01-15-2020, 07:24 AM
FRISCO, Texas -- Toronto FC ended a difficult early-season stretch with the kind of game they didnt want. The Reds were dominated in possession and conceded an astounding 16 corner kicks to Western Conference leader FC Dallas, but still managed to hang in until a devastating goal in the final minutes handed them a frustrating 2-1 loss Saturday night at Toyota Stadium. Blas Perezs score off a free kick in the 88th minute kept TFC (3-3) from leaving North Texas with an encouraging draw and instead left the players looking for answers. The loss was the third in four games for Toronto, a stretch that included three road games. The Reds now get a week off before returning to action May 3 against New England at home. "We have to be honest with ourselves tonight and just say we werent good enough," said midfielder Michael Bradley, who returned after missing a game with a strained quadriceps. "You have to have a mentality that says youre not afraid to make mistakes. Youre not afraid to play. Youre not afraid to really get after it. And we fell short in those areas tonight." That much is clear from the numbers. FC Dallas controlled 61 percent of possession-- 63 percent in the second half-- and those 16 corners were a club record. Toronto was also outshot 16-11 and allowed 23 open-play crosses. "We were a little timid at times," midfielder Kyle Bekker said. "We gave the ball away too cheaply. We just have to have the confidence to play. Too many times I think were afraid to play out. We just need to grow and get a little more confidence, but I think that will come as we keep playing together." Still, the Reds were on the verge of picking up a point. They grabbed an early lead when rookie Issey Nakajima-Farran followed his own shot after Dallas Chris Seitz made a diving save and blasted in the rebound in the 21st minute. They were able to get some quality scoring chances off counter-attacks, among them a controversial non-call in the 75th minute after Dallas defender Kellyn Acosta took down Toronto forward Gilberto in the box. "Oh its just a blatant penalty," TFC coach Ryan Nelsen said. "I mean hes got the inside line on him. The guys out of position, and he just pushed him in the back. Its just absolutely ridiculous. You dont push a guy like that in the back." For the most part the night belonged to FC Dallas (5-1-1), which pushed the ball forward again and again for shots, but mostly for corners. A team that lives on set pieces, having scored nine of its MLS-high 15 goals from them entering the game, Dallas finally took advantage of its many chances. The tying goal came in the 37th, when free-kick specialist Michel curled a corner in front of the net and Matt Hedges rose to head it in. The winner was also off a set piece, a long free kick from Michel that was headed by Stephen Keel and Hedges and fell to the foot of Perez, who slipped it past TFC goalkeeper Julio Cesar for the killing blow. "Its frustrating because we have to find ways to get results on our bad days, and we didnt do that today," defender Justin Morrow said. "If we want to make the playoffs, these are the games we have to get points from." China Jerseys . -- David Ortiz saved his only hit for a key moment for the Boston Red Sox. China Jerseys 2022 . Pinch-hitter Tommy Medica singled in the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and the Padres beat the Seattle Mariners 2-1 in their first home game since Gwynn died of cancer Monday. https://www.chinasjerseys.com/. Obasi chested the ball past one defender, prodded it past another and then rounded the keeper before scoring from a tight angle in the 16th minute. Seconds after the restart, Obasi set up Klaas Jan Huntelaar for the Dutchmans 11th goal from 13 games this season. Stitched China Jerseys . -- The way Ted Ligety carved into turns looked so easy. China Jerseys 2021 . However, the 38-year-old is in no hurry to sign with another team. "Im not in a rush. This will be my last contract, so I want to do it right," said Burris on Thursday.Eoin Morgan says he cannot believe the progress England have made in limited-overs cricket after last years World Cup. England reached the semi-finals of the World T20, in which they will play New Zealand on Wednesday, with a 10-run win over Sri Lanka in Delhi.Morgans side have already exceeded their performances at the 50-over World Cup, where they failed to get out of the group. Win World T20 or be forgotten Trevor Bayliss says England must win title or be forgotten And the captain has been surprised at the rapid progress the team has made since their dismal displays at that tournament 12 months ago.Ive been asked the question a couple of times and I cant quite believe where we are in terms of our 20-over cricket and our one-day cricket, he said.The guys weve selected have done outstandingly well and have shown a great attitude playing against very good sides who knock you back. Coming into this tournament we talked about emulating the fashion in which New Zealand played in the World Cup and the aggressive nature in which they went about their game, particularly with the ball. Eoin Morgan Every question that has been asked of us we have given a counter answer or a more aggressive option.Morgan felt the one-day international series against New Zealand last June was vital to the teams transformation, primarily because it helped provide a blueprint for the new aggression in the teams bowling attack.The New Zealand series was very important. Coming into this tournament we talked about emulating the fashion in which they played in the World Cup and the aggressive nature in which they went about their game, particularly with the ball.Their swing bowlers were outstanding and that encourages a positive mind set throughout everything that you do - with the bat it can come more naturally. They did play a key part for us, absolutely.Morgan was not always part of a team that needed to overcome the odds or play catch-up in the shortest format.In 2010 he was a key member of the England side that, albeit briefly, became market leaders by winning the World T20 in the Caribbean.ddddddddddddHe is the sole survivor from that vintage though the man who lifted the trophy, Paul Collingwood, is part of the coaching staff, an omen that has not gone unnoticed in the camp.And, looking around a buoyant dressing room, it is not the only parallel Morgan recognises. Eoin Morgan insists that England arent looking past their World T20 semi-final against New Zealand I see a few actually, he said.The main one would be how relaxed everybody is around the group. How much they are enjoying the challenge of playing international cricket at the moment and their hunger to win.It is all right having fun and enjoying what you are doing but if you dont have that inner drive to want to improve and win games of cricket you are going to stand still for a long time. This side has shown strengths which are similar [to 2010].England (probable): A Hales, J Roy, J Root, E Morgan (capt), J Buttler (wkt), B Stokes, M Ali, C Jordan, D Willey, A Rashid, L Plunkett.New Zealand (possible): M Guptill, K Williamson (capt), C Munro, R Taylor, C Anderson, G Elliott, L Ronchi (wkt), T Southee, M Santner, M McClenaghan, I Sodhi.Watch England take on New Zealand in the semi-final of the ICC World Twenty20 from 1.30pm on Wednesday, on Sky Sports 2. Also See: Buttler on big-hitting Key & Hussains pitch report Morgan on England rise Cricket videos ' ' '