TORONTO - Nick Soolsma's 54th-minute penalty gave Toronto FC a much-needed 1-0 win over the Vancouver Whitecaps in an MLS battle of the basement Wednesday.
Toronto had not won in 10 games in all competitions, an ugly streak stretching back to a 2-1 victory over Houston on May 7. Its MLS winless streak had stood at nine.
Perhaps indicative of the two team's lacklustre attacks, Soolsma had to take the penalty twice for it to count. The first -- successful --attempt was negated because a Toronto FC player entered the penalty box too early. Soolsma calmly went back to the spot and knocked it in the other side past Whitecaps goalkeeper Jay Nolly.
In truth, it seemed a generous call. Soolsma ran down the right side of the penalty area and went down on seemingly minimal contact from defender Greg Janicki.
The two teams meet at BMO Field again Saturday in a replay of the rain-delayed second game of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship final. The opening leg finished in a 1-1 tie.
TFC came into the game buoyed by the big-name signings of German midfielder Torsten Frings and Dutch striker Danny Koevermans.
The two designated players were paraded out before the game, receiving a polite reception given that many fans had yet to take their seats. They are not eligible to start their MLS careers until July 20 against FC Dallas, after the league's transfer window opens.
While the stars watched, two of the league's worst teams went to work on a glorious night on Toronto's lakefront before 19,816.
After a dismal first half, the game began to bubble with the introduction of star Vancouver striker Eric Hassli to open the second half.
The tattooed Frenchman immediately showed some flair, trying a backheel off a scramble in the Toronto goalmouth following a corner.
It was a rare moment of offence, but the game continued to take off with the penalty finally producing a goal.
It was often end-to-end stuff after that, with Nolly making a diving save in the 70th minute off a swerving, side-footed shot from Toronto's Javier Martina.
In 35 combined games prior to Wednesday night, the two Canadian teams only had four wins -- and one of those was Vancouver's 4-2 victory over Toronto in the season opener out west.
Toronto had a league-worst 16 goals in 18 games, while Vancouver had 18 goals in 17 outings.
Toronto had a golden chance to add to that in the 14th minute when Wes Knight gave away possession. Toronto's tiny terror Joao Plata -- all five-foot-two of him -- raced in and raked the ball across the goal. The ball came back at he edge of the box to Mikael Yourassowsky who measured it and then fired wide to groans.
The lack of action elsewhere was summed up in the 18th when Vancouver hit a corner that drifted over everyone and rolled into touch on the other side for a Toronto throw-in.
Six-foot-two Whitecaps defender Michael Boxall was booked in the 27th minute for literally running over Plata, who was giving up a foot and 60 pounds.
Yourassowsky banged another shot wide in the 30th minute.
While Toronto had its chances, Vancouver had to settle for some steady buildup and a handful of corners in the first half. Russell Teibert was the danger man for the visitors while fellow teenager Plata looked to conjure up some magic for the home side.
Both teams managed two shots in the first half. None were on target.
On the positive side, the crowd was treated to a pair of goals and a shot off the post from two pint-sized Timbits teams at halftime.
Vancouver started with Omar Selgado up front. Captain and defender Jay DeMerit did not make the bench.
Toronto's attack was led by Martina, normally a wide man, in the absence of Maicon Santos and Alan Gordon.
Vancouver is still looking for a first victory away from Empire Field. Toronto is also winless on the road.
