Posted on September 1, 2012
KANSAS CITY, Kansas — Ryan Johnson felt the ecstasy and agony for Toronto FC on Saturday night.
The Jamaican international striker scored a goal in the first half to give his team the lead. But in a frustrating second half, Johnson hit the post in what turned into a 2-1 Major League Soccer defeat to Sporting Kansas City at Livestrong Sporting Park.
Sporting (15-7-5, 50 points), which leads the Eastern Conference, extended its lead to four points over the idel New York Red Bulls while 10th-place Toronto (5-16-6, 21) continued to bury itself in the conference cellar.
“Again, it’s the same old story,” Toronto coach Paul Mariner said. “I’m just heartbroken for the players because they put a great effort. You can only dig so deep in your roster. A lot of guys haven’t played together and are new to the team. But they worked extremely hard and it’s unfortunate.”
Richard Eckersley set up Johnson’s goal sending an over the top pass to the Jamacian, who had slipped behind the back line. Johnson collected the ball at the edge of the penalty area and slotted his left-footed shot past goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen and into the lower right corner.
Eckersley said Johnston “came around the back and I saw him peel away from his man, and it was just a little clip over. Bad marking, but I’ll take it.”
Four minutes into the second half, Johnson almost scored again on a counterattack. He fired a 20-yard shot that beat Nielsen, but bounded off the post.
But Paulo Nagamura equalized in the 60th minute and Oriol Rosell scored the game-winner in the 87th minute off assists by Chance Myers and Nagamura.
Photo: Ryan Johnson and Toronto are at the bottom of the MLS Eastern Conference. Wade Jackson/YCJ
Categories: Caribbean, Jamaica
Tags: Major League Soccer, Oriol Rosell, Paulo Nagamura, Richard Eckersley, Ryan Johnson, Sporting Kansas City, Toronto FC
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