Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scoreboard - Live Odds - Sporting Events - Live Lines

O&N HOME | NFL MLB NBA NHL NCAAF NCAABk Nascar Golf Soccer Tennis Boxing Horse Racing All Sports

TFC opens home schedule vs. RSL

Fri 18th, April 2008

Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Four weeks into the Major League Soccer season and Toronto FC finally makes its home debut, hosting Real Salt Lake on Saturday afternoon.

Both clubs are coming off their first wins of the season, with Real Salt Lake dominating defending Supporters' Shield winners D.C. United at home and Toronto edging the Los Angeles galaxy on the road.

"I thought the conditions on both sides - attitude and application - was fantastic," TFC coach John Carver said of the win. "I think it was quick and energetic game. There were quite a few chances. I think it was a game of two halves. L.A. created some great chances in the first half. The second half we controlled the game better. We passed the ball better. I'm absolutely delighted to get the winner."

"I would never have predicted a 4-0 scoreline against D.C. United," RSL coach Jason Kries said. "I think we were fortunate with some of the goals and, as I have said, I think you know when we score the goals it makes us look better because obviously you win games. For me the soccer wasn't quite as good as I thought it has been the last two games on our side. So scoring the goals obviously makes things look brighter, but I think there are some things to take away from tonight's game as well."

Toronto's newest signing , former league MVP Amado Guevara will have his first chance to showcase his skills in front of the club's rabid fan base. His play making from the midfield was pivotal in the club's victory at L.A. last week.

"You see what you get. It's all about talent and quality," carver said of Guevara. "We said it last week and the week before. We needed to add quality it the right area. And, we got that. The quality of Guevara you see if for yourself."

RSL has some quality midfielders as well. Kyle Beckerman is coming off a 2- goal performance against D.C. , while offseason addition Dema Kovalenko has been a force all over the field. He also tallied two assists last week.

"For me, he's your typical box-to-box midfielder," Kreis said of Beckerman. "He's a guy that has the fitness, and the ability, the mentality to play over the entire field and get back into our box and defend and get into their box to attack, and today he did it in a way that was different than last week."

Carver stressed preparation this week in an effort to put together a little streak, especially with TFC playing at home in its next four league fixtures.

"We celebrated the win, but it's back to business now," Carver said after last week's fixture. "They have to learn that once you win you have to continue to win. You have to get straight back to business because it's easy for young players to get carried away with themselves and to start thinking that all they have to do is turn up on the field and they'll win the game, or because they're at home it's an automatic win. We've got to make sure we don't have that mentality. We don't take things for granted, and the only way we will win the game is to keep working hard and prepare well like we did last week."

After Saturday's match, TFC will be back in action on April 26 when it hosts Kansas City while RSL has a rematch with United, this time at D.C. the same day.

Where the players come to play and STAY.