Toronto FC allowed goals on either side of halftime and fell at Chivas USA 2-0 on Saturday at The Home Depot Center. Sacha Kljestan did the damage as he scored both goals for the hosts.
The loss prevented Toronto FC from distancing themselves from D.C. United. Earlier in the day, fourth-place D.C. tied the Los Angeles Galaxy 0-0 and moved to within a point of Toronto. The loss keeps Toronto in third place, five points back of Chicago in the Eastern Conference table.
Entering the match, Toronto FC had history against them. Chivas USA had won both prior meetings between the two teams at The Home Depot Center. Toronto FC's first-ever match was a 2-0 loss to Chivas USA in the 2007 MLS season opener while Chivas USA rallied late to beat Toronto FC 2-1 a year ago.
Toronto FC fell behind after a half-hour and had to chase the game. The goal was a bit of bad luck, however. On a Chivas USA corner kick, the ball ended up bouncing towards the end line. Everyone but Chivas USA's Jesse Marsch was slow to react as the ball appeared to be out of play. But Marsch knocked a cross back into the box and Maykel Galindo knocked a header on goal. The ball fell to Kljestan, who re-directed the shot across the goal line.
The hosts suddenly gained some confidence while Toronto FC struggled to maintain their composure. Carl Robinson was booked two minutes later for a reckless foul on Kljestan. The card was Toronto's second of the match as O'Brian White was booked in the 25th minute for a hard foul on Canadian international Ante Jazic.
While Chivas USA were opportunistic in their shots, Toronto FC were not quite as dangerous. The visitors had six total shots in the first half but none were on target. Without goalkeeper Zach Thornton available, Chivas USA turned to Lance Parker to play goalkeeper, and Parker's only career MLS outing was a 4-0 loss at Colorado on Aug. 8.
Chad Barrett replaced White to start the second half. Barrett missed last week's game because of suspension but was on the bench to start Saturday. Instead, it was the hosts who showed early initiative in the second half.
Kljestan broke through again just five minutes in. Maicon Santos slipped a through ball to Kljestan, who evaded Nana Attakora's mark. Attakora got tangled up and fell, clearing Kljestan's path to goal. Kljestan walked into the penalty area and beat Stefan Frei to the far post.
To try and counter the goal, Toronto FC took out Amado Guevara and replaced him with forward Ali Gerba.
Instead, Toronto's run of yellow cards continued. In the 59th minute, defender Adrian Serioux was given a yellow card after grabbing a handful of Santos' shirt on a Chivas USA counterattack.
Serioux had Toronto FC's best scoring opportunity of the match in the 71st minute. Following a throw-in, the ball bounced off a Chivas USA defender and fell to Serioux. With Parker charging off his line, Serioux ran onto the ball and had the goal in front of him. Serioux, though, fanned on his attempt.
Toronto FC finally showed some attacking prowess in the 78th minute. De Rosario shook off his mark on the left side of the box and found Marvell Wynne on the right side of the area. Wynne's shot, though, went well over the crossbar.
Moments later, De Rosario found the ball again but ripped a 25-yard shot over the crossbar.
Toronto FC coach Chris Cummins took out Sam Cronin in the 79th minute and replaced him with Amadou Sanyang, who was making his third appearance with the club.
Still, it was the hosts who maintained pressure throughout the match and ultimately stifled Toronto FC's lackluster attack. Paulo Nagamura ripped a 15-yard shot off in the 87th minute but Frei made a stellar diving save for one of the visitors' few positive plays on the night.
Toronto FC stays on the road and West Coast next weekend, playing at Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday, Aug. 29.
