Toronto FC started the season with back-to-back wins for the first time in
franchise history with a 1-0 victory over DC United in front of a sellout crowd
at BMO Field.
Marshon Lattimore Jersey . Jermain Defoe put
forth another Man of the Match performance scoring the match winner in the 60th
minute. Defoe jumped on a poor defensive clearance after a Gilberto shot on the
break and slotted into a wide open net for his third goal in two matches. It was
a feel good day for the long-suffering Toronto FC supporters. The poor weather
held off, and the sun even came out shortly before Defoes goal. The noise, the
atmosphere, the smiles were back at BMO Field and theres good reason to believe
more good times are on the horizon on the lakefront in downtown
Toronto. Off-season hype has turned into regular season production. The match
lacked the speed and tempo of the opening game win in Seattle but had similar
combative elements and superior team shape, boding well for further progression
as this group of new players continue to gel. Here are five thoughts on
Toronto FCs home opening victory. Determined Defending – The group was simply
dominant, worthy of the clean sheet. Proven MLS goal scorers Eddie Johnson and
Fabian Espindola were forced to fall deep to get involved in the play. Pushing
attacking players far away from Julio Cesars goal has been trademark through two
matches. Absolutely no space was given. The partnership of Steven Caldwell and
Doneil Henry has provided stability the team has lacked in recent seasons. They
have proven an ideal duo to lead from the back – experience paired with sheer
athleticism. Theres a lot to like. The off-season addition of Justin Morrow flew
under the radar, yet the left-back has been among the teams best, a rock down
the wing. And Mark Bloom has maintained positional integrity, solid on the
night. Although DC United held 63 per cent of possession, TFC limited their
opposition to only one legit goal scoring opportunity and two shots on goal.
Last week in Seattle, the Sounders only had two truly good scoring
opportunities. Keeping the possession to the outside is critical, with Caldwell
and Henry being monsters in the air in defending crosses. It must be said
goalkeeper Cesar hasnt been caught out of position, creating calmness at the
back. Overall, the early season returns as a team defensively have been superior
to expectations. Imperfect Pitch – The long and brutal Toronto winter made for
soft, muddy and bumpy conditions, making it difficult to play the ball on the
deck. Toronto FC took very few chances in their defensive end, choosing to clear
more often than maintaining possession. This will have to change as the season
goes on. Possession is critical to dictating the tempo and flow, while bringing
Torontos skill players into the game. There was little flow Saturday. Im not
sure if TFC will ever be a dominant possession team. Good news however, they are
always dangerous on the counter. They have pace down the wings and creative
movement up front through pacey strikers. No matter the conditions, this team
will create chances. Give kudos to the team for adapting from one extreme on
turf a week ago to succeeding on a soft, slow, choppy surface in
Toronto. Defoe/Gilberto Potential – The duo is a work in progress but there is
much to get excited about. Defoes resume and early production speaks for itself.
Head Coach Ryan Nelsen commented post-match, "If I was Roy Hodgson, Id pick him
in a heartbeat" when asked about his potential World Cup inclusion. If he
continues on this kind of form, Hodgson will have a tough time keeping him out
of his England side in a tournament all about timely goal scoring. Gilberto was
always the mystery heading into the season. The 24-year-old designated player is
a relative unknown commodity, but did score 14 goals in Brazil last season. His
pre-season prediction of scoring 25 goals may be too ambitious, but he showed
boatloads of promise in his Toronto FC debut. His movement off the ball is
intelligent. And although 510, the striker plays much bigger, regularly getting
his body in between the ball and his defender. His set up on Defoes chance off
the post in the 42 minute was a well-timed run finished with proper service low
to the front post. Gilberto doesnt speak English: another hurdle to developing
chemistry with Defoe but both players have natural instincts. This relationship
will be fun to watch as it develops. Referee Inconsistency – The replacement
officials a week earlier did a better job than Silviu Petrescu and his crew
Saturday. Regular MLS officials went back to work this week with the same
inconsistencies in their play call that has frustrated MLS onlookers for years.
Petrescu was a step slow throughout the match (literally when bowled over by
Michael Bradley), but its a lack of consistency that will drive players crazy.
In the second half, Alvaro Rey was taken down after beating two defenders down
the left wing – no card was shown, yet moments later down the right hand side,
Davy Arnaud was cautioned for taking down Jonathan Osorio on a similar play.
Players, coaches and fans alike need to be clear on how a match is going to be
called. The overall performance Saturday was subpar. Bravo, Bradley – Toronto
FCs number four covers an incredible amount of ground. The pressure he puts on
the ball sets the tone, giving little time or space for his centre-midfield
opponents. There wasnt much room in the centre of the field Saturday, but
Bradley expertly used what little he had, creating both short and long using his
wingers to near perfection. Its the edge, blue-collar mentality that will easily
win over supporters. The clash of heads with Arnaud that sent the DC United
midfielder out of the game was a late challenge. Bradley was lucky not to be
cautioned. But it was a challenge hed never back out of. Its not in his DNA to
back out of 50-50 balls. The commitment is true leadership by example. With a
gash split open on the back of the head, Bradley received some quick treatment,
had a bandage cover the wound, and was back on the field, bossing the play and
being combative as ever. The American international will continue to be the
straw that stirs the drink. Its hard to imagine Toronto FC now without his
presence. Lets wait until June to deal with that problem.
gareth.wheeler@bellmedia.ca@WheelerTSN
Marshon Lattimore Womens Jersey . Top-seeded
Djokovic, who is making only his second appearance this year after reaching the
quarterfinals of the Australian Open, was a 6-3, 6-3 winner over 54th-ranked
Istomin of Uzbekistan. "It wasnt as easy as the scoreline indicates," said
Djokovic, who has won in Dubai on four occasions.
Ryan Ramczyk Saints Jersey . In a pregame
tribute commemorating his final contest at Coors Field on Wednesday night,
Helton caught the ceremonial first pitch from his daughter with his wife,
younger daughter and good friend Peyton Manning watching from the field.TORONTO
- Minnesota Twins right-hander Mike Pelfrey has undergone elbow surgery and will
be sidelined for at least two months. Pelfrey, who had Tommy John surgery on the
same elbow in 2012, had scar tissue removed Tuesday to relieve pressure on a
nerve. The problem had been causing tingling in his fingers since spring
training and led to reduced velocity on his pitches. The surgery was performed
by Dr. Jaames Andrews, who also operated on Pelfrey in 2012.
Ryan Ramczyk Womens Jersey. A nine-year
veteran who has also pitched for the New York Mets, Pelfrey is 0-3 with a 7.99
ERA in five starts this season. Pelfrey has been sidelined since May 2 with a
strained left groin, and his velocity dropped even more while he was pitching at
Triple-A on a rehab assignment. That led to tests, which revealed the nerve
issue.
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