July 13, 2009 CSL TFC Academy vs St Catharines Wolves (from TorontoFC.ca media release)
Academy seniors draw with Wolves
Andre Verdugo scored for TFC against St. Catharines
07/13/2009 09:12 AMTorontoFC.ca
TFC Academy's Senior Team drew 1-1 with St. Catharines Wolves in the Canadian Soccer League on Sunday at Downsview Park. The Reds youngsters now hold a 3-2-3 record in the 2009 CSL season.
TFC Academy came out the stronger side and put the opposition under pressure right from the start. In the third minute Josh Janniere beat the fullback and crossed for James Stamopoulos at the back post, but his right footed shot was cleared off the line. In the 12th minute Allando Matheson found some space at the top of the box but his strike was off target. Soon after, the ball popped up for Matheson and his quickly taken volley was struck directly at the goalkeeper. Matheson's strike partner Andre Verdugo found some space at the back post when St. Catharines failed to clear a corner kick, but his snapshot went narrowly wide.
For all their possession and early dominance, TFC almost found themselves down a goal when Julian Fabiani capitalized off some loose marking and struck a good volley that just missed the top corner of the goal. In the 30th minute, Janniere created havoc again and after beating the defender, he cut a ball back for an unmarked Verdugo, but the Chilean's effort failed to trouble the goalkeeper.
Just before half time, Verdugo found himself with another glorious chance when Daniel Calabretta dribbled into the opposition half and released the striker with a fantastic through ball but his shot failed to beat the goalkeeper.
Soon after the break TFC Academy found themselves behind when St. Catharines big striker Joseph Delpriore rose higher than the TFC defence to head past Soitiri Varlokostas from a corner kick. St. Catherines failed to hold onto the lead for long due to brilliant wing play from Josh Janniere that created a chance to tie the game. Verdugo was the recipient of a back post cross from Janniere and this time he volleyed a shot off the post and into the goal.
Arguably the best chance of the match was created by Janniere in the 58th minute when he skipped by the left back and cut a ball back for Matheson who missed the target from close range. Justin Maheu was sent on for Matheson as the Reds searched for a winner, but the livewire striker could not repeat his heroics from the previous week when Stinson released him through with only the goalkeeper to beat. Maheu attempted to lob the goalkeeper but failed to connect properly. A few more chances were created by both teams but the game ended level at 1-1.
"Today the boys performed really well," said Senior Team Head Coach Jason Bent. "They passed the ball and controlled the tempo of the match throughout. We created a plethora of opportunities but unfortunately we were unable to take our chances and reward our clever and incisive play. The opposition were dangerous on the break and from set plays but other than that we coped well with their overall play. I cannot fault the effort and the boys never stopped trying to score goals. Unfortunately, we have not been capitalizing from our chances. Several players had strong performances today, but for me Josh Janniere showed ability on the ball that people would pay to see. I hope this performance gives him the platform to go from strength to strength."
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