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A 31st minute foul on Toronto defender Doneil Henry by Vancouver forward Marcus Haber was thought to be serious enough to warrant a red card for referee Geoff Gamble.
It was a 50/50 ball and Henry - a rising star in the Toronto FC Academy making his first team debut - got there first. Haber had his studs up on the tackle and may have been judged harshly. But it was the intent more than the impact that made up Gamble's mind. Up a man, Toronto coasted through the rest of the match. They pressured Vancouver in the second half, but already set to lift the NCC trophy, didn't fully capitalize.
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It was an intense affair at times for a match dubbed "meaningless" since Toronto had already clinched the title coming in. Vancouver coach Teitur Thoradrsson started a strong lineup against a Toronto XI of squad players and Academy call-ups. But Vancouver lost a battle early when Haber was sent off, leaving Cornelius Stewart all alone to challenge (and accomplish little against) Henry and a returning Ty Harden.
In the second half Toronto looked to press its advantage using pacy Academy winger Nicholas Lindsay. He gave fullback Zurab Tsiskaridze problems at times, but couldn't find a breakthrough.
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It wasn't the type of match where anyone stood out as a dominant figure or catalyst. But one player that showed a good amount of skill - relative to what he has shown so far this season - was Maxim Usanov.
He came in with little notice at the sixth minute when Joseph Nane had to leave the match due to a dislocated right shoulder. Upon arrival, the prone-to-fouling fullback, was steady on defence. In the second half he pushed forward, and tried to overwhelm the left side of Vancouver's backline along with Lindsay. The youngster's pace was complemented by Usanov's mettle as Toronto pressed the attack.
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Toronto (4-4-2 formation): Milos Kocic, Ty Harden, Joseph Nane, Doneil Henry, Raivis Hscanovics, Julian de Guzman, Gabe Gala, Sam Cronin, Martin Saric, Fuad Ibrahim, Allando Matheson.
Substitutions: Maxim Usanov for Nane (6'), Nicholas Lindsay for de Guzman (46'), Dwayne De Rosario for Matheson (66'). Subs Not Used: Jon Conway, Matt Stinson, Brennan McNicoll, Oscar Cordon.
Caution: Henry 37', Cronin 45', Hscanovics 85'
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Saturday, June 5 v. Kansas City
MLS - Week 11
4:00 PM (CBC)
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GAME NOTES:
Kansas City are winless on the road this season and that could make them a desperate and dangerous opposition in the Reds' final match before the World Cup break.
Toronto will be confident having won every MLS game at home thus far, while Kansas City was rocked in their last match by a 4-1 score away to Salt Lake. In that game the Wizards suffered another blow, losing influential midfielder, captain Davy Arnaud to suspension for the Toronto tilt.
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| 7-6 |
Toronto outshot Vancouver (teams had two shots each on goal). |
| 5-3 |
Toronto held the edge on corner kicks in this match. |
| 18 |
Total number of fouls in the match (Toronto with 10). |
| 5 |
Total number of cards handed out in the match. Toronto racked up three cautions, Vancouver one yellow and Haber's red. |
| 0 |
Losses for both Toronto and Vancouver in NCC this year. The difference being Toronto won two, while Vancouver ended all four matches in draw. |
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"I think (the reserves) did exceptionally well. They were asked to fill in some big shoes and they came in and did the job for us tonight." - Dwayne De Rosario on the Toronto FC Academy and squad players who had a chance to shine against Vancouver.
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"It means everything. It's important we continue to go on this track. We have to bring this winning mentality into (Toronto) soccer culture" - Julian de Guzman on winning his first piece of silverware with Toronto. |
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"It's every kid's dream to get on the field with the first team ... It's a mental game and as long as you work hard and keep trying, the the result gets." - Doneil Henry on making his first team debut and the subsequent nature of the hard-fought match. |
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