AFTER 90: Biggest. Victory. Ever.

The Rides of March



THE BUZZ:
For TFC supporters it felt as if this match was five years in the making. Half a decade of less than mediocre results and high drama off the pitch had the chance to be erased, even if only temporarily, if The Reds could grab a win tonight. Long suffering supporters would have the opportunity to see their success-starved club in the spotlight of the CONCACAF Champions League this March if Toronto could just eke out a victory in the less-than-rabid confines of FC Dallas' Pizza Hut Park. It would take devotion, discipline and heart if Aron Winter's rebuilt club were to restore a little bit of the TFC-fever that has been missing for far too long. A leap into future success on a grander stage... or another lacklustre TFC outing? 90 minutes like no other for The Reds.
　
FIRST HALF:
29' - GOAL: Toronto - Danny Koevermans
FC DALLAS 0 - TORONTO FC 0
'43 - YELLOW CARD: Andy Iro
　
FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHT: De Koef showing his worth... again
FIRST HALF LOWLIGHT: The droning horns of Pizza Hut Park's pathetic crowd
　
HALFTIME: FC DALLAS 0 - TORONTO FC 1
　
SECOND HALF:
58' - YELLOW CARD: Nick Soolsma
69' - GOAL: Toronto - Joao Plata
FC DALLAS 0 - TORONTO FC 2
77' - YELLOW CARD: Julian de Guzman
80' - SUB: Terry Dunfield for Julian de Guzman
81' - GOAL: Toronto - Joao Plata
FC DALLAS 0 - TORONTO FC 3
86' - SUB: Peri Marosevic for Joao Plata
90'+ - SUB: Nathan Sturgis for Danny Koevermans
　
SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHT: Plata dancing away 5 years of cobwebs
SECOND HALF LOWLIGHT: Sour grapes we can hear from Vancouver
　
FULL TIME: FC DALLAS 0 - TORONTO FC 3
　
THE MOOD:
It just seemed so deserved. When you saw more fans at a single Toronto bar than seemingly the entire stadium in Dallas - it just seemed right. Sure Dallas could have won and moved on in Champions League, but who would have cared? In Toronto, where a die-hard fanbase has been so nearly beaten into submission, it was simply cathartic. For tonight at least, five long years of frustration washed away with the dancing of a pint-sized Ecuadorian. Best. Win. Ever. For so many reasons.
　
On the pitch, it should not be lost in the euphoria of such a major victory that this team has evolved. It may have taken a little longer than many expected, but Aron Winter's rebuild has started to change the face of Toronto FC. No they have yet to turn into Ajax Canada, but TFC are now a team that is capable of fighting, persevering and on the odd evening, making their supporters remember why they fell in love five years ago.
　
PLAYER RATINGS: Milos Kocic 7 / Doneil Henry 6 / Ty Harden 7 / Andy Iro 6 / Ashtone Morgan 6.5 / Torsten Frings 6.5 / Julian de Guzman 6.5 (Terry Dunfield - ) / Ryan Johnson 7 / Nick Soolsma 6 / Danny Koevermans 6.5 (Nathan Sturgis - ) / Joao Plata 7.5 (Peri Marosevic - )
　
THE YORKIES' TFC PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Joao Plata
TALKING POINT: Is it too early to wait at SkyDome for March? Discuss.