While TFC extended their unbeaten streak to three games (including a friendly against Benfica), the Rapids unbeaten run came to an end at four. It was a win that was thoroughly deserved by Toronto and a score line that flattered Colorado. Only a combination of some fine one-on-one goalkeeping from the Rapids keeper Bouna Coundoul and some less than stellar finishing by Toronto – Jeff Cunningham step forward – kept Colorado in with a chance of rescuing a point right to the end.

It was a possibility that grew when Kevin Goldthwaite was sent off with less than ten minutes to play. With a depleted squad coach Mo Johnston can ill-afford the suspension that Goldthwaite’s red-card will bring. But nonetheless, Toronto held on and now awaits the arrival of the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday night.

With Carl Robinson playing for Wales in a European Championship qualifying game against the Czech Republic, Toronto coach Mo Johnston opted to move Ronnie O’Brien back to his normal position on the right side of midfield while Chris Pozniak slotted into the holding midfield role.

It was a move that gave TFC more attacking options while Pozniak did a stellar job of deputizing for Robinson. Another enforced change meant that Srdjan Djekanovic was given his MLS debut with Greg Sutton on international duty for Canada. The keeper was rarely tested over the ninety minutes and dealt capably with Colorado’s sporadic attacks.

All the goals came in the first half and each coach would likely put the goals down to sloppy defending. Toronto jumped into a two-goal lead through Danny Dichio and Andrew Boyens. The first came after the Boyens was allowed far too much time to find Marvell Wynne breaking down the right side. Wynne then nugmegged a Colorado defender and found himself in acres of space as the other Colorado defenders failed to provide any cover. 

Wynne was then allowed to cut back and reach the touchline before knocking the ball to the front post where it found a charging Danny Dichio who only had to deflect the ball high into the net. The Rapid’s defense showed no sign of learning a lesson as TFC created more chances and in particular an intelligent quick kick from Dichio that set Cunningham on a free run only to be stymied by Bouna Coundoul.

The second goal for TFC came from a well-delivered corner kick from Ronnie O’Brien that found an unmarked Andrew Boyens eight yards out. Although it looked like Dichio had run some subtle interference on Ugo Ihemelu no one picked up Boyens and the ever-improving New Zealander scored his first Toronto goal.

However, this time the Rapids struck back quickly after taking advantage of an ill-advised pass by Goldthwaite and some poor control by Welsh just inside the Colorado half. The Rapid’s transitioned quickly – even rapidly – as the ball was relayed to Conor Casey who then fed in Hercules Gomez. Gomez made a good diagonal run across the Toronto defense before burying the shot.

It was a bad goal to lose considering that Toronto had possession, were under no pressure and the Colorado counter-attack found the TFC defense ill-prepared.

Despite a couple of half-time substitutions by Colorado, Toronto was rarely troubled and created the better chances. In particular great inter-play between O’Brien and Dichio led to the big striker playing the Irish midfielder in with a delicate back-heel only to have Coundoul produce another fine save.

Goldthwaite’s red card only helped to lend the element of doubt to the final outcome but in the end Toronto ran out deserved winners.

A 2-1 away win for DC United means they leapfrog Toronto FC in the Eastern standings and the home side returns to the cellar.

With the visitors enjoying almost two weeks of rest since their last game and Toronto FC playing their third game in a week it was not surprising that DC United’s game plan emphasized retaining possession for long stretches of the match.

An unspectacular but very effective midfield gave DC control of much of the game although Toronto FC rallied late on and keeper Troy Perkins needed to turn away a stinging Ronnie O’Brien drive with only six minutes to play to preserve the three points.

In the first half Toronto FC struggled to bring the strike pairing of Danny Dichio and Alecko Eskandarian into the play. When the ball was played forward to Dichio a battle with DC United defender Facundo Erpen was a recurring feature. The less physically imposing Erpen was eventually booked in the 35th minute after chopping down the big striker just outside the penalty box although the resultant free kick came to nothing. 

As half time approached DC United had reason to be happy with their performance. But then Toronto struck and Dichio was instrumental in creating the goal. A long throw from full back Marvell Wynne was headed down by Dichio and the ball found Carl Robinson on the edge of the box.

The shot from the Welsh international rebounded off Eskandarian but the former DC United man got a second bite at the cherry as the ball ran loose in the penalty box. Eskandarian was not about to miss such a chance and rifled a shot into the roof of the net as Troy Perkins claimed unsuccessfully for offside.   

Despite finding themselves a goal down against the run of play United never waivered from their game plan. A golden chance to equalize came with only five minutes of the second half played. Emilio was sent clean through after a route one clearance by Perkins but failed to hit the target.

However, a goal for DC United came shortly after when Christian Gomez sent in a dipping and pacey free kick into the TFC penalty area. Full back Kevin Goldthwaite stretched to clear the ball but only succeeded in heading the ball into his only net. An unfortunate first own goal for Toronto FC.

Only three minutes later United Coach Tom Soehn made a game changing decision. He opted to withdraw Erpen and replace him with forward Guy-Roland Kpene. In his on-going battle with Dichio, Erpen was sailing very close to the wind with referee Baldomero Toledo. If Soehn had not substituted him, Erpen would surely have been first to shower.

Bryan Namoff dropped back to play on the right side of the defense while Bobby Boswell took on the man-to-man marking responsibilities on Danny Dichio. The more robust Boswell proved to be a more effective marker and after twenty minutes Dichio too was substituted.

As three games in eight days began to take their toll on Toronto another goal for DC United seemed inevitable. When the goal came it was from the penalty spot after Wynne was judged to have fouled Emilio. At first glance it looked to be a harsh decision but replays clearly show that the referee’s decision was spot-on.

Jaime Moreno stepped up to score his third goal of the season and in the process he tied Jason Kreis’ MLS scoring record of 108 goals.

Next weekend DC United plays Houston Dynamo in Washington while Toronto FC visits the Columbus Crew.

Were you at the game or did you watch it on television? Here's a chance to share your thoughts and opinions.

While the fans left BMO Field last Saturday talking of Toronto’s first win, first goal and even the first sending off, it was a disciplined and rugged defense that accounted for this win over MLS Champions Houston Dynamo. 

With wind, rain and a game time temperature of 8 degrees (46 F) silky soccer was never on the agenda. Nonetheless, Houston started the game with some zip in their play and pinned Toronto back early on. But despite their lively play it didn’t translate into many clear cut scoring opportunities for the defending champions.

The best Houston effort came from a corner kick when Eddie Robinson took advantage of a hesitant Greg Sutton only to see his downward header cleared off the line by Ronnie O’Brien.

And it was O’Brien who set up the Toronto FC goal from a wickedly delivered free kick at the mid way point of the first half. Taken right footed from a little over 30 yards out on the left hand side the free kick was delivered with tremendous pace and swerve. It was the sort of free kick that defenders have to have the courage to attack. None did, and Welsh scored a “dandruff goal” – it came off a bit of his head and a bit of his shoulder.

As half time approached Houston continued to enjoy the majority of possession but the Toronto defenders were able to funnel the Dynamo attacks into the centre of the field where Carl Robinson dealt with any danger.

Dynamo’s best chance can just after half time when newly signed Joseph Ngweyna took advantage of an uncharacteristic slip by centre back Jim Brennan and found himself clean through with only the keeper to beat. Ngweyna put the ball wide and although Dynamo huffed and puffed they created little in the way of clear cut chances.

With ten minutes to play Edson Buddle took advantage of the Houston pushing forward in search of an equalizer and with only keeper Pat Onstad to beat he hit the ball straight at the keeper.

So Toronto FC adds another first to their growing list – this time their first shut out. Six games into the MLS season and the defense is unrecognizable from the Chinese fire drill that took the field in their first three games and conceded nine goals.

The signings of full backs Marvell Wynne and Kevin Goldthwaite has added a bit of speed and balance while Jim Brennan has been excellent playing in an unaccustomed role at centre back. Coach Mo Johnston has the other centre back Andrew Boyens on a short leash with only the basics being requested. However, given that Boyens looked about as comfortable as a man with piles perched on a cactus during his first two appearances against Chivas and New England, it is a wise move.

And one that is paying dividends as Boyens has been a far more effective player in the last two games as he has kept it simple. Carl Robinson has given Toronto FC a much more solid look playing the holding role in the last two games while the midfield in general is doing their part by harrowing the opposition when needed and maintaining possession when able.     

Toronto FC is now off the bottom in the East and on Saturday DC United, who trail TFC by two points, arrives at BMO Field looking for their second win of the season. 

Were you at the game or did you watch it on TV? Let’s hear your take on the match.

Saturday started at 4:30 a.m. and finished around midnight. In between there was a trip to Toronto to work the Chicago game for Fox Soccer Channel and what a great day it turned out to be. The new stadium is a terrific venue but it is the enthusiasm of the fans that stands out. The close to 20,000 fans (including a healthy number of supporters who made the trek from Chicago) in attendance were given a match to remember with Toronto FC notching their first goal and eventually their first win.

There was also the first red card in Toronto FC’s history with the scorer of the first goal Danny Dichio sent off along with Chicago Fire’s Diego Gutierrez on the stroke of half time. Todd Grisham, who was anchoring the FSC presentation, asked just as we were about to start the second half who might now have the advantage.

My opinion was that it would be easier for Chicago to cover the loss of Gutierrez in midfield than it would be for Toronto to compensate for the loss of their big striker. How wrong I was and it was down to how Toronto coach Mo Johnston reacted to the enforced change.

Johnston moved Edson Buddle further forward from his support role to take the lone striker position. Maurice Edu was also asked to work harder than he had even done in the first half when he helped set up the Toronto goal and to get forward and support Buddle. But the most crucial move was keeping Ronnie O’Brien and Andy Welsh wide on the right and left touchlines respectively.

It was a move that could have backfired and provided the Fire with an opportunity to overrun the midfield. As it turned out O’Brien (making his first MLS appearance for Toronto) and Welsh (playing his best game so far since arriving from England) stretched the Chicago back three and midfield and never allowed the Fire to dictate play in the second half.

The Toronto midfield constantly changed the point of attack from wing to wing and it paid off with two second half goals. Like the first goal, the second and third goals came from crosses from the right wing and both involved diagonal runs across the Chicago defense. First Buddle and then Welsh created space for Kevin Goldthwaite and Maurice Edu at the back post and both goals were put away with some panache and composure.

This first win for Toronto sets up an intriguing encounter this Wednesday at BMO Field with reigning MLS Champions, the Houston Dynamo. Houston’s ranks include Canadian internationals Pat Onstad and the mercurial Dwayne de Rosario.

Quip of the day: Fans attending the game on Saturday were provided with cushions upon their entry to the stadium. The cushions also doubled as Frisbees and were launched on mass onto the park when Toronto scored their first ever goal. Well known Canadian broadcaster and analyst #### Howard was working the sideline with FSR anchor Jeremy St. Louis. As an army of volunteers cleared the field of cushions #### turned to Jeremy and said, “Could be problems on Wednesday night with the battery give-away”.

Thank you to all the fans who stopped by to say hello at the FSC desk on Saturday. A special thanks to the gentleman who was kind enough to provide me with a pint of Tetley’s.

Were you at the game or did you watch it on TV? Let’s hear your take on the match.