March 29, 2008 MLS Columbus Crew vs Toronto FC (from MLSnet.com)
03/29/2008 10:38PM
TFC can't capitalize on the road
Club struggles at Crew Stadium in season opener
By Ryan Bergeman / MLSnet.com Staff
COLUMBUS -- Toronto FC kicked off the club's second season in front of more than 2,400 passionate supporters that made the near 8-hour trek to Crew Stadium to see the Reds take on their cross-border rivals.
Unfortunately for TFC, a good part of the 2008 season opener was dominated by the Crew. Adam Moffat and Alejandro Moreno scored for the Crew as they eased to a 2-0 victory.
Most of the match saw the Crew control the possession battle, with TFC managing a couple quick strikes which produced good chances but nothing in the net.
"I think there are a lot of positives," said Toronto FC head coach John Carver. "I think we created about 13 chances. The only important thing was that we didn't make the goalkeeper work hard enough."
Down a goal, Toronto made a push toward an equalizer at the end of the half. Jeff Cunningham was knocked over in the box by Crew center back Danny O'Rourke and TFC was awarded a penalty kick. Collin Samuel stepped up to take the penalty but saw a low, hard shot at the right post turned aside by Crew 'keeper Will Hesmer. The ensuing rebound dangled in front of the goal until it was cleared by Moffat.
The miss proved to be the turning point of the contest, though Carver said "I was delighted at the way we reacted to missing the penalty."
Carver seemed unfazed because of the start he saw from his team in the second half. TFC came out on the offensive and put pressure on the Crew back four.
"The second half we came out on the front foot," said Carver. "We took the game to them -- I think we camped in their half -- and created some really good chances. We just didn't put the ball in the back of the net and ended up getting caught with a sucker punch on the counter attack."
Defender Jim Brennan also came close to hitting the back of the net for the Reds, twice hammering full volleys from corner kicks that just missed the target.
"We looked organized, we moved the ball around a lot," said Brennan, "it opened up some opportunities for us. I thought we created chances. That's a positive that we're going to take out of it and take it to the next game."
Said Carver: "Jimmy is an old-timer, an experienced player and what you see with Jimmy is what you get. I think Jimmy is up there with one or two that did quite well for us. He had a great opportunity from the set play. I would be delighted if he had a score because he deserved it."
Another bright spot for TFC was the first professional start for rookie goalkeeper Brian Edwards, the club's top pick in this summer's SuperDraft. Although he did not get the win, Edwards seemed to handle the pressure in net well and took with it a good attitude towards the future.
"I think I did all right, I definitely learned a lot from it," he said. "It's everything you dream of, your first pro start in a game like this. I'll definitely take a lot from it and move onto next week."
The disappointing start will not sway the confidence of the team or their coach. The season is very young and much can be done to improve upon an opening loss.
"It won't get me down. I said to the players in the dressing room, 'don't be disappointed, go back to work on Monday,'" Carver said. "We are really close to one or two things happening to improve this squad. I don't have to stand here like a rocket scientist and tell you what we need because I think it's obvious. We need creative players that can put the ball in the back of the net."
As for the 2,400 strong that showed up to cheer on their Reds, it will be a longer road home than hoped. However, their undying support for their beloved Toronto FC does not go unappreciated by the guys in red.
"I heard all the rumors about the fans. I saw it on TV myself, and that didn't surprise me. I was just so disappointed that I can't give them something to go home with on that 8-hour back on the busses to celebrate," Carver said.
Ryan Bergeman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
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