A two-goal second half display from Toronto FC striker Danny Koevermans helped the Reds earn a 2-1 win over MLS Cup champions Colorado Rapids, and return to winning ways after a midweek Champions League setback.
Koevermans now has six goals in seven MLS appearances for Toronto - which has won two MLS matches on the trot. Koevermans gave the Reds a 1-0 lead with classic poacher's instinct at the 52nd minute. Anticipating the cross from Ashtone Morgan while running hard toward goal, the Dutch striker simply had to extend his right leg to bury the sitter by Matt Pickens. The Colorado keeper may have been fooled on the play by Ryan Johnson's simultaneous run at the near post. Koevermans' second arrived eight minutes later, diving to redirect a Nick Soolsma cross with perfect precision past Pickens for a 2-0 Toronto lead.
Ashtone Morgan and Richard Eckersley had a tremendous afternoon in a Toronto shirt. The two fullbacks were involved early with physical first half encounters against Colorado forwards and wingers.
In the second half, the pair found space on either side of the pitch to provide Toronto with the type of width required to service Koevermans. Morgan supplied the cross on the opening strike, then made a goal line clearance at the 72nd minute that would have surely leveled the match. The Rapids regained a foothold in the contest with a Sanna Nyassi strike two minutes earlier that made it 2-1. Nyassi was a constant pest for Eckersley, who had multiple run-ins with the Colorado forward without compromising his technical edge. Eckersley's most memorable contirbution though, came at the death when he nullified a Drew Moor attempt off the line for what will likely be an MLS Save of the Week contender.
One tactic that made Eckersley and Morgan more effective was head coach Aron Winter moving Torsten Frings into a sweeper role between centre backs Ty Harden and Andy Iro.
The German midfielder has played this position a handful of times since making his Toronto debut in mid-July. This tactical shift usually has a calming effect on the backline, while giving more confidence to the wide and midfield players to attack without fear of counter reprisal from the speedy oppositon, knowing Frings is there to help close the gaps. The captain led the team in touches (71) and total passes (51) while stabilizing the spine of the squad.
Toronto - Milos Kocic; Richard Eckersley, Ty Harden, Andy Iro, Ashtone Morgan; Eric Avila (Mikael Yourassowsky 88'), Julian de Guzman, Torsten Frings; Nick Soolsma (Terry Dunfield 80'), Danny Koevermans (Matt Stinson 74'), Ryan Johnson ... Substitutes not used: Stefan Frei, Doneil Henry, Danleigh Borman, Peri Marosevic ... Goals: Koevermans 52' 60' ... Caution: de Guzman 38'
Colorado - Matt Pickens; Kosuke Kimura (Macoumba Kandji 84'), Marvell Wynne, Miguel Comminges (Tyrone Marshall 70'), Drew Moor; Brian Mullan, Jeff Larentowicz, Pablo Mastroeni, Wells Thompson (Caleb Folan 59'); Sanna Nyassi, Omar Cummings ... Substitutes not used: Steward Ceus, Joseph Nane, Ross LaBauex, Scott Palguta ... Goal: Nyassi 70' ... Caution: Nyassi 67'
Your thoughts on the game.
"I think we played a very good game. If you watch the game, we deserved to win. It was a good game. Especially after the tough game we had this week in Mexico, it's good to show up at home and play one of the teams who are going to the playoffs, I think it is a very good result."
Why did you play Torsten so far back?
"Because they have fast guys, the sides are fast and we can’t play them one against one. We were looking for more security when we don’t have the ball, because at least we are closing the box in the centre that’s why we chose to play with a point back between the two central defenders."
