June 5, 2010 CSL--TFC Academy vs Montreal Impact Academy (from TorontoFC.ca)
Seniors drew at BMO Field last Saturday
Media Affiliate: TorontoFC.ca
Tuesday, June 8, 2010 - 2:37pm
Toronto FC Academy's Senior Team returns to action in the Canadian Soccer League on Wednesday night (June 9) against St. Catherines Wolves at Club Roma. Kick off is 8:00 p.m.
The Academy remained unbeaten at BMO Field this season after a 1-1 draw against Montreal Impact Academy on Saturday following TFC's 0-0 tie against Kansas City Wizards.
A very entertaining game saw two very young sides competing for three important points. The Academy started the match well and controlled the first half. In the 10th minute, fresh off his call up to the first team, Matt Stinson stepped into a shot from all of 30 yards and hit the crossbar with the goalkeeper well beaten. Many observers felt the ball had crossed the line but the referee waved play on.
Soon after, Nicholas Lindsay cut in well from the flank but his shot just missed the near post. TFC had claims for a penalty kick when Keith Makubuya was clearly taken down in the box from behind but the referee waived play on.
Montreal Impact Academy nearly took the lead shortly before halftime when Alessandro Riggi saw an opportunity on the counter attack but his shot from 15 yards out missed the far post.
Early in the second half, Montreal Impact Academy signaled their intent when their attacker struck a shot from distance which forced a finger tip save from Angelo Cavaluzzo. The Impact did get a goal in the 56th minute when Kevin Luarca got his foot to the ball just before the on rushing Cavaluzzo to score into the vacant net.
Toronto continued to press forward searching for an equalizer and it finally came in the 76th minute. Brennan McNicoll delivered a fantastic ball to Doneil Henry in the box and the defender showed good aerial ability to direct his header past the goalkeeper. It capped a good week for Henry who made his first team debut against the Vancouver Whitecaps a few days earlier.
"I am disappointed that we were not able to take all three points especially after our dominating first half performance," said Senior Team Head Coach Jason Bent. "All game we seemed to be very indecisive in the attacking third which contributed to a bit of indecision in and around the box."
"We need to do a better job of accepting responsibility and put opposition players under pressure in one on one situation. In the end, the performance was very strong and Montreal did their part in contributing to a very entertaining match. We take pride in the fact that we remain unbeaten at BMO after three matches and want to make this place a fortress, similar to that of the first team."
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