Dull and Drab, but the Road Trip is Over

Well in my prediction on Friday night I said that this game looked like it would be a dull, drab 0-0 or 1-0 result, and it turned out to be exactly that. After Toronto's 6-2 loss last week I expected them to sit a little deeper and play a similar game plan to the one KC did in Seattle after losing 4-1 to LA.

With Jimmy Nielsen out with illness, Eric Kronberg got his second start of the season in goal, and ended up picking up the team's first league shutout of the season as both offenses struggled to create good chances throughout the game. Neither side really threatened the opposing keeper, as both team's best chances in the first half were half chances, Joao Plata pushing a shot wide of Kronberg's near post, and a looping header from Craig Rocastle going high and wide of Stefan Frei's post.

The second half was more exciting than the first, but chances were still at a premium. Toronto had a half chance inside the first few minutes of the half, but a great sliding challenge on Maicon Santos by Matt Besler broke up a good scoring chance for TFC. Toronto had the better of possession, but KC tried to break on the counter, Teal Bunbury forced a good save from Frei in the 63rd minute, and only a few minutes plater it was Kronberg coming up with a big save on Santos at the other end of the field. After those two plays, KC seemed to get more control of the game, creating some problems in Toronto's box off of a few free kicks, but was never able to capitalize on those free kicks, the best of which was one from Zusi in the 73rd that went just over the bar. As the game wore on, KC created a few more half chances on Frei, but again failed to really test the Swiss goalkeeper. Late in the game, TFC created one last good chance as Kronberg came up with a big save off a free kick from Toronto in their own half. The free kick was headed on goal by Doneil Henry, but Kronberg made a diving save, and holding onto the shot.

WIZARDS Man of the Match - Aurelien Collin - While Toronto didn't offer much at all going forward, Collin did a very good job of shutting down the Toronto attack when they did get forward.

Honorable Mention - Eric Kronberg, Matt Besler

Player Ratings - Kronberg 7, Myers 5, Collin 7, Besler 7, Harrington 6, Rocastle 5, Arnaud 5, Zusi 4, Smith 5, Bunbury 5, Bravo 5. Subs Sassano 4, Diop NR, Sapong NR.