Toronto FC Academy beat New York Red Bulls 2-1 on Friday night in Frisco, Texas at the 2011 Generation adidas U-17 Cup. The win puts the Reds in the Consolation Round Final against Philadelphia Union on Sunday.
Toronto faced New York in the first of the consolation round matches between teams that finished second in their group. Houston Dynamo sparred with Philadelphia in the other contest.
Playing four matches in five days, the young players were certainly showing signs of fatigue; with tempers flaring as the Texas heat begins to take its toll. Philadelphia reached the Consolation Final beating Houston 2-1 in a quiet match until the last 30 minutes where The Union were inspired by an injury to one of their players and scored two unanswered goals to edge out The Dynamo.
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[inlinenode:7509]The Young Reds await Philadelphia by battling to a 2-1 win of their own over New York. The match began as they all have with TFC maintaining a great deal of possession and creating a few chances along the way.
"The team defending in our own half was excellent and the professional approach to their play was impressive," said Academy director and head coach Stuart Neely. "The Red Bulls chased the ball but were often out of reach in the early stages of the first half."
At the 15 minute mark, 14-year old Jordan Hamilton came inside form the left wing and found a floating Sergio Camargo in front of the opposition back line. Camargo in turn fed a streaking Omari Morris with a wonderful ball inside the 18-yard box. Morris, who has been money on most chances, kept up his solid record and scored again with a left-footed pelter into the top corner of the goal.
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Neely recounted, "at 1-0 it was extremely comfortable but the temperatures were already beginning to rise. In the 30’, 32’ and 35’ minutes New York blocked shots and scrambled to defend as the Young Reds pressed for another goal."
At the start of the second half New York found some new energy. Neely joked maybe a "red bull gave them some wings," and fought their way back into the match. It was a scrappy affair and they were rewarded with a few free kicks in and around the box that Toronto defended well.
However, NYRB continued to press for the equalizer and were awarded a penalty when Tyler Pasher slid across to block a shot from the forward. The ball accidently bounced up from the tackle and hit Pasher's hand. Penalty was awarded and a solid finish made it 1-1.
"For the next five minutes the match could have gone either way." Neely exclaimed, "and the game became chippier and chippier."
As Toronto began to regain momentum, the players again took to their feet from the bench (as they had done in the last match) and were rewarded with a strong finish to the contest.
Pasher sent a tight rope pass across the pitch to Jordan Haynes, who cut inside and ran the midfield just inside New York half. Michael Bilak then sprang free from his defender as Haynes sent a delightfully weighted pass for Bilak to chase. As he did, Dylan Carreiro spun off his tightly marking man to get into the box. The pace at which the move developed was sensational and as Bilak sent a whipped ball towards the back post, Carreiro threw himself at the cross and buried a precision dagger in the heart of New York at the 75th minute for a memorable 2-1 to Toronto.
With five minutes to regulation – Frank Sinatra's "start spreadin' the news" (Theme from "New York, New York") was being uttered by many on a relaxed Toronto bench. A final effort by New York, bad fouls, kicking, pushing - none of it was enough to claw their way back into the match.
A 2-1 result and a place in the Consolation Round Final for Toronto.
[inlinenode:6232]Jimmy Brennan and Danny Dichio were both ecstatic with the boys' performances had a lot of positives to draw upon.
"The boys showed character tonight. It was a hard game and towards the end it was really physical. We showed tonight that we are more than just a footballing side, we are a team that will not back down, not give up. That passion and commitment combined with hard work paid off against a good New York team. We are all proud of the players and are looking forward to match against Philadelphia," said a proud Brennan, junior academy head coach.
Dichio, senior academy head coach, echoed the same sentiments and was surprised by the tightness of the group, "I am very proud of this young bunch of men who are showing the willingness and desire to fight for their team and club."
Neely summed up the happiness the coaches feel with how the team has played over the last 5 days.
"So far the quality of opposition, not just in our matches but also the other matches, does not compare to what these players receive at home. The MLS Academies are certainly a strong pathway to the first teams. Clubs are dedicating whatever resources they have to these programs and the more MLS competitions there are the better the foundation for the league."
"Our boys have clearly shown that they can adapt, defend with honour and play fast, free flowing football. We demand that from our future professionals and they are rewarding us with tantalizing performances at times. I am extremely happy for them."
The Young Reds' Consolation Final against Philadelphia Union is on Sunday, July 31, at 9:30 a.m.
