Toronto FC went to Los Angeles knowing that they would need at least one goal to take down the LA Galaxy in the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinals ... and that's exactly what they got.
LA Galaxy Vs. Toronto FC, 2012 CONCACAF Champions League: Ryan Johnson Puts Reds In Front
Nick Soolsma spotted Ryan Johnson at the far post and floated a ball to the striker. Johnson had pulled away from Tommy Meyer, but he still had plenty of work to do because it would take a perfect header back across the goal to score it ... and that's exactly what he got. A perfect header beat Josh Saunders and the Reds had the goal they needed to go ahead 1-0 in the match and 3-2 on aggregate.
Just because Toronto got their goal didn't mean that the match or tie was over, however. After all, LA should have already been ahead 1-0, but the linesman incorrectly called Mike Magee offside when he scored. Even after that, LA created plenty of other chances. Edson Buddle would have been in alone on goal if not for a bad touch, and Magee forced a good save from Milos Kocic another time. Landon Donovan was also taken down in the box by Ty Harden, but the referee did not award the penalty because, well, he didn't.
All in all, the Galaxy have been the better side. They have all of the shots, corner kicks and possession, but they don’t have the one thing that matters. Toronto has the goal and the aggregate lead, but if the second half is filled with the Galaxy getting the chances they had in the first half, odds are they get a goal or two.
See More:
