This stuff happens. At least that’s the message Ryan Nelsen delivered to reporters following Saturday’s 2-2 draw to the LA Galaxy.
Jonathan Osorio’s first MLS goal gave Toronto a late 2-1 lead and what looked like a full three points until Jose Villarreal’s acrobatic stoppage time equalizer salvaged a point for the Galaxy.
“Late goals happen,” said Nelsen. “They throw numbers in the box and balls go (in). It’s not an indictment of this team. Nobody’s blaming anybody, definitely not me. It’s just life. When you play against really good teams, this is going to happen.”
He’s right, this stuff does happen. But for a franchise (and their fans) that has surrendered too many points by conceding late, this has to serve as a warning. This year was supposed to be different; and after the Reds managed to survive a late surge and defeat Kansas City 2-1, it appeared as though the monkey was off their backs. Perhaps not. Nelsen deserves the benefit of the doubt, considering the quality of the opposition, but this all too familiar ending has given fans a reason to worry.
Nelsen, however, remained his ‘glass-half full’ self, focusing on the positives of the 2-2 draw.
“We scored two goals against a team that hasn’t conceded two goals since when? Not this season,” said the former New Zealand International.
“If you’re Toronto fans, would you have taken a draw at the beginning of the game? You probably would have. Yes we’re disappointed we didn’t walk away with three like we could have, but we move on.”
Captain Darren O’Dea shared in his coaches assessment.
“I'm obviously gutted at the minute,” said Captain Darren O’Dea. “But I’ll probably get over it in the next 24 hours and look back and think we’ve got to work on things, of course, but realistically we’ve really come far in a short space of time. It needs to keep moving forward and it will.”
At the end of the day, that’s all the fans can ask. Four points from four against quality opposition is a welcome start for the same team that opened 2012 with nine consecutive losses.
The first half of Saturday’s game saw the MLS’ two leading goal scorers add to their tallies.
The Galaxy opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Marcelo Sarvas found Mike Magee at the far post, setting up the American for his MLS leading fifth goal of the season. Magee escaped his marker, right back Darel Russell, who was starting just his first MLS game in place of Ashtone Morgan.
Just over ten minutes later, a mental error by Carlo Cudicini allowed Robert Earnshaw to round the keeper and bring TFC back to level terms. The Welshman has made an early living this season pouncing on the oppositions mistakes.
“It’s just playing on what the defense gives you,” said the former Cardiff City striker. “If they make the mistake then I’ve got to be there.”
In the waning moments before the break, Terry Dunfield sent Reggie Lambe clean in on goal but he was taken down by Carlo Cudicini. Calls for a penalty were not answered by the referee, despite what looked like a clear takedown. A goal kick was given, confirming Cudicini did not get a touch on the ball.
Substitute Jonathan Osorio looked to have stolen three points for his team in the 78th minute when he got a touch on Luis Silva’s low cross to put his side 2-1 up. It was the first goal for the TFC Academy graduate, but it failed to stand as the game winner.
“I feel very happy for the goal,” said Osorio. “The first one's always the hardest. I'm happy to get it out of the way. But I think I'm more disappointed for the end result. We could have won this game.”
Robbie Keane missed the match after picking up an injury in Ireland’s World Cup Qualifier on Tuesday. Landon Donovan made his season debut as a substitute after self-imposed sabbatical, and was met with a chorus of boos from the BMO crowd. He was graced with a glorious scoring opportunity less than thirty seconds after his entry, but rusty he was as he scuffed a sitter and the chance went begging.
Luis Silva, not to be outdone by the charismatic Donovan, also made his season debut as a substitute after missing the first three games of the season with an injury. Silva took just five minutes to make an impact, setting up the go ahead goal in the 78th minute.
Hogan Ephraim and Reggie Lambe will likely have to split playing time as Silva looks poised to return to the starting XI. Nelsen’s squad may be the deepest this franchise has had in years.
Toronto will remain home for the week as they play host to FC Dallas on Saturday.
(image courtesy of torontofc.ca)
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