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Result and details from the MLS game of Saturday May 31, 2008 between Toronto FC and Los Angeles Galaxy played at BMO Field in Toronto at 3:30pm.
Toronto FC (all red, white names and numbers)
....................18 Brian Edwards
16 Marvell Wynne...4 Marco Velez...28 Olivier Tebily...11 Jim Brennan (cpt)
10 Rohan Ricketts...6 Maurice Edu...5 Kevin Harmse...12 Todd Dunivant
...............96 Jeff Cunningham...23 Jarrod Smith
Subs:...?? David Monsalve (gk)...3 Julius James (def)...8 Pat Phelan (def)...15 Tyler Rosenlund (mid)...19 Andrea Lombardo (fwd)
...27 Gabe Gala (def)...29 Nana Attakora-Gyan (def)
team officials:...head coach John Carver
Los Angeles Galaxy (all white, navy names and numbers)
.....................1 Steve Cronin
7 Chris Klein (cpt)...12 Troy Roberts...28 Sean Franklin...3 Greg Vanney
..........2 Mike Randolph...15 Alvaro Pires...16 Joe Franchino
...........32 Brandon McDonald...14 Edson Buddle...21 Alan Gordon
Subs:...31 Josh Wicks (gk)...8 Peter Vagenas (mid)...10 Landon Donovan (fwd)...19 Josh Tudela (mid)...20 Carlos Ruiz (fwd)
...24 Julian Valentin (def)...27 Bryan Jordan (fwd)
team officials:...head coach Ruud Gullit
Game officials:...referee Mark Geiger...referee's assistants Hector Vergara and George Gansner...fourth official Carol-Anne Chenard...(all black uniforms, neon red trim)
1st Half:...game starts 3:44pm...TFC defend south end on this warm, overcast day with the field wet from a rain that started at 2:58 pm but stopped by gametime.
15 sec...TFC Ricketts runs down right wing and puts cross into box about one step ahead of charging TFC Cunningham who then tumbles over LAG goalie.
1 min...LAG McDonald receives ball pushed forward and as he falls he kicks ball wide right from 10 yards on right side.
I couldn't see this action as I'm covered by a huge flag crossing over me in the stands. I hope that doesn't happen again.
3 min..TFC Ricketts 30 yard freekick from left has LAG McDonald head ball away.
4 min...TFC Ricketts 25 yard freekick from right has defender clear ball in box.
4 min...LAG Gordon rush on left and crosses ball into box where it's chested down and cleared by defender.
7 min...TFC Ricketts 45 yard freekick from left has TFC Velez on right of box send low shot from 15 yards that's blocked. Rebound is then shot and deflects off defender and out of box.
8 min...TFC goalie steps forward and grabs bouncing ball pushed ahead from TFC 35 yards just ahead of charging LAG Klein on right.
10 min...TFC Edu has ball taken away at LAG 20 yard line before he has chance to take shot.
11 min...TFC Wynne heads away cross from right from LAG Buddle before LAG Gordon can one-touch tee up shot at TFC 12 yards.
15 min...TFC Brennan 40 yard cross from left bounces through box too high for TFC Wynne on end line.
16 min...LAG defender's clearance off TFC Smith deflects back to LAG goalie.
17 min...TFC sub...James replaces Tebily (who it was written later had been injured).
17 min...LAG Vanney cross from 22 yards has goalie catch in crowd of players.
20 min...TFC Edu good mid-air volley at LAG 30 yard line but eventually pass is intercepted.
21 min...TFC Cunningham pass up middle received and shot is wide left but the flag was up for an offside anyway.
21 min...TFC goalie picks up 20 yard roller from left by LAG McDonald.
24 min...LAG Klein 30 yard freekick up middle is blasted against nearest defender.
25 min...TFC Ricketts checked off ball on edge of box after getting long throw-in from TFC Dunivant from left.
25 min...TFC Harmse blasts 20 yarder up middle high and wide left after throw-in from right worked into box.
28 min...TFC James lofts 60 yard ball over crowd of players and lands on top of net.
30 min...LAG Gordon gets cross from right only 5 yards from left post but he shanks kick wide left.
31 min...LAG goalie charges out to edge of box and waits for through ball to grab.
32 min...TFC Brennan long throw-in from left has TFC Ricketts hip kick 12 yarder on right wide right of net.
34 min...TFC Wynne great defensive play to block through ball pass and then clear ball on edge of TFC box.
35 min...TFC Velez freekick from center line has ball deflected away from goal from edge of LAG box.
35 min...TFC Dunivant long throw-in from left has leaping goalie catch ball.
36 min...LAG Gordon gets ball in center of field at 16 yards and LAG Buddle gets his headed pass and 10 yard shot over net from left although offside flag was up.
38 min...TFC Cunningham 12 yard shot from near right end line has goalie make point blank save. TFC Cunningham is checked off rebound.
40 min...TFC Edu YELLOW card...Edu earns it at TFC 25 yard line for pulling on LAG Pires who was running by him without the ball.
40 min...LAG Vanney 30 yard freekick up middle has ball sent over wall but bounce easily to goalie.
41 min...it now starts to rain and gradually harder and harder.
42 min...LAG Roberts beats one defender on run down right wing but falls as he crosses on edge of box as TFC Edu poke checks him.
44 min...TFC rush on right wing with Ricketts and Smith working a give and go but Smith pushes ball into box too far forward and goalie slides out to grab through ball.
45 min...LAG Roberts makes big sliding poke tackle on TFC Smith to prevent breakaway at 30 yards and Smith tumbles over him.
46 min...half ends 4:30pm.
Halftime entertainment involves a pizza spinner from Pizza Pizza who can toss pizza dough behind his back and other stunts. He was here last year and I've seen him at Toronto Lynx previous years to that. There was also a 'makeover' on a spectator outfitting him to look like a TFC fanatic. Not many paid attention as in the worst of the storm most fans were under the stands trying to stay dry.
2nd Half:...starts 4:45pm.
45 min...TFC Dunivant cornerkick from right has defender head ball away.
46 min...TFC Dunivant chips 15 yarder from right that's caught by leaping goalie.
46 min...LAG Gordon run down right to get to ball and pushes ball over end line as he pushes it too far forward.
47 min...TFC Julius James GOAL...TFC Ricketts 30 yard freekick from left has TFC James on leaping header in crowd of players head 8 yarder ball to right corner of net on one bounce beyond diving goalie Steve Cronin.
both teams are called for various offsides and fouls breaking up rushes.
52 min...Edu low 25 yard shot up the middle as he's tapped over pass and ball saved by sprawling goalie.
53 min...TFC YELLOW card...Harmse earns it for tackle at TFC 35 yard line for grabbing player.
53 min...LAG Klein freekick from 35 yards down middle has TFC Velez head ball back to goalie to avoid two LAG players behind him and goalie catches ball wide left of net.
54 min...TFC Smith is pushed through ball on right side and he runs to near end line and rolls ball through goalmouth behind TFC Dunivant who turns back to get ball on left side of box and his cross deflects off defender for cornerkick.
55 min...TFC Ricketts cornerkick from left has goalie run forward and leap to punch ball out of box. TFC Brennan blasts partially cleared rebound from 30 yards off player on edge of box and ball deflects wide right but goalie slides over and saves it from rolling for cornerkick.
59 min...TFC Wynne has defender prevent TFC Smith from playing ball into LAG box and LAG earn throw-in.
59 min...LAG McDonald kicks ball from 35 yards through crowd of players but bounces to goalie.
61 min...LAG Klein cross from 35 yards on right has TFC Velez head away from edge of box.
61 min...TFC Brennan intercepts cross pass attempt on edge of TFC box and starts TFC Smith away with long pass to center line.
63 min...LAG goalie charges out of box to knock through ball away before TFC Cunningham can get to it.
63 min...TFC Jeff Cunningham GOAL...TFC Marvell Wynne starts run from TFC 30 yard line on left side to center line and passes to TFC player at LAG 45 yard line who pushes ball over to TFC Ricketts on right sideline. Ricketts long cross to 22 yards in center of field where Cunningham touches ball over to TFC Jarrod Smith who pushes it forward through defenders to charging Cunningham up middle who kicks ball in from 10 yards to left corner of net.
64 min...TFC YELLOW card...Cunningham earns it for stuffing ball inside his shirt and running back up field and kicking ball into the stands. (reports said later it was a tribute for his pregnant wife).
65 min...TFC Ricketts wins ball in midfield at 30 yards and pushes ball forward to charging TFC Cunningham who shoots low shot just wide left of right post from 18 yards.
66 min...LAG sub...Ruiz replaces Randolph.
67 min...TFC Smith pushes through ball to TFC Cunningham at 45 yards and play flagged offside.
68 min...LAG player crosses in from 30 yards and TFC goalie leaps to catch ball at 6 yards over LAG Buddle waiting to head ball at goal..
69 min...the sun comes out which results in a huge cheer from the drenched crowd!
70 min...TFC player leaps over defender to head 25 yarder to LAG goalie from left.
70 min...TFC Ricketts rush up right and from 30 yards passes over to TFC Edu who passes back from 15 yards to Ricketts at 18 yards who blasts low shot just wide right of post.
72 min...LAG player crosses from right at 25 yards is through box and wide left for goalkick.
73 min...TFC Smith is given through ball at 30 yards up the middle and he shoots wide right from 18 yards.
73 min...TFC Cunningham called offside yet again chasing long through pass from center line.
74 min...LAG Vanney chips 30 yard ball into box over crowd of players but it bounces wide right for goalkick.
75 min...TFC Dunivant cross from 20 yards along end line is caught by LAG goalie.
76 min...TFC Cunningham charges to get through ball but defender even with him nudges him over on edge of LAG box.
77 min...TFC Wynne throw-in from LAG 30 yards on right has TFC Ricketts get ball run along even with edge of box and cut in low 21 yard shot smothered by goalie.
78 min...LAG Vanney 45 yard cross from left has LAG player on edge of box on right pop up header and goalie grabs by stepping to left post to grab before charging LAG Gordon can make play.
80 min...LAG Klein gets pass up right wing and he chips 20 yard cross high and wide left for goalkick.
82 min...LAG Vanney 45 yard cross from left has LAG Gordon head ball down and LAG Ruiz taps it back to him and LAG Gordon blasts low 19 yard shot that goalie smothers in center of net.
83 min...TFC defenders make two blocks on edge of box to prevent more dangerous LAG shots.
84 min...LAG Ruiz 25 yard freekick up middle deflects off TFC player in wall and flies wide left of net for cornerkick.
85 min...LAG Franchino cornerkick from left has leaping FTC Velez head away on right side of box. TFC Harmse blocks LAG roller back into box.
86 min...TFC sub...Attakora-Gyan replaces Smith. Attakora-Gyan is added as an extra defender replacing a forward.
88 min...TFC Ricketts pokes through ball to TFC Cunningham from 25 yards but flag is up for offside.
90 min...LAG goalie slides out to left edge of box to grab through ball before charging TFC Cunningham can make play.
90 min...TFC fan runs onto field and is hustled off by security officials.
91 min...LAG Gordon is pulled down by TFC Attakora-Gyan on edge of TFC box as they jump for LAG Vanney's 65 yard volley into box.
91 min...LAG Klein 20 yard freekick up middle has blast deflect off head of TFC player in wall and deflect for throw-in on left.
92 min...LAG Vanney 40 yard cross from left has ball sent too far right for leaping players in box.
93 min...TFC Cunningham kicks 12 yard shot from left over net.
93 min...game ends 5:33pm.
Final Score:.......Toronto FC.......2..........Los Angeles Galaxy.......0.........
Attendance was 20,096 on this warm but wet afternoon. Rain had taken place at 2:58pm before the game started but had stopped and I thought we were going to escape any more but at 40 minutes it started and was really heavy in the intermission. I couldn't write notes after that.
The Galaxy didn't have any cornerkicks in the first half so the south end fans couldn't throw any streamers. A second half corner in the north west just doesn't attract the same volume. Outside rumours have a possible league ban on throwing anything onto to field so that pasttime may be on borrowed time.
Man of the Match (which is always a TFC player) was announced as Maurice Edu. The players did come almost over to the south east corner to salute the fans but turned back.
Today's game was played without a lot of stars. Galaxy played without David Beckham who was playing for the English national team. This is the second year in a row he hasn't played when their team makes their annual visit to Toronto. Opportunity for him to play in Toronto this year is still a possibiliity as the league's All Star game will be here as the MLS players take on UK Premier side West Ham. No doubt he will be showcased for that marquise game. Landon Donovan, the league's leading goal scorer, was here but didn't play. He is recovering from a groin strain. TFC's Danny Dichio was also missing with the same injury. TFC's #1 goalie Greg Sutton was away on Canadian national team duty. Defender Tyrone Marshall was listed as having a hamstring injury. Midfielder Amado Guevara was playing for the Honduras national team. Midfielder Carl Robinson was over in Wales for their team. Midfielder Laurent Robert didn't play.
The fill-ins did quite well. TFC goalie Brian Edwards wasn't really tested and only had one save to make. The defense kept him well protected.
Both of Jeff Cunningham's goals this season have come against the Galaxy. Toronto wins both their meetings this year although Los Angeles is the first place team in the West.
Rocket Robin
robing@eol.ca
Los Angeles Galaxy (4-4-2) vs. Toronto FC (5-3-2) May 31, 2008 -- BMO Field Scoring Summary: TOR -- Julius James 1 (Rohan Ricketts 1) 49 TOR -- Jeff Cunningham 2 (unassisted) 65 Los Angeles Galaxy -- Steve Cronin, Greg Vanney, Sean Franklin, Chris Klein, Troy Roberts, Mike Randolph (Carlos Ruiz 67), Alvaro Pires, Brandon McDonald, Joe Franchino, Edson Buddle, Alan Gordon Substitutes Not Used: Landon Donovan, Bryan Jordan, Josh Tudela, Peter Vagenas, Julian Valentin, Josh Wicks Toronto FC -- Brian Edwards, Marvell Wynne, Marco Velez, Jim Brennan, Rohan Ricketts, Maurice Edu, Kevin Harmse, Olivier Tebily (Julius James 15), Todd Dunivant, Jarrod Smith (Nana Attakora-Gyan 87), Jeff Cunningham. Substitutes Not Used: Gabe Gala, Andrea Lombardo, David Monsalve, Pat Phelan, Tyler Rosenlund Toronto FC Los Angeles Galaxy total shots: 12 (Jeff Cunningham 4) 4 (Alan Gordon 2) shots on goal: 6 (Jeff Cunningham 2) 1 (Alan Gordon 1) fouls: 17 (Maurice Edu 5) 12 (Joe Franchino 4) offsides: 8 (Jeff Cunningham 8) 7 (Alan Gordon 3) corner kicks: 2 (Todd Dunivant 1, Rohan Ricketts 1) 1 (Joe Franchino 1) saves: 1 (Brian Edwards 1) 4 (Steve Cronin 4) Misconduct Summary: TOR -- Maurice Edu (caution; Professional Foul) 37 TOR -- Kevin Harmse (caution; Dissent) 54 TOR -- Jeff Cunningham (caution; Delaying a Restart) 65 referee: Mark Geiger Referee's Assistants: Hector Vergara; George Gansner 4th official: Carol-Anne Chenard time of game: 1:50 attendance: 20,096 weather: Cloudy -and- 77 degrees All statistics contained in this boxscore are unofficial
TFC starters
Galaxy starters
Landon Donovan warmed up for the Galaxy but never came in as a sub.
TFC Rohan Ricketts waits for pass.
Galaxy goalie clears ball into box.
TFC players defend against freekick.
The sun came out late in the second half after a long period of rain.
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