It wasn’t pretty, but a win is a win…and TFC will take a win however they can get one right now. Danny Koevermans’ 88th minute goal was all Toronto needed to end their nine game losing streak and pick up their first points and first win of the season heading into the World Cup qualifying break.
Koevermans put his money where his mouth is. A week after dubbing his club “the worst team in the world,” and being called out by teammate Adrian Cann, Koevermans came on as sub and scored a last minute winner in dramatic fashion. The game pitted two teams desperate for points, looking to keep their slim playoff hopes alive early in the season. TFC, certainly the hungrier of the two teams, showed just how badly they wanted this game.
They opened with a flurry of chances, but some solid goalkeeping and poor finishing saw the game go scoreless into the break. It had déjà vu written all over it. TFC were controlling the game and got the majority of the scoring chances in the first half, but failed to capitalize on their opportunities, as has been the case all season.
When Philadelphia began to pour it on for a brief period in the second half, the entirety of BMO Field thought they knew what was coming. Surely the Union would score on a momentary lapse by TFC and hold on for the win, sending TFC to 0-10. Not this time. Not if Koevermans had anything to say about it.
Koevermans came on as a sub in the 63rd minute and Nick Soolsma came on shortly after. The fresh legs were exactly what TFC’s attack needed. Koevermans and Soolsma breathed new life into TFC’s attack and eventually the pressure paid off. Koevermans took a feed from Soolsma inside the six yard box and after his initial shot was saved, he tapped in his own rebound sending BMO Field into a frenzy.
It was just the second lead TFC had held all season. This time they managed to hold on for more than a minute.
TFC hung on in the final minutes and BMO Field breathed a big sigh of relief. There was the win they were looking for. Instead of heading into the break on a ten game losing streak, TFC picked up a crucial first win and can perhaps carry that momentum into the break and beyond.
Luis Silva started in place of the injured Eric Avila and the rookie had himself a solid game. He has played well in limited time this season. Torsten Frings also featured in the starting XI and played arguably his best game of the season, willing the team to victory. The German international was all over the pitch, creating chances at one end and slowing the Union’s attack at the other.
TFC now has three weeks off of MLS play, although some of their players have been called up to international duty, including Julian de Guzman and Ashtone Morgan for Canada. They will look to carry this momentum into July 16, their next league game at Kansas City.
Who knows, if they can string a few wins together in June we could be talking playoffs before we know it.
Just kidding.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
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