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  • TFC can't edge out 10-man Houston Dynamo


    Rose_Rago

    The Undermanned Houston Dynamo sparked their playoff hopes, while dimming those of Toronto when they slipped past TFC 1-0 at BMO Field Wednesday Night.

    It was a well-placed long ball from Kafi Sarkodie in the 35th that sprung Giles Barnes on the right flank. Barnes controlled the ball past Nick Hagglund and took a right footed shot from a difficult an angle.

    The game began with an onslaught of offensive pressure from both side. TFC nearly tallied in the 30th minute when Jermain Defoe was sent from a Michael Bradley feed. Defoe cut in but sent the shot sailing wide. Wednesday night marked his return to the starting lineup after playing 30 minutes off the bench against The LA Galaxy. He was the only designated player up front as head coach Greg Vanney opted to sit Gilberto for a second straight match to nurse a hamstring injury.

    Toronto FC entered the break having out shot Houston 11-6 and carried that momentum into the second half.

    It was in the 10th minute that TFC had a golden opportunity to draw level. Luke Moore was hauled down in the box by AJ Cochran. After signaling for a penalty referee Armando Villareal initially issued a red card to David Horst. But the official quickly corrected the mistake and sent Cochran off. Defoe stepped to the spot but his right footed shot was stuffed by goalkeeper Tyler Deric.

    Despite failing to capitalize on a goal scoring chance, TFC continued to attack the goal and capture 62 percent of ball possession. They finished with 26 shots, 17 more than their opponents. Houston ensured that Toronto never looked dangerous in the final third as they kept their back line tight, much to the chagrin of many a TFC supporter.

    The win was only the second for Houston at BMO in nine match ups. The visitors also lead the all time head to head battle 5-4-9.

    Both sides entered the match in desperate need of three points in a tight eastern conference post season race. Houston inched closer to the final playoff spot with 39 points, four back of fifth place Columbus Crew. The Reds have the edge on the men in orange in standings by one point.

    TFC need control their next three matches while also keeping an eye on what’s happening around table if they have any chance of making first post season appearance. The Philadelphia Union are also one point back of TFC and face the Crew two more times.

    Toronto visit fourth place DC United, host the woeful Montreal Impact then round off the regular season on the road to second place New England Revolution.



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