TORONTO – Striker Danny Koevermans continued to be a force for Toronto FC, heading home the lone goal late in the first half as Toronto defeated Tauro FC 1-0 Tuesday at BMO Field in CONCACAF Champions League play.
It was Toronto’s second win in Group C of the CCL, both against Tauro, and moved them temporarily into second place.
Tauro were looking for their first CCL Group C win after losing 2-1 to Toronto in Panama City and drawing with both FC Dallas and Pumas UNAM. That left them at the bottom of the four-team group. Dallas lead with seven and Pumas have four points. Those teams play Wednesday.
Toronto were coming in off losses to Dallas and Pumas in CCL play but had won their past two matches in league play.
Koevermans, who scored both goals in the 2-1 win over Colorado on Saturday and has six goals in seven MLS games, headed home his first CCL goal in the 40th minute. It was started by a nice cross from Ashtone Morgan on the left side, then played back by Ryan Johnson and headed toward the goal by Peri Marosevic to Koevermans. The big Dutman was able to stay onside and flick it over the onrushing ‘keeper Álvaro Anzola.
In the second half, Tauro pressed forward and began to take control of midfield. Early in the half, goalkeeper Milos Kocic, who has played all the CCL matches for Toronto, came out nicely to punch a ball away from in front of the goal.
Temistocles Pérez had a chance in the 65th but Kocic made a relatively easy save.
In the final 10 minutes Toronto tried to press the issue, looking for the insurance goal. But Tauro had one last chance coming to them when Stinson was given a yellow card for a foul outside the penalty area in the third minute of stoppage time. The shot was blocked as the game ended.
Toronto had the better of the possession in the opening minutes of the game and had a couple of half-chances.
In the 12th, Johnson sprung Koevermans on the left but he wasn’t able to make as much of it as hoped and Anzola handled the shot.
Anzola hit the ground in the 21st minute when he contested a high ball with Koevermans on a long pass from defender Andy Iro, and a few minutes later, defender Richard Eckersley tested Anzola with a shot as he made a strong run up the right side.
Tauro had their first chance in the 32nd minute when Víctor Mendieta hit outside of the left post on a flick-on from Pérez after a corner kick. Other than that they were relatively quiet in the first half.
Toronto’s next league match is Saturday against Chivas USA at Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
The teams return to CCL action next week when Toronto host Pumas and Tauro host FC Dallas.
