TFC harness the power of wind

Every now and again in football, no matter who is playing, the weather decides that it will be the major force in a game. Just ask supporters of Inverness Caledonian Thistle in northern Scotland. Today was one of those days in Toronto and BMO Field was the epicentre of a viciously cold wind and rain storm. While most fans would have expected TFC to struggle - a funny thing happened on the way to a loss.

TFC started the match with their backs to the wind resulting in powerful kicks but they and their opponents Chicago Fire (and you thought you had a windy city) struggled for the first 20 minutes to get a feel for the ball. The match looked like it was dissolving into a wind beaten mess until that very breeze accidentally curled a Nick LaBrocca cross over the Fire keeper Andrew Dykstra's head to open the scoring. From that point on, TFC managed to keep the ball down and control the ball while Chicago struggled as they continued to try and keep the ball in the air. The 1-0 lead from LaBrocca's first TFC strike took the clubs into the half.

The second half started off with a shocking bang. O'Brien White, who was subbed in for the invisible Jacob Peterson, immediately scored after a pretty one-two move with the very on-form Dwayne De Rosario. The trickling goal from the big Jamaican/Scarberian put TFC up by two before the very few people in the stands had returned from the chip butty stand. The Reds had their tails up and were controlling the play until the gusts turned against them and Chicago's Logan Pause hit an amazing wind-aided 35-yard strike that looped over Stefan Frei's head. The cold crowd no doubt wondered how Toronto would react.

The reaction however was truly astounding, not only for it's quality but for the role that Chad Barrett played in it. On the 66th minute O'Brien White made his best run in his time with TFC and unselfishly dished off to "The Chad" who put home a sitter to the joy of those who have been patient with the striker for ages. The whistle had barely re-started play when De Ro slid a terrific overlapping pass to the charging "The Chad" and suddenly Barrett had scored more goals in three minutes than he had all season. Never mind the wind - that was an act of God!

With the score 4-1, Chicago lost their way and TFC managed to close the shop for the last 20 minutes. Despite the weather, it was a great team performance from The Reds - it's just a shame that the inclement weather caused so many people to stay home. Also missed by everyone... a very poor and seemingly hastily organized tribute to Danny Dichio whose number was added to the (poor to begin with) "Wall of Honour". A bizarre event on a bizarre day where everything seemed to be twisting in the wind. Dichio deserved better but the fans who showed up can't complain about today's match - except the wind burn and frostbite.

TORONTO FC 4 - CHICAGO FIRE 1