For the second time this week, Toronto FC faced Danish Superliga side Odense Boldklub, but this occasion came out on the losing end of a 2-1 decision, with Head Coach John Carver going with a very different starting 11 than he did earlier in the week against the European side. Josh Wagenaar got his first start since his arrival late Sunday and played the entire 90 minutes, while almost every player in camp saw some action.
Midfielder Ronnie O'Brien who did not hit the field in the last game, created the first chance of the game playing a great ball ahead to Marvell Wynne, Wynne using his speed down the right side to give him space, but his cross into the box went untouched.
Odense would open the scoring, recording the first goal between these two sides. 37th minute, Wagenaar came out to challenge Jonas Borring, the Dane made a move to get past the Canadian keeper and found the back of the net from a tough angle to give them the 1-0 lead.
The first half wound down with things getting a little heated after a save from Wagenaar. The keeper jumped for the ball, while Odense forward Baye Djiby Fall came rushing in to try and knock it loose, what followed was some minor pushing and shoving in the goal with a few players involved from both sides. Cooler heads prevailed and the first half ended with Odense up 1-0.
There were two substitutions for Toronto at the start of the second half. Danny Dichio and Tyrone Marshall each took a seat and were replaced by Mike Zaher and Marco Velez. Velez, joins Toronto on trial from the Puerto Rico Islanders of the USL First Division.
On the hour mark, Todd Dunivant played a great ball in from the left side to Carl Robinson - but the midfielder's striker was a little off target and flew over the top of the goal. Shortly after that Collin Samuel had his first good chance from close range - but his attempt off the mark as well.
65th minute, Zaher gets called for a very suspect hand ball, and the official calls for a penalty. Chris Sorensen steps up and drills it to the back of the net and the Danes doubled their lead.
Despite the lopsided score line, TFC created all the chances amidst end to end action in the second half. Odense did not give Wagenaar any work in the second frame. The hard work paid off for Toronto with 10 minutes to go, in what was a fantastic play. Tyler Hemming played a long cross from the right side to Tyler Rosenlund who was waiting far post; Rosenlund was then quick to spot a man in the middle and delivered a perfect ball in the area to Andrea Lombardo who headed in his first goal of the preseason to cut the lead to 2-1 and that's how the match would finish.
TFC will next hit the field for another game against MLS competition when they face Kansas City on Saturday morning in a 10 a.m. kickoff. Toronto's preseason record now stands at 0-1-2 after drawing their previous two matches.
Tyrone Marshall wore the captain's armband in the first half, while the rookie James wore it in the second.
Thoughts on the game...
Head Coach John Carver: "10 days into preseason and we are exactly where I want to be. I thought it was a really tough game against a side who's just been knocked out of the Uefa Cup in Europe so it was a great test for us. It gave me an opportunity to see nearly every player we've got with us in the camp, and we were pleased with the effort."
Forward Andrea Lombardo: "My first goal of preseason feels good, it's good to get it out of the way, you know it's the first real 90 minute game we've had and it's good to bang that away early, and hopefully there's many more to come."
Scoring Summary
Odense: Jonas Borring 37'
Odense: Chris Sorensen 60'
TFC: Andrea Lombardo (Rosenlund, Hemming) 80'
Toronto FC Lineup: Josh Wagenaar, Todd Dunivant (Joey Melo 70), Tyrone Marshall (Marco Velez 46), Julius James (Andrew Boyens 82), Marvell Wynne (Tyler Hemming 76), Collin Samuel (Jamie Watson 76), Maurice Edu (Pat Phelan 54), Carl Robinson (Tyler Rosenlund 67), Ronnie O'Brien, Jeff Cunningham (Andrea Lombardo 67), Danny Dichio (Mike Zaher 46)
