Fire beat TFC in Carolina Cup exhibition
Posted March 5, 2011 10:05 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
THE CANADIAN PRESS
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Marco Pappa scored in the sixth minute Saturday as the Chicago Fire beat Toronto FC 1-0 in the opening game of the Carolina Challenge Cup exhibition soccer tournament.
Davis Paul sent the ball to Pappa, who beat Toronto goalkeeper Stefan Frei from close range to give Chicago all the offence it would need.
Chicago were reduced to 10 men in the 35th minute when captain Logan Pause was sent off for a foul on Toronto midfielder Oscar Cordon.
Toronto dominated possession in the second half with the extra man, but were unable to beat Chicago ‘keeper Sean Johnson.
TFC’s best chance came with 14 minutes remaining when Macion Santos fed Cordon, and the midfielder fired narrowly wide. Santos then had an opportunity on goal himself two minutes later but was denied by an excellent save from Johnson.
The four-team tournament features Toronto, Chicago and DC United of Major League Soccer, as well as the host Charleston Battery of the United Soccer Leagues Professional Division.
Toronto’s next match is Wednesday against Charleston.
