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MLS Toronto FC

Toronto FC (2) - San Jose Earthquakes (2) Post Match Summary

February 29, 2020 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Toronto FC News Release


TORONTO FC (2) - SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (2) POST MATCH SUMMARY

SCORING SUMMARY

TFC - Alejandro Pozuelo 40' (PK)

TFC - Richie Laryea 51'

SJ - Andres Rios 53' (Cristian Espinoza, Oswaldo Alanis)

SJ - Oswaldo Alanis 90'+5

MISCONDUCT SUMMARY

SJ - Tommy Thompson 33' (caution)

SJ - Jackson Yueill 70' (caution)

TFC - Jozy Altidore 71' (caution)

SJ - Guram Kashia 81' (caution)

TFC - Tsubasa Endoh 90'+4 (caution)

SJ - Chris Wondolowski 90'+6 (caution)

RECORDS

TORONTO FC: 0-0-1 1 PTS.

SAN JOSE: 0-0-1 1 PTS.

MEDIA NOTES

Richie Laryea scored the second regular season goal of his career today, his first came last season on May 26 against San Jose

LINE-UPS

TORONTO FC - Quentin Westberg; Auro Jr., Omar Gonzalez, Chris Mavinga, Justin Morrow; Marky Delgado, Jonathan Osorio, Tsubasa Endoh, Jacob Shaffelburg (Richie Laryea HT'), Alejandra Pozuelo (Liam Fraser 76'); Jozy Altidore (C) (Patrick Mullins 79')

Substitutes Not Used: Alex Bono, Laurent Ciman, Erickson Gallardo, Jayden Nelson

SAN JOSE - Daniel Vega; Oswaldo Alanis, Tommy Thompson (Shea Salinas 63'), Nick Lima, Guram Kashia; Magnus Eriksson (C), Cristian Espinoza, Jackson Yueill; Vako (Carlos Fierro 72'), Andres Rios, Danny Hoesen (Chris Wondolowski 66')

Substitutes Not Used: JT Marcinkowski, Florian Jungwirth, Judson, Cade Cowell

GREG VANNEY - HEAD COACH, TORONTO FC

On what he saw from his team:

"I'll be honest, San Jose is a tough team to play in your first game because the uniqueness of their style means you have to outwork them in a lot of ways individually around the field. I thought in a lot of ways we did. Towards the end it's the first game of the season and you start to wear down a bit. We had to defend. We probably gave too many balls away in some of our set possessions that would've helped control the game a bit. By giving them away, we had to work on our defense and because of that, in the end, I thought we were putting in the shift but had to dig deep to see the game out. In terms of getting back into the season, I'm really proud of these guys. The mentality is strong. We're just disappointed we didn't get three points."

On the halftime substitution:

"It was a mix. We were up. Jacob Shaffelburg came out because he was feeling his hamstring. That was a sub that was forced on us. Richie Laryea came in because we like his one-on-one ability. We were up in the game, so that gave us a defensive presence. His speed and transition could help us out. Obviously, he got in on the end of one and scored a goal, so that's great."

On the positives to take:

"I'm not disappointed in our performance. I'm not disappointed in anything. Our effort was incredible. I'm just disappointed for the group because in the end you want to take those three points. That's the only thing I'm disappointed or frustrated about. From it, we build. It's a strong mentality. We've been out in California for four weeks now. To play the first game having been out here and not seeing home in a long time, the guys really dug deep. A lot of things to build on."

On playing a sloppy game:

"How many San Jose games do you see that don't get sloppy? That's the way they play. They man-on-man chase you around the field, and that sets up for a sloppy game. A lot of things are dealt with in transition, so especially when it's the first game of the season, a lot of teams are not in full form or as sharp as they want to be. San Jose's style mucks up the game a little bit and makes it difficult. You have to be really disciplined, and you have to be really good with the ball. That just makes for an awkward game. That's their style, and it works for them. Teams that come in here have to deal with that."

On starting the season with a point:

"We just wanted to get the season started with a good result. It's not a bad result to get a draw on the road against a tough team. It was one that was so close to being three points that we wanted the three points out of it, especially given the effort, the fight and grit of the guys out there. It's more of a disappointment that we didn't get the points."

JOZY ALTIDORE - FORWARD, TORONTO FC

On Chris Wondolowski:

"Yeah, it's been good. Wondo's a great guy, works really hard. To see what he's done along the years, it's no surprise that he's had the success (that) he's had, so I wish him nothing but the best. He's been an example from his first game, until now. He's had quite a career, so I wish him all the best and I hope he finishes strong."

Thoughts on the team over the whole 90 minutes:

"Yeah, I think it's a tough place to come. I've said that before. You can see they came a little bit more into the game, and our legs started to get away from us a bit. But you have to be proud of the fight, the effort, it's a tough place to come, they play a weird style. And so, for us to take a point back to Toronto, we're happy to take that, it's a positive and we're looking forward to our home opener.

Positives that the team can build on back in Toronto:

"Yeah, I mean you know, we're dating back to last season, the regular season, we're 11 games unbeaten. So, now it's the 11th game we haven't lost, in terms of the regular season. So, look, it's not easy to concede like that, in the 94th minute, especially when you had the game, but like I told you, it's the first game of the season, there are a lot of positives there, and we're looking forward to getting in front of our fans and getting three points."

RICHIE LARYEA - DEFENDER, TORONTO FC

Thoughts on his goal:

"Just a good build up from us, and then I saw Tsubasa slip through at the end, saw he had a chance to score so I just followed up the play, then was able to get a tap in."

On the mentality of the team:

"Yeah I think it's still positive steps. We didn't lose the game, we showed a lot of good things, it's only the first game as well, so there's a lot of improvement to happen and it's a tough place to come and play as well, so it's a positive result for us but I think it's good because a lot of guys are angry so that shows the determination of the group this year."

On team familiarity and consistency:

"Yeah, it's everything. You see guys are able to come on and know where they're supposed to be, and guys who started know where they're supposed to be because there's so many familiar faces in the starting 11 and the 18."

QUENTIN WESTBERG - GOALKEEPER, TORONTO FC

Thoughts on last SJ goal:

"Yeah, frustrating. A lot of negative words to finish a game like this. It was hard throughout the second half. I think once we scored that second goal we were on the back foot. Although having a bit of space to do more up top, you know, to really hurt them. They had the crowd, they had a little bit of everything. It was frustrating overall to take such a free kick in the last second. To kind of come back with only a point, when we fought well, and we did what needed to be done to maybe get out of here with three points."

On positive takes of the game:

"Yes, yes. It's positive in that we fought well. Obviously first games are always a little tricky, you know, fitness-wise, tactically and getting everything that the real competition consist of, get going and go full-stride. It may take a game or two to find our good rhythm, but today we showed great values, and defending as a team and, you know, trying to play their tricky system. So, that's frustrating once again to end it and take a goal in the last second. But overall, I'm proud and very positive for what's coming forward."

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