{
    "title": "Toronto FC wins 2009 Nutrilite opener",
    "modified_at": "2026-05-05 17:22:37",
    "published_at": "2009-05-06 11:00:00",
    "url": "https://news.canadasoccer.com/toronto-fc-wins-2009-nutrilite-opener",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/fxFd",
    "culture": "en",
    "language": "EN",
    "subtitle": "Toronto FC was all business as it collected the first three points in the 2009 Nutrilite Canadian Championship opener. The host won 1:0 over visiting Vancouver Whitecaps FC, scoring within three minutes of the opening whistle. Canadian midfielder Kevin Harmse scored the lone goal on a header. \u201cThis \u2026",
    "slug": "toronto-fc-wins-2009-nutrilite-opener",
    "body": "<p>Toronto FC was all business as it collected the first three points in the 2009 Nutrilite Canadian Championship opener. The host won 1:0 over visiting Vancouver Whitecaps FC, scoring within three minutes of the opening whistle. Canadian midfielder Kevin Harmse scored the lone goal on a header.<br>\u200b<br>\u200b<br>\u200b<br>\u200b&ldquo;This was a big game for us,&rdquo; said Toronto FC coach Chris Cummins. &ldquo;We are taking (this championship) seriously and you saw that with the team we put out.&rdquo;<br>\u200b<br>\u200b<br>\u200b<br>\u200bIt took Toronto FC all but three minutes to hit the back of the goal, doing so after a run by Dwayne De Rosario down the left side. De Rosario fired it into the box where Harmse headed the ball into the netting.<br>\u200b<br>\u200b<br>\u200b<br>\u200bUp 1-0, Toronto FC continued to come on the attack. In the 8th minute, Chad Barrett found a run into the box, but couldn&rsquo;t get a strong enough shot to trouble the opposition. In the 17th minute on the team&rsquo;s first corner kick, Toronto FC had a pair of chances stopped by the Vancouver defence.<br>\u200b<br>\u200b<br>\u200b<br>\u200bAs the half wore on and the rain started to come down harder, Toronto FC perhaps lifted its foot off the pedal. The Whitecaps did manage a few shots, but only one on target in the first 45 minutes.<br>\u200b<br>\u200b<br>\u200b<br>\u200bIn the second half, Toronto FC created more chances, although the team couldn&rsquo;t match its opening intensity. Still, in the 49th minute, Barrett forced Whitecaps FC&rsquo;s goalkeeper Jay Nolly to make a good save. In the 55th minute, De Rosario created a terrific chance that just went wide. Again in the 64th minute, a pressing Toronto FC forced the Vancouver defence to clear the ball.<br>\u200b<br>\u200b<br>\u200b<br>\u200bLate in the game, Whitecaps FC could have tied the score, but goalkeeper Stefan Frei made a great kick save to keep the clean sheet. Along with Frei&rsquo;s performance, central defender Nana Attakora was named Toronto FC&rsquo;s Man of the Match. Attakora-Gyan was playing his first full 90 minutes since suffering a hip flexor injury at the 2009 CONCACAF Men&rsquo;s Under-20 Championship in March.<br>\u200b<br>\u200b<br>\u200b<br>\u200b&ldquo;There are two big guys (Vancouver&rsquo;s forwards Charles Gbeke and Marlon James), but I think with my pace I was able to stick with them,&rdquo; said Attakora-Gyan.<br>\u200b<br>\u200b<br>\u200b<br>\u200bToronto FC collected three points in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship opener for the second year in a row. Next Wednesday 13 May, Toronto FC will aim for another three points as it hosts the defending champion Impact de Montr&eacute;al. The 13 May match at BMO Field kicks off at 20.00 ET / 17.00 PT.</p>",
    "author": {
        "first_name": "Integration",
        "last_name": "Integration"
    },
    "format_version": 5
}