Toronto FC adds to streak with 1-0 win over Rapids
TORONTO(AP) -- Toronto FC extended its franchise-record unbeaten
streak to 11 games Saturday, beating the Colorado Rapids 1-0 on
Fuad Ibrahim's goal in the 61st minute.
Toronto has not lost a game in all competitions since May 1, a
run that includes a title win in the Nutrilite Canadian
Championship. Toronto also has an eight-game unbeaten streak in
MLS and has not lost any of its eight games at BMO Field, where
21,836 fans took in Saturday's game under sunny skies.
Colorado arrived in Toronto riding a six-game unbeaten streak,
the franchise's best start to a season in more than a decade.
The Rapids beat Toronto 3-1 in their only other meeting of the
year, at home on April 18.
Toronto lumbered through the opening few minutes of game, which
began at noon, earlier than any home contest this season.
Captain Dwayne De Rosario generated Toronto's best chance of the
first half. He set up with time and space 30 yards from goal in
the 31st minute, and blasted a shot that nearly skimmed the
crossbar.
Rapids forward Conor Casey narrowly missed on a pair of good
chances in the first half. He was inches from connecting of a
header on a cross from the wing in the 14th minute, and sent a
redirection wide left soon afterward.
De Rosario appeared to get knocked down from behind in the box
five minutes into the second half, but did not draw a call from
referee Ricardo Salazar. De Rosario raised his palms in
frustration again five minutes later, after sending a weak
rolling shot on net.
Toronto broke through with a half hour left in regular time,
when Ibrahim took a pass, controlled it between two Colorado
defenders in the area and poked it past Colorado goalkeeper Matt
Pickens with his toe.
Goalkeeper Stefan Frei made a series of dazzling saves in the
final moments of the second half to preserve the win.
Toronto was playing without midfielder Julian de Guzman, who was
suspended after he was ejected in the second half of a draw with
Houston last week. Fresh faces had been signed, but one of them
- Spanish forward Miguel Angel Ferrer Martinez - was not
available until after the transfer window opens July 15.