Jul 20, 2008 1:00 am US/Pacific
Toronto FC Gets Scoreless Tie With SJ Earthquakes
TORONTO, Canada (AP) ―
Toronto FC remained unbeaten at home, playing to a scoreless tie against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday.
Toronto (6-6-4) hasn't lost in nine home games, but poor play on the road has significantly hurt its playoff chances. The team has recorded only three points away from home.
With the tie, Toronto remains fifth in the East Division. They needed the win to move up in into a third place tie by the end of the weekend, which would keep them in the postseason hunt.
San Jose, meanwhile, continues to dwell in the basement of the West Division at (3-9-5).
It was the first ever meeting between the two clubs but it marked the return of a familiar face in former Toronto midfielder Ronnie O'Brien. O'Brien was the target of frequent and deafening jeers due his spurning of Toronto when he demanded a trade back in February.
Also receiving his share of boos was recently signed San Jose midfielder Darren Huckerby, who rejected Toronto to ink with the Earthquakes, citing the stadium turf as the reason.
With both sides playing conservatively in the second half, it wasn't until the 67th minute when San Jose defender James Riley pulled down Abdus Ibriham in the penalty box, resulting in a penalty kick that could have put Toronto on top.
Amado Guevara blasted the ball to the left but Earthquakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon judged correctly to keep the game scoreless. Though the ball bounced back for a second chance opportunity, it was quickly kicked high into the stands by a San Jose defender.
In the 78th, Laurent Robert raced up the left side, then sent in a cross to Ibriham, but the 16-year-old striker headed it just above the bar.
Kei Kamara almost gave the Earthquakes a decisive goal when he fired a close-range shot on FC goalie Greg Sutton from the box in the 88th minute.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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