Toronto FC 0 - 2 San Jose Earthquakes - Match Report

Our season ended on a sour note in California last night in a 2-0 defeat to the Earthquakes. The match meant nothing on paper for either club. I'm not going to go into too much detail since the off season starts now for us. Changes are surely afoot.

Image courtesy of Daylife

Here's what happened

It was a pretty bad performance, but I'm not too disheartened right now. San Jose deserved the three points. It took them until the second half to score though, as Ryan Cochrane headed home a corner kick. They added their second just before full-time from the penalty spot, with Shea Salinas doing the honours.

Box Score

Toronto FC - 0
Goals: N/A
Cards: Tyrone Marshall (Y), Amado Guevara (Y)

San Jose Earthquakes - 2
Goals: Ryan Cochrane 49'; Shea Salinas 91+'

Our starting eleven

-------------------Sutton-------------------
-Freeman--Harmse---Marshall--Brennan--
------------------Robinson-----------------
Ricketts---------------------------Jo. Smith
------------------Guevara------------------
----------Dichio------------Barrett---------

My Player Ratings

Sutton 6, Freeman 5, Harmse 5, Marshall 5, Brennan 5, Robinson 6, Ricketts 6, Jo. Smith 4, Guevara 5, Dichio 5, Barrett 6, Ja. Smith 5, Ruiz 4, Ibrahim NR

My Final Thoughts

It's never fun when we lose, and even though this match meant nothing, I would have liked to have won it.

A few days ago, I said that I would protect Carlos Ruiz. I changed my mind. He was subbed on, and then subbed out. I think this is a hint that he is likely on his way out soon. He is historically one of the league's best strikers, but it just hasn't happened for him with us.

Kevin Harmse gave up a blatant penalty. He's done well as a centre half for us, but he's still doing some rash midfield challenges around our area. I'm sure the offseason will provide time for our coaching staff to work with him on this.

Johann Smith is expected to become a star in Major League Soccer. His performance last night, though, has made me think otherwise. He has many years ahead of him though, and I'm still sold on him. I think he'll do great things for us.

So, against this year's expansion team we tied at home and lost away. Houston did the same thing against us last year, and they are doing okay. This fact, though, actually means nothing.

Our season is done, and it's time for Mo Johnston to enter the spotlight once again. We've been promised a designated player, and I think everyone is as anxious as I am for us to sign him.