May 21, 2008 MLS Toronto FC vs DC United (from MLSnet.com)
05/21/2008 9:51PM
Toronto FC strike early, hold on for win
Danny Dichio's goal in the seventh minute dooms D.C. United
By Mark Polishuk / MLSnet.com Staff
TORONTO -- Danny Dichio's seventh-minute goal proved to be the difference as Toronto FC defeated D.C. United 1-0 on Wednesday night at BMO Field. The striker was in the right place at the right time when D.C. defender Devon McTavish fumbled his attempt at a back pass, and Dichio got just enough of the ball to roll it into the right side of the net.
The game marked Toronto's first win ever against United after four previous losses, including a 4-1 rout on April 5. That game was the last time TFC tasted defeat, however, with Wednesday's victory extending their club-record unbeaten streak to six games (4-0-2). United, meanwhile, suffered their fourth consecutive loss to remain second-last in MLS with just six points.
Dichio's goal was a combination of both hustle and good luck for the Reds forward. McTavish was in his own penalty area trying to pass the ball back to goalkeeper Zach Wells when he seemed to stumble over the ball. Dichio was trailing on the play looking for just such a mistake, and managed to just barely get a foot on the ball as McTavish pulled him down. Dichio's weak strike eluded a charging, off-balance Wells and slowly rolled just inside the right post. It was the second goal of the season for the Reds' all-time scoring leader.
It was an inauspicious return to the D.C. lineup for McTavish, playing his first match since April 17 due to a sprained foot. McTavish was one of four regulars back in United's starting XI. Midfielder Fred returned from three games missed with a hamstring strain, striker Luciano Emilio was back after a one-game absence from the lineup and defender Gonzalo Peralta returned after taking a one-game personal leave due to health issues with his pregnant wife.
The Black-and-Red tried to counterattack, but even with most of its ideal lineup back, the team showed the same sluggish pace on the attack that has held it to one goal during their three-game losing streak. Perhaps the best chance of the half for D.C. came in the 25th minute, when some deft passing found Santino Quaranta alone on the right side of the Toronto penalty area. But Quaranta took just a moment too long to shoot and Reds defender Tyrone Marshall was able to slide across the turf and block Quaranta's shot.
The symbolic moment of the half for D.C. came when McTavish raced down the right side to collect a long pass at midfield. The defender continued his hard-luck half by catching his foot on the artificial turf and tripping over the ball, much to the amusement of the BMO Field fans.
While the Reds stayed free of pratfalls, TFC's attack likewise didn't offer much in the first half. Dichio's score was the only shot on goal for the Reds in the opening 45 minutes, and just one of three shots overall. The lack of finishing that has plagued Toronto this season was a problem again. TFC mostly controlled the action with short passes, but couldn't find an outlet up front to Dichio or Amado Guevara, and midfielders Laurent Robert and Rohan Ricketts did little with the ball down the wings.
The halftime lead was no guarantee of success for TFC against United, as Toronto twice lost to D.C. last season after holding a 1-0 edge after 45 minutes. It was the Reds, though, who had the best chance early in the 48th minute when Amado Guevara found the ball on the left side of the penalty area after a pass from Robert. Dichio was in front of the net but covered by two United players, which might have caused Guevara to take an extra step that led to an offside call.
United began to control the pace as they pressed for the equalizer. The Black-and-Red missed a golden opportunity in the 64th minute when a cross from Marcelo Gallardo found Fred alone in the Toronto goal area. The Brazilian midfielder headed the cross directly into the chest of Reds 'keeper Greg Sutton, and the point-blank rebound was deflected wide.
Sutton had to make another big save just a minute later as he leapt to catch a curving shot from forward Jaime Moreno before it tucked under the crossbar.
Looking to protect the lead, TFC coach John Carver inserted defensive midfielder Todd Dunivant for Robert in the 64th minute, though the Reds didn't give up on attack. Another substitute, Jarrod Smith (brought on for Ricketts in the 51st minute), almost put the game away in the 82nd after taking a pass in the United penalty area, but his off-balance shot was blocked by both Wells and a defender.
After Smith's chance, the Reds focused entirely on defense, as the game's final minutes consisted of Toronto repeatedly clearing D.C.'s attempts to midfield and beyond. United was unable to mount any serious attack, and ended up being shut out for the fifth time this season.
The teams will take a few days to recover before facing each other again on Saturday at RFK Stadium. United is 15-5-1 all-time in the second of consecutive league games against the same opponent; TFC is 0-1 in such back-to-back scenarios.
Mark Polishuk is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
D.C. United (2-6-0) vs. Toronto FC (3-2-2) May 21, 2008 -- BMO Field Scoring Summary: TOR -- Danny Dichio 2 (unassisted) 7 D.C. United -- Zach Wells, Gonzalo Peralta, Gonzalo Martinez, Devon McTavish (Domenic Mediate 82), Bryan Namoff, Fred (Marc Burch 74), Marcelo Gallardo, Clyde Simms, Santino Quaranta, Luciano Emilio, Jaime Moreno (Francis Doe 85). Substitutes Not Used: Jose Carvallo, Ryan Cordeiro, Quavas Kirk, Dan Stratford Toronto FC -- Greg Sutton, Marvell Wynne, Tyrone Marshall, Marco Velez, Jim Brennan, Rohan Ricketts (Jarrod Smith 51), Maurice Edu, Carl Robinson, Laurent Robert (Todd Dunivant 64), Danny Dichio, Amado Guevara. Substitutes Not Used: Jeff Cunningham, Brian Edwards, Kevin Harmse, Julius James, Olivier Tebily Toronto FC D.C. United total shots: 6 (5 tied with 1) 11 (Fred 3, Marcelo Gallardo 3) shots on goal: 2 (Danny Dichio 1, Jarrod Smith 1) 3 (3 tied with 1) fouls: 14 (Danny Dichio 6) 9 (Fred 3, Clyde Simms 3) offsides: 6 (Danny Dichio 4) 5 (5 tied with 1) corner kicks: 6 (Amado Guevara 4) 4 (Marcelo Gallardo 3) saves: 3 (Greg Sutton 3) 1 (Zach Wells 1) Misconduct Summary: DC -- Fred (caution; Reckless Foul) 29 DC -- Santino Quaranta (caution; Tackle from Behind) 31 referee: Alex Prus Referee's Assistants: C.J. Morgante; Hector Vergara 4th official: Silviu Petrescu time of game: attendance: 19,791 weather: Rain -and- 48 degrees All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial
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