February 6, 2011 MLS--Stinson Stymies Serbian Side (from TorontoFC.ca)

Stinson Stymies Serbian Side
Toronto FC Academy alumn shines against Red Star in 1-0 win.
TorontoFC.ca
February 6, 2011

Matt Stinson scored the only goal of the game as Toronto FC won 1-0 against Red Star Belgrade of Serbia in preseason action on Sunday. The TFC Academy midfielder’s 41st minute strike earned the Reds their first win of 2011 in the second game of their training camp in Antalya, Turkey.

“It was a good game against strong opponents,” said Toronto FC Head Coach and Technical Director Aron Winter. “I am satisfied because the players did everything that we asked of them and we are getting better with each game.”

“We want to play good football and keep the ball. We have to keep working on some things but we are only a week into training camp. We have another five weeks until our first game and I am sure we will be ready,” explained Winter.

Toronto FC opened training camp with a 1-1 tie against Partizan Belgrade on Wednesday, February 2. The Reds will play the final match of their training camp in Turkey on Thursday, February 10 against Dinamo Zagreb of Croatia.

Ahead of the match, Toronto FC added two new trialists to their training camp roster, 32-year-old Dutch midfielder Elbekay Bouchiba and English defender Chris Hunter. Bouchiba was named in the starting lineup against Red Star Belgrade along with fellow trialists David Monsalve, Nick Soolsma and Javier Martina.

Toronto changed all 11 players for the second half and introduced four more trialists including Hunter. King Osei Gyan, Bas Ent and Gianluca Zavarise also came into the game.

Toronto captain Dwayne De Rosario was not available for the match as he left training camp Sunday to join up with Canada’s Men’s National Team ahead of their international friendly in Greece on Wednesday, February 9. Toronto defender Adrian Cann was a late call-up to Canada’s squad and will travel to Greece on Monday.

Toronto’s first attack came in the 7th minute when trialist goalkeeper David Monsalve started an attack quickly from the back. His ball out to SuperDraft pick Demitrius Omphroy got the Reds moving down the right wing but when the ball was crossed towards Maicon Santos, the Brazilian striker couldn’t make contact.

Red Star Belgrade used the wings effectively with their early possession, but TFC broke on the counter attack in the 12th minute when Oscar Cordon played in Maicon who shot just wide of the post from the edge of the penalty area.

Just after the half hour, Monsalve made a good save from a close range shot by Red Star to keep the game goalless, and soon after Ashtone Morgan did well in a one-on-one battle to halt the Red Star winger.

Maicon went close again for Toronto in the 39th minute but this time saw his header deflected just wide following a good cross from Soolsma. Soon after, Maicon was involved again in the build up to the goal that Stinson scored to make it 1-0.

As they had done in the 1-1 draw against Partizan Belgrade on Wednesday, Toronto changed all 11 players for the second half. They introduced four more trialists including English defender Chris Hunter who has been added to the training camp squad. King Osei Gyan, Bas Ent and Gianluca Zavarise also came into the game.

SuperDraft pick Joao Plata caused problems for Red Star from the start of the second half and in the 56th minute a corner for Red Star turned into a counter attack when Plata skipped a challenge and played the ball to Keith Makubuya who in turn feed Gianluca Zavarise, but the move ended after one too many passes allowed Red Star to clear. Plata was again influential on the hour showing silky skills to get past two players, but he was unable to find a Red shirt.

In a physical encounter, the referee was happy to allow play to flow, and turned down Red Star’s appeals for a penalty in the 64th minute following a challenge from Ty Harden. At the other end moments later, Plata got in one-against-one but slipped before he could get a shot away.

As the game progressed, Red Star pushed for a leveler, but Toronto’s defence stood firm and young defender Doneil Henry kept the Serbians out with a double block in the 89th minute. Goalkeeper Milos Kocic was also on hand to avert any danger in the closing stages as the Reds held onto their clean sheet and secured a first win of preseason.

Toronto will play the final match of their training camp in Turkey on Thursday, February 10 against Dinamo Zagreb of Croatia.

Scoring Summary:

Toronto FC: 41’ Matt Stinson

Red Star Belgrade: -
 
Toronto FC first half lineup:  David Monsalve, Demitrius Omphroy, Adrian Cann, Nana Attakora, Ashtone Morgan, Matt Stinson, Elbekay Bouchiba, 
Oscar Cordon, Nick Soolsma, Maicon Santos, Javier Martina 

Toronto FC second half lineup: Milos Kocic, Dan Gargan, Ty Harden, Doneil Henry, Chris Hunter, Matt Gold, King Osei Gyan, Gianluca Zavarise, 
Bas Ent, Keit Makubuya, Joao Plata

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