Red Bulls Gave Us Wings

On a lovely early summer night on Toronto's waterfront, TFC got a much needed shot of confidence with a workmanlike, yet often scrappy, 2-1 win over New York.

Readers on our previous website will remember our irreverent match recaps written by our trusty reporter in the South End. Not to worry, those will return later today, with the regular dose of unique insights into the matches as viewed, and heard, amongst the supporters.

Until then, a few observations on T.O. vs NY. New TFC defender Nick Garcia showed what 10 years MLS experience can bring to a back line. No mistakes and great positioning could easily qualify the CB as Man of the Match. After the match Garcia stated: "Obviously we can do better because if we play Russian Roulette all the time of, ‘Hey, let's drop back' as opposed to taking it to them, we're going to get burned." Hopefully his advice will register amongst teammates and coaching staff and our death-defying Torontonaccio style won't return.

Hard work led to goals from Sam Cronin, who cleaned up a missed Amado Guevara penalty kick, and the legend himself Danny Dichio, whose long range effort was on the back of a robust Pablo Vitti counter-attack. A Brazilian robot was wearing Kevin Harmse's uniform as the number 5 had a very solid game with some very technical crosses and runs. Surely that wasn't the real Kevin Harmse! Chad Barrett was subbed in late in the game and kept his performance levels consistent - no shots, no goals and his only impact was stopping the score from going 3-1 as his talented feet got in the way of a goal-bound TFC shot.

Private box sightings included the much-rumoured Ali Gerba, who may sign with TFC, unless he actually walks on the turf, and Julian DeGuzman who may sign for this team in 7-10 years time. The favourite shot on the TV highlight packages last evening was showing MLSE brass including Brian Burke sitting amongst the great unwashed wearing TFC scarves. Precious. I care why?

Finally, how fantastic did that turf look? With the pitch already resembling green polyester slacks, the lacrosse lines from earlier in the day actually started to glow under the lights as the sun went down. It was like one of those black-light velvet paintings of a jaguar and a wizard from the 70's. Groovy. Embarrasing.

Next stop - Montreal. Maybe if we start selling Saputo-brand mortadella and provolone sangwiches at BMO they'll let us have 4 goals! And yes, I said sangwiches.