Toronto Club News

[Forza_Roma]

Andrea Lombardo was on an episode of the TLN Soccer Fanatics last sunday night. He's a Juventus fan and was promoting TFC. Seems like a nice guy. He was talking about how veteran players are on a first name basis with officials...kind of implicated that certain players in the MLS have preferential treatment.

[jec1]

Too bad he sucks as a player.... too slow!

[Benfica7]

Toronto FC has a three-game winning streak for the first time in the club's short history, and the scariest part for other MLS teams is that the Reds just seem to be getting better.

TFC played one of the best overall matches in its 35-match existence on Saturday in a 2-0 win against the Kansas City Wizards at BMO Field. The Reds controlled the pace of play for most of the match, limited the Wizards to only a few scoring chances and capitalized on their own opportunities thanks to two goals from Amado Guevara.

"The good thing is that the team is winning and we got three points out of the game," Guevara said. "The fact that I scored the two goals, it's something that is a blessing for me to score, but the key here is to help the team win."

Guevara started the game in an all-out attacking midfield spot, behind lone striker Danny Dichio. It's a position in which the Honduran star thrived, as he was a constant threat in the Kansas City end and led all Toronto players with five shots, three of which were on goal.

It was such pressure that led to Guevara being in position to score the first goal of the match in the 56th minute. Defender Marvell Wynne carried the ball down the right side and into the K.C. goal area, but he was held up by two Wizards defenders. Wynne attempted a shot that was knocked back in a half-deflection, half-clearing attempt that resulted in the ball falling right at Guevara's feet in front of the net. The Wizards argued that Guevara was offside, but the referee made no call after Guevara scored his first goal of the season.

The goal was a sweet result for a Reds squad that had been attacking for the entire game, and it was Guevara who put the game away in the 77th minute. This time, he launched a direct free kick off the inner side of the left-hand post to give TFC a two-goal lead.

It was the second set piece goal in as many weeks from Toronto. Midfielder Laurent Robert's direct free kick strike was the winner in TFC's 1-0 victory against Real Salt Lake last Saturday. On both plays, Guevara and Robert stood over the ball giving no hints as to which one was going to shoot before the foot made contact.

"I actually thought Laurent was going to take it," said Toronto head coach John Carver. "But this is why I give players the responsibility. They decide, they're in the situation, they know who feels good and on this occasion Amado fancied it."

Guevara said that there is no pattern as to when he or Robert will take a set piece, as each situation is different.

"The same thing happened last week," Guevara said. "We had a discussion looking at who has the best angle to take the shot. Last week we decided that Laurent had the best shot on goal. This week we both looked at the position of the ball and decided that I had the best angle. So I took it and thankfully the ball went to the right place.

"The priority is the team," he added. "Scoring a goal is for the benefit of the team and that's how everyone wins."

Guevara's brace was the first from a Toronto player, which was one of several notable firsts stemming from Saturday's win. Toronto FC had never managed a three-game winning streak before, nor had the club recorded back-to-back clean sheets.

It is the latter accomplishment that particularly pleased Carver, especially given that Toronto struggled on the backline in its first three games. The Reds coach was happy that his side kept the dangerous Claudio Lopez off of the scoresheet.

"I'm pleased with the result, especially the fact that we kept another clean sheet," Carver said. "I mean, look at Lopez, he's a world class player. So that tells you something about our defense, our midfield players and our front end who defended, and kept him quiet.

Carver also credited TFC goalkeeper Greg Sutton with "a match-winning save" in the 67th minute that retained Toronto's lead. Lopez created some space on the right side and found a streaking Ivan Trujillo approaching the net. Lopez's cross found his fellow striker but Sutton dove to his left to knock the ball aside.

"Lopez was coming down the right side, and I was playing it as a shot," Sutton said. "[Trujillo] came in the back door late in the play, and I just slid across as fast as I could. I don't think he got all of it and I was able to get my left hand down. It was a big point in the game, we were up 1-0 and if they had scored there they would've tied the game. That gave us a shot of confidence and I think that helped with the second goal.

"I think we had another great collective effort. Our attackers are helping our defenders and our defenders are helping the attackers. It's great to have two shutouts in a row, it just creates more confidence for me and for the defense."

TFC has a short turnaround week as the New York Red Bulls come to BMO Field for a Thursday night match that will be nationally televised on ESPN2. The Reds could add some fresh legs to the lineup with first-round MLS SuperDraft pick Julius James back to match fitness after a shoulder injury and defender Olivier Tebily officially signed after several weeks of training with the team.

A three-game winning streak and more talented players on the sidelines? These are heady times for Toronto FC.

"It's good now because we're sitting here talking about players coming into the team," Carver said. "That tells you something about the strength we've tried to add to the club.

"Last week it was a game of two halves, but today we were there for 90 minutes. That's pleasing. But again, I said to [the team in the locker room], we start work again on Monday. We've got a big game on Thursday."

[buick1957]

great win and Toronto FC are playing great, guess the reason is the new signings, great win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jec1]

Guevara is the difference maker. He makes the midfield look class, and now that lombardo is gone -- this is will help give dichio is shot even though he is slow.

[buick1957]

sounds like you know your stuff!

[Forza_Roma]

News has it that Toronto FC may play a friendly against an Italian Serie A team....either Udinese, Palermo or Catania.

Udinese, Palermo or Catania to possibly play a friendly in Canada?

[Forza_Roma]

Originally Posted by jec1

Guevara is the difference maker. He makes the midfield look class, and now that lombardo is gone -- this is will help give dichio is shot even though he is slow.

Lombordo isn't gone??? He's just a 3rd choice sub, no? Behind Dichio and Cunningham?

[Forza_Roma]

Originally Posted by buick1957

sounds like you know your stuff!

Jec is the ULTIMATE sports fanatic!!! He knows everything from soccer,hockey,baseball,basketball,boxing,ufc...etc !!!!!

[Frank Cunha]

Originally Posted by Forza_Roma

Jec is the ULTIMATE sports fanatic!!! He knows everything from soccer,hockey,baseball,basketball,boxing,ufc...etc !!!!!

I made him, he learn from the best

by the way you deserve a rep, his a fantastick guy to have around

[Forza_Roma]

Thanks for the rep Frank...although someone game me a negative rep for that comment as well. It was intended as a compliment to whoever neg repped me.

[jec1]

Lombordo isn't gone

Lombardo was sent to the reserves squad where belongs. I sue to like him but he's too slow like dichio but at least he heads the ball better.

Btw, A fan ran on the pitch.... ESPN did not show it on the broadcast.

[buick1957]

Toronto FC are very much improved team from last year!

[Forza_Roma]

It's like night and day how Toronto has improved. It was difficult at times watching TFC play last year but they have turned things around drastically. It's really good for the fans to have something to cheer about.

[buick1957]

I'm so happy for them, maybe the TFC could give Man U a good run!