TORONTO — Midfielder Brek Shea powered home his ninth goal of the season four minutes into the second half to give FC Dallas a 1-0 victory over Toronto FC at BMO Field on Wednesday night.
The result spoiled the MLS debuts of Toronto’s two new Designated Players, forward Danny Koevermans and midfielder Torsten Frings, who both went the full 90 minutes.
After initiating a breakout by intercepting a ball near midfield, Shea finished it off by thundering a left-footed shot from outside the box into the upper left corner to give visiting Dallas (11-5-5) the only goal they would need just minutes after the halftime break.
Toronto (3-10-9) put the ball in the net shortly after Shea's tally but Joao Plata was called for offside on the play.
Dallas came close to doubling their lead in the 60th minute but TFC goalkeeper Stefan Frei stopped Shea’s point-blank, right-footed shot from the right side of the box. The rebound fell to Dallas forward Marvin Chávez, who headed on goal but new Toronto defender Andy Iro was there to clear.
Toronto applied pressure late in the game and FC Dallas netminder Kevin Hartman came up big on multiple attempts. TFC second-half substitute Maicon Santos also went wide with a header off a Nick Soolsma pass. Frings had a chance off a free kick in stoppage time, but his shot was high.
Toronto had their new-look lineup on display after three trades and three signings brought in seven new players, five of whom started Wednesday.
Koevermans and Frings, who were signed on June 29, were both involved in the match early. The Dutch forward was fouled in the attacking zone in the first minute and Frings, who was a presence throughout the first half, stepped up and fired the set piece to the lower left corner with Hartman deflecting wide for a corner.
Koevermans played as the central forward in a three-man front line together with Ryan Johnson, acquired in a trade last week from San Jose, and Plata. The Dutchman's shot from outside the box in the 39th minute was destined for the upper left corner, forcing a save from Hartman.
Hartman made his third save of the first half on Koevermans’ header from the right side of the box on a Danleigh Borman cross in the 45th minute.
Among the other newcomers, Iro started in central defense and Guadeloupe international defender Eddy Viator, whose signing was announced earlier Wednesday, started at right back. He was forced into immediate action as Richard Eckersley, the regular right back, sat out due to suspension because of an accumulation of yellow cards.
Dallas continue their East Coast swing on Saturday when they face the New York Red Bulls. Toronto make their first visit to Livestrong Sporting Park to take on Sporting Kansas City on the same day.
Scoring Summary:
DAL -- Brek Shea 9 (unassisted) 48
Misconduct Summary:
TOR -- Eddy Viator (caution; Reckless Tackle) 15
DAL -- Jackson (caution; Reckless Foul) 40
TOR -- Andy Iro (caution; Dissent) 77
DAL -- Daniel Hernandez (caution; Dissent) 88
Lineups:
FC Dallas -- Kevin Hartman, Jackson, George John, Ugo Ihemelu, Jair Benitez, Eric Alexander (Bruno Guarda 71), Eric Avila (Andrew Jacobson 63), Ricardo Villar (Bobby Warshaw 80), Daniel Hernandez, Brek Shea, Marvin Chavez.
Substitutes Not Used: Ruben Luna, Victor Ulloa, Andrew Wiedeman, Chris Seitz.
Toronto FC -- Stefan Frei, Eddy Viator, Ty Harden, Andy Iro, Danleigh Borman, Mikael Yourassowsky (Maicon Santos 54), Nathan Sturgis (Nick Soolsma 56), Torsten Frings, Joao Plata (Gianluca Zavarise 70), Danny Koevermans, Ryan Johnson.
Substitutes Not Used: Dan Gargan, Doneil Henry, Matt Stinson, Milos Kocic.
Referee: Hilario Grajeda
Referee's Assistants: Paul Scott; Corey Parker
4th Official: Daniel Fitzgerald
Attendance: 21,087
Time of Game: 1:53
Weather: Clear and 81 degrees
