COMMERCE CITY, Colo. -- Saturday afternoon's contest against the Colorado Rapids was full of bad omens for Toronto FC. Playing on the road (where they have not won since April), against a Western Conference team (an opponent they haven't recorded a win against since June), and forced to start many reserve players, conditions seemed ripe for TFC to run their winless streak to seven games.
Looking at the statistics, one would be forgiven if there was the impression that the game went as poorly for Toronto as the omens forecasted: outshot 21-8, putting only two shots on goal (to Colorado's 11), giving up five corner kicks while only taking one.
But in the only measure that counts -- goals -- Toronto FC prevailed, beating Colorado 1-0 courtesy of a Chad Barrett free kick goal.
"We were up against it before the game; we have not made too much of about it and we've just gone on with the job," said Toronto coach John Carver. "The young guys have stepped in there and I'm proud of them. They've done a great job for Toronto and I hope everyone back in Canada and Toronto in particular are very proud of them, because I am."
Sporting a lineup missing many of its key performers, Toronto was forced to feature several of their reserve and developmental players, who played a solid game in earning the win.
"It means a lot for the guys who have been on the bench and the reserve team to take advantage of our chance to play," said fullback Julius James, making only his fifth start of the season.
Forward Danny Dichio, who saw 10 minutes as a substitute as he recovers from a concussion, agreed that the victory was very important for the team.
"I think it shows a lot of the character we have in the team dressing room," said Dichio. "In the last few weeks we have had a lot of doubters but this has really shown today that we are a good strong bunch of players, team spirit-wise. A lot of people were saying we were going to get beat but we came through and showed a lot of character today."
In all, seven of the 13 players who saw action for Toronto have fewer than 20 career MLS starts to their names.
"We've got two guys in the Olympics, we've got two guys suspended, we have three back home injured, and then we picked up another couple of injuries today so we are down to the bare bones," said Carver. "And we traded Jeff [Cunningham] and we thought we were going to have another player today but that didn't materialize so it was like losing two more players. So we were down to the bare bones and the young guys have come in there stepped up and done a great job."
Barrett's goal, his sixth of the season but first since coming to Toronto in a trade with the Chicago Fire, was enough to hold off a Rapids team that looked consistently dangerous but could break through.
"I thought let's just put something on goal because we hadn't really tested [Rapids 'keeper] Bouna Coundoul," said Barrett. "I saw Bouna standing in the middle of the goal and I thought to go back post. I hit it as well as I could hit it and I still thought Bouna was going to get to it since he has such a long range. But he couldn't and everyone did their jobs after that and produced a great win for the team."
Almost as important as the goal for Barrett was the fact that he did not experience any of the physical issues that have limited his play this season.
"Chad's got an unbelievable ability, but what has pleased me more is that is lasting longer," said Carver. "He has had a problem with picking up cramps and in all of the games he played for Chicago he lasted about 70 minutes. So to get him past the 80-minute mark, that's progress and I'm delighted."
Barrett agreed with his coach's assessment and attributed his progress to the Toronto training staff.
"I didn't ramp up today; I was just tired," said Barrett. "They are doing a great job keeping me healthy and the strength and conditioning coach has me on a great program and I felt great out there today."
Play ended up being physical on both ends of the fields, as each team committed 15 fouls. Toronto earned three yellow cards while Colorado picked up four (and saw an ejection via a second yellow card, when Colin Clark was sent off with 20 minutes to play). "Today's game was physical but that's the way most MLS games, most professional games are and we were up for it today," said James.
Even the substitutes were getting into the physicality as Dichio managed to get into scraps with Rapids defenders Ugo Ihemelu and Facundo Erpen in his 10 minutes of playing time.
"I didn't mean to play so physical," said Dichio. "I was just a bit unfit and I was just trying to get back into the game and maybe I made a few rash challenges but I was trying to inspire the team and get us back on our toes a little bit."
Despite the pleasure from the road victory, there was some pain as well as veteran defender Tyrone Marshall had to leave the game with a leg injury.
"Tyrone has got a slight thigh strain," said Carver. "Funny enough I wasn't watching it because I watching movement in the box and I just saw him lying on the floor. So it was a huge disappointment to us, but it's not too serious, so we're get him patched up and back to Toronto and watch him next week. The fortunate thing is that we don't play again until Sunday next week."
The road victory is Toronto's first since their third game of the season, when they beat Los Angeles 3-2 on April 13. "It's a huge victory," said Carver. "Because the longer you go without the win on the road people start doubting you. The one thing you will find is that I will never give up and this is the biggest challenge I have ever had. And every one of us in that dressing room has stepped up to the plate and done a great job. When your back is to the wall, sometimes the strong come out fighting and that is what we have done today."
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