April 29, 2011 MLS--Toronto Heads To Shorthanded Seattle (from TorontoFC.ca)
Toronto Heads To Shorthanded Seattle Asif Hossain TorontoFC.ca April 29, 2011 A flight delay in Edmonton preceded Toronto FC's arrival in Seattle, the day after their 3-0 victory in the first leg of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship semifinals. The Reds showed some distance between themselves and their North American Soccer League counterpart, aided by the fact that FC Edmonton was down to 10 player by the 23rd minute. It was interesting to hear Aron Winter’s comments following the match. He was satisfied with the result but less than pleased that Toronto didn’t put the match away in the first half with numerous chances unconverted on either side of Maicon’s opening strike at the 35th minute. Winter has reason for concern because the Reds have entered another hectic period in their schedule. Saturday’s match in Seattle (GOL TV Canada, 10 p.m. ET) will be their third in seven days, a small part of seven matches in 21 days that includes roughly 10,800 kilometers of traveling across the continent. It didn’t help that this stretch started in an exhausting fashion playing a man down to Columbus for more than half the match last Saturday. Winter wants Toronto to take advantage of its chances so not having to expend extra energy during this cluttered period. Toronto has seven points from as many matches heading into Qwest Field where they will likely be greeted by over 36,000 emerald-clad opposition supporters. Seattle Hurting Sounders FC are unbeaten in five MLS matches but have suffered some colossal blows to their attack in recent days. Steve Zakuani was stretchered off the pitch last week in Colorado with a broken leg, while former Toronto striker O’Brian White had surgery to remove a blood clot. Those two players accounted for four of Seattle’s seven goals. In the absence of Zakuani and White, Seattle will need the 6'3" aerial threat Nate Jaqua to open his 2011 account. Jaqua will complement the always dangerous Fredy Montero, who has just one goal so far this season but it came last week suggesting that SSFC’s Colombian star is rounding into form. Seattle sits fourth in the Western Conference with nine points from seven matches.
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