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Vancouver Whitecaps 1 – 1 Toronto FC
The Prelude to Battle
Toronto FC headed into this final having defeated the Montreal Impact, a much-needed win to cap off their eight-game losing streak. Against a very strong Vancouver Whitecaps side, Toronto FC look to win their fourth consecutive Canadian Championship and lift the Voyageurs Cup once again.
Of course, the Whitecaps won’t let that happen, if things go the way they wish; after having conceded the trophy twice so far, the ‘Caps are hungry for their first title. In the first leg of this series, Toronto FC and the Whitecaps play in Vancouver, before heading over to BMO Field to wrap up the finals.
The winner of the two-legged affair will earn a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League. Toronto FC certainly need something new to hope for, since their disastrous start in Major League Soccer has them on the outside looking in in terms of the MLS Playoffs race. The Whitecaps have started strong, and look to be the clear favourite. It all makes for some interesting (and uniquely Canadian) stuff for the two sides.
(Also, clear skies – no rain to bail out the Reds this year!)
The First Forty-Five
Toronto FC started the first half strong, coming up with a few free kicks outside the box. For the most part, the passing was accurate, and Vancouver was pressed at the back. However, it didn’t take long for Camilo Sanvezzo to stamp his mark onto the game, cutting in and around the box and causing headaches for the Toronto FC backline. The Brazilian forward was the most dangerous player on either side in the early going.
On the 11-minute mark, Jeremy Hall picked up a yellow card after tackling Camilo, who was giving him a lot of trouble on the right wing. After the 15-minute mark, it was all Vancouver, who maintained possession and put a lot of positive pressure on Toronto FC’s backline. In the 25th minute, a free kick earned by Eric Avila was swung in by Plata, who found the head of Terry Dunfield, but was just high. It was the closest Toronto FC had gotten to finding the net thus far.
In the 30th minute, a corner kick landed to Adrian Cann, who headed it directly into the arms of Joe Cannon. Toronto turned up the pressure, and began churning out multiple crosses and passing well from the midfield upward. Even Julian de Guzman got in on the action, taking one of his trademark “shots from way out” in an attempt to catch Cannon snoozing. The rest of the half was just as heated, with Toronto FC producing a bit more of the play. After an evenly played forty-five minutes, this one went into books 0-0 at the half.
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When asked, "So how does this feel?" Aron Winter sits back in his chair let's out a big sigh and smiles for a few seconds. #torontofc
- @LukeWileman |
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The Second Half
Any worry of the second half being a slower one for Toronto FC was quelled early, with Terry Dunfield picking up a yellow card early on. Toronto FC created yet another good chance, when Joao Plata rushed past the defense and supplied a dangerous cross, which was handled by Cannon. Lambe also supplied Johnson with a low cross, which the former Earthquakes attacker couldn’t get at the end of.
In the 56th minute, Eric Hassli came on for Etienne Barbara, signaling Martin Rennie’s intent; he was here to win. With less than half an hour remaining, the score remained 0-0, though the two sides both looked like they were close to scoring. With that much-needed goalscoring touch lacking, Toronto FC forward Danny Koevermans came in for Eric Avila.
Soon after, Toronto FC would finally, finally strike home. Reggie Lambe passed back to Julian de Guzman, who’s one-time cross found Ryan Johnson, who rose with the header and slotted it into the back of the net. Toronto FC 1-0 were up with an away goal in the 66th minute. In response, Davide Chiumiento came on for Matt Watson and Winter responded in kind with Nick Soolsma coming in for Reggie Lambe.
As expected, the Whitecaps kicked it up a notch, with Toronto FC playing more defensively. Luis Silva came on for Joao Plata. With just over ten minutes left, Vancouver began their mission to avenge the 1-0 deficit. Eric Hassli’s header from 14 yards out was easily saved by Kocic andToronto FC hit on the counter, with Johnson supplying Soolsma, who’s shot was blocked by Cannon. On the resulting corner, there were calls for a handball, but nothing was given.
Darron Mattocks entered the game for Thorrington in the 86th, as Vancouver pushed forwards up. Four minutes of added time was given by the referee. Vancouver looked on the verge of defeat…UNTIL ERIC HASSLI’S beautiful volley stunned Milos Kocic and found the back of the net. Hassli had made it 1-1 in the 92nd minute!
Following the unbelievable drama in the final minutes, Toronto FC now head home to BMO Field at 1-1, but with a slight away goal advantage. Thanks to Hassli’s world class finish, the Whitecaps will head to Toronto for the second leg with confidence and hope.
Post-Match Reaction
You want Post-Match Reaction? Just wait for the replay on the Eric Hassli goal. People will be talking about this one for quite a few days!
Eric Hassli Volley
“I think we didn’t do a good job today,” said Hassli. “We need to do better. I’m lucky tonight, we have to win in Toronto. It’s not going to be easy.”
Asked to describe his goal, Hassli added,
“Yeah I practice a lot, Alan gave me a great ball. I work every day, I just wanted to stay focused on the ball, stay on my toes, and I was lucky!”
The Final Word: Toronto FC starting to play like a team
What can we say about Toronto FC besides the fact that this team is finally looking like a group, a single unit working in tandem. The backline, consisting of Cann, Henry and Morgan, looked to be thinking on the same wavelength. Eric Avila, Reggie Lambe and Jeremy Hall played in a well-flowing triangle throughout their night, and Ryan Johnson was his usual workhorse self.
True, it’s only one leg so far, and the encounter at BMO Field will be crucial, but if there’s anything that Toronto FC can take from this game, besides an away goal, it’s a solid performance notched on their belt – true momentum gives Toronto FC an easier job at home.
Eric Hassli’s insane goal was truly something special; a world-class strike, one that Toronto FC could not be faulted for. His goal essentially got Vancouver back into the series and gave the Whitecaps momentum of their own heading into the second leg.
Still, there is plenty of work to do for Toronto FC. Terry Dunfield’s negative distribution, Joao Plata’s inconsistency, Johnson’s heavy-right leg, Koevermans’ fitness, et al, will all be on the list of worries for Aron Winter, as will the lack of points in MLS. But, on the night, the Dutch tactician can rest, knowing that part of the job was executed to perfection.
Like Craig Forrest said; if anyone was watching this game, they wouldn’t believe Toronto FC were 0-8.
From Vancouver’s standpoint, they played well enough to earn the draw they came away with. If there is one major takeaway that Martin Rennie will have to take away from this game, it is that he is going to have to get his lineup right against Toronto in the second leg. His decision to start Etienne Barbara and Matt Watson in place of Eric Hassli and Davide Chiumiento almost backfired in a truly significant way. One Hassli and Chiumiento subbed in, Vancouver was a different team and both players must be in the starting eleven next Wednesday.
Toronto FC Line-up:
30 Milos
Kocic
25 Jeremy Hall
12 Adrian Cann
4 Doneil Henry
5 Ashtone Morgan
6 Julian de Guzman
23 Terry Dunfield
8 Eric Avila
7 Joao Plata
9 Ryan Johnson
19 Reggie Lambe
Substitutions: Danny Koevermans in for Eric Avila (65’); Nick Soolsma in for Reggie Lambe (71‘); Luis Silva in for Joao Plata (80’).
Vancouver Line-up:
1 Joe Cannon
12 Young-Pyo Lee
6 Jay DeMerit
15 Martin Bonjour
4 Alain Rochat
16 Matt Watson
27 Jun Marques Davidson
11 John Thorrington
7 Sebatsien Le Toux
8 Etienne Barbara
37 Camilo
Substitutions: Eric Hassli in for Barbara (56’), Davide Chiumiento in for Matt Watson (69’), Darren Mattocks in for John Thorrington.
See also: XI out of 10: TFC v Vancouver Whitecaps
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