filling in at right back. Skipper Russell Teibert moved back into a more defensive role at left-back.
Michael Bradley had a free kick in the 99' minute from the right side of the pitch, and his shot was punched away by Carducci. At the other end of the pitch, Omar Salgado fired a shot between two Toronto FC defenders that Bendik had to be quick to save in the 111'.
On his Toronto FC debut, substitute Daniel Lovitz had the best chance to be a hero as his shot in the 115' hit the Whitecaps bar after being tipped by Marco Carducci.
Toronto FC and Vancouver both looked absolutely gassed as the second half of extra time went on. With the looming result of penalties inching closer and closer neither side wanted to make a crucial defensive error in their own half. Lovitz created the best scoring chance in extra time, but nothing was settled so on came penalties.
Penalties:
Toronto: Bradley Orr - Goal
Vancouver: Matias Laba - Goal
Toronto: Luke Moore - Goal
Vancouver: Kekuta Manneh - Save
Toronto: Dwayne De Rosario - Goal
Vancouver: Sebastian Fernandez - Goal
Toronto: Michael Bradley - Goal
Vancouver: Russell Teibert - Goal
Toronto: Issey Nakajima-Farran - Goal
Joe Bendik only had to make one save as his teammates went 5-for-5 with clinical precise penalty kicks. The 25-year-old offered up a lot of praise for Toronto's clutch performers.
"The guys are top class. We took penalties the other day in training and I think I saved maybe one. They were incredible tonight. Their finishes were incredible. To come down to the wire like that, then to finish it so well is a good characteristic for this team.”
Toronto FC will host the first leg of the Amway Canadian Championship Finals on Wednesday, May 28 at BMO Field against the Montreal Impact. The return leg will follow on June 4, in Montreal.
Man of the Match
Joe Bendik
Joe Bendik was on top of his game as he bailed out Toronto FC time after time. Whitecaps FC should have scored more goals from the plethora of chances they created. Bendik was in the right place at the right time as he continuously challenged Vancouver shooters and made them question their shot choices. The Caps were frustrated by Bendik and he kept his team in the match as Toronto parked the bus early after the Henry goal. As Julio Cesar get ready to represent Brazil at the world cup, Bendik will get every opportunity to show what he can do. If he plays as well as he did against Vancouver, Toronto might have a goalie controversy brewing when Cesar returns.
Honourable mention
Pedro Morales showed exactly what he can do when he is healthy and partnered with young, and quick players. Morales setup Erik Hurtado's marker, and scored in the 86' as Vancouver desperately needed a goal. He was also instrumental in setting up Manneh, and creating scoring chances for himself.
Vancouver Whitecaps Starting XI: Marco Carducci; Nigel Reo-Coker, Carlyle Mitchell, Johnny Leverón, Christian Dean; Russell Teibert, Bryce Alderson; Nicolas Mezquida, Pedro Morales, Kekuta Manneh; Erik Hurtado. (4-2-3-1)
Toronto FC Starting XI: Joe Bendik, Nick Hagglund, Bradley Orr, Doneil Henry, Ashtone Morgan; Issey Nakajima-Farran, Michael Bradley(C), Kyle Bekker, Jonathan Osorio; Luke Moore, Gilberto. (4-4-2)
Notes: The attendance at BC Place was 18,470. Pedro Morales would have been Vancouver's 5th penalty kick shooter.
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