June 7, 2009 CSL North York Astros vs TFC Academy (from TorontoFC.ca media release)
Reds Academy Team gets late winner
Stamopoulos scores in stoppage time
06/08/2009 11:02 AMTorontoFC.ca
James Stamopoulos scored a stoppage time winner as Toronto FC Academy Senior Team fought back from behind to beat North York Astros 2-1 and stay unbeaten in the Canadian Soccer League this season.
The Reds youngsters fell behind in the 14th minute at Esther Shiner Stadium. After North York were awarded free kick, the ball dropped favourably to centre midfielder Diego Benzi. He showed good composure to fire into the bottom corner past a helpless Soitiri Varlokostas in goal.
TFC Academy began dictating play after half time and were more aggressive in the attacking third. Shortly after the interval Daniel Calabretta and Andre Verdugo were brought on and helped changed the complexion of the game. In the 55th minute, Jonathan Lao found Allando Matheson with a terrific through ball. The big striker instinctively struck the ball first time but the goalkeeper did well to react and push it over the bar for a corner kick. Soon after, Lao was presented with a wonderful opportunity from only seven yards out but his effort went over the bar.
TFC Academy continued to send players forward as they desperately tried to get an equalizing goal. In the 83rd minute the introduction of Stamopoulos seemed to turn the game on its head. Only two minutes after entering the field of play Stamopoulos found some space on the left wing and crossed for Allando Matheson who rose high to direct a header onto the crossbar. The rebound fell to Andre Verdugo who kept his composure and fired a low hard shot into the goal.
After pulling level, the Reds continued to push forward as they looked for a winner. In the 90th minute Allando Matheson was again released with a fantastic through ball and found himself in on the opposition goalkeeper Arthur Zaslavski. The shot was saved, but the rebound fell to Stamopoulos who did well to follow up the play and slot the ball home for the game winner.
"I was pleased with our start to the match," said TFC Academy Senior Team Head Coach Jason Bent. "The energy and passing was good from the start in comparison to previous matches where we have started slowly. In saying that, we conceded a goal from a second phase set piece in only the 14th minute of play. To be honest, our passing was poor for the next 60 minutes of the match. We failed to put them under pressure with the ball."
"We had several injury concerns going into the match but the professionalism and excellent work of Carlo DiNardo our head physiotherapist played a massive part in us winning the match. He was responsible for clearing James Stamopoulos to play after a late fitness test and it was his introduction late in the game that made the difference," explained Bent.
"We changed our playing system and got more players in the right areas which created the chances that eventually won us the match. These boys show great character and a never say die attitude. They kept going and got their rewards in the end. Winning is habit forming and quietly we want to stay undefeated for as long as possible. For me there is only one Man of the Match, Carlo DiNardo our physiotherapist."
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