Toronto Draws Bolton, Down In Penalties

TORONTO — The Carlsberg Cup has a history of being decided on penalty kicks, and on Wednesday night Bolton Wanderers and Toronto FC  stayed true to history. After a 1-1 draw in regulation time, Bolton’s Sean Davis finished the deciding penalty shot to give Bolton the win and goalkeeper Adam Bogdan clinched the win by stopping Oscar Cordon’s penalty.

The Carlsberg Cup has gone to penalties each time in its three-year history. TFC have lost all three times, falling to Argentine side Independiente in 2009 and to Mexican club Pachuca in the inaugural game in 2008.

Toronto are now 0-6-1 in seven friendlies against international clubs since its inception in 2007 and has been outscored 12-5 in regulation time.

The Trotters, winners of the first two matches of their North American tour, looked like they may make it three for three early on as Matt Taylor opened the scoring in the 28th minute. Martin Petrov, who recently came over on a free transfer from Manchester City, came into the penalty area turned into the middle and sent a low drive that redirected off Taylor’s leg and past TFC goalkeeper Jon Conway.

The goal broke open an uneventful first half that saw only two shots on goal in the first 27 minutes and no real chances.

But despite the lack of opportunities, Toronto found a way back. Mista, TFC’s recently signed second designated player, made his highly anticipated debut, and the former Valencia striker didn’t disappoint.

Active from the opening kick, he assisted on the tying goal, finished by another recent signing, Maicon Santos, in first-half stoppage time. Santos came onto Mista’s cross from the left flank and sent a header past Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Preki fielded a very different lineup from the one he’ll most likely field Saturday at home against FC Dallas. Most of the regular starters, including Dwayne De Rosario, Chad Barrett, Julian de Guzman and Stefan Frei were all given the night off. Instead, two trialists, Mirko Medic and Dranzen Vukovic, and TFC Academy player Doneil Henry made the starting 11.

But the first choice players weren’t needed as the makeshift squad held its own, out-chancing Bolton in the second half. In fact, the young Henry earned Man of the Match honors.

American international Stuart Holden, who rejoined Bolton after representing the U.S. at the World Cup, got into the game at the 61st minute during a flurry of second-half substitutions from Wanderers manager Owen Coyle.

Losing in penalties aside, the performance provides a bit of momentum and confidence in TFC’s depth as the Reds get set to host Dallas on Saturday at BMO Field.