DC United 1 – 2 Toronto FC
A fascinating game tonight between two teams at the top of the MLS Eastern Conference. Both sides are missing key players, but only one side has Sebastian Giovinco. The Atomic Ant does it again…
June 7, 2015
DC United is 1st in the Eastern Conference, with 15 games played and 19 goals scored (8-3-4). DC won both of its last matches (2-1 and 3-1 at home, over Philadelphia Union and Chicago Fire respectively), and is now holding an MLS franchise record of 20 unbeaten games at home.
Toronto FC is ranked 3rd in the MLS Eastern Conference, with 11 games played and 17 goals scored (5-5-1), have having also won both of their last matches (1-0 and 3-1 at home, over Portland and San Jose respectively).
DC United will play with Andrew Dykstra in goal, replacing starting Keeper Bill Hamid who is recovering from injury.
Toronto FC will play tonight without “number 10” Michael Bradley who is on US international duty, and also missing Forward Jozy Altidore who is on the bench recovering from a hamstring strain. Jonathan Osorio will replace Bradley in connecting the midfield to the attacking duo of Forwards Sebastian Giovinco and Luke Moore.
Probably missing Michael Bradley’s leadership and Jozy Altidore’s physical game, it took Toronto some time to get into the game. At the beginning of the first half, DC definitely appeared to be the better team that dictates the tempo of the match, applies pressure in Toronto’s territory and creating chances. Notably was Fabian Espindola’s attempt (4’) from the left-hand corner of the 18-yard line, with a beautiful kick across to the upper-right hand corner. Luckily for Toronto’s keeper Chris Konopka it was saved by the woodwork.
No more than a minute later, DC United got the 1st goal of the game. Where again Espindola, this time kicking an accurate, curled corner ball right into the 6-yard box, where it bounces in front of the goal, to be put in by Defender Steve Birmbaum.
DC 1 – 0 Toronto
Toronto did manage to find its feet later in the second half, with Sebastian Giovinco creating yet-again one of his acrobatic shows of weaving through the opposition’s defense and firing a shot from the 18-yard line, to barley be saved by DC’s Keeper Andrew Dykstra (23’).
The Canadians did continue to apply pressure, and almost scored their equalizer again (27’) with Midfielder Warren Creavalle firing a shot from the 6-yard line, again to be declined.
Toronto finally find the net, with Luke Moore finding Sebastian Giovinco, who cuts from the edge of the box to the right, then left, and scoring a goal to the near post (34’). This is the Atomic Ant’s 6th goal this season.
DC 1 – 1 Toronto
A quarter of an hour into the second half, and Espindola takes a free kick, again with one of his typical, beautifully-curved balls into the 6-yard box. DC Defender Kofi Opare manages to kick it into Toronto’s net, but the goal is disallowed as he was offside (59’).
Toronto did get their winning goal later in the second half, with Midfielder Benoit Cheyrou passing to Giovinco 30 years from goal. Jozy Altidore, who just came on (80’) dummied over the pass, allowing the Atomic Ant to take a right-footed shot from about 25 yards into DC’s goal.
DC 1 – 2 Toronto
Both teams created chances tonight, but to capitalize on these chances the team requires skill, finesse and creativity. Sebastian Giovinco seems to have them all.
