Playing within the friendly confines of BMO Field for the first time this season, Toronto FC opened their new-look stadium in style with a victory over a Western Conference contender.
Tsubasa Endoh netted Saturday’s lone goal to lead Toronto FC past FC Dallas, 1-0, in the Canadian club’s home opener. The victory is TFC’s fourth of the season after starting the 2016 campaign with eight straight road matches, while the loss hands FC Dallas the team’s third straight defeat.
Playing in front of 30,025 at the newly-renovated stadium, TFC leaned on the rookie Endoh to make the difference on Saturday night.
Endoh’s game-deciding finish came 28 minutes into Saturday’s contest. Following a challenge in the midfield from Michael Bradley, TFC got out on the break via Sebastian Giovinco. The Italian played a ball up and over the FC Dallas defense, who finished from close range to net his first MLS goal.
Giovinco, who has still either scored or assisted each of TFC’s goals this season, was a menace throughout Saturday’s affair. The reigning MLS MVP nearly chipped goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez early in the first half, while a long-range effort in the 26th minute rattled off of the post.
Defensively, TFC largely held the normally-active FC Dallas attack at bay. Goalkeeper Clint Irwin was called upon to make just three saves on the evening, the best of which came on substitute Fabian Castillo in the second half.
TFC’s victory pushes the club to 14 points through nine games. The club now moves onto the second game of a four-game home stand with a clash against the Vancouver Whitecaps next week. FC Dallas will look to break out of its current funk when the team returns home for a May 11 clash with the Portland Timbers.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Although he failed to score on any of his eight shots, Sebastian Giovinco once again proved to be TFC’s engine on the field. Giovinco adds yet another assist to his stat sheet, but his performance on Saturday was more about his ability to terrorize the FC Dallas backline throughout the 90 minutes.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
With what proved to be the game-deciding goal, Tsubasa Endoh’s first half finish was an easy choice for Moment of the Match. The rookie’s first MLS goal was an important one, as TFC emerged from BMO Field victorious in their home opener.
MATCH TO FORGET
Starting for just the fifth time this season, Tesho Akindele struggled to get things going on the left side. The FC Dallas forward failed to create down the left wing, and was promptly substituted at halftime for a more active Fabian Castillo.
Really time to wonder about Jozy Altidore. He is playing in steam either the best player in the league (Giovinco) who torments defenses, and he still can’t score goals. Was is a coincidence he couldn’t score for Hull or Sunderland? He should have stayed in Holland!
Couple things in response:
Regarding Holland: It’s night a slight to admit that the Eredivisie isn’t exactly renowned for defensive acumen. The attacking in that league is beautiful and you’ll often see bloated offensive stats as a result of the league’s open play and common 4-3-3 formations. Hence, Altidore had his best offensive performances of his career.
Regarding England: Hull: bad team — Sunderland: bad team
…but what people don’t want to admit, bad team or not, Altidore did himself no favors with the limited chances he DID get. He was every bit responsible for those sides being “bad teams” too.
Regarding MLS return: His goal scoring ratio has been decent, but if we’re honest it’s probably not deserving of a Designated Player salary. I also remember reading an interview where he stated:
“I’m a striker, but I’m playing with one of the most special talents this league’s ever seen, and you’ve got to change your game a little bit if you want to play alongside a talent like that and still find a way help the team. And I’m doing that.
“I’m going to score goals too, but that side of it is a part of me that I have to give to the team to make sure the team’s successful.”
…that’s kind of a red-flag to me. I respect the “team mentality” and I think Altidore is a good guy, but that statement just resonates a lack of killer instinct. Something I’ve observed throughout his entire career. Altidore is far too passive and given his physique and athletic ability should be an absolute monster.
If he had half of Clint Dempsey’s heart and mental fortitude I think Altidore could have been one of the greatest to every play for the United States. Unfortunately, his career is going to be looked at with an angle of disappointment.
It’s
nightnot a slightagreed on all counts, but i think this line–“Altidore did himself no favors with the limited chances he DID get”–is key.
jozy *never* does well when only given limited chances, no matter which team he is with. we saw this with hull, sunderland, and the early-klinsmann-era usmnt. (re: his time at az, i would argue that the level of defense–while relevant–wasn’t as much a factor as the type of system his team played.) he’s not a poacher in the slightest; he thrives in a fast-paced open system where he doesn’t *need* to be the scorer; and if it seems it’ll be his only chance all game, he’s more likely to miss (or pass it off) than score.
the last one ties into your last point: he doesn’t have that “selfishness” or killer instinct that makes dempsey and others into go-to guys. there are pros and cons to that type of player, but the cons are highlighted when you’re expected to heavily contribute to the goals scored.
How was Jozy’s hold up play?
Good enough to win the game?…
No impact on the game whatsoever. But what would expect from a forward who hasn’t scored a goal yet this season (oh, and thank goodness Endoh was the one who took the shot or this would have been a tied game).
Let him have it Bryan, what did he do wrong this time?