MLS ARTICLES
- Galaxy's Dos Santos brothers, 4 LAFC players named to World Cup rosters (Los Angeles Times)
- Banc of California Stadium will stage Gold Cup soccer matches next summer (Los Angeles Times)
- Whitecaps captain Kendall Waston heading to World Cup (The Province)
- Iraqi boy relishes chance to meet Timbers players, attend rivalry match while seeking medical help in Portland (The Oregonian)
- Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field to host 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup games (Philadelphia Inquirer)
- Atlanta United’s Robinson shines in second start (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
- World Cup Countdown: Six MLS Ticos headed to Russia (Soccer America)
- LAFC star Carlos Vela named to Mexico’s provisional World Cup roster (SB Nation Angels on Parade)
- RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando’s 200th MLS win makes for a special night (Pro Soccer USA)
- Brad Friedel’s lineup changes set Revs up for success against Toronto (Pro Soccer USA)
Galaxy's Dos Santos brothers, 4 LAFC players named to World Cup rosters
Los Angeles Times – May 14, 2018
Monday's deadline to submit provisional rosters for the World Cup starting next month answered questions for some of the 32 teams but raised doubts for others as top players continue to battle injury and fitness issues.
Mexico, England, Brazil, Russia, Germany, France and Tunisia are among the teams that have significant doubts about the availability of key players a month before the tournament kicks off.
Mexico cast aside injury doubts surrounding forward Giovani dos Santos and his brother, midfielder Jonathan, and announced that the Galaxy teammates had made the training camp team. Gio did not travel to Dallas for the Galaxy's game last weekend and has sat out half their matches this season while Jonathan has played only 82 minutes in the last month because of injury.
If neither player is available to play in Russia it will end a streak of at least one Galaxy player appearing in every World Cup since the team's founding in 1996.
Mexico also summoned forward Carlos Vela, who leads the Los Angeles Football Club with six goals, and 39-year-old defender Rafa Marquez, who retired from club soccer this spring. If Marquez, a surprise addition to the provisional roster, makes the cut for Russia, it would be his fifth World Cup selection.
Three other LAFC players landed on World Cup rosters with forward Marco Urena chosen to Costa Rica's final 23-man roster while defenders Omar Gaber and Steven Beitashour were named to preliminary rosters by Egypt and Iran, respectively.
"It's something that every player, every coach wants for his players," Beitashour, who was on the Iranian team four years ago, said of the World Cup invitation. "It's an honor. It's the biggest tournament that any football player can dream of playing in."
The four selections for LAFC are the most by any MLS team and that number could grow. Belgium isn't scheduled to publicly release its provisional roster until next week, but it probably will include LAFC captain Laurent Ciman, who was on the 2014 team. If Ciman travels to Russia, LAFC could be without half its starting lineup for as many as six games.
John Thorrington, the club's executive vice president for soccer operations, celebrated the selections.
"For all of our players that are eligible and have the potential to go play in a World Cup," he said, "we are incredibly supportive and hope they do go and hope they do really well."
Brazil, among the pre-tournament favorites, expects star forward Neymar to be a full participate when training camp opens this month. Neymar had a broken bone in his right foot repaired in March.
Defender Dani Alves, a two-time World Cup player, is sidelined after suffering a torn knee ligament in the French Cup final last week.
Germany, the defending World Cup champion, is monitoring the progress of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and defender Jerome Boateng. Neuer hasn't played since suffering a foot injury in September abd Boateng is sidelined after suffering a thigh injury last month.
England will definitely be without midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who underwent knee surgery this month, while Russia's preliminary roster omitted forward Alexander Kokorin and defenders Viktor Vasin and Georgi Dzhikiya because of knee injuries.
Among those chosen as a replacement was 38-year-old defender Sergei Ignashevich, Russia's all-time leader with 120 international appearances. He came out of international retirement to join the team.
Argentina put forward Sergio Aguero and midfielder Lucas Biglia on its roster, though both are injured. Aguero had minor surgery on his left knee last month; Biglia is trying to come back from two cracked vertebrae.
A knee injury will sideline Tunisia forward Youssef Msakni, the team's leading active scorer with 14 goals, while France has confirmed it will be without Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny because of a ruptured Achilles tendon.
Banc of California Stadium will stage Gold Cup soccer matches next summer
Los Angeles Times – May 14, 2018
Banc of California Stadium, which has hosted four Major League Soccer games since its grand opening last month, is one of 15 venues chosen to stage matches for next summer's expanded CONCACAF Gold Cup.
CONCACAF will roll out the announcement of the other 14 venues in 13 U.S. metropolitan areas this week. The tournament is scheduled to play over three weeks in June and July.
"The venues selected thus far offer a mix of soccer history as well as a taste of the future of the sport in the U.S. and we are excited to work with the local host committees to bring the game to fans all over the U.S.," CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani said in a statement.
Banc of California Stadium, home to the Los Angeles Football Club, an MLS expansion team, is the newest and most expensive soccer-specific venue in the U.S. The price tag for the Exposition Park venue was $350 million.
The regional championship for teams in North America, Central America and the Caribbean, the Gold Cup is expanding to 16 teams this year. Six teams — Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, and the U.S. — have already qualified for the tournament by virtue of reaching the final, hexagonal round of World Cup qualifying in 2016. Ten other teams will qualify for the Gold Cup next fall.
The Gold Cup is played every two years.
Whitecaps captain Kendall Waston heading to World Cup
The Province – May 14, 2018
Kendall Waston put his country into the World Cup.
That was a pretty big deal.
Now he’ll get to play a part in the big deal: He’s been confirmed in Costa Rica’s 23-man roster that will head to Russia next month for the 2018 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
This is the first time Waston, the Whitecaps’ captain, will be at the Cup; he was named to Costa Rica’s provisional 30-man roster for Brazil 2014, but was in the final round of cuts.
“It’s a huge accomplishment. I feel very happy. Very proud,” he said Monday after a hot and sunny practice at the University of B.C. “(I feel) a lot of emotions … I remember four years ago, it was a different feeling. Now, I can enjoy this moment.”
Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson got to tell Waston the news in front of his teammates (who celebrated by spraying him with water); the club also invited his wife, Priscilla, and son, Keysaack, to Monday’s practice.
“It was a great surprise, I didn’t expect my family here. I’m really thankful to the club, they always do special things for the players. Without my family, without my teammates, my coaches, I think this wouldn’t be possible,” Waston said.
After Robinson announced the news and Waston gave his wife and son a kiss, he gave a heartfelt speech to his teammates.
“I love coming here (to train),” he said. “In my heart, you guys are always going to be.”
Waston has won 25 caps for his country and scored three times, including the dramatic header against Honduras on the final day of qualification that put his country back into the Cup.
Los Ticos kick off their Group E Russian campaign against Serbia on June 17. They then face Brazil on June 22 and Switzerland on June 27. They’ve also got a trio of warm-up friendlies against Northern Ireland (June 3), England (June 7), and Belgium (June 11).
Waston, 30, will join Costa Rica after the Whitecaps’ home match May 26 against the New England Revolution. MLS is taking a nine-day break from June 14, the day the Cup officially opens, and June 22. Yes, that means MLS action will resume before even the group stage is over. As it stands, Waston will definitely miss games June 1 in Colorado, June 9 at home against Orlando and June 23 in Philadelphia.
Costa Rica and the other Cup teams were required to name a 35-man provisional team Monday, but Ticos coach Óscar Ramírez opted to skip right to his final squad. Six Costa Ricans playing in MLS were selected by Ramirez. Ex-Cap Christian Bolanos was also chosen.
(Teams can make injury replacements to their squads up until 24 hours before their first match in Russia.)
Waston has appeared in 99 MLS regular-season matches and scored 12 times since joining the Whitecaps midway through 2014.
Iraqi boy relishes chance to meet Timbers players, attend rivalry match while seeking medical help in Portland
The Oregonian – May 14, 2018
Mustafa Abed hasn't had an easy life.
The 15-year-old Iraqi teenager lost his leg at the hip and suffered serious internal injuries during a U.S. missile strike in his hometown of Fallujah in 2004. Then in 2014, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, known as ISIS, took control of his city. This year, Abed and his family were forced to flee their home as Iraqi forces fought to reclaim war-torn Fallujah from ISIS control.
But amid the political turmoil and violence in his home country, Abed has managed to find an outlet in soccer. As an avid supporter of Real Madrid and huge fan of Cristiano Ronaldo, he has developed a deep passion for the game.
And on Sunday, soccer was the only thing on his mind as he happily sat on the bench at Providence Park and watched the Portland Timbers warm up ahead of their rivalry match against the Seattle Sounders.
"I couldn't have imagined this," said Abed through an interpreter. "Soccer is part of my life, it's part of the excitement in my life."
Abed came to Portland for medical treatment for the first time at the age of 5 in 2008 through the help of Maxine Fookson and her husband, Ned Rosch, who founded a Portland chapter of No More Victims, a nonprofit that raises money to bring children wounded by war to the United States for treatment.
During that initial visit to Portland, Abed was treated at Doernbecher Children's Hospital and Shriners Hospital for internal injuries and fitted for a prosthetic leg.
No More Victims had hoped to bring Abed back for treatment every couple of years, but lost touch with him and his family after they returned to Fallujah. The nonprofit was only able to reconnect with Abed by chance after he appeared in a PBS Newshour segment on Fallujah in 2016.
Ten years after his first trip to Portland, Abed finally returned with his mother, Nidhal Aswad, last month to receive additional medical treatment.
"We were very happy and we started crying," said Aswad through an interpreter about reconnecting with No More Victims. "I feel at peace. This is a dream come true."
When the Timbers found out about Abed's love of soccer, they immediately made an effort to connect with him. Abed and his mother attended a Timbers practice last week before taking in Sunday's Timbers-Sounders game. They are also expected to be in attendance when the Portland Thorns host the Utah Royals on May 25.
The Timbers players and staff stood quietly in a circle at training last Wednesday as they listened to Abed's story. After the practice, many of them came up to Abed to give him a hug or try to offer a few words of encouragement. Timbers coach Giovanni Savarese told Abed that he would be the club's "good luck charm" in Sunday's game, while goalkeeper Jeff Attinella and defender Zarek Valentin spent a while on the field passing the ball back and forth with Abed, who is able to kick a soccer ball thanks to the braces that he uses to walk.
"This is just pure joy for him," said Geri Berg, a pediatric social worker who has assisted Abed on both of his visits to Portland. "Just looking at his face and the way he was smiling and how excited he was to be on the field with the players."
The experience with the Timbers has been an important distraction for Abed amid all his medical appointments. Berg said that he is continuing to see doctors to determine what the next steps will be in his medical care. Berg said that Abed tried out a hand-powered bicyle at Shriners last week that could be a big help for him in getting around back home. She is interested in looking into raising money to send him back to Iraq with the bike.
"It's multiple systems, multiple injuries," said Berg about Abed's health. "We're just starting to get the feedback on what's going to be possible."
But Sunday wasn't about hospitals visits or medical care. For Abed, it was just about enjoying the game that he loves.
Ahead of Sunday's match, the Timbers gifted Abed a personalized jersey with his name and the No. 7, the same number as Ronaldo. He wore the jersey to Sunday's match. It's a memento that he will cherish.
"I feel like everybody has cared so much for him," Aswad said. "He never got any care like this back in Iraq. I'm very happy all of this is happeneing."
Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field to host 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup games
Philadelphia Inquirer – May 15, 2018
The Concacaf Gold Cup is coming back to Philadelphia next year.
Lincoln Financial Field will be one of the host venues for the 2019 edition of the biennial tournament, sources confirmed to the Inquirer and Daily News.
The official announcement will come Tuesday from Concacaf and the Eagles. It’s not known yet which games will be here, or which teams. But the odds are strong that the United States will visit in some form.
Next year’s tournament will be the fourth time overall that the Linc hosts the continental championship for North and Central American national teams. The venue hosted quarterfinal doubleheaders in 2017 and 2009, and the championship game in 2015.
The quarterfinals drew 31,165 fans in 2017 and 31,087 fans in 2009, with the U.S. involved both times. The 2015 championship game, featuring Mexico and Jamaica, drew a sellout crowd of 68,930 — the largest attendance ever for a soccer game in Philadelphia.
Also in 2015, Talen Energy Stadium hosted a third-place game between the U.S. and Panama that drew 12,598 fans.
Concacaf is spreading venue announcements throughout this week. It has already made two venues official: Los Angeles FC’s brand-new Banc of California Stadium in central L.A., and the Arizona Cardinals’ University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Various sources with knowledge of the tournament confirmed reports that Minnesota United’s Allianz Field, set to open next year in St. Paul, Minn., will host the U.S.’ tournament opener; and the Cleveland Browns’ FirstEnergy Stadium will also be involved. The Carolina Panthers’ Bank of America in Charlotte, N.C., is another reported venue.
There will be 15 U.S. venues in total, spread across 14 markets.
The governing body also plans to stage parts of next year’s Gold Cup in Central American and Caribbean nations for the first time ever. Past editions have almost entirely been in the United States. Mexico City hosted games in 1993 and 2003, and Toronto hosted games in 2015.
Concacaf will also expand the Gold Cup field from 12 teams to 16 next year.
Atlanta United’s Robinson shines in second start
Doug Roberson – May 14, 2018
Atlanta United manager Gerardo Martino usually seems bemused when asked if younger players on the MLS team are going to make the 18 on game days.
His answer almost always includes the player’s age. It’s a soft exclamation point and rebuke that this is a professional league with important stakes, so he will players that he feels are ready.
One of those players, 21-year-old defender Miles Robinson, didn’t play in a league game for the team last season. Instead, after being selected with the second pick in the 2017 SuperDraft, the Syracuse product worked on the training ground with the senior team, and spent some time with the Charleston Battery.
This season, he again spent the early part of the season working with the senior team, and also spent some time with Atlanta United 2.
That work is starting to pay off.
Robinson has made two starts with the senior team this season and performed well in the 5-0 win against LAFC on April 7 and again in last week’s 2-1 win against Orlando City.
“As I said after the LAFC game, he’s ready,” Martino said. “He’s a player who's improved a lot over the course of the last year. So we know he’s ready to play on days when he has to step up and help us out like today."
Robinson kept things simple with his defending, staying close to his mark at all times and using his speed to recover on counters, and his passing -- his biggest weakness -- against the Lions. Facing veteran Justin Meram, Robinson held his own with two exceptions. Once, Meram was able to turn Robinson and create enough space to get off a shot. Goalkeeper Alec Kann got down low to his right to make the save. The second came when Kann punched away a shot. The deflection came right to Meram, who scored. Robinson didn’t have enough time to react. He attempted a tackle, but the play happened too quickly.
“It was a difficult ball,” he said. “I need to watch it again. Looking back, I would try to do something different.”
Martino said Robinson hasn’t played more because of the depth on the back line. Robinson may have started against Orlando City because of injuries to Chris McCann (hamstring) and Franco Escobar (chest).
Robinson may not start again for Sunday’s games against New York Red Bulls at Mercedes-Benz Stadium because it seems likely that Martino will switch from 3-5-2 formation that uses three centerbacks to a 4-3-3 that uses two centerbacks. Atlanta United is unbeaten in nine games using the 3-5-2, but the Red Bulls like to play from the back. Martino has said that teams he prefers the 4-3-3 against are teams that build play from the back.
Robinson doesn’t seem worried.
“I’m just trying to go and compete, play my best and that’s all I can do,” he said. “It’s up to the coaching staff to determine anything else. I’m happy that I got the opportunity to play again.”
World Cup Countdown: Six MLS Ticos headed to Russia
Soccer America – May 14, 2018
Costa Rica's 23-player squad for the World Cup includes six MLS players. As many as seven players could be on Panama's team for its first World Cup when the Canaleros' squad is cut down from 35 to 23.
The squads announced on Monday included 22 MLS players. Most teams have not picked their final squads. Other MLS players should be included in provisional squads for Belgium, Peru and Sweden.
Costa Rica (23-player roster):
Francisco Calvo (Minnesota United)
David Guzman (Portland Timbers)
Ronald Matarrita (NYCFC)
Marco Urena (LAFC)
Rodney Wallace (NYCFC)
Kendall Waston (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Egypt (29-player short list):
Omar Gaber (LAFC)
Amro Tarek (Orlando City)
Iran (35-player preliminary roster):
Steven Beitashour (LAFC)
Mexico (28-player short list):
Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy)
Jonathan dos Santos (LA Galaxy)
Carlos Vela (LAFC)
Panama (35-player preliminary roster):
Harold Cummings (San Jose Earthquakes)
Fidel Escobar (NY Red Bulls)
Anibal Godoy (San Jose Earthquakes)
Adolfo Machado (Houston)
Cristian Martinez (Columbus)
Michael Murillo (NY Red Bulls)
Roman Torres (Seattle Sounders)
LAFC star Carlos Vela named to Mexico’s provisional World Cup roster
SB Nation Angels on Parade – May 14, 2018
Monday is the deadline for countries headed to the World Cup to release their provisional rosters for the tournament, and that includes Mexico. National team boss Juan Carlos Osorio revealed his 28-man preliminary roster, and as expected, Los Angeles Football Club forward Carlos Vela is on the list.
Vela, 29, has played in one senior World Cup in his career, in 2010. He skipped the 2014 tournament due to a long-standing dispute with the national team, but fences have been mended in the meantime.
Vela is considered one of Mexico’s core players, and barring injury he will be on the plane to Russia. He will almost certainly miss four league games (May 26 vs. D.C. United, June 2 at FC Dallas, June 9 at San Jose Earthquakes, June 23 vs. Columbus Crew SC), and that could be more depending on when he’s called away by Mexico and how deep El Tri goes in the World Cup.
Osorio still needs to trim five players off the prelim roster, but again, if there’s no injury or other personal catastrophe in the meantime, he’ll be on the plane to Russia. Felicidades a Carlos!
RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando’s 200th MLS win makes for a special night
Pro Soccer USA – May 14, 2018
Nick Rimando was on the verge of 200 Major League Soccer wins for weeks.
Two weeks ago, Real Salt Lake dropped its match with the Vancouver Whitecaps. One week ago, the team fell short against Orlando City SC after jumping out to an early lead.
This weekend, for a split moment, it almost seemed as if it would take another seven days for Rimando to get to 200 after D.C. United got the go-ahead goal in the 10th minute.
However, Rimando’s teammates stepped up their game and beat D.C. 3-2 so the team could earn three points and so Rimando could finally reach his 200th win. And in a way, RSL losing two games on the road first, though not ideal, made Saturday’s night win all the more memorable because Rimando got that elusive win in front of family and fans at Rio Tinto Stadium, a place he’s called home since 2007.
Longtime teammate Kyle Beckerman reflected on Rimando’s accomplishment as he handed the goalkeeper a trophy commemorating the milestone.
“It was great to be a part of it with him and all the hard work he puts in, he’s the best,” Beckerman said. “Every time he plays he’s breaking another record, and it’s really cool to be a part of.”
Rimando’s son and daughter accompanied him during postgame celebrations and even went to his postgame press conference as they looked up at their father in awe.
Rimando’s wins come from playing with the Miami Fusion, D.C. United and, of course, Real Salt Lake during his 19-year career. In early August, 2016, Rimando passed former LA Galaxy goalkeeper Kevin Hartman for the goalkeeper with the most all-time MLS wins as. Hartman recorded 180 wins in 17 seasons. And wins isn’t the only record Rimando has to his name. In August, 2014, Rimando broke Hartman’s record for most career shutouts in the MLS and he’s currently sitting at 138 shutouts.
Setting and breaking records nothing new for Rimando, and though he takes pride in his personal achievements, he would much rather focus on the support system that helped him achieve those milestones.
“The longevity of my play, the consistency of my play, the trust I get from my teammates and the coaches, I take a lot of pride in that, so to play this many years and to get to 200 is special,” Rimando said.
And funny enough, a couple of his milestones — the 200th MLS win and dethroning Hartman for career shutouts — came at the expense of D.C. United.
“When they come in town, there’s something to achieve,” Rimando jokingly said.
Ben Olsen, D.C. United’s head coach, isn’t happy Rimando keeps breaking records against his team, but he did applaud him for all the time and work he’s dedicated to the league.
“He’s stayed healthy, and that’s a huge component of playing as well as he has,” Olsen said. “He’s taken care of his body, and it helps he’s a goalkeeper, they end up playing a little bit longer. But he’s an unbelievable competitor and a dear friend, so I’m very happy that he’s the guy breaking records.”
Teammates laughed as they said Rimando should go for 300 wins. It’s hard for them to imagine the organization without him. RSL will lose part of its long-time identity once Rimando finally does hang up his cleats.
“It’s a special night for Nick for sure, not just for Nick but for all of us in the locker room, the players, the organization,” Petke said. “Nick represents this organization along with guys like Kyle, Toney Beltran, and any time he can be recognized like this is phenomenal.”
For now though, his fans, his teammates, his coaches and, most importantly, his family are all enjoying what a special night it was Saturday.
“We’ve had a lot of big games and special moments, played a lot of years here and to do it front of those fans is special because they’ve had my back and have supported me for so many years,” Rimando said. “I’m lucky to play here in front of those fans and to do it in front of them on this special night is something I’ll remember for a long time.”
Brad Friedel’s lineup changes set Revs up for success against Toronto
Pro Soccer USA – May 14, 2018
The New England Revolution survived a late, two-goal rally from Toronto FC to secure a 3-2 victory at Gillette Stadium on Saturday night. New England’s victory keeps the club in playoff position and improves its record against TFC to 13-6-9 all-time.
Here are three takeaways from the Revolution’s win:
High press stumped Toronto early
It took about 10 seconds for the Revolution to play their first ball into the box Saturday night, four minutes to open the scoring and another three minutes to double their lead. Toronto gifted New England with some awful passing out of the back to start the game, but Cristian Penilla took his chances extremely well as he helped the Revs jump to a 2-0 lead.
Revolution coach Brad Friedel hasn’t kept his intentions, particularly home games, a secret: the Revolution are going to press. They’re going to clog the midfield. And they’re not going to stop until they catch their opponents and score.
It’s remarkable how hard it’s been for opposing teams to work around the Revolution’s press. Then again, New England has boasted some of the most dynamic and clinical attacking options in Major League Soccer for years; maybe the high press is finally helping the team maximize its strikers and offensive-minded midfielders.
Toronto shot itself in the foot at the start, and though the visitors found their form eventually and recovered two goals, the damage had already been done.
Friedel’s lineup changes deserve credit
Toronto wasn’t at full strength, choosing not to start Sebastian Giovinco, Chris Mavinga, Ashtone Morgan and Victor Vazquez. Michael Bradley even played out of position at centerback.
But TFC’s lineup was capable. It just started off poorly – thanks, in large part, to Friedel’s lineup changes.
Scott Caldwell and Kelyn Rowe returned to the starting XI, giving the Revolution a more attack-minded approach to moving the ball in the center of the pitch. Caldwell was instrumental in helping the Revs win, as he intercepted a Bradley pass to start the breakaway that led to Penilla’s first goal.
Next, Friedel named Antonio Delamea and Chris Tierney starters, pulling Claude Dielna and Gabriel Somi from central defense and left back, respectively. Delamea ended the game with an own goal and Tierney caused the foul that led to Giovinco converting from the penalty spot in the 89th minute to make it a one-goal game.
But Delamea was unlucky on the deflection that led to his own goal and the penalty call on Tierney’s foul was soft.
In any case, Tierney had a passing accuracy of 77 percent, made four tackles and intercepted one pass. Delamea completed 78 percent of his passes, made one tackle and had three interceptions.
Stats aside, the performances from Delamea and Tierney were a stark departure from the poor display offered by Dielna and Somi in New England’s last game, a 4-2 loss at Montreal. Somi completed a paltry 48 percent of his passes in that game, while both he and Dielna, along with the rest of the Revolution back line, left patches of space for the Impact to attack.
Friedel didn’t throw anyone under the bus last Saturday, but clearly stated changes were necessary after the result in Montreal and that those who work hard in training will be rewarded.
Delamea’s own goal and Tierney getting called for a penalty kick shouldn’t distract from otherwise positive performances by both players.
Matt Turner, MVP
Arguably the most important part of Saturday’s game came between the 20th and 30th minutes, when Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner made three key saves.
Turner’s best stop of the game – which Friedel later singled out in his postgame presser – came in the 26th minute when he went left to get his fingertips on a left-footed drive by Tosaint Ricketts. That was Toronto’s best bid to pull one back before halftime. Had that chance – or any of the others TFC put on frame in the first half – gone in, the dynamic would have changed greatly at the start of the second half.
Penilla scored twice and Teal Bunbury had the eventual match-winner, but Turner’s saves were, from a defensive perspective, the real difference.
Turner, who made his 10th-consecutive start Saturday, has earned his keep. He boasts MLS’ second-highest save percentage (72.9) and is also sixth in the league in saves (35).
