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The second half substitution of O'Brian White for Jacob Peterson by Preki proved to be an inspired decision. White scored in less than 90 seconds from entering the game, then set up Chad Barrett for the first of his two goals (seen here celebrating) as Toronto routed Chicago 4-1.
Toronto came out for the restart with a 1-0 lead thanks to Nick LaBrocca's 24th minute strike. Playing against the wind in the second frame, Preki introduced White while hoping TFC could play the ball on the ground. The plan worked. With White in the game Toronto went on the attack and most importantly, finished their chances.
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Toronto's all-Canadian centre back duo of Nana Attakora and Adrian Cann were at their best when they needed to be. Their hard work, aided by Maxim Usanov and Dan Gargan in the backline, held off Fire attackers Brian McBride, Collins John and Patrick Nyarko all afternoon.
After TFC went ahead 2-0, Logan Pause brought the Fire back within one with a wonder goal from 30-yards. Chicago then pressed the issue but Attakora and Cann were magnificent, while Usanov and Gargan sacrificed their bodies to get ahead of the ball. Toronto's defence matured a great deal in these 90+ wind-swept minutes.
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It's hard to take this away from Barrett after the forward's much needed breakout performance. Dwayne De Rosario, in a slightly different role today directly created two goals and can also make the case. But White was the main difference in the match from the time of his introduction.
The Jamaican-born forward and Scarborough native, played a smart ball wide to De Rosario on way to scoring his second goal of the season. Later, White burned Fire's all-star defender Wilman Conde, flying past him as though he wasn't there, before sliding the ball over for a Barrett sitter. White is slowly rounding into his pre-ACL injury form.
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Toronto (4-4-2 formation): Stefan Frei, Nana Attakora, Adrian Cann, Dan Gargan, Maxim Usanov, Julian de Guzman, Amadou Sanyang, Nick LaBrocca, Jacob Peterson, Dwayne De Rosario, Chad Barrett.
Chicago (4-5-1 formation): Andrew Dykstra, C.J. Brown, Tim Ward, Wilman Conde, Krzysztof Krol, Baggio Husidic, Peter Lowry, Marco Pappa, Logan Pause, Patrick Nyarko, Brian McBride.
Goals: Toronto- LaBrocca 24' White 47' Barrett 66' 69' Chicago- Pause 50'
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Wednesday, May 12 v. Montreal
NCC Match 2 of 4
8PM (RSN)
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GAME NOTES:
Many football fans in Montreal are walking on air after the announcement that their club will begin operations as a Major League Soccer outfit starting from the 2012 season. But that won't improve their plight in the NCC.
The Impact drew Vancouver 1-1 in their second match of the tournament, after losing the opener at BMO Field 2-0. If Toronto can get maximum points from Montreal in this match, that will be the end of the NCC challenge for the 2008 champions. Montreal will be without Roberto Brown, Adam Braz and Reda Agourram - all serving suspensions - for the match.
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80
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The km/h wind gusts that players and fans alike braved through at times.
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7
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Shots by each team - all of Toronto's were on goal.
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19
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Number of total fouls - TFC with 13
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5
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Consecutive MLS games in which De Rosario had scored - until today. |
4
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Number of wins - and games - for TFC in all competitions at BMO Field in 2010.
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"I told the group at half time it will be easier for us to move the ball on the ground. When the wind is in your face, it's easier to play on the ground because the ball won't go too far in front of you." - Preki revealed his halftime instructions that led to the introduction of game changer, White.
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"It was all about putting some goals away and scoring two goals is definitely going to help the confidence." - Chad Barrett when asked if the two-goal performance will help him become more confident in front of goal. |
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"The knee held up well. Now it's about getting that match fitness that you need. I didn't think that I had that today." - Jacob Peterson on his first half performance as he continues to round into form following off-season ACL surgery and rehabilitation.
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