Toronto FC 3 - 2 Chicago Fire - Match Report

I decided to wait until the matches involving New York and Kansas City were done to see how our playoff hopes looked. Unfortunately, we are out. Our match today at BMO Field though, was not short of excitement, as our guys fought until the end, and gave us something to cheer about.

Image courtesy of Daylife

What happened?

It started out brilliantly for us. Amado Guevara scored a 25 yard shot from open play in the 12th minute, a vintage Guevara goal that we hadn't seen enough of this year. Just six minutes later, Marvell Wynne raced around Chicago's Wilman Conde, who tripped him on the way, and the referee awarded a penalty. Ricketts' shot was saved, however he was first to the rebound and put it away to give us a 2-0 lead after 18 minutes. The Fire did manage to pull one back though, as Justin Mapp put in a shot from close range in the 25th minute. In injury time in the first half, Rohan Ricketts scored his second of the match. His close range volley gave us a 3-1 lead at half time. The second half wasn't as exciting, with Chicago scoring the loan goal. Blanco scored a 20-yard volley to make the score 3-2. It remained that way until full time, as we finished off our home season in exciting style.

Here's the Box Score

Toronto FC - 3
Goals: Amado Guevara 12'; Rohan Ricketts 18', 45+'
Cards: Danny Dichio (Y), Hunter Freeman (Y), Amado Guevara (Y)

Chicago Fire - 2
Goals: Justin Mapp 25'; Cuauhtémoc Blanco 59'
Cards: Gonzalo Segares (Y), Bakary Soumare (Y)

How we lined up

I predicted a 4-4-2, and John Carver went with a 3-5-2. We seem to switch throughout the match, as Wynne will hang back on occasion pushing Freeman to the right wing. Here is, basically, how we lined up today:

------------------Sutton------------------
---Marshall-----Harmse------Brennan---
-------Freeman--------Robinson---------
Wynne---------------------------Ricketts
----------------Guevara------------------
-------Dichio-------------Barrett---------

Here are my player ratings

Starting Eleven: Sutton 7, Marshall 6, Harmse 7, Brennan 6, Freeman 6, Robinson 7, Wynne 7, Ricketts 8, Guevara 7, Dichio 6, Barrett 7

Subs: Nana 6, Ruiz 7, Jo. Smith NR

My Final Thoughts

I predicted a 2-1 win, and after 25 minutes, that was the score. Thank goodness it didn't stay that way. That may have been our most exciting home match all season - along with our 3-1 win over Colorado.

Amado Guevara's goal was pure class. I had been hoping he would score maybe 5 or 6 of those throughout the year. James Sharman might not like him, but I do. He is the best of both worlds, with his playacting seemingly canceled out by his talent. He did, though, kind of disappear after his goal. Despite this, his ability to hold the ball in the middle of the park is invaluable for us.

Kevin Harmse has been impressive in his few appearances at centre half for us. I didn't notice him at all today, and when it comes to defenders, that is usually a good thing. Harmse is known for his tenacity and his brutality on the pitch, and I really think that helps him out as a defender. He is definitely someone who can intimidate forwards.

It was nice to finally score off of a penalty, even though it took us two attempts. After walking away with nothing after penalties against Columbus and San Jose, it was a relief to see it hit the net eventually. I still find it hard to be confident when we take penalties, as we haven't ever really had someone who can just bang it in (aside from Le Miserable).

Hunter Freeman was awarded Carlsberg Man of the Match, but for me, it was Rohan Ricketts. RR gives 100% every time he comes out on the pitch, and it was great to see him get two goals today.

Marvell Wynne went out with a head injury at half time. Apparently it's a minor concussion that shouldn't effect him at all in the long run. I think the fact that Nana Attakora-Gyan came in ahead of Julius James and Marco Velez says something. Velez, of course, hasn't been a regular since his red card against Chivas, while Julius James hasn't been a regular...well, ever. Nana has been very impressive in his appearances this season, and I think John Carver sees the potential this kid has.

Speaking of Wynne, I sure hope he's here next season. End of discussion.

Guatemalan striker Carlos Ruiz has not been a favourite amongst supporters since his arrival, however his 20 minutes today were his best minutes with us. He did a phenomenal job of holding the ball and creating space for our midfielders. I was hoping Carver would sub on Johann Smith for Danny Dichio to give Ruiz someone to send running. Well done Carlos.

Oh, and the referee was pretty bad today. This is MLS though, so I won't say anything more about that.

I think it's fitting that Danny Dichio could very well have ended his home career against the same club he scored our first goal against. If he does in fact retire after this season, he will go down in Toronto FC history as the first club legend, and is due all the accolades he receives.

The players and coaching staff did a lap of honour around the pitch after the match thanking us for our endless support this year. John Carver took a sip of someone's beer right in front of me. It has been said that we have a phenomenal moral in the dressing room, and I think our support of the boys has an effect on this.

Another season at BMO Field has come and gone, and fortunately for us, we were able to witness our boys getting 25 points this year. From the departed Laurent Robert's opening free kick goal to Rohan Ricketts volley for our third today, 2008 has been a fun season at our home ground. We have quite the tradition started in such a short time, and it is only going to get better, both on the field, and off.

With one match left in the 2008 at San Jose, we have nothing to play for but pride, but I'm sure we will be looking to go out with a bang.