By Rose Rago
Dwanye De Rosario notched his first goal of the season in the 89’ to draw Toronto FC level 1-1 with the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park Saturday night.
The Scarborough native, who was subbed in for Domenic Oduro in the 59’, collected his 104th MLS goal after Jackon’s corner kick bounced around in the box. Nick Hagglund headed the ball to keep it in the 18 where Gilberto headed towards goal. A falling De Rosario was there to sweep it past Fire keeper Sean Johnson to give TFC their first goal in 370 minutes.
But it is controversial disallowed go ahead goal in the 90' that the TFC faithful are talking about.
Michael Bradley sent a long ball from inside the Chicago half to Gilberto in the area. The Brazilian controlled it and fought off defenders Bakary Soumare and Jeff Larentowicz. In behind Soumare, Gilberto slipped the ball between his legs to score to score. Both players fell during the play. But referee David Gantar issued Gilberto a foul for contact on Soumare, subsequently nullifying the goal.
The Designated Player said post game, “I didn’t touch him and the ball ran into the net. But those calls happen. We just have to turn the page.”
Bradley wasn’t shy with his thoughts about the officiating.
“It makes no sense how you can continue to assign Canadian referees when an American team is playing against a Canadian team. It’s obvious that these guys are going to make an effort to show that they’re not biased one way or the other,” the USA international said post match.
“It’s not the first time we had (referee David Gantar) this year. What can you say? He’s just not good enough […] they put referees out there that are totally in over their heads. They ruin games. They totally decide the outcome of games.” (Via Kurtis Larson – Toronto Sun Soccer Columnist)
Bradley’s outspokenness could land him in hot water should the MLS decide review his comments, something TFC are all too familiar with. Former bench boss Ryan Nelsen was fined for his choice words about referee Ted Unkel following Toronto's 2-1 home loss to Sporting Kansas City on July 26th.
Toronto was on its back foot for the majority of the match after falling behind 1-0 in the 11’.
Sanna Nyassi played a short corner to Alex who passed it back to Nyassi. The forward sent a cross in the area where Lovel Palmer came in behind Mark Bloom to head it past Joe Bendik for his first of the season.
Bendik ensured the Fire’s lead didn’t spread in the 45’ when he knocked a shot wide from Alex coming in down the left.
TFC finished the first half without a corner kick, out shot nine to three, and with a mere 38% of the possession. It was an uninspired 45 minutes of football for the Toronto side. Defender Justin Morrow, in his first game back from injury, summed it up stating, “I would like to see us show a little more emotion.”
Coach Greg Vanney changed the team’s formation to 4-1-4-1 to allow Bradley the midfield more opportunity to spark the offence. However Vanney was unimpressed with his squad’s performance at the break. “Too many guys coming deep to get the ball – leaving a big hole and leaving Gilberto alone […] need more mobility going forward.”
Toronto began the second half with more of the emotion that Morrow called for but were in danger of falling into a two goal deficit in the 57’. Bendik came out to play a ball and hauled down Fire midfielder Grant Ward in the box for a penalty.
Bendik made a massive save off of the ensuing Larentowicz shot from the spot and another seconds later from the rebound Quincy Amarikwa picked up. Bendik’s Man of the Match play kept Toronto within striking distance despite its lack of offence throughout the first 75 minutes.
Most of the chances TFC generated came within the final 15 minutes of play. All of Toronto’s four corners came within that span. The switch in momentum gave TFC the final advantage in overall possession with 70% to the Fire’s 30%.
Toronto (9-11-7) sit in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with 34 points, three behind fifth and sixth place Columbus Crew and Philadelphia Union. Good news for Toronto, the Crew and Houston Dynamo played to a 2-2 Saturday to give TFC a two point cushion on the Men in Orange.
With seven games remaining in the regular season the Reds battle to get back in playoff position. Their next match is September 21st versus Western Conference basement dwellers Chivas USA at BMO Field.