Red Bulls have rough time in Canada

New York falls to TFC for second time in two weeks

Nick Zimmerman's Red Bulls travel to Columbus on Saturday for a rematch of last year's MLS Cup. (AP)

Pablo Vitti's first MLS goal put the Reds ahead after 28 minutes, and Dwayne De Rosario's second-half chip shot salted away TFC's third consecutive win in all competitions, a streak that began with a 2-1 result over New York on June 13. The win elevates Toronto to second place in the Eastern Conference ahead of this weekend's action.

For New York, the defeat was the latest setback on a road winless streak that has now stretched to 21 regular-season games (0-15-6). The Red Bulls are also winless (0-7-2) in their last nine games overall in all competitions.

John Wolyniec made just his second start of the year for New York, as the veteran filled at forward for injured Macoumba Kandji. Albert Celades, who scored New York's lone goal against Toronto on June 13, was also out due to a hamstring strain, and was replaced by Luke Sassano. Defender Andrew Boyens returned to the Red Bulls lineup from international duty with New Zealand at the FIFA Confederations Cup.

The only change to the Toronto starting XI was up front, as Chad Barrett returned to the starting lineup after being used as a reserve behind Danny Dichio in the last two games. Barrett scored the key goal in TFC's 6-1 win over Montreal last Thursday that gave the Reds their needed four-goal margin of victory to cinch the Nutrilite Canadian Championship.

Perhaps the biggest difference for TFC was not with their lineup, but rather their attire. The Reds were better described as the Pinks as the team was wearing special pink jerseys in support of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. The pink kit was also on sale for purchase to fans, with 10 percent of the proceeds going towards the CBCF.

The pink-clad Reds and the white-clad Red Bulls evenly carried the play in the first 10 minutes, with Toronto having the slight edge in scoring chances. Amado Guevara had perhaps the best chance of the opening minutes, as the midfielder found room in front of the penalty area and fired a shot that beat N.Y. goalkeeper Danny Cepero but rolled wide of the net.

Neither side developed much of a flow on attack early on, as both teams were guilty of turnovers around midfield that killed off any potential scoring chances before they could even develop. TFC, in particular, was lacking the crisp passing touch that helped them to six goals in Montreal last Thursday.

The only duo who looked to have a good chemistry with each other were Guevara and striker Pablo Vitti, and it was the latter who broke through in the 29th minute. Defender Nana Attakora looped the ball into the left side of the penalty area, and as Cepero hesitated to come off his line and the ball bounced high into the air, Vitti held off the goalkeeper and outjumped him to head the ball into the net and give Toronto the lead.

It was the first career MLS goal for Vitti, who joined the Reds on loan from Argentinean side Independiente in February.

Vitti's goal acted as an icebreaker for TFC, who began to press their advantage. Guevara had a pair of chances sent through by De Rosario; the first was stopped by Cepero, and in the second, the Red Bulls 'keeper outjumped a leaping Guevara to take possession of a bouncing ball in the area.

Toronto continued to push for a morale-boosting second goal before halftime. Vitti had a tremendous chance in the 43rd minute that he only half took since it seemed as if the forward believed he was offside, and the shot went wide. Then, in the 45th minute, De Rosario drew Cepero well out of the net and deked him out with some canny footwork, but his shot was cleared off the line by Boyens.

As they did on June 13, the Red Bulls came out with a bit of added vigor after the break. Midfielder Nick Zimmerman launched a rocket of a shot from 30 yards out that just barely flew over the crossbar in the 47th minute. New York also made a substitution at the half by inserting Dane Richards into the match in place of Juan Pablo Angel, who has been bothered by a quadriceps contusion.

TFC would have had more than a 1-0 lead were it not for their problems at staying onside. The Reds were called offside four times in the first half, and appeared to have scored a goal early in the second half on a give-and-go play from De Rosario to Barrett in the penalty area, but that strike was called back as well.

The Reds' dominance was finally rewarded with a second goal in the 59th minute. Barrett chipped a pass into the box for De Rosario, who sent a chip shot of his own over Cepero and into the left side of the net.

It was the fifth goal of the season for De Rosario, tying him with Guevara for the team lead. The goal capped off a huge week for the Canadian international, who scored the first hat trick in TFC history in the 6-1 win in Montreal.

After De Rosario's goal, the match reverted to the style of play seen early in the first half, as neither side could muster much in terms of ball movement. This was fine with TFC as they had a lead to proect, but for the Red Bulls, it was yet another case of an attacking shortage away from home. Celades' goal during N.Y.'s last visit to Toronto still stands as the Red Bulls' only road goal in league play this season.

The final whistle clinched Toronto's fourth win all-time against the Red Bulls, their most over any opponent.

TFC are back in action quickly, as they make their first-ever visit to Rio Tinto Stadium for a match with Real Salt Lake on Saturday. The Red Bulls also play on Saturday when they try to end their road woes in Columbus against the Crew.

Peter Mallett is a contributor to MLSnet.com

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