Soccer: Toronto FC beats Chivas in Texas finale

Posted: March 10, 2008, 11:16 AM by Colin Smith
GTA, Soccer
Striker Jeff Cunningham scored twice and Danny Dichio added another as Toronto FC ended the Texas Pro Soccer Festival with a 3-2 win over Chivas USA on Sunday.

Cunningham, who had three goals for TFC last season, opened the scoring 12 minutes into the match after Dichio was denied by Chivas goalkeeper Lance Parker three minutes earlier. Kiki Musampa, on trial with TFC, sprung Cunningham free up the middle of the field with a pass to put him one-on-one with Parker. Cunningham made no mistake, keeping his shot low and to the left of Parker to give TFC a 1-0 lead.

After playing provider to Cunningham, Musampa was involved in a goal at the wrong end of the field to help Chivas draw level in the 23rd minute. Chivas's Ante Razov sent in a corner that Musampa attempted to clear, only to see it beat his Toronto goalkeeper Greg Sutton.

Chivas took the lead four minutes later on a well-placed free kick from Razov.

Toronto tied the game before halftime. Jim Brennan sent in a ball to Dichio, who found the back of the net from six yards out. Dichio was TFC's leading scorer last season with six goals.

The winner came 18 minutes into the second half when a Chivas player handled the ball in the penalty box after a free kick from Welshman Carl Robinson. Cunningham beat Parker to give Toronto a 3-2 lead.

Toronto finished the four-team tournament in third place with one win. TFC lost 4-3 to Houston Dynamo and 1-0 to D.C. United. Houston and D.C. United played to a 1-1 draw Sunday, with the Dynamo claiming the tournament title on goal differential.


Toronto FC now heads to Charleston, S.C., where they will play in the Carolina Challenge Cup. Toronto will open the tournament Saturday against San Jose, an MLS expansion franchise. The pre-season tournament is being hosted by Charleston Battery of the United Soccer Leagues.

Notes Canadian defender Nana Attakora-Gyan is back with TFC after spending time with the Canadian under-23 team, which is preparing for the qualifying tournament for the 2008 Beijing Olympics … Carl Robinson returned to camp on Saturday after travelling to Wales to be with his expectant wife. They are now proud parents of a baby boy named Milo.



Scoring summary

Toronto FC 3 Chivas USA 2

TFC Jeff Cunningham (Musampa) 12’
Chivas Kiki Musampa (OG) 23’
Chivas Ante Razov 27’
TFC Danny Dichio (Jim Brennan) 30’
TFC Jeff Cunningham (PK) 63'