June 20, 2015 League 1 Ontario--Toronto FC Academy vs Durham United FC (from League 1 Ontario press release)

  
Toronto FC Academy 0 - Durham United F.C. 2
. Mon Jun 22 
Written By: Staff, League1  

Durham United F.C. secured a valuable win away at Toronto F.C. Academy's Kia Training Grounds after second half 
strikes from Jordan Dover (50') and Kristian Lee-Him (72').

After a tight first half, in which TFCA goalkeeper Brogan Engbers saved a penalty from Durham forward 
LeRohne Young, Durham stepped up their press and began to find rewards from the pressure on the 
Junior Reds backline.

"The key moment was our first goal," said Durham head coach, Sanford Carabin. "We changed our tactics to start 
the second half, to try and play more in TFC's half and force them to play through us by pressing higher 
up the pitch - this led to a turnover early and Jordon produced a spectacular individual effort to score 
from distance. This galvinized the team and instilled a lot of belief in our play."

"Playing out of the back was tough on the day as we gave the ball away," admitted TFCA head coach, Stuart Neely. 
"PK save by Brogan Engbers kept us in the match early on but mistakes cost us. [In training] we will address 
repetitive problem solving sessions with focus on midfield play and relationship with back line."

The gravity of an early-season win over TFCA at their home grounds was not lost on Carabin.

"Going into Kia isn't easy," he said. "TFC Academy teams are very well organized, have some of the best 
young players around, and tend to dictate the tempo of most games with their high level of ball circulation. 
We started the game off allowing them far too much space, and they managed to hold on to possession much 
more than we anticipated - hence we struggled to get any grip of the game. However, we adapted in the 
second half and asked the players to increase their work rate defensively, which allowed us to disrupt 
their normal build-up play and regain possession quicker."

With very little between the two sides for most of the contest, Carabin was also quick to point out the 
difficulties the Junior Reds caused for Durham. 

"I thought their #9 [Malik Johnson] was their most dynamic player," he said. "He created all kinds of problems 
for us, especially in the first half, when he dropped into pockets between our back line and midfield to pick 
up the ball and we struggled to defend against his pace running with the ball. What we took out of this game 
is that we need to address how we defend better... between the lines."

Neely highlighted the work of Nicholas Osorio - "put in an honest effort and kept us in position while 
demanding from his team-mates" - as well as Durham's Bruce Cullen, who "attacked well 1v1."

Carabin selected goalscorers Jordan Dover and Kristain Lee-Him as standouts, as well as defender Joe Zupo.

"Jordon defended very well at right back and created problems for TFC going forward with his overlapping 
runs and link up play with out forwards," said Carabin. "Kristain started his first game with us and 
looked very comfortable in the #8 role. He worked tirelessly pressing their midfielders from playing 
centrally and made several late attacking runs... one of which resulted in our 2nd goal."

"Joe was his usual steady self at the heart of our defence, organizing our back four and making timely 
interceptions all game long against some very dynamic forwards."

TFCA will surely look to rebound quickly from the loss, but faces a tough midweek fixture away 
to Windsor Stars on Wednesday June 24 at McHugh Stadium, Windsor, 8 p.m. kickoff. The contest will 
be refreshed in league play on Sunday June 28, as TFCA welcomes Windsor to Kia Training Ground, 2:45 p.m.

Durham has a slightly easier fixture list, avoiding the midweek Cup fixtures and playing Saturday June 27 
at L'Amoreaux Park, Scarborough vs. Master's FA Saints, 9 p.m.  

back to 2015 League 1 Ontario Men's index

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