June 3, 2011 MLS--Clever JDG Helps Canada To Draw (from TorontoFC.ca)
Clever JDG Helps Canada To Draw Gold Cup warm-up ends with a 2-2 final against Ecuador at BMO Field. Asif Hossain TorontoFC.ca June 3, 2011 BMO Field, TORONTO - An entertaining international friendly between Canada and Ecuador at BMO Field finished with a 2-2 draw thanks to a smartly taken 93rd minute equalizer from the home country. With his team down 2-1 and on a disputed free kick, Toronto FC midfielder Julian de Guzman played a clever restart amidst Ecuadorian protests to an unmarked Tosaint Ricketts. The 23-year old Edmonton native took a couple of touches before depositing the ball behind Ecuador keeper Marcelo Elizaga to make it 2-2, and in the process sending the outnumbered but festive Canadian crowd into ecstasy. Playing in a warm-up match ahead of the national team’s 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign set to begin next week in Detroit, Canada took the lead at the 23rd minute through Terry Dunfield. Strong hold-up play from Canadian forward Josh Simpson created space in the midfield for a trailing Dunfield. The Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder took a touch from more than 25-yards then fired a rocket past Elizaga. Canada had another good chance through soon-to-be English Premier League forward Simeon Jackson when he had a go from distance in the first half, but Elizaga was able to get a hand to the swerving volley from the Norwich City F.C. promotion hero. Toronto’s de Guzman entered the match after the intermission in place of Dunfield with Canada leading 1-0. Ecuador began to press for the equalizer near the hour mark. A buildup from the visitors led to a chance for Jaime Ayovi, but he shot wide of target with Canadian defenders appealing for an offside in vein. The South Americans needed another two minutes and a pair of chances to go level. Their first goal arrived after a long range delivery created a corner. From the resulting set-piece the visitors broke through to the score sheet via a Christian Benitez header that was powerfully placed into the back of the Canadian goal. The crowd hardly had a chance to get used to the new score line before Ecuador went ahead 2-1. At the 64th minute Michael Arroyo matched Dunfield’s gorgeous finish with a 30-yard effort that left Milan Borjan hopelessly planted on his line in the Canada goal. As the match opened up, Canada’s Atiba Hutchinson sent Dwayne De Rosario through on goal with a clear opportunity to score in his old stomping grounds at the 67th minute. However, Elizaga stopped the New York Red Bulls player in a one-on-one confrontation. Toronto FC forward Joao Plata made his Ecuador debut in stoppage time wearing number 21 for his home country. It was the first full international cap earned by Plata when he replaced Arroy in stoppage time. Plata’s inclusion couldn’t have come at a more unceremonious occasion for the visiting South Americans. They protested a foul given to Canada just outside the area. While Ecuador was swarming the referee, de Guzman quickly took the free kick from his knees and found Ricketts to bury the leveler. Scoring Summary: Canada - Dunfield 24’ Ecuador - Benítez 62’ Ecuador - Arroyo 64’ Canada - Ricketts 90+2’ Disciplinary Summary: Canada - Dunfield 37’ (Caution) Lineups: Canada -- Milan Borjan, Nik Ledgerwood, Kevin McKenna, Dejan Jakovic (Andre Hainault 39’), Marcel de Jong, Will Johnson (Jaime Peters 79’), Terry Dunfield (Julian de Guzman 46’), Atiba Hutchinson, Josh Simpson (Rob Friend 58’), Dwayne De Rosario, Simeon Jackson (Tosaint Ricketts 85’) Ecuador -- Marcelo Elizaga, Geovanny Caicedo, Frickson Erazo, Christian Noboa (Édison Méndez 52’), Michael Arroyo (Joao Plata 90+1’), Walter Ayoví, Christian Benítez, Segundo Castillo, Jaime Ayoví, Néicer Reasco, Luis Saritama (Oswaldo Minda 78’) Attendance: 14,356 NOTES: Seven Major League Soccer based players featured in this match; Andre Hainault, Dejan Jakovic, Julian de Guzman, Terry Dunfield, Will Johnson and Dwayne De Rosario for Canada, Joao Plata for Ecuador ... Jakovic left the match injured to be replaced by Hainault ... Both Ecuador goals came from players based in the Mexican Primera Division. Former Birmingham City forward Christian Benitez plays for Club America and Michael Arroyo is a San Luis midfielder ... Each team was allowed five substitutions in this friendly.
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