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.