D.C. United earned a 1-0 win over Toronto FC in the club's second game at the Texas Pro Soccer Festival outside of San Antonio. A late goal from Josh Gardner was the difference maker, as United improved to 2-0 in the tournament.
The first half saw both teams struggle to settle in as each battled to control possession. The first good chance of the game came in the 12th minute when Toronto's Martin Brittain got on the end of a cross from Mike Zaher and struck a side volley that flew over the bar.
In the 33rd minute, United forward Cezar collected a Toronto turnover dribbled forward a few yard and hit a shot from 35 yards that goalkeeper Brian Edwards had to tip over the bar as he retreated toward his line.
The 0-0 score line would stand at the halftime whistle.
In the 72nd minute, Guy-Roland Kpene corralled a ball near midfield and moved forward through Toronto's defense. The forward slotted a ball through to a sprinting Cezar, who moved past his defender a hit a shot towards goal with his left foot that sailed just wide of the goal.
United would grab the lead for good in the 84th minute when Rod Dyachenko carried the ball up the left side of the pitch, sliding past a handful of Toronto defenders. The crafty midfielder sent a cross towards the far post that fell to the feet of Quavas Kirk, who took one controlling touch and then sent the ball back across the mouth of the goal. The ball bounced once and fell directly into the path of a charging Josh Gardner, who hit a first-time volley over an outstretched goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
Gardner's tally stood as the lone goal at the final whistle.
Game summary
Scoring summary:
DCU - Josh Gardner (Quavas Kirk, Rod Dyachenko) 84
Lineups:
DCU: Zach Wells (Jose Carvallo 45); Galen Thompson, Patrick Carroll, Dane Murphy, Ryan Cordeiro; Jamil Walker (Quavas Kirk 45), Daniel Stratford (Rod Dyachenko 45), Guy-Roland Kpene, Josh Gardner; David Blumer (Justin Moose 56), Cezar.
TFC: Brian Edwards, Pat Phelan, Tyrone Marshall, Jim Brennan, Mike Zaher, Martin Brittain, Kevin Harmse (Joey Melo 46), Kiki Musampa, Gabe Gala (Robbie Gaspar 67), Tony Vairelles (Danny Dichio 84), Collin Samuel (Jeff Cunningham 84).
Misconduct summary:
DCU - Guy-Roland Kpene (caution) 28
TFC - Gabe Gala (caution) 41
DCU - Dan Stratford (caution) 42
