TORONTO -- Toronto FC and Sporting Kansas City played to a 0-0 draw on a overcast evening Saturday at BMO Field.
The scoreless final was in stark contrast to Toronto FC's last match, a 6-2 thrashing at home courtesy of the Philadelphia Union.
The Reds vowed to improve their game after that embarrassing loss, and they did that much at least defensively.
The MLS-worst Sporting Kansas City (1-6-3) are still winless since a 3-2 season-opening victory over Chivas USA on March 19.
SKC is at the tail end of 10-game road odyssey due to the construction of their new soccer field, Livestrong Sporting Park. They will play their inaugural game at the new pitch Thursday against the Chicago Fire.
After a choppy first half that had little rhythm and few quality chances, Toronto (2-5-7) emerged from the locker-room looking more determined. Right away captain Maicon Santon drove deep into SKC's penalty area and went one-on-one with Eric Kronberg, though the Sporting goalkeeper proved up to the task.
Santos took another crack at it in 59th with a low blast from 20 yards out, but again Kronberg handled the threat. Seven minutes later Santos had yet another sparkling chance from nine yards out, and this time an outstretched Kronberg tipped his shot over the crossbar.
Toronto substitute Doneil Henry came in just before injury time and immediately made his presence felt with a dead-on header that could have stolen a win.
Sporting finally gave TFC 'keeper Stefan Frei some work in 70th when Teal Bunbury right footed a shot from long range.
Bunbury was booed mercilessly on every touch, especially when he blasted a ball into Toronto's net after a whistle in the 25th. The officials chose not to book the Canadian-born forward, who is now an American citizen and has elected to play for the U.S. national squad, drawing the ire of local soccer fans.
Sporting almost connected on a set piece in the 22nd minute as midfielder Ryan Smith sent a long ball into the TFC box with Frei out of position. Fortunately for the home side, the ball was headed just wide.
Joao Plata energized the Toronto attack early in the sixth minute when he blazed down the left flank alone and sent a nice cross to Javier Martina, who was waiting at the top of KC's penalty box. However, Martina couldn't handle the pass as Sporting pressured the Toronto forwards in their defensive zone.
The low score was likely a result of the Reds still smarting from the Philadelphia debacle. It was Toronto's worst defeat at BMO Field and showed some glaring holes in TFC's defensive line.
Toronto's back field situation didn't look to be improving after the recent loss of key centre back Adrian Cann. The defender suffered a knee injury during practice this week and has been ruled out for the remainder of the season.
That opened the door for Nana Attakora, who Toronto head coach Aron Winter has used sparingly this year despite his strong season in 2010. Rumours of a contract dispute between Attakora and the club have swirled around the situation. Attakora factored little in the match Saturday.
Toronto's roster situation looked to take another turn for the worst in the end of the first half when Nathan Sturgis hobbled off the field with an apparent leg injury. Moments later, however, the midfielder re-entered the game but looked wobbly at best.
Also missing from FC's depleted lineup was high-priced midfielder Julian De Guzman, who is away fulfilling national duties with Canada at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, as was Jamaican national Dicoy Williams.
Toronto's beleaguered attack is still awaiting the return of Alan Gordon. His status for Saturday was in question, but a nagging groin issue kept the forward out at least another game.
Notes: Toronto's Ty Harden and Tony Tchani both received yellow cards in the second half. ... Sporting's Omar Bravo was booked with a yellow in the 38th after tripping Richard Eckersley from behind. ... Toronto injuries include midfielder Elbekay Bouchiba (knee surgery recovery), midfielder Matt Stinson (calf strain), forward Alan Gordon (abductor strain), and midfielder Jacob Peterson (hamstring). ... Hamilton-born Bunbury has not found the back of the net in his last seven games for Sporting. He scored the lone goal in the teams' last meeting, a 1-0 Kansas City home win July 31. ... Kansas City last victory in Toronto was a 1-0 win April 28, 2007 -- the first-ever game at BMO Field.
Entertainment Plaza - TV, Movies, Sports, Music
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99
Babe Of The Month
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonth.html
Hunk Of The Month
http://members.shaw.ca/almosthuman99/babeofthemonthman.html
No comments:
Post a Comment