TFC 1 DC United 2: Predictable Enough For Ya?

By: Sam | May 19th, 2007

Scorers:
TFC- Eskandarian 44′
DC- Goldthwaite (OG) 53′
DC- Moreno 79′

Analysis:
How dominated were we for 90% of this game? If I had to say, I’d say “pretty dominated”. Sure, we lost, and sure, the two goals were unfortunate, but it could have been 10-1 if DC had gotten the bright idea to get into the penalty area at some point in the first half. As for the goals that were actually scored, suffice to say none of them will be earning Goal Of The Year honours.

Eskandarian got his first goal for TFC against his old club on 44 minutes, when a ball flew in, flew back out, dripped in, bounced, fell to Edu, who slipped it back for Esky, who pounced and cranked it into the back of the net. One-nil at half-time, but you knew it wouldn’t stay that way. It didn’t. On a Gomez free-kick, Kevin Goldthwaite just nudged the ball over Greg Sutton to equalize for the opponents, but also garner the first own goal in TFC history. The winner came on a debatable penalty kick. Emilio cut back in the box, and while Wynne did leave his hand where he shouldn’t have, the Brazilian conducted quite the flop to earn the penalty. Regardless, it was none other than Jaime Moreno who scored, beating Sutton who had guessed right.

Our team play was not horrible, but considerably worse than against Houston. Of course, we must keep in mind that it was the guys’ third game in eight days, and with basically the same lineup, it’s to be expected that defenders get outrun, and the like. But man, how many times did we see United toy around and send balls here and there and everywhere within thirty yards of our net like there was no defense? DC got eight shots on net, which isn’t fantastic nor deplorable, but I can only thank them for not shooting more, because they obviously could have. All in all, it could’ve been better, but it certainly could have been worse.

Player’s grades:
Sutton: 5,5/10 - Can’t really fault him for the two goals, of course, but barely did anything besides be tall and wear a shirt without the sponsor on it.
Boyens: 4,5 - Quiet game, didn’t make any crucial tackles, but luckily he wasn’t called upon to make any either. A rest will do him some good.
O’Brien: 6 - Had a few cracks on goal and was always up and down like we’re seeing so often. On the other hand, he lost a few balls and wasted some chances as well.
Edu: 5 - Not the same Maurice we saw other times. Didn’t get many touches on the ball and just couldn’t create much in the other half. Did get an assist though.
Welsh: 4 - I forgot about him! Dissapointing, really. Rarely got involved with play and when he did, anything seldom came from it. How about Canizales?
Goldthwaite: 5 - Of course, the own goal stands out, but otherwise not a totally bad performance. Kept his men to the outside often enough, basically half-decent all-around.
Dichio: 6,5 - Didn’t score, didn’t get a shot on net if I remember correctly, but still, what a game. Attracted about six dozen fouls and really got on the fans’ good side. Again. Six-four, but he plays like a frickin’ giant. Subbed off for Lombardo on 72 minutes, who also made his presence felt but couldn’t muster anything chance-wise.
Eskandarian: 6,5 - Along the lines of Dichio. A pest in the box against his former teammates, and eventually got the goal. Man of the Match for TFC, I think. Subbed off for Buddle on 60 minutes, who didn’t live up to the man he switched for.
Brennan: 5,5 - Big letdown from the last two games. Generous marking and an absence of tackles and clearances like we saw this week. Not a bad game, it just seems that way.
Wynne: 5 - Usually as fast as a cheetah, quite a few guys got past him several times. Still some emphatic moments, but not like the other games. And that penalty… I hope he doesn’t feel bad, cause he shouldn’t.
Robinson: 5 - Again, no mistakes but no plays worth mentionning. Simple as that.

DC United:Let’s start from the back. Perkins was more or less impeccable, but his defense wasn’t great. Erpen was lucky he was taken off early, he was sure to have gotten a second yellow if he had stayed. The other defenders were also foul-happy, but nothing else. I thought I’d see more of Fred, but instead I got a double dose of Luciano Emilio. They obviously played to take advantage of Toronto’s fatigue, and they did it well. Full marks, except for the little bit of diving here and there.

Officiating: Come on! What’s up with all the cards? Called unnecessary fouls all game long, made the whole thing a tad boring. As for the penalty… (shows middle finger)
That is all.

Looking ahead: There ain’t much we have to change in our lineup or anything, just a big ol’ rest. There’s the Benfica game on Wednesday, and we’re back on the MLS track on Saturday against Columbus. Sweet.