AFTER 90: Some New England evolution

THE BUZZ:

Can the Reds momentum carry from their amazing midweek win?

Will Paul Mariner manage TFC's first win at his old stomping ground?

Does new-boy Andrew Wiedeman make an appearance?

Is Kevin McKenna here yet?

Can Terry "Thierry" Dunfield continue his best form as a Red?

Is Olaf Mellberg here yet?

Have those musket dudes behind the New England goal ever actually shot someone and/or felt the warm embrace of a woman?

FIRST HALF:

8' - GOAL: Toronto - Luis Silva

NEW ENGLAND 0 - TORONTO 1

42' - SUB: Andrew Wiedeman on for Danny Koevermans

FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHT: Lambe going all Reggienaldo on the assist

FIRST HALF LOWLIGHT: Koevermans leaving on a stretcher with a nasty knee knock

HALFTIME: NEW ENGLAND 0 - TORONTO 1

SECOND HALF:

69' - SUB: Aaron Maund in for Reggie Lambe

85' - YELLOW CARD: Terry Dunfield

90' - SUB: Matt Stinson in for Luis Silva

90'+ - YELLOW CARD: Ashtone Morgan

SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHT: Milos Kocic saving the game late

SECOND HALF LOWLIGHT: A ridiculous 7 minutes of Extra Time

FULL TIME: NEW ENGLAND 0 - TORONTO 1

PLAYER RATINGS: Milos Kocic 7.5 / Doneil Henry 5.5 / Richard Eckersley 7 / Logan Emory 7 / Ashtone Morgan 6.5 / Reggie Lambe 6.5 (Aaron Maund 6) / Terry Dunfield 6.5 / Torsten Frings 6 / Luis Silva 6.5 (Matt Stinson N/A) / Danny Koevermans 6.5 (Andrew Wiedeman 5.5) / Ryan Johnson 5.5

THE YORKIES' TFC MAN OF THE MATCH: Milos Kocic

THE MOOD:

While much of the excitement for Reds supporters in the lead-up to the match was around the Olof Mellberg to TFC rumours, for once, the match overshadowed off-field news. Far from a pretty match (outside of the very sweet goal by Silva), TFC did show a steely backbone in preserving a 1-0 lead for the majority of the match. While they still have some serious holes to fill there are some very pleasing signs that the squad is indeed playing as more of a "club" under Paul Mariner.

Unfortunately there is a very dark lining around the good result in that Danny Koevermans picked up what could turn into a season-ending injury. With the big Dutchman being the only reliable source of goals in the recent weeks, his absence would put a big roadblock before any TFC resurgence, even if the playoffs are still a pipe dream. The truth is, whether Koevermans is out or not, TFC desperately needs another striker. While the focus on potential transfers is justifiably on the centreback position, the striker role could be about to be a very weak link and one that Ryan Johnson nor any other current options are good enough to carry. Testing times ahead made a bit easier for tonight by TFC's first win in Foxboro.