Toronto FC began the Texas Pro Soccer Festival by facing the defending MLS Cup Champions Houston Dynamo, and dropping their first game of the tournament 4-3.
Houston wasted very little time in making their mark on this game, and just 3 minutes in were on the board. A corner from Brad Davis was swung in, Greg Sutton punched it clear right to Craig Waibel whose looping header was put in past the keeper by Chris Wondolowski. His header got a little help from the post and landed in the back of the net past a surprised Sutton and it was a 1-0 lead early.
TFC defender, and captain for this match, Jim Brennan powered a free kick on goal in the 10th minute for the team's first real chance, but fellow Canadian Pat Onstad had no trouble handling the shot. After Houston dominated a lot of the early possession, Toronto finally had something to celebrate in the 36th. Jeff Cunningham started it off with a nice pass to Brennan who positioned himself far right - perfect location to send in a great cross that was met by trialist Kiki Musampa whose powerful downward header beat Onstad to level the match 1-1.
Houston went right back on the attack and regained the lead just 6 minutes later, off a corner Brian Ching was waiting for the service at the far post and his header gave them the 2-1 advantage just like that. The last few minutes of the first half were made to seem even longer for Toronto as the Dynamo added one more before the break...Waibel setting up Ching and he scores his second of the game with a blast to the top corner beating a diving Sutton to make it 3-1 Houston at the half.
Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear made 7 substitutions to start the second half, while TFC head coach John Carver left his lineup the same. Even though there were a lot of new faces on the pitch - it seemed like the same team as they hit the scoreboard again quickly. 47th minute, Davis with the initial strike, followed by a glancing header from Eric Ustruck made it 4 for the men in orange.
Toronto would pull within two in the 71st when a hard foul on Toronto trialist Tony Vairelles courtesy of Steve Wondolowski, lead to a penalty kick for Toronto. Stepping up to take it, another new face in camp this week, Martin Brittain who kept it low and on target as he cut the lead to 4-2. Toronto made it interesting near the end as 9 minutes from time Vairelles sent a laser past Onstad from the left side to make it a 4-3 final.
Toronto's preseason record now stands at 2-2-3; they'll face D.C. United on Friday in another 6p.m. local start here in Texas.
2008 MLS Schedule Note: Please make the appropriate changes to your Toronto FC home schedule as there are two new start times. Saturday July 19th versus San Jose the kick off is now 3:00p.m ET while Sunday September 6th the kick off against Chivas will be 4:00p.m ET.
Thoughts from Head Coach John Carver: "I was really disappointed because we conceded two goals at the stroke of half time. We started the game poorly, we conceded a poor goal, but we worked our way back into the game I thought we did ok when we got the equalizer. I was disappointed though that we conceded 3 goals from set plays. I came in at half time and had a right go at them because we weren't getting close enough and we got a good reaction from it. But we were a lot better (in the second half) we were a lot higher up the field, we got closer to players and we pressed the ball better and the pleasing thing is - they showed a bit of character."
Houston Dynamo Lineup: Pat Onstad, Craig Waibel, Bobby Boswell, Eddie Robinson, Wade Barrett (C), Corey Ashe, Richard Mulrooney, Rico Clark, Brad Davis, Chris Wondolowski, Brian Ching
Toronto FC Lineup: Greg Sutton, Pat Phelan, Tyrone Marshall, Andrew Boyens, Jim Brennan, Collin Samuel, Kiki Musampa, Joey Melo, Martin Brittain, Jeff Cunningham, Danny Dichio (Tony Vairelles 57)
Scoring Summary:
HOU: Brad Davis (Waibel) 3'
TFC: Kiki Musampa (Brennan, Cunningham) 36'
HOU: Brian Ching (Davis) 42'
HOU: Brian Ching (Wailbel) 44'
HOU: Eric Ustruck (Davis) 47'
TFC: Martin Brittain (PK) 71'
TFC: Tony Vairelles (Brennan) 81'
