Photo by ISIphotos.com
By KURTIS LARSON
TORONTO- In what has to be considered Jimmy Nielsen's best outing since joining the Wizards this season, Kansas City's 'White Puma' stood tall in preserving a scoreless draw at BMO Field, one of Major League Soccer's most difficult venues on Saturday afternoon.
While the game plot in Toronto reads of missed opportunities and lost points, a depleted and woeful Wizards side has to be satisfied with getting out of Toronto with a draw — something TFC opponents have failed to do all season.
"We knew this was going to be a battle, it was going to be a grinding type of game," Kansas City head coach Peter Vermes told reporters following the match. "Even when we were one man ahead, we were still keeping the discipline in the team. When we got a man sent off, it was an open game again."
A timid start to the first half with limited opportunities quickly turned to controversy when referee Baldomero Toledo sent off Nick Garcia for an apparent late challenge on Kei Kamara. Replays showed Garcia had missed on a clearance and his follow through caught the Kansas City forward's thigh.
"We lost Nick Garcia and people tell me that that there's no way that should be a red card," Preki said during a post-game press conference. "I don't know though because I haven't seen it because Nick was right in front of me when it happened."
"I take this as a loss," Preki went on to say. "I thought the goalkeeper made two or three really good saves in the first half and kept them in the game."
The Wizard's keeper was up to task just eight minutes into the game when TFC winger Jacob Peterson was put in on goal from a Dwayne De Rosario through pass at midfield. Nielsen charged off his line to cut Peterson's angle deflecting the potential opener with his head.
Nielsen's heroics were on display just eight minutes later when TFC's Chad Barrett found room on the Wizard's endline in the 16th minute. But Barrett's slotted cross saw an outstretched Nielsen keep the ball out of harms way with a lunging foot save once again.
"I think we did a great job and it was great to play with huge discipline," the Danish keeper said following the game."I think we worked really, really hard."
Kansas City had limited possession and limited offensive output throughout most of the game. Missing a suspended Davy Arnaud and defensive main stay Roger Espinoza, the Wizards saw things turn in their favor in the 26th minute when Garcia received a straight red. The man advantage paid dividends when Kansas City had their best scoring opportunity of the game minutes later through Ryan Smith. Smith received a pass on the left before faking a cross and cutting the ball to his less-favored right. His curling shot looked destined for goal before an outstretched Stefan Frei kept the game level heading into the break.
In the second-half the Wizards would see their hopes of three points take a serious blow when Craig Rocastle received a second yellow for a clumsy tackle on Julian de Guzman in the 56th minute. The second sending off of the game saw TFC reclaim large portions of the remaining half hour and push for their fifth straight win at home in league play. The Kansas City back-line held firm however in what may have been their best defensive outing of the season.
"The first four games of the season we had that mentality that we could grind it out no matter what," Vermes said. "It was great for us to get back to that today because at the end of the day we grinded one out."
Toronto FC did have opportunities to break the deadlock at various moments in the second half most notably through Julian de Guzman. Following strong outings in the April and May, TFC's designated player seemed a liability through portions of the match, topped off with a missed scoring opportunity late. In the 88th minute de Guzman was alone at the top of the box when a missed clearance dropped straight to his feet. However the visibly frustrated designated player's half volley attempt sailed aimlessly over the crossbar.
Toronto FC will look at the game as missed points while Kansas City are hoping the hard fought draw will go a long way in helping them get back on track before next weekend's MLS break. TFC extended their unbeaten streak to eight games while the Wizards continue to search for their first win in nearly two months. The 0-0 result saw the Reds remain perfect at home while Kansas City saw their winless drought extend to nine games.
"Both teams were slow, lethargic and tired," Preki said. "I was extremely disappointed with the substitutions that came on because I expect the guys to come on and work hard for the group. That was something that disappointed us."
There was an article about Frei in the April edition of Rotweiss, the Swiss national team magazine (imagine my surprise, looking at a rack of Euro football mags in Zurich and seeing Frei on the front cover…), so he is definitely on their radar. He’ll be playing in Europe soon, but hopefully TFC will have him for a while yet. He’s been worth a lot of points in the table this year.
Frei will not be the TFC much longer. He will be overseas and TFC will put a 3-5 Mllion price tag on his head and gladly collect.
Well what Garcia did there was debatable. To say he was just just naturally “clearing the ball” sounds a little bit off. You don’t normally see someone with their studs extended holding their foot out after they make contact as well as raising their elbow to head hight (as the replay clearly shows).
That being said, it was probably closer to a yellow and a subtle dirty play from a sneaky player than a straight red.
None of us can see it from the view Toledo saw it on the field. I can easily see how from the angle he was looking at it, probably seemed like Garcia thought he’s pull a fast one by leaving his foot in to clatter Kai, after he flubbled it, and wanted to stop him from getting the second ball.
was stefan frei ever considered for the swiss national team? dude is a beast
So if a man runs into you while you are attempting to kick the ball and you cleat him it’s a sending off? I don’t think so…Most agree with me. Also, it’s hard to argue since Toledo has a history of throwing people out that are less than deserving. You can throw people out for two things…violent conduct, serious foul play or a second yellow…That play was not violent…wasn’t serious foul play as it wasn’t a bad tackle (just slightly clumsy in missing the ball) and it wasn’t a second yellow.
however you call it, studs up above the knee is a red, it is that simple. Had he gotten a yellow, he would have been lucky.
You have to look at the challenge. Blood is drawn every game and there is no red card. There was no malice, he didn’t even know Kamara was in the picture and he fanned on a clearance. I think no one would have been up in arms if the ref would have simply issued yellow. And it wasn’t a “tackle”, That’s where your argument is wrong. It was a miss clearance and Kamara ran into him.
studs up tackle above the knee that draws blood doesn’t leave any ref much of a choice. I am sure the veteran had no malice in his heart when he went in, but being sloppy is just as dangerous.
De Guzman beats out Beckerman for wildest doo.
When is Toledo going to quit ruining soccer games? TV commentators said Toledo has issued something like 48 red cards in 100 games.
GO WHITE PUMA!