a small step in the right direction

With a more coherent showing in South Carolina this evening, TFC managed to tie the New York Red Bulls 1-1 in the Carolina Challenge Cup in Charleston, S. C. Both teams had stretches where they controlled the game, but there were few real opportunities for offensive fireworks.

Jeff Cunningham opened the scoring in the tenth minute of the first half. He used his timing and speed to run onto a ball passed up by Kevin Harmse and found himself alone with a keeper who failed to make much of a play for the ball. Kevin Harmse was active throughout the half, although sometimes his most energetic plays were those pursuing a ball that he had given away in the first place.
Colin Samuel came very close to adding another in the closing minutes of the half with a curling shot that seemed to just miss.

New York tied the game in the second half. Juan Pablo Angel is always dangerous for those Highpriced Energy Drinks and he helped to set up their goal. TFC never seemed to be a threat in the later stages of the game. Dicho and Jarrod Smith were late substitutions in the striker roles.

Brian Edwards played the entire game as TFC keeper. Despite a few shaky moments, he showed promise. We could easily see him as the Toronto starting keeper when Greg Sutton is off in World Cup qualifiers.

Julius James was injured in a collision in the first half and was replaced by Pat Phelan. Here's hoping that James did not suffer a serious injury. He had played well and Phelan was just as strong in relief. The qualities of these rookies is not a good sign for Andy Boyens. If the back four are Wynne, Marshall, Velez and Brennan, with both James and Phelan able to back up and Tyler Hemmings around too, is Boyens going to hang on ?

The midfield continues to miss Maurice Edu. Carl Robinson was always strong in defending and showed more precision in his passing when going forward. The search for an attacking midfielder continues. Not sure who is still on trial or still in camp but there were no Colombian players in evidence.

Next game- Saturday night against the host Charleston Battery