Week 6 review, part 3: Toronto top despite drama, DC rallies late for win

April 27, 3:46 PMMLS ExaminerDavid Agrell

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Toronto's acting coaches, Cummins and Dasovic (AP/The Canadian Press, Chris Young)

Toronto dangerous despite shakeup

Toronto FC moved atop the East following a 1-0 home result over the Kansas City Wizards on Sunday.

Danny Dichio scored his first goal of the season in the 54th minute to seal the win.

The Canadian side appear unaffected—at least not negatively—by the off-field drama that saw John Carver resign as head coach Saturday.

"I don't think it was a distraction; I think it may egged us on a little bit," Dichio said [Toronto FC]. "We wanted to show we have a great team spirit here and no matter what happens with the [coaching] staff or any of that ... we have to go out and show the fans that we're strong as a unit."

Carver cited "personal reasons" for quitting, though did not give any specific details. He was also absent from Toronto's 1-0 win over Chivas last week, leaving assistant coaches Chris Cummins and Nick Dasovic to temporarily take charge.

Reports suggest Carver's relationship with MLS had fallen apart after he was fined $750 for criticizing the league's officiating.

Rumors have also surfaced that Carver is looking to take a job at England's Newcastle United, where he has previously been both an assistant coach and caretaker manager.

However, according to the Toronto Star, Carver told a Newcastle newspaper that, "there is nothing else in the pipeline, and the people at Toronto have been fantastic to me. It is the MLS with whom I have issues."

Toronto director of soccer Mo Johnston echoed Carver, but issued a caveat.

"He did say to me that he did not have anything to go to in England, I have it on record," said Johnston [Globe and Mail]. "[But] if [Newcastle United coach] Alan Shearer has that in his makeup to bring John Carver in, I have no doubt he'll give 100 per cent."

 

Red Bulls hand DC late win

DC United beat rivals New York Red Bulls in dramatic fashion Sunday, scoring two late goals to earn a 3-2 road victory.

Rookie Chris Pontius scored the game-winner just seconds into stoppage time, stabbing in his effort after teammate Thabiso Khumalo had rescued a loose ball from New York 'keeper Jon Conway.

That goal came barely a minute after Luciano Emilio had tucked in Santino Quaranta's assist from close range.

Quaranta recorded two assists on the night, earlier supplying the pass for Rodney Wallace's go-ahead goal for DC midway through the first half.

But when Juan Pablo Angel rose to head home the New York's leveler at 68', and Dane Richards mopped up for the go-ahead goal 15 minutes from time, it seemed the Red Bulls would hold on for their second win of the season.

DC, however, is no stranger to late finishes, having rescued a tie with a stoppage-time goal against the New England Revolution last week.

New York captain Angel didn't mince words in the post-game.

"An embarrassing performance," said Angel, whose side also gave up a late tying goal in its home opener against the Revs [NY Daily News].

"What happened today is just unacceptable. We should have killed the game off. We should have won it."

For further coverage, visit the New York Soccer Examiner here, and the DC United Examiner here.

MORE:

Week 6 review, part 1: RSL thrashes the Revs, Columbus' late collapse

Week 6 review, part 2: Galaxy winless, Chivas march on, Keller returns in Seattle win