April 13, 2008 MLS Los Angeles Galaxy vs Toronto FC (from Toronto FC Media Relations)
04/14/2008 10:13AM
Cunningham: Hard work paid off
Cunningham scored the winner against LA Galaxy
Toronto FC Media Relations
Toronto FC striker Jeff Cunningham hopes his late game-winner at L.A. Galaxy can be the catalyst to drive the team forward this season. After losing the first two games, TFC's hard work on the training pitch paid off with a 3-2 win. Cunningham believes the team will build on the performance.
With two minutes left to play, Cunningham beat Galaxy defender Greg Vanney to the ball and kept calm to score the winner. "It was a physical battle for the ball," he said. "I was able to get there first. I match up well with Vanney and I knew it was going to be a 50/50 ball. I got my body in a good position. My body was in a better position than his so I was able to get to the ball, and score the goal."
Confidence in the camp has always been high despite losing at Columbus and D.C. United, but Cunningham admits the win will boost morale. "The boys have a positive attitude towards the season now. We have good players here and we have to keep building and improving. LA played very well in the first half and Landon Donovan was very difficult to keep up with but in the second half we were better. We calmed down, passed the ball well and were able to create chances."
Cunningham's goal was the 97th of his career and he is hoping it won't be too long before he passes the century mark. "I've got to believe in myself and hopefully my teammates will believe in me too."
Cunningham could have scored earlier in the second half, but had his path to goal blocked by David Beckham. The referee waved play on as Cunningham tumbled to the floor. After the game, Beckham admitted a free kick could have been given. "Maybe it was a foul, maybe it wasn't," said Beckham. "Sometimes they give them, sometimes they don't. They didn't for that one. Thankfully, we got away with that one."
The win was John Carver's first in Major League Soccer. The Reds coach was proud of his players. "It was a fantastic game. I thought the attitude and application from both sides was fantastic. It was quick an energetic game with quite a few chances. LA created some great chances in the first half. The second half we controlled the game better. We passed the ball better. I'm absolutely delighted to get the winner," said Carver.
After conceding four goals at D.C. United, Carver spent much of the week working with the defenders individually and as a unit. He was pleased with their response. "Other the game last week against D.C., we've defended very well. Against Columbus, their second goal came when we were pushing. After the D.C. performance, we were very disappointed and spent the whole week working with the back four. We're now trying to do something and I think you can see that," said Carver.
"Things don't happen overnight. We looked better organized. We've added quality to the team. We let in two goals, but one was a penalty, so in open play we only conceded one, and I'm happy with that. As long as we continue to improve, I don't want to go in next week and concede another four goals. So we continue with it. I'm bringing someone else to work alongside me. That will give us time to work on stuff and prepare for the game next week."
The team arrives back in Toronto on Monday and will return to training at BMO Field on Tuesday morning in preparation for the home opener against Real Salt Lake, Saturday, 19th April. Kick off is 12.30 live on CBC.
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