Scoring one's first-ever MLS goal is always a cause for celebration, but Marco Velez took it to another level. The first-year Toronto FC defender celebrated his first-half header on Thursday night against the New York Red Bulls with an exuberant run across the field, high-fiving and hugging both his teammates on the field and the bench.
"I was pretty happy," said a smiling Velez. "When you have 20,000 fans yelling, how can you not be?"
Velez's enthusiasm didn't just stem from the fact that he had reached a career milestone. The goal represented a symbolic arrival for the young Puerto Rican after a rough beginning to his MLS career. Velez struggled in his first two matches as the Reds allowed six goals in two losses to Columbus and D.C. United, respectively. Even in Toronto's third game, a 3-2 win in Los Angeles, Velez was left flat-footed on a goal by the Galaxy's Landon Donovan.
As Velez has improved at center back, however, the results have been clear for both himself and for TFC's defense as a whole. Thursday's 1-1 draw with New York is the latest positive result in a four-game unbeaten streak for the Reds. Dave van den Bergh's direct free kick goal in the 38th minute for New York ended a stretch of 250 minutes played without a goal for Toronto.
The defensive turnaround has greatly impressed TFC coach John Carver.
"I must sit here are also compliment the back five," Carver said. "I thought the goalkeeper and the back four were outstanding for us, and that was the platform for us to get something from the game."
The draw was the least impressive result of the unbeaten streak, coming on the heels of three consecutive wins for Toronto. But given that this is only the second four-game unbeaten streak in team history (after a 1-0-3 stretch from July 1 to July 15 of 2007), the Reds are satisfied to be unsatisfied by taking only one point from a game.
"We have higher expectations of ourselves this year," said defender Marvell Wynne. "Last year we were more focused on trying to come together and figuring out what we could do. This year we know what we can do and we're trying to keep our win streak going on. It's good that we're disappointed with a tie. It's a good effort to go into the break with."
TFC doesn't play next until May 17, and though the 16-day layoff threatens to disrupt the club's momentum, Carver said he welcomes the chance to have a sustained training period with his players. The Reds coach said his side has some things to work on after a game where neither Toronto or New York did much that stood out.
"There wasn't much between the two sides, to be honest," Carver said. "We've got a scruffy point, as I call it, because we've not really been on top form. We've not played a great deal of football [in the game], really. First half we did a little bit, second half we respond, but not consistently. But I won't fault the effort. I thought the effort was fantastic."
TFC once again showed their quality on free kicks, as for the fourth consecutive game, the Reds scored on a set piece. This time, Laurent Robert arched a crossing pass that sailed over the scrum of players in front of the net and found a wide-open Velez on the right side. The defender could hardly have had a better set-up for his first goal.
Carver lightheartedly faulted Velez, however, for the explosive celebration.
"He hit me right in the jaw, he almost broke my jaw," joked Carver. "You can see from Marco the delight. It was a great ball in by Laurent and a great header.
"I think it was a little bit of frustration coming out there because let's be honest, he's been under a bit of pressure from everybody and he's dealt with it ever so well. He had a great performance on the weekend and tonight he's capped it off with a goal."
Velez admitted it felt good to score, but said that he wasn't letting the criticism affect him negatively.
"It's part of what we do," Velez said. "Obviously if you make a mistake you're going to hear about it. You have to bounce back and not really pay attention to the other things and be confident in yourself and work hard.
"I've been under a lot of pressure especially after how we started, but it's good pressure. It makes you humble and it makes you work hard and ... it always keeps you on your toes. It's good for me, it makes me work harder and hopefully I'll keep doing what I've been doing the last couple of games."
Mark Polishuk is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
