FC Dallas battled gamely, but Toronto FC marked their first game at a remodeled and expanded BMO Field with a storybook win on Saturday night: rookie Tsubasa Endoh scored his first career MLS goal, the game-winner in a 1-0 Reds victory.
Jozy Altidore worked hard and a lively Sebastian Giovinco served up the decisive assist for as he menaced the FCD back line throughout, but both of TFC's star attackers were denied a goal of their own by a combination of good goalkeeping and solid recovery defending by Dallas.
In the end was surprising that only one goal bulged the net, as a loud, festive home crowd roared their team forward and an end-to-end affair duly unfolded. The two sides took 27 total shots (7 on goal), forcing 'keepers Jesse Gonzalez and Clint Irwin to make several clutch 1-on-1 saves.
Box Score
- 28’ – TOR – Tsubasa Endoh (Sebastian Giovinco)
- Full box score
- Stats
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Three Things
1. BMO CAULDRON: TFC fans have been waiting a long time to see their refurbished new home, and they made sure to do their part in making Saturday a night to remember. The Reds faithful were loud, proud and colorful, and it promises to turn BMO Field into one of the more imposing venues in MLS.
2. UNICORN, SHACKLED: Mauro Diaz is known as a human highlight reel, but Toronto kept FC Dallas' maestro in check for most of the evening, as Michael Bradley and Will Johnson led their team's attentive effort to restrict his time and space.
3. EMERGENCY 'KEEPER: Johnson's reckless challenge on Gonzalez knocked the FCD 'keeper out of the game after his team had used all three of their substitutions. So fullback Ryan Hollingshead had to pull on a GK shirt and gloves for the final minutes – and to his credit, made a save to keep his team in the game until the final whistle.
Giovinco lines up for a free kick and it is saved by...
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) May 8, 2016
...Ryan Hollingshead. #TORvDALhttps://t.co/OTqZ8hg8Va
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