Music: {allcanada} Plata scores in MLS debut, TFC top Dynamo

Saturday, May 7, 2011

{allcanada} Plata scores in MLS debut, TFC top Dynamo

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TORONTO -- Striker Joao Plata scored once and set up another on his Major League Soccer debut Saturday as Toronto FC beat the Houston Dynamo 2-1.

After Toronto forward Nick Soolsma was taken down in the Houston area by Canadian international Andre Hainault, Plata, a diminutive Ecuadorian with lightning quick feet, stepped up to the spot and cooly deposited a shot into the top left corner past a helpless Tally Hall in the 50th minute.

The goal had the 20,259 on hand at BMO Field in a frenzy and Plata was mobbed by teammates after running to the corner flag in front of the supporters' section to celebrate.

Plata, 19, then turned playmaker in the 81st minute, sending a through ball to second-half substitute Maicon Santos, who slotted home past Hall.

Houston got one back in the 87th minute from Lovel Palmer and pressed for the tie late, but it wasn't enough as Toronto (2-3-4) recorded just its second victory in MLS play this season.

Plata, who was given a rousing ovation when he was subbed off in second-half-stoppage time, was the most dangerous player on the field all night and thought he'd won a second penalty in the 61st minute.

The five-foot-two waterbug took a ball over the top and moved in on Hall, who appeared to bring down the Toronto striker. Referee Jorge Gonzalez initially pointed to the spot and gave Hall a yellow card. But after conferring with the linesman, Gonzalez reversed his decision and awarded Houston a free kick, apparently believing that Plata dove.

Houston pushed back after Plata's goal, with Cam Weaver moving in on Toronto goalkeeper Stefan Frei in the 56th minute, only to be closed down by the Reds' defence. Houston's Je-Vaughn Watson then fired into the side netting in the 60th after stepping past a Toronto defender.

Plata tried his luck from outside the 18-yard box in the 69th minute, but Hall easily stopped his low drive.

Houston (3-3-3) tested Frei again in the 74th, but after initially spilling a shot from Geoff Cameron, the Toronto 'kepper collected before the ball ran out for a corner.

It looked early on as if Toronto's goalscoring troubles in the league would continue. Coming into Saturday, the Reds had scored just three goals in MLS play since trading captain Dwayne De Rosario to New York two games into the season.

After a first half with little offensive flair, Toronto came out with more vigour in first minute after the break. Plata played a through ball to Jacob Peterson, who saw his low shot stopped by an outstretched Hall in the Houston goal.

Neither team looked eager to attack in the first half with passes failing to connect on both sides.

Toronto midfielder Julian de Guzman came closest in the 11th minute. After some clever play from Plata down the left side, the ball came to de Guzman, who sizzled a shot from 35 yards out that Hall could only push over the bar.

Alen Stevanovic, starting for the injured Alan Gordon, crossed to Soolsma in the 28th minute, but the Toronto forward could only head well over.

Toronto's lack of touch in front of continued in the 36th, when free header for Peterson from the penalty spot again missed the target.

Toronto FC defender Dicoy Williams picked up a yellow card in the 42nd minute when he hauled down Houston striker Koko, but the Dynamo forward's ensuing free kick from 30 yards out was easily handled by Frei.

Notes: Toronto FC defeated Edmonton 1-0 in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship on Wednesday to take the two-legged, total goals series 4-0 and clinch a spot in the final against the Vancouver Whitecaps. That two-game aggregate series gets underway May 18 at Empire Field in Vancouver, with the return leg May 25 at BMO Field. ... Toronto FC's next game is Wednesday on the road against FC Dallas. ... Houston visits Real Salt Lake on May 14. ... Hainault, a native of Montreal has one goal in 17 appearances for Canada. ... Toronto defender Richard Eckersley started his first MLS game. He picked up a yellow card late in the second half.