May 26, 2006 USL Toronto Lynx vs Miami FC (from Canadian Press story in The Globe & Mail)
Romario scores in Toronto debut for Miami FC
Canadian Press
Toronto — More than a decade ago, he was the star of Brazil's World Cup team. The stage may have shrunk considerably for Romario since then, but flashes of his old brilliance still remain.
The 40-year-old Romario scored the only goal of the game, a surgically precise strike in the 19th minute, as Miami FC beat the Toronto Lynx 1-0 before 2,832 fans at Centennial Stadium on Friday in United Soccer League First Division play.
After missing wide on his first two attempts, the aging striker collected a long pass, took advantage of a slip by Toronto defender Joe Mattacchione and fired into the top corner.
"That's Romario," shrugged Miami coach Chiquinho de Assis, himself a former Brazilian professional. "When he has minimal space and minimal opportunity, he scores goals."
It was Romario's third goal in five games since joining the USL club on loan from Brazilian team Vasco de Gama.
The 1994 FIFA world player of the year is trying to match Brazilian legend Pele and two others by scoring 1,000 goals in league and international play.
Romario, who visits the Montreal Impact on Sunday, scored 54 goals in 69 games for Brazil. His last international was April 28, 2005, when he scored twice in a 3-0 win over Guatemala.
Romario's quest for 1,000 has prompted criticism, but didn't matter much to the fans who endured wet and muggy weather to watch him.
"Whatever he wants to do is fine," said Toronto native David Di Pasquale. "I don't think it's going to change the way people think about how he played when he was younger. Whether he scores 1,000 goals or not, it's just a number."
The chase was also unimportant to Lynx midfielder Jamie Dodds, who was eager to test his skills against one of Brazil's all-time greats.
"He's old but he still manages to play at this level," said Dodds. "It's pretty cool."
Romario, who missed the 1998 World Cup with an injury, ducked out of a post-game news conference, but 38-year-old teammate and countryman Zinho made a brief appearance.
"It was an even game and Romario was the difference today," he said in Portuguese through a translator.
The "School Day" game was an 11 a.m. ET start, with many of those in attendance likely too young to remember the player who scored five goals in leading Brazil to the 1994 World Cup title in a penalty shoot-out over Italy.
Lynx fan Faisal Khalil, who ducked out of work to catch the second half, was only 10 back in 1994, but said his memories of Romario still endure.
"He won the whole World Cup, him and Bebeto," Khalil said. "I was still a kid but I remember that World Cup, I remember the final. It's amazing that we have a chance to see him."
Romario might have done more, but bad weather made footing difficult, as players on both sides struggled to stay on their feet. The game began in a light drizzle but most of the second half was played in a steady rain.
The former PSV Eindhoven and Barcelona star lingered between the six-yard box and the halfway line for most of the game, rarely running after the ball or exerting himself more than necessary.
He nearly set up Zinho in the 36th minute, but the shot was deflected into the side netting.
Romario made a clever flick on to Zinho late in the first half, taking a return pass only to have his shot tipped over the bar.
The Lynx were able to take Romario out of the game for much of the second half by controlling possession, but weren't able to beat Miami 'keeper Chris Doyle.
Marko Bedenikovic hit the post in the first half, while Toronto's own Brazilian, Helinho, was robbed in the second half when Doyle made a lunging save.
Expansion Miami improved to 3-2-0, while Toronto dropped to 0-6-0.
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