MLS Toronto FC

Toronto FC Game One: Match Preview

Published on April 5, 2007 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Toronto FC News Release


After months of build-up, the inaugural season for Toronto FC is right around the corner with our first-ever MLS game this Saturday against Chivas USA. Head Coach Mo Johnston and his staff have been working hard to get the team ready with training camps in Fort Lauderdale and Bradenton, Florida, as well as Charleston, South Carolina. Most recently, Toronto finished runner-up in the four team Carolina Challenge Cup, with a record of 2-1-0. Their only loss came at the hands of the defending MLS Cup Champion, and three time Carolina Challenge Cup winner, Houston Dynamo. Both Edson Buddle and Alecko Eskandarian hit for two goals a piece in the tournament. Buddle is coming off an especially good pre-season where he recorded two hat-tricks in Florida.

The team trained at BMO Field for the first time on Tuesday and could even be found on the turf today - snow and all - prior to heading to the airport to catch a flight to Los Angeles.

SCOUTING REPORT

Chivas USA [http://click.nba.com/index.cfm?n35167s431c1347197t444o3154] finished third in the Western Conference last season, losing out to eventual MLS Cup Champion Houston Dynamo in the Conference Semifinal (3-2 on aggregate). Last season this team showed they can score goals, finishing 3rd in the league with 45.

Preki is the new Head Coach, and is a former teammate of Toronto's Mo Johnston when they won an MLS Cup together back in Kansas City in 2000. Incidentally, that team was coached by Bob Gansler - Johnston's current assistant! Preki took over at Chivas, when former coach Bob Bradley moved on to take over the U.S. National Team as Interim Head Coach.

Some names to watch out for - midfielder Amado Guevara who is one of the league's best players and someone they'll be looking to score some goals. Up front, Ante Razov is another threat - if he can stay healthy, he is one of the league's deadliest finishers.

IN OTHER NEWS

Don't Miss the Action! Even though the team is on the road - you don't have to miss a minute of the action. Rogers Sportsnet will be carrying the match LIVE from Los Angeles beginning at 10:30 pm ET.

Check out the Toronto FC Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from April 5, 2007


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