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Toronto FC 2 Real Esteli 1
The Prelude to Battle
Toronto arrived for this decisive second leg match in Nicaragua having never won a CONCACAF Champions League match away from home. With the team likely fatigued from a very significant travel schedule, but also likely buoyed by a comeback performance in the MLS against Portland on the weekend, Toronto was likely going to be up against both a Real Esteli side with nothing to lose and the usual questionable CONCACAF refereeing. In an impressive showing of confidence and support for one of his players, Aron Winter gave Milos Kocic the start in goal instead of Stefan Frei. It was the right move, but one that the Dutchman would likely going to be tarred and feathered for in the event of a loss against the Nicaraguans. Terry Dunfield got his first start as a member of Toronto FC, while Julian de Guzman and Danny Koevermans both started this one on the bench. With Maicon Santos traded to FC Dallas earlier in the day, Torsten Frings looked to be the player who will wear the captain’s armband on a full-time basis.
The Opening Forty-Five
This one kicked off with Toronto looking like they were trying to find a comfort zone playing on a pitch that clearly highlighted that Scotts Turf Builder isn’t available in Nicaragua yet. While Real Esteli looked more attack minded playing at home and TFC were clearly intent on scoring an early goal to pad their aggregate lead, neither side generated a legitimate scoring chance through the first twenty minutes of play.
In the 25th minute, some indecisive defending by the Real Esteli back line allowed Joao Plata a decent chance, but his shot was high over the cross bar.
Richard Eckersley moved forward tirelessly through the first half, looking very much like a player whose leash had been removed with his move back to the right back.
In the 28th minute, Danleigh Borman whipped a dangerous cross through the Real Esteli box, but both Ryan Johnson and Javier Martina whiffed on the ball, likely in tribute to Rogers Sportsnet, who chose to delay the showing of this game due to an even slower than usual Major League Baseball game that did not feature the Toronto Blue Jays. As a match between the Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers seemingly went on at a slower pace than the Debt Ceiling negotiations in the United States, TFC fans seethed via social media.
Real Esteli had an excellent chance to open the scoring in the 31st minute when Rudel Calero had an open look but shot wide of the post.
Aron Winter chose to make an early substitution in the 34th minute, bringing on Matt Stinson in place of a disinterested looking Javier Martina. With Maicon Santos shipped out of town earlier in the day, many will now likely wonder if Martina’s Dutch background will be enough to prevent him from being the next player to go.
Toronto opened the scoring in the 37th minute when Johnson unleashed a fantastic left-footed strike that Real Esteli keeper Carlos Mendieta had no chance on. With the goal, the player who quickly has become a TFC stalwart wiped out the Real Esteli away goal and picked up his keeper with style.
The Reds looked to be cruising until the 45th minute when an unlucky hand ball in the TFC box by Andy Iro resulted in a penalty kick for the home side. Manuel Rosas stepped up and confidently beat Kocic to get his team back into the match.
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While Johnson's first hit was wonderful, the composure to neatly tuck that ball away into side netting on that surface speaks volumes. #TFC
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The Second Half
Toronto would seal their place in the CONCACAF Champions League Group stage early in the second half when a mistake by Real Esteli keeper Carlos Mendieta allowed Johnson to score his second of the match. Toronto had a 2-1 lead in the game and a 4-2 lead on aggregate.
Toronto would continue to press forward in search of more goals, as Torsten Frings sat back to make sure the back door was suitably covered.
In the 56th minute, Mendieta made a huge save on Johnson from in close to keep his team with shouting distance of getting back into the match.
Real Esteli would switch to a three striker formation later in the second half, but could not break through the TFC defense, as the Reds closed this one out in a professional manner.
The Final Word: Ryan Johnson and TFC deliver the CONCACAF goods
With a number of TFC supporters feeling apprehensive heading into this match, Toronto FC delivered a professional performance that has seen them through to the Group Stage of the CONCACAF Champions League for the second year in a row. The Reds were lead by Torsten Frings, Ryan Johnson and Joao Plata in a match that will leave many hopeful that the team has turned a corner. Frings sat back and commanded his side in the manner you would expect from a World Cup veteran leading a team that only needed to avoid a collapse in the second leg. Plata ran the Real Esteli defenders ragged all evening and Johnson delivered the CONCACAF goods with two goals in an inspiring and confident fashion. Terry Dunfield added just the right amount of grit and steel in the middle of the pitch, while Andy Iro used his imposing size effectively against the smaller players on Real Esteli. In a bounceback performance, TFC keeper Milos Kocic delivered an assured and confident game in which he played a pretty much flawless match.
With a comeback draw in the league against Portland and a place now booked in the next round of the Champions League, Toronto now appears to be in the ascent. The question that now needs to be answered is just how much hope supporters should take from a draw against an MLS expansion side and a victory in a hostile environment over a second rate opponent. The answer to that may lie in how Toronto performs against a D.C. United side that embarrassed them back at home in April. And, oh yeah, Dwayne De Rosario now plays for D.C.
TFC Line-up
30 Kocic
27 Eckersley
3 Iro
4 Henry
25 Borman
22 Frings
23 Dunfield
70 Marosevic
9 Johnson
7 Plata
33 Martina
Substitutions: (34) Stinson in for Martina; (59) Morgan in for Johnson; (71) Koevermans in for Borman.
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