By Rose Rago
Toronto FC ended a six game winless drought in dominate fashion against western conference basement dwellers Chivas USA on Sunday with a 3-0 victory at BMO Field.
Despite the slide TFC were on headed into Sunday’s contest, the Reds were welcomed by a sold out crowd, the 14th consecutive for the club.
Toronto found the back of the net halfway through the opening frame courtesy of two Brazilians Jackson and Gilberto. The play started when Mark Bloom intercepted a Chivas pass to find Jonathan Osorio in the middle. Osorio poked the ball to Gilberto who sent a back heeled chip back to a trailing Jackson. He took a few short touches before blasting a shot that deflected back keeper Dan Kennedy for his fourth of the season.
Two minutes into stoppage time before the break, Luke Moore notched another for Toronto. Michael Bradley sent a corner kick to the far side of the box that met the head of Nick Hagglund. The Cincinnati native headed it towards the front of goal where Moore volleyed it in for his sixth tally.
Toronto would extend their lead to three only nine minutes into the second half. Bradley flicked a corner towards Stephen Caldwell who let it roll between his legs to Gilberto. The Brazilian DP took a right footed shot from very close range to the high center of the goal for his seventh of the year.
Caldwell spoke of how he felt physically in his return from a quad injury, “I feel good, I was a little bit leggy the last 15 minutes but my injury felt absolutely fantastic,” said the captain
“I thoroughly enjoyed being back out there and hopefully another good week ahead of me and I'll be even better next Saturday.”
Things became heated in the 66’ when Jackson and English midfielder Nigel Reo-Crocker tangled in a shoving match. It started with Jackson’s obvious disapproval of a Reo-Crocker challenge. The Brazilian retaliated with a challenge of his own which lead to the fight. Both were shown red by referee Edvin Jurisevic.
The closest the struggling Goats came to a goal scoring opportunity resulted from a corner kick in late in the match. Chivas converted it towards goal in the 83’ but “Big Country” Joe Bendik made the save. Bendik recorded his fourth clean sheet of the year, and eighth all time with the club.
“I thought we played well. I thought for the most part we were in control of the match on both sides of the ball. I thought we were purposeful in our possessions, sometimes a little too backwards, but I think we can still become a little bit more aggressive and forward thinking,” said head coach Greg Vanney who earned his first win as head coach.
“Overall I’m very happy. The guys have worked hard the last couple of weeks. Obviously they were very close to picking up three points last match in Chicago and to get these three points I think we’ll just continue to build confidence in this group and where we are going.”
Despite the team’s struggles of late, most expected TFC to earn three points against a Chivas team that has only six wins on the season. They are currently owned and operated by the league and will be sold to new ownership as early as October 6th when the MLS board of governors meet. Their participation in 2015 is in question as there’s also a strong possibly that new ownership could forfeit the season. This would allow time to rebrand and rebuild, along with establishing a new lease with Stub Hub Center (which they share with the LA Galaxy) until they ultimately find a new home of their own.
With Sunday’s victory Toronto FC ties franchise total wins in a season with 10 previously set in 2009 season. The win also brings TFC to 37 points, three within striking distance of the final playoff spot in the east held by the Columbus Crew. Toronto also have a game in hand.
It was announced that BMO will not renew its kit sponsorship with the club at the end of the season. With all the uncertainty surrounding the club’s shot at the playoffs as well as Jermain Defoe’s tenure in Toronto, this is not an ideal time for TFC to attract a new sponsor. What will ultimately change that uncertainty are results. With only six games remaining, winning has become more important than ever before.
Toronto’s next match is on September 27th when they host Portland Timbers.