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Toronto FC 1 – 2 Chicago Fire
The Prelude to Battle
Fresh off their first win in the 2012 CONCACAF Champions League, Toronto FC return to MLS play on an away trip to play the Chicago Fire, in what will surely be a heated contest for the two conference rivals. Toronto FC have plenty of confidence heading into this match, and with a win today, Toronto FC can kick off a possible resurgence in the league.
They’ll be boosted by the debut of Designated Player Eric Hassli, who was traded to Toronto FC from the Vancouver Whitecaps. Hassli starts up front for the Reds alongside Ryan Johnson. Between Johnson and Luis Silva, Eric Hassli will look to play provider up front, holding up the ball and distributing well.
Toronto FC’s newest signing, Darren O’Dea will not be available for the match. Head coach Paul Mariner will instead rely on his preferred quartet. It’s Toronto FC vs. Chicago Fire on the night, and three points are certainly up for grabs!
The Opening Forty-Five
Much like their last encounter when Chicago defeated Toronto FC by a score of 3-2, the Fire started the first half with more intensity and looked threatening very early on. In particular, Chicago’s speed up front showed, as they split the defense with ease and tested Milos Kocic.
It seemed that Toronto FC simply could not maintain possession for the first fifteen minutes. Chicago played on top of Toronto FC, and the Reds looked like they didn’t want to keep the ball; rather, they chased the game and allowed Chicago to control, hoping to take advantage of the counter-attack!
It worked well for Toronto! On the counter, Ryan Johnson picked up a loose ball from Marco Pappa and went clean through, beating Sean Johnson and scoring in the 16th minute – Toronto FC 1-0 Chicago Fire. Though they took the lead, Toronto FC still looked unable to get a grasp of the midfield. Eric Hassli looked very capable holding the ball up, the first positive sign for the Frenchman in Toronto colours.
The next 25 minutes were very nervy for Toronto, with Chicago looking dangerous going forward. Arne Friedrich and Logan Emory both picked up yellow cards, Emory’s near the 40’, after colliding with Domenic Oduro. As the half came to a close, things slowed down and Toronto could breath a little easier. Oduro picked up a yellow card in the 45th minute, after clipping Ashton Morgan from behind. Right at the dying embers of the first half, Luis Silva found the ball at his feet, cut in and took a shot, which clipped the post and was pounced on by Sean Johnson. Toronto FC go into halftime 1-0 up.
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Let everyone down tonight. I apologize to my teammates, staff, and fans. Everyone deserved better from me and should expect better from me.
- @LoganEmory |
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The Second Half
With Reggie Lambe proving to be ineffective in the first half, Paul Mariner opted to kick things off in the second half by making a change, throwing Jeremy Hall into the mix in place of the speedy winger. Alvaro Fernandez was replaced only four minutes into the second half for Patrick Nyarko.
For the first ten minutes of the half, it seemed like for every positive step Toronto FC took, they would take one back. The killer punch was lacking for the Reds, as they attempted to snatch a second goal. Mariner called on Andrew Wiedeman to do so, calling off Eric Hassli, who enjoyed a solid debut.
Things fell apart soon after for Toronto FC – an unfortunate clear by both Doneil Henry and Logan Emory ended with Milos Kocic way out of the box and Marco Pappa slotting in home on an empty net. Toronto FC 1-1 Chicago Fire.
Pappa nearly scored again when he beat the TFC backline and tried to slip the ball on Kocic’s near side, but hit the side netting. In the 78th minute, Doneil Henry made way for Aaron Maund, as Paul Mariner looked to see the game out. Unfortunately, Toronto FC went down to 10 men, after Logan Emory picked up a second yellow card in the 80th.
With too many players to defend and with Chicago mounting on the pressure, Toronto FC conceded a free kick well outside the box, which was whipped in and met by the head of Austin Berry. Toronto FC 1-2 Chicago Fire. Jeremy Hall also looked hurt, unable to run, so Toronto FC effectively ended the match with 9 men.
There was nothing else Toronto FC could do. The Chicago Fire walk away with three points, and Toronto FC’s playoff hopes fade once more.
The Final Word: Toronto FC outclassed from the start
Well, what can you say about a loss that felt like a loss? Toronto FC started the game containing the high pressure of Chicago’s incredibly quick forward line and fell apart soon after. In truth, even Ryan Johnson’s goal was a thing of luck and a twist of fate more than a result of positive build up.
In every aspect, Chicago showed more than Toronto FC. They had more bite in the midfield, maintained possession well, defended one step ahead of Toronto’s offense, and were quicker, more energetic and much, much sharper than their Canadian counterparts. Toronto FC played a dangerous game, letting Chicago play their game from the start, and did little to put their own stamp on the game.
Toronto FC can, at least, take solace in the fact that Eric Hassli looks to be a commanding presence up front, holding up the ball and finding his surrounding teammates with ease. Ryan Johnson can claim a fifth goal of the season, and Logan Emory, now red-carded, will miss the next match, making way for Darren O’Dea.
Unable to find an answer to the numerous problems Chicago threw at Toronto FC, the Reds are slain on the night. They look to their next game, one week from now against Columbus, a game where three points are a must and the Trillium Cup is on the line. For tonight, Toronto FC can take little in terms of positives and just hope to move on from an otherwise one-sided game.
TFC Line-up First Half
30 Milos Kocic
4 Doneil Henry
27 Richard Eckersley
2 Logan Emory
5 Ashton Morgan
22 Torsten Frings
23 Terry Dunfield
19 Reggie Lambe
11 Luis Silva
29 Eric Hassli
9 Ryan Johnson
Substitutions: Jeremy Hall in for Reggie Lambe (Halftime); Andrew Wiedeman for Eric Hassli (60’); Aaron Maund in for Doneil Henry (78’).
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