Toronto FC began their 2009 MLS campaign Saturday evening by grabbing a 3-2 win over the Kansas City Wizards at a sold-out CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Team captain Jim Brennan put Toronto in the lead late in the first half and two goals from Amado Guevara in the second half sealed the historic win.
Davy Arnaud scored two remarkable goals for the home side, but they weren't enough as the triumph was the Reds' first season-opening away win in their short three-year history.
Pointing to TFC's only four wins away from BMO Field in their first two seasons, head coach John Carver said away form was critical to Toronto FC's goal of making the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in club history. The offseason additions of MLS veterans Dwayne De Rosario and back Adrian Serioux upped the depth and quality of the side, one fit for more success on the road. Yet Carver chose to give rookie goalkeeper Stefan Frei the start between the posts ahead of incumbent Greg Sutton.
With Serioux sweeping away wayward Wizards balls in the back and a possession-oriented attack, TFC created three chances within the first 12 minutes. All fell to forward Chad Barrett, and two saw the 23-year-old in alone on Wizards' goalkeeper Kevin Hartman.
Barrett sent a chip high over the goal after being put through from a long pass from right back Marvell Wynne, sent a poor clearance screaming just above the crossbar from the 18, and then caught the turf on the third attempt as he came in from the left after De Rosario's feed split the K.C. defense.
It wasn't until the 24th minute that Kansas City posed a serious threat. Given space on the left, forward Herculez Gomez struck for the near post, forcing first-round SuperDraft choice Frei to dive down to the right for his first save since ending his collegiate career with the University of California.
But while the Wizards began to hold more possession, Toronto FC had found the time to strike. With the Wizards pressing the attack, Brennan stripped Kansas City rookie Graham Zusi near midfield on the left, clipped the ball into De Rosario, and hit the space behind the defense. Nine yards out on the left, Brennan got the ball back and beat Hartman high inside the near post for the lead in the 33rd minute.
The goal marked the first time the Reds had ever scored and led in a season opener, and the lead held for halftime.
Toronto would have to continue working to earn the win though as Kansas City increased the offensive pressure from the second-half whistle, bringing on second-year midfielder Roger Espinoza and removing center back Aaron Hohlbein.
Despite K.C. again holding the better of the possession, the Reds took their opportunities and kept the pressure firmly on the home side. It was the battle-tested Guevara who would double the lead.
Receiving a pass from midfield workhorse Carl Robinson in the 53rd minute, the Honduran international turned 360 on Wizards right back Jonathan Leathers and drilled the ball into the right corner of Hartman's net. The realization of a sudden two-goal lead sent Guevara's teammates and the more than 100 Reds supporters perched high behind the TFC bench into near-delirium.
Another Wizards flurry followed as Herculez Gomez whipped a shot that sailed just above the bar two minutes later. Then Kansas City struck blood in awe-inspiring fashion. Settling from a Claudio Lopez pass from his right, Arnaud loaded his left boot from 25 yards and unleashed a bullet into the right upper corner of Frei's goal to give the home side a chance in the 55th minute. Once again, the Wizards had found inspiration from their tireless sparkplug.
Toronto kept their heads, allowing for a Guevara encore. In the 62nd minute, Robinson picked out De Rosario inside the left of the Wizards box. The Canadian native, in his first match for Toronto, pinged a shot that Hartman parried aside. The alert Guevara ran through the pack and nailed the rebound past the prone goalkeeper to restore the two-goal advantage.
But there was plenty of time left, and Kansas City was not ready to crumble. Recent Argentinean acquisition Santiago Hirsig entered the fray for the Wizards after the goal and paid dividends just 14 minutes later. After taking a pass from Espinoza, Hirsig found Arnaud in a central position 22 yards out. Arnaud would follow Guevara's act and rip his second score of the night with a blistering shot into the net in the 76th minute.
As the two sides continued their push-and-pull, fate intervened when Wizards fullback Michael Harrington was called for a seemingly inadvertent handball in the 80th minute. De Rosario stepped up to take the kick with the chance to put his side comfortably ahead with 10 minutes to go. But his attempt rose high and the drama would continue.
After the final minutes wound down, Toronto FC had pulled off a dream start with the 3-2 win. Next Saturday the Reds will be in Columbus to try and make it two road wins in a row while Kansas City is at Colorado.
Highlights:
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Game 1: Toronto FC 3 - 2 Kansas City Wizards
Monday, March 16, 2009
Its Been A While!
Hey Everyone!
Its been a while since Ive posted something, but ForzaToronto is back!!!!!!
Get ready for the new season, its only days away!!
First Game:
Toronto FC@Kansas City Wizards
Kickoff Time: 8:00pm
Visit ForzaToronto after the game for post game article and news!
Monday, December 15, 2008
De Rosario's Coming Home
Toronto FC announced Friday they have acquired four-time MLS Cup winner and three-time MLS All-Star midfielder/forward Dwayne De Rosario from the Houston Dynamo in exchange for defender Julius James and $150,000.
De Rosario Career Highlights:
• Winner of four MLS Cups (San Jose 2001, 2004; Houston 2006,2007)
• MLS Cup MVP twice
• Named to MLS All-Star Team in three straight seasons (2006, 2007, 2008)
• Named MLS All-Star MVP in 2006 after scoring lone goal against Chelsea
• Winner of Sierra Mist MLS Goal of the Year in consecutive seasons (2004, 2005)
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Santos Released On Bail
OM leader Santi has been released on a bail of 6000 euros.
Now, he is on this way back to France, where we will be tried there.
Marseille played Real Madrid today. Real Madrid asked their fans not to come to support them because of this issue which has spread worldwide.
The final score was 0-0.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Marseille Ultra Santos Jailed For Three And A Half Years
Marseille ultra Santos Mirasierra has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for his involvement in the crowd trouble during the Atlético Madrid match...
On-field events between Atlético Madrid and Marseille might have finished over two months ago but the off the field affairs are still continuing, with the latest news today being the sentencing of a prominent French ultra.
Santos Misasierra, who admitted earlier this week that he was an ultra, but not a criminal, was today found guilty of four charges of assault with wounding, but acquitted of four charges of public disorder, according to Marca.
The latter acquittal spared him of a sentence that could have been more like eight years but the three and a half year jail spell still seems hefty for his crimes.
The sentence was also reduced from four years to three and a half because he was found not guilty of assaulting a police officer, when he could not be proven to have thrown a chair in the stadium.
Santos will have to pay a fine for his actions, but the defence have confirmed that they will be appealing the sentencing.
The incidents in question took place on the night of October 1, when Marseille travelled to play Atlético Madrid in the Champions League.
Source
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
2009 Toronto FC Kits Released.
The kits for next season have arrived.
The home and away colors are the same, with a darker short on the away kit.
A maple lead watermark is also place on the front of both jerseys.
Here are some pictures of the new kits:
NEE Lays Rules For Next Season.
NEE has just laid down their rules for next season. These include the following ten items posted below.
We would like to welcome everyone who purchased tickets in 127 or who has relocated into 127 for next season.
We believe that a lot of supporters who were sitting in non-supporter sections last year had the chance to move in with us. We are sure that this will make 127 a much stronger section for years to come.
As a group we have made 127 our home, and as in any other case when someone comes into your home there are some basic "code of conduct" rules that one needs to be aware of and follow. These are to ensure the unity of the group, and cooperation with the F.O. and Security continues as strong as it has been in years past, but also to ensure that supporting TFC is our only goal and there are no personal or outside agendas.
You wanted into a supporters section and now you have it. Check your own individualism at the gate. If you don't want to conform, that's your prerogative but please, don't rock the boat.
1. We ask you to get involved, know the group, the members and the common practices.
2. Participate in our tifos and banner making events as often as you can.
3. Bring your voice to every game, and leave without it.
4. Bring colour & flags. Canada flags, TFC United Supporter flags, City of Toronto flags, Bitchy flags & NEE Flags. NO OTHER SUPPORTER GROUP FLAGS OR BANNERS ARE WELCOME. EVEN LIVERPOOL.
5. Do not throw anything at or on the players. Don't buy streamers, save your money, come on a road trip.
6. Join the forum and the discussions.
7. This is the North End Elite supporters section. Check your own individualism at the gate. If you don't want to conform, that's your prerogative but please, don't rock the boat either.
8. Treat others as you want to be treated. Respect is earned, not given.
9. There is no inner circle, you can be as big of a part of NEE as you want.
10. Before doing a banner, consult with the group. Remember that anything on the railing is not a representation of you, but rather a representation of US
Welcome...
Thursday's Trivia.
Every Thursday, we have triva here at Forza Toronto. Most of the time it is about Toronto FC, Supporter Groups who support Toronto, and sometimes even Ultra Groups from around Europe.
This time, its an easy one.
Oh Toronto!
Im Going Crazy! Oh Yes It's True!
Something Has Come Over Me, I Dont Know What To Do!
My Life Is Not Worth Living If I Cannot Sing For You!
Where did this Toronto chant originate from? Name the team in Europe where it first started.
Post a comment with your e-mail attached to see
Video of Toronto Chant:
Northend Elite Hoodies
Northend Elite hoodies are now for sale.
You can get yours for only $50! Zip Up stlyes are only $55!
They look absolutely amazing and are perfect for the winter season.
You can place your order here:
Northend Elite Orders
Picture:
48 hours until Santi Verdict
After being arrested on October 1st, Olympique Marseille Ultra Leader's, Santi, final verdict comes in 2 days. Spanish police want 8 years for Santi.
