April 18th, 2009 MLS FC Dallas vs Toronto FC (from MLSnet.com)
Carver Lashes Out After Late Call
04/20/2009 09:02 AM
By Doug McIntyre / MLSnet.com Staff
After Toronto FC dropped a 3-2 decision to FC Dallas on a late penalty call, TFC coach John Carver was fuming.
Although TFC was outplayed in the opening 45 minutes, Carver's team fought back from a 2-0 first half deficit, getting goals from defender Adrian Serioux and struggling striker Chad Barrett, his first of the season.
But all that hard work was for naught when referee Tim Weyland ruled that defender Marvell Wynne handled the ball inside the box with just seven minutes left to play.
"When your job is threatened, and on the line, because of decisions like that, then I've got to say something," said Carver after Kenny Cooper's spot kick, his second goal of the game, gave FC Dallas its first win of the season. "I'm having a go at the referee today."
It wasn't just the penalty call Carver was upset about -- which certainly was a penalty that could have been given in any league in the world on a given day. But the coach was also upset about the free kick Weyland awarded that led to Drew Moor's opener. Carver contended that on the play in question, Serioux had won the ball cleanly.
Still, the coach did take some positives from the game.
"In the second half I asked them to take some responsibility and they showed a bit of character," Carver said. "Obviously getting a goal on the stroke of halftime (from Serioux) on a set play that we worked on -- I'm pleased it's come off.
"We came out in the second half and dominated the game and deservedly so go back into it," Carver continued. "It's very disappointing not to come away with something, let alone losing the game."
But worse than losing the game for TFC, perhaps, could be losing star offseason acquisision Dwayne De Rosario for an extended period of time.
After sitting out training sessions early last week with a tight hamstring, De Rosario hobbled off the field midway through the second half.
"He's almost certainly out on Wednesday and doubtful for the following game," Carver said, referring to TFC's midweek match against MLS-leading Chivas USA and Sunday's encounter against Kansas City. Both games will be at Toronto's BMO Field.
If De Rosario is out, there is some reason to believe Barrett can fill the void. The striker's form had been criticized coming into the match, but he took his goal with aplomb.
"I'm glad Chad scored," said TFC captain Jim Brennan. "He's worked ever so hard in training and in games, doing his bit, so today he deserved his goal and he took it well."
Said Carver: "I've got faith in the guy and I think he restored that today. If I've got to rely on the fans and the press on what team I'm going to pick, then I'm wasting my time. I'm going to pick the team that I want to pick and I'll live and die by that."
It was TFC's first road loss this year after going 1-0-1 away from home to start the season. The club's all-time road record coming into this season was 4-21-5.
Five of Toronto's next six Major League Soccer games are at home, where Dallas scored a late equalizer in 1-1 a draw in the first leg of the home-and-home series last weekend. Toronto has yet to win a match at BMO this season, losing its other game there to Seattle on April 4.
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