Concacaf Champions League's QF - TFC vs. LA Galaxy - March 7th [R]

[canucklefan]

TFC 2 - 0 LA Galaxy after 25 minutes.

Johnson at 11' (right foot) and Luis Silva at 16' (header) thanks to a long, brilliant pass from Frings.

[canucklefan]

The game ends 2 - 2. Too bad for TFC.

It's not going to be easy next week for the second leg. LA have a solid midfield and very good strikers.

[ditty]

There was definitely lots of talking points from this game. TFC converted 2 early chances, both excellent finishes. As the first half went on, LA played their way in and started to take hold of the game and bossed the midfield from then on. But this TFC team looks to the be the strongest yet. New boy Silva had a great goal and looks the business. The bombardment of streamers every time Becks tried to take a corner was amusing, though I'm worried that the bonehead who launched a can of Keith's at him just before LA's 2nd goal may end up costing TFC a fine or worse.

[Tuscan]

I know it's temporal babble worthy of a good episode of Star Trek Voyager, but I believe that bonehead who hucked the half empty beer at Becks sort of led to their goal. It gave them time to really set up that set piece. I hope they find out who that idiot was and ban him or her from attending any more matches at both Rogers and BMO Field.

[Gian-Luca]

A couple of records were set today. One was the record for the highest attendance ever for a TFC home game. The other was "most people (47,600) to witness a goalkeeper handling the ball outside his box while also deliberately doing a studs up kick to the thigh of an opponent without any of the Officials noticing". At least that's the excuse I'll use for them, as I'd hate to suggest that Concacaf, or its Spanish-language sponsors (nice of them to do a whole bunch of ads in Spanish for a crowd of nearly 48,000 non-Spanish speaking Torontonians) simply bribed the Refs to call a very one sided game. Because that's how it looked in the stadium, with the incident in question (where TFC not only did not get the foul outside the box and LA's keeper sent off but somehow managed to have its own striker get the yellow and the foul against) being the most flagrant example (unfortunately Sportsnet's crappy direction & replays don't really do the incident justice - and they certainly don't show the size of the scar Koevermans got on the play, which was shown on the big screen at the Skydome. If TFC had a single foul called in their favour, I honestly can't remember it. It got to the point where people were sarcastically cheering if could get a throw-in called in our favour. There several mystery fouls given to us and several obvious fouls not given against LA, which certainly helped them carry the momentum in that second half. TFC should still have come out with the win mind you, and the Maund substitution was not exactly inspired, as he & Harden seemed to be at fault for the tying goal, though Donovan looked to have fouled Frei on the play (but there was never any danger that that would be called).

I have much more optimistic for the upcoming season than the next leg of the CCL final, as I don't think TFC will be allowed to prevail. But the additions of Silva and Aceval look like good ones (not sure where Caicedo was - I don't even think he was dressed) and the core of the team is there with a lot of the younger players I expect to improve in their second season.

[Sam]

Watching on TV I didn't really find the ref to be bias in either direction as you are suggesting, merely incompetent at dealing with certain situations.

Overall a great night for soccer in Toronto, hopefully something we see again from whoever win the Voyageurs Cup this year, and from Toronto again if they manage to get past LA (would the next round be played at Skydome as well?).

Also that Frings guy is pretty good

[rob.notenboom]

A couple of records were set today. One was the record for the highest attendance ever for a TFC home game. The other was "most people (47,600) to witness a goalkeeper handling the ball outside his box while also deliberately doing a studs up kick to the thigh of an opponent without any of the Officials noticing". At least that's the excuse I'll use for them, as I'd hate to suggest that Concacaf, or its Spanish-language sponsors (nice of them to do a whole bunch of ads in Spanish for a crowd of nearly 48,000 non-Spanish speaking Torontonians) simply bribed the Refs to call a very one sided game. Because that's how it looked in the stadium, with the incident in question (where TFC not only did not get the foul outside the box and LA's keeper sent off but somehow managed to have its own striker get the yellow and the foul against) being the most flagrant example (unfortunately Sportsnet's crappy direction & replays don't really do the incident justice - and they certainly don't show the size of the scar Koevermans got on the play, which was shown on the big screen at the Skydome. If TFC had a single foul called in their favour, I honestly can't remember it. It got to the point where people were sarcastically cheering if could get a throw-in called in our favour. There several mystery fouls given to us and several obvious fouls not given against LA, which certainly helped them carry the momentum in that second half. TFC should still have come out with the win mind you, and the Maund substitution was not exactly inspired, as he & Harden seemed to be at fault for the tying goal, though Donovan looked to have fouled Frei on the play (but there was never any danger that that would be called).

I have much more optimistic for the upcoming season than the next leg of the CCL final, as I don't think TFC will be allowed to prevail. But the additions of Silva and Aceval look like good ones (not sure where Caicedo was - I don't even think he was dressed) and the core of the team is there with a lot of the younger players I expect to improve in their second season.

Agreed with the reffing, the blown calls about handling the ball out of the box and the kick, and I watched it on TV. The replay I saw was conclusive. Even my non-soccer watching friend (I twisted his arm) thought that the kick was intentional.

On a completely different note, I loved the look on Silva's face when he scored. Almost looked like he was going to lose it there for a second. Pretty cool for him to get that goal.

Not that this is likely to be a popular train of thought but putting up a good fight and ultimately losing this tie might be a blessing in disguise. Means that TFC can reduce the fixture exhaustion a bit and increase the chance of making the playoffs.

Thought they'd get more out of Koevermans tonight and they obviously missed DeGuz. Otherwise, lots of promise. Looking forward to the season.

[Bully]

Reffing was bad. The keeps playing the ball outside the box, that foul of Koevs at the end. 

[danielao]

A couple of records were set today. One was the record for the highest attendance ever for a TFC home game. The other was "most people (47,600) to witness a goalkeeper handling the ball outside his box while also deliberately doing a studs up kick to the thigh of an opponent without any of the Officials noticing". At least that's the excuse I'll use for them, as I'd hate to suggest that Concacaf, or its Spanish-language sponsors (nice of them to do a whole bunch of ads in Spanish for a crowd of nearly 48,000 non-Spanish speaking Torontonians) simply bribed the Refs to call a very one sided game. Because that's how it looked in the stadium, with the incident in question (where TFC not only did not get the foul outside the box and LA's keeper sent off but somehow managed to have its own striker get the yellow and the foul against) being the most flagrant example (unfortunately Sportsnet's crappy direction & replays don't really do the incident justice - and they certainly don't show the size of the scar Koevermans got on the play, which was shown on the big screen at the Skydome. If TFC had a single foul called in their favour, I honestly can't remember it. It got to the point where people were sarcastically cheering if could get a throw-in called in our favour. There several mystery fouls given to us and several obvious fouls not given against LA, which certainly helped them carry the momentum in that second half. TFC should still have come out with the win mind you, and the Maund substitution was not exactly inspired, as he & Harden seemed to be at fault for the tying goal, though Donovan looked to have fouled Frei on the play (but there was never any danger that that would be called).

I have much more optimistic for the upcoming season than the next leg of the CCL final, as I don't think TFC will be allowed to prevail. But the additions of Silva and Aceval look like good ones (not sure where Caicedo was - I don't even think he was dressed) and the core of the team is there with a lot of the younger players I expect to improve in their second season.

Sigh.

It's really all the refs fault?

Awesomely awful post.

I don't think TFC will be allowed to prevail.

Yay, conspiracy theories too!!!!

[Gordon]

A couple of records were set today. One was the record for the highest attendance ever for a TFC home game. The other was "most people (47,600) to witness a goalkeeper handling the ball outside his box while also deliberately doing a studs up kick to the thigh of an opponent without any of the Officials noticing". At least that's the excuse I'll use for them, as I'd hate to suggest that Concacaf, or its Spanish-language sponsors (nice of them to do a whole bunch of ads in Spanish for a crowd of nearly 48,000 non-Spanish speaking Torontonians) simply bribed the Refs to call a very one sided game. Because that's how it looked in the stadium, with the incident in question (where TFC not only did not get the foul outside the box and LA's keeper sent off but somehow managed to have its own striker get the yellow and the foul against) being the most flagrant example (unfortunately Sportsnet's crappy direction & replays don't really do the incident justice - and they certainly don't show the size of the scar Koevermans got on the play, which was shown on the big screen at the Skydome. If TFC had a single foul called in their favour, I honestly can't remember it. It got to the point where people were sarcastically cheering if could get a throw-in called in our favour. There several mystery fouls given to us and several obvious fouls not given against LA, which certainly helped them carry the momentum in that second half. TFC should still have come out with the win mind you, and the Maund substitution was not exactly inspired, as he & Harden seemed to be at fault for the tying goal, though Donovan looked to have fouled Frei on the play (but there was never any danger that that would be called).

I have much more optimistic for the upcoming season than the next leg of the CCL final, as I don't think TFC will be allowed to prevail. But the additions of Silva and Aceval look like good ones (not sure where Caicedo was - I don't even think he was dressed) and the core of the team is there with a lot of the younger players I expect to improve in their second season.

I missed the first 30 minutes or so of the second half, but for the hour I saw, I have to agree the officiating was really one sided in LAs favour. Officiating aside, LA looked like a much better team however. On the tube at least.

[paul-collins]

The sideline officials must not have gotten the memo, though; they had numerous opportunities to let Keane in on the offside and they kept calling him - once, they got it very wrong, too.

However, the foul on Koevermans was pretty egregious.

Terry out, Julian in, and we see a little more creativity in the mid. I like the lineup from the midfield up, and I really like Johnson. Just wish we could settle on a good back four and release Frings to go forward, his creativity is lost when he's essentially sweeping.

However, so long as that's what we have, a 3-4-3 continues to intrigue.

[RJB]

Also that Frings guy is pretty good

Some think he's as good as Eusebio!

[maccaliam]

Some think he's as good as Eusebio!

Frings: the White Pearl ... I like it!

[Loud Mouth Soup]

If you were watching at home, the day was spoiled by Sportsnet's fawning and kissing up to Beckham. Even my wife, a non-footy loving Englishwoman asked me why they kept showing him and not Toronto or a Toronto player before such a big game.

You would be forgiven in thinking you were watching the LA broadcast and not a Canadian channel.

[SteveBeau]

If you were watching at home, the day was spoiled by Sportsnet's fawning and kissing up to Beckham. Even my wife, a non-footy loving Englishwoman asked me why they kept showing him and not Toronto or a Toronto player before such a big game.

You would be forgiven in thinking you were watching the LA broadcast and not a Canadian channel.

Typical Canadian inferiority complex, everything is always better somewhere else, other teams or countries players are always more impressive..When will the media realize that there are soccer supporters in this country that go out to support their teams and not gawk at the "other players" that are "better"...

Self-loathing Canadian douchebags..

[ThiKu]

I missed the match but found it odd that JDG didn't start ... Dunfield??

Frings is excellent but partially culpable on the Donovan goal. On the initial attempt prior to it landing at Donovan's feet Frings turns his back and crouches when had he blocked it they win 2-1.

[yomurphy1]

^ de Guzman was suspended for the match.

Also the Beckham fawning was pathetic. Reading articles this morning most outlets focused on the Carlsberg thrown in his general vicinity rather than the fact that Toronto packed the Rogers Centre with 48,000 awesome fans in arguably the most important game in club history.

[Free kick]

Typical Canadian inferiority complex, everything is always better somewhere else, other teams or countries players are always more impressive..When will the media realize that there are soccer supporters in this country that go out to support their teams and not gawk at the "other players" that are "better"...

Self-loathing Canadian douchebags..

Yes, I could not agree more. All I have been hearing for the past 48 hours is how this was the Beckham show. They just dont give soccer fans credit. I didnt spot any Beckham shirts or fan boys out there although i am sure that there were. But even if there were some 20-30% who were their for the carnival, what about the rest, who are there to follow a game and because of whats at stake. Thats whats annoying.

And furthermore, you have more talk about Beckham than you have about Frings who had a terrific game. At the peak of their careers, who had more value to their clubs ? You could probably make a very good case for Fring. And if you look at the the international level, such as the World Cup, Frings has certainly accomplished more. .

[Free kick]

Another point. The Skydome is Ok for a one off event like last night. But its a terrible facility for soccer. Some of the seats and stands arent properly alined to provide the best vantage view. And, there is way too much wasted space in there such that if you look arround, there are just too many points of distraction ( i cant find a correct word to discribe it). What i am getting at is that: when you look around inside a stadium, you should see (or note) a predominace fans and/or seats rather objects or things.Plus there are lots of gaps divsions in seating areas and the lower level is too flat and not inclided enough so that there to symetry with the pitch

[red card]

Yes, I could not agree more. All I have been hearing for the past 48 hours is how this was the Beckham show. They just dont give soccer fans credit. I didnt spot any Beckham shirts or fan boys out there although i am sure that there were. But even if there were some 20-30% who were their for the carnival, what about the rest, who are there to follow a game and because of whats at stake. Thats whats annoying.

And furthermore, you have more talk about Beckham than you have about Frings who had a terrific game. At the peak of their careers, who had more value to their clubs ? You could probably make a very good case for Fring. And if you look at the the international level, such as the World Cup, Frings has certainly accomplished more. .

I only saw one guy with a Beckham shirt. And I only saw one guy with a hockey sweater!

Still saw ManU, Arensal, Italia shirts but overall I was impressed how much footy culture has seeped beyond the core supporters sections. Most were wearing red and knew some chants (no songs yet though).

The supporters section of the stadium wouldn't have looked out of place in Europe & SA.

[rob.notenboom]

Instead of Beckham, how about a post-game (or halftime) interview with Silva or Morgan? Way more interested in their stories than what Beckham felt about the can thrown at him. Silva scoring in his debut against his hometown club ... that's huge.

[Gordon]

I only saw one guy with a Beckham shirt. And I only saw one guy with a hockey sweater!

Still saw ManU, Arensal, Italia shirts but overall I was impressed how much footy culture has seeped beyond the core supporters sections. Most were wearing red and knew some chants (no songs yet though).

The supporters section of the stadium wouldn't have looked out of place in Europe & SA.

I saw one guy blowing a horn <= obscure reference to a trainwreck of a blog/reaction/TFC dream job contest donnybrook. :-D

[paul-collins]

Here you can clearly see Saunders' right foot half out of the box after the kick on Koevermans, while he's holding the ball, in the TFC "Game in Six" video. Whole sequence is in there both from the game broadcast camera and then a closeup.

Question: if the goaltender's toes are outside the box, is that enough, or does his whole foot have to be out, for him to be considered "out"?

[tmcmurph]

Good show by the fans and team. Pity about the late goal. Would have been great going into LA up. Hopefully Kovermans will stay pissed off for next weeks game. Good luck. Oh yea I heard on TV that because of the game being during the school year LA will have to restrict attendance to 7,500 at Home Despot Centre. So you beat them 48k to 8k in attendance.

[squizz1402635577]

Has nothing whatsoever to do with goalkeeper's position. It's about whether the ball is fully outside of the penalty area.