April 28, 2011 MLS--FC Edmonton Falls To Toronto FC (from NASL.com)

FC Edmonton Falls to Toronto FC
Posted on Thu, Apr 28, 2011

Playing down one man for the majority of the match, FC Edmonton couldn’t overcome Toronto FC in game one of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, 
losing 3-0 in their first home appearance of the season. 

The first blow to FC Edmonton came at the 23 minute mark when midfielder Shaun Saiko made an aggressive two footed challenge for the ball against 
Toronto’s Oscar Cordon. Saiko was given a straight red card, forcing FC Edmonton to play a man short for the remainder of the match.
 
Despite playing a man down, FC Edmonton put the pressure on Toronto getting several opportunities to score but was ultimately unsuccessful. 
Momentum shifted in the 35th minute when Toronto FC got their first tally from a deep shot by Maicon Santos that rang off the inside of the far 
right post. 

Toronto had another scoring opportunity in the 44th minute as Santos rang a shot off the cross bar. Alan Gordon attempted to follow up on the rebound 
but was given a yellow for a high kick in the box that struck Edmonton defender Paul Hamilton. 

After the first half, Edmonton had a total of eight shots, four on target. Toronto managed seven shots with three on goal. 

Toronto got to work early in the second half with Oscar Cordon scoring on a rebound in the 47th minute making it 2-0. The original shot was blocked 
by FC Edmonton keeper Rein Baart but defender Alex Suprenant couldn’t clear the rebound before Cordon pounced on the opportunity. 

Toronto’s third goal came in the 61st minute, when Santos led to a two-man break and put the ball in the back of the net. 

Edmonton mustered a few more attempts on goal but was unable to mark Stefan Frei’s clean sheet. 

The two teams will meet again May 4 in Toronto for the second game of the championship.

***Correction:--It was Alan Gordon NOT Oscar Cordon who scored the TFC second goal.--Rocket Robin

back to TFC 2011 news and results

.

.