AFTER 90: Who else would it be?

Dwayne right? Thought we recognized you.



IN THE TUNNEL:
Days after successfully qualifying for the CONCACAF Champions League group stages, Toronto travels to the nation's capital - that nation, not this one. Optimism has slowly started to creep in to TFC land as the new additions from Aron Winter's "Super Summer Transfer Blowout" have started to show their worth. Whether or not the recent positives can be parlayed into a successful string in league play remains to be seen but road matches have never been The Reds' forte. An old friend (or foe depending on your outlook) awaits as TFC heads into nobody's favourite stadium, RFK in Washington D.C.
　
ON THE PITCH:
1' - D.C. United are still here in "The House That Duct Tape Keeps Up" with no new home in site. Their great fans deserve better as does the team that was once MLS' "Big Club". Oh look - it's that Dave De Romario guy - he's famous! Kick-off...
6' - Red card for D.C. United keeper Bill Hamid who undercuts Eric Avila outside of the box with the ball far from Avila's feet. Back-up Steve "Not Sam" Cronin forced in for United. Potential game-changer for The Reds
13' - TFC yet to impose their man advantage as United hold possession
15' - Eric Avila getting himself noticed in TFC debut as he hits the post with a long range effort that had beaten Cronin
18' - GOAL: You just knew this would happen. Dwayne De Rosario given acres of space and curls 30 yard effort past Stefan Frei. Subdued celebration - not a cheque in sight
D.C. UNITED 1 - TORONTO FC 0
22' - Very sporting of TFC to be playing as if they are the team who is down a man
29' - De Ro forces a big save from Frei. Man-advantage TFC bordering on infuriating as United have been superior since going down a man
35' - If TFC can manage to grab a goal, chances are Richard Eckersley will have something to do with it. He's a ginger spitfire tonight
43' - JFK got a kick-ass Space Centre and all RFK got was this broken-down stadium? That's what the Oval Office will do for you. That… and Marilyn Monroe.
45' - After going down a man early, TFC looked... what? They didn't? What do you mean D.C. was a man down?... Never mind
　
HALFTIME: D.C. UNITED 1 - TORONTO FC 0
　
45' - SUB: Aron Winter goes all Rocky V and says "Go for it" as Doneil Henry comes out at the half for Peri Marosevic. Offensive... in a football sense
50' - SUB: Strange move as seemingly best TFC player on the pitch Eckersley comes off for young bulldog Matt Stinson
52' - GOAL: Talk about making the best of your opportunities as Peri Marosevic flicks home a rebound off of Steve Cronin. Smooth move Super Sub
D.C. UNITED 1 - TORONTO FC 1
54' - SUB: Someone pissed in Winter's halftime cornflakes as he uses all his subs within 10 minutes of the 2nd Half. Julian de Guzman in for Terry Dunfield
57' - The Goalblerone forced to punch out a dangerous delivery that De Ro rose to meet
63' - GOAL: Andy Iro makes a meal of a block that drops to (who else?) De Ro's feet who easily slots it past Frei. Iro will wear the goat horns if the score ends this way
D.C. UNITED 2 - TORONTO FC 1
65' - Iro getting an ear bending from the coaching staff
69' - GOAL: What a time to get his first. Julian de Guzman scores his first ever in TFC red. A scorching free kick taken in controversial circumstances that sees United coach Ben Olsen sent off
D.C. UNITED 2 - TORONTO FC 2
70' - United coach Pat Onstad losing his mind on sidelines. Dangerous for senior citizens to get so worked up in the heat
75' - United still unafraid to test TFC's shallow defence
80' - Andy Iro's tough night continues with very shaky decision making
85' - GOAL: Poacher. That's what Danny Koevermans was bought for. The Dutchman slips his marker and pokes it past Cronin
D.C. UNITED 2 - TORONTO FC 3
86' - PENALTY: Oh TFC. United walk down the field and eat TFC's defence alive, Iro forced into an ugly foul. GOAL: Who else? (Again) De Rosario buries it.
D.C. UNITED 3 - TORONTO FC 3
87' - Started to breathe again
89' - De Ro (yes, again) almost makes it four goals. Missed by inches.
90'+ - United throwing kitchen sink at Frei
90'+ - A crazy match comes to a halt with the feeling that either team could have left with 3 points. Only United can be pleased with that.
　
FULL TIME: D.C. UNITED 3 - TORONTO FC 3
　
IN THE BATHS:
Like so many ex-Toronto star athletes before him, Dwayne De Rosario showed up to put the sword into his former club. A truly wild match that would have been great for a neutral, ended up being frustrating for Reds' supporters as TFC snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. The early red card to United's Bill Hamid should have been pounced upon much earlier by Toronto but they allowed D.C. to control the 1st Half and take the inevitable lead. The 2nd Half offensive performance showed some good heart, especially with so much travel recently, but the defensive horror show was bad - even by TFC standards. And Iro had the worst possible night he could and we hope it's not the norm for the likeable back but with just over a week to go in the transfer window, it's a fair guess that Paul Mariner's phone is currently charging.
　
PLAYER RATINGS: Stefan Frei 6.5 / Richard Eckersley 7 (Matt Stinson 6) / Doneil Henry 6 (Peri Marosevic 7) / Andy Iro 3 / Ashtone Morgan 5.5 / Terry Dunfield 5.5 (Julian de Guzman 7) / Eric Avila 6.5 / Torsten Frings 6.5 / Joao Plata 6 / Danny Koevermans 7 / Ryan Johnson 6
　
THE YORKIES' TFC MAN OF THE MATCH: Peri Marosevic
TALKING POINT: How big a cheque do you ask for after a hat trick? Discuss.