Toronto F.C. regains confidence in 3-0 win over Chivas U.S.A.

Confidence. This is a word that is bandied about quite frequently in football. Whether it is the context of scoring a goal, making a decisive save, or in changing the attitude of a team, the idea of trusting in one’s self to accomplish a task in the match can be quite difficult. It can also be snatched away in an instant.

Toronto F.C. know this from first-hand experience. After having gone win-less over five matches, having their coach fired, their top player almost sold, and a plunge in the Eastern Conference standings it appeared that TFC’s confidence was shot. But confidence can be regained through positive results and if anything can be taken away from Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Chivas USA it might be that Toronto F.C. has their confidence back.

From the very start of the match, Toronto F.C. dominated possession. Based on the midfield play of Michael Bradley and Joanthon Osorio, the two center midfielders were able to control the pace of the match. Their passing skills were on full display as Toronto were able to move the ball easily to the outside to midfielder Jackson and forward Luke Moore. In just the 6th minute of the match, Toronto looked like they might go ahead when Moore’s header just went wide of the post.

Chivas USA would have their own chance on a cross in the box in the 12th minute when midfielder Marvin Chavez delivered a near-perfect cross into the Toronto box. Chivas USA defender Bobby Burling was there to meet it with a header but was unable to get his shot on target. In general, both clubs had equal opportunities at goal, with Toronto holding a slight eleven to ten advantage. But many of Chivas’ shots were from beyond the eighteen.

With both squads looking dangerous early on, it was Toronto that would strike first. In the 23rd minute, Jackson would split the Chivas defense and deliver the games opening goal. The play was set up expertly by Toronto defender Mark Bloom who started the counter-attack and found Osorio in the center of the pitch. Osorio would then find forward Gilberto, whose back-heel pass into open space to Jackson gave Toronto the dangerous opportunity that they had been looking for. The goal was Jackson’s fourth.

Toronto would add another just before half-time when on a Bradley corner, Moore would trap the ball inside the Chivas box and hammer his shot past goalkeeper Dan Kennedy. Moore was assisted on his sixth goal of the season by defender Nick Hagglund, whose header guided the ball in the direction of Moore and out of the reach of the Chivas USA defenders.

At the start of the second half, it was more of the same from the Toronto attack, finding open space all around the pitch and using set pieces to make life very difficult for Kennedy and the Chivas defense. In the 53rd minute, Toronto would add to their lead when Gilberto would bury home a corner laid in by Bradley. The Brazilian was able to slip past Chivas defenders and deliver his seventh goal of the season.

The game would get a little bit chippy late as both Jackson and Chivas defender Nigel Reo-Coker would be ejected from the match in the 66th after engaging in a fight with one another.

Despite being down a player and behind three goals, Chivas continued to try and get back into the match. In the 83rd minute forward Leandro Barrera looked to have The Goats first goal of the game. His shot looked like it might get past Toronto goalkeeper Joe Bendik but Bendil made a spectacular diving save to keep TFC’s lead at three.

With the victory, Toronto F.C. (10-11-7, 37 points) were able to reclaim some ground after their recent free-fall in the standings. They are currently in seventh, but just two points behind fifth-place Columbus Crew. Their search for the first-ever playoff appearance will continue on Saturday as they will host the Portland Timbers.

For Chivas USA (6-17-6, 24 points) further entrenches their last-place position in the Western Conference. They are four points behind the San Jose Earthquakes for eighth place. The Goats will next play on Saturday when they will travel to CentruyLink Field and take on the Seattle Sounders.

MATCH SUMMARY

Toronto F.C.- Joe Bendik, Justin Morrow, Nick Hagglund, Scott Caldwell, Mark Bloom, Michael Bradley, Daniel Lovitz (Dwayne DeRosario 78′,) Jonathan Osorio (Warren Creavalle 68′,) Jackson, Daniel Lovitz, Gilberto, and Luke Moore (Dominic Oduro 73′.)

Goals- Jackson (23′,) Moore (45+2′,) and Gilberto (54′)

Yellow Card- Lovitz (75′)

Red Card- Jackson (66′)

Chivas USA- Dan Kennedy, Bobby Burling, Tony Lochhead, Eriq Zavaleta, Donny Toia, Nigel Reo-Coker, Eric Avila (Leandro Barrera 55′,) Nathan Sturgis, Oswaldo Minda, Marvin Chavez (Mattthew Dunn 82,’) and Felix Borja (Ryan Finley 64′)

Yellow Card- Sturgis (38′)

Red Card- Reo-Coker (66′)

ATTENDANCE: 22,591