MLS Week 3: Ljungberg Spoils De Resario's Homecoming As Sounders Defeat Toronto 2-0
April 6th 2009 21:03
Toronto FC fans were eagerly anticipating their team's first fixture at the BMO Field on Saturday as it marked the return of Toronto native and Canadian international Dwayne De Rosario. The fact that ex-Swedish international Fredrik Ljungberg would make his first appearance with the red-hot Seattle Sounders made occasion even more sweeter.
Unfortunately, Mother Nature wasn't about to let the afternoon pass without a hitch. A strong wind made the contest quite difficult for all 22 players on the pitch especially for the defenders who were often caught by the ball's velocity and weightiness in the air. The artificial turf didn't help matters as the win was strong enough to influence the ball's movement on the ground.
Toronto seemed intent on not conceding the first goal in the opening minutes. They took a rather passive stance in my opinion, letting Seattle take the game to them and double-marking Ljungberg. Much of that can be explained by De Rosario's vanishing act in the first half. I don't even remember the commentators saying his name in the first 45 minutes. It must be difficult for a team to dictate the play when their playmaker is rarely touching the ball.
Despite the red shirts' precautions, the Sounders were the first to score after a nice one-two between Nate Jaqua and Ljungberg. The Swedish timed his run perfectly to elude the defense and one-time Jaqua's return pass past Greg Sutton. Steve Zakuani added to the visitors' lead one minute before half-time after anothed miscue by the Reds' defense.
Down 2-0, the home side had no choice but to attack in the second half. They were sadly unsuccessful as Kasey Keller stopped every dangerous shot and his defenders performed admirably well in clearing the box. It wasn't pretty at times but it sure as hell was effective. The Reds had Keller beat at the 68th minute but Guevara's header was stopped by the crossbar.
In the end, Toronto were dealt their first loss of the season while the Sounders are ruling atop the MLS standings with a perfect record and a 7 goal differential. It should be an interesting season for this year's expansion team.
Unfortunately, Mother Nature wasn't about to let the afternoon pass without a hitch. A strong wind made the contest quite difficult for all 22 players on the pitch especially for the defenders who were often caught by the ball's velocity and weightiness in the air. The artificial turf didn't help matters as the win was strong enough to influence the ball's movement on the ground.
Toronto seemed intent on not conceding the first goal in the opening minutes. They took a rather passive stance in my opinion, letting Seattle take the game to them and double-marking Ljungberg. Much of that can be explained by De Rosario's vanishing act in the first half. I don't even remember the commentators saying his name in the first 45 minutes. It must be difficult for a team to dictate the play when their playmaker is rarely touching the ball.
Despite the red shirts' precautions, the Sounders were the first to score after a nice one-two between Nate Jaqua and Ljungberg. The Swedish timed his run perfectly to elude the defense and one-time Jaqua's return pass past Greg Sutton. Steve Zakuani added to the visitors' lead one minute before half-time after anothed miscue by the Reds' defense.
Down 2-0, the home side had no choice but to attack in the second half. They were sadly unsuccessful as Kasey Keller stopped every dangerous shot and his defenders performed admirably well in clearing the box. It wasn't pretty at times but it sure as hell was effective. The Reds had Keller beat at the 68th minute but Guevara's header was stopped by the crossbar.
In the end, Toronto were dealt their first loss of the season while the Sounders are ruling atop the MLS standings with a perfect record and a 7 goal differential. It should be an interesting season for this year's expansion team.
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