Toronto FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei played for the first half as the MLS Generation adidas team won 2-0 against Ajax Cape Town on Sunday. Frei didn't have much to do as the defence prevented the hosts from getting a shot on goal during the first 45 minutes.
The match wrapped up the tour, giving the MLS team two victories in three matches against reserve sides from the Premier Soccer League, South Africa's first division. During the weeklong trip, Frei and his fellow teammates also took part in many activities with kids in local communities and the Reds keeper has enjoyed the experience. "It was great to them still enjoy soccer despite how little they have," he said. "In soccer you need only a ball and that's it. It was cool to interact with them, smile and have a good time."
After a couple of days of training where finishing was emphasized following the disappointing loss to Santos, the Generation adidas team came out highly motivated against Ajax and soon established their territorial superiority against a well-organized Ajax team. Several good scoring opportunities were created and only good defensive plays and good goalkeeping kept the South Africans in the game in the first half.
In the 13th minute, a through ball from Eric Avila (FC Dallas) left Danny Cruz (Houston Dynamo) in alone on the Ajax goalkeeper. After rounding the 'keeper, Cruz's shot was saved off the line by former MLS player Dipsy Selolwane.
Nyarko had several good opportunities in the first half, but Ajax goalkeeper Petim was equal to the task, making a terrific save on a shot from about 12 yards out in the 27th minute. Nyarko was also unfortunate not to score on two more opportunities late in the half as the Ajax defense was able to squash both chances.
With the score tied at halftime, Josh Lambo (FC Dallas) replaced Frei in goal for the only change in the MLS team lineup.
The attacks continued against the South African goal and Petim was becoming the man of the match for Ajax, with another big save on a blast from Rodney Wallace (D.C. United) in the 54th minute.
But it was just a matter of time before Generation adidas would finally capitalize on their opportunities, which they finally did in the 58th minute. Nyarko picked off a defensive pass and calmly tucked the ball away for the first goal.
The second goal was scored after Espinoza had entered the game just a couple of minutes earlier. He picked up the rebound of a Peri Marosevic shot that deflected off the post, and one-timed the ball into the net in the 67th minute. A perfect through ball from Baggio Husidic (Chicago Fire) had left FC Dallas' Marosevic alone in front of goal, and his shot beat the goalkeeper only to smash into the goalpost.
There was some reaction from Ajax as they began to throw numbers forward looking to get a goal back and forced several good saves from Lambo, who managed to keep the score sheet clean for the MLS side.
After the game the Generation adidas expedition visited the Robben Island museum and had dinner in a traditional African restaurant. They will return to the U.S. on Tuesday.
MLS GENERATION ADIDAS 2, AJAX CAPE TOWN 1
Ajax Cape Town: Petim (Roberts 62); Alexander, Archford (Pefers 46), Selolwane (Archford 62), Jenniker (Xolani 75), Scott, Ngobeni (Paris 62), Lewis (Cale 46), Diallo (Mentoen 75), Fofana, Memela (Adams 46) SHOTS: 5; SHOTS ON GOAL: 3; FOULS: 10; CORNER KICKS: 6; SAVES: 7
MLS Generation adidas: Stefan Frei (Josh Lambo 46); Tony Beltran, Rob Valentino, Chance Myers, Jeremy Hall, Danny Cruz (Alex Nimo 59), Baggio Husidic, Rodney Wallace (Roger Espinoza 65), Eric Avila (Bruno Guarda 65), Patrick Nyarko, Chris Pontius (Peri Marosevic 62) SHOTS: 14; SHOTS ON GOAL: 9; FOULS: 12; CORNER KICKS: 3; SAVES: 3
