March 31, 2007 Toronto FC beat Charleston Battery in Carolina Cup (from Globe and Mail)
POSTED ON: 31/03/07
Toronto FC finishes second at Carolina Challenge Cup
LARRY MILLSON
Globe and Mail Update
DANIEL ISLAND, S.C. — Toronto FC finished second to the Houston Dynamo in the Carolina Challenge Cup after defeating the host Charleston Battery 3-0 Saturday night at Blackbaud Stadium on Daniel Island, S.C.
Midfielder Ronnie O'Brien again provided a spark, setting up Alecko Eskandarian who shot a 25-yard strike that found the top corner after three minutes. O'Brien set up both Toronto goals in a 2-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday night.
After about 35 minutes Toronto FC scored off a corner kick by Eskandarian. The curling ball was knocked down in front of the goal and Abbe Ibrahim knocked it in.
Charleston had the first good chance in the second half, Greg Sutton got his finger tips to a shot and the loose ball came to Lee Sandwina but the play was broken up by Jim Brennan who was captain for Saturday's game.
In the 73rd minute, Edson Buddle scored his second goal of the tournament. Sutton played a long ball up to Eskandarian, who put a quick touch to Buddle who scored into the top corner.
"We finished our shots off, but they were a lot quicker," head coach Mo Johnston said. "It's a first test for us, we applied ourselves better each game."
The Dynamo defeated the Red Bulls 2-1 in the Saturday night's other game. Charleston plays in the United Soccer League and the other three teams play in Major League Soccer.
Toronto FC returns to Toronto and will resume workouts Tuesday at BMO Field. They open the season next Saturday against Chivas USA in Carson, Calif.
Scoring:
Toronto: Alecko Eskandarian (Ronnie O'Brien) 3 minutes.
Toronto: Abbe Ibrahim (Eskandarian) 35 minutes'
Toronto: Edson Buddle 73 minutes.
Lineups:
Toronto FC: Greg Sutton, Andrew Boyens, Adam Braz (Tyler Hemming 89), Jim Brennan, Chris Pozniak, Ronnie O'Brien, Richard Asante (Maycoll Canizalez 56), Richard Mulrooney, Abbe Ibrahim (Jose Cancela 53), Alecko Eskandarian, Edson Buddle (Joey Melo 88)
Charleston Battery: Keith Wiggans, Jordan Hughes, Brandon Curran, Chris Gores, Lee Sandwina, Lazo Alvarez (Aaron King 72), Ian Bennett (Luke Vercollone 57), Ian Fuller (Armand Romero 45), Mike Richardson (Louis Rolko 79), Newton Sterling (Michael Todd 45), Byron Alvarez
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