June 7, 2014 MLS--Toronto FC vs San Jose Earthquakes (by Rocket Robin)

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Result of the Saturday June 7, 2014, MLS game between Toronto FC and San Jose Earthquakes played at BMO Field in Toronto at 4:00pm.

Toronto FC (all red, white names and numbers)

.......................12 Joseph Bendik
17 Nick Hagglund...13 Steven Caldwell (cpt)...15 Doneil Henry...28 Mark Bloom
11 Jackson...26 Collen Warner...8 Kyle Bekker...21 Jonathan Osorio
.............27 Luke Moore...18 Jermain Defoe

Subs:...1 Chris Konopka (gk)...2 Justin Morrow (def)...5 Ashtone Morgan (def)...14 Dwayne De Rosario (mid)...25 Jeremy Hall (mid)
...23 Dominic Oduro (fwd)...35 Daniel Lovitz (mid)
team officials:...head coach Ryan Nelsen

San Jose Earthquakes (blue socks and shirts, black shorts and shoulders, white names and numbers)

.......................18 Jon Busch
26 Brandon Barklage...2 Ty Harden...44 Clarence Goodson...3 Jordan Stewart (cpt)
7 Cordell Cato...4 Sam Cronin...80 Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi...6 Shea Salinas
...............24 Steven Lenhart...16 Alan Gordon

Subs:...13 Bryan Meredith (gk)...11 Mike Fucito (fwd)...15 J. J. Koval (mid)...20 Shaun Francis (def)...21 Jason Hernandez (def)
...22 Tommy Thompson (mid)...32 Billy Schuler (fwd)
team officials:...head coach Mark Watson

Game officials:...referee Fotis Bazakos...referee's assistants Brian Poeschel and Richard Gamache...fourth official Yusri Rudolf
...(yellow shirts, black shorts and socks)

1st Half:...game starts 4:09pm...TFC defends south end on this warm day with a bright sun in the south.
1 min...SJ Salinas cross near left end line has TFC Bekker head ball away near left post for throw-in.
3 min...TFC Warner 30 yard freekick from left has defender head ball away at 8 yards. TFC Bloom chips 40 yarder from left over players that goalie catches.
6 min...SJ Cato cross from 25 yards on right is over box and cleared up left.
7 min...TFC Jackson cross from right end line has SJ Goodson head ball behind end line for cornerkick at 5 yards.
8 min...TFC Warner cornerkick from right is headed away. TFC Warner recross through box and bounces out of bounds for TFC throw-in.
9 min...TFC Moore cross from 15 yards on far right is headed away.
10 min...TFC Warner pass forward from 40 yards has falling TFC Osorio at 25 yards tip roller for goalie to pick up.
11 min...TFC Jackson rush down middle and low 30 yard shot is wide left of net.
14 min...TFC Defoe 28 yard low freekick from left after TFC Warner tap over has goalie dive to stop at 2 yards and spring up to smother ball at 6 yards.
16 min...TFC YELLOW card...Henry earns it for pushing SJ Lenhart after giving up freekick.
17 min...SJ Cronin 50 yard freekick from right has SJ Goodson head ball at 18 yards on left and TFC Caldwell heads ball away at 8 yards.
18 min...TFC Caldwell heads away long SJ Barklage throw-in from right.
19 min...SJ Salinas 25 yard freekick from right has defender head ball away in box at 7 yards.
23 min...TFC Hagglund 20 yard shot in clear has goalie fly to left to punch away. TFC Bloom crosses back in from 30 yards on left and SJ Goodson flies at 10 yards to head ball across box to right and Hagglund flies feet first to sidefoot 15 yard kick from right just wide left of post.
24 min...TFC Defoe 28 yard shot down middle is deflected at 22 yards wide left by defender.
25 min...TFC Warner cornerkick from left has TFC Hagglund win Penalty kick when he's knocked over by SJ Gordon for back into him (commentators said it was to elbow him in the face) at 6 yards.
26 min...TFC Jermain Defoe GOAL...Defoe blasts Penalty kick low to left side as goalie dives right.
27 min...TFC Hagglund slips but gets up to cross from right over players in box. There's more action on edge of box and TFC earns cornerkick.
28 min...TFC player's cornerkick from right has TFC Hagglund leap and head from 15 yards down middle in crowd of players that flies wide left and TFC Defoe scissor kick from 5 yards on left deflects off SJ Stewart for cornerkick.
29 min...TFC Osorio cornerkick from left has TFC player not able to twist header in crowd of players. TFC Defoe recovers ball and crosses low from 22 yards on right and SJ Cronin stops it at 6 yards and goalie steps forward to pick up ball.
30 min...SJ Salinas freekick from 40 yards on left has TFC Henry in crowd of players at 12 yards in middle of box head ball away.
30 min...SJ Barklage long throw-in from right has ball headed away from 10 yards in box and SJ Cato kicks 22 yard rebound high and wide left of net.
32 min...SJ Stewart gets back to tip ball from TFC Defoe at 20 yards to stop breakaway.
33 min...TFC Hagglund low cross from 30 yards on right has SJ Stewart at 18 yards kick ball away for throw-in.
33 min...TFC Hagglund long throw-in from right is headed away by SJ Cronin on right edge of box.
35 min...TFC Moore is injured with knee in back from SJ Goodson at SJ 50 yard line.
37 min...SJ Barklage long throw-in from right is whistled down for pushing in 6 yard box.
38 min...SJ Cato rolls pass from right end line to edge of 6 yard box and TFC Warner clears.
40 min...TFC Moore low blast from 15 yards on right as TFC Defoe doesn't run for it as he's offside and goalie sprawls to save at 2 yards. SJ defender concedes cornerkick by kicking it over end line.
40 min...TFC Warner cornerkick from left is cleared by SJ Cronin header at 8 yards.
43 min...SJ Gordon low crossing pass from 18 yards on right has TFC Caldwell clear at 8 yards.
44 min...SJ Stewart high 45 yard chip from left bounces in box in crowd of players and SJ Gordon with back to goal heads pop up at 8 yards that bounces to goalie.
45 min...TFC Henry clears ball into box at 15 yards that tipped off SJ Cato.
46 min...half ends 4:55pm.

Halftime Entertainment:...The same events as most games (Scotts special seats, Drumsticks ice cream draw, Pizza Pizza draw. They introduced former TFC forward Danny Koevermans who said he's made Toronto his second home. His long injury recovery period tied up a Designated Player spot for a year and a half. There was a Tim Horton's kiddy soccer game for the first time this year. Kids from the Royal York Soccer Club who played a 6 on 6 game and the kids somewhat held their positions. Past years have had games of 15 or 20 players on each team and the kids all mob around the ball while the PA system played the Benny Hill Theme. The game was only three minutes long as it was in previous years. The song played was "Love Generation" by Bob Sinclar.

2nd Half:...starts 5:12pm.
45 min...SJ Barklage long throw-in from right is headed away in crowd in box at 15 yards.
46 min...TFC Hagglund rolls cross from 22 yards on right near end line and wins cornerkick on right as ball deflects off defender.
46 min...TFC Warner quick cornerkick tap out from right has TFC Osorio cross blocked by SJ Salinas at 20 yards near end line.
48 min...TFC Bloom cross from 25 yards on left has SJ Stewart head away from 12 yards in middle of box.
48 min...TFC Warner 35 yard freekick from right has TFC Hagglund head ball wide left from 12 yards on right but flag is up.
49 min...SJ Pierazzi 35 yard blast has TFC Henry head ball wide left from 20 yards.
49 min...SJ player's cornerkick from left has two SJ shots from just outside box blocked.
56 min...TFC Jackson long run on right and low cross attempt from 20 yards on right deflects for cornerkick.
56 min...TFC Warner cornerkick from right has TFC Caldwell from 12 yards in middle head ball over the net.
59 min...SJ YELLOW card...Cronin earns it for knockdown on TFC Jackson at SJ 40 yard line.
59 min...TFC Warner chips 45 yard freekick from right that goalie catches in crowd crowd of players at 6 yards.
60 min...SJ Barklage high cross from 28 yards on right has goalie drift left of net to make overhead catch.
62 min...TFC Defoe cross into box from 30 yards on right has defenders in box head ball away.
62 min...TFC Defoe rolls cross from 15 yards on far right has SJ goalie dive foward to smother at 5 yards to beat TFC Moore to ball.
63 min...SJ Pierazzi 45 yard shot from middle has goalie fly to left to catch.
63 min...TFC sub...Oduro replaces Jackson.
65 min...SJ Lenhart has shot from 25 yards up middle blocked by TFC Caldwell.
65 min...SJ YELLOW card...Goodson earns it for hand ball over his head knocking ball down at 35 yard line to break up a pass play to TFC Oduro.
66 min...TFC Warner 35 yard freekick from right has rushing TFC Hagglund down middle flick header just wide left from 7 yards.
67 min...SJ sub...Koval replaces Cronin.
68 min...SJ Salinas 45 yard freekick down middle has defender head ball away on edge of box.
68 min...SJ sub...Schuler replaces Gordon.
69 min...SJ Pierazzi 50 yard freekick from left has TFC Hagglund head away in crowd of players on edge of box. SJ Koval gets rebound in middle and chips 45 yarder over players that goalie catches just wide left of net.
73 min...SJ Salinas 45 yard freekick from right has SJ Lenhart head 8 yarder in crowd of players down middle that goalie catches on bounce.
74 min...SJ Cato cross from 22 yards on left deflects off foot of defender and edge of box and pops up and TFC Henry heads away from 12 yards in middle of box.
75 min...SJ Barklage long throw-in from right has ball bounce through box and SJ Schuler take 12 yard shot down middle that deflects high off defender at 10 yards and ball pops up. TFC goalie drops ball at 6 yards and SJ Cato shoots rebound from 8 yards is blocked by leg of defender and ball deflects out of box.
76 min...SJ Salinas cornerkick from left has ball cleared by TFC Hagglund header at 6 yards. SJ Cato rushes in to receive forward pass at 20 yards on left and his low 15 yard cross has TFC Hagglund slide and deflect behind end line.
76 min...SJ Salinas cornerkick from left has ball partially cleared by defender's kick and SJ Pierazzi shoots ball from middle at 25 yards low and wide left of goal.
77 min...TFC sub...Lovitz replaces Bekker.
78 min...TFC Lovitz and SJ Barklage are both injured in clash of heads at TFC 40 yard line jumping for TFC goalkick. Lovitz leaves for the dressing room while Barklage returns to game.
80 min...TFC sub...Morrow replaces injured Lovitz.
82 min...SJ Salinas cornerkick from right has TFC Hagglund knock ball away with shoulder at 6 yards on right.
82 min...SJ Barklage 55 yard chip from right finds SJ Stewart who leaps and heads from 20 yards well wide left of net.
83 min...TFC YELLOW card...Hagglund earns it for knock down of SJ Lenhart at TFC 30 yard line.
84 min...SJ Pierazzi 35 yard freekick from left is knocked around and eventually bounces shot wide left SJ Koval from 12 yards.
84 min...SJ Schuler crosses over box from 15 yards on far left.
85 min...SJ Barklage throw-in from left ball partially cleared from box and SJ Pierazzi chips from 35 yards on left that's caught by goalie.
86 min...SJ goalie falls to left to stop TFC Morrow header from 18 yards on left.
87 min...SJ sub...Thompson replaces Salinas.
88 min...SJ Barklage long throw-in from left has defender clear from box.
89 min...SJ Cato rush on left and passes forward to charging SJ Schuler at 15 yards and he is checked off ball.
89 min...TFC Morrow cross from left is just a yard too far forward for jumping TFC Defoe at 7 yards.
90 min...SJ Barklage long throw-in from right is cleared on header by TFC Morrow at 15 yards in middle.
91 min...SJ Barklage chips 50 yarder from left that is popped up on header on edge of box and goalie runs left to catch on bounce at 7 yards.
91 min...TFC Bloom rush on left eludes defender and cross while in box on left has SJ Stewart pop up header and another defender clears from box.
92 min...TFC YELLOW card...Defoe earns it for throwing ball into crowd to delay SJ throw-in at TFC 40 yard line.
93 min...TFC Henry heads ball back to goalie from 20 yards after TFC Morrow bad header flick miss at 45 yards flies backwards.
94 min...TFC goalie runs out to 30 yards to boot away through ball.
95 min...game ends 6:02pm.

Final Score:.....Toronto FC.......1..........San Jose Earthquakes...........0........

Attendance was announced as a sellout at 22591 on a perfectly hot, sunny day.

Man of the Match (who is always a TFC player) was announced as midfielder Collen Warner. I didn't notice anything special about his performance except in this game they let him take most of the freekicks and corners. If Nick Hagglund had connected on one of his chances he would have been the obvious choice because he played great defensively.

TFC had never beaten the Earthquakes at BMO Field until today for a record of 2 losses and 3 ties. It was the only MLS team TFC had not beaten at home.

I didn't understand why this game was priced at a premium on our tickets. It was printed as $101.00 for my seat (although I get a season ticket discount). The Earthquakes are not a rival and not a playoff team.

Chris Wondolowski is the star of the San Jose and he wasn't here as he was named to the American World Cup team. I met him as the MLS MVP at the MLS Final in 2010 between Colorado and Dallas held here in Toronto and he was signing autographs. He has scored six goals in four games at BMO Field. Defender Clarence Goodson was a late cut of the World Cup team and played for the Earthquakes today. Defender Victor Bernardez was away with the Honduran World Cup team.

The Earthquakes are known for their great comebacks of 90th minute and injury time goals--given the nickname 'The Goonies' like the movie by their fans for never giving up but with no Wondolowski and no good chances until the very end they didn't seriously threaten to tie the game. Each time they pressed at the end TFC followed up with fast breaking counter attacks.

TFC had more possession than usual--48.7%. I don't know if that will continue as their season moves forward.

SJE goalie Jon Busch twice dived for low shots but gave up big rebounds which once he sprang up to grab and another one relied on a defender to clear away for a cornerkick.

TFC defenders were good at heading away crosses and cornerkicks into the box with not just Doneil Henry but Steven Caldwell and Nick Hagglund making headed clearances.

TFC's newest player, forward Dominic Oduro came into the game at 63 minutes. He was acquired from Columbus Crew for midfielder Alvaro Rey.

I found it interesting to see Gilberto warm up with the starters and be announced as a starter but not take to the field. Kyle Bekker who warmed up with the bench players suddenly started. I saw Gilberto on the sideline and thought he was going to come in as a substitute during the last 15 minutes but he was just watching from the tunnel. After the game I found out he'd been injured during the warm up and that's why he didn't play. I was thinking as soon as I heard of the Oduro trade that he would be the guy that replaces Gilberto who still hasn't scored this season.

Daniel Lovitz was a sub at 77 minutes but was injured within three minutes and had to be subbed off--Justin Morrow (the team's third sub) as a defender to hold onto the lead.

Justin Morrow had a pregame talk with Sam Cronin, Alan Gordon, and Jason Hernandez as the teams warmed up. Morrow was an All Star in 2012 with the Earthquakes while Cronin and Gordon played for TFC (as did Ty Hardin).

TFC's record improves to 6 wins, 4 losses, and 1 tie. They've already equalled their win total for the entire 2013 season. They are in 4th place at the break and have three or four games in hand on most of the other teams. They have the fewest ties of any team in the league. When teams tie, they leave a point on the table and Eastern teams are especially hurting themselves with ties. TFC are well placed in the weak Eastern Conference. Now that they have no CONCACAF games to play in August and September thanks to them losing the Canadian Championship to Montreal Impact, they can concentrate on league play without tiring out with those midweek games.

There is now a two week break after this Wednesday for the beginning of the World Cup. The next games for TFC are on the road against New York Red Bulls then Chicago Fire before returning home to play DC United on Saturday July 5th at 7:00pm.

We were given a double sided World Cup poster upon entering the gates. On one side was Michael Bradley in his TFC jersey but background of the USA team and on the other was Julio Cesar also in a TFC jersey but with the background of Brazilian colours. On the way out I was given a Panini sticker book.

It was another tough day to get here. The subways were not running south of Bloor Street. I could get along the subways along Bloor but there were detours on the buses south as there was a street party along Dundas West. I ended up walking from Ossington Station. Portugal and Brazil were the World Cup favourites in this neighbourhood by the number of flags in windows and cars.

Rocket Robin
robing@eol.ca

stats from MLSsoccer.com
Match Information

MLS Regular Season at BMO Field
Attendance 22591
Weather Sunny

Goals and Assists
27'   Jermain Defoe (PK) 

Disciplinary
17'   Doneil Henry         Reason: Unsporting behaviour 
60'   Sam Cronin           Reason: Foul 
66'   Clarence Goodson     Reason: Hand 
84'   Nick Hagglund        Reason: Foul 
90'+3' Jermain Defoe       Reason: Time wasting 

Toronto FC
12 Joe Bendik
17 Nick Hagglund, 13 Steven Caldwell, 15 Doneil Henry, 28 Mark Bloom
11 Jackson (23 Dominic Oduro 65), 26 Collen Warner, 8 Kyle Bekker (35 Daniel Lovitz 78, 2 Justin Morrow 81), 21 Jonathan Osorio
27 Luke Moore, 18 Jermain Defoe

Subs not used:  1 Chris Konopka (gk)...5 Ashtone Morgan (def)...14 Dwayne De Rosario (mid)...25 Jeremy Hall (def)

San Jose Earthquakes
18 Jon Busch
26 Brandon Barklage, 2 Ty Harden, 44 Clarence Goodson, 3 JOrdan Stewart
7 Cordell Cato, 4 Sam Cronin (15 J.J. Koval), 80 Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi, 6 Shea Salinas (22 Tommy Thompson 89)
24 Steven Lenhart, 16 Alan Gordon (32 Billy Schuler 70)

Subs not used:  13 Bryan Meredith (gk)...11 Michael Fucito (fwd)...20 Shaun Francis (def)...21 Jason Hernandez (def)

Stats:

TOR                            SJE
 14      Shots                  11 
  4      Shots on Target         2 
  6      Shots off Target        3 
  4      Blocked Shots           6 
  7      Corners                 4 
 24      Crosses                22 
  3      Offsides                0 
 19      Fouls                  17 
  3      Yellow Cards            2 
  0      Red Cards               0 
329      Total Passes          354 
 74 %    Passing Accuracy       73 % 
 48.7 %  Possession             51.3 % 
 58      Duels Won              49 
  9      Tackles Won             7 
  2      Saves                   3 
 49      Clearances             24 

OFFICIALS
 Referee  Fotis Bazakos 
 Assistant Referee  Brian Poeschel 
 Assistant Referee  Richard Gamache 
 Fourth Official  Yusri Rudolf

Toronto FC starters