Toronto FC 3- Real Salt Lake 1
By Luis Martinez (Twitter@canadaluis)
Photos by David Chant and Michael Fayehun
Toronto, ON – Intense way to open this encounter from the Canadian team, this time, the coach originally from Virginia, Greg Vanney, surprises with a starting formation with the return of Clint Irwin in the arc and Ashtone Morgan with the number 5.
The ball possession was controled by TFC from the beginning until minute 15′, when the referee, Allen Chapman, signals a penalty in favor of Toronto FC the foul committed on Sebastian Giovinco.
Unfortunately for Giovinco, the goalkeeper, Nick Rimando was exactly at the right place making the stop to keep things level.
Even the efforts to super-exceed on speed from Real Salt Lake’s part, several tries to filter the ball in the rival area, didn’t bear any fruition, and actually proved to be detrimental. In the 21st minute after a foul on Jozy Altidore the USMNT international would seek revenge, polishing off a set piece chance, knocking past Rimando to give Toronto the 1-0 lead.
Just a few minutes before the end of the first time, the “Man of New Jersey” appeared again and put Toronto’s second on the board.
Once the 2nd half started Real Salt Lake coach, Mike Petke changed the dynamic of his group with the aim of gaining equilibrium in the match.
It is in the 82′, when Baird provides a goal for his team. But then the Vanney Boys didn’t finish their punishment at home. Substitute Tosaint Ricketts, who came on for Altidore, knocked in a rebound from a play of Giovinco to give Toronto the definite 3-1.
Note: The Man of New Jersey scores his goal # 50 with TFC since his 1st participation on the team.
Now that they got their MLS season back on track after 2 losses, the Reds’ next compromise is towards the first leg of the semi-final Concacaf championship, once again on home turf, next Tuesday April 3, against Mexican giant Club América.
Match stats
Lineups
TFC – Irwin, Auro, Van der Wiel, Moor, Morgan, Hasler (Aketxe), Bradley, Osorio, Delgado (Chapman), Altidore (Ricketts), Giovinco
Real – Rimando, Phillips, Glad, Marcelo Silva, Lennon, Kreilach, Beckerman, Plata (Baird), Rusnák, Savarino, Luis Silva (Saucedo)
Toronto FC
