TORONTO - AUGUST 7: Chad Barrett #19 of Toronto FC contains the ball against Chivas USA during an MLS game at BMO Field on August 7 2010 in Toronto Ontario Canada. (Photo by Abelimages/Getty Images)
First half goals from Nana Attakora and Chad Barrett combined with another stellar performance from goalkeeper Stefan Frei to earn Toronto FC three points from Chivas USA Saturday at BMO Field. A second-half penalty kick conversation from Giancarlo Maldonado prevented Toronto's clean sheet on the way to a 2-1 final.
Toronto opened the scoring in the 21st minute when a long throw-in from right back Dan Gargan was put past Dan Kennedy by Nana Attakora, the 21-year-old central defender's first goal of his MLS career. The score came after Gargan, 15-yards from the by-line, launched the ball into the middle of the area, with Attakora redirecting the ball from near-to-far post, beating an outstretched Kennedy.
Eleven minutes later, Chad Barrett put Toronto up two with a left-footed half-volley from 16-yards out, beating Kennedy to the goalkeeper's left for the match-winning goal. Barrett was put behind the line after a deft touch from Maicon Santos - extending a left foot onto a ball driven toward goal - gave his partner an uncontested chance at goal.
The visitors's chances to keep-up with Toronto were stymied by Stefan Frei, continuing to play as one of Major League Soccer's elite goalkeepers. Chivas USA forward Justin Braun was denied on each side of half-time by diving saves, while midfielder Ben Zemanski saw similar resistance with his second half drive from outside the box.
Braun was able to exact an indirect measure of revenge when he created a penalty kick mid-way through the second half, sending a ball off defender Adrian Cann's right arm at the edge of a TFC penalty area. Maldonado beat Frei down the middle after the 'keeper had drove to the goal's left, the Chivas USA forward scoring the final goal of the match and his first since joining the club from Atalante.
Toronto remains unbeaten at home, improving to 6-0-4 after Saturday's win. Now on 26 points, TFC is within one of second place New York in the Eastern Conference, with the Red Bulls set to play Sunday in Chicago.
Chivas USA stays on 18 points, at the bottom of the Western Conference.
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