May 30, 2008 MLS Toronto FC vs Los Angeles Galaxy match preview (from MLSnet.com)
05/29/2008 7:14PM
Sizzling TFC, LA set to meet again
Surprising Reds look to hang another loss on new West leaders
MLSnet.com Staff
TORONTO FC vs. LOS ANGELES GALAXY
BMO FIELD, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
May 31, 2008 | 3:30 p.m. ET (CBC; FSN-W)
WEEK # 10 | GAME # 65
Two teams who have had outstanding opening thirds of the season meet for the second time as Toronto FC plays host to the Los Angeles Galaxy. TFC had gone on a six-game unbeaten run - sparked by their 3-2, come-from-behind win against the Galaxy on April 13 - before it came to an end at D.C. United last weekend. The Galaxy have lost just once in their last five matches, winning their last two in a row, as their high-octane attack has scored the most goals in the league.
REFEREE: Mark Geiger. SAR (bench): Hector Vergara; JAR (opposite): George Gansner; 4th: Carol-Anne Chenard MLS Career: 37 games; FC/gm: 31.7; Y/gm: 4.1; R: 7; pens: 14
INJURY REPORT: TORONTO FC - QUESTIONABLE: DF Tyrone Marshall (hamstring) ... LOS ANGELES GALAXY - OUT: GK Charles Alamo (R knee surgery); PROBABLE: MF Peter Vagenas (R quad)
INTERNATIONAL ABSENCES: Carl Robinson (Wales; v Holland, May 30); Greg Sutton (Canada; v Brazil, May 31); Amado Guevara (Honduras; v. Venezuela, June 1) ... LA: David Beckham (England; v Trinidad & Tobago, June 1); Ante Jazic (Canada; v Brazil, May 31)
SUSPENDED: TOR: Laurent Robert (through June 1)
WARNINGS:
SUSPENDED NEXT YELLOW CARD: none
SUSPENDED AFTER TWO YELLOW CARDS: LA: Alan Gordon; Brandon McDonald; Greg Vanney
HEAD-TO-HEAD
ALL-TIME (3 meetings): Toronto FC 1 wins, 4 goals ... Galaxy 1 win, 4 goals ... Ties 1
AT TORONTO: (1 meeting): Toronto FC 0 wins, 0 goals ... Galaxy 0 win, 0 goals ... Ties 1
This is the second of two meetings between the clubs this season, as the Galaxy make their lone trip to Canada and BMO Field.
The teams played to a scoreless draw in Ontario in their first-ever meeting last year, with the Galaxy winning 2-1 on Victoria Street in the penultimate weekend of the season.
When the teams first met, it was the first MLS game with David Beckham on the LA Galaxy roster (he did not play). They played to a scoreless draw -- for TFC, the fourth game in their 10-match run without a goal in setting an all-time MLS goalless record. For LA, it was the first of three successive shutouts, which came to an end in Beckham's first start in a wild 5-4 loss to New York.
Coaches record: John Carver v LA: P1 W1 L0 D0 ... Ruud Gullit vs. TOR: P1 W0 L1 D0
LAST MEETING (MLS):
4/13: LA 2, TOR 3 (Donovan 43,58 - Dichio 42; Smith 53; Cunningham 88)
Toronto FC won for the first time in 2008 - and just the second time on the road in club history - getting a late game-winner to knock off the Los Angeles Galaxy 3-2 at The Home Depot Center on April 13
Danny Dichio put TFC into the lead in the 42nd minute. Amado Guevara looped the ball into the Galaxy penalty area, and after a missed clearance, Dichio turned and drove the ball inside the far post.
But it took barely a minute for the Galaxy to respond. Chris Klein picked out Landon Donovan with a long pass, he juked around a TFC defender and hit a low drive past TFC 'keeper Greg Sutton for the equalizer.
Yet the Reds moved back in front again in the 53rd minute. Laurent Robert hit a piledriver of a freekick directly on goal that Galaxy 'keeper Steve Cronin could only parry, and Jarrod Smith was quickest to the rebound and headed home.
It took just five minutes for the Galaxy to respond again. This time a cross was played in from the right and Marco Velez slipped and fell while trying to clear, and referee Alex Prus ruled the TFC defender handled the ball as he fell on the ball. Donovan drove the ball past Sutton to level terms again.
But two minutes from the end Toronto FC took a lead they did not give up. A long ball from Robert was claimed by Jeff Cunningham in a one-on-one battle with Galaxy defender Greg Vanney, and the veteran striker ripped a low drive from outside the area that found the back of the net and gave TFC the win.
Here's Gullit's team (4-4-2): Steve Cronin - Chris Klein, Sean Franklin, Greg Vanney, Mike Randolph - David Beckham, Alvaro Pires, Brandon McDonald (Peter Vagenas 77), Ely Allen - Landon Donovan, Alan Gordon (Edson Buddle 68). Substitutes Not Used: Michael Gavin, Troy Roberts, Josh Tudela, Josh Wicks, Abel Xavier
Here's Carver's team (4-3-1-2): Greg Sutton - Marvell Wynne, Tyrone Marshall, Marco Velez, Jim Brennan - Carl Robinson, Maurice Edu, Laurent Robert (Tyler Rosenlund 91+) - Amado Guevara - Jarrod Smith (Todd Dunivant 73), Danny Dichio (Jeff Cunningham 65). Substitutes Not Used: Brian Edwards, Tyler Hemming, Julius James
TORONTO FC
Toronto FC saw their six-game unbeaten run come to an end as D.C. United won for the first time in more than a month, rebounding from a midweek 1-0 loss to TFC with a 3-2 win at RFK Stadium in the back end of their home-and-home series. The Reds began the week in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with 14 points from nine games, two ahead of the New York Red Bulls.
LAST MATCH
Danny Dichio's seventh-minute goal on Wednesday night was the game-winner in the first meeting between the clubs in the week, extending TFC's club record six-game unbeaten streak while sending D.C. United to their fourth consecutive loss.
Just as he had done at BMO Field, Dichio popped up early in the proceedings, this time heading a Jim Brennan cross home from close range for the 13th-minute opener. But United drew level in the 41st minute as Devon McTavish flicked on a corner at the near post and Gonzalo Peralta stooped to head home his first goal in a United uniform.
But in first-half stoppage time, Dichio restored Toronto's advantage. The big target man exchanged passes with Guevara at the top of the D.C. box before taking knocking a well-aimed, side-footed shot that skipped past United 'keeper Zach Wells and nestled just inside the left-hand post.
In the 70th minute, Santino Quaranta was pushed over by TFC fullback Marvell Wynne as he drove goalward nearly on the byeline, and Jaime Moreno duly converted from the spot to again bring United back level. Then two minutes later, a stinging Quaranta drive was only parried by TFC 'keeper Greg Sutton and Luciano Emilio swept to knock the rebound home. Minutes earlier, a carbon-copy "goal" was ruled out for offside, but this time the flag stayed down and United had put an end to their losing run.
TFC head coach John Carver kept his first team the same for a sixth consecutive match, maintaining the same group that defeated D.C. United 1-0 four days earlier at home.
Here's Carver's team (4-2-3-1): Greg Sutton - Marvell Wynne, Tyrone Marshall (Olivier Tebily 51), Marco Velez, Jim Brennan - Maurice Edu, Carl Robinson - Rohan Ricketts (Jarrod Smith 74), Amado Guevara, Laurent Robert - Danny Dichio (Jeff Cunningham 75). Substitutes Not Used: Todd Dunivant, Brian Edwards, Kevin Harmse, Julius James
"We knew we were in for a tough game, and that's what it was. We had a goal one-nil up and [we] got a sucker punch just before half time. But ... they came back in the second half, regrouped - [we were] trying to get a little higher to stop the pressure on the ball," Carver said. "And I thought it was working. And then two goals come up - we get a penalty against us."
TEAM NEWS
The last time TFC played at RFK Stadium, the Reds and goalkeeper Greg Sutton were victimized for four goals. Since then, Carver said Sutton had completely turned things around - though he was faulted for not handling the Quaranta drive that led to the game-winning goal.
"Greg has been outstanding for our football club. He has been one of the reasons why we have so many points and have won so many games lately. And everyone is allowed a mistake every now and again. Take the mistake away from it, he still had a great night," Carver said. "I said to him as soon as the final whistle blew, 'don't let that worry you, it's about us picking ourselves up. We have had a great run.'"
Toronto scored on their only two shots on goal in the first half, spending the majority of the time fending off United's attack. Carver made a subtle tactical change to start the second half that seemed to work until center back Tyrone Marshall went out with a hamstring injury.
"I said to the guys (at halftime) we needed to put a bit more pressure on the ball higher up the field so the wide guys needed to get closer to stop them from delivering balls into the box and we did that," Carver said. "But losing Tyrone Marshall was a huge blow for us."
In Marshall's absence, Olivier Tebily made his TFC debut, playing the final 40 minutes.
"We had to put somebody in who hasn't been in the team yet and we conceded two goals so quickly and the game changed," Carver said. "But we didn't give up; we had a right go at them and I changed the team's shape and to try and get two strikers up there and went with three at the back and they had to change their team to bring on defensive players."
On Tuesday night, TFC won their opening match of the Canadian qualifying tournament for the CONCACAF Champions League, defeating L'Impact de Montrιal 1-0 at Stade Saputo. The game's lone goal came in the 72nd minute when Marco Velez headed home a Laurent Robert cross. TFC next face the Vancouver Whitecaps, July 1 at BMO Field, in the three-team round-robin competition.
Here's Carver's team: Greg Sutton, Marvell Wynne, Olivier Tebily, Marco Velez, Jim Brennan, Rohan Ricketts, Kevin Harmse, Carl Robinson, Laurent Robert, Jeff Cunningham, Danny Dichio (Jarrod Smith 41).
"It was a very scrappy game," said TFC defender Jim Brennan. "I think we were a bit sluggish at the start of the game. We were off our game a bit. But we got what we came here for. We got our goal and the three points, and we made our fans happy. But give Montreal credit, because they rose to the occasion. They came out and pressed forward and tried to create chances."
LOS ANGELES GALAXY
The Los Angeles Galaxy moved atop the Western Conference, continuing their goal-grabbing ways with three second-half strikes in a 3-1, come-from-behind victory against the Kansas City Wizards. The Galaxy have 14 points from nine matches on the season, beginning the week with a two-point lead ahead of the Colorado Rapids and FC Dallas, the only Western Conference team with a record above the .500 mark
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LAST MATCH
The Galaxy had hit for five goals in each of two of their previous four games, their only wins in the last six, while the Wizards had lost back-to-back games as their six-game road swing was nearing its end.
It was the visitors who jumped into the lead five minutes before halftime. Claudio Lopez collected the ball at the edge of the final third, burst between a pair of defenders and sent a rising drive inside the upper right corner for his second goal on the campaign.
But the Galaxy drew level in the 54th minute. Landon Donovan was hauled down as he tried to touch the ball past Tyson Wahl in the area, and from the resulting penalty, he made no mistake in scoring his league-leading ninth of the season.
Edson Buddle continued his rich vein of form, putting the Galaxy in the lead in the 74th minute. Donovan finished off a spell of possession with a through ball into the left side of the box and Buddle stroked it home for his fourth goal in two games.
David Beckham then put the exclamation point on the victory in style. With K.C. goalkeeper Kevin Hartman forward in search of the equalizer, a corner was cleared out to Beckham, and he sent the ball from some 70 yards away into the unguarded goal.
Galaxy boss Ruud Gullit kept his team the same as the one that rolled to a 5-1 victory against FC Dallas the Sunday before at Pizza Hut Park.
Here's Gullit's team (4-3-2-1): Steve Cronin - Chris Klein, Sean Franklin, Abel Xavier, Greg Vanney - Alvaro Pires, Brandon McDonald (Alan Gordon 55), Joe Franchino (Ely Allen 41) - David Beckham, Landon Donovan (Carlos Ruiz 84) - Edson Buddle. Substitutes Not Used: Ante Jazic, Troy Roberts, Peter Vagenas, Josh Wicks
"We did all the preparations, but if you see how we start - the first two minutes of the game was ridiculous. We were giving the ball away. We looked nervous. They were growing into the game," Gullit said. "Despite that, we had to be one-nil up. I think that overall that sometimes we forget what we need to do; therefore, there was a lot of irritation on the pitch."
TEAM NEWS
At the halftime break, Gullit laid into his team, and they came out a changed group for the second 45 minutes. "The second half was a different team. I'm very proud of the way out players responded to the demands that I had," said Gullit. "The key factor today was that Landon Donovan played excellent. That was the key to the game to change it."
Gullit made one change right before halftime, bringing on Ely Allen for Joe Franchino. Then in the locker room, some other tactical adjustments were made.
"I probably can't repeat what (Gullit) said in the locker room, but you single some people out," said Chris Klein. "We all looked around the locker room and looked at ourselves. We all played a much better second half individually. We all know the type of player (Landon) is, but what he did for us offensively and defensively as well I think really proves the type of man that he is."
Said Gullit of the change: "I thought that (Franchino) had a difficult time. You see something like this already very early in the game, you ask it also, of course he always says yes, but if he could see he was not in his shape, I have to do something that's good for the team. It's not always nice, but it was necessary."
While the Galaxy have not kept a clean sheet in seven games, they have allowed only a single goal in their last two, as Abel Xavier has returned to central defense.
"I've worked very hard with Abel (Xavier). I've tried to stimulate him by putting him on the bench," said Gullit. "I think he responded to it, and that gave me the green light to put him on the pitch. I think he responded very well tonight."
On Tuesday, the Galaxy were bounced out of the U.S. Open Cup, losing 1-0 at The Home Depot Center to the Colorado Rapids on an 82nd-minute goal by Conor Casey.
"We talked about that at halftime. That's always in the back of your mind when you're on top of them like that," said Pete Vagenas, who wore the captain's armband for the Galaxy. "We actually said, 'Let's make sure we don't give up something silly.' We've played in a lot of games like that where a team is dominating and ends up losing 1-0; then sure enough."
Despite missing Donovan and Beckham to international duty, Gullit ran out mostly a first-choice lineup, as only Alvaro Pires was also missing. Here's Gullit's team: Steve Cronin, Chris Klein, Sean Franklin, Abel Xavier, Ante Jazic, Brandon McDonald (Josh Tudela 72), Peter Vagenas, Ely Allen (Mike Randolph 46+), Carlos Ruiz (Israel Sesay 63), Edson Buddle, Alan Gordon. Substitutes Not Used: Bryan Jordan, Troy Roberts, Greg Vanney, John Wicks
"It was a pity that Alvaro was injured. I think our main problem today was more in midfield," said Gullit. "We couldn't control (the ball). Those players that normally sit on the bench, we gave them a chance to show themselves, and they had difficulties today."
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