May 21, 2008 MLS Toronto FC vs DC United (from MLSnet.com)
05/21/2008 11:45PM
Due Dichio cashes in for Reds
Toronto forward scores his first goal in five games
By Mark Polishuk / MLSnet.com Staff
TORONTO -- Danny Dichio was due. After playing four games without a goal, struggling both to get and capitalize on quality chances while nursing a minor groin injury, the Toronto FC forward was perhaps owed a bit of luck from the soccer gods. His good fortune came on Wednesday night at BMO Field, when Dichio came up big both offensively and defensively in TFC's 1-0 win against D.C. United.
In the seventh minute, Dichio rushed into the D.C. penalty area as defender Devon McTavish was preparing a back pass to goalkeeper Zach Wells. Dichio's hustle paid off when McTavish mishandled the ball, leaving an opening for the forward to intercept the pass. With Wells rushing towards the play and McTavish dragging him down from behind, Dichio managed to just barely get a touch, and the ball just barely had enough momentum behind it to get inside the right post.
"It took an eternity to go in, but I think half the crowd blew it in as well," Dichio joked. "It was kind of a 50-50 ball that [McTavish] tried to play back. I managed to get a little tussle with him and he scuffed it a bit. I managed to get there before the keeper and slotted it home. It's been a long time coming and it helped the team get the three points today."
It was the second goal of the season for Dichio, and both of his scores have bookended Toronto's six-game unbeaten streak. Dichio scored the opener in TFC's 3-2 win against Los Angeles on April 13, and since that victory, the Reds have gone 3-0-2 on their five-game homestand.
Toronto's last loss was, ironically, to D.C. United, back on April 5. United scored two goals in the first five minutes en route to a 4-1 thrashing of the Reds.
Since that match on April 5, however, D.C. has gone 1-5-0, including losses in their last three games. Wednesday's match continued United's struggles, as TFC delivered a completely different defensive performance in holding D.C. to just three shots on goal. It was the fourth clean sheet for the Reds in their past five games.
"You know I think that we really wanted to give these guys one back from taking those four goals in D.C. earlier in the season," goalkeeper Greg Sutton said. "It was important that we can get a 'W' under these circumstances and it gives us confidence going in to D.C. now [on Saturday]. You know I think that we're real confident bunch that we can get three points going down there."
Toronto head coach John Carver pointed to the rout on April 5 as the moment when his team's defense turned around.
"My game plan after that game was to make sure that we were tough to beat," Carver said. "Every game this season, you look at the stats, Greg Sutton has had less and less to do in general compared to the first couple of games."
Sutton was only really tested once on Wednesday, on a point-blank header from Fred in the 64th minute. Sutton blocked the header, and then it was Dichio who rushed in to deflect Fred's follow-up shot.
"When you have that defensively, it's not all about the plaudits ... when you block a near-goal," Dichio said. "It means you've kept a clean sheet as a team which is more important than scoring sometimes."
Carver had nothing but praise for his striker after the match.
"He's worked ever so hard recently and he got the goal tonight which he deserved," Carver said. "I thought he was outstanding if I'm being quite honest. And it shows you that even if you are getting on in the game that you can still work hard and get your just reward and I thought he got that tonight.
"I have to compliment him on the other side as well, because he made an unbelievable block to win us the game. That's as good as a goal."
The match gives TFC momentum as they head on the road to RFK Stadium to face United again on Saturday, and then to Montreal on Tuesday to face the United Soccer League's Montreal Impact in a qualifying match for the CONCACAF Champions' League. The Reds then return to BMO Field on May 31 to face the Galaxy in what will be TFC's fifth match in a 15-day span.
The fixture schedule is taking their toll on TFC's roster, as Carver said midfielders Maurice Edu and Laurent Robert are battling a bad leg and a sore knee, respectively, not to mention Dichio's groin injury.
Carver praised the work of strength and conditioning coach Paul Winsper and the club's training crew in preparing the players for both the tough road ahead, and for Wednesday's match.
"You won't believe the hours they put in with some of our players," Carver said. "They've been patching them up to get ready to the game tonight. I have to pay a lot of credit to the medical staff behind the scenes."
TFC has kept a fixed lineup for the past five games, but with the busy schedule and players missing games due to international commitments, Carver will make changes that he feels are necessary.
"I'm not a guy who rotates the squad to be honest," Carver said. "And I've said this from day one, I'll play my strongest side in the next game. ... I'll have a chat with the staff and if I feel as if somebody needs to come out of it, then I'll do that, but I'll not do it for the sake of rotating the team."
Prior to Wednesday, one of the players who might have lost some playing time was Dichio. With MLS veteran Jeff Cunningham and impressive youngster Jarrod Smith waiting for playing time at forward, plus Carver's stated desire for TFC to acquire another striker, there were whispers that Dichio might see more time on the bench.
Dichio didn't let the rumors and his slump affect him, however.
"I've been in this game a long time now," Dichio said. "I know forwards go through down patches and strong patches and it's all about the character of the player. I've got a good bunch of guys around me and a good staff who keep encouraging me and if I keep battling for the team, then if goals come they come, but I've got other jobs on the team to deal with as well."
Mark Polishuk 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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