Toronto FC Douse Fire for 4-1 Win

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Nick LaBrocca waves to the crowd after
scoring TFC’s first goal
Toronto FC lit up the visiting Chicago Fire for a 4-1 victory on a cold, rainy and windy afternoon at BMO Field to remain perfect at home this season.
Prior to the game, Dwayne De Rosario had scored 6 of the team’s 7 goals this season. But on this day TFC had a balanced attack getting goals from Nick LaBrocca, O’Brian White and two from Chad Barrett who was named Man of the Match.
Barrett’s two goals put the game out of reach against his former team.
“That feels great,” said Barrett. “I had a lot of good times in Chicago but it’s good to score and help the team win.”
On his second goal, he even brought back his Roony-esque post-goal slide celebration from his Chicago days.
“It’s something I used to do in Chicago. I would like to do it a lot more, that would mean a lot more goals and I think everybody would be happier.”

Windy City
 
Both teams battle for the ball
Perhaps the biggest story of the game was the harsh playing conditions. It was an unusually cold May day in Toronto that saw both teams battle fierce winds and sideways rain.  
Coach Preki thought his team was at a disadvantage in the first half playing with the wind as his team had a difficult time reading the ball and making plays.
“It was real tough, especially the first half for us,” said Preki. “Sometimes playing with the wind it’s difficult to control the game and control the ball.”
Despite the struggles of playing with the wind, it was the wind that actually helped TFC score the opening goal.
In the 24th minute­­, shortly after a corner kick, LaBrocca received the ball at the edge of the box from Julian De Guzman. Without hesitation, LaBrocca crossed the ball into the box but the wind carried it as it hung a wicked curve to strike the back of the net to put TFC up 1-0. Fire goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra, who left his line to anticipate the cross, attempted to make the save but the ball just sailed over his head.
The Fire came close to tying the game in the 31st minute on a set piece by Marco Pappa but TFC goalie Stefan Frei made the save with his right hand. A short while later TFC had a great chance when Barrett unleashed a shot from just outside the box, but this time Dykstra was up for the challenge as he dove to his right to make the save.
LaBrocca’s goal stood up as TFC took the 1-0 lead into the dressing room.

Playing a Good Ground Game
 
TFC Starting Lineup
At halftime, Preki gave his team specific instructions to keep the ball on the ground when playing against the wind in the 2nd half.
“I told the group halftime, it’s probably going to be easier for us in the 2nd half to move the ball and put the ball on the ground because sometimes when the wind is blowing in your face it’s easier to play. You know the ball isn’t going to go too far ahead of you, is going to drop in front of you, and so we just try to make sure that we play the ball on the ground as much as we can.”
In order to play a better ground game Preki made a strategic substitution to start the 2nd half taking out Jacob Peterson in favour of speedy midfielder O’Brian White.
The substitution paid off immediately.
In the 47th minute, De Rosario collected a pass from White at the edge of the box before crossing the ball into the crease back to a sliding White who knocked the ball barely across the goal line to give TFC the 2-0 lead.
But Chicago replied quickly when Logan Pause delivered a brilliant strike from 40 yards out in the 50th minute. The ball was hit hard by Pause but the wind carried it with force as it corkscrewed in the air and curved up into the top right corner over a helpless Frei.
In the 66th minute, Toronto restored their two goal lead on a great run by White. After chipping the ball past a defender in the midfield, White ran the ball to the edge of the box before sliding it into an open Barrett who left-foot the ball past Dykstra to score his first goal of the season.
Barrett sealed the win in the 69th minute when De Rosario delivered a perfect through ball between two Fire players up ahead to Barrett for a breakaway. Barrett streaked in and fired the ball over Dykstra who ran out of his net to make a challenge.
Barrett nearly made it a hat trick a short while later but was unable to connect on a
De Rosario cross just outside of the crease.

Taking Their Confidence on the Road
Despite not registering a goal De Rosario did finish with two spectacular assists. More importantly, he was happy to see his teammates get on the score sheet and build their confidence.
“I’m ever so pleased that Chad, OB (White) and Nick (LaBrocca) to get on the scoreboard. I know it’s a big relief for them. Hopefully we can take this confidence on the road with us.”
TFC will now head out on a three game road trip with stops in Montreal this Wednesday and Vancouver next Wednesday for two Nutrilite Canadian Championship matches. In between the NCC games will be Toronto’s next league match in Los Angeles when they take on the Galaxy on Saturday.

Contact Aman Dhanoa at aman@oyetimes.com

Photos courtesy of J.P. Dhanoa

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