May 15, 2010 CSL--TFC Academy vs Hamilton Croatia (from TorontoFC.ca)
Academy Back At BMO Field
Senior boys will be playing Saturday following MLS match
Media Affiliate: TorontoFC.ca
Tuesday, May 18, 2010 - 11:30am
Toronto FC Academy's Senior Team will return to action in the Canadian Soccer League at BMO Field on Saturday, following TFC's MLS match against New England Revolution. The Academy will be facing Brampton Lions.
TFC Academy opened the season with a 1-0 win at home to Portugal FC before losing 2-1 last weekend to Hamilton Croatia at Lamport Stadium.
Against Hamilton, TFC started the match by imposing their passing game on the opposition but failed to create any scoring opportunities. After the 20 minute mark, Hamilton started to find their own rhythm and capitalized when they won possession in the TFC Academy defensive third and went on to punish the home side with Jason Shannon beating Garrett Cyprus in a 1v1 situation.
TFC nearly leveled the score in the 39th minute when Nicholas Lindsay evaded several defenders on his way to the goal line. His cutback pass found Josh Janniere at the top of the box, but his goal bound volley was cleared off the line by the Hamilton Croatia defender.
In the second half, Hamilton Croatia started to create more goal scoring opportunities and Garrett Cyprus was called into action on several occasions.
The points seemed to be heading toward Hamilton Croatia, when Aidan O'Keefe capitalized on an errant pass from a TFC defender and went in uncontested to lob Cyprus for the 2-0 lead.
TFC continued to fight and nearly pulled one back in the 73rd minute when Tristan Jackman made a fantastic run into the box and his first time strike across the goal just missed the far corner. Nicholas Lindsay provided the home side with some hope with his touch and finish from 10 yards out in the 78th minute that made the score 2-1.
TFC pushed for an equalizer during the last ten minutes of the game but Hamilton Croatia held out for their first win in the Canadian Soccer League.
"Hamilton Croatia is a good side and well coached," said Academy Senior Team Head Coach Jason Bent. "They were very organized and extremely committed. In the second half we were fortunate to have Garrett Cyprus on good form as he made a number of crucial saves to keep us in it."
"On the other hand, we made two critical errors in our defensive third where errant passes were punished immediately by the opposition. In football, the higher the level you play, mistakes in your defensive third are punished. I can only hope our players will learn from those harsh lessons that football often gives us. In the end, I think it was a fair result and Hamilton Croatia played a solid game."
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